As an online learner, aiming to be a professional in the field of primary education, I have learnt the following:
Another skill which would be at my advantage would be collaborative skill, where I would be able to work as a team within the school community, working with fellow teachers from all cultural backgrounds. As we all head into a technologically advanced world, I feel it is imperative to be equipped with knowledge of technology, and be comfortable in using it in a variety of contexts within the classroom. In addition, skills such as the ability to think “outside the box,” and coming up with novel lesson plans to capture the interest of the target student group would assist me greatly.
Learning online is different because it is more of a self-directed style of learning as opposed to the conventional style of learning, where learning revolves around the teacher. In other words: the transmissionist model of education (Copian Library, 2015).
One of the important skills to hone as a learner in the digital age is the metacognitive skill, by John Flavell (Livingston, 1997). Using this evaluation and reflection of the task itself, the learner either modifies the approach to a similar task in future or is able to amend the plan of action of the original task, in future for a more desirable outcome.
Use of technology is very much a part of online learning. In traditional classroom model, the teacher is expected to supply the learner with all the required knowledge whereas in the online platform the teacher acts as a guide, providing the required information but at the same time allowing the learner to do his own research, both individually and in a collaborative learning environment, using online resources, such as social media and the internet which enables the learner to connect with peers, consolidating what has been “taught”. This rather new concept of