AlternateProfessional Journal Article Response

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PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL RESPONSE

SUMMARY

Using E-Mail, Web Sites & Newgroups to Web Sites & Newsgroups to Enhance Traditional Classroom. Instruction by Dr. Morris Henry Partee, Professor. T.H.E. Journal, June 1996.

This article explains the new methods of communication are rapidly changing the fundamental shape of education. Many institutions have set up distance learning programs to conserve the finite resources of higher education Internet action enable instantaneous interaction between instructor and the student at any distance. Presser Partee claims that only the instructor's fear, lethargy or ignorance retain the teaching methods of yester-year. He believes that within a few hours, any teacher can learn the technology to communicate with students in new powerful and efficient ways.

Professor Partee suggests that a computer network can enhance the three major activities of all teachers; To counsel students individually, to deliver general information (a lecture), and the encourage class discussion.

To begin with, e-mail provided extended opportunities for persona counseling. Availability of the teacher is extended and the teacher has an electronic records of all such transactions Secondly, a web site may deliver general knowledge more effective than a lecture. Professor Partee claims that students could access a home page for precise information on written notes. Thirdly, often times students are reluctant to participate in traditional class discussion; Professor Partee suggests that a student may be more likely to contribute to a Newsgroups[. Once the teacher incorporate all these new methods of electronic interaction, Professor Partee believe that students and instructors can concentrate on the specific content of the course. The success of using communication technology in class depends on the student's ability and access to a computer. The author suggest that there are many facets of e-mail. It serves for direct contact, could connect instructor and student more intimately than ever before, and a students can contact the instructor for individual counseling.

REACTION My first experience of using e-mail, web sites and posting of course work this fall's enrollment in the UMD masters in education program. Until then I did not use it for contact with instructors and course work. My feelings at that time were ones of frustration. Mostly due to the lack of knowledge in accessing what I needed and also in the time lapses of communicating with getting responses. I feel that the key to success in using these devices are in the training of the students and the timely response of instructors and students.

I share Professor Partee's enthusiasm about the possibilities of enhancement of the traditional classroom. I agree with accessing the class lecture notes so the information is precise elim8nating the distortion that often times occure during note taking. I think about how nice it is to be given an outline or possible list of terms but, how more efficient and effective to have the correct definition provided. Many times I miss material and discussion while I am trying to figure our a correct way of stating definition. After all, isn't the end result knowledge and not the note taking?

As a teacher my experience with e-mail in my classroom have been for instruction, accessing educational sites that the students interact with others, counseling, absent student not attending school or have graduated. This e-mail use is different from Proffessor's Partee's because I have daily contact with my students. I agree that it makes good sense for productive displaying of information such as syllabus, assignments due dates, and alternative methods for discussion.

In conclusion, I enjoyed reading this article because it has stimulated my interest in expanding and implementing these technologies in my classroom. I recognize the setbacks in the implementation, but feel tht the advantages are beneficial. Also, as a student, I enjoy the opportunities in using these technologies. Especially with limited direct contact with instructors, I particularly like the editing and comments of posted assignments. With continuing of the growth in technology, it will be exciting to see how the uses of the web will impact our learning opportunities.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 1999


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