Presenters:
Asha George, Savannah State University
George Joseph, Savannah State University
Maliece Whatley, Savannah State University
Description:
If web-based education becomes impersonal, there is the threat that "distance education" will become the norm. However, online education integrated with "learning communities" can increase direct involvement while creating web-based content. One strategy is to have panel discussions involving practitioners in the community, with students and faculty involved in organizing the event. The steps involved in this process include: (1) selection of a topic for discussion, which should preferably cross functional areas (e.g., ethical issues in business), (2) selection of a panel of members, (3) digital recording of the event and transferring to web compatible media, (4) inserting the segment into the online material, and (5) developing an archive of such recordings that can be available for different courses across the curriculum.
The advantages include involvement of students in the learning process (organizing the event) and seamless integration of technology to create a niche in web delivered programs that cannot be duplicated by "distance education." The process will help develop learning material internally and benefits from practical insights provided by participants in the panel discussions. The continuing value of the exercise will depend on projects and exercises that critically evaluate the discussions and extend the ideas developed in the sessions.
