Before entering Ed 205, I had not given much thought to on-line learning. If you’d have asked me about it, I might have sounded a little skeptical about the possiblity for quality education without face-to-face interaction. However, having experienced it for eight or so weeks, my attitude has dramatically changed.
Not only am I signed up for “Computers in Ed” this semester, but I’m also in “Intro to Computer Science” which meets for three hours a week “face to face.” I’ve learned so much more from my on-line experience than I have sitting through three hours in the classroom because I can attack the work at my own pace, and I can study what I don’t already know. The on-line experience really allows me to sculpt the curriculum to meet my needs.
I’d certainly take another on-line class, although I’m sure that some can be set up poorly. If I were setting up an on-line class, I would first, make sure to have a mandatory discussion portion which follows the material I’ve asked my students to cover. I might also add a 10 or so question quiz each week just to make sure my students have covered the reading and to let my students know what I thought was important in the readings they were supposed to do.
I wish that I could have taken my Intro to CS class on-line because I definately think it could be an on-line class. I think that certain geography, economics, English, and some history classes could be on-line although ideally, they would meet face to facel occaisonally because some things just can’t be done without body language. Good science classes might be a little tricky because lab is integral although I’m sure there are on-line experiments that are quality. Art classes might be alright on-line. Certainly graphic design could be made into an on-line class. I never thought PE could be on-line, but looking at the example of Minneapolis Public Schools, I see that it can be. From the syllabus, it looks that students would learn much more in the on-line PE class that I did in my year long Freshman PE class.
To conclude, I’m very happy with my on-line learning experience so far, and I’m looking forward to integrating some on-line components into my own classroom.

Here are five computer applications that I believe are important for children to learn in school in order to be ready for the real world.

First, and foremost, every school child should gain a firm understanding and ability to use word processing. I believe as soon as students can read, they can begin learning to word process so possibly in second grade. Word allows students to more effectively communicate and I don’t think that there is a more important skill in this world.

Second, I believe students should learn to use spreadsheets. I did not use excel in school and really wish I would have learned to use it earlier because there are so many cool things that you can use it for. I believe that students could begin to organize data and use some excel applications as early as second or third grade.

Third, I think children should learn to create web pages because the internet is the best place to display information. I think web page design could begin in fourth or fifth grade.

Fourth, I think kids should learn to use presentation software becasue it is very helpful to have an organized, visual presentation. It’s professional and people like them. Powerpoint presentation also could begin to be learned in fourth or fifth grade.

Fifth, I don’t know much about multi-media authoring software, but it sounds like students should learn it. The different ways of presenting information through this software sound like it would really give them an edge in life. I wish I had learned to use it in school. Fourth or fifth grade would be a good time to introduce it, I believe.