My initial reactions to the A-T model are similar to those from the Kulik article. The model helps as an alternative to lecture-based courses, but the overall goals are being met in the same ways. The A-T model does allow students that need more time to understand a concept to do so, but the course has to move at some type of pace that involves all students completing and understanding concepts. If some students take longer than others, the class my become unbalanced. Some of the most important barriers in this model include; students with disabilities, students with attention issues, and the availability of the recorded content. Every student can't hear, some students have a hard time focusing, and some schools just don't have the resources to support this kind of theory. By overcoming these barriers, learners may benefit by being able to completely understand a topic that they may need extra time with. Learners may also benefit by learning how to use technologies that they may not be familiar with.
I would use this theory for certain assignments. Special project assignments where students may need further instruction will be the ideal use for this theory. This theory focuses on the audio-instructed approach, while I would be more concerned with a theory like constructivism. This theory is definitely a tool, but it should not be the main style for instructing a course.
Podcasts, YouTube, Vimeo, Screentoaster, ect. are great web-based tools that can enhance this model. Using these types of tools has helped the online class structure develop at a rapid pace. Students can learn about any topic that comes to their mind without opening a book or leaving the house.
I think you bring up a good point that this theory would not work well for some students with disabilities- either attention or hearing problems.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about the students with hearing problems. Good point. I like what you have to say at the end about learning without opening a book or leaving the house. Sometimes that is good and sometimes that is bad.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Karen in that I did not think about those students with special needs. You make extremely great points about the fact that this type of learning module would be great for special projects, etc. I know that for a general learning class with my high school students, this method would not be the best way for them to learn. However, I like your suggestions for implementstion with certain projects,
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