3-5 crucial/key differences between on-ground, blended, and fully online learning

In the new millennium we are all faced with having to learn a whole new set of social communica- tion skills: how to politely discuss topics in the online format. In a f2f discussion the students may or may not have prepared or read the material, but in online discussions they always have time to look up the information and study the item prior to posting a response about it, particularly useful for ESL students who may need extra time to prepare in advance of discussions. If the instructor makes the expectations and requirements clear then, given that students have time to reflect on their discussion contributions before posting, they can offer more resources and interesting facts than they could in a f2f talk on the same topic, thus increasing the quality of the discussions. The value of the online discussion is that even those students who are shy and timid can find the time to express their views, and more in-depth dialogue between students-students can occur. These tools can take many forms, from chat sessions, to discussion forums, to video chat. In this learning guide an online discussion is defined as communication between instructors and students using interactive communication tools. An online discussion is very similar to a f2f talk in that they require moderation and active management by the instructor, preparation time, and summarization of the concepts covered.

From fully f2f to blended to fully online, the students can expand their learning outside the classroom through interactive dialogue with their peers and the instructor. There are many benefits to having online discussions even in a face-to-face (f2f) course.

3-5 crucial/key differences between on-ground, blended, and fully online learning