Removing Barriers

Never having been a student or instructor in an online environment, I can only really make some guesses as to the barriers that can be broken and possible new ones that may be created:

Breaking Barriers:

1.  I believe the the environment created by online courses/blended courses will help with the acceptance of diversity.  Online Diversity seems to lend itself to hidden social barriers that sometimes impact a students role in a tradition B & M classroom.  Students who may be soft-spoken, who may be ESL students, or students who may not be as aggressive in the classroom.  Online discussion and online interaction with the instructor certainly remove some of the social barriers that are prevalent in a B&M classroom.  This digital environment gives all the same voice, with opportunity to participate in discussion, to ask questions without the fear of student acceptance, and/or approval from the teacher.

2.  Some social factors that keep students from success in B&M classrooms that I see are attendance issues, teen pregnancy, suspension and expulsion from school.  Regardless of a students situation, their education is still a gateway to opportunity and students deserve to have more than the traditional method to make that opportunity a reality.  It is arguable that this will better society as a whole.  I believe that an Online/Blended situation will break down this traditional barrier as well.

New Barriers:

1.  Technology Access:  Even in our digital age and easy access to the WWW I still have students that do not have internet access at home.  I do wonder if this will become a new "IEP" and modifications will  need to be made for the student....almost creating a Brick and Mortar situation for kids that do not have internet access.

2.  Technology Bugs:  Much like being early users of CAKE bugs always show up when relying upon technology for instruction.  Projector lamps burn out, servers crash, and computers lock up.  There are always hurdles to overcome in education but in a Brick and Mortar situation teachers can easily adapt to a schedule change, a convo, or something that modifies their day.  Tech problems, however, sometimes require the assistance of a well trained individual to fix the problem.  This can be very frustrating while starring at 30 bright young faces waiting to be instructed.