Interactive Learning

When I was reading Brother West's blog today I was intrigued by his latest edition concerning split learning between actual classroom teaching and online classes. I have really enjoyed the aspect of the online class this semester because it gives the student the freedom to complete the assignments on their own time while discovering new technologies as they go. However, this idea only works if the student is self-disciplined enough to complete the assignment on their own. Many middle and high school student don't have the technology or the enthusiasm about learning technology like college students do and so the key to interactive learning is to get the student interested which can be difficult at times. The other problem is that technology can sometimes be very unreliable. I know that assignments get lost or sent to the wrong place and then what do you do? Can the teacher always trust that the student actually did the assignment because in most cases you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe this problem could be solved if you give the students a deadline but they can turn the assignment in before the deadline and should receive a confirmation that their assignment was accepted. If the student chooses to turn in their assignment on the day of the deadline they are choosing to run the risk of having it be late. Overall I really enjoyed exploring and receiving information from the classroom and outside the classroom.