Jake Patterson
12-22-2007, 06:01 PM
I brought this over from another site. I posted it in response to note our responsibilities as distance coaches.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the comments.
I see baseball distance learning a little different than most. As some of you know I have a M.Ed. specializing in Adult Education and Distance Learning.
Whether we embrace it or not distance learning is here to stay and we are truly pioneering a new way to learn/teach the game of baseball. There's enough research available that demonstrates distance learning in general is the fastest growing segment in education. The University of Phoenix for example has nearly 200,000 students worldwide. Most if not all major colleges have some form of distance learning and the progression continues down to the high school and middle school levels.
Athletics and other areas of learning are following suit. I see three categories or better yet – three levels in baseball distance learning.
1. High discussion - limited learning- Open sites with little to no moderation. They attract all kinds of people with varying backgrounds and experience. Little learning occurs because of the widely varying opinions and limited moderation. Discussion policies and guidelines exist, but are seldom enforced. Discussion typically digresses quickly and participants are generally uncomfortable providing personal information.
2. High discussion - moderate learning - No charge open sites that are highly moderated. Varying views and opposing opinions are discussed, but are done so within enforced policies and guidelines. Forumers share a common interest and general expertise is higher. These sites attract the more serious learners and teachers. The participants tend to be more knowledgeable and engaging. Participants here become “forumers” and provide limited but general personal information.
3. Moderate discussion – High Learning - Pay to participate private sites. Forumers are seeking a higher understanding of the game and share a common training/learning belief. Personal information is shared and forumers develop a learning network. Sites are typically specialized i.e. pitching, hitting, catching, etc.
Distance learning’s Achilles heel lays in its openness – anyone can post anything. The responsibility we have as coaches and students of the game is to insure the information that becomes available is reasonable and age appropriate, not always an easy task. Distance learning will continue to evolve as will its impact on the game. As it further develops we must all recognize our responsibility to the game and its students.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the comments.
I see baseball distance learning a little different than most. As some of you know I have a M.Ed. specializing in Adult Education and Distance Learning.
Whether we embrace it or not distance learning is here to stay and we are truly pioneering a new way to learn/teach the game of baseball. There's enough research available that demonstrates distance learning in general is the fastest growing segment in education. The University of Phoenix for example has nearly 200,000 students worldwide. Most if not all major colleges have some form of distance learning and the progression continues down to the high school and middle school levels.
Athletics and other areas of learning are following suit. I see three categories or better yet – three levels in baseball distance learning.
1. High discussion - limited learning- Open sites with little to no moderation. They attract all kinds of people with varying backgrounds and experience. Little learning occurs because of the widely varying opinions and limited moderation. Discussion policies and guidelines exist, but are seldom enforced. Discussion typically digresses quickly and participants are generally uncomfortable providing personal information.
2. High discussion - moderate learning - No charge open sites that are highly moderated. Varying views and opposing opinions are discussed, but are done so within enforced policies and guidelines. Forumers share a common interest and general expertise is higher. These sites attract the more serious learners and teachers. The participants tend to be more knowledgeable and engaging. Participants here become “forumers” and provide limited but general personal information.
3. Moderate discussion – High Learning - Pay to participate private sites. Forumers are seeking a higher understanding of the game and share a common training/learning belief. Personal information is shared and forumers develop a learning network. Sites are typically specialized i.e. pitching, hitting, catching, etc.
Distance learning’s Achilles heel lays in its openness – anyone can post anything. The responsibility we have as coaches and students of the game is to insure the information that becomes available is reasonable and age appropriate, not always an easy task. Distance learning will continue to evolve as will its impact on the game. As it further develops we must all recognize our responsibility to the game and its students.