It was the first week of my online course, and we had to introduce ourselves to the class. I discovered that I was the only student who lived in Nebraska. Others lived in China, England, the Middle East and Africa.
The discussion posts and interactions between the students of the class brought with them many differences, complications and insights that only an online class could bring. I had never been in a classroom where, during a group project, the teacher had to rearrange the members of the teams according to time zones. Here are four things that surprised me about working with other students in an online setting.
1. Different cultures can bring unexpected insights to class material. Depending on what subject a student takes and the level of student involvement, the students within an online classroom could contribute as much to a discussion as an instructor could. For example, as a psychology, philosophy or history student, one could expect a range of opinions within a physical classroom, but add to this the perspectives of online students from all over the world, and you get insights that vary more than you would ever expect.
Hearing stories from African students who struggled to find Internet access to attend school, Middle Eastern students who live in areas of conflict, you get a much broader perspective on the events that shape world history. For example, I got a much different take on the Hong Kong riots from a student living in China than I would have from someone living in the U.S., and I came away with understanding more about Chinese culture as the root of Chinese political thought. It gave me the sense that the world has a much wider scope than just the locale where my laptop resides.
Understand [the challenges that online learning poses for international students.]
2. You might be surprised when someone challenges your ideas about the world. Because online classrooms open themselves up to students from all over the world, they promote collaboration between different beliefs, thoughts and experiences. Online learning brings with it the opportunity to appreciate that others may not think or feel the same way about a topic and that those beliefs are valid. It promotes a sense of empathy for those whose beliefs challenge the values other students might hold, or change ideas one may identify with.
For example, I once believed that unions had no purpose in the U.S. economy, but upon discussion with some of my fellow students I learned that labor unions played an important, vital role in the construction of the survival of the country, and do serve a purpose for those careers where workers are at risk for exploitation. Students can learn how to bridge differences of thought, ideally with more respect and openness toward those who think differently.
Discover how to [connect with your classmates in an online course.]
3. You might be surprised when you change someone’s point of view. As much as an online student gains from experiencing the world of others, others can also experience the world from your perspective. There have been students whom I have never met or have had any other contact with, who will compliment me on something I have written in a discussion post. For example, in a history class I was surprised to learn that others felt the same way about racial identification as a construct of class distinction, and as a way to subjugate workers, beginning with early American plantation owners. This not only surprises me but also reminds me that for every person out there who inspires and interests me, I can be that person for others. I can bring my unique view, culture and perspective to them, and they can gain something from it.
The takeaway: Online education provides students with the opportunity to interact with students from many different places, cultures and walks of life, and this enriches education with cultural information and knowledge.
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3 Ways Your Online Classmates Might Surprise You originally appeared on usnews.com
