1.1 Benefits and challenges

Learners are increasingly identifying with a networked, connected society that privileges interactivity as a learning strategy, and acknowledges new media literacies as indigenous modes of expression.  Traditional pedagogical principles are still valued, but this new context offers unique opportunities to consider new approaches.

Technology offers solutions to a diverse set of instructional challenges, and instructors choose to augment courses with learning technologies for a number of reasons. Some examples include large lecture courses managing hundreds of students or dozens of topics; introductory courses providing access to significant amounts of basic materials throughout the semester; courses that shift in-class quizzes to an online format allowing for more class discussion time; or courses and programs using the Internet to reach a nonresident, national, or international audience.

The following videos discuss how teaching online positively impacts both the teaching and learning experience and what challenges to expect.

Benefits and Challenges of Online Teaching

This video discusses the benefits and challenges that online teaching might present for educators.

^{Benefits and challenges of online teaching, Brock University, Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, CC BY 4.0}

This video discusses the benefits and challenges that online learning might present for students.

^{Benefits and challenges of online learning, Brock University, Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, CC BY 4.0}

Overcoming the Challenges of Online Teaching

This video discusses strategies that educators could use to overcome the challenges of online teaching and learning.

^{Overcoming the challenges in online teaching and learning, Brock University, Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, CC BY 4.0}

Educators want to better manage time and resources, provide engaging learning opportunities to students outside of class, and/or want to offer a course to a nontraditional or off-campus audience. Although there are many themes and recommendations in common, you will find specific strategies through this guide to prepare for a variety of challenges that each unique set of circumstances may present.