muraPOI: December 12, 2012
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How to Succeed in Education Technology:
“Most of today’s education technology startups are doomed to fail…”
- They’re chasing a trendy space without true, lasting passion for education;
- They lack a business model that works in education and are afraid to charge their customers;
- Their investors have consumer Internet expectations in a market with completely different dynamics;
- It’s easier to build novel technology than to deeply engage with students and teachers to understand their fundamental needs.
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Working with Online Teaching Assistants: Melissa A. Venable writes:
“The list of duties of these online assistants [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][in addition to those covered traditional TAs] is expanding to involve tracking student progress and providing encouragement toward course completion.”
Encouragement and motivation is an important consideration in online classes. Depending on the discipline and individual, this might not play a role for a traditional TA. But in the online world, where students may be working in isolation, providing this sort of support can be crucial in supporting student success. (And we probably should be doing it more offline as well!)
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