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ACVA Online Spring 2014
President's Message |
By ACVA Online President William Levacy, Ph.D.
Technology-Assisted Learning in the 21st Century
William R. Levacy, Ph.D
President, American College of Vedic Astrology™ (ACVA)
As the American College of Vedic Astrology™ (ACVA) enters the 2014 Spring season, it realizes a lot has been incorporated over the years into ACVA’s methods to increase the quality and reach of Vedic education. Live and online events are an increasingly regular occurrence in today's learning environments. Society, while still established in traditional educational methods, is now moving more and more online and so is the corresponding training.
Based on traditional Vedic principles, the American College of Vedic Astrology™ (ACVA) combines innovative and proven course design fundamentals and modern technology. ACVA programs are created in direct response to learning needs identified by Vedic astrology professionals wanting an in-depth and knowledge-oriented strategy for the ever-changing, technology rich, 21st century learner. ACVA has been motivated by its clear conviction to deliver excellence in Vedic education since 1999—because we know you demand nothing less as learners in the 21st century. |  |  |
What is Online Learning?
An online course delivers most, if not all of the class content through the Internet. Student and teacher interaction is primarily text-based and the learning environment is independent of a location. Most people are familiar with the traditional brick and mortar institutional model where there is face-to-face contact. However, those who have actually taken online courses report that the online environment can provide learners with a rich sense of virtual community where they can engage, interact, and support each other. Many learners report that using the technology of online learning has actually helped them to build social relationships, sometimes more than they did in traditional classroom settings. In many cases, learners in remote areas would not have access to Vedic astrology instruction were it not delivered to them via the Internet. The cost and resources for maintaining a physical presence also shortens the reach of many educational undertakings. Online education makes it easier to maximize learning outcomes because the resources required to learn in a face-to-face environment are substantially reduced with the cheaper, more pervasive internet assisted learning. Online learning reduces the cost of education and broadens the reach of knowledge through the technology and availability of the internet.
Social Network Learning
One of the several live and online teaching methods used by ACVA is called Instructor-Guided, Social-Network Learning. This form of instruction involves several key components.
- a highly collaborative environment with fellow learner and expert instructor feedback and analysis.
- give and receive from the instructor and fellow learner’s feedback –share with others and they back to you
- an alternative to lecture-heavy teaching strategies which studies show improves learning involvement and retention
- engage in skill performance exercises to help the learner in real-world practice
Self-Paced Learning
Another important component of ACVA’s effective teaching strategies is self-paced or independent study- which can occur anyplace, anytime, anywhere. This type of independent learning can be especially relevant for students have mastered the skills to be effective learners. The independent learner is self-directed and has the motivation to learn independently. This style of learning gives the modern, independent learner the best combination of technological speed and direction to accomplish their learning goals with the most efficient use of time and resources. Self-paced learning at ACVA, which is growing in popularity, can occur in at least two ways
- with Designated Instructor Assistance
- with Learner-Initiated Tutor Assistance
Online Learning as an Alternative not a Replacement
Recent studies show that many people who disfavor the use of technology to assist learning, have not actually fully engaged themselves in an online learning environment. As such, they are thus lacking in the experience to fully comment on it. However, for people with certain learning preferences, technology skill level, social needs, and degree of self-actualization, face-to-face learning can still be their preferred method. We are seeing trends towards blended-learning where students will take some classes online and some in a traditional face-to-face context. Some teachers are using webinars, YouTube videos, downloadable MP3 files and the like to assist learners in their instruction. The choice is up to the learner, but the opportunities are vast to learn in many new ways to suit the 21st century educational environment.
Join our ACVA Community
ACVA has acted on the opportunities to use both technology-assisted and live educational methods. Over the last 15 years, we have built an online school to expand the quality and reach of Vedic education. We have offered opportunities to continue to learn on a one-on-one basis with our ACVA Flex programs. Welcome to the new age of education. We invite you all to come on board and give it a try!
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