Module 1 Discussion Harasim & Ally

In light of the Harasims historical overview, how do these schools

of learning inform how we view teaching and learning and how we
can shape educational practice in the 21st century to support
learning?
Online teaching and learning as derived from the three 20th century
theoretical schools of thought can be viewed as Harasim (2012) describes as
evolving. The theories have improved over time with scholars discussing
and debating the relevance of each school of thought and how the
contributions of each have expanded into new information of ideas along
with online technology. The 20th century theories have transitioned into the
21st century ideals and ways of thinking, what researchers call
epistemological breakthroughs or new theories.
In order to shape and support online educational learning practices in the
21st century we must continue to research and evolve as we build from the
past learning theories of the 20th century, not abandon the theories but
continue to provide:

Effective teaching strategies

Efficient teaching and learning for all students

Instead of focusing on the behaviorist, cognitivist and constructivist

approaches to online learning that emphasized individual learning, we must
support new theories for the 21st century. According to Harasim (2012), the
use of Online Collaborative Learning theory (OCL) is a way to build, support,
and shape collaborative learning. This new theory presents knowledge
building processes of active learning between teacher and student, and is a
social process of development for all ages that may be utilized in a formal or
informal classroom setting.
Reference
Harasim. L. M. (2012). Learning Theory and Online Technologies. Chapters 1
& 2 pp. 1-29. Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group.