I used to have the similar misconception about online courses that they are easy, and effective, but after taking few online course in Community College, I started realizing that online courses are not as easy as we think. In my own personal experience, online courses are loaded with more assignments, projects, and different activities to engage students more in the courses, which is sometimes challenging to keep up with the class schedule, but it is required, since face-to-face interactions are hardly possible to determine how students are performing in the online courses, and those are the only means of evaluation for online students. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain the particular situations and problems we are having in the course
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Show MoreLearning, like religion, is a social experience.” Currently, I have a class that I am enrolled in, often I find myself asking “Why I am in this class?” I learn nothing from this lady, her notes are continuously blurry, and every single student is unable to read them. She talks in circles and expects everyone to be able to follow. Personally, I wish I would have taken an online course for this particular class. Everything I have learned in this class has been solely self-taught. To be prepared for the class, I pre-read the chapter we will be having a discussion about in addition to study the curriculum, still I cannot keep up or understand what is coming out of her mouth. I also feel that I am not the only one in class that is completely lost, which makes me feel better about the whole situation. Whereas I am also enrolled in another class, which I adore and value every single minute. This particular class requires an hour and forty-five minutes a day for four days a week. To think this class I feared the most when I enrolled at the beginning of school. Surprisingly now, it is by far my favorite! I have learned so much information in such a little span of time. It is truly remarkable, the change of mind I have had towards this subject! Credit is due to my professor, she is outstanding! Then, of course, I have this class! Comp 1, which as you know is online. There has been struggles, as I think I would have learned better with face to face encounters with my peers and involved discussion with other students and a professor, although I think I have managed to keep my head above the water so far. All- together, with only my brief personal experience given, you cannot say online courses are worse than an in class
The past two decades have seen an almost exponential rise in the availability and popularity of online college classes and degree programs. Their pervasiveness begs the question as to the difference in a credit or degree earned in an online setting versus that of the traditional classroom. These two educational delivery systems will be compared from the perspectives of flexibility, the student experience, the impact of technology, and the issue of acceptability of online classes and degree programs.
The spring 2015 semester at Mount Wachusett Community College was my first attempt at higher education and all four of my classes ended up being online. Initially, only three of my classes were web-based, but being without a vehicle and facing winter weather, I dropped a class in Leominster and picked it up again as a cycle two course. I had not realized that this would be my only option. Had I spoken with an advisor, I may have been able to get into an already established class and catch up. Perhaps not, but the cycle two class didn’t turn out to be as difficult as I’d anticipated. Overall, I have to say that online learning was a good choice for me.
According to San Diego University's College of Business Administration, college students drop out for a multitude of reasons. Among these are homesickness, personal family issues, and demands from part-time or full-time employment. Unfortunately the job market these days can be a harsh reality for those lacking some sort of degree. If some of these issues can be eliminated, so many more people will be able to find prosperity despite their situation. One way to prevent these all too common problems from becoming potholes or even stop signs on one's road to success is to enroll in online classes. Whether one is hoping to go to school part-time or full-time, seeking a teaching degree or a medical degree, there are online options available. Online classes allow busy people more control over their education and lives.
Learning online can lack immediate feedback from instructors, and can be tough for those who aren 't self-motivated. Also, it can be frustrating and confusing to those who aren 't comfortable learning in an online setting and use to having their instructor to gain access for immediate feedback.
Most of the time, a student cannot learn at their own pace of the subject because the teacher has a schedule and other students so that student can easily fall behind or not feel as if they are learning. Also, if a student misses a class due to an illness or some other sort of reason they will get behind in classes, while with online class the student can still work while sick or the class will not move on without them. Some schools do not offer some classes that students wish to take. For example, some schools may not present a language class that the pupil wishes to take but online they have a better chance of being able to take that
Furthermore, some may suggest that online learning is benefiting our students in society. There has been a breakthrough in time and geographical limitations of education via online courses (Ho, 2009). Online education is cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible (Schmeeckle, 2003). Online classes are used for individual and independent learning in which the student can learn at their own pace (Gonzalez, 2009). Not only is online education beneficial for breaking down barriers, online education has the potential to help students learn material more efficiently. Students are more likely to seek help from their instructors when the material is taught online (Whipp & Lorentz, 2009). Computer use in statistical classes could help decrease math anxiety (Gundy, Morton, Liu, & Kline, 2006). In a study that measured online students’ ability to achieve the same efficiency of course material as face-to-face students, at least 98% of students reported that they had, so one may be lead to believe that online learning is just as efficient as face-to-face courses (Liebowitz, 2003). With all of the positive aspects of online education, one may wonder why there is any debate as to whether or not online education is beneficial for
Because of the flexibility, the course load seems to be all the more intense. The course load is more rigorous being that work is graded on a stricter scale than traditional colleges, and also entails a greater work load. In the article, Study Looks at Online Learning vs. Traditional Instruction, Angiello states,” Many instructors and understudies of online colleges, while lauding the accessibility of online education, will typically recognize that the cost paid for this adaptability is investing extra effort (Angiello 2010).” So, although the convenience is there, according to the schedules of many, the overall grind is much more intense. This provides reasoning for why students taking online courses are perhaps more prepared and properly adequate candidates for employment positions, versus a traditional student with the same degree. In the same article previously listed, Angiello writes, “understudies who participated in online courses performed better than students receiving the same material through conventional lectures (Angiello 2010). It is evident through the article that, because of the more rigorous work load, students are adhering to the concepts further in an online environment than a traditional setting, thus presenting online learning beneficial in terms of knowledge and qualifications.
To build an online course there must be a process; this process needs to incorporate the methods of instructional design and applying these components into an online format. The overall end result is that the student learning outcomes are developed into instructional activities used for learning. Key decisions were made into developing the online design. Part of the process included documentation as to the online design, methods for interactivity, number of contacts with the faculty-member, and methods for online assessment and evaluation. One thing that was important to realize was that developing an online courses was different than developing a traditional face-to-face course. An article written by Nanette Johnson-Curiskis, a faculty member from Minnesota State University has provided some additional cons...
There are many differences in taking an online class and a traditional class, time, communication, teacher student ratio time and the teaching methods. Both courses still have some similarities between them and what they require the student to do. Both classes have its pros and cons on deciding what to take. Most people still prefer to take the traditional classes because the traditional classes offer a lot more than online classes. Even though online can be more convenient for some student it might not fit their needs, not having a teacher in front of them teaching can be very hard for them to learn.
A lot of different courses are offered over the internet. Some of these may be the right choice for certain students. One problem I see with this is that when the student has a question or does not understand something, they would have to research it instead of having a person to person interaction with the teacher. Also the teacher may sometimes offer examples that come from personal experiences. Computers cannot take the place of a human being.
In the past of the years technology has advanced and it affords us the opportunity to conduct classes online. Although this is not an easy decision, it is another way of studying when you need to work. At college level attending classes is important, but with new technology taking classes online is easier than it sounds. Regardless of the fact that technology helps a lot you need to possess some skills for you to succeed in online courses. Communication may be one of the most vital skills you need, without leaving any other with less importance.
Those who disagree with me think that online learning allows a student to learn at their own pace. Students are able to take the time to understand and figure out problems with the resources that are provided. The convenience of learning in an environment that is conducive to that particular students learning is provided by the student. If the student feels comfortable they are more apt
There are many disadvantages of taking online courses as well. Some individuals may find it peculiar not to be able to communicate with their instructor as well as their classmates face-to-face. Since the course is online some people begin to procrastinate or get slack in their studies. Taking online course requires you to type all questions that you may need to ask your instructor or classmate. One would not have that interaction with their peers. Not being able to use the schools property.
The following article is a study on the effectiveness of online courses and their effectiveness in both teacher-guided assistance and non-guided learning. The author stated the problem of online learning for students, as being the distractions of the internet itself; online shopping, gaming and social networking. While two advantages of online learning includes the convenience of studying at a place of choice and independent work, students are challenged in staying focused or being disciplined enough to continue or even complete their course of studies.