Having been studying in the United States for a while, I have seen some universities offer online programs that allow students to access learning materials at their own convenience. I find this quite interesting, since there are no such programs in my country. What concerns me is the fact that one needs to go aboard in order to gain high quality education. From my own experience, gaining education in the United States can be very costly. Not only does one have to consider tuition fees, but also the cost of living. As a scholarship recipient, I may not have to worry much about the financial factors. However, I wonder whether or not online classrooms can address the financial issues for those students who desire to study aboard but lack funds to do so. There are several aspects needed to be considered: not just the cost, but also the quality, and effectiveness. With that curiosity in mind, I recognize that I sometimes watch some online lectures on Youtube to review lessons or prepare for exams. Despite acquiring good learning experience from recorded lectures, I am still not sure if it is a good idea to replace all face-to-face lectures with online ones. Apparently, I think there may be some disadvantages as well as advantages that I do not know. That is why I set for myself this question to find the answer in spite of a long process of research: Can traditional classes be perfectly replaced by online classes? I set off my exploration by searching for information involving differences and similarities between traditional classes and online classes. The reason was that I wanted to first acknowledge enough factual details about the issue so that I could do the research explicitly. I began with an online article entitled... ... middle of paper ... ...are less likely to cheat than those in the face-to-face classes. According to the authors, students in face-to-face classes are more likely to “get questions from those who have taken the test and give questions to other” (3). The authors also say that students who take both online and face-to-face classes tend to cheat in their online classes rather than face-to-face ones. I really expect it to be easier to cheat in online classes, but once again, I am surprised by the result of the authors’ study which shows that online students are less likely to cheat. Again, I think it depends on individual integrity. In other words, although students have more chances to cheat in online classes, not everyone is going to do so. Lastly, I am not yet satisfied with the information I have found so far, as there are contradictions in students’ performances in different sources.
Learning, 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
However, when a student takes an online class the student and professor are at a disadvantage of building an interpersonal relationship. For example, a professor is unable to read the nonverbal cues of a struggling student through a computer screen or is unable to tell if a student is experiencing a true emergency. Just as, a student is unable to read their professors nonverbal cues that a particular chapter or assignment is vital to passing the course. I have taken classes on campus and online classes for three semesters now and have learned that regardless of class format a student needs to be dedicated, structured, self-motivated and not afraid to ask questions. A disadvantage of taking an online class is if a web portal is not working properly.
Shown in the essay, they are worth nothing and teach nothing, ”online courses are perhaps one of the most complete expressions of the denigration of university education (Srigley),” there is no good side of online classes shown. There is nothing to show how online learning is making learning accessible,”work online with no direct support from a faculty member. Digital lectures for live classes with real students? Sounds expensive. How about no lectures, no students, and, best of all, no professor (Srigley).”
In a matter of minutes a student can find the work and answers for their classes using the internet that is on their phones and laptops. At Harvard 125 students all cheated on an exam using their laptops and phones to cheat on an exam. (Source C). Lou Bloomfield, at U.Va, has a huge class and found out, “A few of his students had simply copied from earlier work. Others had lifted at least a third of their papers from someone else” (Source D).
A study by Donald McCabe confirms the fact that the Internet is indeed playing a part. Another article written by a George Hesselberg is referenced as well. He poses the idea that students could possibly avoid the need for cheating if they paid attention. In other words, pay attention in class and you could avoid paying a writer to script their work for them. Many other articles are referenced as well. However, the two I mentioned above I believe are primary to this article. This article is well written and very informative.
Cheating is a big issue that has reached the most competitive campuses around the United States. It is increasing more and more with the new technology that we have in the 21st century because students have easy access to many sources of information. Cheating is something all students have done at some point in their lives, but as they reach a higher academic level, they are faced with more rigorous consequences that can affect their futures in many different ways. Cheating might be seen as an easy way to obtain a good grade, get into a good college, or maintain scholarships or financial aid, but the consequences could affect the life and the future of the student.
Academic dishonesty has been a big issue that many faculties have to deal with all the time in classrooms in today’s academic environment. In a report founded by Thomas & O’Reilly (2002), “74 percent of American students admit to cheating on an exam. So imagine how many really are. Forty percent of adolescents say they have stolen from a store and a whopping 93 percent say they lie.” With such a huge percentage of students cheating with the use of technology, it has become an epidemic that is spreading like wild fire. Since technology was introduced in the class environment, it has become the number one concern to some instructors because many students are not using it too learn, but instead students are using technology to cheat in assignments and other work that may involve school work.
Lack of a classroom and a teachers keeping an eye on students can be considered an invitation to cheat. No one would pay attention to the actual curriculum of the class, but only care about the letter grade in the class."Because students and faculty do not interact directly in web-based classes, it is often perceived that cheating will be more abundant in these classes," (Grijalva, Therese C., Nowell, Clifford, Kerkvliet, Joe, 1 ) While everyone would think that taking an online courses welcomes cheating, people who pay to take a course to learn and take time from their own day typically do not cheat any more or any less than those in attendance. No matter what, there will always be students who cheat to make a good grade/ But a majority of the students earn their grades through completing the course curriculum. It doesn’t matter if a student takes online course or goes to campus, anyone can
Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,
When students are deciding on where to go to college, they have the option of choosing between online classes and the traditional classroom classes. Today, some students are finding it much easier to maintain a job, family and start a college career, all by taking online classes. Although some students still prefer to stick with the traditional classroom classes, they still have the option to take online classes. Both online and the traditional classes will provide the educational requirements needed to obtain a college degree and opportunities in the work field. Although the online classes offer just as much as the traditional classes, they are completely different when it comes to teaching methods, course material and time.
This article made some interesting evaluations; online learning was a big dilemma for me when I decided to go back to school. While I possessed the discipline to attend online, I did however lack the skills needed to maneuver within my course of study. After attending a classroom-based school with some online classes, I made a decision to continue my studies online. The teachers design and interaction meets my level of understanding and when I’m not sure of an assignment, I simply contact them via e-mail. I feel the author did a great job in addressing his chosen topic, showing both the strengths and the weaknesses of his study.
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
All in all, taking online courses has many advantages for a person who may want to spend more time with their families. Online learning allows you to have flexibility in order to keep things going the way it should go. Online learning has become one of the better ways to obtain an higher education.
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.
Beside that“… [that] some U.S. states are now requiring young people to take a least one online course during their schooling” (Loertscher, Koechlin 50). The term of the online learning, it is demonstrated through some software have been provided by private cooperation to schools. These software such as Blackboard, Webex. Litmos, and others. Therefore, the online learning has become more available and reliable because of the technology development in the 21st century inspire of technology. When it comes to the online learning been provided by the schools and other educational institutes some argued that, it will reduce the education cost, saves time, and provide more quality of the learning, but other said it will not make any differences and lower the quality of