DISQUS

Jennifer · 1 year ago

In the graduate classes I teach I typically include a percentage of assignments that are from podcasts or other types of free online audio and video media. Professors need to start to make classes more learner centered when the students are physically present. When it is only lecture based - what is the point of showing up?

Chad Criswell · 1 year ago

Distance education is great for some people, but lousy for others. I took roughly half of my M.A. degree via online classes using a program called WebCT and while I got a lot out of the class I honestly don't think I learned as much as I would have if I had been physically in the classroom. However, you make a very good point that with economic changes (fuel costs, etc.) going crazy it may soon be more economically feasible for a person to stay at home and cyber-commute to class every day.

If I was going to take an online class again though I would probably prefer to do something like what Harvard and a few other schools are doing teaching classes in Second Life:
http://www.musicedmagic.com/tales-from-the-podi...

At least then a person has some sense of community. Hmm, maybe I should try to teach a class in World of Warcraft. :)

Online college reviews · 1 year ago

I think incorporating a distance education component is a great idea. Major corporation are offering flex weeks these days to help folks deal with rising fuel costs... why not colleges? If it were a totally new concept, it might be a tad different, but online education is gaining acceptance with every passing day... I agree with you. Give the kids a break and let them study from home on occasion!

Lecturer of Atlanta College · 1 year ago

Still, distance learning - this is not quite complete training, not all can learn via the Internet. We need to have very presence in classrooms and living communion.