Students earn credit hours online
Kristen Swastek
Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
When it comes time to register for next semester, online courses are the new trend among college students, as an alternative to traditional classes.
Online classes are not a new concept, having been around for several years, but only recently have they become popular. Like a lot of things online, however, these classes have their pros and cons.
"The main 'pro' of online courses is that they give students more flexibility in their schedule," said Ellen Poulter, academic adviser for the English and journalism departments.
"This is especially helpful for non-traditional students with family or work commitments to worry about in addition to school," Poulter added.
"I took an online course because I was working 50 hours a week and it was convenient at the time," said Melody Kane, senior sociology major.
Not only are non-traditional students taking online courses, but it also seems to be rising among the traditional students: students who range in age from 18 to 22.
"Many traditional students also take them during the summer so that they can work toward their degree requirements while living and working at home," Poulter said.
"I would like to take an online course because I could take it in the comfort of my dorm room or apartment and not be crammed in a large lecture hall with over 200 people anyway," said Zach Crowley, freshman law enforcement and justice administration major.
Online courses may seem like they are the best way to go, but there are also a few cons to go along with the pros.
"I see several possible downsides of online courses," Poulter said. "One is the additional fee that students are required to pay for online courses; but more importantly, students have to be sure that the online format is well-suited to their study habits."
Disciplines are a prerequisite for students wishing to take an Internet course. While sitting at a computer with the Internet, some students would be tempted to surf the Web in lieu of doing classwork.
"There is also a downside, because I took it (the course) on my own and there was a lack of proper structure," Kane added.
In order to do well in an online class one must be very responisble and ignore the urge to procrastinate.
"In an online course, there is no one there to remind you to do the work. Students have to be very self-motivated to do well under those circumstances," Poulter said.
Online course are different from the traditional classes held in the classroom because there is no physical interaction between fellow classmates and the instructor.
"I also think something important is lost when a student is sitting at a computer rather than in a classroom; that is the interaction that occurs between the students in the class and the instructor," Poulter said.
While online classes provide education in a non-traditional way, the choice between the online and traditional classroom is left up to the student to decide.
Online classes are not a new concept, having been around for several years, but only recently have they become popular. Like a lot of things online, however, these classes have their pros and cons.
"The main 'pro' of online courses is that they give students more flexibility in their schedule," said Ellen Poulter, academic adviser for the English and journalism departments.
"This is especially helpful for non-traditional students with family or work commitments to worry about in addition to school," Poulter added.
"I took an online course because I was working 50 hours a week and it was convenient at the time," said Melody Kane, senior sociology major.
Not only are non-traditional students taking online courses, but it also seems to be rising among the traditional students: students who range in age from 18 to 22.
"Many traditional students also take them during the summer so that they can work toward their degree requirements while living and working at home," Poulter said.
"I would like to take an online course because I could take it in the comfort of my dorm room or apartment and not be crammed in a large lecture hall with over 200 people anyway," said Zach Crowley, freshman law enforcement and justice administration major.
Online courses may seem like they are the best way to go, but there are also a few cons to go along with the pros.
"I see several possible downsides of online courses," Poulter said. "One is the additional fee that students are required to pay for online courses; but more importantly, students have to be sure that the online format is well-suited to their study habits."
Disciplines are a prerequisite for students wishing to take an Internet course. While sitting at a computer with the Internet, some students would be tempted to surf the Web in lieu of doing classwork.
"There is also a downside, because I took it (the course) on my own and there was a lack of proper structure," Kane added.
In order to do well in an online class one must be very responisble and ignore the urge to procrastinate.
"In an online course, there is no one there to remind you to do the work. Students have to be very self-motivated to do well under those circumstances," Poulter said.
Online course are different from the traditional classes held in the classroom because there is no physical interaction between fellow classmates and the instructor.
"I also think something important is lost when a student is sitting at a computer rather than in a classroom; that is the interaction that occurs between the students in the class and the instructor," Poulter said.
While online classes provide education in a non-traditional way, the choice between the online and traditional classroom is left up to the student to decide.
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