Online Classes…Help or Burden?
by Jessica Weise, SUNY Cortland, June 27, 2007
After taking part in the new phenomenon of online classes I’ve realized there are many pros and cons to this new form of education. Online classes are becoming more common as technology becomes a larger part of our lives. Before taking an online course, however you should consider if it’s the best choice for you. Considerations for taking an online course are based upon individual opinions and needs.
I found there to be many pros to taking an online course. The number one reason why many people choose to take online courses is convenience and flexibility. Taking a class online allows you to choose when you study and for how long without the time constraint of going to class. Online classes allow you to self-direct yourself through the course. You can schedule and pace your time around your busy schedule which includes work, time with friends and family, and your leisure activities. I personally did the work for the class when I had time to post on the website. I really enjoyed not having a specific time frame. It allows for more freedom and choice of when to read over and do assignments.
It is even possible to take online classes during a break time which allows the student to finish a class in two and a half weeks rather than an entire semester. I took an entire semester of algebra on an online course that was over winter break during a two and a half week time period. That saved me a lot of time because I worked over the break and was still able to take a class and do well in the class. Taking a class on the internet also allows for accessibility to class information anywhere, even in public spaces such as a café as long as there is an internet connection you can connect to your class. I found that it can connect a large variety of ages and races from around the world as well.
Both of my online classes have had older people who are working and trying to finish a degree at the same time. This allows for them to do both. You don’t even need to be affiliated to the college offering the course to take the class. Also I learned more about the internet and the computer taking this course then I have in any other class. As our technology changes and becomes more necessary in our lives this experience will be helpful in our adjustment to this new technology. I live on campus, but I did think about the fact that people who travel to school should consider taking an online course. This could save time and money in travel time.
Just as there are many benefits to taking an online class, there are as many disadvantages. Although it is convenient and flexible for those who can manage their time well, it can be very difficult for a student who has poor study habits and difficulty with time management. If a student has low motivation for the class or is uninterested in the subject matter, it makes it very easy to procrastinate. Online classes can be more difficult to keep track of deadlines and assignments because the student doesn’t have a weekly or bi-weekly reminder in a classroom. The lack of a classroom also limits the student’s ability to share questions or concerns with other students and the instructor. Not having a common place to meet like the classroom takes away from face-to-face interaction with the instructor and peers. The instructor many times has no face-to-face interaction and is unable to give individualized attention to each student.
During my online course I did get the chance to meet new people only because we did some activities outside of the online part of the course. If not for that, however, I would have not met or had any social interaction with my peers. Even though the instructor is online too, he/she may not always be available on a regular basis such as a classroom professor who must hold office hours. It is not a guarantee that the instructor has taught an online class before either. These online classes do need to be structured in a different format than a classroom and some professors are still trying to figure out they best way to run their classes. This can cause greater problems for the student if the instructor finds out that they were not prepared for this new way of teaching. The assessment and feedback might be limited. There is less chance of spontaneous discussion of the topics being taught. I’ve observed that there are a selective few students who tend to lead most discussions, while others never offer any opinions or help.
The information and assessment can also limited by the software being used or the computer program may be slightly different from computer to computer. I know that when I took an online math class, I had some technical difficulties when trying to send my answers back to the professor. These assessments also rely on the honesty of the student. There is no way of knowing who is really supplying the work like there is in a classroom, which could be academic dishonesty. These are the disadvantages I have found in taking an online course.
I found taking an online course to be a new and positive experience for me. Although there are cons to this new form of education I found that it suits my needs and I am able to benefit from it. I am a person who can manage my time and enjoys the time freedom of doing work when I have time to do so. I enjoyed it so much that I am taking two online classes next semester. I see it as a challenge and a new experience for me as I continue to learn more about the computer and other technologies.
All of these pros and cons must be taken into consideration before taking part in an online class. Individualized opinion will weigh out what is best for each person’s education. I believe it is an experience everyone should try once, especially because it will likely become a greater part of our lives as we continue with our education and technology continues to works its way into course curriculums
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