We have discussed the benefits of technology and the recent inclusion in our class rooms. But we have also mentioned when is too much? For some schools/colleges, it is possible to graduate with all online courses. What is your opinions on this? What is a student mission out on by only taking online courses? Or is the student better off taking online coursed only?
38 Comments
George Pincock
4/2/2012 11:54:57 pm
I have mixed feeling about online classes. All the online classes that I have taken since being in grad school I really have enjoyed. But I can't imagine talking a lot of my undergrad classes online. Online class will work for some but not. I think that certain subjects such as math and sciences you can not be successful without a class room and "proper" instruction. Also, an important part of high school is the social aspect. This aspect of growth and development is removed when a student takes on line classes only.
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Robert Thomas
4/4/2012 11:10:21 am
Me personally I dont think people will be able to relate to one another very well. You see how much some of the things on twitter or other media outlets are negative. If everything becomes online which might happen, how will people be able to talk to one another. Communication is key in everyday life. You cant get the same information from an email like you can sitting through a lecture. Which is why I hope schooling never goes all online. There are alot more questions than answers when you cannot talk to a person directly.
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Popi Stevens
4/6/2012 02:56:32 am
You are right, Communication can be lost without direct contact. It can also be a hassle to email a question, then wait two days for a response (by then you may have forgot what you even asked)
Thomas Buehler
4/15/2012 05:01:28 am
I agree with what you are saying, but I think that some students are good at keeping in contact with their professors and this allows them to grow and develop in the subject they are student. However, it is more difficult to learn some concepts without direct contact with an instructor.
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Heather Kirkendoll
4/3/2012 04:45:09 am
I think that some people miss out if they take online classes only. I myself learn much better from hearing discussions. I am not the strongest reader in the bunch. I really dislike when I have to take an online class, and it only entails reading a chapter and commenting on the chapter. I do not get as much out of the class as I would like. Also, it helps when I am shown how to do something. I remember a class I took on Behavior Management four years ago. When the teacher showed us different ideas we could do in a class lesson, it really helped, and I use many of these still today.
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George Pincock
4/3/2012 11:35:09 pm
I share a lot of the same feelings that you have about classes. I feel that I get a lot more out of a class if I am actively engaged and participating. Obviously, reading and gaining knowledge is necessary, but when that knowledge is shared between people leaning only increases.
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Kelli Miller
4/4/2012 03:48:22 am
I feel the same way you do. I like to hear from my teacher as well as my peers on how to tackle a certain chapter or concept. I like hearing about all of the different solutions they came up with that might help me out when working on a problem. I think that online courses sometimes portray lectures as a lost artform; makes it obsolete.
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Audrey Crabtree
4/6/2012 12:32:45 am
I agree. Some people are just not that type of learner and will not get as much out of it. Some need the examples or an individual to push them.
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Stephanie Armiger
4/8/2012 01:48:19 pm
I agree, some classes are tough when you spend the whole semester reading endless pages in the book and testing. I enjoy, and feel I learn more, when I have a class that allows me to become an active participant.
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Matthew Clanahan
4/8/2012 10:04:29 pm
I've never been a fan of wholly online classes. I think that online components can be a huge benefit for a class, but I benefit heavily from classroom discussion.
Stacy Crommie
4/3/2012 10:24:58 pm
Online classes are great but I believe that being in a classroom for some classes is a necessity. Many of the math classes a person has to be present unless they are very strong self learner. In a classroom you have a more open discussion and can bounce off more ideas. I personally know that I learn some material better if we discuss it orally. History is not my forte, but I took a US History class in High School where we had open discussions and did playacting of certain events which helped the event be more easily retained.
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Audrey Crabtree
4/6/2012 12:36:05 am
I think that you are right when it comes to the having a job and trying to go to school. You almost have to take an online class to be able to manage.
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Popi Stevens
4/6/2012 02:58:14 am
Great point on some of the things that students will be missing out on with online classes. Some students do learn best orally and if you take that aspect away it may be a lot harder for them to learn.
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Nick Camp
4/4/2012 12:31:23 am
Online courses can be beneficial for those who have to work full-time and are unable to attend regular lecture type courses. I do think there is a downfall when taking online courses though, a lot of times you don't get the interaction that is necessary to completely grasp all of the lesson plans.
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Ryan Mansfield
4/4/2012 10:42:24 am
I second that statement sir.
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Jeremy Esry
4/7/2012 03:42:17 am
I completely agree, online classes can be very beneficial for people with full time jobs, families or both. However I believe that there is a large part of the "college experience" that they are missing out on by getting to participate in a classroom setting.
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Audrey Crabtree
4/4/2012 03:01:43 am
I think they can be both good and bad. I think it depends a lot on the individual. If you have someone that is on top of things and has no trouble pushing themseleves, online classes are great. Some people struggle with keeping up on online classes because they don't have someone telling them exactly what to do. I think online classes are great for people who are working and also going to school. They can devote the time they have and not have to worry about making it somewhere on time. I think online classes take away from intracting in a group setting and working with people. This is something that we all will have to do when we go into the workforce. A positive would be that you learn how to use technology that you will also need in the future. So I can see positives and negatives, but I don't believe all online classes is the way to go.
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Stacy Crommie
4/4/2012 11:39:36 pm
Audrey - I agree with you. The convenience works very well if one can push themselves to do the work. Online classes does take away from interacting with people but that is exactly the best reason why taking all online classes would not be beneficial.
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Heather Kirkendikk
4/5/2012 03:42:51 am
I am definately one of those people who struggle with the online classes. I think it all goes back to my procrastination. When I have to go to a class physically, I seem to plan time of how long it will take and when can I finish it. When taking online courses, I have too much freedom. I always seem to say, "well, I don't have to do it now, so I'll wait until later." Then later comes, and I kick myself for not doing it earlier.
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Kelli Miller
4/4/2012 03:45:45 am
I have mixed feelings about online courses. Yes, they are convenient and easy for some students, but it often leaves students to fend for themselves. There is no direct instruction; no way to see if the student has mastered a certain chapter or concept. On the other hand, many students do better on their own; reading and learning at their own pace.
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Casey Costa
4/4/2012 04:59:36 am
I like your point that there's no accountability. Yes there are scores and such, but you miss so much that can only be caught in personal interactions. On the same note it's harder to ask questions through other forms of communication, such as e-mail, because the written word can mean many different things depending on the person, how they're feeling that day, etc. so in order to get direct answers to questions about material I feel like personal interactions are best and easiest.
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Casey Costa
4/4/2012 04:57:10 am
Online courses are convenient and allows people to go at their own pace, however I'm not convinced that they're the best. I personally remember things best when I was in the classroom interacting with others and doing things and the brain actually works to store these active memories better than those where you're sitting in front of a computer screen going through the basic drill every day since nothing stands out about it so remembering what one learns will be more challenging for some that have different learning styles.
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Cara Barth-Fagan
4/4/2012 05:59:37 am
Some student learners thrive in online settings, and socially that's the way they best learn. For those people earning degrees that take on jobs where they won't have to interact with others in a one-on-one setting- this is a prime learning environment. For others who need human contact, online classes can be frustrating or challenging. I like online classes because it suits my schedule. I don't think it's wrong to earn a degree through all online learning. The "proof will be in the pudding" once they are hired on. Some companies are leary of hiring those will all online degrees. It's affordable, convienant, and managable by many people. For those who live in rural areas, they are able to connect with others from around the world. It's a neat way to connect virtually, and if you ever get the chance to meet face to face with your classmates, you'll have things to talk about. :)
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Ryan Mansfield
4/4/2012 10:47:31 am
I think the time factor is one aspect of online classes that is most often argued. But the fact remains, just because someone took a class does that mean that they are qualified for a job? I know a lot of people that are qualified through the "school of life" and have had to do things that others have not. They have had to learn through the lessons of life on what to do and not to do and how to be successful all without the benefit of an education and yet are somehow successful.
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Cara Barth-Fagan
4/5/2012 03:13:30 am
You have to remember that a lot of book information that you learn through any class might never be fully utilized. Many jobs today are on the job training and there are unwritten rules that you have to learn once you start the job. I don't know that being in a college classroom with an instructor or doing one online would ever prepare you for being in a classroom by yourself as a teacher (or being a manager, data processor, medical transcriptionist, etc).
Christopher Sandefur
4/4/2012 09:09:11 am
Taking online classes are a great opportunity for busy individuals. I believe if the goal of online classes is to create more opportunities for education than I am all for it. I have enjoyed all of my online classes but I can see the importance of sitting in a normal classroom setting. Finishing your degree with all online classes could be hard to imagine. I was an education major. I could not imagine missing out on my classroom experience. I really enjoyed teaching lessons to my peers and practicing classroom management skills. Sitting in a classroom prepared me for teaching. I can see finishing general studies online. I believe with classes pertaining to your major it is important to have that interaction and practical experience.
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Ryan Mansfield
4/4/2012 10:41:31 am
Online classes certainly have plus and minus as does everything. A plus would have to be that online classes can be taken anywhere and a student does not have to be in class if he or she has to work or has other obligations. On the flip side, students still need to be part of a classroom setting were there is discussion and socialization. This in one thing that I personally think is very important in today's world especially with the way that everything is moving.
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Cara Barth-Fagan
4/5/2012 03:15:41 am
We're discussing things through this online format and I'm learning a lot from my classmates. And since we are forced to talk, I think we get much more conversation out of a topic than if we had it in class. Not everyone is comfortable to speak up in a classroom amongst their peers . . .
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Elyce Lamphere
4/5/2012 07:28:32 am
I completely agree with you on having the convenience be such a big advantage with online learning, however, a big part of learning in my opinion is when a person can collaborate and share ideas with fellow classmates. And to a degree online learning does have some discussion opportunities, but there is nothing compared to in class discussion talking face to face with someone.
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Robert Thomas
4/4/2012 11:04:56 am
Online classes do have the benefits of being able to do them almost anywhere. There are still some of those that do not have internet or internet that has great speed which can make things difficult. Technology is hard to stay in front of things are always changing day to day. Some people rely on technology to much that if something would happen then they would not be able to function. Being able to get your job done is the main purpose.
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Prof. Myers
4/5/2012 03:59:20 am
I have taken two online class and I have to say I am not a big fan. One was classroom management and I don't even remember what the other was. I just felt like I logged in and turned in my stuff. Even with the blog post it did not feel like a class and I did not feel like I got a lot out of it.
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Elyce Lamphere
4/5/2012 07:23:23 am
I have taken some online classes and personally I could not imagine receiving my degree solely with online courses. I do not think they are the same compared to a real class with a professor. I don't mind taking a few online classes, but I do not like only having online classes. I think the online class idea is good for convenience especially for working adults, but the online education is just not my cup of tea. I do not think I learn as well as if I am in an actual class room.
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Jeremy Esry
4/7/2012 03:46:30 am
I am with the majority on this topic, online classes can be very beneficial and rewarding when the person taking them is very busy with work and home life. I do not feel as though it is beneficial for someone to only take online classes and graduate with a college degree. I believe that speaking in front of people, making presentations and having face to face discussions are going to prepare students just as much or more than actually just completing an assignment. If a student can mix in some online classes to go with their regular classes I believe it is best.
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Melea Shimkus
4/8/2012 12:53:57 am
I agree with you, students shouldn't be allowed to graduate with all of their courses online. Students need to be able to interact and learn how to make presentations. One of the biggest problems these days is communication skills, and online classes just can't incorporate those skills that students need to learn.
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Melea Shimkus
4/8/2012 12:51:20 am
I don't think that all classes are good idea to take online, some are better in the actual classroom. For example, physical education classes should not be taught online. Children are more and more inactive these days and taking physical education online would just give students an easy way out of not doing the work. I think kids need this class more than ever because they spend more of their time indoors and using electronics. Technology is not always a bad thing, but kids need to be exposed to other outlets.
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Stephanie Armiger
4/8/2012 01:42:26 pm
I think obtaining a degree completely online, without any time in a classroom would be too much. I feel that there are other skills we learn from our peers and interacting with one another, especially in the first couple years of college. In the beginning of a semester we find peers with whom we share common classes, goals, and form study buddies, etc. and build a kind of school network and find support.
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Matthew Clanahan
4/8/2012 10:09:27 pm
I certainly prefer meeting in-class where we could have discussions in person; however, even a blended class would probably be too demanding at this point. Right now, I'm fortunate to be able to work on my Master's degree online while working full time. Online classes can really help students who have large obligations like work and children.
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Thomas Buehler
4/15/2012 04:59:38 am
I think it is very dependent on the type of major you have. There are many types of majors, such as athletic training, that simply cannot be completed online. However, majors such as business could be completed online. It depends on how well the student learns material on their own without guidance. For me, I would not feel comfortable without the help of an instructor that I was learning the information correctly. I know that the online classes I've taken have had less material that I absorbed. I often feel myself going through the motions.
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Student BlogThis blog is for class conversations for ED 514 at Central Methodist University. These post are by the students of ED 514. We invite input form other teachers about how they use technology in their classrooms. Archives
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