Students are reluctant to take online courses
I receive mixed opinions from students who have taken online courses. Many do not like them for a number of reasons. For those who really like online courses and do well it seems that they are often times better on campus students as well. The students who fail online courses and have negative comments are often times the same students who do not do well on campus. The reasons vary greatly and there is no rhyme or reason. I believe that online or even hybrid learners have to realize that it is really up to them to focus on the class work and most importantly to communicate with their instructors especially if there is something they do not understand.
I work at a college that has the same programs offered in-class, on-line and in hybrid delivery format. This offers our students three different learning methods. We are able to meet the learning needs of most students. It works for the most part, but has its own drawbacks. I think that the more important aspect is ensureing that our entrance requirements are met, thereby the student are enrolled in the type of delivery method that is appropriate for that specific student. Sometime an online learner does not have the computer savy, internet requirements, patience and other components which will ensure that his/her class is a positive learning experience. Sometimes the hybrid delivery works better, specific hours online and then specific hours in class as a follow up to the online portion.
Often times hybrid student join an online class believing it will be more convenient for them then having to physically drive to a campus. They often do so without prior training in how to function in an online environment. Fully online students go through an orientation process to help them become acclimated. I believe that hybrid students don’t realize the learning curve.
Donald,
Yes, some online courses are not successful or effective d=for students due to lack of instructional design. All deliveries should have the instructional design well thought through and not simply replicated which is what often happens.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Actually, in my experience as a student, I prefer online classes for certain topics, particularly for certain topics when the course is well-designed. The reason is that there are no travel expenses. However, as I said in another post, there is a lot to be gained from on-ground classes.
Donald L. Buresh
Robert, I have experienced similar problems on my campus. One issue for us is that our online classes are half the time as courses on campus. So students who have had several quarters on campus and the placed in an online class it takes several weeks even the whole 5 weeks to get accustom to the pace of online. I believe if the classes were longer our primarily campus based students would fair better in online courses.
Robert,
I find that many students choose on-line classes because they believe they will be less work than traditional classes. I believe the opposite to be true. Success in on-line classes requires students to be actively engaged for more hours each week than in a face to face classroom. Additionally, successful on-line students are good at self-monitoring, have time management skills and are very disciplined. These traits are also found in students who are successful in the traditional classroom.
Suzanne
Emily,
My sense is that there should be more real time connections and discussions in online courses. If everything is asynchronous then it is difficult for the more social learners to stay engaged and do well.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I also get mixed responses about the online learning experience. The most successful students are the ones who stay organized and consistently read and re-read my announcements, policies, and expectations. Those who fail are those who are reluctant to stay on top of all the information I make available to them in writing.
I wonder, perhaps there's a more creative way to share my policies and expectations using technology? Maybe if they listen or watch, they will retain the information more than if they are just supposed to read it?
Erik,
This is a great idea - research supports this idea that students will choose what makes sense to their learning "logic" and preferences. The challenge would be to facilitate students in topic areas they do not instinctively choose if those areas are crucial to the competencies and skills they will need to succeed.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I think it's sometimes tough for students to manage online courses that have specific deadlines for assignments A through whatever. I've been toying with the idea of using "modules" in my hybrid classes, where all of the online components can be completed whenever and whatever order the students want, and everything that has been completed by the end of the term is reflected in their grade. Then we use in-class time for supplemental activities and discussions.
I'm hoping that this might help grow that specific skill set that you're referring to Robert.
Bernadette,
Yes, assumptions shouldn't be made, however, now libraries have so much free access that we should encourage our students to use them.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I like that idea, I think students should know what the expectations are for online learning.. It goes both ways~the expectations from the school and the student. When students do not do well, then tend to point blame but yet they are not held accountable.
I have been teaching online 4yrs now and I am always surprised that students do not even have the basic resources. A computer to use, office products, and internet capabilities. I would hope institutions are not just packing students in for the resources but at admission or advising key fundamental information should be told to the student, so they are not mis-lead!
Fiorella,
These are good points and I agree, technology orientations are a vital part so that students know how the course will run, where to find resources and also ALL expectations. A good experience also goes a long way in encouraging students back to online, so instructors keeping in contact with the students and responding in a timely way will be vital.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I have observed this as well.
The main fear is two pronged 1) the technology in the classroom and 2) the course length is generally shorter than a traditional 16 week course; both combined contribute to reluctance and even fear of the online environment.
In our school we have workshops for students interested in taking online classes to simply learn more about it, the platform, expectations, support, etc. This helps build that communication (particularly regarding expectations) with the students early on. Also, each faculty is required to review the online platform with the students early on in the course. There are also ongoing tech trainings for students that wish to learn more about the functionality of the LMS. Having these systems in place help support these alternative types of learning modalities.
Cindi ,
Yes, it seems that students would prefer real time connections either face to face or online and do not enjoy the endless busy work they feel online courses to be. This is a challenge to our instructional designs and I know that we will have to come up with the next wave of online teaching and learning soon.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I have had several students that mentioned they didn't like them as well. It used to be that the course I teach was one of the last ones they took before getting their AAS, now it is usually one of the first online classes they take in their certificate program so many have never taken an online course.
Time management is definitely an issue and students have mentioned that they put off mine to do their "real classes" first. It's also relatively short (5 weeks) so once they realize that it is up to them and it is a real class & will affect their GPA just the same as an on campus one they've already lost at least a letter grade or two and will be lucky to maybe finish with a C.
Melissa,
Good points. Some students have a preference for one over the other but all students can benefit from various aspects of each too.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Robert,
I find that students sometimes choose online courses thinking it will be easier since the schedule is 'on them'. What they don't realize is the schedule is 'on them'. We all need a certain amount of accountability, and the students who don't do well aren't self-directed enough to stay on task. I agree wtih you that those who do well in one typically do well in the other -- since it is part of their character. That said, there are skill sets that help some do betting in one setting rather than the other.
Melissa
