This is an interesting question requiring a qualified response. It depends. Mostly on the the available technology and the subject matter, but for the most part there is a way to integrate offline practices, etc. Swimming might be a challenge to do even this with, however, as an example of how subject matter might affect the answer/capability.
Great points Emmanuel, but some of the experiences that the traditional campuses provide are hard to duplicate online and for some students, that is an important part of the college experience. Thanks for your comments!
Provided the technology exists, all courses can be taught online. Video conferencing has broken academic barriers bringing laboratory experiments of dissection into the students home. Interaction can simultaneously occur with students questioning the professor live.
I am not sure I agree that taking a class online means you aren't receiving human interaction. In fact, in today's business world, there is a great deal of interaction that is done over email and I think online learning does a great job of preparing students for that type of interaction.
Or maybe I misunderstood your post? If so, please explain more. Thanks Nitin.
I don't think there are any courses that can't be taught online.
At first I thought it impossible to do a bio or chem class without lab time. Now I have seen some excellent opportunities for 'online' dissection! You cannot believe what they can do.
I looked into some of the Rose-Hulman online courses for high school students. They focus on teaching math and science in an online arena-- some of the techinques they have are amazing. They also have the opportunity to develop your own course using some of their online resources.
Though I teach English, I would have thought it impossible to teach some of the other courses via an online classroom. I am sure now that a way can be developed for almost any online classroom experience. I have seen online music classrooms where you can practice playing the piano online.....it's only a matter of time!
I think courses in management and health care have to be taught in the classroom setting. Professionals from these lines need more to be well versed in social and human interaction, moreso than professionals in other degrees.
Chris - I did not think it was possible to teach a vocational course online, but you have validated that is possible in a hybrid format.
Good post.
Vocational courses come to mind - such as auto repair and those which require hands on training. While they are not traditional degree level courses, any course that requires hands on work, I dont believe can be a good candidate for online training.
I agree with some of my peers who wrote earlier that a hybrid model might be the best solution for such courses.
I use the VH Dissector program in my anatomy course. It is very helpful and a step up from the images in the textbook.
The environmental course I teach is much easier to translate to the online format. In addition to theory and case studies that are easily transferrable, I include virtual field trips to the US Census Bureau website so students can create population prymids of various countries. I also guide my students through an online ecological footprint quiz (which is great for generating discussions). The students like to talk about their lives, what they can do to improve their carbon footprint, and some of the challenges in doing so.
That would be an interesting challenge to teach anatomy online. The textbook publishers are coming up with some great electronic simulations for medical courses and other challenging courses like anatomy.
Courses which require lab components need a F2F environment. Although, there are learning modules of such a course could also be taught on line.
Agreed. I don't think firearms training and hand-to-hand combat are effectively taught online!
There are very few courses (aside from those mentioned in Dr. Verardo's posting) that cannot be taught online.
I am teaching an introduction to anatomy class online and initially found it difficult to convey the location (and feel) of skeletal landmarks. I am refining my technique and use of resources. I know that I greatly benefitted from a hands-on human osteology course in college and am trying to recreate this, as much as possible, online.
I agree that there are some classes that are just not as conducive to online learning. It sounds like some of the classes you teach fall into that category.
I currently teach for forensic sciences courses. It is difficult to teach some elements of forensic science due to the online structure. In addition, it is difficult to teach crime scene investigation classes in an online platform because much of content requires hands-on experience. With the advent of technology, surely we can be creative with providing students with ways in which they can acquire as much hands-on experience as possible however, much of this can only be stimulated through video cameras and the like. In addition, it may be difficult to gain speed when students are requested to participate in a synchronous environment. Most of the times, students prefer asynchronous course structure.
Thanks for your response Tammy. What I think you are saying is that students need a longer quarter to get used to the online format. Is that correct?
I would say yes and no. As an online instuctor I have taught some class that I thought was dificult in an online environment. Certain courses that are being offer to new online students in a certain timeframes. I think students who are new need to be enrolled in a eleven week course rather then a 5 and a half, until they get familar with the environment.
Sara:
Yes; the theory-based components of many courses can be taught in an online environment, whereas the practical asoects are better suited for a face-to-face or actual lab environment.
Satrohan
I agree with our instructor, Mr. Mangal, that a hybrid approach is the best means of teaching some subjects. Not all course material lend themselves to being taught in an online environment. Some subject matter are hands-on and need a face-to-face means of instruction.
Two classes that come to my mind are public speaking and counseling. Surely, public speaking is a subject that requires speaking in front of a live audience. Counseling requires face to face interaction with clients. Perhaps the didactic components of these courses could be online and the face to face aspect could be handled in the "brick and mortar" schools.
Jim:
These are several well articulated strong points. Of particular interest is the one on traditional professors offering resistance.
Satrohan
I believe several reasons exist for my thoughts. First, for at least a long time, the social "rites of passage" of going to college, living in dorms, going to football games, joining frats, etc. will be highly valued for many eighteen year olds. Second, many learners need the face-to-face method for any type course, even the ones that are better for some learning styles online. On ground forces some discipline for many students who need such structure. Finally, some courses have heavy hands on components. I don't see how you can learn to cut hair or perform open heart surgery with the current state of affairs in simulation software. This could change, but I don't think it will for quite some time. Another thought in "traditional" universities is the power of the faculty. Until the face-to-face trained tenured professors all retire, or lose their power base, they will resist fully online universities. I think Harvard is safe for now! :-)
Jim
