Response: Dana LaMantia
Hello All,
This is a great question, will online learning replace the traditional classroom setting? I would say that the traditional setting will continue to have traditional students. Within a time where the economy is is hit hard the online setting is sometimes the only place where individuals can work and still attain their academic goals. I love the online setting and can not wait to view the growth.
I don't think it's a matter of how much attention. I think it's more what kind of attention. For the more motivated student our attention or energy is more focused on directing them into productive areas of inquiry, thought or work. Whereas with the less motivated it is more focused on getting them motivated. Both are important and if we short change either, then one set of students will suffer.
I think you might be right. I think it is our responsibility to provide students with a clear and realistic idea of what the time commitment for a course is. I try to do that in the first class.
However, it's my experience (both as a student and as a teacher) that non-traditional students are generally more motivated than traditional ones. So while there are larger demands on time, there is also greater motivation.
I think that online learing fits the needs of working students - they can work fulltime, see their families and still go to class.
Having said all that- lets hope they do not need sleep.
Marybeth
It has been fun to see online learning grow over the past ten years and with technological changes it is going to be even more fun to see it grow in the next ten years. Thanks for your comments Dana.
