Albert,
Cheating and fraud are certainly a problem. However, we have even seen an increase in cheating and fraud in traditional classrooms. Note some of the recent news headlines of SAT cheating groups being busted, prestigious universities reporting major cheating incidents, etc. I believe this is a bigger academic issue than just online classes and one we certainly need to get a handle on.
Herbert Brown III
I don't think online learning will completely replace the traditional classroom because there are still students that prefer the face-to-face interaction. I do think that traditional classes may start to incorporate more online activities as a component to the traditional classroom.
~Diane
The traditional class room will remain where students have a common living area. In general online learning will replace the traditional class room.
The technology allows us to connect to each other's computer along with superior visual quality.
The only issue that remains is to secure the online testing to prevent fraud.
I agree as more and more schools are moving to utilizing a portion or an entire online platform as part of the student's learning process-
1) Traditional classrooms are using online portals for quizzes, student assignments (both providing and having students submit their work) and communicating with students.
2) A number of traditional schools also are providing students with a blended format (both traditional in classroom and online) for instructional delivery.
Technology is here to stay and how traditional in-classroom organizations choose to participate will determine their ultimate sustainability in the educational environment.
Michael,
There are clearly students that do NOT want online. They want the onground experience. As colleges offer more classes online, I think it is important to not force these students in to online courses. However, being exposed to a hybrid course would be healthy for them as they will be exposed to online training at some point in their lives. What do you see as some characteristics of an effective onilne student?
Herbert Brown III
I do believe with busy lives and the increase of technology at our fingertips, we will see traditional classrooms being replaced by online learning. However the one item that must be addressed in this transition, it the ease of dishonesty and cheating in the online environment.
Moving to test taking that occurs in a traditional environment, would bring more validity and trust to the online system. As a math instructor I see too many students who are unable to discuss concepts in the classroom, only to earn perfect scores on quizzes that they were unable to work through within our classroom chats. I believe this is the one reason many companies still are not comfortable with hiring, and trusting, the online student.
Karen "kam" Maiorano
I personally disagree that online learning will replace the traditional classroom style of learning but it will compliment it. As a society there are many diverse learning styles and certainly some are great candidates for the online education track while others will not be. Of course we have the whole aspect of sports programs as well and I am sure college football programs are not going to be threatened by online education.
Jason,
Most of the research will show that the actual learning that takes place does not differ from onground and online courses. With all of the new tools available you can create almost any type of learning environment online and make it as effective as anything onground. Instructional design is the critical component, matching the appropriate technology to build the most effective learning environments.
Herbert Brown III
This is certainly a controversial question, and I'm not sure it hits the point exactly. Instead of asking if online learning will sweepingly replace onground, why not determine what the strengths and weaknesses of online learning are compared to onground. Then, the discussion becomes a fruitful one in which the role of online learning is determined. Only then can our education system be restructured to incorporate online learning efficaciously.
I teach composition onground, and I'm teaching my first comp class online next quarter. I'm very interested in exploring the role of this new medium.
