Herbert Brown III

Nicole,

A couple of key factors you hit with your post. The motivation of the student (intrinsic) and interest in the subject! These factors are well documented in the research!

Herbert Brown III

Nicole Gulley

I certainly agree that it is difficult to teach the same amount of information of a 16-week course into 5 weeks but not impossible. I additionally think that students who take online courses have to possess a huge amount of intrinsic motivation and interest in the subject being studied. Add to that a facilitator that is able to provide relevant, timely resources and students can learn just as much if not more than on-campus students. There is a ton of research that supports this.

Herbert Brown III

Sandra,

Five weeks does sound like a short time frame based on standard university 16-week semesters. However, I could see if the information is broken in to several smaller courses you can then "focus" on the specifics of just that one course; however, you would want to follow up with additional related courses very quickly so you don't spend any time reviewing the previous content.

Herbert Brown III

Sandra Bourne

Hi Kevin,
Sometimes I worry that online sessions are too short to pack in all the necessary information needed for a student to pass a course with the full and necessary understanding of a complex subject. 5 weeks feels very fleeting.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Kevin,
Thank you for your discussion on this topic. This is still a hot one and the debate continues everywhere. Think we will see more blended approaches to these delivery formats as more research is completed on learning effectiveness.
Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Kevin Scott

Tough question, especially in this environment. I think there is often--usually--a ton of self-selectioon involved in this. In the social system we have today, it is still true, if only generally true, that there is a significant class difference between those attending bricks and mortar versus online institutions. I think this has much to do with your (and my agreeing) perception.

That said, though I pack a ton into my online course, there is simply no way for there to be the sheer volume of information relayed as there is in a 16-week course. Moreover, there is evidence that time itself and the recursive structure of 16-week courses are useful in aiding retention of knowledge.

But many of my online students are quite bright and simply could never arrange attending 16-week semesters. (Hence, my worries about class issues.)

Kevin