CharlotteAcademic 4 | 13 FEATURED Freelance Writer
Jan 31, 2019 | #1
Introduction
College education has become a focal point of every graduating high school student as well as the currently employed who seek additional education in order to garner employment. The importance of college has grown substantially throughout the past few decades as more and more employers expect higher standards from prospective employers. The growth in college education has created a populace that demands greater options for education as well as greater avenues of educational opportunities from institutions. One of these options is distance web-based learning, and the benefits of the practice are known to many students. A question arises as to whether colleges should install more distance learning options in light of the recent popularity of the practice. A look into the benefits of online learning, drawbacks of online learning, and how to create a more favorable online learning environment will all help to demonstrate why online learning is important and should be offered more in an institutional setting.
A facility of higher learning should consider the benefits of online education when deciding whether or not to implement more web-based programs. Of course, many decisions must be made when deciding what is best for the students, but also the facility's concerns should be addressed as well. Online education does produce some associative costs that must be factored in when deciding whether or not to implement a web-based course. According to Sue, "the costs of online education implementation are far from prohibitive and actually will produce fewer costs for a brick and mortar institution due to several aspects of the course itself" (32). If the costs are no prohibitive and are actually beneficial to the institution as compared to traditional teaching, then the college should really investigate additional online courses. Sue suggests that online courses allow for a professor to teach a greater number of students because classroom size is no longer a concern and because teaching assistants can have a greater role in the learning environment since the questions are in digitized form for all concerned parties to see (33). Sue's investigation into the costs of online education depicts an instance where a college or university will benefit from greater enrollment and greater profits. It appears that the cost issue is actually not an issue when deciding whether or not to implement a web-based course.
Another benefit of introducing more web-based courses is that certain studies demonstrate that students tend to perform better with online courses (Sue, Stager). According to Sue, students perform better in online courses because they receive the information from the professor and are then able to decipher the information in their own way (32). A lot of this deciphering will come in the form of study groups that are formed at the student's discussions between themselves (Sue, 32). One may say that the students are teaching themselves in an online course, but Stager believes otherwise. Stager suggests that a group of students in an online course will receive the basic teachings and will then create their own version of the classroom with the instructor as a basic guide (77). Basically the instructor helps the students with the basic material and the students then study and learn the material as a group. Of course the instructor is always available for any questions the students have, which creates another benefit of an online course. Usually, questions are more abundant in an online course as compared to a traditional course because students are less pressured or embarrassed and are allowed to ask whatever is troubling them with the material (Stager, 78). This aspect of online learning combined with greater communication between student and teacher provides a greater environment for all who are involved in the learning process.
Stager does present the fact that online education allows for more people in society to participate in the education process (78). This is beneficial because it allows for more perspectives to be contributed to the lesson plans or learning objectives of the professor. Suppose a professor is teaching a management class and one of the students is an employed manager at a business. This student would have first-hand knowledge about management and will be helpful in describing what the professor is teaching in a real life example. This will help the students understand how the teaching relates to real situations and better prepare the students for future employment.
Web-based courses provide ample benefits to students and facilities alike and should be implemented on a higher scale. The courses bring down costs, help students learn more effectively, and allow for a greater diversity of student body. All of these benefits are helpful in the learning process; however, some disadvantages to web-based courses do exist that must be investigated.
The disadvantages of online learning are present and demonstrate some obstacles that web-based courses face for students and facilities. One of the major disadvantages of online learning is the idea that students no longer experience face-to-face meetings with the professor and other students in the classroom. This is considered a disadvantage because one of the items essential to college education is socialization of the student and their introduction into an adult world (Sue, 30). A student's first year in college in particular is one where they are alone for the first time ever, have new responsibilities, and must meet new people. Sue is correct in suggesting that a student will forego these experiences if web-based courses are implemented. However, the question posed is whether educational facilities should implement more opportunities for web-based courses and not whether educational facilities should implement a strict policy of only web-based courses. Of course socialization is part of the learning gained through college, but the presence of a web-based course will only supplement learning and not subtract from socialization opportunities for the student. Also, web-based learning will allow for older individuals to participate in college, which will allow these people to avoid feelings of isolation and possibly degrading situations while sitting in a classroom with students half their age (Sue, 31).
Another disadvantage of increasing the number of web-based courses is the possibility of making brick and mortar facilities obsolete (Lear, Isernhagen, LaCost, & King, 91). According to Lear et al, "brick and mortar universities and colleges will always have a place in society despite the popularity of the internet because some courses need a traditional teaching atmosphere otherwise the student will not benefit from the course" (91). Lear et al is suggesting that courses requiring a lab, requiring hands-on teaching and experimentation etc. will always need to be conducted in a facility with a professor present. These courses will be impossible in an online environment.
The disadvantages of a lack of socialization and endangering traditional educational facilities are never truly realized because options exist that tend to discredit these concerns. These concerns are present, but are of little importance to students and lecturers.
Web-based courses are beneficial and should be more abundant in college, but only if these courses are correctly implemented for the student and faculty. Frank suggests that a web-based program is only as good as the instruction that accompanies it, and without ample instruction and support, the course will fail to offer any benefit to a student (291). An important addition to a web-based course is background instruction on how to read assignments, how to submit assignments, how to contact the instructor, etc. All of these guidelines are important because they will allow the instructor and student to concentrate on the course material instead of trying to figure out how to work the computer. Frank also suggests that a professor should have a multitude of materials in which the student can procure easily through the internet that will help the student with the course material (293). Of course the basic textbook and materials are important, but also outside sources and assistance should be provided for the student. This will allow the professor and the student to have every opportunity possible for learning the material without further interference.
Conclusion
Benefits, refuted disadvantages, and tips on creating an effective web-based course all support the notion that all colleges need to implement more online courses. These courses will assist in a facility's profits and provide better opportunities for students. Web-based programs provide greater student diversity and also help the student succeed by providing an opportunity for greater discussion and communication.
Works Cited
Frank, Betsy. "Teach beyond Your Reach: An Instructor's Guide to Developing and Running Successful Distance Learning Classes, Workshops, Training Sessions and
More." Nursing Education Perspectives 28.5 (2007): 290+.
Lear, Janet L., Jody C. Isernhagen, Barbara A. LaCost, and James W. King. "Instructor Presence for Web-Based Classes." Delta Pi Epsilon Journal 51.2 (2009): 86+.
Stager, Gary. "Gary Stager on High-Quality Online Education: How to Make Your Online Courses Better Than Your Traditional Classes." District Administration May 2005: 77.
Sue, Valerie M. "Comparing Online and Traditional Classes." Academic Exchange Quarterly 9.3 (2005): 30+.
College education has become a focal point of every graduating high school student as well as the currently employed who seek additional education in order to garner employment. The importance of college has grown substantially throughout the past few decades as more and more employers expect higher standards from prospective employers. The growth in college education has created a populace that demands greater options for education as well as greater avenues of educational opportunities from institutions. One of these options is distance web-based learning, and the benefits of the practice are known to many students. A question arises as to whether colleges should install more distance learning options in light of the recent popularity of the practice. A look into the benefits of online learning, drawbacks of online learning, and how to create a more favorable online learning environment will all help to demonstrate why online learning is important and should be offered more in an institutional setting.
Benefits of Online Learning
A facility of higher learning should consider the benefits of online education when deciding whether or not to implement more web-based programs. Of course, many decisions must be made when deciding what is best for the students, but also the facility's concerns should be addressed as well. Online education does produce some associative costs that must be factored in when deciding whether or not to implement a web-based course. According to Sue, "the costs of online education implementation are far from prohibitive and actually will produce fewer costs for a brick and mortar institution due to several aspects of the course itself" (32). If the costs are no prohibitive and are actually beneficial to the institution as compared to traditional teaching, then the college should really investigate additional online courses. Sue suggests that online courses allow for a professor to teach a greater number of students because classroom size is no longer a concern and because teaching assistants can have a greater role in the learning environment since the questions are in digitized form for all concerned parties to see (33). Sue's investigation into the costs of online education depicts an instance where a college or university will benefit from greater enrollment and greater profits. It appears that the cost issue is actually not an issue when deciding whether or not to implement a web-based course.Another benefit of introducing more web-based courses is that certain studies demonstrate that students tend to perform better with online courses (Sue, Stager). According to Sue, students perform better in online courses because they receive the information from the professor and are then able to decipher the information in their own way (32). A lot of this deciphering will come in the form of study groups that are formed at the student's discussions between themselves (Sue, 32). One may say that the students are teaching themselves in an online course, but Stager believes otherwise. Stager suggests that a group of students in an online course will receive the basic teachings and will then create their own version of the classroom with the instructor as a basic guide (77). Basically the instructor helps the students with the basic material and the students then study and learn the material as a group. Of course the instructor is always available for any questions the students have, which creates another benefit of an online course. Usually, questions are more abundant in an online course as compared to a traditional course because students are less pressured or embarrassed and are allowed to ask whatever is troubling them with the material (Stager, 78). This aspect of online learning combined with greater communication between student and teacher provides a greater environment for all who are involved in the learning process.
Stager does present the fact that online education allows for more people in society to participate in the education process (78). This is beneficial because it allows for more perspectives to be contributed to the lesson plans or learning objectives of the professor. Suppose a professor is teaching a management class and one of the students is an employed manager at a business. This student would have first-hand knowledge about management and will be helpful in describing what the professor is teaching in a real life example. This will help the students understand how the teaching relates to real situations and better prepare the students for future employment.
Web-based courses provide ample benefits to students and facilities alike and should be implemented on a higher scale. The courses bring down costs, help students learn more effectively, and allow for a greater diversity of student body. All of these benefits are helpful in the learning process; however, some disadvantages to web-based courses do exist that must be investigated.
Disadvantages of Online Learning
The disadvantages of online learning are present and demonstrate some obstacles that web-based courses face for students and facilities. One of the major disadvantages of online learning is the idea that students no longer experience face-to-face meetings with the professor and other students in the classroom. This is considered a disadvantage because one of the items essential to college education is socialization of the student and their introduction into an adult world (Sue, 30). A student's first year in college in particular is one where they are alone for the first time ever, have new responsibilities, and must meet new people. Sue is correct in suggesting that a student will forego these experiences if web-based courses are implemented. However, the question posed is whether educational facilities should implement more opportunities for web-based courses and not whether educational facilities should implement a strict policy of only web-based courses. Of course socialization is part of the learning gained through college, but the presence of a web-based course will only supplement learning and not subtract from socialization opportunities for the student. Also, web-based learning will allow for older individuals to participate in college, which will allow these people to avoid feelings of isolation and possibly degrading situations while sitting in a classroom with students half their age (Sue, 31).
Another disadvantage of increasing the number of web-based courses is the possibility of making brick and mortar facilities obsolete (Lear, Isernhagen, LaCost, & King, 91). According to Lear et al, "brick and mortar universities and colleges will always have a place in society despite the popularity of the internet because some courses need a traditional teaching atmosphere otherwise the student will not benefit from the course" (91). Lear et al is suggesting that courses requiring a lab, requiring hands-on teaching and experimentation etc. will always need to be conducted in a facility with a professor present. These courses will be impossible in an online environment.
The disadvantages of a lack of socialization and endangering traditional educational facilities are never truly realized because options exist that tend to discredit these concerns. These concerns are present, but are of little importance to students and lecturers.
Making the Best of the Online Experience
Web-based courses are beneficial and should be more abundant in college, but only if these courses are correctly implemented for the student and faculty. Frank suggests that a web-based program is only as good as the instruction that accompanies it, and without ample instruction and support, the course will fail to offer any benefit to a student (291). An important addition to a web-based course is background instruction on how to read assignments, how to submit assignments, how to contact the instructor, etc. All of these guidelines are important because they will allow the instructor and student to concentrate on the course material instead of trying to figure out how to work the computer. Frank also suggests that a professor should have a multitude of materials in which the student can procure easily through the internet that will help the student with the course material (293). Of course the basic textbook and materials are important, but also outside sources and assistance should be provided for the student. This will allow the professor and the student to have every opportunity possible for learning the material without further interference.
Conclusion
Benefits, refuted disadvantages, and tips on creating an effective web-based course all support the notion that all colleges need to implement more online courses. These courses will assist in a facility's profits and provide better opportunities for students. Web-based programs provide greater student diversity and also help the student succeed by providing an opportunity for greater discussion and communication.
Works Cited
Frank, Betsy. "Teach beyond Your Reach: An Instructor's Guide to Developing and Running Successful Distance Learning Classes, Workshops, Training Sessions and
More." Nursing Education Perspectives 28.5 (2007): 290+.
Lear, Janet L., Jody C. Isernhagen, Barbara A. LaCost, and James W. King. "Instructor Presence for Web-Based Classes." Delta Pi Epsilon Journal 51.2 (2009): 86+.
Stager, Gary. "Gary Stager on High-Quality Online Education: How to Make Your Online Courses Better Than Your Traditional Classes." District Administration May 2005: 77.
Sue, Valerie M. "Comparing Online and Traditional Classes." Academic Exchange Quarterly 9.3 (2005): 30+.