17 October 2016
2312 Lake Wheeler Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27603
Doug Hummer, Instructional Designer
Wake Technical Community College
101 Fayetteville Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
Dear Doug Hummer,
I am writing to you concerning the need to enhance the online learning experience at Wake tech. I have been enrolled as an online student here for several years. Online classes are a great and convenient learning source, but there are some helpful elements that can be added.
As more students join distant learning classes, both Instructors and students would benefit from enhanced virtual learning tools. The workload for Instructors has increased with translating lessons to online modules, and often much information is lost that would often be verbally
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The seated course classes have an extra element of instruction that is verbally given from the instructor that is not given in an online course. Taking a course online can be confusing when it comes to finding due dates, assignment requirements, and instructions. Missing important information results in missed assignments, poor grades, and not learning the course information correctly.
The need for an online learning source is growing with the need for a flexible option for unique life circumstances. It is a great learning avenue, and continuing to improve the experience will greatly help those who utilize it. Marci Malcom suggests that, “with the growth and expectation that every student have access to online learning opportunities and the available attrition statistics, it is important to understand what contributes to student success in online learning.” (14)
Research
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Taking a course online requires students to be self motivated and organized. Taking an online course is a flexible option for those who are not able to take a seated course. The problem is often assignments, discussion boards, and tests are in different areas on your course page. The workload and assignment due can be overwhelming, as they are not done in segments as in a classroom. You have to make sure you are not missing any information, or that is not in a prior weeks folder. This requires careful reading and research to make sure you have not missed anything. If there was a video class option, you could hear and see the instructor assign course work, and the expectations for online students would be the same. Information is received for online students without the extra content often shared in a classroom
For a long time now, the "traditional" institutions of higher learning have had unique approaches to teaching. They have also varied by size, student composition, and faculty specialties. Similar diversity is now found among institutions who offer accredited online bachelor degrees. The providers of virtual classrooms call themselves different things.
Kiefer believes that online classes are dreadful to not only the professors but also the students. I disagree with Kiefer for may reason on her outlook and view on distance learning. In Kiefer’s essay she writes about students time constraints, she states, “Students’ situations differ, of course, but most of my students work full-time and take one or two online
In 2014, around 5.8 million students took part in online education (Friedman). Many students who participate in online education work hard and do their best to learn, but with so many students there is bound to be a few who disrespect the privilege of staying home and working on a computer all day. Some believe that online education is not helpful to students because it does not give them real-world connections, but it can. Many students and teachers find online education helpful because students can take many courses online and the teacher can stay at home, most days, instead of commuting to work.
A successful online environment should; address individual differences, motivate the student, avoid information overload, create a real-life context, encourage social interaction, provide hands-on activities and encourage student reflection. It is important to be aware of these aspects when looking for a good online class that you can be successful in. After reading this article I am realizing that I should be aware of my learning style and actively use it when completing assignments. In knowing my learning style I can be successful in any learning environment. I plan to apply Kolb’s learning style model to my own learning career.
The issue of internet has a cost since the students do not concentrate in classroom therefore, they will move to workplaces where they will become a distracted workforce. Synder mentions that laptop ban in class facilitated student to earning better grades. According to Friedman, online education is quality and affordable. This form of education can reach out many people compared to classroom lecture. The significance of Princeton, Michigan, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania offering online only classes is their ability to bring a pool of qualified professors offering quality education.
As of 2014, at least 25% of the student population at American universities and colleges had taken at least one online course. In addition, employers can access experts or gather employees in distant locations for training sessions, saving time and money and improving the training experience (pp.671-672). Another highlight that distance learning provides is flexibility which is key to have considered many factors that come into play of people’s
As college students, we have all experienced at least twelve years of schooling. Most of us have primarily been taught one way, through a teacher led classroom. Given the opportunity to take an online class, there are many points to consider. Will the online class be easier than a traditional class? What differences between the two types of learning can I expect?
Outline Introduction Online education, which is also known as distance education, is an education that is based on the internet and utilise many types of technology. This type of education is different from the traditional or classroom education . Some people think that online education is not an adequate method of learning, however, others think that online education is an easier and more efficient way of learning. Moreover, survey result from Pew research center in 2011 shows that around 23% of college graduates attend the online class and about 15% of those completely acquired the degree from online education. Body Argument 1: Lower total cost Opposing Argument: Since online education utilizes the latest and modernized technology devices,
Torres Colorado and Eberle (2010) describe online students when they state, “most distance learning students are adults with past achievements in education and extracurricular concerns such as work status” (p. 8). Being understanding of each other’s obligations will lead to a more congealed group if something does arise for one of our members. I currently work a full time job that requires me to travel, but I should always have computer and internet access. I do not foresee any issues during this course.
This essay will explore the controversial topic of whether online education is better than traditional education. Online education currently has many advantages, and these are very attractive to most students. One of the most important factor to why so many students in the world is taking online courses is because of its flexibility. It is apparent that student can listen to the lectures or use the course materials anytime and anywhere, as long as they have internet connection.
Carr (2000) reported dropout rates as high as 80% in online classes and suggested a rule of thumb that course completion rates are often 10 to 20% higher in traditional courses. (Ni, A. Y, n.d.) Thus, it is very challenging for the participant to actively seek for the help, learn and figure it out the material independently without any help from friends and others. Some of students may not have the skill to be the effective learners and after that triggers them have lack of motivation to learn independently. Especially with students who new to higher education, they tend to feel extremely depressed when faced with particular academic challenge and get easily to drop out.(Bejerano, A. R. 2008)
The whole thing with self-teaching is that the student has to engage themselves into the lesson to actually be able to learn. Online courses not only benefit the students learning, but also allows the students horizon to brighten with the various choice of classes. Ever wanted to be in a class, but to your misfortune is not offered on campus or if it is offered the class is full? With online courses it is now possible to take a variety of classes to expand a students educational horizon. "Online Education can help students succeed, giving them opportunities to take advanced courses, to take more interesting courses than those offered at their local school, or simply to provide
This type of learning may lead to an increase in academic dishonesty due to the lack of an instructor to physically guide them through the course. This lack of physically being in the classroom makes it harder for students to absorb the information being given to them and ask questions. Michael Spaulding states, “It is important to create an environment that not only teaches the content of the course, but also accomplishes this in a manner that is as personal as a traditional course.(p. 183).” What Spaulding means by this is that online courses need to be able to maintain the stronger connection with instructor as a traditional, face- to- face course. Often times in an online course, the student may feel distance and separated from the instructor.
First of all, what is online learning? Online learning is a communication between lecturer and student without physically contact. The Online learning also can save up a lot of time from the lecturer and the students. Through online learning, students can get all the info’s that lecturers provide in the class. Some classes only need online learning and not physically there.
Experts claim ¨Fields that require hands-on training or use of specialized equipment may fall into this category¨ (Online Classes vs. Traditional Classes: Pros and Cons, My College Guide). This means that hands on subjects for example, ceramics, wood working, or physical education not the curriculum subjects. This is important because it teaches students a new way of education and gets kids to move around. Yes, at home you can do something active on your free time, but a lot kids usually sit on their phones during their free time. In addition, ¨Some subjects don’t lend themselves to an online format¨ (Online Classes vs. Traditional Classes: Pros and Cons, My College Guide).