|
Features | |
CSUF News | |
Alumni Notes | |
Alumni Spotlight | |
Events | |
Shop |
Although some onlookers believe that the traditional college education will be transformed by the mass implementation of online courses, panel members generally disagreed with that view.
Online courses are “no more than a niche market,” said Ephraim Smith, vice president of academic affairs. “Dropout rates from students in those courses are as strong as in regular courses. They call for more dedicated, self-motivated students. We now offer three degree programs online. Probably we could add 10 or 15 more. But I don’t see online courses taking over.”
“Something happens in the classroom that can’t be duplicated online,“ said Associated Students President Williams. “Online courses are a good option, but we need to come here to learn how to interact with people face to face, not only through cell phones and computers.”
Raphael Sonenshein: I can’t imagine how you replace education as a people-in-the-same-room
endeavor with Internet-based instruction. We could accommodate tremendous numbers of students if this were truly a 24/7 institution. I hate to think of us contributing to the increasing isolation of society to
save space and time. What a difference it would make for working people if we offered classes on weekends.
Steve Murray: Electronic capability and global connections mean that our West Coast time clock will be less constraining. We will see an expansion of more diverse work times, which means that people could take classes in the evening and weekends.
Ephraim Smith: Online classes are no more than a niche market. Dropout rates from students in those courses are as strong as in regular courses. It takes a more dedicated, self-motivated student. We now offer three degree programs online. Probably we could add 10 or 15 more. But I don’t see online courses taking over.
Heather Williams: They can’t replace in-class courses. Something happens in the classroom that can’t be duplicated online. We need to come here to learn how to interact with people face to face, not only with cell phones and computers. As for evening classes, students like to take them, but a lot of campus
services aren’t available then. Offices close at 5 or else at 7.
Jane Hall: I have to defend online classes. Students are speaking in the mandatory chat sessions who wouldn’t say boo in a regular class. They tell me they’re participating because they aren’t intimidated by people thinking they’re stupid or rolling their eyes. The learning is at least as good in an online class. Online classes allow people to continue their education instead of dropping out for a semester.
President Milton A. Gordon: We may be restricting our view of online courses to the way they are given now. I doubt that anyone would have predicted 15 years ago the impact of technology on education. Young people have new ideas about education. They work at home, on airplanes. They sit on floors with cell phones and laptops and work wherever they are.
