Comment Costs (Score 3, Insightful) 374
New Hollywood movies don't even cost that much on blu-ray.
I attend Kent State University, where some courses are only available as online classes. From experience, I've learned that online classes lack the structure and interaction that allows the students to absorb information. Even further, most of these online classes, have been poorly run, with no real quality control. In fact, I'm taking one right now, and the professor has not posted an assignment since Feburary. There is no recourse that can be taken, as the professor can neglect to check messages, as opposed to a physical classroom, where I can say "Hey, you're not following the syllabus".
The other issue revolving around online courses is the consitency of use. Each professor will use the system in an entirely different way than the next. I have two online courses this semester, and they both use completely different web applications. The one I had to take last year used a system entirely different from the two this year. These differences cause a lack of consistency in how information is given to the students. One professor will post links in a buried section of the application, while another will post flash animations somewhere else.
Then you get into technical issues. One class I have requires me to upload my work to a server system that relies on frontpage extensions for the connectivity. Why should I have to use Visual Studio or something along those lines to upload PHP files?! To top that, the login credentials are handled differently at each campus. This web course happens to be based out of the Trumbull campus. I had to call their IT office to get credentials set up.
What does a classroom provide that is better than web courses? Consistency, you go to the room, you interact, and learn. There is an auditory concept at work here as well. I retain information the best at lectures, where I can look at the professor talking and listen to the material. Not to mention, it's nice to interact with your peers instead of being isolated in front of your computer.
HELP!!!! I'm being held prisoner in /usr/games/lib!