SectionsOfficials: Online classes to keep growing due to money, convenience
Kathryn Wall
Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: Features
When gas prices hit astronomical levels, the 2008 Sloan Survey of Online Learning predicted more people would be taking online classes to avoid the cost of fuel. Now that the economy has slumped into a recession, officials are saying online programs will continue to grow.
An article in The Chronicle of Higher Education asserted that more adult students are expected to take online courses in the coming semesters in order to cut the costs of driving to campus, to avoid paying for childcare and increase their skills for an ominous job market.
Gary Rader, director of online education at Missouri State, said the university's online program does expect an increase in enrollment, but it probably would've grown with or without the recession.
"People will pay for convenience," Rader said. "Online serves a need because everyone's busy and working these days."
Instead of having to be one place at a specific time, mothers can check their Blackboard accounts while their children nap, and students who have full-time jobs can sit at home and join a discussion after eating dinner.
He said this kind of flexibility is also a big factor as to why students decide to take online courses and are willing to pay more for a class online than it would cost to be in the traditional classroom.
Other options for students are classes administered through cable channels and videos.
Dan Rowland, a media production specialist who creates videos and interactive CDs as part of the Extended University, said he strives to make the programs similar to the classroom experience with the added benefit of technology.
"We're just beginning here," Rader said. "We want MSU to be a recognized leader unique in what we offer."
However, faculty nationwide don't seem to be as convinced that online or telecourse classes are just like being in the classroom.
According to the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, 70 percent of faculty surveyed said they felt distance learning courses like online or cable show classes were inferior to face-to-face teaching.
An article in The Chronicle of Higher Education asserted that more adult students are expected to take online courses in the coming semesters in order to cut the costs of driving to campus, to avoid paying for childcare and increase their skills for an ominous job market.
Gary Rader, director of online education at Missouri State, said the university's online program does expect an increase in enrollment, but it probably would've grown with or without the recession.
"People will pay for convenience," Rader said. "Online serves a need because everyone's busy and working these days."
Instead of having to be one place at a specific time, mothers can check their Blackboard accounts while their children nap, and students who have full-time jobs can sit at home and join a discussion after eating dinner.
He said this kind of flexibility is also a big factor as to why students decide to take online courses and are willing to pay more for a class online than it would cost to be in the traditional classroom.
Other options for students are classes administered through cable channels and videos.
Dan Rowland, a media production specialist who creates videos and interactive CDs as part of the Extended University, said he strives to make the programs similar to the classroom experience with the added benefit of technology.
"We're just beginning here," Rader said. "We want MSU to be a recognized leader unique in what we offer."
However, faculty nationwide don't seem to be as convinced that online or telecourse classes are just like being in the classroom.
According to the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, 70 percent of faculty surveyed said they felt distance learning courses like online or cable show classes were inferior to face-to-face teaching.
Be the first to comment on this story