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“What Every Student Should Know About Online Learning. ” Illinois Online Network. The author John E. Reid, Jr. clearly writes in favor of Distance Education, or as he calls it, Computer-Mediated Distance Education. He argues that for adult learners, the conveniency of being able to take classes, and then work the material, watch lectures, at their own preferable time. Reid claims that the traditional system of education is well on the verge of being swept away by online learning.
Many universities offer dozens of courses for many different majors. That being said, these select universities offer the online classes for the same prices as an on-campus class. A few skills that he mentions can be better developed by the online courses are considered. First, time management; because students have the freedom to study wherever and whenever they choose, this will help them learn how to stay on top of things on their own, instead of being told when to do what.
Second, self-learning; self-learning is a key to computer mediated education, because the instructors only facilitate, the student has to find their own way. This leaves the student to really try and get a grasp on the material mostly on their own. Last, technological skills. This particular skill is stressed greatly. A student needs to know how to search for information via the internet. “What Is Distance Learning | About Distance Learning. ” Guide to Distance Learning Colleges | Online Colleges |Accredited Online Degrees. Web. 02 Apr. 010. The author of this article takes the side for distance learning. The reason for this is mainly because this website is a distance learning guide. He/she talks about why choose distance learning over traditional face-to-face. The authors main support behind this is social changes. Because the entire country is technologically evolving, demanding more technologically skilled persons. The author also talks about who uses distance learning. In which the writer uses strong bullet points to show the purposes behind online education.
Such as: reaching undeserved and advanced students, and reaching different geographical locations. Because some people are limited as to what schooling they can get because of geographical location, the online courses reaches those through the use of internet. This way anyone can get the education they desire in college. In addition, he/she also argues that distance learning is very flexible. For one primary reason, that the person can do the homework and such at his/her own convenience. The rest of this article is not of much importance to my final argument. An Argument Against Online Classes : In Defense of the Traditional Classroom. ” ArticleMyriad. com! Web. 02 Apr. 2010. The author strongly states that the switch from traditional classroom to online classes would be “the biggest possible mistake for students and teachers alike. ” Although she agrees that being able to attend class in your pajamas in the comfort of your house would be nice, this does not outweigh the losses. Her main point is that college life is about the social interaction while on campus.
Aside from the negative impact this would place on students, she then changes her view to the negative impact the instructors would face. According to her sources, the single greatest motivation for an instructor to keep teaching is their students. To further define this, just being around their students, and sharing their students makes them feel accomplished per se. If they have no students who ask questions and debate, they would not feel as inspired to change the lives of the students. In addition, another problem would be completely the loss of motivation of the students.
Because there is no teacher to ensure the students’ success, they may not be spurred on to stay on top of assignments and learn the material well. As well, they may not even do the work to complete assignments. Then this author talks about that basically any university that completely exchanged traditional to online education would be a guinea pig. Since there are very few that have made the complete shift she says that it could be a huge risk by experimenting with futures of the students. She believes that universities need to work to build their reputations instead of trying to adopt new ways of educating.
In conclusion she credits the opposing side: particularly how online classes could cut the cost of building classrooms, etc… In addition the opposing sides very appealing idea of going to class in pajamas. However, the author then discredits the opposing side by telling the reader to look beyond the “price tags… petty concerns,” and realize how much they would miss out on. Students in an online university would not be able to have social interactions, make new friends, as well as meet instructors and talk with them.