Some educators feel that distance technologies will greatly improve education; some feel education will suffer if they are overused. What are factors you can cite in support of these positions?
I personally am in support of distance technologies used in education for college students. I absolutely love my online classes. I thought I was going to struggle and I never wanted to try but I am glad I did. It has made taking classes much easier due to the convenience; it is ideal for the non-traditional student. CMS (course management system) is a tool used to make distance courses. A perfect example is the WEBCT. I must say A&M should do a better job in offering online classes and really work on the blackboard system. This is my first year using this; previously at Palo Alto their system was user friendly and they are only a junior college.
Internet has been a major use in distance technologies. The classroom is no longer trapped in four walls. It has the freedom to go beyond and teach. Virtual tours, on-line science labs, and communication with other students open up for students to expand their way of learning. White boards are used in classrooms to bring the Internet and technology in a classroom. It is like a huge screen which allows every child to see and experience what normally would have been described or read about in a classroom.
With every positive not far behind is a negative. Distance technologies can be problematic. Sometimes blackboard or WEBCT can be down and the students come across difficulties. At times the systems may be slow due to high use.
With anything there is positive and negative sides it just depends if you are willing to work with it or not.
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Hi April,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! As a college student, I have taken an online class and a flex class that required certain about of hours in a class and the rest online, similar to this one. Taking these class helps to complete course work rather than waiting around another semester for a regular class. When taking distance class it requires self-motivation on the students’ part. On the negative side of it, systems do have technical difficulties like those that you mention. Some day assignments are due and technical support is working on it. In the end, I believe that distance technology is useful when used appropriate.