Online Education

[minusone]

This is one hot topic nowadays and its really convenient and easy. E Learning is the best.

[Anne Swigard]

Though e learning is gaining popularity wordwide but it lacks teacher -student interaction which is very important in order to understand the student's need.

[hweber]

Anne - it really depends on how the class is structured. I am taking Master's courses, two per semester. One is totally on-line the other is a blended class. There are discussion boards that we have to post to. The teacher posts a question or a discussion starter and the we, as students, are to respond to the question and to each other. The teacher can also make comments to a particular posting, so that there is teacher-student interaction. There are also virtual office hours, and the teachers have been very prompt in responding to emails. The courses are not self-paced, they are just like any course, except that you don't go to the University. In fact, I think that some of the discussions are better because everyone has to post a response and the class 'hears' from everyone, not just the few who are vocal and brave enough to talk in class.

Has anyone else had experience with on-line classes?

[Melinda]

I have taken several science classes through the NSTA online. The professors are excellent, and we use headphones and "live chat' format to learn about physics and other topics. You can take classes from the American Musuem of History, biology, astonomy, and many other topics. They are usually 6 weeks long and I have used them for recertification points. It is really interesting to talk to teachers from all over the country. It is always amazing how much we all have in common. It is also great to take a class from your living room when it is cold and dreary outside! You have a set time each week you meet and we all come"online" and talk to each other before the lesson begins. THere is a moderator who oversees and checks everyone in, before the professor begins. It is very user friendly.

[littlmare]

who are you talking about? Developmentally, I don't think it is the best choice for high school or below. Notice, I said "best" choice. There will always be situations where that is what works the best. The social interaction and teachable moments can't be replicated for a teen on line. That being said...I have taken several on line classes and all were outstanding. 3 were with a major university (that is in the Big 10 with a "Lion" mascot :) ) that blew my mind in the quality. The other was through a group of counties tied with PBS that also was above what I expected. I highly recommend it. You do need to be self motivated, but I suppose that is true even in a real classroom