More students choose online classes

With technology impacting our lives in so many ways, and students busier than ever, the way we learn is changing.

“Our students now need to multitask, balancing work, family and school. Online classes are not just a convenience but a necessity,” says Dr. Andrew Fisher, Provost at North Central Texas College.

“And it makes sense. Technology is all around us in online banking, online video gaming, even relationship building. Why not use it for education too?”

Online is flexible

Students taking online classes do equally well or even better than those taking traditional on-campus classes, says Fisher. The reason may be exactly what sets them apart-flexibility.

“Online classes address issues related to convenience, student learning proficiencies and provide an adaptive learning environment,” says Fisher.

Online is growing

“Enrollment in distance learning and blended learning appear to be outpacing traditional on campus enrollments,” says Dr. Gerard de los Santos, president of the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international organization that fosters the growth of community colleges through research, conferences, partnerships and shared resources.

“Students are looking at online options for different reasons. It could be the displaced worker who has to juggle a family or a younger student who is comfortable with technology.”

Is online the right choice?

While online learning has many positive aspects such as access and flexibility, there are some caveats says Dr. John Roueche, Community College Leadership director and professor in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin.

First, choose your online courses carefully: “Some online programs are worthy of praise and some are fly-by-night and take advantage of students,” he cautions. Those offered by accredited public higher education institutions are most often reputable and reliable.

Second, stay connected to fellow students and your teacher. Roueche is encouraged by the trend he is seeing of incorporating collaborative activities into courses such as chat rooms so students get interaction along with their instruction.

Finally, be sure you’re prepared to learn online. “Students need to be evaluated to determine whether they will be successful online learners,” he says.

“They need to demonstrate that they are goal oriented, self directed and need a certain level of academic and computer skills.”

– Eleanor Shelton