Online Classes Will Always Be Part of the College Experience
With the start of a new school year upon us in high schools and college, there’s little doubt that every student will have online classes. Parents and students complained, often publicly, about online classes in colleges. They asked: “Why should we pay the same tuition as we would if these classes were taught on campus?” But parents and students should consider this: most colleges were able to put their entire class schedule online within two to three weeks. That was not possible when most parents were in college. It was probably not possible ten years ago at most schools.
As my friend B.J. aka ‘Beej’ Kennedy points out, online classes were already off to a strong head start. The owner of Premiere Training in Central, New Jersey, B.J. has designed and taught online and in-person training courses to young adults and working adults for over 25 years. Since online classes will become a more important part of a college education for years to come, I asked B.J. to offer her thoughts to help parents and students ask the right questions about online classes.
Listen to her as she discusses how online classes or hybrid (online and in-person mix) courses can provide a better educational experience, when designed and taught properly.
Through talking with B.J. outside of this interview, I’ve come to understand that:
- Online classes are not less expensive to deliver vs. on-campus classes. A professor has more responsibilities when teaching online, whether in a lecture or small class.
- Online classes do not need to be tied to a traditional class schedule. Students can listen to a lecture on their own time, choose study groups that meet at the best time.
- Colleges can take more ownership of their curriculum. Students who chose to study abroad or away can take classes from their college’s faculty instead of taking them at another school, hoping that the credits transfer.
- Those schools that are willing to share courses, jointly award credits, can offer a larger course selection. This is quite likely to happen within public university systems that have more than one campus.
- Public colleges that have effectively educated people who have missed years of schooling can develop online courses for the traditional 18-22 year old college student.
Need help on the journey to college? Contact me at stuart@educatedquest.com or call me at 609-406-0062.
Want to know more about me? Check out these podcasts!
Listen to my talk, College Is A Learning AND Living Community, hosted by Dr. Cynthia Colon from Destination YOUniversity on Voice of America Radio!
Listen to my talk, What Exactly Is a Good College? hosted by test-prep experts Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin on Tests And The Rest!
