Online courses can open up busy schedules

By Beth Warmerdam

Mary Sondheim never goes to campus for her Environmental Health class. She doesn’t have to—it’s held online.

“ We only have two short assignments and an exam,” said Sondheim, a journalism student. “It saves me a lot of time by not having to attend an actual class period.”

As registration for spring classes approaches, students are trying to fit classes into their schedule. Sometimes there is just not enough time for every class. One solution to this problem may be the option of taking an online class, which can help with time management issues.

Web-based classes take place over the Internet, which means that students do not have to meet regularly in a classroom. The classes can be set up through the campus blackboard system or the instructor can hold them from his or her own Web site.

“ My favorite part about the class is the discussion board,” Sondheim said. “You can ask questions through postings and your classmates can respond.”

A variety of classes are available through the Internet, such as Math Analysis, Arts of Armenia and Principles of Finance.

Although these classes may be convenient, there is the worry that they do not provide the same quality of education as regular classes.

Debra Harris, an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work Education, believes that fully Web-based classes are not as effective as “in-seat” classes.

“ It sounds great to be able to complete the class on your own schedule, but it is quite another to have the time and energy to do all the work independently,” Harris said. She believes that the best learning environment combines online work with time spent in the classroom. She is doing research to prove this theory.

Mark Matthews, a business major, is taking an online class this semester. He said that he signed up for the class, Visual Basic Programming, in order to have more time for work.

“ It’s good because I can work at my own pace,” he said. “The only problem is that it’s easy for me to forget about my work.”

Web-based classes are in the schedule of courses under Digital Campus. Thirty classes are currently listed.