I have not, as is apparent, posted anything new in this blog for some time. I've been getting ready for a new semester, three lecture courses, and one online course. I have been challenged by the online course both technically and intellectually. I find it difficult to understand how exactly I am going to teach philosophy to students that I do not see, or hear. I am accustomed to looking out at the faces of 25 to 65 students, seeing them in flesh and blood and drawing on their energy to help me guide and teach the course. I am now staring into a cyberspace void, but we shall see.
I want to comment upon this course throughout the semester, for I will decide whether or not I believe in the efficacy of online courses during this semester. I have been, and continue to be, skeptical of the plethora or online universities offering degrees, accredited degrees, in everything from management to culinary studies. These cyberspace universities are cropping up everywhere, and every university or college of any size offers online classes.
What about cheating? It would seem to be an easy thing to do. What about simply having someone take the course for you in total? What sort of supervision do online students have? How much real education do the graduates of these online universities really have? I suppose the market place can sort these questions out; still, I am skeptical.
I will keep you posted as to the findings that turn up in my own course. I would like to hear what you think.
Traditional colleges grant degrees based on test scores. A student gets credit for a course after the professor assigns him a passing grade on a term paper of exam.
Online colleges grant degrees in exactly the same way. So, assuming that you administer the same test or make the same term paper assignment to your classroom and online students, why wouldn't those who earn a passing grade, both online students and on-campus students, be equally deserving of a degree? Why would the traditional campus-based degree be better?
Posted by: Elizabeth The Teacher | January 25, 2009 at 08:03 PM