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Personal learning available through free online courses |
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Thursday, 22 February 2007 |
by ERICA DURHAM
Intern News Reporter
Many top colleges and universities have begun to put classes online for free.
Schools such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Notre Dame, Yale University and many other competitive schools are posting lecture notes and outlines, homework assignments, videos of lectures, and even class projects free of charge on the Internet.
However,
these classes are just for personal learning and to see what a school
has to offer. Students in these free online courses are not enrolled in
the school.
“I think students are attracted to the flexibility of online courses.”
Martha E. Stephenson, director of academic advising and general
studies, said.
Appalachian State University is not offering free online courses, but it does offer four-credit online courses.
Online courses offer a flexibility that going to class lacks, and a single professor can teach more students.
The downside is that there is limited interaction between students and professors.
“There is a give and take in the classroom that is very valuable to
students,” Stephenson said. “Online courses are not conducive to all
students. You have to be a real self starter and very interested in the
course, and you also have to have decent technology skills.”
Many students are considering taking online courses in coming semesters.
“I would consider taking some general-studies classes because you would
get the same amount of information from an online course,” Lauren R.
Rall, a freshman child development major, said. “For an in-depth class,
I do not think it would be the same as in a classroom setting.”
Many of the classes that have been suggested for online courses are introductory courses and survey classes.
Some concerns about free online courses are that the universities would
be losing money. However, the classes are also considered to be a
recruiting tool.
“I never really thought about free online courses, but it could be a
way to advertise, and besides, there is no such thing as too much
education,” Stephenson said.
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