In March 1999, Avi Nires
conducted interviews with a number of students about Temple online course
experiences. This page highlights the responses of three online
students. Student identities have been kept confidential by request.
Please note that more current online learning student information is
currently being gathered).
Online
Advantages and Disadvantages
* Not
all online courses require Norton Connect software, which often costs
less than a textbook.
** All online courses
require either tests and/or projects.
General
observations about online course delivery
Students . . .
- found the online course
format useful
- thought the online course
technology was easy to learn
- discovered that professors
were extremely knowledgeable about the class subject and helpful with
the technology instructions
- realized that it was important
to check course content from 3 times/week to daily
- devoted 4-12 hours/week
to online course work
- believed there was too
much work, but in an enthusiastic way
- felt they got "as
much as if they would have got in a face-to-face course," but
through more independent means
- decided they will take
more online courses in future semesters
- would not recommend online
courses to a transfer or first-year student unless he or she is prepared
to work independently
- recommend online courses
to friends because they believe online courses deliver contact with
computer technologies that are essential for future career success.
