Comments on: I Don’t Like Online Classes! http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/ An Engineers Perspective on Education and Technology Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:53:34 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 By: flit http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/#comment-12 flit Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:13:53 +0000 http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/#comment-12 Blackboard could do a lot better when it comes to offering HELP for teachers using their platform. I have been stymied by simple little things more than once - and I am a computer programmer (among other things) Blackboard could do a lot better when it comes to offering HELP for teachers using their platform.

I have been stymied by simple little things more than once - and I am a computer programmer (among other things)

]]> By: Loren http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/#comment-9 Loren Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:23:53 +0000 http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/#comment-9 Thanks for the comment Prof. Kim! The interesting I have is that the college where I did my PostSecondary Teaching Certification uses Blackboard as the CMS. Most of the professors just use the default values when they place course material online. The prof that teaches the Online Teaching Class utilizes all the customization features and takes Blackboard to the next level. When students log onto his course the first time, they think he is using some other system. I guess my point is that as educators, especially online we need to understand how to use the technology to the best of it's ability. I will have an upcoming post on my thoughts about Course Management Systems. -Loren http://theteachingbox.today.com Thanks for the comment Prof. Kim!
The interesting I have is that the college where I did my PostSecondary Teaching Certification uses Blackboard as the CMS. Most of the professors just use the default values when they place course material online. The prof that teaches the Online Teaching Class utilizes all the customization features and takes Blackboard to the next level. When students log onto his course the first time, they think he is using some other system. I guess my point is that as educators, especially online we need to understand how to use the technology to the best of it’s ability. I will have an upcoming post on my thoughts about Course Management Systems.

-Loren
http://theteachingbox.today.com

]]> By: Prof. Kim http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/#comment-8 Prof. Kim Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:35:39 +0000 http://theteachingbox.today.com/2009/01/13/i-dont-like-online-classes/#comment-8 Loren, thanks for talking about the pros and cons of online education. You bring up many fair points. Indeed, the technology can be a bit poor or basic when it comes to most online schools. However, the good news is that there are now companies who specialize in creating the technology platforms for the colleges to use. This is the glory of capitalism and new business. :) One thing I would suggest to students who take online classes is to really take the time to provide productive, constructive feedback to the schools when they have "feedback" tools or end-of-term surveys. I can't believe how many students skip these options when it is often the only way to make suggestions about the course. And believe me, the schools do listen and read every single one of those surveys or feedback submissions. It's a bit like a student's way of "voting." Thanks for keeping the conversation going about this and other important teaching topics. --Kim OnlineProfessor.today.com Loren, thanks for talking about the pros and cons of online education. You bring up many fair points. Indeed, the technology can be a bit poor or basic when it comes to most online schools. However, the good news is that there are now companies who specialize in creating the technology platforms for the colleges to use. This is the glory of capitalism and new business. :)

One thing I would suggest to students who take online classes is to really take the time to provide productive, constructive feedback to the schools when they have “feedback” tools or end-of-term surveys. I can’t believe how many students skip these options when it is often the only way to make suggestions about the course. And believe me, the schools do listen and read every single one of those surveys or feedback submissions. It’s a bit like a student’s way of “voting.”

Thanks for keeping the conversation going about this and other important teaching topics.

–Kim
OnlineProfessor.today.com

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