Online Education Essay example -- School Learning Technology Computers

Online Education There is little doubt that a more extensive on-line education system would benefit extremely overcrowded campuses like Cal State Northridge. Although short-term costs may deter colleges from implementing distance learning programs initially, many colleges could save money in the long run. With the technology available, universities should make more efforts to offer more on-line classes. Distance learning is becoming more and more prevalent across campuses and is likely to continue to grow. In this paper, I will address recent criticism of the distance learning process and present material in support of this increasing phenomenon. Distance learning is taught in several ways. Originally, distance, or â€Å"Independent learning, a descendant of correspondence study, used printed materials and mail-in assignments to provide access to geographically isolated individuals† (Miller). This, however, has been replaced by on-line classes with the advent of the Internet. Mathew Mariani describes the most common approach in an article comparing an on-line course with a traditional in-classroom lecture. The material for the course is the same but it is presented via streaming video. For the on-line course, the lecture was recorded with a digital camera and downloaded by students from their personal computers. As Mariani states, â€Å"The video plays in a small window, and a slide show recreating classroom visual aids displays in a larger window. The slides advance in sync with the video lecture.† According to a study reported by Scott Dellana on performance factors, â€Å". . .courses with the on-line option have been found to be as effective as the traditional course.† Today, there are an ever-increasing number of colleges usin... ...l of General Education. Vol. 49, Issue 1: 2000. Dellana, Scott A., William H. Collins, and David West. â€Å"On-line Education in a Management Science Course-Effectiveness and Performance Factors.† Journal of Education for Business. Vol. 76, Sept 2000. Lesniak, Robert J., and Carol L. Hodes. â€Å"Social Relationships: Learner Perceptions of Interactions in Distance Learning.† Journal of General Education. Vol. 49, Issue 1: 2000. Mariani, Mathew. â€Å"Distance Learning in Post-secondary Education: Learning Whenever, Wherever.† Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Vol. 45, Issue 2: 2001. Miller, Gary E. â€Å"General Education and Distance Education: Two Channels in the New Mainstream.† Journal of General Education. Vol. 49, Issue 1: 2000. Paulson, Karen. â€Å"Reconfiguring Faculty Roles for Virtual Settings.† Journal of Higher Education. Vol. 73, Issue 1: 2002. Online Education Essay example -- School Learning Technology Computers Online Education There is little doubt that a more extensive on-line education system would benefit extremely overcrowded campuses like Cal State Northridge. Although short-term costs may deter colleges from implementing distance learning programs initially, many colleges could save money in the long run. With the technology available, universities should make more efforts to offer more on-line classes. Distance learning is becoming more and more prevalent across campuses and is likely to continue to grow. In this paper, I will address recent criticism of the distance learning process and present material in support of this increasing phenomenon. Distance learning is taught in several ways. Originally, distance, or â€Å"Independent learning, a descendant of correspondence study, used printed materials and mail-in assignments to provide access to geographically isolated individuals† (Miller). This, however, has been replaced by on-line classes with the advent of the Internet. Mathew Mariani describes the most common approach in an article comparing an on-line course with a traditional in-classroom lecture. The material for the course is the same but it is presented via streaming video. For the on-line course, the lecture was recorded with a digital camera and downloaded by students from their personal computers. As Mariani states, â€Å"The video plays in a small window, and a slide show recreating classroom visual aids displays in a larger window. The slides advance in sync with the video lecture.† According to a study reported by Scott Dellana on performance factors, â€Å". . .courses with the on-line option have been found to be as effective as the traditional course.† Today, there are an ever-increasing number of colleges usin... ...l of General Education. Vol. 49, Issue 1: 2000. Dellana, Scott A., William H. Collins, and David West. â€Å"On-line Education in a Management Science Course-Effectiveness and Performance Factors.† Journal of Education for Business. Vol. 76, Sept 2000. Lesniak, Robert J., and Carol L. Hodes. â€Å"Social Relationships: Learner Perceptions of Interactions in Distance Learning.† Journal of General Education. Vol. 49, Issue 1: 2000. Mariani, Mathew. â€Å"Distance Learning in Post-secondary Education: Learning Whenever, Wherever.† Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Vol. 45, Issue 2: 2001. Miller, Gary E. â€Å"General Education and Distance Education: Two Channels in the New Mainstream.† Journal of General Education. Vol. 49, Issue 1: 2000. Paulson, Karen. â€Å"Reconfiguring Faculty Roles for Virtual Settings.† Journal of Higher Education. Vol. 73, Issue 1: 2002.