Fairhaven Lecture Series explores distance education
Released: November 22, 2006
In 1997, people weren't sure if online classes would be as good or effective as regular classes. Current studies show that online classes are just as good, if not better, than regular classes. According to University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Information Technology/Business Education (IT/BE) Professor Bob Schramm, it all depends on the professor. This is the message Schramm gave in his presentation, "Distance Education at UW-Whitewater," on Monday, Nov. 20 to the Fairhaven retirement community.
According to Schramm, there are two things professors must keep in mind to ensure online class success: faculty-to-student interaction and student-to-student interaction. The professor of an online class needs to make sure that he or she is interacting enough with the students. The professor also needs to make sure that there is enough opportunities for interaction between the students.
It may be hard to understand how a student can learn well from an online course, but Schramm said that it can be easy by incorporating video clips and PowerPoint slides in place of the traditional lecture. "Short, manageable activities work better at a comfort level online for both students and faculty," he said. According to Schramm, online professors often receive higher student evaluations than professors in a regular classroom because of the accessibility and type of material.
Many people have worries that it is easier to cheat in an online course. According to
Schramm, online students are more honest than in the classroom with cheating because online students are typically older and not from the Whitewater area. ?Online courses attract a better quality of student,? he said.
This information is important for students and faculty to know. It is also good for people outside of the university to know as well. One Fairhaven resident especially enjoyed hearing what Schramm had to say. "His presentation was very well done," said Fairhaven resident Charlotte West. "He covered a lot of material and explained it well. He opened up a whole new world of knowledge to us."- Abby Clark,clarkae12@uww.edu
