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To Telecourse or Not To TelecourseOct 22 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Distance learning, i.e. telecourses and internet-based courses, are the boon of the '90's and the 21st Century. They are also the bane of disorganized students everywhere. My experience with telecourses is limited to this semester. I am studying Spanish by telecourse, with coursework submitted via the internet. While I like the course, I have already encountered some major difficulties with studying language by telecourse. This review will outline the major pros and cons of Distance Learning. Pros 1. Ability to work at your own pace, within limitations. I received a syllabus at the beginning of the semester and am required to do one lesson a week from the course work. The syllabus is very precise about what written work is required and gives a final date and time for oral call-in quizzes. It also gives a definite date for each written assignment to be in my instructor's email box. 2. No need to visit a classroom at 8 am several days per week. This is an important option for me, as I am working full-time, taking a full course load, and am responsible for driving my sons to and from school daily. It also allows me to do my work at a time of day that is convenient and productive for me. Not too many college professors teach classes at midnight! 3. No sitting through interminable lectures that have nothing to do with the subject. I also do not have to listen to the "explain that one more time" whining from the unprepared student(s) in the back of the classroom. For me, the most annoying part of the classroom experience is listening to someone whine that the course is too hard or they don't understand the work. This all just before the person admits they haven't done the required reading or homework for today's class. 4. Contrary to popular belief, I have found that teachers are more attentive to their student's questions and concerns with telecourse classes than in a classroom setting. My email or phone in questions are answered promptly and courteously, and I have received very detailed responses to each question. Cons 1. No "live" feedback. Especially with a language course, this is important. My study partner has an atrocious accent at Spanish. For her, not hearing Spanish regularly is a huge disadvantage. I, however, work with a Spanish-speaking family daily; their feedback has been invaluable as I learn to communicate more effectively in Spanish. Consider this carefully if you wish to study a language by telecourse. Even with other classes, remember that there is no one there to answer your questions. Many times this will force you to look much harder for an explanation. 2. Infrequent grading of homework. For most telecourses, you turn in written work, then have grades mailed back to you. In my case, I turn in written work via Internet. My grades are usually back within a week, but, due to class size, this can vary tremendously. 3. No interaction with other class members. This means that you cannot crib notes if you miss a class, nor can you ask a fellow class-member to help you understand a concept that the instructor did not explain well. 4. The only grades you receive are for written and/or oral work. You get not credit for participation in class, and the instructor does not know how hard you worked to get to whatever level of understanding you have reached. 5. Which brings up this point: If you are not organized, it is very easy to fall behind in telecourse and internet classes. I had to redo three lessons because I realized after 7 weeks of classes and my first test that I did not understand the grammar sections well enough. Due to this, I spent nearly two full days on Spanish to the exclusion of all other classes. Tips and Hints for Internet Classes Of course I'm not going to leave you swinging. Here are my best tips and tricks for passing Distance Learning classes: 1. ALWAYS follow the syllabus. If it tells you to do everything in the chapter twice, DO IT! This is the calendar to keep you out of hot water and it ensures that you are following along with the rest of the group. In some classes, late assignments will lose you a letter grade. Keep Up! 2. Consider assigning yourself a non-negotiable time for classwork. Mine is Monday morning. I have no kids in the house at this time. I make a pot of coffee, spread my work out on my desk and I do EVERYTHING in the syllabus for that week in one 3 to 4 hour block of time. I do not answer the phone, the front door or my pager during this time. By this point, most people know not to call or stop by on Monday morning. Those who do still call get my answering machine and I call them back immediately after my Spanish Class. For all intents and purposes, I AM in school at this time. If I happen to miss that study time, I still have the rest of the week to work the class into my schedule. 3. If you are required to do call-in or email work, do it as soon as you finish the required homework items. This ensures that the lesson is still very fresh in your mind, and helps you to stay focused in order to answer questions about the lesson. 4. Consider taking courses by telecourse in which you already know you are strong. Or, if you are susceptible to falling asleep in class, you might look into taking the class by telecourse or Internet instead. I certainly wish I had taken my Sociology class by Internet. The instructor is very good, but, her tests often do not match up to her lectures. If I have to take similar classes with her, I will be sure to do them online. 5. Organize, Organize, Organize! I have three files for my Spanish class. One is on my computer for the items that I have to email. I also keep a hard copy of these items in a folder on my desk. This ensures that I have backup in case my computer crashes or an email gets lost or misdirected. The second file includes any paperwork (Syllabus, Course Description and graded work) that is necessary to the class. The third folder holds papers that need to be turned in, items that have not yet been requested and copies of any and all work that I do offline. These help me to know that I have completed whatever work is required, and they serve as a record of any ungraded items. 6. If you are asked to join a study group, do so! My study partner has helped remind me that quizzes are due. She has also helped me enormously in the written work. When I've been lost on an assignment, she always helped me to get back on track. All in all, taking a telecourse or online course is an excellent way to go. Just be sure that you have good organizational skills.  |
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