Students, teachers discuss benefits of online learning program

Southeast Missourian

Criminal justice instructor Linda Keena at first was skeptical about teaching her service and community class online last fall at Southeast Missouri State University. She preferred her students to be physically there. But one advantage Keena discovered in the online class is that students who might otherwise be shy were now communicating with the other students and the instructor.

"Communication is more enhanced," said Keena.

Discussion time also is increased because there are no time limitations as in a classroom. Instructor-student interaction has far outweighed Keena's initial reservations during the development process.

There are other advantages. Because students don't have to be online at a certain time, people with scheduling conflicts or tight schedules have the opportunity to continue their education. However, online courses are not self-paced; students cannot complete the entire course in just a few weeks.

When Southeast Online became available in fall of 1999, ten Web-delivered courses were offered with an enrollment of 150. Fall 2003 enrollment was 1,796 students in 104 classes.

Online courses require an Internet connection, admission by the university, registration, activation of a Southeast Key. The Southeast Key is assigned to students after enrollment and is the means by which they log onto email accounts, check the status of all their student affairs including but not limited to dial up service; printing at the computer lab and library; registration and online courses.

Most Southeast online courses can be taken without coming to campus. However there are rare exceptions when an on-campus meeting is required. The ability to navigate the Web is essential, and students may need to know how to download a plug-in.

The Information Technology Help Desk helps solve problems and Southeast Online Technical Support is available during regular business hours. A self- assessment questionnaire is available at http://online.semo.edu/. Computer requirements and recommendations are listed for PCs and Macs at http://online.semo.edu. An online demonstration class is planned for the future.

Eric Wittenauer, who lives in Southern Illinois, does not consider himself computer savvy. He views online learning as a cooperative effort between the professor and student. "Teachers that take the extra time to e-mail students within a 24-hour period are the best. By being available, the shortfalls of online learning are often avoided."

He thinks students are held accountable for their study habits and work more than in a classroom setting. Wittenauer's advice for online students is, "Visit your professor if at all possible, stay up-to-date and don't procrastinate."

For Julie Wunderlich of Jackson, online classes work well during the Southeast soccer season when she's on the road.Her fall 2003 service and community class was extremely user-friendly and simple, she said. "I knew what was expected of me and what was due each week."

For Dr. Mike Rodgers a chemistry professor who teaches a course online, it is a challenge. Keeping up with the communication is one issue. "In a three-credit course it takes a teaching commitment of about eight hours per week.With online courses the commitment is more like 19 hours per week." The amount of communication required is teaching him to become a fast typist. Currently he is working at becoming more of a facilitator of learning rather than a dispenser of knowledge.

Ashley Godwin, one of Rodgers' students, says, "Online learning is on a more personal basis than a regular class."

Godwin took a class in political systems online last semester. She considered it a good experience and is optimistic that chemistry will be, too. As a Southeast gymnast, she's thankful for online courses so she can continue to be involved in her sport.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611 ext. 133