Editorial

Online classes need upgrade

By: Editorial Board

Posted: 11/30/07

Technology is all about enhancing the distribution of information. It makes information more available and more accessible for everyone, including students. Technology is embraced in the classroom and has a major impact on the learning experience, especially at Drexel.

The University has been pushing departments and professors to begin using online portals like BB Vista and Blackboard. Some classes are now a mix of face to face meetings and online discussions, while others are now offered completely online. In today's age of Internet ubiquity, this new trend makes sense.

The concept of creating online classes may sound like a good solution to the scheduling problem. It removes the need for a classroom and specific times and gives students flexibility to schedule around other classes or other activities.

The University, however, must be careful with its use of online technologies for its traditional undergraduate programs. The Provost's office must not lose sight of the fact that many undergraduate students come to Drexel expecting a brick-and-mortar experience with face-to-face interactions between professors and classmates. Even though Drexel may be expanding its online learning venture, it should not abandon its traditional approach to education. Technology should enhance, not replace, the classroom experience.

We are concerned about the quality of Drexel's online offerings. Professors and students often complain that BB Vista and Blackboard have clumsy interfaces. Both parties cannot find features and often times they just give up. It is essential for the learning experience that these tools make learning easier, not harder. It almost seems as if the online courses have been put in place to accommodate the students that the University has enrolled, but for which doesn't provide classrooms. This shouldn't be the case.

Additionally, professors should be trained in how to use these tools effectively. Currently, some online classes consist of merely submitting an assignment every week; there is no discussion or interaction. Teaching an online class is much different than teaching a physical class. Discussions and interactions do not come as naturally; they need to be encouraged and built directly into the class structure.

Lessons are delivered in a very static format, via PowerPoint or lecture notes. The curriculum needs to be built in a way to anticipate student questions and the professor needs to respond quickly to e-mail and message board posts. The key is for the University to understand that converting a physical class to an online class is not as easy as flipping a switch. The professor needs to be taught how to handle the nuances of running an online class. The curriculum needs to change to ensure discussion and interaction between students and professors still exist.

PowerPoint is becoming the digital chalkboard for some professors and their use of the technology is as innovative as the antiqued board itself. Technology is designed to engage and online courses must be a two-way communication for them to be effective.

As the University expands its online programs for traditional undergraduates, it should also upgrade its online tools. Most importantly, the current BB Vista and Blackboard portals need to be revamped so that they work for students and professors. These services need to be easy to use. Other features should be integrated. Videotaped lectures should be an option for every professor to use. Maybe the system should allow for real-time chat so that those in the "virtual classroom" at the same time can interact with each other. The possibilities to make the online classroom dynamic are endless.

By just offering the tools, administrators are allowing professors to create static online learning experiences. This devalues the educational experience - students are not getting the same quality education a traditional face-to-face experience that has traditionally been offered at Drexel.