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Show Wednesday, February 9, 2000 THE SIGNPOST Page 7 Online con (in ued from front fast as it has been. Online courses show "strong evidence of our commitment to students," Hill said. "Online was a way to provide students another alternative."The university only has so much money," Hill continued, and additional money is required for the overload issue, but to date "that has not been the driving issue" for limiting online enrollment. He said online students "do as well" as in-class students. There is not a reduction of quality when enrolled In online courses. Dove feels the online courses are not damaging, but perhaps beneficial, to the students' education. The students are very responsible," he said, sometimes more than they are in a live class. He said that when you make students responsible for their own learning it is the most valuable skill they can take with them. Shannalee Brown, a sophomore at WSU, said taking an online course is almost better than a live course. "You have to leam more because you have to do it yourself," she said. "You can't rely on the professor to take you through it." Amy Poff, a recent WSU graduate, said she "liked the online courses better for 101 classes." She said she had to read the book, answer the questions, and pass the test before moving on. In her other 100-level courses, or 1000-level as they are on the semester system, she said she would be lost In a class with 100 students and she could sleep through the course. Dove said when students come into his upper -division courses after being enrolled with online courses they are not behind on the curriculum. Dove said the fundamental concepts of the course are the same in an online course as in a live course, but the learning concepts are different. Online is only a mode of communication or delivery, Dove said. He said he has "great interaction with online students if they make any effort." Dove's students have his cell phone number, his e-mail address, office phone number and hours. Brown said It is really easy to get In contact with the online professors. "It is almost better than on campus because the professor has more than his office hours during the day." Brown is taking one online course, in addition to her 12 credit hours on campus because she works full time. Daytime office hours do not work for her schedule but she said in her online course her "professor Is always responding and there are class discussions online where you can ask questions." Hill speculates that in the future there could be a course fee attached to online courses, as there is with labs and other campus classes. The fees could be applied to technological infrastructure and service support for the technology needed for online courses or to compensate the instructors. He said there Is only so much money to go around. Brown said she doesn't know If an extra fee for online courses would detract her from taking them. "It depends on the cost. Distance learning is a lot." She said if it was more than a small lab fee she would have to take it Into consideration. Poff said she probably wouldn't have done her online course if there was an additional fee. "I still had to buy the program and I am not using WSU's facility. Why am I being charged for campus fees?" Both Hill and Dove agree the online program is a work in progress. Dove said It gets easier for the professor as you go through the semesters.Hill said we are "learning as we go." J "recycle I V Participate! A Because this needs it. Douglas Ranch Camps in Carmel Valley, California is hiring General Counselors. Come meet us at the Job Fair on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10th. WHY? r I I This Week: j s II Chris Warren &. f Winner of the Pacrfic mf, 1 I'' j Northwest Comedy Comp. T JTM liJ FriiSatBand1fl:M'S1fl - 'LMj 1 PLipYOilJ iiawipwf A 3 billion dollar company with over 10,000 employees is coming to campus for the Career Fair on Thursday February 10th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flying J Inc., the leader in the interstate retail and hospitality industry, and recently ranked 103rd among Forbes' 500 top privately held companies will be on campus taking resumes for the following positions: ACCOUNTING MIS HUMAN RESOURCES PDG DESIGN DRAFTPERSON INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING CUSTOMER SERVICE PAYROLL CLERK S&D ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERKS RESTAURANTC-STORE MANAGERS at a small lodge in Denali National Park Near Mt. McKinley 50 Seasonal Jobs May-Sept 25 Gift Shop & Food Cashiers 10 Cooks-Fry, Line, Prep 10 Restaurant Personnel 5 Management, Maintenance, Housekeeping Room & Board Available FOR APPLICATION & INTERVIEW Call or write: Kevin Helwig Box 329 Fort Aransas, TX 78373 (512) 749-3026 Online Applications: http:www.denalipark.com Email: kevindenalipark.com FOOD! w HURSDAY :DO A.M. In the i ounge of USA Offices OME AND VISIT WITH YOUR STUDENT GOVT. LEADERS. |