University of Utah Student Newspapers | 2013-01-31 | Page 4

4 OPINION Online classes disconnect students Friday February 1,2013 NAFISA MASUD Al ic Opinion Columnist I www.dailyutahchronicle.corn magine waking up bright and early on a Monday morning, brushing your teeth, raiding the kitchen for breakfast and climbing back into bed for the beginning of class. For more than ii,000 students at the U, online classes form a major part of their schedule. Students can enroll in any of the 375 courses, ranging from "Psychology of Love" to "Trig" to "Earthquakes & Volcanoes," according to the U's website. These courses are designed specifically to make the process of education less burdensome. Online courses provide an easy alternative to students with illnesses or disabilities that could possibly affect their attendance, and to those who live far from campus. Furthermore, technology has repeatedly been found to improve education and to act as a more stimulating asset to youth. It provides creative and interactive alternatives to traditional forms of education. Although online classes might be beneficial in some instances, their long-term effects will prove to be the opposite. Our generation is experiencing a growing dependence on technology, as Americans spend an average of 8.5 hours a day in front of screens, according to an article in the New York Times. In our parents' time, pre-med students pored over hundreds of pages describing human anatomy. Today, with just the press of a button on an iPad, students find themselves looking inside the human body, navigating through bone and muscle to explore the structures and functions within these body parts. The growth of technology and social media is also responsible for the increased political and social involvement we find among students today. Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook allow young adults to reach out and learn about political candidates in a less formal manner and are also attributed to widening their members' social circles. But with so much time spent in front of screens, it's easily forgotten how this screen time might affect our lives outside of cyberspace. The crippling amount of time Student to Faculty Ratio at the U: 13:1 Pros • Classroom Interaction • Forced Attendance Cons • Passive Learning • Intimidating Authority Figure Online Classroom Pros • Active Learning • Easy Access to Teacher • Forced Participation Cons • No Clas Interaction Reference: http://www.obia.utah.edu/contenVfastfacts.pdf spent using technology has disastrous physical effects, perpetuating sedentary lifestyles that contribute to the increasing rate of obesity and related diseases. Even more pressing, students have become so accustomed to communication through computers and phones, our abilities to interact organically have become stunted. he rap-artist known as Lupe Fiasco lived up to his name at a RACHEL pre-inauguration event for President Barack Obama, JACKSON causing quite the fiasco when he was removed from the stage last Sunday Opinion Columnist night. The debacle was unwarranted, as the rapper was simply exercising his have Fiasco perform in the right to free speech. first place when it was known Fiasco was scheduled to his songs harbored such senperform at the StartUp Rocktiments? On concert on Jan. 2o, a preFiasco has never been quiet inaugural event in celebration about how he feels about of Obama's second term. Obama. He made a public His performance took a statement in 2011 to CBS in turn for the worse when he which he said he thought the started singing an anti-war United States and Obama are song and bashed Obama with terrorists who inspire terrorthe lyrics. ist activity in other countries. "Gaza Strip was getting Fiasco was raised Muslim bombed, Obama didn't say in Chicago and given the shit. That's why I ain't vote name Wasalu Muhammad for him, next one neither," Jaco. Although he has doubts Fiasco rapped. about all religion in general, he still considers himself It was after these lyrics and more than 3o minutes Muslim and takes an anti-vioof spewing anti-Obama and lent stance in both his politianti-war lyrics that security cal and religious opinions. at the concert asked him to Another question resulting go on to the next song. After from the Fiasco fiasco is, why Fiasco refused to play a difwould he accept the perforferent song, security turned mance request if he does not off the music and escorted support the president? him off the stage. One reason could be the One question that arose inauguration event was the after this event was, why did perfect opportunity for Fithe organizers of the event asco to express how he feels ISAAC J. BROMLEY/The Daily Utah Chronicle Gone are the days sans tweets, "likes" and the various pings our phones regularly emit as we stare at them goo-goo-eyed. The screens we hold under our noses all day shield us from the events of everyday life with pictures we like and re-blog hours later online. In the same way, we miss out on the crucial elements of traditional Lupe Fiasco episode exhibits free speech T Online Classes Offered at the U: 1,036 about Obama. Criticizing Obama at a celebration of his presidency is a prime way to make a statement and garner attention. Given Fiasco's background, his sentiments regarding the United States and terrorism aren't shocking. However, from the predominant American perspective, Obama and the U.S. government are not the terrorists at all, but the people protecting us from the terrorists. It's clear why such remarks could be incendiary. Regardless of the prominence or merit of his beliefs, much respect should be given to Fiasco as an artist for having a political opinion and not being afraid to express it. Although not everyone will agree with the points Fiasco is trying to make through his lyrics, Americans should appreciate the kind of freedom we have in this country to make comments like Fiasco's. Although Fiasco performed his anti-Obama rant for close to 4o minutes before he was asked to change songs, in other countries, the outcome might have been more severe. This is what democracy is all about — freedom of expression. letters@ chronicle.utah.edu education when all of our classes are online. We lose the sense of community and support found among classmates and that "oho" moment when one of your professors shares a story that reminds you why it was you wanted to be a (fill in the blank). Traditional on-campus classes are the places in which we dis- cover and revel in our passions and provide the necessary motivation needed by many, myself included, to excel. Technology remains an asset to our generation, but it is one that should act as a supplement to education for those capable, and not a replacement. [e-mail] LETTER TO THE EDITOR Polluters should take action Editor: There has been a great amount of talk about the air quality in the Wasatch Front as of late. It is easy to point one finger of blame: Kennecott's mining efforts at Bingham Canyon and oil refineries alone, but perhaps we should drop the hypocrisy and point with the other hand at ourselves. Cars pollute, inherently, but the problem is more complex than that. These dirty industries continue to operate because there is a demand for their products. This demand continues to exist because we continue to purchase what they sell. In other words, by purchasing and driving vehicles, we are funding these companies. If we expect to see real change in our air quality, we must change our personal commuting habits. As students we have free access to one of the most effective public transit systems in the country. Opportunities like that should be taken advantage of by anyone who is not severely inconvenienced in doing so. Carpooling is another great option, as well as biking and walking short distances. This is a situation in which the victims are also the culprits. We are creating this problem, and no one besides ourselves can do much about it. It's time for us to admit that our habits are not cutting it, and adaptation is in order. Thank you for reading. Matthew Gray, Senior, City and metropolitan planning Letters to the editor should be sent to [e-mail]. Letters should be fewer than 350 words and must include the writer's name. Letters from students should also include the writer's major and year in school. Letters from U faculty and staff should include department and title. Letters from alumni should include the year the writer graduated. All other letters must include the sender's name and city of residence. All letters become property of The Daily Utah Chronicle and may be edited for style, length and content. Like to draw? Get paid to draw editorial cartoons for The Daily Utah Chronicle. To apply, send résumé and cartoon samples to Jake Rush: [e-mail]