Show Online classes i change the way student learn i Andrew Marshall Campus Staff Writer interactive courses also known as Distance Education began eight years ago It continues to evolve and develop as technology skyrockets ever upward Up to students were enrolled in Internet classes last semester with lectures assignments and exams Although online classes are the most commonly taken among students distance education is not limited in inthis inthis inthis this regard There are classes taught using the television television television tele tele- vision station and videos The advantages of attending attending attending attend attend- ing school this way are many according to Ryan Hobbs Director of Distance Education The flexibility cost cost and and and convenience are are x some of the primary Students are able to access their assignments and f. f Y i JAI r rl f fRyan l Jl y t S Ryan Hobbs lectures twenty-four-seven twenty even in the middle of the night if that is the only time their schedule permits They will also save money on gas and of course wont won't have to use half their tank while looking looking looking look look- ing fora for a parking space at Redwood orl Even on a virtual campus Online continued on page 3 Online distance learning brings new perspective to higher education Continued from front page and in a virtual classroom students can still enjoy a direct interaction with their instructors Instructors are available via email and chat rooms along with web conferencing conferencing conferencing confer confer- which will be available available available avail avail- able in the near future In many cases online classes are are perhaps even more personal and interactive than the classroom Hobbs said It all depends on the course design and the tor Most exams and other forms of assessment take place online within the course environment Questions are commonly randomized and time limits are established to prevent cheating Currently in the works is a new patch that will allow the instructor to lock down a browser and not allow other information to tobe tobe tobe be accessed in order to avoid cheating Until I now cheating I. I has b been en controlled by focusing on other forms of assessment to ensure that students are learning and mastering the material appropriately according to Hobbs Technology changes everyday and so is our approach to distance learning and its many variables to consider consider con con- sider said Hobbs Though Hobbs does not believe distance learning willever willever will willever ever replace traditional classroom classroom classroom class class- room learning entirely he does believe that technology is modifying the traditional setting For example most classroom courses now include some web component The Distance Programs Program's term long-term goals are to create a virtual campus where students can receive all or almost all student service or course offerings at a distance We also hope to implement implement implement ment several new technologies technologies technologies gies such as web conferencing ing etc Hobbs said Mobile devices will be used more in teaching and learning in the future With wireless networks networks- and so many other ways and means of accessing the Internet the Distance Program is sure to todo todo todo do just as its homepage states You can learn almost anywhere anywhere anywhere any any- where at anytime |