Matt Perez
The Communicator

Technology has changed college
education rapidly in a short amount
of time, specifically classes going
partially or completely online. Over
a quarter of total U.S. college students
enrolled in the fall of 2012
took a course online that year. And
it has been widely disputed as to if
online classes are as effective as their
traditional counterparts.
According to the Sloan Consortium
website Jeff Seaman, the Co-Director
of the Babson Survey Research
Group, claimed online classes are
still a strong education option.
“The rate of growth in online enrollments
remains extremely robust,”
Seaman said, ““This is somewhat surprising
given that overall higher education
enrollments actually declined
during this period.”
Max Josquin, The SFCC ISCS Department
Chair, made points that
many students need online classes.
“Online classes are offered because
students need accessibility”
josquin said. “many students may
not be able to work their schedules
around an education without online
options and they can run lower operation
costs.”

So then whats with the controversy?
According to Josquin some
of the student success depends on
the class itself.
“The system being used has to
be user friendly, but usually the
first problem is tech background
or a lock of the right mindset” Josquin
said.
But going on to point out that
the student is responsible for pacing
in the online class , and that
can mean more efficient time
management or, procrastination.
It seems that taking a class online
brings more responsibility , along
with accessibility, flipping the
teacher student relationship on its
head. This may be why some seem
to feel one is better than the other
or feel the need to define them as
such.
Amanda Dorsey, an IT Lab Technician
at SFCC, is currently taking
some classes online advises students
to pick classes wisely.
“If possible don’t take a class
online in a subject you struggle
with,” Dorsey said. “and know
how to google.”
Dorsey also made the case that
not having an instructor can make
you more reliant on tutors to help
you stay on track.
Whatever your learning style ,
be aware that online classes are
very different and how affective
they are is up to each individual
student.