Don't expect to see Kansas University turn into a virtual school anytime soon.
Though online learning continues to take hold nationally, online courses and degrees aren't KU's niche.
"KU is certainly not looking to become the next University of Phoenix," said Susan Zvacek, KU's director of instructional development and support.
The University of Phoenix is a major provider of online degree programs.
"What we are really doing at this point is encouraging faculty to look at online resources for instruction," Zvacek said.
A professor might place handouts online. Or students may use online chats or tests to supplement lessons.
"We want to use the tools that make sense for the task," Zvacek said. "I think the future is in hybrid or blended courses," which incorporate both traditional and online class activities.
Mary Morningstar, a professor in the School of Education, has turned to online courses in recent years.
Her latest venture is an online certificate program. It's aimed primarily at teachers who seek additional training in working with students with disabilities.
There are two seats open for the fall. Morningstar said she had received more than 100 requests for information from people around the country.
"People are jumping all over it," she said.
Online courses and programs pose new challenges. Professors must work to find ways to unite students who otherwise might feel isolated while taking an online course.
Morningstar said she brings students together by requiring them to build Web sites. She then gives students extra credit for visiting each others' pages. She said she also requires students to work in groups for projects. They may have to collaborate by phone, e-mail or instant messaging.
Can online courses be as effective as traditional classroom time?
"It's not better, it's not worse," Morningstar said. "It's just different."
She said the quality of the courses depended on the teacher.
"If you have an instructor who is excellent in teaching face-to-face, they're going to want to maintain that reputation online," she said.
And online courses aren't necessarily easier than courses in traditional classrooms.
For example, while a student may be able to doze a bit during a traditional class discussion, it's harder to do so during on an online discussion.
"You can't participate in a thread of discussion unless you've done the reading or you understand the questions being asked," Morningstar said. "I think it's probably harder for students to skate."
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.