[84] in 6.033 discussion
*** Spring, 1996 Begins Here ***
littlitt@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (littlitt@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Tue Feb 6 15:19:36 1996
This article is quite interesting in light of the reading (paper by
Noam) in the first day's recitation.
-jon
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Newsgroups: clari.local.idaho,clari.tw.new_media
Subject: Opinions Mixed On `Net Classes
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 4:20:12 PST
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) -- Lewis-Clark State College is offering
refunds to soothe frustrations over the school's gradual increase
in classes taught over the Internet.
``For those of you who have had it, we are ready to give you a
full refund of your Internet-dependent course fees,'' reads a
letter from Lewis-Clark President James Hottois.
``We hope, however, you will stick with us as we work these
wrinkles out,'' the letter reads.
Lewis-Clark has been offering courses over the Internet for the
past four semesters, Integrated Learning Network coordinator Kathy
Martin said.
Last semester, 48 students took part in nine network classes,
Martin said. That has jumped to 149 students taking 15 courses.
The idea is classes on the Net do not require a class schedule
or classroom because students encounter professors in cyberspace.
But some pupils are concerned it is no substitute for personal
contact.
Computer glitches that shut down e-mail communication for
several days further flustered students and faculty.
In Grangeville, several courses are being offered. Only one,
social science, meets in a classroom.
Students taking Internet courses may only meet the professor
once. They get assignments via e-mail. Videos and computer discs
supplement some programs.
``I haven't gotten the sense from anybody that they like it,''
said Wendy Kaschmitter of Grangeville -- not including herself. The
homemaker with three children said she can work her education
around her family.
``I'm basically reading a book and teaching myself,'' said
Cottonwood resident Rose Gehring, who is studying accounting.
It is the first class she has had in 32 years. She also objects
to paying the same price as a student in a classroom with a teacher
present.
Geology professor Scott Linneman said an Internet-driven class
should be more interactive than a correspondence course through the
mail.
He still is asking students to come to Lewiston three times a
semester to encourage a classroom feeling.
``In my mind, this is not a clean-cut substitute for on-campus
classes,'' he said. But for students who cannot get to Lewiston for
class, he said, an alternative might be losing a warm body.
``I like to see the faces,'' Linneman said. ``For the professor
that is usually where the reward comes from.''
