Voices On The Web: Online Learners And Their Experiences

Abstract

This paper contains a part of the first years study of teaching and learning in web-based classes. Representative quotes are given to highlight the experience. They include apprehension of those who are new; interaction and peer support; and motivations for web based courses instead of face-to-face classroom.

Many universities, colleges, and other organizations do not wish to be out of the technology loop, and so much in the way of resources is going to online initiatives. As a consequence, educators are faced with new options and new challenges.

Much research has been done lately on this technology explosion. The numbers of programs has been studied, teaching strategies have been examined, and satisfaction has been evaluated statistically (University of Missouri, 2002, 2003). What has come out of much of the research is that there is still a perception that face-to-face classroom experiences are considered more scholarly and preferred by learners, the online experience is not interactive enough, and faculty and learners are overwhelmed with the amount of work that it takes to provide a good online experience (Cooper & Bielema, 2002). If this is the case, why then do the numbers continue to grow regarding participation in online learning? What does that mean for faculty, and administrators in Higher education?