In-Class versus Online Instruction

The WELPS certificate offered by the IPT department at BSU is a program delivered entirely online.  Even though I live in Boise, it is unlikely I will ever venture on campus for any of my classes for the duration of the program.

When I was a student of the IPT program pursuing my Master’s from 1998-2000, all of my classes were on campus with the exception of two that I took online.  For the uninitiated, the difference between in-class instruction and online instruction is like night and day.  The instruction one receives and how it is delivered are distinctly clear.

My past experience with online instruction had mixed results.  One class was a pleasurable experience while the other was a disappointment, mostly due to how the instruction was delivered.  I already anticipate that my upcoming class will be a positive experience, yet challenging.  There will be many discussions to keep up with and my classmates seem to have wide, diverse backgrounds from which to draw upon and use to contribute to the content we’re being instructed on.

From my perspective, here are the fundamental aspects of in-class instruction versus online instruction:

In-Class Instruction

• The classes and most discussions seem to have a definite beginning and end to them.  Classes are generally once or twice a week and discussions among the instructor and the students are usually contained within the classroom forum.
• Visual cues (body language) is much easier to read in-person. Tone and inflections in voice are also clear.

Online Instruction

• Classes online are not necessarily bound by scheduling.  The instruction, if set up in an asynchronous manner, can be delivered and then consumed by the student any time.
• Discussions can carry on throughout the course of the class.  What was discussed at the beginning of the semester can be debated by students on up until the end.

As I write this I guess it is up to you, the reader, to determine if one form of instruction has more or less advantages over the other.  What I did find from my own past experience with online instruction and careful consideration going into the WELPS program was see if this form of instruction was right for me.  Based on my learning style and preferences, I would say it is.  I enjoy the flexibility online classes and forums offer and it allows me to leverage my technical skills to illustrate my thoughts and frees me to leverage technology to gain new knowledge and learn new skills.

If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences regarding online versus in-class instruction, I would like to read about them.  I think we could have a lively conversation that will be informative for everyone who reads this post.  Hopefully, they too will contribute their thoughts.

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