Did you know?

A study by the University of Illinois (1999) reported that online instruction is not appropriate for every type of student. Online courses lack the face-to-face contact and informal socialization that takes place in a traditional classroom. Some students may decide that these components are necessary for their learning experience. The study recommends online study for students pursuing graduate or professional degrees, since these students have already been exposed to the traditional, social educational environment at the undergraduate level and social concerns are less important than practical considerations for these students. The study also recommends that students considering taking an online course are aware of the often-steep learning curve for new technology, have convenient access to a computer and are prepared to engage in the type of collaborative learning that most online courses demand.

In this section of the tutorial, you will: