Traditional Faculty Still Skeptical of Online Learning
Nov 30th, 2007
Recent research from the Sloan Consortium shows that some traditional professors are still skeptical of online learning. USA Today reports:
"Just as professors have long questioned whether students learn as well via mail-order coursework as they do in a classroom, today's educators often doubt the merits of a system that renders their physical presence unnecessary. Just 33% of respondents to the Sloan survey said faculty at their institutions support the value and legitimacy of online learning; that's up from 28% in 2002."I'm not convinced by those who claim that it provides the same level of value-added knowledge that a traditional classroom does," says Philip Altbach, director of The Boston College Center for International Higher Education.
"I don't think the data is all that good yet, and as a traditionalist, I just wonder. I'm not saying it's hooey or a problem, but the jury is still a little bit out."
People are always hesitant to embrace new ways of doing things. However, teachers are slowly beginning to show their support. Hopefully two things will happen: the quality of online classes will improve and professors will become more willing to depart from tradition.
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