- Online instructors and students gain experience and skills that will make them marketable in the 21st century.
- Online learning is active. Students analyze and evaluate independently while reading, writing, and discussing heavily. Because of this, many students find online learning more fun.
- Online learning is flexible. Based on their preferences and needs, instructors and students can work on a course at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., at home or at school.
- Involvement in online teaching after years of offering the same courses is rejuvenating. In addition to learning new technologies, instructors make discoveries about how to teach that they bring back to the traditional classroom.
- More students participate online because they are less self-conscious and less subject to the time pressure that can inhibit classroom discussions. Instructors, in turn, get enhanced one-on-one contact with students.
- Web site integration allows a larger variety of content and resulting opportunities for individualized learning. The whole world becomes the classroom.
- Instructors have opportunities for extra income as online
companies look for experienced teachers.
- Through sharing with another college, an online teacher can
offer courses that would never have sufficient enrollment if just one college was involved
- Online instructors can look forward to a retirement almost anywhere in the world where they can still teach their favorite class once a year.
- Online learning can work on a variety of levels. The Internet can deliver an entire course, enhance communication in a face-to-face course, or provide a storage place for basic course information.
Reasons submitted by
- Sam Zahran, Fayetteville Tech CC
- Julia May, South Piedmont CC
- Celia Hurley, Randolph CC
- Linda Earnhardt, Rowan-Cabarrus CC
- Sylvia Proctor, Johnston CC
- Linda Lutz, Catawba Valley CC
- Elaine Seeman, Pitt CC
- Dennis Keough, Southwestern CC
- Patrick Keough, Carteret CC
- Jeanne Whisnant, Mayland CC
© Dennis Keough, Southwestern Community College, April 27, 2000
By permission: North Carolina Virtual Learning Community |