I can not believe I let myself get sucked into this.... Keep in mind that there was no discussion, no other posts, nothing to indicate that this public post was an answer to someone else's posts.
I'll explain more and pick it apart further at a later time. For now, however, here is a post from one of my online classrooms that I found offensive (only the name has changed, her initials were not).
The original post:
Subject: Problem with online courses
Message no. 42
Author: V[ITRIOLIC] B[ITCH]
Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 12:19pm
That’s the problem with online courses; lack of instructor interactions.
Just looking over this discussion board proves it. Not once has the instructor interacted with her “pupils” and yet they expect you to learn.
Some instructors think, by taking online courses, the students think they can teach themselves better than the instructor can; the students do not want to bother to show up in class, the students do not want to take the time to learn the material.
What most students think is that they would love to take the time to go to a classroom environment and really dive into the subject but unfortunately, they cannot. Whether they have to work more just to pay for the class and books, they have children and cannot afford classes and a babysitter; they live too far away to make it to class or cannot afford the gas money after paying for classes and books. I have had to work three jobs just to be able to pay for classes and books and this is the kind of instruction I get for all my hard work. Is it worth it?
What I have found from online classes are that they are easy money for an instructor. They can have multiple students meaning more pay, no to minimal interaction with the students, and a set it and go type of an environment. They do not even check emails often, perhaps they do and do not feel they need to respond.
All this is sad considering I am an Information Technology major. Information Technology is supposed to lend a hand in reaching new students. To bring education to the forefront and making a better life for all who would attempt to broaden their horizons. Instead, it has brought out the worst in the instructors and students alike. Yes, when I worked in the computer lab, I saw students who cheated. I felt embarrassed and sad for them because they did not know what they were missing.
Since we are only being graded on the test, I have finished my four tests with a B for the class. If they instructor wishes to fail me for voicing my opinion so be it. I will fight it!
Tired of being taken advantage of,
V[itriolic] B[itch]
My "fuck you" message to the author:
Message no. 43 [Reply of: no. 42]
Author: Musing
Date: Friday, July 27, 2007 11:28pm
The syllabus and the class layout were available from Day One and yet you chose to stay in this class and participate.... You chose to do the readings and take the quizzes. You posted discussions (one-third of the total, give or take) to other students, but never used the "Student Questions" section.
All of that, and you wait until the eleventh hour to throw out how problematic the experience has been. When you are the one who made the choices, how is the instructor even remotely responsible?
Do not put words into the mouths of "some" or "most" students and teachers; do not present supposition as fact. Do not pretend that you have any idea of what it's like to be the instructor or the rest of the students. If you want to speak for yourself, do so. If you want to discuss your issues with the instructor, leave everyone else out of it.
No one is perfect and I am in no way saying that your opinions about your experience are wrong - only you would know how things worked out for you - but to purport such a lousy view of the class and the system as if you were the touchstone for everyone in this class or on WebCT is completely unfair.
Further, to throw in a comment about fighting the instructor over your grade is nothing more than a cry for attention.
I found that Liz was a wonderful communicator throughout the course and, given that it was a condensed, online course, I thought the syllabus fit.
You, I am not so sure of.
No comments:
Post a Comment