Strengths and Weaknesses of On-Line Learning

Every delivery method has its strengths and weaknesses. The trick is to match the delivery method to the learning objectives and try to minimize the weaknesses. LTU's online classes are designed to maximize the strengths of online course delivery  while mitigating the weaknesses.

Strengths

There are many strengths of online learning, which is why it is becoming so popular. The most obvious are that it allows people to take classes regardless of where they live or what their schedules may be (often called "anytime, anyplace"). The asynchronous nature of the class allows students time for reflection and research and to compose their messages with more thought. Unlike face-to-face classes, there is time and space for everyone to respond to the question to be discussed or the problem to be solved.

The interaction between the participants creates a synergistic effect and results in high quality dialogue. The somewhat anonymous (faceless) nature of the medium tends to "level the playing field" among students -- there are few preconceptions of role, status, or prior knowledge based on visual cues. Without the traditional role of the teacher standing up in the front of the class, the learning experience tends to become more student-centered, resulting in students being for active participants and taking on more responsibility for learning.

Weaknesses

Many of the weaknesses of online programs are the inverse of the strengths. Online education is a response to the need for more accessibility to campus courses. While it does make courses availability to a wide variety of people living in very diverse places, accessibility is still an issue. Students must have access to a computer and an Internet provider. They also need to be computer literate enough to navigate the Internet, read and send email, and create and attach documents.

Because of the asynchronous nature of the class it takes an independent, self-directed learner to be successful: students who will do the work without seeing the instructor at class every week. Internet-based learning is great for delivering content for independent learning and for group work, such as discussions, debates, cases, and sharing and critiquing of papers. However, it is not too good for experiences requiring visualization or working with real objects.

Read on to find out more about your individual learning style and whether it is compatible with hybrid or on-line classes.

3-May-2006