The Internet-Based Education Bandwagon: Look Before You Leap

摘要

Online education is the latest technique in the long history of distance education. There is a considerable body of literature discussing the performance of students undertaking distance education courses as compared to traditional classroom courses. In general these studies suggest there is no significant difference in achievement and satisfaction between students in distance education classes and traditional modes of delivery. But what happens when distance education embraces Internet delivery? Do the findings change? Recent studies of student perceptions of online education point to a number of benefits: convenience and flexibility, greater motivation to work, better understanding of the course material, more and better learning, higher quality of education, better access to and communication with the professor, more student communication, more active participation in discussion, and immediate and extensive feedback. But the same studies also note numerous disadvantages: high frustration levels, lower levels of satisfaction and interest, technical and logistical problems, lack of instructor interaction, difficulty developing student friendships, more attendance lapses, lack of feedback, confusion about class requirements, and the overwhelming volume of email and online discussion.