Montevallo introduces online courses for undergraduates
Kara Sutton
Issue date: 4/29/10 Section: News
Starting this summer, Montevallo will offer a few undergraduate courses online. Some of UM's graduate programs already use web-based classes, but this is the first time students have the opportunity to take introductory-level courses online.
Web-based classes generally have all of their assignments online, so students have more flexibility. "If you're the mother of three and you're trying to go to school," Nathan McMinn, Assistant Professor of Business, explained. "Once you get them in bed at 8:30, if you can stay up for two or three more hours, you have access to this course and you can do the work."
James Romett, a UM Senior, took three online classes from Jeff State before he transferred to Montevallo. "I took the courses because it was more convenient," Romett said. "I didn't feel like driving to campus everyday. I had a job, and it was easier."
Unfortunately, convenience comes with a cost. Professors and students both share concerns with the legitimacy of an online education. McMinn, who will teach introduction to computer applications as an online course this summer, says that online classes are not right for every student. In addition to a good level of self-discipline, students miss out on what he sees as 'what university life is all about.'
"You miss interaction with the students," McMinn said. "You miss questions being asked- you can answer them online- but you miss the discussion... you miss the camaraderie."
The legitimacy argument lingers, but the increase in online programs among Alabama institutions solidifies UM's need to embrace the trend. McMinn said he thinks one reason Montevallo is now offering online classes is because of competition; "Everybody's putting their courses online. If we don't respond we're going to lose grounds to students."
Today, around 75% of U.S. colleges say they offer classes online. As student demographics change, academic institutions must adapt to their students' lifestyles and needs. However, Montevallo is a smaller, liberal arts university. Is competition a legitimate reason for UM to follow the online trend?
"One of the primary draws to this campus is the small number of people- at least small enough to engage in some sort of social interaction and allow for a lot of discussion-based courses," said Romett. "It promotes a certain kind of environment that lends itself to a better understanding of the world and your place in it and I think that's essential for a liberal arts education."
University administration says the move to online classes is mostly experimental. There are several arguments for the protection of in-classroom learning and for the adoption of online classes, but for now professors say we will just have to see what works.
The summer terms' selection of online courses is limited, but they all help fulfill general education requirements. Here is a list of the current classes available online: Art 100, art awareness; GB 100, introduction to business; EC 232, introduction to micro economics; MIS 161, introduction to computer applications; and QM 235, quantum methods.
Web-based classes generally have all of their assignments online, so students have more flexibility. "If you're the mother of three and you're trying to go to school," Nathan McMinn, Assistant Professor of Business, explained. "Once you get them in bed at 8:30, if you can stay up for two or three more hours, you have access to this course and you can do the work."
James Romett, a UM Senior, took three online classes from Jeff State before he transferred to Montevallo. "I took the courses because it was more convenient," Romett said. "I didn't feel like driving to campus everyday. I had a job, and it was easier."
Unfortunately, convenience comes with a cost. Professors and students both share concerns with the legitimacy of an online education. McMinn, who will teach introduction to computer applications as an online course this summer, says that online classes are not right for every student. In addition to a good level of self-discipline, students miss out on what he sees as 'what university life is all about.'
"You miss interaction with the students," McMinn said. "You miss questions being asked- you can answer them online- but you miss the discussion... you miss the camaraderie."
The legitimacy argument lingers, but the increase in online programs among Alabama institutions solidifies UM's need to embrace the trend. McMinn said he thinks one reason Montevallo is now offering online classes is because of competition; "Everybody's putting their courses online. If we don't respond we're going to lose grounds to students."
Today, around 75% of U.S. colleges say they offer classes online. As student demographics change, academic institutions must adapt to their students' lifestyles and needs. However, Montevallo is a smaller, liberal arts university. Is competition a legitimate reason for UM to follow the online trend?
"One of the primary draws to this campus is the small number of people- at least small enough to engage in some sort of social interaction and allow for a lot of discussion-based courses," said Romett. "It promotes a certain kind of environment that lends itself to a better understanding of the world and your place in it and I think that's essential for a liberal arts education."
University administration says the move to online classes is mostly experimental. There are several arguments for the protection of in-classroom learning and for the adoption of online classes, but for now professors say we will just have to see what works.
The summer terms' selection of online courses is limited, but they all help fulfill general education requirements. Here is a list of the current classes available online: Art 100, art awareness; GB 100, introduction to business; EC 232, introduction to micro economics; MIS 161, introduction to computer applications; and QM 235, quantum methods.
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