Evaluating the Value of WBT: Learner’s Perspective Claudia Jimenez Educ 391X: Week 3 Reading 10/10/07

How is your history class going? Hi Steve! How is your history class going? Yeah, it’s just as good as taking a class. It’s been going great! I am taking it online. How can that be? Online? Susie Steve

Good Question. Online courses have several advantages over traditional classroom settings. For example, I can learn the material at my own pace and at anytime I want. Since the course is online, it is available 24/7. It can get lonely, but there’s a chat feature that allows me to talk to other students who are online. There’s also a discussion board where I can post questions to the whole class. Well, you do have to remember that e-learning does require more work from the learner. You have to actively pursue your education on your own, but the support system helps motivate you. Nope. Since everything is online, I don’t have to spend extra money on textbooks or deal with loads of papers and handouts. That’s really nice. So do you need any textbooks for the class then? But doesn’t it get lonely studying by yourself? I think I’m going to join this class too! This sounds great! Is it too good to be true?

Hooray for E-Learning!