Kherz’den Humphey
Editor-In-Chief
Like many colleges, Crowder offers both in person and online classes. Although, there are many mixed feelings and opinions on which option is better. Which do students learn better from, online or in person?
Crowder has over 70 offered online courses, not including ones that have multiple for the same topic. The online learning is a part of Crowder’s distance learning, giving students who live further away, a chance at education.
There is an entire page on the Crowder website dedicated to giving tips for successful online learning, and how to navigate knowing which classes are offered online. This includes tips on self discipline, self motivation, reading comprehension and a few more.
With all these classes being offered, how many students are utilizing them, or being benefited by them? Do they truly learn the material better by themselves, or would they be better in a classroom filled with peers?
Aside from the many online options, Crowder also offers roughly 200 in person classes, and that is just for the Neosho campus. Many people are visual learners and prefer these classes where they can be taught by an instructor and see examples or demonstrations.
One recurring issue with online classes is the use of a textbook. Some online classes don’t offer a hard copy of the book required for the class, and instead give you a link to an online pdf. Although this can also come in handy as students can use a trick on their device to easily search for keywords or phrases in their book and find them extremely fast.
But being in an in person class gives students better access to the instructor. Those who attend the class can have their questions answered or explained almost immediately. Students who are taking a class online typically have to email the instructor and wait for their response, which can take awhile in most cases.
Crowder’s past president Glenn Coltharp believes “the most important thing is teacher and student communication, but in college some students do better online rather than face to face.” During Dr. Coltharp’s presidency, Crowder went fully online due to COVID-19. The main forms of communication were Zoom and emails, which proved to be difficult for many students.
However, Zoom helped instructors connect with some students, and even other staff members. Some found it so beneficial they still use it, for instance the Student Clubs and Organizations meetings usually offer a Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person.
Yet there are still those students who were grateful when the campus opened back up, because it meant they could resume their in person classes where they learn or focus better. Having class online opens up new sorts of distractions for students, it is so easy to open a new browser and hop onto social media. It’s even easier for them to look up answers and not do the work themselves.
There are some students who, in their words, “hate online classes.” Ashley Collinsworth, a Crowder/Missouri State student took an online Geography course through Crowder over the summer. “I learn better in person, no doubt about it. I didn’t like how much more time and effort it took to be successful in that class.” Collinsworth explained.
“It was an 8-week course and I felt like I had something due every other day.” She stated. This is a problem for many of those who take online classes, the workload can end up being more than expected.
There are some classes where the instructor lets you go at your own pace with assignments, as long as you check in a few times a week and turn your work in. For example some will give students a few assignments and give them a due date during the week and then let them work on their own. But others require so much more.
In reality, there isn’t a solid ‘one is better than the other’ answer. Truthfully, it depends on the student. Some learn better in a classroom setting with a textbook and instructor in front of them. While others learn better by working alone on their computer, able to learn the material themselves.
Luckily, Crowder offers many campuses and many ways of learning. It gives students the opportunity to decide for themselves whether online or in person is better for them. They’re making the choice of secondary education, they should be able to choose their method of learning, and decide which is best for them, online or in person.
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