So far, my online classes have been fairly easy. This is my second year and I have my first face-to-face class this quarter. The only difficult class I have had online so far is Digital Software Fundamentals. The book is way to confusing to follow.
I would like to see some online classes that actually use a webcast. It would be nice to have an online class, but get to see the instructor and any examples that the class may be shown.
Overall, my online experience has been very enjoyable.
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One of the problems with a webcast in an online class is that it must be synchronous, meaning there is a time when everyone attends the class even if it is on the web. Both Kathleen and I use a synchronous video feed in our online classes where appropriate for critiques and project feedback. We probably won't have one in this class as the project work is all writing, but you'll find webcasts in Kathleen's 3860 and 3836 classes and my Photography I and Typography online courses.
This quarter I am taking a few classes that use a program called SimNet. The program itself is not flawless. but I like the idea behind it. In order to complete your homework assignment you read over abbreviated steps of how to complete tasks you need to know for the program. The next step you go in and watch a tutorial of it. Finally, as the last step, you apply what you have just seen yourself through a simulated program that can guide you if you get confused. I think this kind of process is very beneficial becasue you are getting the information you need outlined, not stuck in a text book. The tutorial and interface allow for the hands on and one on one experience you would get in the classroom. I like the basis the program uses because it reinforces what you are learning.
Likewise Bill's classes are much like the SimNet program with having video lectures that are interesting and informative. The we reapply what we have from our lectures in the 'do it' assignments. The foundations are much the same and very beneficial.
I also had a chance to work with SimNet. I loved it. I had to use it for Marketing and it has to be one of the easiest, user friendly applications around. It made learning the course a great deal easier for me. This is also the only time I have had to use Internet Explorer to do my assignments. For some reason, I would get a glitch on certain questions when I tried to use FireFox.
I would have to say that the gliche in SimNet is the most annoying thing about the program. Constantly I have to email the instructor to tell her what problems I had so that I can either get credit or retake an exam. I hate having to rearrange my tasks because I have to wait for a test to be reset to do it all over again. Userfriendly does not belong in the same category.
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