The chance for online learning at UB puts some in the classroom and some in the dorm room

Staying awake and focused in class for what seems to be a never ending amount of time is a challenging feat for many University at Buffalo students to overcome. Just waking up in the morning is an accomplishment in itself, and schlepping through the snow and blistering cold only to find out that your professor took a “sick day” gives students enough incentive to not go to class at all.

Say goodbye to the old way; UB is allowing students to take advantage of new avenues for learning: online and web-assisted courses. The trend of “virtual classrooms” has made its mark at UB as it offers certain general education and upper level classes like NTR 108, ENG 101, ENG 201, and PSY 101 online through UBLearns. And undergrads aren’t the only students to receive this advantage; the School of Management often uses web-assisted classes as a way of teaching in their department as well.

In a web-assisted class the teacher still has at least one class that students can sit in on even if registered for the online course. Lectures are taped so students who are not registered for the on-site class can see the exact lecture that was taught that day.

“If we get our large courses taught like this, it opens the course to more students. We want the lectures accessible to students, so students can watch them when they want,” said Assistant Professor Ray Orrange of the management school. “It is an advantage for the students.”

Online courses, also referred to as web-based courses, are taught via the internet by accessing UBLearns. In an online course, usually the students teach themselves the material the professor posts on the class website. Students may occasionally have to appear in person for exams, but most of the tests, assignments, and term papers are asked to be submitted to the professor through e-mail.

In both learning environments, students do not have to physically attend class, making this type of learning appealing for students who are busy, have scheduling conflicts, or are just too lazy to get to class.

Students want to take web-assisted or online courses because they feel they are more convenient and less stressful than sitting through class. The most common mistake students make when choosing an online or web-assisted course is that they assume they are easier than classroom lectures.

“We want to avoid the appearance of making web assisted courses seem like you can start and finish them whenever you want,” said Orrange. “The lecture online is the same as it would be if not recorded.”

Since online courses are out of sight, out of mind, it is necessary that students stay on track with their assignments.

“I never do online courses, I keep putting them off and forget about them,” said UB senior Sara Defendorf. “A lot of people don’t really like them because of this.”

The notion of putting off work may only be one person’s work ethic, but the fact that there is no social participation between professors and students makes it difficult for a class to be taught through direct interaction.

“If you are not talking to a faculty member, they do not get a chance to know you. They will not get to know your personality,” said UB Scholars Advisor Dalene Aylward.

With no face-to-face interaction, it is hard for a professor to get to know their students and understand the learning pace and style of the class. Universities require educated professors teach classes because receiving an in-depth understanding in their field of concentration and course work is difficult for students without the input of highly trained professionals. To get their full money’s worth of tuition, students deserve interaction with their professors.

“With the millennial generation coming to college, IM’s, e-mails, and advanced technology are a way of life for them. People would rather type than hand write,” said Aylward.

It is for this specific reason that freshmen and sophomores are highly recommended to not to take web-based courses.

“Online courses defeat the purpose of meeting people and learning about the university when you are younger,” said Aylward.

“You don’t get interaction with peers and teachers,” said Defendorf. “There are too many distractions when you take a class online; someone IM’s you, you check your e-mails, and you just get side tracked.”

But with technology being at the forefront of our education, it is hard to tell if online courses are more beneficial to students’ education or slowing down the process. Students can access their online class through UBLearns as many or as few times as they please, but in return they lose the sense of belonging to a class and the ability to socially interact with others; the heart of many university communities.

With the pros and cons of web-assisted and online courses out on the table, it is up to each student’s own discretion whether or not they belong in an online course. Academic advisors do not have much pull as to whether you take an online course or not, so if you choose to take a course outside of classroom walls, do not take it too lightly. The online course that was meant to be a cushion class may be the one that keeps you from graduating.