Just curious if what people are thinking especially in the survey freshman courses and no major classes in various schools

HLTH 236 was a dream back in the day

Properly designed, online courses can be as good or better than face-to-face classes.

MooreTrucker said:

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Properly designed, online courses can be as good or better than face-to-face classes.

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This. But I do wonder how many are properly designed.

Probably about the same percentage as how many F2F classes are properly designed.

It's simple supply and demand. Students are demanding more of them. It's happening at Blinn,too. The misconception is that it's easier because you don't have to go to class. In reality, they are typically much harder. At Blinn, we must meet the Quality Matters criteria before an online or hybrid class is approved. I'm sure A& M is the same. Getting an online class approved for inclusion on the calendar is rigorous and not all classes are approved. In a FTF class, it's much easier to do a crappy job with no one looking over your shoulder.

montegobay said:

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It's simple supply and demand. Students are demanding more of them. It's happening at Blinn,too. The misconception is that it's easier because you don't have to go to class. In reality, they are typically much harder. At Blinn, we must meet the Quality Matters criteria before an online or hybrid class is approved. I'm sure A& M is the same. Getting an online class approved for inclusion on the calendar is rigorous and not all classes are approved. In a FTF class, it's much easier to do a crappy job with no one looking over your shoulder.

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Exactly right. At Tech we use a modified QM rubric. Because of emphasis on academic freedom, we don't "enforce" meeting the QM standards, but we limit grant money to courses that do meet them. There is the same standards for F2F courses, but they're even less strictly enforced.

How is a test administered for an online class?

How do they ensure someone doesn't take a test for another student? Honor code?

Not a big fan of the online courses for most students. Completion rates are lower and failure rates are higher but it is more complicated than that from an educational perspective. Suffice it to say, they work for some students, but not for all.

Many online classes require proctored exams at a college or testing center near the student's location. There are also several secure testing software options available now. Some do a video recording of the student taking the test; others lockdown the browser so only that particular page can be accessed. It is an issue.

xMusashix said:

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How is a test administered for an online class?

How do they ensure someone doesn't take a test for another student? Honor code?

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The UT System uses Respondus lockdown browser for their exams. The software locks the browser down and you can't tab out of it or have another open window up. A webcam records the test taker and he must put his driver license or student ID in front of it prior to taking the exam.