Distance Learning Student Questionnaire
Student: Ashok Nagaraj
1. What programs are you currently enrolled through distance education?
[Ashok] I am currently enrolled as a Master’s student in Engineering Management at University of Colorado, Boulder.
2. Is this a credit course or non-credit course?
[Ashok] The courses are taken for credit.
3. Why did choose to enroll in a distance education course?
[Ashok] I work full time and I am married. Distance education is the best option because I can view/listen to classes at my own convenience in the comfort of my home or office.
4. What do you think are the advantages of distance education?
[Ashok]
- Convenient and provides flexibility
- Helps us to achieve our goals for continuing education
- Helps us balance work and school work
5. What do you think are the disadvantages of distance education?
[Ashok]
- No direct participation either with the Professor or with fellow students in a class setting
- Miss out on lively constructive discussions being carried out in the class and the chance to float our own ideas within a class setting.
6. What technology is being used to transmit the class?
[Ashok] The classes are offered through multiple medium. The available methods are:
- CDROM
- Videotape
- Internet Streaming
- Live Broadcast
I choose CDROM and Internet streaming. For live broadcast, the companies should have a transmitter installed at the work site.
7. Which forms of technology are effective?
[Ashok] Both CDROM and Internet streaming are effective.
CDROM can be conveniently carried everywhere and can either be viewed on a
TV or a computer. Internet streaming is also a valuable tool as long as there’s a faster internet connection. It removes the necessity to carry additional media.
8. What would you like to see changed/improved in this technology?
[Ashok].
9. Do you think there is effective collaboration amongst instructor/student and student/student? If not, in what ways could it be improved?
[Ashok] In my experience I have seen limited collaboration between instructor/student and no collaboration between student/student. The only case there is valid collaboration is when students are part of a team working on a common project.
Students working on an assignment must be allowed to evaluate assignments of their peers, taking turns every week.
Some of the ways of collaboration includes email, chatting, posting discussions and ideas on a common newsgroup.
10. Have you been exposed to traditional higher-education? How does distance education compare?
[Ashok] I have been exposed to traditional higher learning resulting in a degree in Computer Science. Both settings offer their own advantages and disadvantages.
If you are looking for flexibility, work at your own pace and in an informal setting, distance education is the way to go.
If you are looking at close instructor/ student relationship, networking opportunities and the urge that you want to be in a class type setting, traditional education is the way to go.
11. What aspect(s) of traditional education do you miss the most?
[Ashok] The most important thing I miss is the class setting which is not possible in distance learning. It also difficult to network with other students and instructors as there’s no direct contact with them.
12. After this experience, would you consider taking another course/degree in distance education?
[Ashok] Distance education works well for me when the courses are more likely suitable for independent learning. I took a course called “Leadership and Management”. I should have taken that course in class instead of taking it as a distance course. It was more of hands on practical class and required lot of collaboration and experiments involving instructor and students.