The Pros and Cons of Web-based Courses

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Web-based Courses

There is no doubt that Web-based courses have distinct advantages over traditional face-to-face interactions. Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek (2003) maintain that Web-based courses are available at the learners’ convenience, are usually self paced, contain current information, accommodate a variety of learning styles, maintains equity for all learners, and can even save money in transportation and travel time. Another group of researchers, (Sunal, Sunal, Odell, & Sundberg, 2003) acquired data showing student satisfaction with the ability to communicate anonymously within their course.

Yet one cannot praise the advantages without taking a look at the possible limitations of Web-based delivery. The authors, (Sunal et al., 2003) stated that Web-based students indicated dissatisfaction with the number of opportunities for interaction with the instructor and other students. (Simonson et al., 2003) concluded that access to technology, paradigm shifts for instructors, bandwidth limitations, and training and technical assistance may hinder course delivery. They (Simonson et al., 2003) reported too, that online courses require students to be motivated, self directed and responsible for their success. Another possible disadvantage with Web-based courses is the potential loss of social relationships and sense of community that exists in traditional face-to-face courses (Hiltz, 1998).

Student Factors To Promote Success

Even before a student embarks on an online course, Tomlinson (1998) pinpoints a handful of factors that can promote student success. He states that students need vision, discipline, accountability, time, space, physical resources, and finally perseverance. With...

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Meyerson, D., Weick, K., and Kramer, R., Swift Trust and Temporary Groups. Retrieved Nov.18, 2003 from http://citeseer.nj.nec.com/context/1926007/0

Polyson, S., Saltzberg, S., & Godwin-Jones, R. A Practical Guide to Teaching with the World Wide Web. Retrieved Nov 17, 2003 from http://tecfa.unige.ch/staf-e/sun/staf14/ex6/summary.html

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2003). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education

Sunal, D., Sunal, C., Odell, M., & Sundberg,C., (2003). Research-supported best practices for developing online learning. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 2, 10.

Tomlinson, T. (1998). Distance education offers new challenges for many students. Hudson Valley Business Journal, 9, 20.

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