Quality. Flexibility. High-touch. These are words often used to describe Simmons GSLIS—and they are the words that describe our approach to online education. Simmons has been a member of the WISE (Web-based Information Science Education) Consortium since its inception in [2004]. Through this consortium, GSLIS students are able to take courses through WISE's select group of fifteen schools. (To see the current selection of WISE courses, please see www.simmons.edu/gslis/academics/online/index.php.) GSLIS also offers online classes directly, and is proud to boast one of WISE's only repeat winners of its annual online teaching award, Linda Braun.
In addition to fully online courses, Simmons offers classes in a blended—or "hybrid"—format. This format combines the flexibility and technology of online learning with the face-to-face interaction of an in-person class. There are fewer face-to-face meetings, and much of the content is delivered online. Since much of the content is delivered online, students will be expected to work with wikis, blogs, Web sites, and eLearning, and also to be able to play video-recorded lectures and podcasts, use Skype, and IM, and other such social networking tools.
The development of some of these blended courses is possible thanks to a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Sloan Program in Asynchronous Learning, Anytime, Anywhere, Online. The Sloan Foundation chose Simmons for this award to show that a college can offer high-quality blended classes and still maintain the close student/faculty relationships that are such a part of the college experience. This program aims to "make high quality learning, education and training, available anytime and anywhere, for those motivated to seek it" (see http://www.sloan.org). The $225,000 grant has helped establish blended learning programs at Simmons, beginning with the five core courses being offered in a blended format at the GSLIS West campus. Professor Bastian is coordinating the Sloan grant for GSLIS and the blended program.
As part of the grant, we are doing an in-depth evaluation of this type of how this format works, both from the student and from the faculty perspective. What we do know already, however, is that it is a different type of learning, one that can be overwhelming if not properly planned for.
Are Online Courses Right for You?
At this point, most online workshops rely heavily on text-based materials and are not truly multimedia-interactive. Some instructors use live chat and bulletin boards to increase interpersonal connections.
If you learn best by listening, interacting with classmates, or participating in physical demonstrations, then online education may not be for you.
Online education is very good for people with time, schedule, or travel constraints, and for people who fit the following description:
- You can easily follow written instructions and enjoy using print materials as the primary source of directions and information. You like to learn "on your own" with the instructor as a facilitator.
- You are comfortable with computers—you can create, save, and manage files on your computer; install software; send and receive e-mail attachments; and "paste" text from a word processor into an e-mail address.
- You realize that experiencing success and satisfaction with an online workshop depends on self-motivation, effective time management, and the ability to assess your own understanding and progress. You should be able to recognize when you require clarification and communicate this to your instructor.
For More Information
Below are some links to more information about online education environments and how to decide if they are for you.
- University of San Diego - OnlineLearning.net
- Tallahassee Community College - Ecampus Distance Learning
- Sinclaire Community College - Passport to Distance Learning Online
