Everyone not suited to CDI
by Melissa Sanchez, reporter

    Education is vital. It is great that schools have decided to make education accessible to all students, with all schedules through distance learning classes.

   But is this option really benefiting students in the long run?

   I would have to say no.

   Last semester, I took a class specific to my major over the Internet. It was great. I never had to go to class; I knew when everything was due so I could hand it in weeks ahead of time, and I found my own time to get things done.

   I also was fortunate to have had a wonderful teacher who was in contact with me almost every day, and who was always in her office for help. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it sooner. I walked away from that class with an A.

   The kicker didn’t come until the next semester. I began to take similar classes, meant to follow my Internet class, yet they were in the classroom.

   The first day of class I realized what was wrong. The lack of precious in-class interaction set me aside from everyone else.

   I wasn’t sure how to handle things. I was so used to just E-mailing my teacher a question, or seeing her critique my paper in an E-mail on my own time.

   When it was all right there in my face, and I was expected to accomplish these things during class time, it was too much. I was overwhelmed, but I shouldn’t have been.

   The teacher asked me if I had taken the prerequisite to his class, and I told him yes, but over the Internet.

   He frowned at me and said, “I bet that’s the last time you’ll do that, huh.”

   I just wished I had been better prepared.

   I don’t think that CDI classes are useless or lack real educational purpose. I believe that the concept is a great alternative for students who are unable to fit classes into a tight schedule, but can schools ensure that students are receiving the best education possible in all instances?

   I can see taking a literature class over the Internet. But, can you honestly say that learning a foreign language, for example, over the Internet is beneficial?

   A widely accepted theory says the only way to really learn a language is to speak it. You can’t converse with your television or computer. So, this class can’t possibly have the same expectations as a class on campus.

   If standards are low, then competency will be lower.

   Consequently, some CDI students may have less of an ability to speak the language as students from on-campus classes with the exact same grade. Not only is this not fair, but why would we want to lower the ability of our students?

   Taking the Internet class was a bad idea for me in the grand scheme of things, but it has been a great experience for others.

   I don’t blame anyone else for my experience, especially not the school. I think students should responsibly consider what classes they will take over the Internet or via ITV before they choose to take them.

   I also think it is the school’s responsibility to offer only certain classes via ITV and certain other classes over the Internet. Classes that are meant to prepare students for their majors should not be taken lightly.

   Students should take every possible opportunity to fit education into their lives, including making use of the distance learning advantage.

   Convenience, however, should not outweigh the importance of a well-rounded education.