Number of students taking online courses increases by 38 percent

Online classes are trending for nearly one-third of undergraduate students who attended the University of South Dakota last year.

Nearly 34 percent of students at the university were enrolled in online courses, while seven percent were taking only online courses.

Michael Card, interim director of the graduate school and division of continuing and distance education said USD offers 39 degree programs entirely online and over 350 courses.

When an academic department decides to take a program and its courses online, the Continuing and Distance Education center helps them pursue that by marketing and recruiting students into the program. CDE also facilitates training of instructors into the online environment through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

Card said the number of students taking classes off-campus increased 38 percent from the academic year of 2007 to 2012. Flexibility is the central reason why adult students prefer online classes, he said.

“Like with Hulu Plus and Netflix today, you don’t have to be in front of the TV when the show airs to be able to see it — you can watch it at a time more convenient for you,” Card said.

According to a study conducted in 2011 from Babson Survey Research Group, more than 6.1 million students took at least one online class during fall 2010, a 10.1 percent increase over 2009.

Bill Richardson, chair of the political science department, teaches an online course concerning political theory, said though traditional classes are most beneficial to students, those who must take online courses have access to similar benefits.

“The opportunity to have co-chat sessions with the students is the closest we get to in-class experience, but they have to be voluntary because these people are running full-time jobs and families,” Richardson said.

However, Richardson said only about a fourth of his students actually participate in the co-chat sessions.

Card said students who enjoy independent work and the use of technology can have online success, while those who need personal contact and a structured learning environment are less likely to benefit from an online learning environment.

“Computer mediated communication or online learning is a self-driven and more autonomous than face-to-face experience,” Card said. “Online students need a higher degree of personal responsibility and discipline.”

Junior Angie Edward said she prefers the traditional class experience.

“I prefer being in class because of interaction with peers,” she said. “Being able to work at your own pace is a great feature of online classes; you just have to remember to do the work.”

Although difficult to keep up with, junior Erika Gravning said online classes helped keep her on track for graduation.

“My online class was hard to keep up with, but definitely convenient,” she said. “Instead of walking across campus.”

In 2011, Card said, the number of faculty teachers on campus increased 34 percent, and in the academic year 2012, that number increased with USD hiring more instructors with practical experience.

“These teachers are likely to teach at least one online class,” Card said.