William Klemm (WKLEMM@cvm.tamu.edu)
Mon, 12 Apr 1999 09:49:11 -0500
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 09:49:11 -0500 From: "William Klemm" <WKLEMM@cvm.tamu.edu> Subject: Re: IFETS-DISCUSS Digest - 8 Apr 1999 to 9 Apr 1999
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EDUCAUSE apparently put out the following provocation: "Two new studies being released this week question the value of
online college courses. " One objection was that not all students have access to the Internet. That is like saying that diamonds have no value, because some people can't afford them. Further, I doubt the charge. Virtually every public school (at least in Texas) is wired to the Internet and I think all public libraries are connected. Sure, If you live in a tent in Wyoming you are not connected, but then you don't have good access to regular schools either.
The second complaint is the large dropout rate in on-line education. That is like saying that chocolate ice cream has no value to people who like vanilla. Students who drop out are making a choice, oftentimes because of their own lack of motivation and self-discipline.
Bill Klemm
W. R. (Bill) Klemm, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor of Neuroscience
Dept. VAPH, Mail Stop 4458
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4458
Phone: 409-845-4201
Web sites:
www.cvm.tamu.edu/wklemm
www.foruminc.com
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