I'm not going to identify the department.

[ChinaDogSunflower]

Aren't the students paying for it? If they wanna distance learn and fail the class, isn't that like their choice, man?

What is the benefit of forcing students to be face to face for lectures that are available online? Control? People have been taking on line courses for easily over a decade.

I am not an educator. I do not get paid the big bucks to teach or make these kind of decisions, so I am having trouble finding the reasoning behind it. If anyone can clarify, spill it

 

[DAWG61]

15 posts in this thread already

 

[paindonthurt_]

But who decides if it should be face to face?

Just Bc the professor says it can be virtual doesn’t mean his boss agrees.

 

[Russ Wheeler]

This is really simple. The value proposition that colleges are offering is murky. They aren't really charging kids a **** ton of money for the education/information. That **** is more or less available for free on the internet. Hell, for most classes, you could just show up without even being enrolled and sit through lectures. People don't do that because it's not the learning that you are really paying for. Part of what you are paying for is the credential. Part of what you are paying for is to be around a lot of other young people that are like you in an environment that allows for a **** ton of free time, unlike just going out and working. If they let classes move online, it emphasizes that the learning part of college can be provided at probably half or less of the current costs of tuition (at MSU; much less than half at other schools). It also risks devaluing the degree. Not that MSU or Ole Miss are prestigious degrees to have, but it's still a hell of a lot better than a degree from say Phoenix or other primarily online schools.

So in short, it is risky for the schools to allow online classes because of the potential that people will start asking questions about the bundle they are paying for and which parts are really worth it and whether there are other alternatives. When a college degree stops being seen as necessary for a good job, you will see a lot of people decide they can't really afford to pay current prices for what is essentially a four year consumption binge. And there are a lot of college employees with cushy and/or well paid jobs that can't afford for people to start getting reasonable about college.

Great post. Schools are really going to have to get serious about getting back to the basics - teaching people how to perform professions. If higher ed doesn't watch out, they are going to get beaten by the community colleges on this. I mean let's look at it, it's the first two years that are really the best candidates to be virtual, so many useless classes. In some cases, all 4 years, depending on the degree. During that time, the JUCOs are teaching people real ****, and they may say the hell with higher ed. Anyways, this is a good chance for some universities to get back to what they were originally meant to do - prepare students for jobs and spearhead research and innovation.

 

[archdog]

Not MSU, but I know of a private school here on the coast that told students they could distance learn if they have COVID but not if they have any other illness. So if you have an ear infection, no online school.

Well that makes sense on some level. I have two ways of looking at this. The first is why not allow any student that is sick with any illness that is contagious stay home. it is unfortunate that they may be behind where the standard remote students are in their lessons. Usually they are taught by a different teacher. Etc.. Complicated, but whatever. The other way looking at it is an ear infection or the flu are known quantities. Covid somewhat still isn't known, we have less treatment options, and no vaccine. So I get it.

Correct me if I am wrong, but schools traditionally are graded and receive funding based on attendance. I am sure this has a lot to do with it.

Once again, I don't know the solution, but we all should be a little flexible with any proposed steps to organize the chaos right now.

 

[archdog]

Great post. Schools are really going to have to get serious about getting back to the basics - teaching people how to perform professions. If higher ed doesn't watch out, they are going to get beaten by the community colleges on this. I mean let's look at it, it's the first two years that are really the best candidates to be virtual, so many useless classes. In some cases, all 4 years, depending on the degree. During that time, the JUCOs are teaching people real ****, and they may say the hell with higher ed. Anyways, this is a good chance for some universities to get back to what they were originally meant to do - prepare students for jobs and spearhead research and innovation.

Couldn't agree more. English Comp is just plain a waste of time. Everyone coming to university should have this down before they arrive. Same with Algebra, Geometry, and Trig. History classes for non-history majors is equally useless. Sure taking Honors American Government with Mafana was pretty cool considering his history with Malcolm X, but it was a waste of time in my degree.