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Penn State Beaver Roar
News
March 2014
Web classes convenient but hard JENNIFER BACVINSKAS Staff Writer
jlb6257@psu.edu
As Senior Lauren Pier sits at a computer to begin her work for the day, she talks about how she liked taking speech online and how flexible it was. “There was a lot of busy work in my online class because you had to teach yourself everything, but the professor was nice and helped me when I needed it,” said Pier. Pier said she likes learning in traditional classes, but she found online classes to be more convenient with the workload she already had. Even though the online classes Pier needs aren’t offered at Penn State Beaver, she is trying to enroll in the World Campus. Students registering for online classes seem to be having a dilemma: convenience or more work. Through Karen Barr’s 11 years of teaching online classes, she has noticed more online classes becoming available to students. She refers to it as “staying with the times.” Barr, senior instructor in business, is teaching two online classes and has learned that it is difficult to communicate with students in online classes because they can’t see each other in person. However, with new technol-
The ROAR/Kathline Wherry
Amy Arnold looks over her PowerPoint notes for an online class.
ogy, it is easy to restore that communication. Barr recommends that everyone try at least one class online to gain the experience. Junior Elizabeth Pompe hasn’t taken an online class yet and doesn’t
think she ever will because of her experience in high school. “I took English 15 my junior year of high school through the Community College of Allegheny County because I wanted to get a jump-start on my college courses,” said Pompe.
Pompe realized online classes were harder than she thought. However, she would recommend them to someone with a job or a family to take care of, like a non-traditional student. Freshman basketball player Ignacio Alleyne wasn’t going to take an online class until his coach recommended it. By taking Criminal Justice online, Alleyne can get his work done before he travels for his games. He finds the class he is taking online to be easy because he can teach himself. Alleyne wants to take another course and recommends online classes to everyone, as long as they keep up with their e-mail. Freshman Kyle Daltner, who is taking his first online class, found out it takes a lot more time and effort to complete. Daltner compares his online class to a double edge sword: “On one hand it’s more convenient and on the other it’s more confusing.” Still undecided if he will take another, he said he wants everyone to know that online classes are convenient, but you have to be able to teach yourself. Senior Instructor of Psychology Kevin Bennett has been teaching Psychology 100 online for two
years now and puts a lot of effort into making the class. “I have to be involved and stay in constant contact with my students,” said Bennett. Bennett puts up videos, audio recordings and has discussion forums to accommodate his students’ needs. He makes his classes as convenient and flexible as he can, but doesn’t think they are for everyone. “Just try it. My online classes aren’t scary,” said Bennett. Being the only neuroscience major on campus, sophomore Amanda Donatelli had to find a way to take Forensics 210 before transferring to University Park because it wasn’t offered at Penn State Beaver. After finding the class online, Donatelli realized how hard it was for her. “Just like any class being taught for the first time, it can be a bit hard not only on us as students, but also on the professor as well,” said Donatelli. Much like Donatelli’s experience, sophomore Vamshi Reddy didn’t like the online class he took. Reddy took Art 001 online for two weeks before dropping it. “I didn’t turn in any assignments; I found it difficult because no one was there to guide me,” said Reddy.
Computer equipment missing from classrooms
In two incidents, $5,100 in computer equipment went missing. An instructor reported to University Police Feb. 12 that a computer and its periphery equipment were missing from a classroom in the Michael Baker Building. According to Information Technology Manager Ted Froats, the computer in room 001 is valued at $700, monitor at $200, Blu-ray player at $200 and document camera at $1,700.
A smart technology monitor valued at $2,300 was also reported missing from room 13. An employee reported another computer and monitor missing from the General Class Room Building on Feb. 13. Campus Police are investigating. Anyone with information should contact the Penn State University Police at (724) 773-3888. Persons providing information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a reward.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN HARMONY HALL
A resident student reported that her prescription medication had been stolen from her room on March 18. University Police said the incident is still under investigation and refused further comment. In a separate incident, police charged a resident student Feb. 9 with using illegally obtained prescription drugs. Police charged freshman Dalia
Arreola of Whittier, Calif. with possession of a controlled substance on Feb. 27.
HOLE IN THE WALL
During a patrol of campus March 6, a campus police officer found a damaged wall in the hallway outside room 105 in the Ross Administration building. Police say the wall appears to have been punched by someone. Repairs to the hole have been made. Police
are still investigating.
CHARGES FILED FOR WEED IN THE WOODS
Police charged two students with possession of marijuana after they were found in the woods near parking lot C, close to the gym. Police charged freshmen residents Andrew Schild of Norwalk, Ohio, and Thomas Headley of Elko, Nev., on Feb. 27 with possession of a small amount of marijuana.