“We have received some anecdotal feedback that students appreciate the opportunity to take Wartburg classes online.” Dr. Ferol Menzel
Pier discovered another upside last November while returning from a conference.
“For the professor who wants to build quality into her or his course, it is a ton of work to develop and maintain.”
“I didn’t cancel class,” she said. “We’re in a virtual world. I was waiting in Union Station in Chicago to get a train back. I was stuck for four hours over my class time. They have free wireless at Union Station — and I knew that — so before I went I prepared to go online while waiting for my train. It was all preplanned.”
Dr. Tim Ewest
“Online students have ownership of their own education, whatever the internal motivation is for them to do well in class.”
Menzel anticipates expanding online offerings with two goals in mind — putting all summer courses online and inviting students not enrolled full-time at Wartburg. Ewest advocates getting deeper into an increasingly competitive fray.
Dr. Penni Pier
“In the near future it would be good to consider which classes are suited for online delivery and begin migrating some courses to an online format. It would allow our residential students to learn at their own pace,” he said.
“The synchronicity and spontaneity of teaching and learning are optimal in the live classroom. You can try to reproduce these online … but it is not quite the same.”
“We also should consider offering industry training, certificates and even degrees online. I understand that there is a significant amount of money to be made in online education. But as a college, I think it is responsible for us to get involved, not only because it is a viable way to teach and learn but, more importantly, it is where our students spend their time.
Dr. Fred Ribich
“Online classes are not any less work for students or faculty, but are structured to put more time responsibility on the students.” Dr. Susan Vallem
“If we and other quality institutions don’t occupy that space, others of less noble intentions will.”
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