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| College without classrooms Jenna Tornai, Reporter  When President Clinton stated that he would help Americans cross the bridge into the 21st century, he probably had no idea how far the country would come in merely a decade. Computers are not only commonplace, but also necessary. Many teachers will not accept assignments that aren’t typed and some even have due dates at midnight, thanks to the Internet and TurnItIn.com. “TurnItIn.com can help teachers save class time, but it’s silly when they want it turned in online *and* in person,” notes Tyler Rippon (11). “Having assignments due at midnight online is not the greatest thing because a lot of people put off projects...until they’re due and...that just means they will have to stay up that late just doing the project,” states Brynn Mogensen (10). She also wonders, “what’s wrong with just handing it in to your teacher the old fashioned way?” The computer has had a huge impact on education. Beneficially, the Internet gives students vast access to information and resources, while allowing them to communicate with instructors and peers as never before. Kelsey O’Brien, a U-Prep graduate who now goes to Shasta College, explains “You can’t go to college without a computer anymore. In fact, most professors expect you to have access to the Internet to take online quizzes or look at sources.” In an intensely technology-fueled world, computers and college have come together like never before. Courses from the University of California at Berkley, along with Yale, M.I.T., and others can now be found on the Internet, without paying for tuition. Persons wishing to expand their knowledge need not move to Massachusetts, Connecticut, or even Berkley. Anyone with an Internet connection can use YouTube, iTunes, or the colleges’ websites to download courses to watch at their leisure. However, one cannot yet earn a degree with these free online courses. The courses were originally intended to aid students who needed to review lectures or perhaps missed a class. They are also useful for teachers to compare their material to what other instructors are teaching. According to the New York Times, only 25% of those viewing Yale’s online courses are actually students enrolled at the school, and about 6% are educators. The vast majority, 69% are people interested in independent learning. M.I.T. had similar statistics. The Internet is also opening doors for people who are unable to attend classes, such as stay at home mothers, or those in other countries. Of course, it helps to speak English, but theoretically anyone in the world is now able take a course from UC Berkley. High school students who run out of class periods may find themselves taking an online course through Shasta College or Brigham Young University (BYU). Interestingly enough, even physical education classes can be taken online. Landon Bruno (11) says the BYU’s jogging class he takes is “a bunch of boring book work mostly.” |
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