Assessing and Monitoring Student Progress in E-Learning Personnel Preparation Environment -Unit 4

Meyem, E.L., Aust, R. J., and Isaacson, R. (2006). Assessing and monitoring student progress ine-learning personnel preparation environment. Teacher Education and Special Education, vol. 25, no. 3.

Meyen, Aust, and Isaacson discuss the pros and cons of on line classes in their article, “Assessing and Monitoring Student Progress in E-Learning Personal Preparation Environment.” Their article takes an in-depth look at the role of e-learning as a teaching tool as well as a means of education. By examining how students use such e-learning as online classes, the authors reveal the current state of e-learning.

In one of the examples provided, students in teacher ed. programs were required to participate in an online class. Through taking the course, students were able monitor their own work, have regular feedback from the professor and participate in group discussions online. Although there was a range of abilities with regard to technology, the majority of the students reported their enthusiasm for such courses.

While I believe that online classes can often be very beneficial, allowing for different schedules and alternative learning modes, a teacher ed. program seems a particularly odd match. The intense need to meet face to face with others in such a program would be eliminated, or at least minimal with online classes. This further brings to light online universities and how they lead to questionable practices. Not to downplay the many benefits of online classes, there does however seem to be a fuzzy line where online classes are truly the best match.