2008 Woodie Awards
NKU offers virtual learning
Cassie Stone
Issue date: 8/29/07 Section: News
Trying to juggle class, a job and a social life can be difficult. But with modern technology, students have more options for completing their degrees. Northern Kentucky University offers alternative to traditional classes with a variety of online courses and degrees.
One option is taking a web-based class, which are done via Blackboard at NKU. Professors can post video or audio lectures, assignments or other documents relevant to the class on the site. There is also a message board in which professors and students can "chat" substituting traditional classroom discussions.
Gail Wells, vice president of academic affairs and provost, said all of the online programs NKU offers are popular, but the organizational leadership program is the most popular. In fact, the students enrolled in the online master of education program number more than the students enrolled in traditional classes, Wells said.
Wells said work schedules sometimes make it difficult for students to be on campus. "The online classes are much better for those students who … are busy adults," she said.
In addition to eight online degrees, NKU offers a package of general education classes. If the student needs to spend less time on campus, he or she has the option of taking some traditional and some online classes.
So if a student's schedule makes it difficult to be on campus full time, they have the option of just taking a few online classes to supplement their traditional courses.
Karen Foister began working on her bachelor of arts in organizational leadership during the summer of 2006. Foister said she works 40 or more hours each week and has a 15-year-old son. If it weren't for online classes, she said she wouldn't be able to continue her education.
Foister said she prefers online classes not only because they fit into her schedule better, but also because she doesn't have to deal with a lot of distractions. While working on an associate's degree at Maysville Community College, she said there were some disruptive students in her classes. By completing her classes online at home, she controls her environment.
One option is taking a web-based class, which are done via Blackboard at NKU. Professors can post video or audio lectures, assignments or other documents relevant to the class on the site. There is also a message board in which professors and students can "chat" substituting traditional classroom discussions.
Gail Wells, vice president of academic affairs and provost, said all of the online programs NKU offers are popular, but the organizational leadership program is the most popular. In fact, the students enrolled in the online master of education program number more than the students enrolled in traditional classes, Wells said.
Wells said work schedules sometimes make it difficult for students to be on campus. "The online classes are much better for those students who … are busy adults," she said.
In addition to eight online degrees, NKU offers a package of general education classes. If the student needs to spend less time on campus, he or she has the option of taking some traditional and some online classes.
So if a student's schedule makes it difficult to be on campus full time, they have the option of just taking a few online classes to supplement their traditional courses.
Karen Foister began working on her bachelor of arts in organizational leadership during the summer of 2006. Foister said she works 40 or more hours each week and has a 15-year-old son. If it weren't for online classes, she said she wouldn't be able to continue her education.
Foister said she prefers online classes not only because they fit into her schedule better, but also because she doesn't have to deal with a lot of distractions. While working on an associate's degree at Maysville Community College, she said there were some disruptive students in her classes. By completing her classes online at home, she controls her environment.
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