Students favor traditional classes:
Class-types survey reveals Metropolitan State University students’ preferences

-- Carin Mangimeli

During December and January, The Metropolitan newspaper surveyed Metropolitan State University students about their likes and dislikes of the four different class types offered.

The classic face-to-face lecture method classroom style, where students attend at least one class a week at a set time and place, was the favorite among the 304 respondents, garnering 186 votes.

Students cited many reasons for their preference, but the most prevalent motive among the 246 students who took, or are taking traditional classes, was the chance to interact face-to-face with the instructor and their fellow classmates.

One respondent said, "...it builds better relationships and allows for more class discussion." Others said they liked the rigidity of traditional classrooms; it enabled them to become focused on the material and compelled them to study. Additional reasons included the immediate accessibility of the instructor and other students’ assistance, the chance to meet and learn about different students and the feeling the material was covered more completely and deeply in traditional classrooms.

"Diversity brings different perspectives and help us deal with many types of people in respectful ways. Instructors who know what they are talking about are easier to learn from usually. Because they also work in their field, not only teach, we know they can apply the knowledge as well," said one student.

However, students did express some unhappiness with the traditional classroom style. The criticisms included long commutes and parking fees, displeasure that most classes are three hours or more, frustration with attendance policies (most instructors will dock a student’s grade if a certain number of classes are missed) and resentment at having to do group projects or restructure the class for one or two students who are falling behind. Despite these complaints, 226 respondents indicated that they would take traditional classes again and 231 said that they would recommend the style to a fellow student.

The online classes offered at Metropolitan State University were students’ second preference, with 55 respondents citing it as their favorite type of class. Internet/Online classes are conducted completely online through the course’s Web site, usually accessible via Metropolitan State University’s Web-portal, Desire to Learn (D2L). Students are able to "discuss" topics in discussion realms (written communication), read through lectures and content and take quizzes and tests by accessing the Web site when convenient for the student.

Physical meetings are generally not required and the class can be completed without ever meeting the instructor or fellow students. The flexibility of an online course—–being able to "go to class" whenever the student desired—was the number one reason students gave for liking this class type.

Some also said they felt there was "better participation from students. Better interaction between students and the instructor." Respondents also liked not having to fight rush-hour traffic or pay for parking to attend classes and that lecture material persists on the Web site throughout the semester. Some students even claimed the extra time they saved with Internet classes enabled them to take more classes at a time or finish their degree sooner than with traditional classes.

Complaints about online classes include the extra cost (D2L classes are $49.35 more a credit than traditional), a belief that online classes involve more work than traditional classes, lack of physical interaction between students and/or the instructor, and technical difficulties with the Web site or the instructor not understanding the Web site. They suggested instructors receive additional training on technical aspects of online learning, not require group work for online classes and offer occasional meetings for students that desire more face-to-face interaction. However, 127 of the 137 respondents that have taken or are taking Internet classes would take them again and recommend them to another student.

The third class type offered is a mixture between traditional classroom settings and the online classroom called "Web-enhanced" classes. These classes generally meet every other week on campus at a set time and place and complete the rest of the class online through D2L. Only 40 respondents indicated that they preferred Web-enhanced classes to other types.

One proponent of the style said, "[I] like reduced class time with some Web time—the best of both worlds. You still get the instructor/student interaction, so it’s easier to tell what they value and how they grade, but there is some freedom." Another said, "I like the drop box. I can submit something and now it’s out of my hands. I don’t have to worry about a piece of paper being lost. I like the discussion boards. It’s a great way to get to know your classmates. I like the ease of sending questions to the teacher via the discussion board so everyone gets to hear the answer." Many said they took the course style because it was only offered Web-enhanced and the class was required for the degree they were pursuing.

Some criticisms of the style included the lack of continuity between the classes in their use of the D2L Web site and the technical difficulties associated with Web sites. Of the 107 students that have taken or are taking a Web-enhanced class, 95 said that they would take it again and 94 said they would recommend it to other students.

The fourth class type offered is an independent study. Generally, students are given the materials and list of work due at the end of the course and are left to complete the assignments and tests by their own timeline, though some professors do have set due dates for assignments. Tests are usually taken at a testing center and interaction between fellow students and the instructor is usually limited. Students are given 140 days from the date of registration of the class to complete the course.

Most students either loved or hated this class style, with only 18 students preferring this class type to any other. Only 106 students indicated they had taken or are taking independent study classes; only 80 said that they would take them again and 95 would recommend the style to another student.

Those who liked the style said that independent studies were "the most convenient type of class," and they enjoyed being able to "go at your own pace and get things done as soon as you need or want to within a certain amount of time." Another said "it gives you time management skills and skills pertaining to deadlines and it helps you to realize how important time can be to certain people."

However, others said the lack of a timetable and contact with the instructor/other students was a detriment to the learning process. "Without interaction with other students, it is hard to know if you are getting the best, most diverse information available."

"The hardest part of taking [an independent study class] is being motivated to do the work. There is no set timetable for everything, so you have to be self-motivated and set your own time pace."

Other suggestions for Metropolitan State University’s class styles included shorter class times; more classes during the evening; more upper-level classes during the day; larger classrooms that include windows; more lectures or video-streamed lectures; different layouts of classrooms to facilitate discussion; alternatives to tests via papers or presentations; and receiving the syllabus prior to the start of the course.