Here are some reasons why MSU faculty teach online.
Administrative
- online testing and automated grading
- easy updating of content and archiving of course materials
- the ability to use online course administration tools
- access is controllable (password protection, date and time access)
- online course administration tools
- more efficient use of brick-and-mortar classrooms by supplementing "seat time" with technology tools
- more efficient service to students
Access
- facilitating the teaching of large enrollment courses
- easy delivery of course materials to users
- the ability to expand student learning opportunities
- use technology to engage a global audience
- factors of convenience and accessibility for students in different time zones, geographic locations, and with physical limitations
- allows non-traditional students who are employed full-time to go to class
- multi-platform capabilities (Windows, Mac, UNIX, PDA, wireless devices)
Innovation
- technology to enhance learning. (online tools such as simulations, graphing calculators, metric converters, virtual labs, search, etc.)
- reuse materials for multiple courses and semesters
- share and collaborate with colleagues
- media such as video, sound, graphics, animation and text are structured in such a way that the audience has control over their presentation
- the ability to create more engaging learning opportunities and present materials in different ways
Instructional Benefits
- facilitates focus on student learning after course has been developed
- the ability to prepare students for the increasing digital world environment
- present materials in different ways to address more learning styles
- opportunities for group or individual work through asynchronous and synchronous communication tools
- ability to pretest and assign remedial work
- learning can be entertaining and interactive rather than passive
- sound, music, visuals, movement and talking encourages the user to participate in the learning process
- multisensory input provides more opportunities for engagement, interest, motivation, and retention
