I am a finance teacher and mostly teach courses which are quantitative in nature. This semester I am teaching a course in Engineering department EMGT N417 Basics of Accounting and Finance. It entails a lot of numerical calculations along with conceptual application.
This is a pm section as almost all the students are working and come to college after work. Some of the students are off-shore students which imply they might need to travel frequently or have to be away for on-site duties for two or more weeks in a row. Also, a fairly large proportion of students commute from other emirates to reach in time for the class. Inevitably, there are frequent delays and at times they are too exhausted after a hectic day at work to drive all the way to Dubai for any class.
I strongly feel that these working and off-shore students can immensely benefit from the use of technology in this course which can give them the expansion of time and place.
This is a pm section as almost all the students are working and come to college after work. Some of the students are off-shore students which imply they might need to travel frequently or have to be away for on-site duties for two or more weeks in a row. Also, a fairly large proportion of students commute from other emirates to reach in time for the class. Inevitably, there are frequent delays and at times they are too exhausted after a hectic day at work to drive all the way to Dubai for any class.
I strongly feel that these working and off-shore students can immensely benefit from the use of technology in this course which can give them the expansion of time and place.
Yes, I would think an online course would benefit them tremendously, assuming they have internet at home, which I'm sure they must. Doesn't just about everyone? I was just thinking however, if they are "off-shore", then would those students?
ReplyDeleteI checked with the off-shore students aswell and they want it most! They all carry their laptops with them and have access to wi fi or conventional internet connection at the oil rigs :)
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to look at blended and online learning for some of my MBA courses as well. It has great potential for easing the burden of travel on our students.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Dr. Dean!
ReplyDeleteI am already using bbvista alongside conventional classroom teaching but with Wimba it can become real time lesson delivery as well as recorded playback option