When I was in high school, I took several science courses ranging from AP Biology to Forensics. In all of these classes, at some point the teachers gave us educational videos to watch. In my AP Biology class, my teacher would usually direct us towards the YouTube channel of Bozeman Science with videos created and narrated my Paul Anderson. When I visited the Khan Academy website, I was instantly reminded of Mr. Anderson's videos. Khan Academy had an easy to follow layout which allowed the viewer to select lessons and subjects based on grade levels or specific topics. I liked how the videos were short and to the point, so that students watching would know what the key points and steps were, rather than being distracted by "other" information. My experience using Mr. Anderson's videos was incredibly positive, and helped me pass my AP Biology class with an A, and I can only imagine what using videos from Khan Academy would have done.
In some of my other classes in high school, as well as now, in college, most teachers are doing a flipped classroom, of sorts; teachers assign reading to be done that night and then students come in with questions and work on the homework in class. The biggest challenges I face when attempting to complete these assignments are how do I know what's important and simply focusing on reading these large chunks of text. As I previously stated, I like how the Khan Academy videos are short and to the point, thus offering a solution to my two greatest challenges; the videos offer no room to get distracted with "random" information and because it is something which stimulates both auditory and visual senses, the viewer is more likely to remain engaged enough to complete the assignment. Therefore, I would use this in my classrooms to help students get the main ideas, then branch off of them in the classroom.
I do believe that there has become a push to change the way in which we determine an individuals ability to perform a job based on their credentials rather than overall education. By offering more online courses, students are able to continue to gain their general education, while also engaging in various other activities, jobs, internships, etc., where they are gaining more hands on experience of working in their field of choice, rather than those who are sitting in a prestigious classroom. I do think that this style of education makes learning more accessible for students because it allows them to freely access information to further their education so they can possibly apply for a college or job, and be able to learn the information at their own pace, in their own times. Unfortunately, many lower income families do not have college or even high school educations and cannot complete their education because of lack of funds or because they have to take care of children or work during the traditional classroom hours. Therefore, I think online courses have the ability to fill an educational gap which, until now, has been gaping open.
When I first logged on to Coursera, however, I began exploring the various courses offered, and the one which stuck out to me, personally, was the Animal Behavior and Welfare course, taught by a professor from the University of Edinburgh. Columbus State does accept transfer credits from a variety of institutions if the courses were college level, or higher, and completed after 2005. For full terms of transferring credits at Columbus State, please see here. I think the Coursera courses are more challenging than other courses in that, if you aren't understanding the concept the way the professor is asking it, you have to wait until someone else offers an explanation, rather than having the immediate response of the professor. I believe it all has to do with the way in which the professor teaches the course. I am currently taking my fourth online class at Columbus State and none of them are the same as the other; in some I like the way the professors have designed the course, whereas in others, I longed for the weeks where we had an exam because it meant no other homework assignments. I think MOOCs are a step towards offering more equal educational opportunities for learners at all stages of life, however, from my experience, I would always prefer to have an in classroom course.
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