Benefits of Online Classes - Essay Example

Response refers to the process of proving an answer to something the answer, in this case, can be in form of words or in form of actions. This essay, therefore, seeks to give a response to an article by Carr Nicholas. The Crisis In Higher Education. This is the title of the essay and the response is given in form of words. This is because it is a written response giving a clear impression that it is not a response in form of action. In this response essay, I will give an answer to the writing strategy of the author, giving my own opinion of how his strategy is and the impact it has on the readers.

The Crisis In Higher Education is an article pointing out various predicaments that are faced in the field of higher education. In this article, Nicholas tends to inform individuals more about higher institutions of learning and how predicaments can be controlled. In this case, he specializes in the line of e-learning where he explains more about it and how it can help students who use this technique in learning. The author points out some of the universities where this strategy has been implemented and its benefits to the institutions. Though there are drawbacks that are associated with this strategy, his aim is to make it clear to individuals that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The fact that he has specialized in one area makes it possible for the readers to comprehend the content of the article. Confusion, in this case, cannot be experienced since the article contains one main message. It is therefore easy for all readers to understand what the article is all about. In this case, the author has implemented a strategy of specialization which has an impact on readers because it helps avoid confusion.

The article is generally meant to convince readers that e-learning is best for higher institutions of learning. He, therefore, aims at making readers see that this strategy of e-learning is best if those who implement it are ready to do all it takes to make it effective. He points out that the introduction of MOOCs enables learning to take place online. The author goes ahead to say that distractions have occurred especially for the institutions that use this technique. He states that for such institutions, for effective learning processes to take place, a high degree of automation has to be implemented (Nicholas 38). In this case, he wishes to instruct administrators in higher education institutions to implement this strategy for them to have effective online learning processes. The main purpose of this article is to convince the readers that e-learning is best and how to make it effective. In this case, Carr succeeds in his intentions because he points out the way to make the implementation work which will eventually make the readers, especially those who are within the education system to try it. This means that his style of writing is effective because the way he puts his points makes the urge to try his ideas arise within the reader.

I have participated in learning through online means and it works. I have got the experience and I have not had any problems handling these classes and they seem to work perfectly well for me. There is no need therefore for individuals to have the mentality that online classes are not the best. There are those who attend classes where they are taught physically. In this case, not every student in that class understands everything. It, therefore, depends on the concentration and commitment of the student for him or her to perform best. It does not necessarily mean the lecturer should be present physically.

The fact that individuals who are skeptical of MOOCs give a warning that the real meaning of a higher institution lies in an interplay within between the teachers and students that cannot be replicated through machines no matter how classy the programming is. This gives a clear impression that Carr does not agree with them because he supports the fact that e-learning can work effectively only if the high degree automation strategy is implemented. In this case, his message is convincing in that, he tries to explain how e-learning can work well for higher institutions. “The designers and promoters of MOOCs don’t suggest that computers will make classrooms obsolete. But they do argue that online instruction will change the nature of teaching on campus, making it more engaging and efficient.” (Nicholas 40). There are individuals who have the notion that e-learning makes education as ineffective as it is supposed to be. Nicholas in his article tends to fight this idea within individuals, by outlining many advantages that are associated with e-learning. With this idea, he is able to capture the interest of the readers making it possible for them to see that e-learning is a process that is beneficial to society. At the beginning of the article, he mentions that technological facilities started being used dating back to more than a hundred years ago. He points out that students have always done well since then yet the computers were used for classes. This is another illustration he uses to capture the attention of the readers making certain that understand his point that e-learning can work quite well.   

Conclusion

            In conclusion, according to the author online classes is among the best strategies for offering lessons to thousands of students at the same time. I support the author because I have been through online classes and they are just fine. The only thing that determines how the student will perform is the commitment and concentration of the student. The lecturer does not have to be present physically for the students to perform well in class.