I took an online class called Intercultural Communication this summer through my university. The course started out with 50-60 students. After the first few days (drop period) we were down to 48. The instructors grading and eadlines were impossible for most (in my opinion). By the end of the course everyone but 18 students had withdrawn. I think this should raise a flag for the university (but probably won't). I did not want to withdraw because I wanted to take the class and need the credits. I ended up getting a C-. In order to get an acceptable grade you were required to review a bunch of material over the weekend, and take a test on it by sunday night. Then mon-fri you were required to have online discussuions on different textbook readings. In order to receive a decent grade, you must post all 5 days. The professor made it seem simple by saying, just log in for 15 min and post something. However, You need to read a chapter of he book for each discussuin question, each day. So it takes an enourmous amount of time. I usually spend my Mondays and Tuesdays reading the chapters and then responding on Wednesday thru Friday. Our deadline was always supposed to be Friday by midnight, however, during 3 weeks, It seemed to have locked me out at around 6-7 pm already when I came home from work.
I had always been under the impression that online classes should be a little more flexible. Anyway, here is my question:
Should I complain to the dean and solicit the help of fellow students? Or would this just be viewed as a complaint from a student who didn't work hard enough and is not happy with his grade now? I mean I am not looking for an easy grade, I just want some realistic expectations and not for someone to F*** up my GPA.
I am a Senior and know what classes are normally like. I have done bad in classes and know when I just don't grasp a concept or was not able to keep up with the work load. I have never bin in a class where 2/3 of the class withdrew though. In my opinion the instructor is not very usefull if no one remains in their class... right? In this class we started out with 60 people and ended with 18. Maybe that's common, but I have not experienced anything that dramatic in the last 3 years.
Also, I should add: This is at a state university, so the classes are subsidized by the state. I think it is a waste of public moneys to pay instructors who are unable to teach.
I had always been under the impression that online classes should be a little more flexible. Anyway, here is my question:
Should I complain to the dean and solicit the help of fellow students? Or would this just be viewed as a complaint from a student who didn't work hard enough and is not happy with his grade now? I mean I am not looking for an easy grade, I just want some realistic expectations and not for someone to F*** up my GPA.
I am a Senior and know what classes are normally like. I have done bad in classes and know when I just don't grasp a concept or was not able to keep up with the work load. I have never bin in a class where 2/3 of the class withdrew though. In my opinion the instructor is not very usefull if no one remains in their class... right? In this class we started out with 60 people and ended with 18. Maybe that's common, but I have not experienced anything that dramatic in the last 3 years.
Also, I should add: This is at a state university, so the classes are subsidized by the state. I think it is a waste of public moneys to pay instructors who are unable to teach.