Online college course experiment reveals hidden costs


Some said they enjoyed watching the bite-size videos, video chatting with online tutors anytime they needed help and moving at their own pace, reviewing material they didn’t understand. A tally of the grades and pass rates is not yet available, as final exams ended just last week, but many students already know how they did.

Lowry, a self-admitted procrastinator, said that when a statistics assignment was due at 11:59 p.m., she sometimes would have a pressing question at 11:30. “I’d type, ‘Hi, I need help,'” she said. And, sure enough, help would arrive in no time on her computer screen.

She passed the statistics course, earning credit at California State University and at the institute. She usually does poorly in math, she said, but found the right combination of class time, help from classmates, and virtual tutoring.

“It was still difficult, but we had a lot of support,” she said. “I didn’t have to spend any money on it, and I’ll get college credit.”

(c)2013 The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.). Visit The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.) at www.insidebayarea.com. Distributed by MCT Information Services.

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