Mailbox - distance education, meeting scheduling advice - Brief Article - Letter to the Editor

When E-Learning Works

I just finished reading "Evaluating E-Degrees," (February, 2001) by Shari Caudron. I found the article well balanced in presenting the pros and cons of online learning. Still, I think you may have given a bad impression of the University of Phoenix Online Campus. My experience as a 2000 undergraduate from the business management program was completely the opposite of Alex Zai's. Where his view of the quality was one of mediocrity, I found the school's quality to be as good as or better than any of the conventional colleges I have attended, For example, I found the:

* written materials were as good or better than any other college I attended.

* faculty and/or facilitators were excellent.

* choice of assignments was appropriate and progressive.

* feedback was good most of the time, and excellent otherwise.

In three years and eleven months of "elearning," I had three professors that were marginal in the quality of their instruction. Of those three, only one was an outright failure. As a part time student at conventional colleges, one-half of the professors I studied under were clueless as to how to make the learning interesting AND effective. In that light, the University of Phoenix Online Campus wins hands-down. Based on my experience, I feel completely comfortable recommending the University of Phoenix Online curriculum.

One final note: Shari's advice about whether the online medium is a good fit for an individual cannot be overemphasized! In no less than five classes, I put in at least 200 hours of study during each five-week class. Excellent time management and an understanding, supportive family are also essential.

Dwight D. Henson

Supervisor;

Technical Training CSX Transportation

Barboursville, West Virginia

Punctuality Isn't Universal

December 2000's "Dear Workforce" addressed the problem of starting meetings on time, and the issue of late arrivals inconveniencing others in the meeting...another idea you could have mentioned is not to schedule meetings at the very first minute of the morning or afternoon. No matter how much an employer expects punctuality, it just isn't universal. Furthermore, the more people there are in the meeting, the more certain it is that someone will be delayed by circumstances legitimately beyond his control. Things work more smoothly if you schedule meetings at 9 or 10 a.m. instead of 8 a.m., 2 or 3 p.m. instead of 1 p.m.

J. P Harrison McAllen, Texas

COPYRIGHT 2001 ACC Communications Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group