The Answer You Never Expected By Kendell Bird: Article Analysis
Is Online Education as Good as Classroom Education? In her article “Online vs. Traditional Education: The Answer You Never Expected,” by Kendell Bird an Online Community Specialist, explains that there is pros and cons to both online and traditional education. Her theory is that both options are good, the final decision on which is better depends on the students preferences. Bird claims both online and traditional education offer flexibility, discipline, social interaction, and a blended education. Not one choice in particular is going to be the right option for every individual (1).However Bird does point out there is cons to online which is that if you
Another point of view comes from Bill Maxwell, and in his article “No Short Cuts in Long- Distance Learning,” where he argues that even though online education has its benefits such as flexibility; research has shown classroom education is the best option for learning. He also mentions what studies have suggested will make online learning more efficient. Maxwell points out that students in online classes drop their classes more frequently than students in traditional education. Not to mention studies have …show more content…
shown students in online classes take longer to graduate compared to those enrolled in face- to- face courses. Maxwell also claims that students involved in classroom education transfer more often to a four year university compared to students in online course (1).However, Maxwell claims that even though research has demonstrated face- to-face classes are more sufficient at getting students to learn than online classes, community colleges continue to offer more online courses every year. Maxwell then offers some suggestions of how community colleges should help make their online learning more sufficient for students. According to Maxwell a few ways online courses can be improved is that a students should be tested for their preparedness for online instruction before taking online courses. Another suggestion Maxwell made was that students should be advised how to navigate their online courses (2).In an effort to state his claim Maxwell provides very strong evidence.
Both Bird and Maxwell’s argument are similar in various ways, but yet still so different. For one, both state their claims that online education and classroom education have some benefits. However, Bird claims both online and in class courses are great options, but the decision will ultimately depend on the student’s preferences (2). Maxwell on the other hand, feels there are more benefits in classroom education than in online classes, and he presents the statics to prove it (1). Surprisingly, both authors agreed online classes offers flexibility for students who are parents, or students who work. Another instance where Maxwell and Bird agree on is on the matter that enrollment in online classes are continuing to increasing. Bird agrees by pointing out that more students are enrolled in online courses compared to in the past (2). However, Maxwell takes another viewpoint of the situation, and says that even though online classes are continuing to increase, student are continuing to fail more courses compared to students enrolled in online courses. Last but not least both authors also agreed online classes do have benefits Maxwell argued its benefits is that it saves money, and makes it easier for student to take classes that fit their schedule. Bird agrees by saying the benefits are for the students who work or have kids, and can now handle both work and online classes (1). However, unfortunately Maxwell and Bird disagree on the matter of which in the end is better, online or traditional learning? One instance of this is in Birds article is when she states all the pros of both online and traditional schooling, and in the end she says one choice is not going to be the right one for every individual it’s up to the student to make the right decision (2). However, in Maxwell’s article he states mostly cons of online courses, and very few pros. Another way both arguments disagree is on the matter of the way they presented their articles. Maxwell’s article is a little more biased then Bird’s article. Bird’s article had very little bias, because not only did he demonstrated the pros of both, but he stated there’s no perfect choice it depends on a student’s circumstances (1). Maxwell on the other hand presented very few cons of in class learning, and mostly all pros of in class learning. This demonstrates just how different their stances on this issue are (2).
Both articles demonstrated a technique of using pathos, logos, and ethos in order to gain the reader’s attention. However, Maxwell compared to Bird uses logos more often, and more effectively compared to Bird. For example, Maxwell uses many statistics, and facts to support his claim. One instance of this is when he says research has shown that community colleges students in online courses fail and drop out more often than students in classroom based courses. Bird on the other hand attempts to use logos in a less effective way by using mostly his opinion to back his claim. For example when Bird says online classes will work for those who have the ability to self- motivate (2). Unfortunately, there is no real evidence behind his claim other than this was this graduates experience, and this was that graduates experiences. Another way, Maxwell makes his use of logos evident to his reader’s is in his evidence is when he uses his evidence from past studies to support his claim. One instance of this is when he says the Virginia study has made suggestions that will make online classes more efficient, he not only states what studies have shown, but he also mention what they suggest. Bird on the other hand does not provide any evidence from studies done in the past, Overall weakening his argument (1).
A second technique that the authors used to gain the reader’s attention is the technique of using ethos or better known as creditability.
Maxwell again successfully uses ethos to make his argument more effective in numerous of ways compared to Bird who does very little to establish his creditability with her reader’s. The first instance of this is when Bird in an effort to support her claim says, that online and traditional course helps create discipline, then Bird continues by using a personal experience from a past graduate, and at first it was ok, but after analyzing Maxwell’s argument I felt Birds argument did not establish his creditability as much as he could’ve. Overall, both made an effort I gaining the reader’s attention. However, Maxwell made his rhetorical devices a lot more evident to this reader’s
(2)
When it comes to Birds opinion as well as Maxwell’s I feel I agree with both. I think online or traditional education are great options, but it will untimely depend on student’s circumstances, and their personal preferences. The reason I feel this way is because I personally never took an online class course, but I know from taking traditional classes that that type of learning worked for me. However, some of my other friends who have taken online courses say it’s not as easy for them, and that they say they prefer online classes. The reasons being because it’s convenient, and their schedules are really busy trying to handle school, work, kids. The conclusion I’ve came to is both Bird and Maxwell make good points, but in the end it’s up to the student to choose what will work for them, because traditional learning may work for one student, and not work for another do it all depends (1).
After reading on this issue from two different opposing claims. I have to say at first Maxwell had me convinced traditional learning was the away to go when he said as the number of enrollment rises in online classes as does the students rate of students dropping their online courses. But once Bird mentioned the choice of which is better is going to depend on the student. I began thinking of my friends experiences with online class. The conclusion I’ve came to is both Bird and Maxwell make good points. And both are right, but in different ways. For example, the author Maxwell is right in saying research has shown traditional learning is better. On the other hand, Bird is correct is saying online is better if you’re a type of person who is self-motivated and discipline. However, in the end it’s up to the student to choose what will work for them, because traditional learning may work for one student, and not work for another do it all depends(1-2).
Another point of view comes from Bill Maxwell, and in his article “No Short Cuts in Long- Distance Learning,” where he argues that even though online education has its benefits such as flexibility; research has shown classroom education is the best option for learning. He also mentions what studies have suggested will make online learning more efficient. Maxwell points out that students in online classes drop their classes more frequently than students in traditional education. Not to mention studies have …show more content…
shown students in online classes take longer to graduate compared to those enrolled in face- to- face courses. Maxwell also claims that students involved in classroom education transfer more often to a four year university compared to students in online course (1).However, Maxwell claims that even though research has demonstrated face- to-face classes are more sufficient at getting students to learn than online classes, community colleges continue to offer more online courses every year. Maxwell then offers some suggestions of how community colleges should help make their online learning more sufficient for students. According to Maxwell a few ways online courses can be improved is that a students should be tested for their preparedness for online instruction before taking online courses. Another suggestion Maxwell made was that students should be advised how to navigate their online courses (2).In an effort to state his claim Maxwell provides very strong evidence.
Both Bird and Maxwell’s argument are similar in various ways, but yet still so different. For one, both state their claims that online education and classroom education have some benefits. However, Bird claims both online and in class courses are great options, but the decision will ultimately depend on the student’s preferences (2). Maxwell on the other hand, feels there are more benefits in classroom education than in online classes, and he presents the statics to prove it (1). Surprisingly, both authors agreed online classes offers flexibility for students who are parents, or students who work. Another instance where Maxwell and Bird agree on is on the matter that enrollment in online classes are continuing to increasing. Bird agrees by pointing out that more students are enrolled in online courses compared to in the past (2). However, Maxwell takes another viewpoint of the situation, and says that even though online classes are continuing to increase, student are continuing to fail more courses compared to students enrolled in online courses. Last but not least both authors also agreed online classes do have benefits Maxwell argued its benefits is that it saves money, and makes it easier for student to take classes that fit their schedule. Bird agrees by saying the benefits are for the students who work or have kids, and can now handle both work and online classes (1). However, unfortunately Maxwell and Bird disagree on the matter of which in the end is better, online or traditional learning? One instance of this is in Birds article is when she states all the pros of both online and traditional schooling, and in the end she says one choice is not going to be the right one for every individual it’s up to the student to make the right decision (2). However, in Maxwell’s article he states mostly cons of online courses, and very few pros. Another way both arguments disagree is on the matter of the way they presented their articles. Maxwell’s article is a little more biased then Bird’s article. Bird’s article had very little bias, because not only did he demonstrated the pros of both, but he stated there’s no perfect choice it depends on a student’s circumstances (1). Maxwell on the other hand presented very few cons of in class learning, and mostly all pros of in class learning. This demonstrates just how different their stances on this issue are (2).
Both articles demonstrated a technique of using pathos, logos, and ethos in order to gain the reader’s attention. However, Maxwell compared to Bird uses logos more often, and more effectively compared to Bird. For example, Maxwell uses many statistics, and facts to support his claim. One instance of this is when he says research has shown that community colleges students in online courses fail and drop out more often than students in classroom based courses. Bird on the other hand attempts to use logos in a less effective way by using mostly his opinion to back his claim. For example when Bird says online classes will work for those who have the ability to self- motivate (2). Unfortunately, there is no real evidence behind his claim other than this was this graduates experience, and this was that graduates experiences. Another way, Maxwell makes his use of logos evident to his reader’s is in his evidence is when he uses his evidence from past studies to support his claim. One instance of this is when he says the Virginia study has made suggestions that will make online classes more efficient, he not only states what studies have shown, but he also mention what they suggest. Bird on the other hand does not provide any evidence from studies done in the past, Overall weakening his argument (1).
A second technique that the authors used to gain the reader’s attention is the technique of using ethos or better known as creditability.
Maxwell again successfully uses ethos to make his argument more effective in numerous of ways compared to Bird who does very little to establish his creditability with her reader’s. The first instance of this is when Bird in an effort to support her claim says, that online and traditional course helps create discipline, then Bird continues by using a personal experience from a past graduate, and at first it was ok, but after analyzing Maxwell’s argument I felt Birds argument did not establish his creditability as much as he could’ve. Overall, both made an effort I gaining the reader’s attention. However, Maxwell made his rhetorical devices a lot more evident to this reader’s
(2)
When it comes to Birds opinion as well as Maxwell’s I feel I agree with both. I think online or traditional education are great options, but it will untimely depend on student’s circumstances, and their personal preferences. The reason I feel this way is because I personally never took an online class course, but I know from taking traditional classes that that type of learning worked for me. However, some of my other friends who have taken online courses say it’s not as easy for them, and that they say they prefer online classes. The reasons being because it’s convenient, and their schedules are really busy trying to handle school, work, kids. The conclusion I’ve came to is both Bird and Maxwell make good points, but in the end it’s up to the student to choose what will work for them, because traditional learning may work for one student, and not work for another do it all depends (1).
After reading on this issue from two different opposing claims. I have to say at first Maxwell had me convinced traditional learning was the away to go when he said as the number of enrollment rises in online classes as does the students rate of students dropping their online courses. But once Bird mentioned the choice of which is better is going to depend on the student. I began thinking of my friends experiences with online class. The conclusion I’ve came to is both Bird and Maxwell make good points. And both are right, but in different ways. For example, the author Maxwell is right in saying research has shown traditional learning is better. On the other hand, Bird is correct is saying online is better if you’re a type of person who is self-motivated and discipline. However, in the end it’s up to the student to choose what will work for them, because traditional learning may work for one student, and not work for another do it all depends(1-2).