Show Me The Money!

Why are online classes so much more expensive than traditional ones? 

         Online systems have drastically changed the experience of higher education. Unfortunately  they have also had a significant impact on our wallets as well. For instance, my online classes this semester average around 100-150 dollars more expensive than my in-class courses. How can this be if I am utilizing my own computer and don't take up the space in the facility? We hear so often that reasons behind course management system’s success are due to its effectiveness and immediacy that help educators interact with their students in a cost-effective manner. Yet, with the high prices of these classes we as student question the value of the course itself. If I am paying all of this money, I hope I am receiving equal, if not better quality of education than if I were to pay less and profit from face to face interaction as well. Often times, students who are taking online courses are those that need the extra time to work full-time. The extra cost of these online classes is counterproductive to their progress.  I took two of my courses online this semester due to scheduling. I am taking a total of nineteen credit hours, work two jobs and have an internship as well. I barely have time to sleep and eat let alone create a perfect schedule allowing time slots for every class I take. In this regard, I do believe the extra cost of the classes was worth it. However, I do believe it is important to explore other options.

         Do these high-class prices have more to do with the Blackboard system or the higher-education system itself? The answer is the higher-education system such as Florida State University. It cost the university extra money to create a class online. There are a myriad of different services that both the teacher and student are required to accommodate for. Most of these problems stem from software. If there are technical issues, tech support is available to both teacher and student, but at a price. Travis Johnson of the Minnesota State College Students Association states that even though online classes "create more flexibility  the increased cost is an offsetting barrier. That's just really a concern to us. There's campuses that dont even charge a difference, and then there's some that charge a lot more." Apparently the actual process of putting up a class online presents more difficulties than you would imagine. This affords faculty a pay increase as well. It is disheartening for students as well since most of the time, the materials needed are available online too, so the cost of the textbook isn't even a factor.

Moodle vs. Blackboard

          While all course management systems make virtual education a reality, why is it that one stands out above the rest?  

The competition to become the leading online education system is pretty much non-existent. Course management systems such as Moodle or Sakai don't even stand a chance against Blackboard, though some still do exist today. Moodle is still used by some including University of San Francisco and University of Washington. But why? Blackboard has become synonymous with course-management systems as Kleenex has with tissue paper. The terms are inseparable from each other.

However, many do favor Moodle for several reasons. Moodle is less expensive to operate and much more flexible. Many functions in Blackboard are rather stiff and do not easily adapt to the user’s needs. Moodle has become very popular with teachers that want to create their own learning management system for their students. It was my impression that course management systems like Blackboard are a tool provided by a large company as opposed to being personalized in some cases by a sole individual. This demonstration site shows the ins and outs of the software.

Problems with Moodle occur when there are operating system incompatibilities. For example, copying and pasting from one program like Text Edit or Microsoft Word and pasting into the course management system itself. This would be especially problematic while completing online assignments such as discussion board posts.  Moodle needs to also be installed onto a web server or your own computer. Some, including myself, find this aspect alone to be undesirable. Why would I want a system where I could only use it on certain machines that already have Moodle on their server. 

            In a video on Wired Campus, the leaders of both Blackboard and Moodle attempt to sell their product to the audience. While Blackboard is still "winning the battle for learning management software", Moodle is growing on college campuses  In the future, Moodle will go mobile and use all aspects of the phone software such as gps and camera can be accessed. In the future, users of Blackboard will be able to recognize when others are on the system and, similar to instant messaging on Facebook, will allow concepts of immediacy to arise. Interestingly enough, most people who are teaching online, havent been in an online course themselves. Moodle addresses this problem and offers programs to "educate the educators"to further enhance communication between teacher and student. This also constantly improves the quality of online education that one will receive.             While I have not used Moodle, it does have advantages I find interesting and unique to a course-management system. However, through and through I appreciate the consistency and formality of Blackboard and feel more confident being familiar with a system more commonly used.