Technological Advances-Beneficial or Not

1. Technology has not only enhanced my educational experience at SUNY Canton, but has made it possible. I work full-time at Public Health for St. Lawrence County. I wouldn’t be able to attend full-time classes and work at my job. I also have a part-time job at St. Lawrence University—which couldn’t be possible if I wasn’t able to take the online courses offered by SUNY Canton. The online courses allow me to fit the classes into my schedule, instead of the other way around. That is uniquely appreciated. My degree is almost completely online. That is a tremendous change from even 10 years ago. 2. I have taken around 20+ online classes, thus far. 3. What makes a “good online class” is an instructor who consistently checks their messages, has a quick turnaround time on grading of assignments, and is open minded. I understand the concept of ‘firm’ due dates for assignments, to simulate the “real world environment” students will find themselves in upon graduation, but I have been much more successful in online classes that have a set “due “schedule, i.e.: assignments/dB/quizzes due on a weekly basis. Period. I have not done as well in online classes that for example, have a discussion board due on Wednesday s, and the quizzes due on Friday and the assignment due on Sundays. It is simpler to understand and to complete coursework (especially non-traditional coursework) in sets or groups. Because even though the class may on my minds while being researched, worked on, and thought about on a daily basis, it is more difficult to orchestrate and adhere to many firm due dates within a small timeframe—like weekly. To me, it was simply more missed opportunities, due to a mixed up due date, and if you have an instructor that doesn’t permit late assignments, it can annihilate your grade. If you have 2 or 3 classes with staggered due date formats, well, for me, with children, work, and a life, yeah, it