Why do so many students sign up for a beginner Spanish course taught online asynchronously? They could learn these basic language skills on an app and then take the free proficiency test, place out, and receive the course credit for free.
Under no scenario would I pay for such a course, especially with the existing technology.
Isn’t there some scam that involves signing up for online courses? Like, you do it, then you apply for financial assistance?
LikeLike
There are many things that students do and do not do that leave me perplexed. One example: they don’t read the directions on a test. Also, they leave a multiple choice question or two unanswered. In the last case, they are simply careless and don’t check if they’ve answered everything.
LikeLike
Many people have difficulty with independently doing things, and they may know this about themselves and seek a structured environment. But it’s more likely that it simply didn’t occur to them.
LikeLike
There are definitely people who need a structured environment, but those people do best in traditional in-person classes. I don’t know how Clarissa’s university has things set up, but asynchronous courses are frequently a disaster for the people who struggle to do things independently.
LikeLike
I missed that they were online. Yeah, I got nothing
LikeLike
I am one of those people– but online classes wouldn’t do it for me. I’m doing a lot of music-learning these days, and volunteering for the church’s music stuff is how I get the accountability kick in the pants I need to actually *make time for the work*: as long as somebody expects me to show up, at a designated time and place, already knowing the music, I can do it. The consequence of not-doing it is that I make a hash of it, up there in front of God and everybody, during a church service. That’s very motivating!
Of course, actual in-person clases are the best way to learn. But if choosing between two shades of online asynchronous experience, it makes every sense to choose the one that doesn’t cost $1,700.
By the way, I guessed at the cost and then checked with AI. It turns out I was spot on. The cost is $1,723.
LikeLike
Yes, the great part about showing up for practice at church is that it’s free 🙂
LikeLike
A conservative literary critic and college professor
Clarissa's Blog 
Leave a comment