Last time(1), we talked about Massive Open Online Courses, also called(2) MOOCs. Tens of thousands or even(3) more people can take these classes(4) all at once(5).
You can be anywhere(6) in the world to take a MOOC. All you need is a computer and a network(7) connection. MOOCs add to a tradition of what is known as(8) distance learning(9).
For years, many colleges(10) have offered classes that are taught(11) partly(12) or mostly(13) online. MOOCs are available(14) in subjects(15) like computer science, engineering(16) or mechanics.
Can MOOCs in subjects like arts or the humanities be as effective(17)?
Scott Anderson teaches(18) philosophy at the University of British Columbia in Canada. He sees both(19) good and bad sides(20) to online courses.
Mr. Anderson believes that some parts are fine. For example, when a teacher gives a presentation(21) to the class, there is no special reason why(22) students need to be physically present to hear(23) it. And, he says there is no reason why they need to be physically present to do readings(24).
Mr. Anderson says increased(25) numbers of people taking MOOCs can mean(26) less communication between students and teachers. He says two ways to deal with(27) this are by adding more teachers and graders(28), and setting up(29) online discussion groups.
Lisa Jadwin teaches English and American literature and writing(30) at St. John Fisher College in New York. She says online education has some weaknesses(31) for her subjects. She says the teaching of literature requires(32) face-to-face interaction.
Professor Jadwin says some students could learn well(33) from presentations and reading assignments(34), blogs and discussion groups. But she believes that hybrid courses work best(35).
She describes(36) hybrids as mixing(37) face-to-face course elements with computer-aided(38) teaching and writing projects. Bill Pogue teaches communications at the University of Houston-Downtown. He says that after leading(39) classes for more than thirty years, he would not attempt(40) to teach a MOOC.
However(41), Mr. Pogue sees(42) good value in online education. He noted(43) a strong(44) sense of community in an online course he once(45) took. He says the students worked together(46) on a project while(47) living(48) on four continents.
He says this would be hard(49) to repeat in a traditional classroom(50) or face-to-face setting(51). For VOA Special English, I’m Carolyn Presutti. Get more education news and learn English at voaspecialenglish.com. (Adapted from a radio program broadcast 29Mar2012)
Vocabulary
1. Last time = da ultima vez 2. also called = também chamado de 3. even = até mesmo 4. take these classes = fazer estas aulas 5. at once = de uma vez 6. can be anywhere = pode estar em qualquer lugar 7. network = rede 8. known as = conhecido como 9. distance learning = aprendizado a distancia 10. colleges faculdades 11. taught = ensinadas(os) 12. partly = parcialmente 13. mostly = em sua maior parte 14. available = disponível 15. subjects = matérias, assuntos 16. engineering = engenharia 17. effective = eficiente 18. teaches = ensina 19. both = ambos 20. sides = lados 21. presentation = apresentação 22. there is no special reason why = não há nenhuma razão especial pela qual 23. hear = escutar, ouvir 24. readings = leituras 25. increased = crescent 26. mean = significar 27. ways to deal with = formas de lidar com 28. graders = selecionadores 29. setting up = organizando 30. writing = escrita 31. weaknesses = fraquezas 32. requires = exige 33. could learn well = poderiam aprender bem 34. assignments = tarefas 35. work best = funcionam melhor 36. describes = descreve 37. mixing = misturando 38. computer-aided = assistido por computador 39. after leading = após comandar 40. attempt = tentar 41. However = contudo 42. Sees = vê 43. Noted = observou 44. Strong = forte 45. Once = uma vez (no passado) 46. Together = juntos 47. While = enquanto 48. Living = morando 49. would be hard = seria difícil 50. classroom = sala de aula 51. setting = cenário, modelo