Real Downfalls To Online Lecture Notes example essay topic

I-Notes Aren't so Bad In the article, "Disappearing Ink", Todd Gitlin discusses Students. com, a website that sells lecture notes from over 60 different universities. These notes, taken by graduate students, very thoroughly summarize the lectures. This website and others similar to it are creating controversy in many universities. Gitlin, being an experienced professor, writes from experience saying that some students who had purchased the pre-written notes didn't attend class because they already had the lecture on paper, and those that did attend failed to take part in the discussion as they normally had. A variety of opinions have evolved on the subject, as one student, Blake Morrison, feels that these "canned" notes can not truly capture everything there is to be learned from a professor's presentation. Brook Borne, however, feels that these online notes would work well in addition to the discussion.

Other students such as Rose Szybrowski and Ralph Teds on find no reason to listen to a professor read text you could read yourself. After considering possible outcomes, I find these websites are not problematic. Students who do not want the notes will not buy them, and those who do will. As to Gitlin and others concerned with attendance, online colleges have similar programs that are easier and cheaper. Suzie Quintana and Michael Rollafson, along with other students, feel that a professor's lecture is more valuable than copied notes.

Although these students may not find online notes to be beneficial, others purchasing and using them will not affect their learning. Quintana and Rollafson can continue attending class just as they always have and remain virtually un-phased by the online release of the lecture. The fact that other students could already have what they are writing will not inhibit their learning in any way. Some consider the prerelease of the notes to be an academic asset. For instance, Jamal Peters feels that having to write notes in class can be a nuisance and often makes it more difficult to take part in the class discussion. However, if he already had a summarized copy of the lecture, he would be free to participate in class discussion without the worry of writing at the same time.

These notes work well in addition to the class presentation. Others are concerned with the potential lack of attendance from subscribers to these websites. After all, would you go listen a professor read you something you could read anywhere on your own time? However, online colleges already have programs that are cheaper than normal college tuition and require far less planning. Courses such as Phoenix Online are 100% online and students can attend without having to get out of their pajamas whenever they feel it is convenient. I believe if students really wanted to skip or sleep through lectures, this is the course they would take.

All in all, there are no real downfalls to online lecture notes. Most students attending universities feel they are paying for more than a copy of lectures, and will not use the online notes. Others that feel it's a more effective way to learn will subscribe and use the notes to their advantage. Ultimately, the websites do not promote any real conflicts.