Point-Counterpoint: Asynchronous classes: benefits, downfalls, what to do?

I’m tired of being stuck at the computer

Alice McGuire

Deputy Editor

As a starry eyed youth, I embraced MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) readily and registered for every course that caught my eye, convinced I would become a self-trained scholar in a matter of weeks.

Reality soon humbled me. Without external structure, peer interaction, or a reason to get out of bed, learning proved impossible.

Fast forward to the present day: asynchronous classes have become commonplace at Washtenaw Community College and elsewhere.

Browsing the catalog for this past summer semester felt like an exercise in disappointment, with every course that caught my eye marked by a troubling lack of meeting times or room numbers.

In the hopes of expanding my options, I spoke with Professor Claire Sparklin, faculty in Communication, who explained a bit about what makes asynchronous classes at WCC different from what I had experienced.

“It’s not you, it’s the MOOC,” said Sparklin, who went on to explain that the format of WCC’s asynchronous courses entails weekly due dates rather than offering the entire course’s content at once and that each student should have at least two touch points with their instructor every week.

“Your instructor is there to be your partner,” Sparklin said.

Sparklin, who designed her first asynchronous class for WCC in 2010, explained that she begins  her online classes with an engaging, ungraded activity and a chance for reflection before moving on to “microlearning” segments, which teach the content in a “short, to the point” style, eventually building up to a “resume-worthy assignment.” 

“I always figure that a course is successful if a student can tune into a module and immediately begin to apply it to their life,” said Sparklin.

Sparklin said WCC’s asynchronous courses are unique in that all instructors teach the best version of the course.

After Professor Sparklin assured me that I could try out an asynchronous course without worrying about my GPA thanks to WCC’s withdrawal policy allowing students to nope out at any point before the 80% mark, I gave it sincere consideration and concluded that, if I absolutely had to take an asynchronous class, there’s no place that I would trust more than WCC to do it right.

But I’d still be mad about it.

While I am glad that asynchronous classes exist for those who enjoy or need them, I am someone who went from homeschool to finishing a Bachelors degree on Zoom during a pandemic.

When I pay tuition, it doesn’t feel worth it unless it buys me access to a safe space to learn to be human IRL.

Sasha Hatinger

Staff Writer

Virtually anything is possible with online learning

Technology is at the forefront of all our lives today. This is certainly the case for students furthering their education online at WCC. Instructors and staff support students to ensure academic success with WCC’s online learning.

Online learning at WCC has diversified the means of which students can gain access in continuing their education to reach their academic goals. By having online access to classes at WCC, students can learn and complete their coursework, virtually, anywhere.

As a student at WCC that lives in East Lansing, online classes have played a huge role in my success and ability to further my education. Remaining successful has been dependent upon my flexibility, time-management skills and self-motivation.

I have only taken classes at WCC online or virtually, until this fall semester. I also have only been a part-time student, which allows me to align my personal life with my academic goals.

Grace Fama, director of Advising and Success Coaching shares tips for success for students that are taking online classes.

“In your first semester, [take] one or two classes, that way, you can get the hang of it, get a sense of what this workload is actually like,” Fama said. “I think the other big thing is knowing how to get a hold of your faculty, whether it’s office hours or contacting your instructor over email. Just because you’re taking an online only class does not mean you are on your own.”

Staying in contact with instructors helps build rapport and ensures that students get the support that they need.

Wanda Gunderson, faculty in the Life Sciences department is an online instructor at WCC, who has also taught in person and virtually in the past.

Her advice to prospective online students, “Make sure they are self-motivated and have the discipline to sit down and do the work.”

I wouldn’t have made it as far as I have on my academic journey if online classes were not available at WCC.

“I do prefer teaching face to face,” Gunderson said. “But again, I know how [for] some students, this is the only way they’re going to be able to get their degree–is to offer these online courses.”

The benefits of online classes extend further than just the students, “That’s what I think keeps me going teaching, is knowing that I’m helping students get ahead,” Gunderson said.

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