Moreover, we need to continue these discussions beyond the strategic planning process. If we can keep the discussion going, we will be more likely to achieve our goals. Quite likely, faculty likely will have more and better interaction with their students through use of technology. We know that the level of interaction and engagement affects student retention. In an online environment, you can be creative and include experiences that you normally cannot in the on-campus environment.
Online courses allow traditional students to add needed classes to fit their schedule.
Barton noted that at Washtenaw Community College, an online law course and a campus tax law course have been merged. People can dial in and chat, engage in discussions, send and receive e-mail, engage in analysis of case studies, etc. All activities in these two classes are blended. The group then discussed the problems involved in comparing interaction in a regular class with interaction in an online class. Demand in terms of disciplinary variability was discussed, as was the issue of retention.