However, the streaming video provides ease of update over a home video as well as gives the school an ability to track the student usage of the lecture that would not be easily attainable otherwise. Using technology wisely also involves recognition of the differences between a fixed facility class and its online counterpart. The latter has a far greater need for constant quizzing and assessment, not just as a means of measuring student retention, but also as a means of validating a student's learning experience. For instance, Concord 1st Year students will tackle more than two dozen essay exams and hundreds of multiple choice questions throughout their coursework and many of the student evaluations indicate that they would like to see even more. To receive the maximum benefit from the curriculum s integration of assessments, the instructional design must be carefully planned.
Students also receive regular feedback on written assignments via e-mail.
The fact is, use of the technology in grading quizzes and assessments results in rapid feedback for the students, increases learning and retention levels, and provides for greater student satisfaction in terms of validation for progressing through the material. As a law student, how many times did you get a message from your Dean saying, I noticed you haven t been keeping up with your class on the assignments, and I'm concerned that you may fall behind the pace you need to keep. Let's discuss how we can get you back on track. If you read that message and think that it involves more coddling than is necessary in law school, then you may be too indoctrinated to teach young adults who do not have significant additional responsibilities other than the study of law, or you may not be the type of professor who would enjoy Internet teaching. But for those of us who teach adults who manage significant pressures and responsibilities outside of law school, that message may become the catalyst for a healthy dialogue between the administration and the student about priorities and ability to master a high level curriculum.