Sir Daniel's Viewpoint

Although Sir Daniel is most likely right about distance education creating an influx of online activity, his viewpoint about rolling courses shares insights and fallacies. First of all, distance education is currently viewed with a stigma of second-class education. Those who study online, unless with a major university, and sometimes even then, are often thought to be getting a minimal college experience, while those who attend classes at a brick and mortar campus are seen to have reaped a better education. While Sir Daniel suggests that, "distance education will include an increasing proportion of online activity," which is most likely true, in order for this to happen the perception of distance education must change. If offered the chance to attend school online or even at a state school, a student will most likely choose the state school because of the perception of distance education. Changing this stigma will allow for a greater amount of online activity. As the Internet is a wonderful tool for students, educators should work to changing this stigma.

Furthermore, Sir Daniel is most likely right that the traditional rolling courses will soon replace traditional courses as this is not only easiest with distance education, but also this is the method that many teachers would prefer to teach. However, Sir Daniel's statement that this will increase flexibility while decreasing success rates is a fallacy. Rolling courses allow students to exit the course only when they and the instructor feel they have completed it successfully. This is bound not to decrease the success rates for learners but to increase them. As far as the increased costs, it is obvious that payment structuring will need to be reconsidered with the new system, but material costs should not rise significantly. Thus, the introduction of rolling classes will not only increase success, but will also help distance education gain a reputation as more affective and learner-centered.