By Merete Aanes (Whetstone Staff Writer)
Wesley is offering online courses for the first time this summer.
“It’s a big change,†said vice president for academic affairs Dr. Patricia Dwyer.
Online courses include, “Survey of British Literature II,†“History of Rock,†“General Psychology,†“US History I,†and “World Civilization I.â€
“We will focus on core courses,†Dwyer said.
Dr. Jack Barnhardt will be instructing the psychology class online.
“Online courses are an opportunity for students to ‘make up’ courses,†he said.
This allows students to take courses at Wesley rather than at a different college.
“It’s an opportunity to take classes with professors at Wesley,†said Dr. Jeffery Gibson, who will be teaching the British literature class.
There are also disadvantages to online courses.
“There is a misconception that it will be easier, for both students and the professors,†Barnhardt said.
Students will not be able to interact with teachers face to face.
Classes will be offered during the summer I, II and 12- week semesters.
Online courses will be held through a program called Learning House, which was founded in 2001 and currently provides more than 70 schools with resources to launch online education programs.
“There will be 24-7 tech supports for students and faculty,†Dwyer said.
Students have until May 7 to register for the summer I semester.
