It is disappointing to see Madison College’s news writing class switch to a fully online format for the spring semester. The class should be taught either in-person or in its current hybrid form, but not fully online, as it compromises the learning experience.

The class is a core course in the journalism certificate program, and essential for learning how to write news on deadline, profile writing, and covering local events. One of the most beneficial aspects of the class is timed writing.  Currently, this class is offered as a hybrid course. I have gained immensely from it, especially the timed writing part.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the course was that the classroom environment simulated the pressure of writing on deadline in a newsroom especially through the timed writing. How can an online course replicate this experience? The experience of having a story assignment requiring interviewing multiple sources near the downtown campus, and writing a story in 40 minutes was the most exhilarating and empowering part of the class.

An online class cannot replicate the learning that takes place with classroom discussion. Although students would certainly be required to participate in online discussion boards, face-to-face interaction is far more valuable because it allows answers and the sharing of ideas in real-time.  Also, it eliminates the ambiguity involved in communication style. Face-to-face communication leads to better understanding of what we say to each other.

The increase in colleges’ reliance on online courses is a cause for concern because so many of the benefits of education are limited by them, especially when it comes to core courses with benefits that can’t be replicated online. While a study by SRI International for the Department of Education has shown that learning outcomes may be better via online courses, the most important facilitator of learning is a community setting.

Students need to interact with each other on a face-to-face basis as part of their college experience. That’s what builds community, and that’s where networking, arguably the most powerful element in the job hunt, comes into play. Students need to build relationships with each other and with their teachers, as those may prove to be valuable connections down the road.

Teachers also deal with technological difficulties of online classes. So the medium ends up complicating the teaching process. Technology is becoming more ingrained in our lives, but when it obstructs the ability of teachers to instruct with ease, we should ask if the costs outweigh the benefits.

True, online courses offer access to students who may otherwise not have it, but investing our whole selves, at least in core courses for our intended programs, is necessary if we want the greatest return on our investment.