Online Courses Create Writers

The online classroom has often been characterized as a perfect environment for slackers. I cannot imagine why this view might be perpetuated since in an online classroom all students, even those who would not consider themselves to be literary are asked to become capable writers. In an on-site class views are expressed verbally and those who do not choose to comment can sit silently through several class periods. Opinions are often off the cuff and verbal foibles become roadblocks to communication. Students are only asked to express themselves through the written word two to four times a semester on average. Whereas, in an online class one is expected to have intelligent opinions, and well thought out input every week. We are given parameters and pressed to meet them regularly. Those pupils and even professors who do not feel themselves to be adequate writers are forced to stretch that skill and become more adept at transferring thoughts into organized paragraphs, and intelligible writings. Written opinions are available for scrutiny by peers and instructors for long periods of time. When one expresses themselves through the written word they become more cautious and thoughtful about content and voice. In an environment where our written voice is the sole mode with which we convey our scholarly musings literary skills flourish and we all become writers.