The Online Communication Course: The Challenges

Abstract

While online courses are not new, the challenges they create for communication educators remain significant. The purpose of this study is to identify those issues communication educators confront in teaching one type of online communication courses, asynchronous courses that include course delivery, information transaction, and communication via the Internet. The authors discuss the importance of this dynamic form of course delivery to the new generation of students, the Millenials, as they permeate higher education institutions.

Keywords:

• Online Education
• Online Higher Education
• Teaching Effectiveness
• Time Management

Notes

Although this number may appear to be very low, the precise number of NCA and AEJMC members who have taught online courses in the past three years is unknown. The representativeness of the sample may be comprised, or the number may be adequate if the number of people teaching online courses is relatively small.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shannon Vanhorn

Shannon Vanhorn (PhD, North Dakota State University, 2005) is an assistant professor at Valley City State University, Valley City, ND 58072. E-mail: [email protected].

Judy C. Pearson

Judy C. Pearson (PhD, Indiana University, 1975) is a professor and associate dean at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5075. E-mail: [email protected].

Jeffrey T. Child

Jeffrey T. Child (PhD, North Dakota State University, 2007), is an assistant professor at Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242. E-mail: [email protected]