My Perspective

Kelly Thompson

Professor Trish Ivey

English 1101-41342

17 January 2013

My Perspective

My outlook on Ellen Laird essay, I'm your Teacher, Not Your Internet Service provider; Laird is basically telling us in her essay how it feels to be an instructor behind the computer and how difficult it can be at times. She also tells us what to expect from your online instructor and online students. It's very obvious to point out that online college courses are different from traditional courses. The tone of Laird in this article is sarcastic for example, "Even Cinderella had a deadline" (Laird 418) she was practically saying when that time and date is given to turn in the assignment, there is are no excuses.

She also points out that some students don't know that web learning and web suffering are different. The honeymoon is over. My romance with distance learning is losing its spark (Laird 417) just really means when she first started teaching it was very exciting, but as the years went it was the same thing over and it became old to her and it's not enjoyable for her as it was in the beginning. In Laird article I've also noticed how much her technique is the same each year maybe that's why she lost interest. She also expresses herself about instructing an online class.

There is a difference between online classes and traditional classes. Many students especially people with professional careers prefer online classes so they could continue their education and maintain their work schedule. Also she pointed out that "There are no sick or personal days in cyber space" (Laird 419). Laird's article makes a valid point about online classes; she couldn't take sick days off because the classes online is always open choices. Mainly she helps you to decide if online classes you have are reasonable for you or not.

It's hard to get the attention you need dealing with online classes rather than traditional classes. In traditional classes you can take notes, tests, hear lectures and learn hands on. The tests and notes are right there in front of your face; you can actually get up and walk toward your teacher for help. While you're at home doing online classes you have no teacher there to tell you when to do an assignment. Being behind a computer, you have to send emails to get your questions answered. Lectures in the classroom, are either done on power points, out of a book, oral, or face to face.

My personal opinion is I would rather sit in a traditional class rather than online. I can actually walk in the classroom and pick my seat that I need in a class room. Also being in a traditional classroom I could meet new people with the same exact assignment so we could work together and get the