Online v. Classroom

ASU offers foreign language classes in both online and in a traditional setting and both settings offer a unique experience for students.

Yvonne Unnold, chair of the department of languages and cultures, said online classes have a lower retention rate. But, those students who choose to continue in the online course have equivalent or better grades compared with the live classroom, if they do the work.

"If you don't want to learn, you will not learn. If you wish to learn, you will learn a lot," Unnold said.

Becca Danforth, a junior health communications major from Little Rock attempted a Spanish class online during the summer for her Spanish minor.

"It's easier when it's face to face," she said. "The interaction is kind of key."

Danforth said she likes to practice speaking the language in a classroom rather than seeing it on a screen.

To get that interaction both of the current online courses, German and Spanish, require at least one interactive session per chapter. The department uses Skype, a free online Web conferencing program.

She also noted that tutors were available through Skype.

The Spanish classes are already highly Web-based.

Students in the classroom are instructed in person, but the homework is online through Web-SAM, a Web based program designed to offers sections for tutorials, practice and assessment.

Unnold said German does not have much Web support. Instead the department makes a PowerPoint presentation that walks students through each chapter.

It includes videos, in which she speaks to the students, audio files and exercises.

Using these programs, the students are responsible for making sure they learn the materials.

Danforth said the individualistic approach was not for her.

"It's more encouraging when you learn things as a group," she said.

Unnold said one benefit of online courses is not having a fixed schedule. Students can also work ahead.

The lesson plans are posted on blackboard and online students cover the same thing in a day as they would in a traditional classroom.

Lessons can be broken into increments throughout the day or explored in one sitting.

"It simply provides access to education from the leisure of your home," Unnold said.

She also said the best thing to do is to study in a place where the language is the native language and is spoken on a daily basis.

"Online classes are not the optimal learning environment," Unnold said.

But if one can't take a trip to Spain or Germany, the classroom is the next best thing.