Online courses now top live classes at college

BARSTOW • Carol Cardova said she takes online classes at Barstow Community College because of one main reason: flexibility. Cardova, 18, began her online course work Monday and is among the growing number of students enrolling in online programs which, for the first time, have outpaced traditional on-campus courses or live classes at BCC.

Online classes now make up approximately 53 percent of the courses offered at the college, according to president Dr. Thom Armstrong.

In Spring 2009, online student enrollment had jumped to 5,043 from an enrollment of 3,183 in Spring 2006, according to a report that will be presented to the BCC Board of Trustees Wednesday.

While the typical online student still tends to be an older working adult possibly with children, Armstrong said, BCC online classes even serve students abroad. That includes soldiers from Fort Irwin, said spokeswoman Maureen Stokes. “If they get deployed they’re still taking classes with us,” she said.

Online classes have also drawn students from Victorville like Yesenia Vasquez. The computer science major said she takes classes at BCC because it’s on her way to her contracting job at Fort Irwin.

Vasquez, who takes three online classes and three live classes, says she completes her online homework in between commuting or on weekends. She’s found online classes to be easier than she expected.

“I like it because it’s like I’m teaching myself,” Vasquez said.

Armstrong noted that the online format isn’t everyone’s “cup of tea.” Students have to be fairly self-disciplined, he said. “If you don’t stay on top of it, you fall behind very, very quickly,” said Armstrong.

 The college board meeting is Wednesday at 7 p.m., with a public comment session at 6 p.m., in the BCC board room at 2700 Barstow Road.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4122 or elee@desertdispatch.com