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eaglenews.org
Find out on www.eaglenews.org in the multimedia section
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Technology advances have made online classes possible for the academic world. As they become more and more popular, FGCU has begun offering additional online classes for an array of subjects. However, there are questions as to whether students are obtaining the same quality of education through online classes. Can online classes really compare to traditional classes? For Michael Cole, assistant professor of history, the answer is
yes. “In (my) particular class, they can get the most out of this online,” Cole said. He explains that in order to complete his online assignments, students have to read the text and study from the materials assigned in order to have a full grasp of the concept. The assigned materials and texts are all the students have to go on, as opposed to in-class lectures and discussions. James Matiya, instructor of psychology, feels that one main difference with his online classes is how he connects to the students.
“Online classes are much different from face-to-face classes. For online classes, I use personal experiences and try to connect the textbook with (the student’s) personal experiences, where in the classroom, you make the connection between the textbook and the activities we do in class,” Matiya said. The connection to the in-class experience and interacting with other people are the two main components that keep many students favoring traditional classes. Michelle Medina, a sophomore majoring in accounting, has mixed
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For many college students, working out is not easy due to overwhelming amounts of studying and the resulting lack of time. However, there is a way to incorporate exercising into your class schedule. For those students who are sick of waiting around at shuttle stops just to be packed into a bus crammed with other students, there is a healthier way to get around campus. FGCU students can rent bicycles to be used on campus as part of the Pedal Power program. These bikes can be spotted from a mile away due to their bright colors, and they can be rented at the Outdoor Pursuits Basecamp behind Alico Arena. If the idea of getting some exercise before and after class is not enough, then the fact that these rentals are free with a student ID is perhaps one reason why they are so popular. Steve Robinson, head of outdoor pursuits, says that the Pedal Power program has been in place since the beginning of the fall semester. “UPD collects bikes that are left on campus and the ones that don’t get picked up get donated. We went and picked up some of the cleanest, nicest bikes we could find, fixed them up and replaced
some parts,” Robinson said. Robinson says that there are only 10 bikes in the program now, but these bikes have been rented out consistently. There is currently not enough storage or a sufficient budget to incorporate additional bikes into the program, but Robinson says that they are looking to add more bikes soon. Sophomore Nathaly Fields is one student who thinks the bike rental program is a great idea. “I hate waiting for the bus, so I am always looking for an alternative way to get to class,” Fields said. Like most people, Fields hates being squished onto a shuttle, but she also thinks that it is too hot to walk to class. She considers renting a bike to be an all-around
better way of getting to campus. Students can rent a bike for seven days at a time, and upon registration students will be issued a Power Pedal card that allows them access to the program for a whole academic year. While bike rentals are free, there is a $10 late fee applied for each day that the bike is not returned after its due date. Additionally, there is a $1 late fee per day for all the equipment, such as helmets, knee pads, or horns, that is not returned on time. Students interested in renting a bicycle can call the Outdoor Pursuits Basecamp at (239) 5901419 to check on bike availability.
feelings about each type of class. However, she leans toward liking traditional classes better. “Classes are easier when you can actually talk to the professor in person and be in class with other students,” she said. One of Medina’s foremost issues with online courses is the professors. She feels that since professors cannot be seen face-to-face, they put up a mean front. “(They are) intimidating and you feel like you can’t contact them or anything,” Medina said.
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=fi\`^e\ij Ôe[ =>:L n\cZfd`e^ 9p 9iXe[fe ?\eip JkX]] ni`k\i If you were to list your favorite things about FGCU, you might say something about having your own separate room in the dorms, the small class sizes, or the cute boy or girl you sit next to in biology. You probably would not have our clean public restrooms at the top of your list. However, international student Lina Khegay says that she considers our sparkly toilets to be one of her favorite aspects of Florida Gulf Coast University. Well, that and our campus-wide Internet access. Khegay says that Internet is hard to come by in her home country of Uzbekistan. Lina’s appreciation for things most of us take for granted here highlights the differences between the many cultures spanning the globe. It is these very differences that were celebrated this past Friday night at FGCU’s 15th annual International Reception. This showcase of the University’s international initiatives is held every year as a formal welcoming of international students, scholars, and study abroad participants. As FGCU continues to grow and evolve, so does its International Services department. Currently, there are 140 international students enrolled from approximately 45 different countries. To date, over 75 countries have been represented at FGCU.
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