(AI099)，代友发文，请大家多提意见~

"In order to accommodate the increasing number of undergraduate students, colleges and universities should offer most courses through distance

learning, such as videotaped instruction that can be accessed through the Internet or cable television. Requiring students to appear at a desig-nated

time and place is no longer an effective or efficient way of teaching most undergraduate courses."

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

21:47

How to deal with the increasing numbers of students has posted a difficult question to colleges and universities. To solve this problem, lots of ideas have been discussed and distance learning is one of the most controversial methods. Someone insists that this type of teaching could outperform the traditional way, in my view, however, this method is at most complimentary and can by no means replace the classroom teaching.

To begin with, courses through distance learning, such as videotaped instruction, have several obvious drawbacks. First of all, it is not interactive, where all that a student can do is to listen, rather than practise by himself if necessary. Maybe it is barely acceptable for teaching arts or literature, but in terms of teaching sciences such as chemistry, it is far from enough since students cannot do experiments, which are crucial to a correct understanding of the chemical process. Second, it is fixed and unchangeable. In the traditional class, the teacher may adjust the teaching tactics according to the reaction of the students. When they see students grow tired of the topic, they may tell a joke that attracts students' attention back to the class; when they see confusing expression on their faces, they may slow down and explain in details. All of these cannot be realized in the distance teaching.

Moreover, it is widely believed, that the atmosphere of the colleges and university plays an important role in cultivating students, especially undergraduates. On one hand, still lacking self-disciplines in a sense, undergraduates need someone to monitor and guide them through the study process, and requiring them to appear at a designated time and place is also one part of the monitoring. On the other, influenced by other hard working students, one who is not sufficiently motivated may start to examine himself and therefore think of working harder in order to catch. Separating students in their homes cannot create this valuable atmosphere, and cannot replace the classroom teaching in this regard.

At least but not least, we should question whether such a proposal is implementable. Even if all the colleges and universities are rich and resourceful enough to construct all the facilities needed, some students may not afford them and as a consequence, would be unfairly deprived of the opportunities of college education.

In a word, the distance learning cannot substitute the traditional teaching, thanks to its drawbacks and implementing obstacles. To solve the problem of increasing students, more thoughtful method should be proposed or more solutions should be combined and applied together.

请拍砖，多谢！！

请拍砖，多谢！！

请拍砖，多谢！！