Distance Education vs Classroom - Your opinion?

[Red Blumenstock]

I have long believed that the classroom was much better for education than an office or home where many distractions occur.
I personally like the experience input and discussions that occur between peers.

I am learning that some of my Instructor peers are concerned about offering classroom seminars since "most appraisers" (their words, not mine) would much prefer not having to travel or lose a whole day for a seminar.

I am curious about what you members of this forum think? Would you attend a classroom presentation if online ed was available?

Red

 

[MarkRichmond]

It is a matter of personal preference. I happen to be independent and self motivated and took my licensing course at home. I was able to complete the work and pass my exam more quickly and with less hassle than I could have by taking the course offered through the local technical school. Some people need the structure and would not fair well at this method. Also, one thing I did not get was a chance to network. This is a somewhat lonely profession and meeting others students and instructors is valuable for job leads and support and to be able to have someone to call when you encounter problems.

Just my 2 Cents. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I am not too sure we get out enough the way it is. I consider on line courses to be more structured than face to face classes. These classes often have free wheeling discussions that illuminate things not covered by the class material. No on line class can do that...except this forum.

I do see a tendency (certainly among the subcontractors I have) to take the cheapest Ed courses possible. You gets whatcha pay for. One recently flunked the state exam...I believe largely due to 60 hours of worthless classes she took from some private co. in NE Oklahoma. And folks that cheap are not usually willing to pay for a prep class. But isn't a prep class a pretty good investment when it costs no more than taking the exam twice ?

Terrel Shields, NW ARK

 

[Caterina Platt]

Would have to say that it depends. Depends on the person and the course material. I think appraisers working out of their homes pretty much all have to be the self supervised, disciplined types. Heck, we wouldn't get our work done otherwise! I did my pre licensing for my real estate exam through correspondence. The book was set up perfectly for self study and the material was not dry, intense, connect the brain cell type stuff.

Would I take a course in income capitalization, regression analysis, statistics or organic chemistry on line? Big Doubts! That type of material puts me to sleep when reading the text books. I would prefer an animated instructor and a classroom full of people to keep things interesting and bounce concepts and ideas off of. Some people would probably do great with some of the courses I mentioned online.

My state requires a mandatory course every three years for our real estate licenses, similar to taking USPAP every three years. While these are required to be taken 'live', I think this repetitive course with the recent changes and updates would be ideal for self study. Yet you can take courses in ethics on line, which I feel would be best taught live for classroom discussion and clarification of gray areas. Go figure! :roll:

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Lets by all means make ourselves even more isolated from the rest of the profession. The more we can do from home, the more we can hide away without human contact!

There is much to be said about social interplay between appraisers. Our local appraisers group is approaching 150 members from all over the state BECAUSE they work alone most of the time and feel a need to be around other appraisers to discuss appraisal issues. $25 bucks a year, and they get 12 hours of continuing education. What a deal.

 

[Jeff Horton]

I have recently taken both types of classes. I love the convinence of online Ed. I took classes from McKissok and AI and have to say the AI classes were much better and harder to get through. I think both types of classes have their place but unless you have a good instructor who controls the class and doesn't let it run down dead-end rabbit trails then I would rather take On-Line classes. I can do them when I want and get them done quicker too. I dont have to sit a class room bored because of some unrealted discussion. That is not why I came to class. I want to learn something for my money, not just put in my hours to keep the state happy!

I have only taken a couple of CE classes that were really good. The instructor makes or breaks the class in my opinon. If you have a good instructor that can teach me something and make it interesting give me a class room anytime. Till that point I lean toward on0line or home study classes.

Steps down off his soapbox.

 

[David C. Johnson]

Good question, Red. There are some disadvantages to online courses.

Statistically speaking, I believe the crowd on this forum are among that percentage of appraisers around the country who keep up with appraisal issues and techniques regardless of required CE.

Am I saying something as radical as the following: If all appraisers were similar to the majority of appraisers on this forum there would be little need for CE. You Bet I Am!!

Even with that having been said, I may be about to be booed off this thread: What I would like to see is Testing after each class whereby one gets credit for the CE only if one has paid enough attention to pass.

Of course, I can also see that there are some disadvantages to testing too.

Regards,

David C. Johnson, Raleigh

 

[Will Granger]

David,
I took a class in how to meet people and win friends. It was about making small talk and stuff. It was really neat. I took it correspondence over the internet, because I am not good at meeting people and winning friends. Now I have an Associate of Arts degree Interpersonal Relationship all achieved by myself, alone at my computer. 8)

 

[Red Blumenstock]

My hearty thanks to all who responded so far. I happen to agree with those of you who are most in favor of classroom as opposed to distance, but I really appreciate all your views.

What I am hearing is that the Instructor is a key element. If he/she keeps control of the class and does not allow far ranging dissertations, and also keeps the class moving so it doesn't have a chance to be boring, the classroom is a good (maybe better) alternative

In my opinion, the very worst kind of class is one in which the instructor reads to the attendees. I often state that I believe the attendees are literate and I will not read to the class. If the material is interesting and well presented, the class and the instructor can get a lot out of the presentation, especially if meaningful experiences and contributions are included by the participants.

Thanks again.

Red

 

[Don Clark]

8) Hi Red:

I like to look at this from a very personal, biased view. I am an instructor. If I do not teach I do not get paid :twisted:

Now, having said that, let me tell you my real reason for believing that classroom education is better. Personally, I learn something from my students(attendees if you prefer) in every course or seminar I teach. That has been trus since 1984, at the Community(Junior) College Level, Proprietary School Level, and as an independent instructor. So with me, it is a matter of my wanting interaction with my peers. We are probably one of the smallest groups of professional there is. We are basement and cave dwellers rarely seeing the light of day except when inspecting properties. Most of us do not attend sales meetings, Realtor meetings, professional organizational meetings, or any of the other things that are commonplace with realty agents. We are reclusive, incestious(we only hire and train family), suspecious, slightly paranoid, and could really use a breath of fresh air once inawhile and see the world without our green eyeshades on. Being gregarious, slightly opinionated, cranky, and a sometimes likeable old "$#@^", I love people. Like to meet appraisers from other parts of the country.

I firmly believe that if some appraisers are never exposed to ideas other than their own, their kids, and their wifes/husbands/girlfriends/boyfriends(is that PC enough), they will stagnant. We have some that are already beginning to smell. This forum and classroom education is their last hope.

Frankly, I believe that only about 10% or less of appraisers actually take online education.

I vote for classroom education. :wink:

Don