Students, Professors Push Back on the Growth of Online Education
师生对在线教育增长抱持隐忧

debate辩论
majority多数
instruction指导
concern关系
peer同辈
faculty教职


Education officials and industry experts are debating the future of online learning. The discussion is important because recently hundreds of universities in the United States have moved classes online because of the spread of the new coronavirus.


For Asha Choksi, the rise of internet-based or online study programs has led to major improvements in higher education.


However, recent research suggests the majority of college students and professors prefer in-person instruction. In addition, some experts are concerned that companies supervising online learning programs are not clear about the policies they have with the schools they serve.


Last year, the EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research published two opinion studies on online higher education programs. Researchers asked over 40,000 American undergraduate students and 9,500 professors what they thought about these programs. In both groups, at least 70 percent of people said they prefer in-person instruction. 


"Students see in-class lectures as opportunities to engage with instructors, peers, and...content," the researchers wrote. "Faculty satisfaction with their overall technology experience has declined."
In-person learning is especially important in fields like healthcare and teaching. Online education can never really take its place, said Stephanie Hall. 


新闻来源：VOA