U.S.S. Online Education: Navigating The High Seas Of Large Classes

Abstract

Higher education has incorporated technology to the point of having 100% web-based degree programs composed of classes of geographically dispersed students taught by faculty from different universities that are also geographically dispersed.  This kind of flexibility for learning opportunities is well on its way to being a standard option in education.  But there are trade-offs and there are problems not yet solved.  Increasing numbers of students create difficulties in managing interactions and challenges the quality and rigor that is possible in delivering the course.   This paper presents a redesign option to manage the increasing enrollments in an online graduate level management class.   As an unexpected consequence of redesign, the level of critical thinking of the students increased.