Mission College Puts English 101 on Web

With a reading list of Plato, Marx, Jung and others, the syllabus for English 101 at Mission College looks much like that of any other basic reading and composition course.

A closer look reveals the course is something different. In what is a first for the Sylmar community college, English 101 is available entirely via the Internet.

Offered for the first time this spring, the experimental course is being taught by David Jones, who also designed the World Wide Web site where the course materials appear. About 15 students are enrolled.

In addition to the syllabus and Jones’ lecture notes, the Web site contains an extensive network of hyperlinks with the potential to connect students to other sites containing related information, research materials and online writing workshops.

“By its nature, this course attracts more motivated and independent-minded students,” Jones said. “It’s not for every student and it’s not meant to be a substitute for classroom instruction.”

The Internet option is especially attractive for nontraditional students, such as single parents and those whose job schedules require them to work irregular hours, Jones said.

Students in Mission’s electronic classroom submit their assignments and questions by e-mail, and Jones said that he tries to respond to all communications within one day. He said the absence of face-to-face contact between instructor and student has had a surprising result.

“I’m experiencing more communication than ever before between me and my students,” he said. “There is something about the electronic curtain and e-mail that makes students feel less vulnerable, especially those who are shy or easily intimidated.”

The Internet version of English 101 will be offered again in the fall semester, Jones said, as will a second electronic course, Business 101.

“The World Wide Web is certainly a brand-new frontier for teaching,” he said. “I think more courses will follow, enabling students who can’t make it to campus to get an education.”