What's up with colleges not wanting to offer math courses online?

Has anyone experienced the issue of colleges/universities not offering certain math courses online? I'm finishing up my bachelor's degree and I have found that neither my local community college or univeristy will offer the last math course that I have to take (trigonometry). I understand that math courses aren't the easiest courses to take online but it's certainly doable especially when they have access to resources such as Centra to hold live help sessions and such.

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Comments

Zartanasaurus

I see tons of math courses offered online.

Here's an expensive, but interesting option.

hackman2007

I'm pretty sure that the university I attended (Missouri State University) offered trigonometry online.

exampasser

In that case, it appears that it's just my local community college and university that don't like offering math courses online then.

the_Grinch

If I had to put a reason to it, cheating is the one I would think of. I know I've spoken to a lot of people who took online math courses and their answers always were "I know someone at work who is really great at math and they've "helped" me"

petedude

exampasser wrote: »

Has anyone experienced the issue of colleges/universities not offering certain math courses online? I'm finishing up my bachelor's degree and I have found that neither my local community college or univeristy will offer the last math course that I have to take (trigonometry). I understand that math courses aren't the easiest courses to take online but it's certainly doable especially when they have access to resources such as Centra to hold live help sessions and such.

Math is generally regarded as a difficult subject to teach via distance learning methods. Many people need hands-on explanation of steps and theory from an in-person instructor in order to grasp the subject properly not to mention the need for tutors, etc. Additionally, many of the more tenured math professors may be among the most resistant in moving to online classes, for fear of their jobs.

Math instruction via distance learning (online, etc.) has come a long way in the last decade or so, but still has a way to go to be universally available and viable.

exampasser

the_Grinch wrote: »

If I had to put a reason to it, cheating is the one I would think of. I know I've spoken to a lot of people who took online math courses and their answers always were "I know someone at work who is really great at math and they've "helped" me"

I am one of those people that others go to for math help (I don't help them **** though).

Zartanasaurus

the_Grinch wrote: »

If I had to put a reason to it, cheating is the one I would think of. I know I've spoken to a lot of people who took online math courses and their answers always were "I know someone at work who is really great at math and they've "helped" me"

Still got to take a proctored test or two.

galed

UWF offers many math courses online. Even a whole masters program online. UWF - Online Campus - Graduate Programs

It just depends on the college or university I guess.

mathmaniac55

Hey I just wanted to chime in as I see you're having difficulties finding math courses online. I would highly recommend looking online for different programs that are geared directly with math degree's online or in the field you are looking for. One option that you might want to look at is Online Math Degrees: Find Bachelors or Masters Degree in Mathematics which is a very helpful site in regards to answering questions about salary, online degrees, cost, different careers you can have after you get your degree etc. Although it might sem as though there are less onlien courses, I tend to think it's the other way around and there are plenty of options for you online that will help you with your degree.

Another option would be to start researching different online programs or programs you can complete from your own house. Obviously it sounds like this is what you're looking for and with some time and effort looking around the web, I think you'll find a lot of help! What can I do with a degree in mathematics? another link you can take a look at for further suggestions on where to go at this point.

I hope this helps a bit and best of luck in the future!

joeykeis

I took a year of Calculus online and it was a total nightmare... The tests had to be proctored and the instructor was only available via email, it was a pretty much do it yourself type of deal..
But I mean as people pointed above, it really depends on the College. Some do and some don't. I had to find one that offered higher level math (Calc+Diff Eqs) in order to fulfill pre-reqs to transfer into a regular University.

Valsacar

For stuff below Calc (like pre-calc/trig/college algebra) ALEKS is a great way to get the classes done. It's cheap (20 USD/mo, go at your pace) and ACE approved for college credit. Check with your school to see if they will accept that credit from ACE. If they do then you just sign up with ALEKS and do the course, once completed go over to ACE (register if you haven't) and transfer the credits over. ACE costs 40 bucks the first time, one free transcript. They also have ACE approved stats. Excelsior is where I did my BS and I got 12 credits done for 20 bucks!