Whereas in the past only a few universities offered courses via the World Wide Web, this is no longer the case. In fact, today, although several established online universities remain in the forefront of distance education, most institutions of higher learning now offer at least some online courses, and that number increases with each new semester.
Moreover, many universities that formerly offered courses in only a traditional classroom setting are now even considering expanding their online course offerings to include entire degree programs.
Technology has definitely changed the face of education; and given both the increasing number of online course offerings and the myriad choices of universities to attend, many people who previously might not have considered distance learning an option are now seriously contemplating joining the ever-growing ranks of cyber-learners.
However, before they enroll in any online educational program, people should first examine the pros and the cons of distance learning.
The Pros of Online Learning
Online education is a viable option for many people, especially those who work full-time, because it affords them a level of flexibility, comfort, and convenience that isn’t possible when attending campus classes.
Flexibility in Attending College Online
With distance learning, students can attend class either at midnight, in the wee hours of the morning, or in the middle of the afternoon. In other words, they can choose when to attend class. They can even attend on their lunch break at work or perhaps sneak in a few minutes during a lull at the office. It’s really their call.
Comfort and Convenience in Attending College Online
Students can go to class in the comfort of their own homes, where they can sit at their computer while wearing pajamas and sipping a hot cup of cocoa, instead of fighting traffic and trudging across campus in inclement weather. Moreover, since they do not have to drive to and from campus, students naturally save time; and this is time that can be devoted to their studies. Plus, they save on the cost of gasoline, as well as wear and tear on their vehicles, and even sundry items like clothing and backpacks.
In addition, thanks to today’s high-tech environment, students can access their courses and check messages via their telephones, Blackberries, or other electronic gadgets; and if they own a laptop, which most students do, they can even attend class while on vacation with the family in some distant exotic location.
Major Advantage of Attending College Online
One big plus of online learning is how it affords people who would not otherwise be able to attend college the opportunity to do exactly that. It means they do not have to give up their dreams of personal fulfillment, a different career, a promotion at work, or a better life for their children. They can have these things because they can obtain the education that will help them make these dreams a reality.
The Cons of Online Learning
Some people make the mistake of thinking that just because advertisements for online educational programs often use such catchy phrases as “learn at your convenience” or “education at your own pace,” it means they can pick and choose when or even if they attend class. Yes, students can choose what time of day to attend class (an exception is when a university requires “real time” discussions or seminars), but online classes have strict requirements regarding how often students attend and to what extent they participate.
Sample of Online College Course Requirements:
- Students must respond to weekly discussion questions (the number of questions varies depending upon the university, the course, and the instructor).
- Students must post responses to discussion questions by the established due dates or incur a late penalty.
- Students must meet the word-count and substance requirements for discussion question responses.
- Students must actively participate in discussions with their classmates.
- Students must participate a prescribed number of days per week (the number of days varies from university to university).
- Students must post a required number of substantive responses to their classmates each week (this also varies from university to university).
Other Factors to Consider in Distance Learning
In addition to participating in course discussions and/or seminars, students have weekly assignments to complete, for example, essays, worksheets, book reports, case study analyses, and research papers. Moreover, some classes have quizzes, midterms, and final exams. And regardless of the complexity of the assignment, it must be posted by its due date or the student faces what is often a hefty late penalty.
Finally, there are the required readings. Yes, even campus classes require that students read; however, many online classes use e-books, which some students find frustrating, mainly because reading for long periods of time on a computer screen can be tiresome. Of course, students can print the readings if they so choose. Moreover, in most instances, hardcopies of textbooks are available through major booksellers, and students may even be able to locate used copies, which are far less expensive than new copies. Then again, since part of the tuition fee covers access to the electronic readings, not all students can justify the added expense of purchasing hardcopies of required textbooks.
Making the Decision to Attend College Online
Yes, cyber-learners do enjoy a certain degree of flexibility, comfort, and convenience, which they would not enjoy if attending a brick-and-mortar university; but in order to succeed in the online learning environment, students must be able to manage their time and meet deadlines. They must also be disciplined and organized. Finally, and perhaps most important, they must be determined, for in the end, if students are determined enough, nothing will prevent them from succeeding and turning their dreams into reality, regardless of how they choose to attend college.