Published by deborah.woehr on 15 Jan 2006 at 01:28 am
Traditional vs. Online Education
Quoted from Some Students Prefer Classes Online
In fact, the distinction between online and “face-to-face” courses is blurring rapidly. Many if not most traditional classes now use online components — message boards, chat rooms, electronic filing of papers. Students can increasingly “attend” lectures by downloading a video or a podcast.
One of the arguments presented in the article were the motivations of the students. Some are too lazy (or hung over) to get out of bed and go to class, yes. But there are the rest, who either can’t get into a required class because it’s full or don’t have time during the day because they work.
I’ve taken classes traditionally, online, and through correspondence. The latter two methods weren’t any more difficult academic-wise. However, there were days where I had to force myself to sit down and complete an assignment. Self-discipline and motivation are key components to succeeding with the distant learning method.
The one thing I liked the best about distant learning was that I can go at my own pace. There were some subjects that I zoomed through, while others needed more time and attention. There are some subjects that I would rather take in a traditional classroom. Math has always been my worst subject, for instance.
If you were forced to change careers and needed a degree, which route would you take?
Benjamin Solah on 15 Jan 2006 at 7:13 am #
I’m currently studying via correspondence, and I must say, it is not my thing. It is partly getting motivated to do the work, partly the fact that there is much more enjoyment in learning with other people personally, and part the fact that the course is crap. My teacher barely knows how to respond to an email. The assignments are pointless (almost all consisting of 200 word essays. 200 words!) I better get into Sydney Uni because I’m not continueing with this.
deborah.woehr on 15 Jan 2006 at 8:00 am #
It sounds like you have a rotten teacher who isn’t technologically up to speed. The correspondence courses I’ve taken involved research, practice exercises, and intense study. The only homestudy courses I don’t recommend are those that come from Education Direct. They are too basic.
Cavan on 15 Jan 2006 at 4:19 pm #
You can lump me in with the “lazy” group. At my school, you need a machete to cut through all the red tape involved in signing up for distance ed classes, so I go the traditional route. Of course, being lazy, I don’t always make it to class.
The other university in town has its own local TV channel and most of the classes are broadcast on it. So, a lot of students stay home and simply tape each class. I’d love a setup like that, but I guess I’ll have to stick with waiting at the bus stop in the cold Canadian mornings for the time being.
deborah.woehr on 15 Jan 2006 at 4:44 pm #
LOL! I don’t envy those cold Canadian mornings or the long, boring lectures.
Lee Pletzers on 15 Jan 2006 at 11:52 pm #
I’m into online classes, basically ’cause I work all day and most of the evening and have a limited time frame to get things done.
pat kirby on 16 Jan 2006 at 8:58 am #
For a real degree–as opposed to some of the fluffy stuff that certain “get your degree in a year” outfits offer–I’d go the traditional route.
I’ve taken online classes for work related training. Invariably, I lost motivation and got bored. When possible, I just cheated.
I need a teacher and the motivation that comes from dragging my butt to class. Also, I enjoy the interaction with other students.
I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go to school now, though. I just can’t imagine mustering the motivation or interest.
Deborah on 16 Jan 2006 at 2:19 pm #
Lee: I went to a tradeschool at night, after working 10-hour days. It’s tough. If I had to do it all over again, I may opt for the online education.
Pat: There’s a lot to be said for social interaction. Some courses require it. As for the online degrees, I found it prudent to investigate the school to find out whether or not their curriculum was on the up-and-up.
Fredcq on 17 Jan 2006 at 7:49 am #
If I was going to go back to school, I would loathe having to sit in class again, lol. I would surely go the online way.
Marti on 21 Feb 2006 at 7:10 am #
I like online learning as well. Being able to set my own pace was the biggest advantage.
Good discussion!
Robin R. Helsel on 28 Apr 2006 at 7:28 pm #
Personally, online is the only way I go and after reading previous responses, it sounds like the majority of students responding are younger with little responsibility and have not learned to be disciplined. Online classes at http://www.ccconline.org have a great curriculum and instructors that return emails promptly, encourage discussions for peer review and discipline. Discipline is the key to online courses and you are the only one that can make your education what you want. “Life is what we make of it” Online classes have made it possible for me a mother of three daughters, wife, rancher, dental surgical assistant and student to achieve a degree at the age of 40. I was in the military so discipline is not an issue and perserverance and hard work pays off. Find a college that offers ccconline.org. You won’t regret it.
2006 Writer’s Blog Anthology » Blog Archive » Deborah Woehr on 21 May 2006 at 9:45 am #
[...] Traditional vs. Online Education This post was inspired by an article I’d read about how the Internet is changing the face of education. Being a Do-It-Myself learner, I prefer online education over traditional for most subjects. I wanted to know how others felt about this. [...]