Sunday, April 11, 2010

The Pros and Cons of Online Education

Imagine a world in which no one leaves their dwelling to go to school, where books in the form of objects made from paper do not exist, where all teaching and learning take place through interaction with a "mechanical teacher". In 1951, when Isaac Asimov wrote "The Fun They Had", ideas such as these were pure science fiction; laughable almost. Yet, here I sit with my netbook on my lap, preparing a lesson for you, most of whom I've never met, and when I'm finished, I'll relax while reading a bestselling novel on my electronic reader. Science fiction? Not anymore. Online education is here and rising in popularity at a rate 10% faster than traditional classroom education. Will it replace traditional education? Probably not, but understanding the benefits as well as the drawbacks of online schooling will help to explain why it is not going to go away.

Remote or distance learning was nothing more than correspondence courses offered through snail mail up until 1960 when the University of Illinois first developed PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations). PLATO allowed students to sit at a computer terminal and receive individualized lessons and tests from a remote instructor. As this technology was being developed, so was the internet. But distance learning did not explode until the advent of the World Wide Web in 1989. In 1989, The University of Phoenix offered the first fully online bachelor's and master's degree programs. Jones International University became the first fully accredited, 100% online, college in 1993. Today there are a myriad of online school offerings, everything from elementary education through the highest degree levels. Anyone can take advantage of online schooling, yet everyone should understand the risks as well as the pros and cons of online education.

Focusing specifically on adult education, which is the reason online schooling was initially created, taking courses online is convenient, less costly, and can often be completed at an individual's pace. Convenience is probably the single most compelling reason for taking online classes. One never has to leave their home, can go online at any time of the day or night, does not need to be concerned with transportation or parking issues, and can wear anything he or she wants. Some online courses offer open time lines which enable the student to proceed as quickly or as slowly as he or she is comfortable. Although the cost of an online course itself may not be less expensive than a traditional campus class, the fact that there are no transportation fees, parking fees, housing costs, or additional food expenses makes online learning a much less expensive endeavor for most people. These conveniences are ideal for the student who has a very busy lifestyle, especially those who are working and/or have family responsibilities. Many people today have been able to acquire or finish their college educations when they otherwise would not have been able to, due to lack of time or other responsibilities. Another positive aspect of online education is that it can provide students with disabilities an education they may otherwise have been prevented from receiving.

An online education is beneficial to many people, but it is not for everyone. There are equally compelling reasons to seek an education through traditional means due to some of the drawbacks of online schooling. The first thing to consider regarding online learning is the technology it requires. Not everyone has access to a computer or the internet, both of which are required for successful online learning. Some individuals learn better from face to face human interaction as opposed to the anonymous environment created by online schooling. A student's personal strengths and weaknesses need to be taken into consideration when deciding between traditional and online learning. To be successful in online classes, one must have a good sense of self discipline and be motivated to meet deadlines while providing quality work all without the prompting of a teacher. A procrastinator will have difficulty with online courses. Lack of social interaction and immediate feedback are two additional drawbacks to online schooling. Many students thrive on the give and take of lively classroom discussion. This cannot be adequately achieved in an online environment. Others perform better with immediate feedback to their questions and concerns. In online courses, immediate feedback is rare and can cause uncertainty or unsatisfactory work from the student. Since online schooling has become more prevalent, there is also the problem of education scams; programs that are not accredited, diploma mills, and fraudulent sites that take a student's money then disappear into cyberspace.

Not all students fit the mold of traditional education or schools. Online education can be the solution. Shy students can speak up through the anonymity of the computer. Students can log in to their learning programs anytime and from anywhere internet access is available. Students who cannot afford the full costs of a college education can still earn their degree. Students who cannot attend campus classes due to work or family obligations are now able to take classes. Many students are creating a program of learning which combines online courses with traditional classroom courses. Development of high quality, accredited online programs are part of the educational mainstream and offer employment opportunities which never existed before. A greater number of people throughout the world now have access to better and more varied educational programs. Although the" mechanical teacher" Isaac Asimov envisioned in 1951 takes the form of a desktop, laptop, or netbook computer connected to theWorld Wide Web, his concept of "futurized" education was not far from today's reality.

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