Online college = no joke

**Lubaolong** · 08-24-2007, 04:17 AM

I know many are often skeptical about online degrees, but there have many good qualities. I have completed 200+ credits between several brick and mortar schools, so I do have a point of comparison. I have just finished a few online classes for this summer semester and have been reminded how much I enjoy online learning. I thought I would make a thread about my experiences and see what the general opinion is.

From my experiences, I will say online education is superior in many ways to traditional learning. The University of Phoenix points out that numerous studies have proven that distance learners perform as well or better than their on-campus counterparts. The book, The No Significant Difference Phenomenon, by Thomas L. Russell, cites 355 research reports, papers, and summaries dating back to 1928 that found no significant difference between distance learning and in-class learning. Where a difference was identified, it generally favored the distance-learning student. Similarly, an extensive study conducted by University of Phoenix comparing its own campus-based students to distance learners came to the same conclusion. In addition, it identified the current online format as the most effective vehicle for distance education.

I think a strong point is the required self-discipline, self-motivation, and time management required to successfully complete these programs. It's much more challenging when you are responsible for your own active learning as opposed to showing up, listening for a bit, then taking a test every few weeks.

In the online classes I've taken, there was also usually a much heavier workload, and learning to be a self-learner was paramount. It actually required you to read extensively and really know the material, unlike many of the other courses I've taken in a traditional setting where you listen to lectures and take a multiple choice quiz once a month. No, this was quite different. For each class a typical workweek included reading around 100 pages of text, participating in discussions where you are presented 3-5 questions and are required to respond with a minimum 1 page essay to each in addition to writing lengthy responses to other students' essays, and completing a weekly quiz that included both multiple choice and essay questions. In addition, there were also 2 large projects, a midterm multiple choice and essay exam, and a final multiple choice and essay exam. All of these were timed of course.

Another reason I enjoy online education is I think a lot of time is wasted sitting in classes. In a traditional classroom, everybody has to work at the same pace. The problem is that not everyone learns in the same way or at the same speed. With online classes, you can go at your own pace, in your own way, anytime you want. There were some weeks I slacked a little, then other weeks where I worked almost a month ahead. It was nice being able to go as fast as I wanted, when I wanted.

I'll stop here and open the floor up for discussion.

dylanransom · 08-24-2007, 05:09 AM

Thanks for the review. Brick and Mortar college is not suitable to my situation, and it's nice to hear this stuff...

**Lubaolong** · 08-24-2007, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylanransom

Thanks for the review. Brick and Mortar college is not suitable to my situation, and it's nice to hear this stuff...

Unfortunately, there is still prejudice in many fields.

Flexwave2003 · 08-24-2007, 06:45 AM

There is good money laying brick and setting up foundations actually, I know guys with no education at all that make $40 grand a year doing that. Which is above average in my area.

dittohead84 · 08-24-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flexwave2003

There is good money laying brick and setting up foundations actually, I know guys with no education at all that make $40 grand a year doing that. Which is above average in my area.

WTF? Think you got the wrong end of the stick

SKBDO · 08-24-2007, 07:02 AM

"Use the system because the system would use you". I say this to people that might think online classes are cheating or not real schools, but if it works do what you can to make it in this world. In the end it's all about dead presidents.

w0cyru01 · 08-24-2007, 07:14 AM

For some fields there is nothing wrong with online learning.

Engineering....no way can online classes be better then traditional school.

bystander · 08-24-2007, 07:34 AM

I don't think online learning is necessarily a joke.

It seems like that it is much easier to cheat at an online institution. How can they verify who's taking the tests?

**Lubaolong** · 08-24-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander

I don't think online learning is necessarily a joke.

It seems like that it is much easier to cheat at an online institution. How can they verify who's taking the tests?

How do they verify who's taking the tests at a normal university? A TA that walks around a room of 100 students he's never seen before? If people are going to cheat, they are going to cheat. Anyway, who are you going to find to take the test for you? I would think at a traditional university it would be easier, since you have hundreds of students all in the same area learning the same material. For online classes, there might only be 20 people in your class that are scattered all across the world. I don't think it would be as easy to find someone willing to help you cheat.

w0cyru01 · 08-24-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bystander

I don't think online learning is necessarily a joke.

It seems like that it is much easier to cheat at an online institution. How can they verify who's taking the tests?

My co-worker is doing some online stuff. He is doing CLEP stuff right now I believe. He gets a book in the mail, reads the text and answers questions. Takes a few practice tests then he has to go to a local institution to take the exam on a computer. I'm pretty sure he needs to show ID and whatnot when he goes to take the test.