[codeb]

i've taken a few online classes. its alright for some classes, i guess. in some cases it was more work because you had to learn the material all by yourself without hearing it in class first or without much teacher insight. i know most of the time when i learn something i learn it on my own anyway so its actually more efficient to learn it on my own without having to show up to a class. but sometimes its just faster to hear an idea than to read it. and every so often a good teacher will expand on the material or somehow make easier to remember. but i agree that alot of times actually having to come to class is more hassle than benefit.

but a whole online degree? i dunno. an ex-coworker was doing her mba through university of phoenix. i dont think any of us had much respect for that degree from that school. but if she can make it work for her, good for her i guess.

[Zvengeance]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

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.

i taken online classes @ University Of South Florida and it is pretty good if you are a full time worker.

with those full time degree online classes the question is always if your degree will weigh as much as someone that went to college in person. that was always my question.

[Lubaolong]

Originally Posted by Zvengeance

with those full time degree online classes the question is always if your degree will weigh as much as someone that went to college in person. that was always my question.

Most of the time it doesn't seem they do, at least not yet.

[Zvengeance]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

Most of the time it doesn't seem they do, at least not yet.

what degree are you pursuing?

i actually enjoyed online classes. most of the times professors in class are just reading power slides that they post before class, which i could read it myself before exams and be ready.

[new_mexico1]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

Most of the time it doesn't seem they do, at least not yet.

I think that if you take the online classes from the university it doesn't matter or show up on the transcripts as an online class.l

[Ultrashogun]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

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.

First of all I believe that there is a bias when you compare online students with campus students. I could imagine that they are better on average because all the people fresh from highschool will probably not start an online degree. So you just have a much larger heterogeneous mass of people on campus.

And you talk about online studies being beneficial in terms of self discipline and independence. I for example spend 10+ hours on campus everyday, its not that I need this time to keep up, my philosophy is just simply that I always do the book from cover to cover, which has also paid off very nicely during exams.

Of those ten hours at most 6 are spent in a classroom, and thats the absolute max. So I really disagree that online classes require more discipline. Id say that top level students are represented in equal amounts amongst online students and campus students, there are just more shitty students on campus because thats where people will go "by default".

[Ultrashogun]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

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.

When we do written exams we are required to have our ID laying on the table together with our students card. At the end of the semester there is also always an oral exam on which you cannot really cheat.

Im also curious how they adress this in online schools.

[Lubaolong]

Originally Posted by Zvengeance

what degree are you pursuing?

I already have a few degrees. I've just been taking some different crap. Right now I think I'm going to work on a PhD in Chinese while I teach and then maybe take whatever classes I need for an administrative position.

Originally Posted by Ultrashogun

When we do written exams we are required to have our ID laying on the table together with our students card. At the end of the semester there is also always an oral exam on which you cannot really cheat.

Im also curious how they adress this in online schools.

That's true, but students could make a fake id if they were really determined to cheat.

For online, there's really nothing to stop a student determined to cheat. I mean, the classes I've taken have required a lot of writing, often about specific things from the text, and replying to what other students have written. If you could find someone to read all the text and write it for you, then there would really be nothing to stop you from cheat.

[SleepyBoy]

As a recruiter, i will give you my 100% honest opinion about Phoenix university.
I think the education is just as good, and helps professionals get the degrees they need. I would never look down on a degree from phoenix.
But a lot of employers do, especially the high profile ones. I would say as much as 50% of employers do not accept University of Phoenix and even from Strayer for the matter.

Employers are petty. Plain and simple.

[Braziluvr]

I'm in the middle of a career change so thanks for the info.