[chrstrm]

actually, i'm doing a second bachelors degree online with northeastern university. when i get the paper, it won't say "online."

i would hesitate doing an online degree with a "nationally accredited school". gotta stick with regional accreditation.

[mmaoverload]

UOP online has an e-commerce/business bachelors degree. That's pretty cool.

In my particular situation, it'd be real tough to go back to school while running a business and helping clients grow theirs (my cell phone is rarely quiet).

I don't need a bachelors, but it'd be nice to finish out my associates. Where I went would probably never transfer though since it was a tech school.

[Benzine87]

I hear the American education system in general is a lot different to the British one, so i was thinking of checking out some of it when i move there.

I was thinking of doing evolutionary biology, military history or finance. Any of these particularly good/bad to do online. bearing in mind i only have british qualifications at the moment, so i might need to get a GED first.

These arent career linked specifically either, theyre just subjects im interested in

[WandyWiolentFan]

I heard online college is way too expensive. you can take the same courses at a community college for a lot cheaper.

[bunnyclaws]

Originally Posted by WandyWiolentFan

I heard online college is way too expensive. you can take the same courses at a community college for a lot cheaper.

Or you could probably take community college courses online.

[Nihilistic]

im all for online education, however it does not apply to my field of interest much. however learning the theory behind biology online has helped me out tremendously thus far

[Happy Boy]

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.

Why would it be a joke? If anything its harder as you are 100% on your own.

No tutorials would be the drawback, everything via email instead of an hour's chat with a tutor or a group would labour some things and make them tougher.

[Dao Jones]

My wife has been teaching college level courses for 19 years, online classes for about 6 years. I'm not aware of any college that does not integrate online or distance learning in some fashion, though I'm sure there are a few. Most colleges now offer web enhanced and online classes in addition to traditional, on site classes.

I can tell you that online classes can be tough, depending on the instructor. Testing is not the only way you are graded, so having someone simply take a test for you won't cut it. My wife's online students also have to engage in online forum discussions and exercises. Like a traditional class, you must meet deadlines for submitting work and testing. It's surprising how many students don't bother logging in until the last few weeks of class, expecting to be able to complete the work at the last minute. When they find that they're locked out of work that they missed deadlines on the excuses and crying begins.

[Lubaolong]

Originally Posted by Happy Boy

Why would it be a joke? If anything its harder as you are 100% on your own.

No tutorials would be the drawback, everything via email instead of an hour's chat with a tutor or a group would labour some things and make them tougher.

Most people who have never taken online classes probably think of them as easy and maybe not as effective. From the ones I've taken, I've felt just the opposite. Last semester, I think I took 5 classes, 4 at the university and 1 online. Despite being a wussy class, the online one required more work each week than the other 4 combined and was setup where I actually had to know the material really well. Online classes are a lot of work.

[Epic Poster]

This is a little OT but in high school my best class where I learned the most BY FAR was Long Distance AP U.S. History. My regular teacher was the most PC ass hole I've ever met. I would love to see that dumb ass post in the war room, he'd be torn to fucking shreds. I learned almost nothing listening to him, huge waste of time.

Also the AP class is probably the only class I NEVER cheated in. Because there was no point, if I cheated I would fail the end of the year test for college credits, and the whole thing would have been a waste of time. So yeah long distance was BY FAR better then regular classes.

Funny story about my history teacher. When explaining the battle of Marathon he said the guy that ran the marathon ran it "because he was so happy the Persians were COMPLETELY DEFEATED he had to tell the Athenians right away" I was first thinking no ass hole it was because the Persians weren't completely defeated and they were going to invade Athens before the army came back. Then I thought who the fuck would run so hard they died because they were "So happy" I called him on it and he said he explained it that way because he didn't have time to explain the whole story.