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The Education Debate Wouldn’t school be great If we could make our own schedules? Not Just picking out classes from pre-selected schedules, actually doing everything when it’s convenient for us. That’s exactly how it works when taking online courses. Online education is a great option for Individuals who can’t participate or don’t prefer to participate In classroom education. I’ve successfully done it myself. Online and classroom education both have the same goal; to teach the content of the selected courses to he students and to help the student to understand and pass the course.
Now the instructors obviously can’t go about it the same way, there has to be different teaching styles to reach the end goal. Traditional education requires in person attendance In class on a pre-selected schedule. Some students live In dorms and spend a lot of time on campus. There is more opportunity to Join clubs, associations & fraternities. All the resources that the school has are readily available during the day for campus students. Online education, or distance learning, consists of taking lasses via internet.
It is flexible and convenient because there’s no set schedule other than assignment due dates. A student can work on assignments and study any time of the day that works for them. Distance learners don’t spend much time on campus because there’s really no need to be there except for midterms and final exams. In some cases, there’s no requirement to come to campus at all. Distance learners must communicate with Instructors Veal email. Phone or blackboard. Online classes are perfect for “adult” students or people with busy work schedules & family responsibilities.
It’s very hard to dedicate set times to go too classroom 2-3 days a week per class when there’s so many other things going on in life that are Just as important. It also saves gas money because there is no commute to/from campus on a regular basis. It’s good for people that travel frequently because as long as there’s access to the Internet, there’s access to the course. Classes can be taken at schools that are out of state without having to transfer residence. If a student is sick one day or has to do overtime at work. They wouldn’t have to worry about missing classes.
The work can be done at a pace suitable for the student and tasks can be delegated accordingly. With distance learning, there’s no campus drama or distractions from other students. It is good for people that are considered Independent learners. Some say that online classes are for lazy people. I’d say they’re for busy people. If right out of high school and continuing on to college, there may not be a need for distance learning. It gives people the ability to take classes, when they otherwise may not be able to. Yes, there can be distractions at home that can affect distance learners. That’s where the self motivation has to kick in.
The work has to be done in as traditional learners. With online education, direct contact with other students and professors is limited and said to affect social skills. I disagree. Social skills are developed well before college. I suppose a non-working student who never leaves the house for anything would be a person that still needs help with social skills, but that would be the exception to the norm. There would be fewer opportunities for distance learners to Join campus clubs and do extracurricular activities, but if these hinges are important to them then they will make time to do them.
Overall, a student’s learning experience, whether it be traditional or distance, is what they make it. Vive done them both and I prefer distance. Each student has to pick what’s right for them and their lifestyle. Just like traditional, online courses are effective options for those wanting to further their education and be successful. The credits that are earned from the courses, and ultimately the degrees that are received equal the same thing, a successful college career.