Are You For It or Against It?

in Education by Casie Forbes — June 1, 2011 at 10:00 am | 1 comment

Pros and Cons of Distance Education

Distance education may be increasing in appeal, but it’s not always best for everyone.

Simply defined, distance education (or online education) is the ability to take courses anywhere in the world with no commute except the Internet superhighway. This type of education usually allows its students to study in his or her free time.

This may all sound good, but before a student makes a commitment, it is important to see if an online education is a perfect match.

The Pros of Online Learning

1. It can take place anywhere: The most obvious of benefits is that online education can occur in the home, at work, at the library, and practically anywhere else with an Internet connection. According to the Illinois Online Network’s online education overview, this advantage helps students who may have busy schedules, who have young children at home, or who would need to commute long distances to sit in a classroom.
2. Students set the pace: Because the course isn’t being held at a specific time in a classroom, students can set their own pace. Online courses are available to students 24 hours a day, every day. In addition to the easy access, it allows students who enjoy reading the material and lectures to reread them again and again.
3. Positive synergy: Just as in a classroom setting, the smaller the class size, the more one-on-one attention students get with the instructor and other students. Sometimes colleges put a limit on how many seats are available for a course. For upper-division or master’s degree classes, or even Ph.D. programs, the maximum capacity is around 10 to 15 students. This allows students to interact dynamically with each other, which creates a setting where students can share ideas and resources.
4. It can be less expensive: When a student isn’t spending money on transportation, food, shelter, and more, he or she can afford tuition without putting too much strain on a budget.
5. Students are more readily accepted: Most online institutions are appealing to a wide variety of students, and because of this, they are more willing to accept individuals. Universities are starting to see the advantages they are gaining from online degree-seeking students, so the number of seats that fit within a classroom doesn’t limit class sizes.

The Cons for Learning Online

1. A student must be computer literate: The first distinguishable problem is that the student must be able to work a computer. Students will need to know how to run word processors, use the Internet, upload/download information, and other possible programs depending on the program he or she is in. If a student feels he or she cannot adequately use a computer, online ed may not be the best match.
2. Facilitators differ in ability and training: Most institutions require their online educators to be able to host an online programs successfully, but this isn’t universal among all colleges. In addition, some teachers have a preference when teaching. If his or her preference or strength is not in virtual teaching, it may lead to the students feeling confused. According to Steve Kolowich’s article published by USA Today on March 29, 2010 titled “Community College Dean Adds Human Touch to Distance Learning,” very few professors are utilizing options such as video, which could improve a professor’s online teaching ability. Without video or audio, a professor loses his or her human-touch, according to Kolowich. When a student doesn’t feel he or she is getting that human interaction in a technological setting, it can increase the chances that a student will drop the course.
3. Negative synergy: Unfortunately, not everyone benefits from the synergy of a class online. General education classes and required courses are usually packed with students. The Illinois Online Network reports that large classes around 20 or more students lead to a more independent study instead of a more intimate setting. The website states, “At this point, dialog is limited as well as interaction among participants and the facilitator.”
4. Avoid the diploma mills: Just as one would research colleges by going on tours, potential online students must do their homework for online institutions. As technology increases, so do the scams and diploma mills that state they are giving you a certifiable degree when the student is actually not receiving an accredited certificate. To see a list of accredited and unaccredited institutions, visit the U.S. Department of Education.
5. It is not for the procrastinators: One misconception students have when considering online education is that there is less work. Wrong. Online courses can have just as much homework – or more – than a classroom setting. Since the student is not participating in the activities in class, professors implement these activities online. That way the student is getting the full educational experience.

Whether students are considering online classes now or in the future, it is best that a student contacts an adviser with any questions or concerns he or she has about an institution’s online programs.

Tags: distance education institutions student synergy