Pros/Cons of distance learning (online classes)
77How much time can online classes take?
I am a huge proponent of online classes. Here's my story: I went to college (state school) for my bachelor's, and I'm really glad that I did. I got to go through the dorm experience, I met a lot of great people, and I didn't end up paying too much.
However, after I graduated, I missed taking classes, and I enrolled for online classes. I was working at the time, and online classes worked the best for my schedule. Now I am close to earning an additional associate's degree to go with my bachelor's, all from classes that I've taken in the past few months! It's so easy for me, and now I'm taking classes to help learn Spanish (a skill I need for my line of work).
While I love distance learning, online classes aren't for everyone. Here's a few pros and cons of online classes:
CONS
- One of the biggest cons to online classes is that they're not for all types of learners. If you need a set time for a session in order to motivate you to go and learn, then online may not be the best setting for you. Additionally, you need to have the gumption to hop on the computer and do your work frequently. No one else is really ensuring that your work is getting done... It's all up to you when you take classes online!
- You might not know who you're dealing with when you take classes online. If you don't feel comfortable giving all of your information over the Internet, this option might not be the best.
- There might be some quality lost in taking online classes. While an instructor may be very learned in a subject, he or she may not know all of the ins and outs of the Internet, and this can impact the quality of your experience.
- You won't get the opportunity to really meet new people. Sure, you can give an introduction of yourself online, but you won't really benefit from human contact as often as if you weren't participating in distance learning. Sometimes you might meet for a group project, but as people take online classes for a reason, getting together can be difficult.
- You need to have the right equipment. You might have a computer, but you might need to update your system in order to use the systems that your class is accessed through. This can be expensive... and you're already paying so much for books!
PROS
- If you need a more flexible learning schedule (i.e. you work full-time or have children), you can log onto your online class at anytime. I work 45-60 hours a week, and it's difficult for me to take classes in a classroom... My schedule varies from week to week, and sometimes I might be free in the evening on a Monday, but the next week, I might be busy at that time.
- If you live in a more rural area, or if your transportation situation is difficult or complicated, you don't have to drive to school, pay for and find parking, and pay for gas.
- If you are more comfortable writing a response than saying it out loud to someone's face, then online classes are great for you! You might even have speaking problems or you might have a disability, but online classes can be accomodating in many ways.
- Online classes can add diversity to a class because geographical barriers become obsolete. I've had classes with people from other states.
- The option for professors to teach online can allow for higher enrollment. Teaching online allows for more flexibility, which can mean time for an extra classes, which means another 30 or so students can take an important class that they couldn't get in the classroom.
- Online classes can be cheaper, depending on the institution. For instance, I take my classes through California community colleges, which, if you're in-state, can be $13 a unit. Then if you apply for financial aid, they can be even cheaper!
- There are so many options for classes to take. You can really do anything online. I'm taking a Spanish class right now, and while it may seem like I would miss out on the opportunity to speak and hear Spanish, there are online coursebooks and materials developed in order to make up for this apparent lack. I can listen to conversations in Spanish, and I am required to call my professor from time to time to ensure that my pronunciation and skills are developing adequately.
Relevant Information and Links
- California Community Colleges System Office
The California Community Colleges System provided educational, vocational and transfer programs to more than 2.5 million students during academic year 2005-2006. Constituting the largest system of higher education in the world, the California Communi - California Virtual Campus » Students » CVC Course Catalog
- Online Courses & Career Training - eLearners.com
Online courses from online colleges and universities - online training classes, online career training, tutorials, non-credit online courses, distance learning courses and online degree completion courses. - Online Education | Colleges, Degrees, Classes, Programs, and Courses
Improve your earning power, further your job prospects or increase your chances for promotion. An online education can help you achieve your goals. Earn your degree at a pace that is convenient for you.
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I returned to school in my thirties and I took most of my classes on line at community college. I appreciated the flexibility of doing work according to my schedule. Plus, since I was an older student, I was more comfortable taking classes on line. I didn't want to be mistaken for the professor on my first day of classes.
Thanks for all the info. I've been toying with the idea of taking some courses online. I think the option to take them online is more appealing than having to sit in a classroom.
Appreciated your article. It's something I've been thinking about for some time and this gives me a look at both sides.
Your HubPage about the differences between online college classes and traditional classes offers a very intelligent analysis of the issues. As a full time online teacher of writing, I have found that the students in my online college courses really appreciate the flexibility of the online courses in terms of time management.
Generally speaking, my students tell me the biggest advantage of the online courses they take at the various online degree programs (I am teaching for three different online degree programs right now) is represented by their ability to enter the online courses when they have time to do the work. Very often, I find that my online students are working more than one job and have children that need attention. Numerous times I have been told by my online students that online college classes are the only way they could even think about earning an academic degree given the demands of their daily lives.
While it is certainly true that taking online college courses demands a good measure of time management and self direction, these courses are, for many working adults, the only way to access college. Admittedly, there are some downsides such as a lack of face-to-face interaction with the teacher and other students and the necessary learning curve inherent in using a computer interface to participate in academic learning, but in the main I find that my students are willing to put up with those difficulties in order to have a legitimate chance to earn an online college degree.
adjunct
Thanks to everyone for all of your comments, and thank you to adjunct for adding that great point. Sometimes everyone cannot have access to all kinds of education, and online classes are very accessible.
Do you have any thoughts on the effectiveness or enjoyment of the courses themselves? In other words, was the course successful at teaching, and did it do it in a way that would make you want to take more?
I work for an elearning software company, so I try to get feedback on things that people wish were better.
Ron, I've always enjoyed my classes online. I took a Spanish course, which I was leery about at first (language class online?), and I was so enthralled by the results that I wanted to go take the second level. Of course, it's not for everyone, but I enjoyed all of my classes.
I have to disagree. I attend classes at ITT Technical Institute, and I have learned alot more in the Labs doing AutoCAD and the associated 3D Modeling programs than you would ever learn online. I have an AS Degree in Computer Drafting & Design and am attending for a Bachelor Degree in Construction Management; again, maybe it depends on the course program, but attending a Technical College far outweighs what you could possibly learn online. I can't even imagine trying to learn AutoCAD online...?
Great point, DragonRider; I think it definitely depends on the subject. I would have a hard time learning, say, math online, but for others it might not be that bad. Language classes might seem weird, too, but when I took an online Spanish class, I actually learned a lot!
Teresa McGurk 3 years ago
thanks - I was interested because I've always felt that online courses weren't for everyone; your list of pros and cons is sensible. I'm thinking of taking courses myself, now that I'm retired, so this was helpful info.