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This is not an anti-online rant. The internet has changed our lives, mostly for the better. This is a dilemma concerning a couple of things. My wife is looking to go into a completely new career field and she has two options: taking the classes online for $3,000 or taking an identical program at the same brick and mortar school for $16,000. She hesitates to take them online because although she is thoroughly versed in computers, she does not like the idea of online education. There is no contact with other students and it can be difficult talking to the instructor when she has questions. The online is much cheaper, but if she opts for the online and dislikes it, she loses her money, and $3,000 is a lot of money to lose. However, the $16K is a lot as well. (This a long term certification course program through a highly regarded community college).
Online education is convenient. It can be invaluable if a person lives in a rural area and transportation is a problem. But is it as good quality? I am thinking of starting an online Master's program but maybe I should opt for the brick and mortar myself. It's more of a hassle, but it is more gratifying? Is it worth is to pay more for online? To pay more for brick and mortar? I was considering this when seeing people taking online music lessons, online language courses, online personal training, online therapy. Sometimes online formats are not a replacement for face-to-face. When do you think they are adequate?
A good online program from a quality college will match the content and instruction of their in class programs. The key is not the method of delivery but the quality of the program.
Of the online programs I've taken, the biggest issue was the delayed feedback on questions. In class you can ask and get an answer right then while its fresh. On line you have to either email and wait for a response or hold the question until the weekly live discussion (real time Skype like classes exist but many/most are video).
That feedback delay and lack of interactive learning were the biggest issues I felt.
A good online program from a quality college will match the content and instruction of their in class programs. The key is not the method of delivery but the quality of the program.
Of the online programs I've taken, the biggest issue was the delayed feedback on questions. In class you can ask and get an answer right then while its fresh. On line you have to either email and wait for a response or hold the question until the weekly live discussion (real time Skype like classes exist but many/most are video).
That feedback delay and lack of interactive learning were the biggest issues I felt.
I think it also helps if the subject matter you are learning is something that is easy for you. If it is a difficult subject, online is not the best format. It is helpful to interact with others who can assist.
Normally, only competency-based and independent study courses have no contact with other students. Those types of courses are in the minority. Most of the online courses I've taken have required discussion board posts. Even some of the competency-based programs have forums where you can ask other students and instructors questions.
This is not an anti-online rant. The internet has changed our lives, mostly for the better. This is a dilemma concerning a couple of things. My wife is looking to go into a completely new career field and she has two options: taking the classes online for $3,000 or taking an identical program at the same brick and mortar school for $16,000. She hesitates to take them online because although she is thoroughly versed in computers, she does not like the idea of online education. There is no contact with other students and it can be difficult talking to the instructor when she has questions. The online is much cheaper, but if she opts for the online and dislikes it, she loses her money, and $3,000 is a lot of money to lose. However, the $16K is a lot as well. (This a long term certification course program through a highly regarded community college).
Online education is convenient. It can be invaluable if a person lives in a rural area and transportation is a problem. But is it as good quality? I am thinking of starting an online Master's program but maybe I should opt for the brick and mortar myself. It's more of a hassle, but it is more gratifying? Is it worth is to pay more for online? To pay more for brick and mortar? I was considering this when seeing people taking online music lessons, online language courses, online personal training, online therapy. Sometimes online formats are not a replacement for face-to-face. When do you think they are adequate?
I would look in the mirror and ask myself: "Are overcoming my preconceptions worth $13,000 in my pocket?"
It seems to me that the biggest question is not being addressed...and I'm just bringing it up...I don't know the answer. But:
How will a potential employer view an online education versus the brick & mortar education?
When I was in college, getting an education was important, but was only secondary to having access to members of the opposite sex. There's not much of that, with online studies.
There are pin heads all over life and there will certainly be HR people from a big state school that might nix a University of Phoenix candidate. There will also be atheists that might nix a Liberty app or a christian that only gives preference to the same. You simply can't account for that and its part of the normal happenings in HR. You'll be just as likely to get tossed for your interview performance or some other factor you might not be able to control due to the interviewer's preconceived notions.
I wouldn't stress about an online degree, so long as it is reputable.
As for social aspect, I'm old enough to not care about that. That is a personal thing.
The bigger issue is can you do the work on your own and stick with the plan without the structure of having to go to school? Online is more like independent study than anything else and requires a certain amount of discipline and the ability to learn without hand holding.
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