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Online vs Traditional School

In: English and Literature

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Online Education Pros and Cons

Keith Washington

Com 155

November 7, 2013

Mary Ellen Greenwood

Online schools, as well as traditional schools have many advantages and disadvantages. Some may find that online schooling is for them, and some may find that a traditional school is the type of learning environment to help best achieve receiving a degree. Students can earn the same valuable degree from an online school as a traditional college or university. It depends on if the students are comfortable with a structured outline and the level of commitment it will take to complete online courses. Online students must also have good study habits as well as being self motivated if the student plans on graduating from an online college. If a student needs guidance to complete assignments then it is highly not recommended that that student attend an online campus. As for some students the pros may outweigh the cons, as for others the cons may outweigh the pros.

For those students who have trouble learning without a physical presence of a teacher should know that nearly all online teachers or professors have a limited role in the way their classes are taught. Usually the students guide is pre-written or prerecorded course material. Some students may see this as a problem. The most interaction a online student will receive will be in the form a weekly discussion question, and feedback on graded assignments. There are students that will work better with one-on-one interaction with their teacher, in this case the student may have trouble with adapting to the new school environment. Students that are not self motivated to do their school work will not benefit from an online school. Students never have the same type of learning experiences. Some Student need to interact with their Teacher or Professor to stay focused on the class, some will adjust to the online environment, and the environment the student has created at home, or on the go for online school.

The growing number of online campuses attended each year is increasing every semester. The reason is, people generally do not have the free time to go to a traditional school. More people are pursuing an online degree, especially now that people are out of work and cannot make it back and forth to campus. Students that want to attend a online college can now take advantage of all the different degree programs ranging from an associate’s degree, get a certificate,,or a bachelor's degree, maybe even a masters degree. The fact of the matter is that, online degree programs are available at most community colleges some students even have online classes with the classes while going to a traditional school, Maybe there is a little time for students to go to a traditional campus, but it is limited. This is important for a student with a full work schedule and taking care of a family. So to balance out the rest Students will attend a online class as well. Some Students that attend a traditional “campus-based” college often take notes while the teacher lectures to remember the lesson that is being taught. For those without transportation, this would be problematic. Online campuses have all the course material including written lectures. These materials can be easily accessed by anyone regardless of their transportation status. These materials are accessed via a student portal.

Most of us have a personal computer, whether or not it is a personal computer, laptop, or a tablet. Some students might not have access to a computer that is equipped with the latest technology or requirements that is needed to attend an online school. Students who start do not usually have all the computer requirements, software issues you can get around that. With programs like Open office which is basically Microsoft Office. There are some hardware factors like video cards, ram, and amount of hard drive space that is required by the school. these are some factors students cannot get around, unless the student chooses to buy it. Students who want to attend a online school will always have the extra expense to have Internet at home or even a portable hotspot for times the student is not at home and generally would not have internet access for a period longer than a couple of days.

Students and teachers have the flexibility to travel as long as there is an Internet connection and access to a computer. Online school has diversity among its students. Usually the classes have people with different backgrounds from around the globe, allowing global networking. Zero commutes is probably the most important advantage of an online degree program, all the time you would spend driving could be time spent doing class work, reading assignments, tending to parental duties, or running errands. Keep in mind that online education is for students that are mature, self-disciplined and motivated, the student will have to be good at prioritizing and time management skills. Some schools offer workshops for time management. Also keep in mind that a online learning degree programs are for more independent learners, not those who have a difficult time assuming responsibilities required to complete a online degree program.

Although some people cannot learn using a online environment, online learning is more convenient and it holds the same values as going to a traditional “campus-based” school. For a student, or parent who are considering getting a online education would be beneficial only if the person has the self-discipline in-order to complete the online courses required to complete the degree plan. Student can make their own schedule and do their course work wherever there is internet or wifi available. Since most colleges now have a online campus. online schools are a hot commodity in the making, now more than ever students and teachers are finding it easier to navigate online campus website, which is why online schools are revolutionizing college students life’s around the world by giving them an opportunity to do what they did not have the time to do, and that is to continue their education.

Kern, R. (2010). Maximizing an Online Education. U.S. News & World Report, 147(5), 46-47. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.

Li, C., & Irby, B. (2008). An Overview of Online Education: Attractiveness, Benefits, Challenges, Concerns and Recommendations, College Student Journal, 42(2), 449-458. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

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