The internet has stuck its hand in everything from shopping to learning. Schools have been providing online classes since 2006. Is online learning the correct way to teach a student? It's hard to decide if online school is right for you if you don't know what an actual online class will be like. It's also important to understand the differences between online and traditional classes in order to know what will be expected of you as a student.
I am taking a online math lab called Course Compass. It is easy to navigate, but inputing a anwser takes forever. To input mathematic symbols you have to click on a list and look for the symbol. What happens when your internet fails, or you don't have a computer around to do your homework? I miss the traditional way of doing homework. Pen, paper, and pencil. Staying in front of the computer for too long isnt good for anybody, and math usually takes time. Is online classes going to be the future of education?
Nothing is like being in a classroom. Learning from a professional. Hands on learning is arguably the best way to learn material. Being in a classroom allows you to experience all the aspects of learning from debates to asking questions. When on a computer, there are many distractions. Students will wander on to websites like facebook and myspace and get distracted. Here are a list of pros and cons from E-Learners.com.
- PROS:
- No time spent commuting/traveling to a campus
- No additional travel costs to add to the family budget
- Continue working at your current job while you take classes, thus allowing you to earn a living and gain work experience, applying your course work
- Your learning options are not constrained by your geographic location (e.g. you live in California and attend the University of Massachusetts)
- You can learn at your own pace and study at your convenience (e.g. after the kids are asleep or before work)
- If you prefer to express yourself in writing rather than verbally, you may find distance learning more effective
- Classes typically centered and focused on student responses and virtual discussion rather than instructor-led lectures
- Instruction and course work can be highly customized to your field and subject—especially computer based training (CBT)
- Additional benefits of learning new technologies and practicing the use of the Internet, office software, etc.
- You will meet and work with classmates from all over the United States and throughout the world
- All students are 100 percent equal: your work will stand on merits alone, and you will not be treated differently based upon race, sex, creed, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc.
- Requires 100 percent participation from each and every classmate (e.g. the most outgoing students will not monopolize the discussions)
- CONS:
- Allow for time required to boot up computer, software programs, and connect to the Internet
- Budget for additional high-speed Internet costs (if applicable)
- Need the discipline not to log into your class while at work (unless your employer permits you to complete your course work at the office)
- Plan and adjust your studying schedule around assignment due dates (e.g. you live in California your final project is due to your instructor at 5 p.m. Eastern time)
- At times, you may experience feelings of isolation or a sense of detachment from your school
- Lack of face-to-face interaction — especially in self-paced courses — or difficulty in developing relationships with classmates
- Students may need to wait for feedback and responses from peers and instructors (especially if you study between the hours of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
- Equipment needs of students and learning providers (e.g. generally a personal computer, office software, and an Internet connection are required)
- May require you to learn new or enhance computer and troubleshooting skills
- Possibility of limited local networking opportunities
- You will be required to be able to work unsupervised (i.e. you will have to problem solve solutions independently)
- You must be self-motivated and disciplined to progress through your program in a timely manner
