Are you considering taking online classes to earn your college degree? Distance learning is an excellent way to fit higher education in to busy modern lifestyles… but do you have what it takes to attend a virtual classroom? Learn about the advantages and disadvantages to online degrees.
Is distance learning right for you?
These days you practically have to have a college degree in order to make a
decent living. But for those already in the workforce, parents who have small
children at home, or even high school graduates who aren’t financially able to
leave the nest, there is a new alternative to the ol’ college campus: online
learning.
Many universities have developed degree programs students can enroll and
participate in entirely through the internet, without having to set foot in a
classroom. Some schools even exist solely in cyberspace. But as with any
learning situation, there are advantages and drawbacks to undertaking an
electronic course of study. How do you know whether distance learning is the
best choice for you? Read on to find out what’s hot and what’s not about online
colleges.
The Pros
1.You get to stay home. This is a major selling point for distance
learning. “Attend class in your pajamas!” “Study from the comfort of your own
home!” It goes without saying that not having to drive to campus, fight for a
parking spot, wade through a sea of students, rush from class to class, choke
down cafeteria food (who wants to eat like a high schooler again?) and take a
chance on showing up on time only to discover your professor didn’t, is a big
bonus. For parents, online schooling can be a godsend. No scrambling for a
sitter or paying outrageous daycare prices. And the pajama thing is nice, too.
Your classmates won’t care if you show up naked (though this practice is not
recommended, especially if anyone else lives with you).
2. Learn at your own pace. Sure, you have to turn your assignments in
on time. But distance learning classrooms are not nearly as strict as
traditional colleges, and the professors will often give you more leeway in
meeting due dates. They understand most online students need more flexibility,
or they wouldn’t be online students. And no more stammering through answers
you’re not sure of when the teacher calls on you; with distance learning, you
get to ask the questions. Course scheduling is flexible too. You can take as
many or as few classes as you want; skip a semester; withdraw and re-enroll if
you find yourself unable to devote as much time to a particular class as you’d
like. With no set class times, you don’t have to worry about being late or
missing out on instruction. It’s always there for you to access when you can.
3. Attend class (just about) anywhere. Anywhere you have internet
access, that is. If you own a laptop with online capabilities, you have a
portable classroom you can take with you. Most libraries have computers with
internet access as well, for when you need to research something or just want a
change of scenery. If you’re working, explain to your employer that you’re
taking online classes and they may allow you to do some of your classwork on
the job.
4. Fits busy lifestyles. One of the biggest excuses people give for
not getting a higher education is: “I don’t have time for college.” The good
news for parents, members of the workforce, and social butterflies is that you
can make time to work toward your online degree. If you carry a part-time
course load, generally one hour a day (or night) is enough to satisfy class
requirements and study time. Full time programs require a bit more effort, but
if you are careful about staying on task and getting the work done, three to
four hours a day is sufficient. Anyone else have a complaint?
5. Tuition assistance. The same federal, state and private programs
that provide loans and grants for traditional college are also available for
most distance learning classes. If you would qualify for financial aid at a
brick-and-mortar college, chances are you’ll get the same consideration for
online schools.
The Cons
1. The cons.The internet, wonderful invention that it is, has
allowed more scams than ever before to flourish in the vast anonymity of
cyberspace. Just like anything else you find on the WWW, you must investigate
your chosen school before you enroll, and definitely before you pay anything.
There are literally thousands of web sites offering “accredited degrees without
study.” You pay them a substantial sum; they print out a diploma with your name
and mail it to you. Employers are catching on fast to this hoax. One column
writer applied to and received a degree in the name of his cat. The owner of
this particular degree mill was caught and jailed—and now operates his “school”
from prison under a different name.
I repeat: never send money to an online school unless you’re sure
it’s legitimate. If a degree is offered, but no course outlines, degree program
descriptions or faculty list is posted, it’s probably a scam. If you can’t tell
from the web site, e-mail the owner/president and ask if you can contact a few
of their students to find out about their experience. Most of the time, a
simple Google search for “school name” + “fraud” will generate plenty of
information.
2. Limited subject matter. There are some things you just can’t learn
through e-mail. Would you trust a doctor with a degree from a distance learning
institute? Careers requiring hands-on experience generally aren’t offered
through online classes, or if they are you must enroll in a “mixed” program
that requires periodic on-campus attendance. However, the range of degree
programs offered online is extensive and still growing: you can receive A.A.S.
or B.S. degrees in business, management, graphic design, just about any IT
field, criminal justice, education, and more. But if you want to be an airline
pilot… you’d better start looking for a flight school.
3. No social interaction. If you’re the type of person that has to
talk to someone every ten minutes or so, distance learning is not right for
you. Even if you’re not that type of person, distance learning might not be
right for you. Social isolation is one of the most difficult factors that must
be overcome in an online environment. You will never meet any of your
classmates or your professors face-to-face, and you have to be prepared for
that. There are a few things you can do to minimize the impact of lack of
interaction: enroll with a friend, join a meeting group with similar interests,
or just make sure you have plenty of family and friends around (as long as they
understand that sometimes, you have to do your school work).
4. Self-discipline is a must. It’s easy to log on to your virtual
classroom, glance at all the assignments posted, and say to yourself, “I’ll do
them tomorrow; I can catch up.” It’s also easy to tell yourself the same thing
every day; until you reach the end of the semester and find that you have 50
projects and papers due in half an hour. Remind yourself that even though you
aren’t going anywhere, your school work is a priority. There will be days when
you have to make yourself sit down and participate—and there will be days when
you really can say, “I’m all caught up; I’ll skip school today and catch up
tomorrow.” Just make sure that when tomorrow arrives, you follow through.
5. No immediate feedback. In a traditional classroom setting, you
raise your hand and ask a question, and the professor answers you. In a virtual
classroom, you e-mail your professor with your question and wait until he or
she has the time to reply. Most online teachers are great about responding to
students, but it can sometimes take up to a day. That’s why procrastination is
not an option, because if you’re deep into a project and run into a snag close
to the end, by the time you get your question answered it may be too late.
The Colleges
Ready to sign up? Following is a list of links to some of the most popular
and successful online colleges. There are, of course, many more. Also, your
local community college or university may offer partial or full online degrees.
Check with your nearest college for details; and if you combine online and
traditional classes, you may get the best of both worlds.