How Online Courses Compare to Campus Courses
For many, an online education makes pursuing career goals possible. Students in online programs can fit their school work into busy schedules, completing programs at their own pace and saving money on hidden costs like commuting. Thanks to continuing developments in technology such a video conferencing, podcasts, and instant messaging, students are interacting more and more with their online professors and classmates. However, students seriously considering online educations should be aware of how they compare to traditional on-campus educations.
Quality of Education
For the most part, online courses offer the same quality of education as campus-based courses. Accredited online programs require students to take the same course load and credits as those offered on campuses. In a recent study conducted by the Department of Education, students who completed online programs even performed slightly better than students who received equivalent degrees through traditional programs (U.S. Department of Education). Experts speculate that these results are because online students are expected to learn by doing more than their classroom-bound counterparts. Nonetheless, fields such as medicine, which require students to undergo extensive supervised hands-on training, might not be ideal in the online format.
Online Study Skills
Some students will thrive in online programs, while others might have more success in a traditional classroom setting. To be a successful online student, an individual must be organized, disciplined, and work well independently. Because there is little or no face-to-face interaction with professors weekly, some online students fall behind, unable to consistently work on their own throughout the term. These students would probably do better in a classroom setting where they will be motivated by regular contact with classmates and professors. On the other hand, students who enjoy the challenge of solving problems on their own and achieving personal goals will excel in online college programs.
Online Learning Communities
Many people think that because there are no classrooms, online educations are solitary pursuits. This is not the case. Classmates and professors are a vital aspect of the online learning experience. Just like instructors that teach on campuses, many online professors hold regular office hours during which students can contact them through email, phone, instant messenger or video chat. Many online programs also require students to work with each other to complete group assignments, sharing knowledge and expertise. Furthermore, there are blended programs which, though primarily online, require students to periodically attend lectures or workshops with professors and other online classmates.
Required Skills for Online Students
Individuals interested in an online education must be computer literate and have a reliable computer with Internet connection capabilities. People who are not comfortable accessing the Internet or operating word processing programs such as Microsoft Word should consider receiving instruction on basic computer skills before enrolling in an online program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education report (pdf), Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning