NationStates Jolt Archive

I would like to know what the community thinks of online education.

In 3 years Im going to college, and my dad wants me to find out the pros and cons of online education, so he told me to google it So I did that (and got ALOT of results), but it would be neat to know what other people think.

I think that it'll be bad on my social life, but other wise itll be great.

So what do you think?

Please, don't do online education... unless it's either that, or nothing (for whatever reason). But I would exhaust every option first.

Too few students realize the benefits of learning with others, where you can have a real conversation, and see and hear other people's reactions to the things you say.

Even when they go to school, a lot of kids seem to think, "If I can learn 'the material' on my own, why should I have to go to class except for tests and quizzes?"

But the thing is, there are soooo many benefits to classroom learning. For one thing, in most subjects, especially in the humanities and social sciences, there will be few definitive "answers" to the most important questions. You have to learn how the community of scholars understands and works around problems... and in the classroom, you will be finding out what it is like to participate in one such community.

Of course, someone will say, "But I'm studying mathematics, and in math there are definitive answers. Why should I have to go to class?

1. If you study math (or pick your science) for a while, you will find that while there are always right ways and wrong ways of doing something, there will in many cases be more than one right answer. Moreover, you will find that solving certain problems, or choosing which method to use, takes a certain amount of intuition... and even if you are already good at it, you can probably learn something from how other people do it.

2. One of the seeming disadvantages of classroom learning can also be one of its advantages. Many of us have had the experience of waiting seemingly interminable minutes while an instructor attempts, over and over again, to explain a concept to another student who just can't get it. Of course, most of us just tune out and start doing our homework or something until it's over. But if you actually muster the energy to pay attention, you will be learning one of the most difficult aspects of any topic: teaching it! A good professor will have to try several different approaches to a concept to make sure everyone gets it... and you will be learning how to do the same thing.

Now, you may never want to teach... but some day, you may have to explain this, or another concept, to someone. And there is no better education in explaining things than simply attending a variety of good classes.

I would say that for your undergraduate education, go to a traditional university. The several years that I have spent here have been remarkable, and I have learned a lot from them. The experiences and personal growth that I have had is something that I don't think I could have gotten from anywhere else.

I've been looking into an online program for my Masters, and I am starting to get impressed. Generally in the Graduate level (at least for the sciences and engineering) you spend most of your time learning from the book, and the instructors notes/lecture. With online education you get the notes, and the lecture online and can view it again multiple times. It's the same book as the traditional method.

I'm doing a BA in European Studies by way of a distance university.
I love it. I can study whenever I want. The only grade that matters is the one of your exam. When I passed an exam I get a certificate. I immediatly can put that on my resume. That way I can apply to several jobs and get working experience while I'm still studying. But for my masters I will go a year or so to a traditional university. That way I will have working experience and a masters degree from a university with a good reputation.

Well, Im still undecided, and as I said, I have 3 years to decide, but thanks everyone for your input :)