Top 6 Distance Learning Controversies
Some students may hesitate to consider distance learning as an option for higher education. Although distance learning can be very convenient and cost-effective, some people express concerns about the legitimacy of online degree programs.
There are a lot of rumors floating around about the effectiveness of online courses, some more accurate than others. Let's take a look at some of them.
- #1: Distance-learning institutions are for-profit and only want your money.
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While many distance-learning schools are for-profit, there is also a wide array of distance learning options available through traditional brick-and-mortar universities. Colleges are increasingly offering distance options for many reasons; greater convenience for students, increased demand for distance learning, and cost savings. An online degree (or a degree that involves a mixture of campus-based and online classes) is as reputable as the institution it comes from. The same is true of any other degree.
If you are looking at a school that seems too good to be true (earn a master's degree in two months!) stay away. Chances are that "degree" will mean that you learned nothing except how to give your cash to a diploma mill. Look to see if any students have filed complaints about the school's educational quality. Check to make sure any school you attend - online or otherwise - is regionally accredited by respected organizations. A good school is a good school, whether you take courses in person or online. You can find more information about school accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education.
- #2: Employers do not like online degrees.
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Again, there are many online degrees available that are just like regular degrees. If a traditional institution offers online classes, they will most likely appear as regular classes on your transcript; an employer might not even know that you took the classes online. Furthermore, getting an online degree while working can be a very intelligent use of your time, especially since you continue earning a salary while taking classes. Finally, taking classes online shows initiative, sometimes even more than taking traditional classes. After all, distance learning means that you are willing to take responsibility for your own learning to an even greater degree than traditional students might. You may also find that the tremendous variety of online classes means that you find courses that complement your work better than course offerings at a local university.
Ultimately, employers in most fields care far more about your skills, knowledge, accomplishments, and abilities than they do about where you got your degree. The farther beyond college you get, the more this is the case. Your degree-granting institution should be appropriately accredited and your grades should reflect your skills, but that is true of any degree, online or not.
- #3: If you are a distance learner, you are not a "real" student.
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Just because you are not wandering among ivy-clad building does not diminish your status as a student. In fact, your choices and goals may be even more academically driven than they would be for traditional students. It takes an extra measure of discipline to stay on top of your work without the structure of a physical class and teacher. Distance learning offers the opportunity for serious focus on knowledge and skills; choosing the right online program shows maturity and initiative. You are doing what is right for you, not just what everybody else is doing.
- #4: Online degrees are expensive, and there is no financial aid available.
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Federal aid is available to online degree students just as it is to students at brick-and-mortar institutions. If the online school you choose to attend is properly accredited, their students are equally as qualified to receive financial aid. Double check to make sure that federal aid is available for your specific program of interest; contact your school's financial aid office for details. Online students save money in other ways as well. Transportation costs and residential fees are eliminated, plus online degree programs offer more flexibility so that students can continue working as they earn their degrees.
- #5: There is less interaction in distance learning.
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While you may never see your instructors or your fellow students face-to-face, there is still a fair amount of interaction in distance learning. Participation in online forums, class list servs, and other virtual spaces may be mandatory. Distance learning can actually be far more personal and interactive than a 500-person introductory lecture on a college campus. You might be invisible to your classmates, but you certainly won't be anonymous.
If you need human interaction with your education, look around at a lot of schools to get a feel for the different approaches each school takes. There are some online universities that do have a low level of interaction. Most have creative ways to engage students by connecting them to professors and other students.
- #6: Online courses are less challenging than traditional classes.
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In any class, each learner plays a role in determining how challenged he or she is. Sure, you can cruise through some distance learning classes without much effort, but the same can be true of some in-person college classes. With online education even more than traditional learning, the more work you put into a class, the more you will learn. Online courses can be even more challenging, demanding a great deal of personal initiative.
Ultimately, if you research and choose your program carefully, distance learning can be just as challenging, rewarding, and useful as any other college degree. More and more distance learning programs are being established as online degrees and certificates become ever more popular.
If you want to see what real students have been saying about their experiences with online courses, visit the Career College Reviews page.
Article ReferencesFederal Student Aid
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/consider.jsp
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/consumerinfo/considerations.html
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