Online Education Blog

Distance learning programs constantly face the question: is online learning as valuable as traditional classroom learning?

This question has prompted an array of different reactions in the distance learning world, including:

• Accreditation Agencies. Accreditation became a critical element in the distance learning community. Accreditation is typically done through one of the Regional Accreditation Agencies or the National Accreditation Agency and can be read in further detail in the following article: “Accreditation.”

• Articles. Articles just like this one are written almost daily addressing the rewarding experiences gleaned from distance learning and from traditional learning, and whether both sides of the fence measure up equal. “The Similarities Between a Classroom and Distance Learning” is an example of a resource provided by an online and campus-based college resource site.

• Blogs. The Online Education Blog is dedicated to researching both the pros and cons of online education, facilitating the ever-evolving discussion on distance learning and campus-based learning. There are blogs that go into more detail on specific topics of online education and campus-based education. The Veterans Benefits GI Bill Blog focuses on military-friendly online and campus colleges and the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The Degrees in Healthcare Blog specifically tailors to campus-based and online healthcare degrees.

• Guides. Comprehensive guides have been put together going over the entire college process, from application to graduation, in both online and campus-based programs. The Free Education Handbook is one example.

• Resource Sites. Websites designed to help students find degree programs from an online or campus-based college are located across the Internet. Online Education Blog’s reccommendation is DegreeGo. These websites allow prospective students to compare different distance learning and classroom options to determine what is right for them. They also come with several resources that compare online learning and traditional learning.

With all there is available, the prospective student is equipped with accesible tools for determining whether they should be a traditional or distance learner. These resources will provide specific information to answer the prospective student’s questions.

As the prospective student takes advantage of different resources, they will encounter several obstacles that separate online and traditional learning. These are:

The Quality of Education. Traditional learning allows the student to interact with other students in the classroom and provides the face-to-face immediacy of instruction with their professor. Online learning allows the student to learn at their own pace, work one-on-one with teachers via the Internet, and take hold of their education on a customizable level that still meets the standards of the traditional alternative. Accrediting agencies step in and bridge the gaps between traditional and distance learning, making sure the quality remains consistent. Campus-based and distance learning are two clearly different methods of education, but both of them meet at the same level of quality.

The Cost of Education. Some resources will say traditional learning is more expensive, while others will claim online learning is more expensive. The prospective student should be aware that, as a general rule, online education is cheaper than private campus colleges, and more expensive than government-funded state institutions. If housing is a concern, however, the online college definitely holds the upper hand. Online colleges are privately organized and do not receive government funding, so their tuition rates might seem higher, but they allow you to study at home and take the costs out of living expenses/commuting.

The Demands of Education. Attending a college campus means having to be present for classes when they are scheduled. Work schedules and other life commitments have to meet to the demands of the college schedule. With online learning, the student attends their classes when they want, where they want, and can maintain a hectic work and personal lifestyle. Learning via the Internet, however, requires dedication; in order to make sure assignments are turned in on time, the distance learner must practice discipline and avoid procrastination. In this sense, both forms of education have a different kind of demand the student must face.