Have you been avoiding online classes
because you're concerned that online education doesn't measure up to
campus classes? If so, you're not alone. More than one-third of
students polled questioned the quality of online education, according to
Eduventures. Students also worry that employers won't regard online
education as being credible.
Even at the graduate level, one instructor thought that students learned more from each other online than in a traditional classroom. As online learning continues to gain momentum as a major learning tool, comprehensive methods for instruction using technology are sure to follow.
Many employers and education professionals agree that online learning is legit, and it's only going to get better. Don't spend any more time worrying - go ahead and sign up for that online class.
Sources:
Barth, Thomas. "Teaching PA Online: Reflections of a Skeptic," International Journal of Public Administration 27, no. 6 (2004): 439-455.
Eduventures
Stokes, Peter. "Hidden in Plain Sight: Adult Learners Forge a New Tradition in Higher Education," The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education.
Strother, Judith. "An Assessment of the Effectiveness of E-learning in Corporate Training Programs." International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 3, no. 1 (April 2002).
Yoon, Seung-won. "In Search of Meaningful Online Learning Experiences." New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 100 (Winter 2003) 19-30.
Classroom Quality Comparisons
How does an online class compare to the traditional, in classroom, "chalk-and-talk" class? Out of 15 academic papers from the Asynchronous Learning Networks, two-thirds reported e-learning to be more effective than in class learning. The other third reported no significant difference between the two methods. Faculty comments seem to support these findings. In an ecollege.com survey, 85 percent of faculty members believe that students performed equally well in online classes, and some students performed better.Even at the graduate level, one instructor thought that students learned more from each other online than in a traditional classroom. As online learning continues to gain momentum as a major learning tool, comprehensive methods for instruction using technology are sure to follow.
Employers' View of Online Education
Today, nearly 60 million adults are taking work-related courses online. But will the employer be satisfied with an online course? The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education has good news: 62 percent of employers believe that online learning is equal to or better than traditional classroom learning. What's even better is that employers will often pick up the tab for a professional development class if it's going to help you do your job better.Many employers and education professionals agree that online learning is legit, and it's only going to get better. Don't spend any more time worrying - go ahead and sign up for that online class.
Sources:
Barth, Thomas. "Teaching PA Online: Reflections of a Skeptic," International Journal of Public Administration 27, no. 6 (2004): 439-455.
Eduventures
Stokes, Peter. "Hidden in Plain Sight: Adult Learners Forge a New Tradition in Higher Education," The Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education.
Strother, Judith. "An Assessment of the Effectiveness of E-learning in Corporate Training Programs." International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 3, no. 1 (April 2002).
Yoon, Seung-won. "In Search of Meaningful Online Learning Experiences." New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 100 (Winter 2003) 19-30.
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