Top 3 myths about online classes
June 24, 2010 by Geneva ReidPosted in: Academics, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
Although online learning is gaining in popularity, it often gets a bad rap from both prospective students and employers.
Does it deserve it? Take a look at the top three myths, and you be the judge. Myth #1: Most employers don’t like online degrees.
Facts: Degrees presented by accredited colleges and universities rarely mention whether the coursework was completed online or in a traditional classroom.
Myth #2: Online classes are easier and take less time than traditional programs.
Facts: Online schools offer a range of different programs — some accelerated and others that let students complete coursework at a much slower pace. Are some traditional schools considered easier than others? Well, the same can be said for online programs.
Myth #3: Online students aren’t able to interact with professors or classmates.
Facts: Good online programs integrate the following elements:
- streaming video
- streaming audio
- discussion boards
- chat rooms
- phone calls
Anything you’d like to add to the list? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Tags: online degrees, online learning
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June 23rd, 2010 at 10:14 am
The poll does not allow for “I don’t know.” The college experience is more than just classes, so the experience a student has in face-to-face, traditional coursework in a residential setting is a lot different than one who takes on-line courses. Different. Not better, not worse. The question is too simplistic.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Carin, you bring up some great points here. These are all too common assumptions. But it can certainly be challenging to identify high-quality educational experiences, particularly now that there are so many offerings out there, both online and in the classroom. As online learning gains in popularity, there have actually been increasing standards of measurement and guidelines that identify high-quality experiences at accredited institutions, which are equally valid when applied to a classroom experience. I personally support the case for online learning in the name of access to education. The unparalleled options available today allow more individuals to better themselves through education. I talked about this in a blog post back in the fall: http://blog.peirce.edu/2009/10/future-of-higher-education-all-about.html. Thanks for continuing an important conversation!
– Jon Lenrow, Associate Dean, Peirce College (Philadelphia)