There are many varying thoughts on whether online learning is the same quality as traditional face-to-face on-campus education. I have been both a traditional undergraduate student with face-to-face instruction along with some online courses, and now am an online graduate student as I am completing my MS at the University of Alabama. With this array of experience, I feel I have sufficient knowledge to make a comparison myself. I find that the instruction, content, assignments and overall learning objectives are not much different between on-campus and distance learning classes. Distance learning classes require more discipline and commitment than traditional on-campus classes. As an on-campus student, if I missed a class I could always get the notes or the lecture from another classmate. With online education, most of the learning is through self-learning. I find that distance-learning classes require much more time to complete the necessary reading and class assignments. This requires a significant amount of self-discipline.
With on-campus education, I remember not completing all reading assignments but taking good notes in class in order to do well on a test. Distance learning classes are much different, making weekly progress is essential to learning. As a student in both settings, I find the quality of my education is as good as or even better online. I am forced to have to educate myself to some degree and am not able to be lacking in the assignments or I will not succeed in some classes. This seems like a encumbrance during the class, but as I review, I see that it forces me to learn more than I think I could ever learn if I took the same online classes in a traditional face-to-face classroom. In order to really learn something you should to be able teach it. Distance learning forces one to teach himself, thus increasing the learning experience.
I'm in the same program with you, Frank, and I must say that I think our professors do a great job of providing a variety of coursework for us to do. Even though we have a lot of reading to do, it's still manageable.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who is in an online graduate program through another school. Her reading assignments are as much as ours PLUS another 6 or so text book chapters a week. Where we might have to write an essay and paper, or complete a couple of online activities, she normally has to write 6 essays and a paper a week. Talk about the need for self-discipline!! She's making great grades, but I see her study every single day for hours and is concerned she'll miss Thanksgiving and Christmas due to her coursework.
Perhaps part of the success of an online program has to do with the way the teachers organize the course and the types of activities they require of the students.
Hi Xan. I agree with your thoughts about our professors providing a manageable lesson plan for coursework. With determination one can achieve excellent results and gain a great deal of knowledge. The important factor is that one can and will receive as much as they put in to the course. If one does not put forth the effort to do the proper research and reading they will not receive positive results.
ReplyDeleteA large amount of the success of programs is due to being able to manage time accordingly. With a large number of grad students working full time, managing a household and family, balancing church and civic responsibilities and completing course work, it requires the dedication to commit to completing the work once started. Our professors are very understanding and willing to work with students as they complete the program. As they say in all of the courses "focus on the learning."
Frank: Your statement about learning by teaching ourselves is so true. It takes more effort than sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture, but the rewards are greater. The interaction we have with each other also pushes us to expand our learning. I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteKaren