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Higher levels of learning bring an achievement of not only personal goals, but also many gain financial opportunities that come with having a degree. Organizations are hiring individuals with educational backgrounds, to benefit their company. Having a high school degree in these changing times is not a big enough asset anymore. Online learning is quickly becoming the wave of the future. Many traditional colleges are quickly adding online courses to keep in demand.

Online education is growing in popularity for students requiring a flexible learning experience. In addition, this type of education is providing a process for working adults to obtain higher education while maintaining their occupational responsibilities. This opens up the academic world to individuals who in the past were not afforded the opportunity to attend a traditional brick and mortar institution. In an article written for the Huffington Post, Tom Snyder notes “Increasingly, colleges and university students now find themselves with other obligations beyond that of getting a degree. Jobs and family commitments make equal demands on their time.

Online education which is also categorised as Distance learning has taken entirely to a new level in present times with the introduction of MOOCs (Massive open online courses). These courses are accredited worldwide and are taught by well-respected professors from revered universities, including Sanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University and many such more Such online courses serve larger number of students and meet broader sets of needs than they can do otherwise. On-line courses, or as some say it as distance learning, has become a major trend in present academic world amongst students. For few individuals the worth far outweigh the negative aspects while for others, the traditional classroom is a more delightful and desirable approach to education. One has to be better prepared to face the challenge of working in this new environment as well as envelope the new juncture that it has to offer Some positive impacts of online courses are….

These challenges of the modern workforce have in fact been the big driver behind the exponential rise in online degree programs over the past decade. Furthermore, the flexibility provided by an online degree program enables tailoring a program matched to personal learning style and pace. An area of great contrast between the two forms of education regards the student experience. For example, students may enjoy taking tests or listening to lectures in the comfort of their own home. However, this poses a major disadvantage of not being able to ask questions as they naturally arise.

After hours of researching this topic, it has been determined that the most effective and comprehensive model to follow is the Robust Learning Model. This model addresses implementing an online program based on the four predictors of student learning needs. Establishing an online university program is not without cost; however, other universities that have done so have found the benefits outweigh the costs both in actual dollars and in filling student needs. Discussion According to Neumann and Neumann, there are four predictors of student learning outcomes which need to be addressed in the creation of any university, but especially an online university. These four factors are student contact with faculty; engaging students in various cognitive activities; quality relevant program electives and courses that focus on student learning and success; and... ... middle of paper ... ...al.

In other words, it is possible that the teaching and learning styles become more prolific as a result of online education. Over the last decade, online education has been the option for many students, especially those with many responsibilities (Bowen, Chingos, Lack & Nygren, 2013). Online education’s convenience, allows them to get results as good as if they were taking traditional classes - the classes in which face to face contact is predominant; however, e-learning’s high costs, embedded in technology development, and the overall satisfaction of the students can be a set back. The cost of online education is rather higher than that of traditional education. There is a common belief that by taking online courses students will face lower costs and prices, but that is far from the truth (The “Promises” of Online Education: Reducing costs, n.d.).

Due to this new growth in the adult education filed, it is necessary to study and research the specific institutional strategies associated with higher retention rates of online degree seeking students. Retention rates at all institutions are extremely important to follow due to business aspects, positive educational growth in society, political reasons and higher income potential for the students upon completion of their degree (Budden et al. 2010). Research Question “Intuitively, students who take a majority of courses online risk being removed from the academic atmosphere and may lack personal interaction with faculty” (Chong Ho Yu Ph.D. 2007, pg. 3).

But, our local universities have also improved a lot during these day and they also can provide us with good facilities and teaching materials for the students to excel in their studies. Both universities have their own advantages and disadvantages. Hence, it depend on the students themselves whether to choose abroad or local university. Last but not least, it is the best way for the students to acknowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of local and abroad university before deciding on the most suitable university to pursue their higher education level for the sake of their future. Thus, this would help a lot of students that are having confusion in this matter.

This provides reasoning for why students taking online courses are perhaps more prepared and properly adequate candidates for employment positions, versus a traditional student with the same degree. In the same article previously listed, Angiello writes, “understudies who participated in online courses performed better than students receiving the same material through conventional lectures (Angiello 2010). It is evident through the article that, because of the more rigorous work load, students are adhering to the concepts further in an online environment than a traditional setting, thus presenting online learning beneficial in terms of knowledge and qualifications. All things considered, there are some values to having a degree obtained strictly online and traditionally,

Online education has been progressively increasing and becoming more prevalent throughout modern society. As the technology advances in school systems, the presence of online learning should advance as well. Most Canadian universities already take part in this new era of learning, however not all institutions offer online courses to its full potential. E-learning courses should have an increased presence in Canadian universities because it is cost effective, convenient, and allows youth to advance in technological as well as practical skills. For some students post secondary education is unattainable; online education can be fit into busy schedules and be more effective in the lives of students.