There has always been a conflict on whether or not online universities are a legitimate form of an education. From its unconventional style to internet scams nowadays, it is clear why people feel a sort of skepticism when online universities come to mind. There are over 200 online universities on the World Wide Web, but how can it truly be discovered whether or not these online institutions offer viable forms of education? I will attempt to draw a conclusion to this question by the end of this research paper. In order to do so, I will be focusing on how online universities came to be, the people who are enrolled in them, the pros and cons and some background information on America’s number one Online University.
History
There are nearly 2,000 Universities in the U.S.A today. With so many options how did the idea of an online institution arise? It all started with CALcampus; this was the first institution to fully provide online classes. CAL campus was founded in 1982 but began exclusively providing online classes in 1986 under the name CALC, also known as the Computer Assisted Learning Center; in 1995 the institution changed their name to CALCampus. CALCampus allowed those around the world to obtain a degree from the comfort of their home. After the launch of CALCampus, new and more sophisticated online universities began to emerge within the U.S.A, each of those gaining ideas from one another. Since the late 80’s and early 90’s, these distance learning centers have expanded along with the amount of faculty who teach them and the students enrolled in them as well.
Online Students
Are there certain students that tend to lean more towards online learning as opposed to in class room learning? Who exactly are these student...
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...ella University. (2009, January). Retrieved December 2009, from Capella University: http://www.capellauniversity.org/
Columbia University Statistical Abstract. (2002). Retrieved November 2009, from Columbia University: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/opir/abstract/enrollment_ethnicity_2002.html
Donahue, T. (2009, October 19). Online University Data. Retrieved November 2009, from http://onlineuniversitydata.com/2009/10-famous-and-successful-alumni-of-online-colleges/
History and Vision. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2009, from CALCampus: http://www.calcampus.com/about.htm#history
Pro's and Con's of an Online Education. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2009, from Education-Portal: http://education-portal.com/articles/Pros_and_Cons_of_Online_Education.html
University of Phoenix. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2009, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Phoenix
More people are choosing to further their educations, since a larger portion of employers are wanting workers with higher education degrees. Many are questioning whether an online or traditional institution is a better route. While some may say online institutions are essentially better in this day and age, in Johann Neem’s, “Online Higher Education’s Individualist Fallacy” he points out why a traditional college is more often the better route. By implementing an intellectual appeal on an audience that is craving a higher education and looking for the best way to do it, he exceptionally shows that traditional college campuses are not dead in the slightest.
Shown in the essay, they are worth nothing and teach nothing, ”online courses are perhaps one of the most complete expressions of the denigration of university education (Srigley),” there is no good side of online classes shown. There is nothing to show how online learning is making learning accessible,”work online with no direct support from a faculty member. Digital lectures for live classes with real students? Sounds expensive. How about no lectures, no students, and, best of all, no professor (Srigley).”
Online enrollment is rapidly increasing every year. Even though there is a tremendous amount of positive feedback about online learning, there are others that see nothing but cons. I, on the other hand, see nothing but the postives. Online learning keeps students motivated to do their work because they are allowed to work at their own pace and can take classes most traditional high schools do not offer.
Correspondence courses were the earliest form of distance education courses. "This was the accepted norm until the middle of the century, when instructional radio and television became popular" (Sherry 337). In the past, use of distance education was not widespread because the equipment was costly and difficult to use. Distance education was also a new and unknown field and our society tends to shy away from the new and unknown. The technologies currently being utilized in connection with distance education are now easier to use and are commonly available. The costs have also become more affordable, making distance education more available. The fast paced hectic life of the 20th century also makes distance learning more desirable.
Online education is a booming trend in the education world. It is something different than the traditional classroom. It is allowing student around the world the opportunity to get an education. Online education allows student to have a more proficient and cheaper way of learning. Having multiple ways to give a student an education allows all learning types to find their own way of learning. Education changes lives but it can be difficult for students to get to a classroom to sit through an hour class 4 times a week, this can be for many different reasons. There are many doubts about online education, but this a new world without borders it is a new opportunity for people from all over the world to get an education.
Some students within society need to have online learning to complete college degrees due to their lifestyles. While it is good to have online learning as an option if one chooses, it should not be the only option available to some students. Some may argue that online education is not creating discrimination within the educational environment. Furthermore, some may suggest that online learning is benefiting our students in society. There has been a breakthrough in time and geographical limitations of education via online courses (Ho, 2009).
For the students who do have a busy life, they might find it harder to attend a traditional classroom, so they have the option of taking online classes and making the classes fit around their time schedule. Another concern that some students might have is communication. Some students might not need to have a teacher in front of them and teach the course material to them, whereas some students might need the teacher teaching it to them.... ... middle of paper ...
This article made some interesting evaluations; online learning was a big dilemma for me when I decided to go back to school. While I possessed the discipline to attend online, I did however lack the skills needed to maneuver within my course of study. After attending a classroom-based school with some online classes, I made a decision to continue my studies online. The teachers design and interaction meets my level of understanding and when I’m not sure of an assignment, I simply contact them via e-mail. I feel the author did a great job in addressing his chosen topic, showing both the strengths and the weaknesses of his study.
Many people think online education can be more expensive than a traditional school setting. Previous generations did not have the option for online learning experience, so why should we start now? An interesting point about online education is that LeBaron (2010) states, “The largest school in the U.S. is the University of Phoenix Online, with a whopping 380,232 students. That’s over 5x more than the largest public school, Arizona State University, which has 68,064 students” (para. 7). Despite the cost effectiveness, distance education is becoming the educational model of the future.
Those who disagree with me think that online learning allows a student to learn at their own pace. Students are able to take the time to understand and figure out problems with the resources that are provided. The convenience of learning in an environment that is conducive to that particular students learning is provided by the student. If the student feels comfortable they are more apt
On-Line Learning originated in the 1800’s for academic possibilities to possibly reach people. When online learning was established it was in the form of conformity courses. With the use of television and radio, distance learning grew from 1920 to 1970. The future is currently unfenced for online education now that technology is less expensive and more cordial than it was some 10 years ago. There are many reason people take online courses. The demand for a job with good benefits is scarce in today’s society. Many organizations do not allow their employees to be excused from work to attend school. It is something the employee must do on his or her own time. It is almost impossible for you to get hired on a job without a degree of some form. Some may have a difficult time being away from their families; therefore online learning would be a great asset for those who would rather spend time with family.
Is technology helping or hurting people learn? Technology is increasing every day, and is soon going to be a big part of everyday life. The change of teaching students on online class is way different to what they are used to, and will take awhile to get used to. There are disadvantages, advantages, opportunities, and challenges in the technology in education. The role that teachers play now will change in the future when the major demand for the use of technology hits. There is a big change in the way that students are learning with this new online learning. Technology is changing the learning of students in a big way. Some ways are positive, and some are negative but either way there is a big impact on the way students learn. Sometimes it just depends on the student’s way of learning. Those kind of students should have the choice of what they would rather use a book, or a computer. Students need to be able to decide the type of learning that they want to do to help them learn. Students need to know which way it is that they learn the best. Each person has to find out which way they learn the best to better themselves. Find out the best way that they learn so that it can benefit them in life.
The history of distance education does not just begin with the use of computer-mediated technologies and online learning management systems. Early distance education began through correspondence courses in Europe and the United States. The fir...
In recent years, there has been a trend in the way that many major institutions of higher learning have been teaching their students. This change of pace in the education world is what is known as distance learning. Distance learning is the form of schooling that can be done over the Internet, and never actually being forced to be present in a classroom or even on the campus. According to Joel Snell, correspondence courses were the predecessors to what we now know as distance learning (258). Many people say that distance education is the future of our nations’ education, however there are many arguments against the wide spread establishment of distance learning programs. Although distance learning may seem like a bright future for education, nevertheless, it will never be as successful as campus learning, because every student must be self-driven and also highly motivated, the lack of access to libraries and other sources of information, and also face-to-face interaction is necessary for a good education. Many people think that distance learning is a perfect fit for men and women working on their master’s while still maintaining a job.
Every semester, millions of students in the US take at least one online class. In 2006, these numbers were estimated about 3.5 million. (The future 2) Back in the 1980s the online learning was limited only to watching previously recorded videos tapes has been used for some time and among other thing as well(2) but online learning has increased with technologies boost and stimulate. Some schools entirely offer their classes online only and the other have both online learning and traditional as well. On the other hand, the technology advancing has gave online learning more innovation in the way it is seen now. For instance, Khan Academic, founded by Salman Khan has been providing online Math tutors for most of all math levels. Student can easily