Which Type of Education Is Right for You
When I was fired from my job in February, 2015, it was then that I decided to go to college. I never thought I could, that I would be able to pass my classes, especially college algebra. Being my first semester I thought it would be for the best that I take traditional college classes on campus. I’m sure, throughout the duration of my degree, I will at some point take an online class or two. Because NPC is a 2 year school, most everyone will have to take a few online courses. 91% of all 2 year colleges offer online courses. In comparison, online and traditional courses both have similarities and differences in flexibility, discipline, and social interaction.
There are many vast differences between online and traditional courses, first being flexibility in schedule. Traditional courses have a set time and day for the duration of the semester. Attending class is a portion of your grade. You have to make sure you have the time to attend class and not miss over the allotted amount of days. To help with the scheduling, the college usually offers day courses, night courses, and abbreviated summer classes. Traditional classes comes first on your priority list, work, and then lastly your family. Your free time is scheduled around your class schedule. Classes are 2-4 days a week depending on the schedule you choose. Even though it might be somewhat of an inconvenience, you have to keep in mind it is only for a short time and won’t last forever. All of your sacrifices will pay off in the long run; you will have a degree. The second area of contrast is discipline. Traditional classes, are more for the people who need structure to stay on course. Someone is there giving you daily assignments and s...
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...ve the opportunity to apply for financial aid with either option. You can apply for scholarship with both. Depending on your situation, and income level, you could get all of you schooling paid for. You can also apply for student loans to help supplement the loss of income or, offset the expenses that may occur for the equipment you need for online courses. You will receive what is allowed to you based on your income, and hours taken and degree plan.
There is no wrong or right option, they are just different. You have to decide which option is best for you and commit totally. You need to decide if you have enough time, flexibility, discipline, and need for social interaction. Make a choice that is best for you and fits into your life the best way. Just because you tried online or traditional courses before and were not successful, try another option. Never give up!
Learning, like religion, is a social experience.” Currently, I have a class that I am enrolled in, often I find myself asking “Why I am in this class?” I learn nothing from this lady, her notes are continuously blurry, and every single student is unable to read them. She talks in circles and expects everyone to be able to follow. Personally, I wish I would have taken an online course for this particular class. Everything I have learned in this class has been solely self-taught. To be prepared for the class, I pre-read the chapter we will be having a discussion about in addition to study the curriculum, still I cannot keep up or understand what is coming out of her mouth. I also feel that I am not the only one in class that is completely lost, which makes me feel better about the whole situation. Whereas I am also enrolled in another class, which I adore and value every single minute. This particular class requires an hour and forty-five minutes a day for four days a week. To think this class I feared the most when I enrolled at the beginning of school. Surprisingly now, it is by far my favorite! I have learned so much information in such a little span of time. It is truly remarkable, the change of mind I have had towards this subject! Credit is due to my professor, she is outstanding! Then, of course, I have this class! Comp 1, which as you know is online. There has been struggles, as I think I would have learned better with face to face encounters with my peers and involved discussion with other students and a professor, although I think I have managed to keep my head above the water so far. All- together, with only my brief personal experience given, you cannot say online courses are worse than an in class
State College, you may receive the same education, but saving a lot of money in the process. Just by
However, when a student takes an online class the student and professor are at a disadvantage of building an interpersonal relationship. For example, a professor is unable to read the nonverbal cues of a struggling student through a computer screen or is unable to tell if a student is experiencing a true emergency. Just as, a student is unable to read their professors nonverbal cues that a particular chapter or assignment is vital to passing the course. I have taken classes on campus and online classes for three semesters now and have learned that regardless of class format a student needs to be dedicated, structured, self-motivated and not afraid to ask questions. A disadvantage of taking an online class is if a web portal is not working properly.
Today, many students graduating from high school see college as an important stage in their future, although many studies suggest not all students are ready for college. Author Charles Murray argues in his essay “Are Too Many People Going to College?” that too many students decide to go to college, even though they would be better served through online education. Charles Murray also argues in his essay that, “The two-year community college and online courses offer more flexible options for tailoring course work to the real needs of the job.”(242) An example of this would be myself, I am currently taking my Economics 2 class as a “hybrid” course this semester. A “hybrid” course is an 8 week course that requires both in-class and online coursework,
“Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education…The human mind is our fundamental resource” (Kennedy, 1961). If our mind is a fundamental resource as President Kennedy would suggest and our progress as a nation is tied to the progress in our education, does this mean that online education can enhance or even speed up our progress? Perception of online learning is a varied one, based on conversations with individuals at different social-economic levels. “Online delivery of courses have become increasing popular due to several advantages for both education institutions and the students in terms of flexibility in scheduling” (Lu, 2012, p. 963). The general perception is that the younger audience is more geared toward online learning, because they are more comfortable with new technologies. So, is an online classroom preferred to a face-to-face classroom?
Distance learning, sometimes called e-learning, is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication. People could find out distance learning on the internet or searching form the school, sometimes teachers would introduce the best or the most credibility distance learning web. Such as class.com and University of Phoenix, etc. Distance learning is less expensive and is not constrained by geographic considerations; it offers opportunities in situations where traditional education has difficulty operating. Students with scheduling or distance problems can benefit, as can employees, because distance education can be more flexible in terms of time and can be delivered virtually anywhere. Under the unified leadership of the distance learning education, the modern distance learning education work gradual increase the number of school has now reached a certain scale. However, not every school or any distance learning education has clear idea for the modern education. Many people have differences understandings and it formed a big deviation. It can be said, for the purpose of developing the distance learning education and the hopes has not formed a consensus, which leads to very often difficult to form in the actual work force.
This caused some of my grades to suffer. Through this experience with my online undergraduate nursing program I have learned that organization is a must, how to work better under pressure, and to not procrastinate. I have also learned to ask for help with any questions, communicate with peers, and utilize all resources provided to me. I have gained the knowledge that there are many resources for online students just like there are for students who choose to learn in the classroom. Although the teachers are not present they are still there to help with questions and concerns.
Online education is cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible (Schmeeckle, 2003). Online classes are used for individual and independent learning, in which the student can learn at their own pace (Gonzalez, 2009). Not only is online education beneficial for breaking down barriers, online education has the potential to help students learn material more efficiently. Students are more likely to seek help from their instructors when the material is taught online (Whipp & Lorentz, 2009). Computer use in statistical classes can help decrease math anxiety (Gundy, Morton, Liu, & Kline, 2006).
Both classes have its pros and cons when deciding what to take. Most people still prefer to take the traditional classes because the traditional classes offer a lot more than online classes. Even though online can be more convenient for some students, it might not fit their needs, not having a teacher in front of them teaching can be very hard for them to learn.
The following article is a study on the effectiveness of online courses and their effectiveness in both teacher-guided assistance and non-guided learning. The author stated the problem of online learning for students, as being the distractions of the internet itself; online shopping, gaming and social networking. While two advantages of online learning includes the convenience of studying at a place of choice and independent work, students are challenged in staying focused or being disciplined enough to continue or even complete their course of studies.
Finally, you have to think and make decision on whether you want to do online or traditional education. There are several aspects between traditional education and online education that are similar but there are also aspects that are different. One of the many that are alike is the requirement for books and papers; however, the two factors not alike are the cost and equality between all students. Some may feel that traditional education is better because you have person to person communication with the instructor. When you are balancing a lot of things you sometimes tend to fall asleep during class. You have to look at your life and your daily responsibilities when you determining which educational setting is best for you. There are a lot of factors you have to look at when you trying find the type of education that fits your lifestyle
While online schools rely on the self-disciplined of student, traditional schools have a set structure and routine for students who want or require more guidance.
... if a student decides to attend a traditional college or decides to attend online, they are both trying to obtain the same goal; education. Many universities offer online and traditional courses, this gives students the opportunity to experience both and decide for themselves which is better. Although traditional education and online education have their own advantages, traditional education offers better communication, opportunities, and flexibility.
There are some students who find it easier to work in internet classrooms and some others that find it easier to stay with traditional classrooms. I think someone may choose internet classrooms if they have difficulty interacting with teachers and other students. Some people do not like being in the classroom because they do not feel at ease around certain people especially those who treat others with disrespect. It is hard for a student to concentrate and learn a lesson when they have that kind of pressure.
Taking online courses can be very difficult. You must remember to check it at least twice a day because you want to make sure you do all test or discussions. Some professors may have things put up already ahead of time so you can put on your calendar when something is due by. Then you have other professors that may put things up one week at a time. That automatically lets you know to check those classes every day. A lot of professors I know don’t like having a class online because it can take up so much time. Things have to be typed and prepared online and create more work than students face to face. Online classes are a lot harder because you aren’t really having a lesson taught in front of you, it’s like you’re basically teaching yourself.