I know what they are, but how can an online school provide the same education as a traditional school? If you earn a degree through an online school is it the same if you went to a traditional college? I am thinking about enrolling in an art school (my major is advertising) are online schools a way to go? what are some advantages and disadvantages?
A lot of traditional schools now offer some of their degrees completely online. They are able to do this because advanced technologies have made online education easier for the instructor and the students. Any school, online or traditional, can offer a great educational experience, but in order for the degree to be useful it must come from an accredited institution. You can check a school’s accreditation at the Department of Education website.
Most online programs have the exact same coursework as the programs on campus, except the course materials are available online. Online programs can be more convenient for individuals who need to work full time or have other commitments like taking care of a family. With online programs you can complete the coursework on your own time, and there is no set schedule you have to adhere to. Most schools charge the same tuition for their online programs as their on campus programs, and financial aid is available for online degrees. There is no commute time, and you can attend class from anywhere (with an internet connection).
The only disadvantage is that you won’t have the traditional classroom experience. If you want more information about online degree programs from accredited schools, visit elearnportal.com.
I’d actually say there are a few more disadvantages to online education than have been mentioned.
First of all, you should consider that the value of a degree is not so much in the piece of paper as what you learn through the process of earning that expensive decorative piece. The opportunities available to you on a traditional campus are going to allow you to learn to do things you simply are unlikely to learn online. In an area like advertising, it would certainly be helpful for you to interact with other students in person (not simply on a forum) as you will learn from one another. Additionally, on a traditional campus, you are likely to have opportunities to help with actual advertising for programs. You might be able to obtain internships on and off campus much earlier in your training than someone who is learning online (because a school is more likely to hire one of their own students who they know they’ll have to mentor through the process than are most businesses).
Finally, you should be aware that there will likely always be a bit of a stigma against online degrees. If your university is small, it may be assumed to be a diploma mill but even if it’s larger, interviewers may view you and your coursework as second rate. One example of this I can give at the moment actually occurred to me as I was applying for a professional/graduate program. They asked for a list of courses completed relevant to the program as well as “ALL online courses, especially ones in [my field].” To me, that statement reveals a level of concern about the content and effectiveness of online courses. Surely, to this program at least, a degree that was completed entirely online would be, at best, dubious in quality.
I’ll agree with some of the disadvantages, the biggest being the minimal interaction with professors and other students. I’ve also seen alot more programs adding in required visits to the campus to try to help with this.
I’ll admit given my location, and inability to relocate because I’m working full time, considering online programs can be the only option, to take the program you’re interested in
The stigma is going away, slowly, it just tends to vary by employeer now a days, I think it’s key to look for recognized names and make sure your held to the same standards as the rest of the students. I’ve also looked to make sure the degree I’d be recieving would be issued by the same college the on campus students were recieving theirs from.
You’ll find alot of these classes, or at least the few that I’ve looked into so far ( Columbia, Stanford, and Carnegie Melon ), use recorded or streaming lectures, so you are getting exactally the same notes, and assignments as the other students
I think the key for someone considering online, or at least the way I’ve looked at it is to find a school you know that has the program you want, dig up whatever information you can about the classes you’ll be taking, and then get in touch with someone at the school or visit if you can to ask all your questions
Are you looking for an education but can’t seem to find the right school? Join the thousands of students that we help find online degrees every month! We built the Directory of Schools to help students like you find the right education that will help you achieve your professional and educational distance learning goals.more information: <a href=“Http://www.directoryofschools.com%5B/url%5D”>Http://www.directoryofschools.com</a> and more
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It all depends on how much time you’ve got on your hands, and how much you can afford.
Personally, I wouldn’t be able to go back to graduate school if it weren’t for online programs. I HAVE to be able to work full time to support myself, so an online degree was really my only option.
If you’re worried that it won’t be accepted by potential employers, take a look at this article from Reuters “Online Degrees Now Widely Accepted By Consumers and Employers”- [Online</a> Degrees Now Widely Accepted by Consumers and Employers | Reuters](<a href=“http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS205822+08-Jan-2009+PRN20090108]Online”>http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS205822+08-Jan-2009+PRN20090108)
Online classes cover the same material as regular classes. They also have the same assignments and exams. The only difference being that instead of physically attending the class to receive/hand-in assignments and exams, you receive and send them online through the school’s website. Also, lectures that the professor would normally give in the class is available online for you to read or hear, depending on the course’s format.
Typically at the start of an online class, you receive a syllabus detailing the assignments, the required reading, and test dates. The coursework and lecture information is separated by week for you to follow along. The lecture material takes the place of what the professor would have gone over during the class if you were physically attending. The lecture online is usually in the form of a Word document, PowerPoint presentation, or a video clip of the professor speaking.
There are many advantages to online classes versus physically attending classes. The biggest advantage is not having to make time in your schedule to attend classes. In an online class, you are responsible for submitting your assignments and exams by the due dates, which you know in advance. Online classes give you the flexibility to complete your coursework on the days you have time to, as long as your work is submitted by the due date.
Another advantage is the cost. Costs vary from school to school but in my experience, online courses are slightly less expensive than the cost for physically attending classes. Also, you can still purchase your books at the school’s bookstore, but if you want to go completely electronic with your course, you can purchase an electronic version of your textbook for a lot less money.
In place of class participation, online courses usually require posting to a discussion board on a weekly or semi-weekly basis. Being a relatively quiet person, I personally prefer this. In a class I physically attend, I’m much less likely to participate in class discussions. The discussion board posts allow all students from the class to participate, which I feel is a great advantage.
As far as disadvantages go, disorganization is online course’s biggest enemy. Since you will not have the professor reminding you of deadlines or repeatedly covering the course material, you have to keep yourself on top of the reading and all due dates. If not, you will quickly become lost and probably miss a few assignments. I input the syllabus into my calendar as soon as I get it so I know exactly when everything is due and where I should be in the reading each week.
Another disadvantage is not being able to receive immediate answers to any questions you might have. Most professors are diligent about replying to emails from students in an online class. However, if you normally complete your school work late at night and you come across something you don’t understand, you cannot expect an answer to at least the next day.