Internet Education Risk Vs. Benefit

Internet learning can be risky business.

With the expansion of opportunities to take classes online, many are wondering about the risks. It seems too good to be true that students can avoid the grind of going to class and suffering through the lectures that their parents endured. Battling for a parking place, standing in line at registration and crashing filled classes is all part of the college experience, right? Online learning cannot possibly be risk-free. There is a price to everything.

Significance

Internet education is the method of learning where the student enrolls with an accredited school or university through an online instructional program. The student can work at her own pace and complete the assignments within a contracted time. Credentialed instructors evaluate the student's assignments, projects and exams online. Some online programs also have an option of live office hours to consult with the professors.

Function

Internet education allows many working professionals to continue their training and educational process without having to stop working and return to the traditional classroom. This makes higher education more accessible and increases revenues for the universities. This also functions to allow students from different geographic areas to take advantage of the coursework at the best university available regardless of its location.

Warning

Students who select distance learning as their primary path to a diploma must be selective and aware of the credibility risk involved. Many Internet education schools have turned out to be diploma mills. Employers and other educational institutions might not accept the credits earned or give the diploma the same level of respect as they would if it were from a traditional university program. Taking a certain number of courses online from a credible university is a good way to avoid this problem. According to Judith Eaton, director of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), "Degree mills and false credentialing are a serious problem worldwide, harming students, society and legitimate higher education."

Effects

Internet education creates a student who is more self-directed and autonomous. A weakness of the program is the loss of direct human contact in the learning process. Without the emotional support of a smiling face in the classroom, the learning process is more cold and sterile. Bonding with the instructor on an emotional level often builds a level of respect and trust that is as necessary to learning as the pure, cold facts or techniques. The opportunity for small group work is more difficult to create and manage over the Internet.

Considerations

Students who are considering taking classes online should count the cost of the social interaction and emotional support provided in a live classroom versus the time and convenience benefits online. Online courses also can be more expensive. The memories of your "college days" are much more vivid in a live classroom community than crunching keystrokes.

References

• Educause: "The Internet at Risk: The Need for Higher Education Advocacy;" James X. Dempsey; 2007
• Virginia Beach City Public Schools: Internet Safety
• Education World: "Schools, the Internet and Copyright Law"
• Get Educated: "Fake Internet Colleges and False Credentialing: A Worldwide Epidemic"