Online Education Vs. Traditional Classroom

A mix of both types of learning is best.

The decision of whether to learn in an online setting versus a traditional classroom should be based on your learning style and your time schedule. However, a mix of both online and classroom education might be best. According to a 2009 U.S. Department of Education report, students learning completely in the online classroom did better on average than when learning completely in the traditional classroom. However, the report stated the students who did the best took courses both online and in the traditional classroom setting.

Online Education Pro

If you have access to a computer, you can learn from anywhere.

Online students can learn from anywhere. A student can turn in homework, take an exam and listen to a lecture while at home, traveling with the family or even sitting in the waiting room of a doctor's office. If the student has access to a computer, the student can learn. College students who have family commitments or must also work full time can benefit from still attending college, but on his or her own time. Classwork can be completed any time of day to fit any schedule.

Online Education Con

Some hiring managers have never hired someone with an online degree.

Online learning includes new technology such as online video, instant messaging and online chat forums for the students to connect with one another and the teacher. Students must have access to the right technology to successfully complete online courses. This includes an up-to-date computer, fast Internet connection, quick typing skills, and they must have a strong grasp of how to communicate via e-mail. A negative to online education could be that employers still have not grasped its effectiveness. According to U.S. News and World Report, in a 2008 survey, less than 20 percent of managers had actually hired someone who had received an online degree.

Traditional Classroom Education Pro

The classic college experience may make it easier to meet new friends.

Traditional classrooms often provide a learning style that may be best for students who learn better by listening to a lecture rather than reading the teacher's lecture online. Students who want the classic college experience by meeting new friends in a face-to-face environment and spending time at a brick-and-mortar campus may prefer taking traditional, in-person classes.

Traditional Classroom Education Con

Some employers don't view an online degree as credible.

In a traditional classroom, some students could get left behind because although the student may attend class, the student may not participate in any discussions or may not communicate any problems he is having learning the subject. However, in an online setting, classroom discussion via a chat room or discussion board is required in most online classes. In a traditional classroom, more outgoing students may dominate the classroom discussion, leaving introverted students or those who are less vocal to not participate. For some employers, traditional classroom education is still looked at as the best. According to the 2008 survey in U.S. News and World Report, almost one in five employers did not strongly believe that an online degree is as credible as one received through a traditional campus.

Finding An Online School

Choose an accredited online program.

U.S. News and World Report suggests you choose an online program that is accredited. You can see if the program is accredited by looking on the school's website. If the school is accredited, the U.S. News and World Report states that the accrediting information usually will be placed on the website. You may want to choose an online program that also offers classes at a traditional campus. This gives you the choice, should you decide to take a class in person or want a physical location you can go to, to ask questions, use the school library or interact with your fellow students.

References

• U.S. Department of Education: Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning
• Inside Higher Ed: The Evidence on Online Education

Resources

• U.S. News and World Report: How to Maximize an Online Education Program