What's the deal with online education?

I'm currently getting my Master's online at a very prestigious university. This program is actually better online because the technology allows the professors to deliver the content in a more effective way. On top of that, there is a maximum of six students in each of my classes delivered face-to-face using webcam and mic. This gives me very personal access to my highly intelligent professors and colleagues. It has been one of the best experiences of my life. Just my opinion!

Distance learning and online programs can be a worthwhile option for various situations. I'm not sure if it is institutions being considered greedy. Yes, it is an alternative income source but it's also a way for institutions to provide the proper education to highly-qualified students who want an education. Now, because of the internet, these students can be anywhere and it gives the universities access to that brain power and potential in educating them. Online colleges are not a shortcut but rather a more flexible option to education.

eLearners, a great site for providing information on online degrees and classes, has a great guide on their website. Here's a list of the top 10 myths about distance learning.

http://www.elearners.com/guide/why-online-education/10-myths-about-distance-learning/

Read through and you might see how some see the benefits in distance learning.

Additionally, if you look at the developments in educational technology, there is a movement towards using more technology within the classroom, as well as an increase in online education. Look for "educational technology bloggers" and you'll find SO many opinions about the technological development in education and how it is allowing educators to develop a more personalized way of teaching. It's a real eye opener!

Everything out there is business it may be traditional schools or the online ones. But of course there are schools that offer quality education and also greedy ones whose motives is to just earn from students fees. So don't simply blame any one system everyone is here to make money. There are good online schools that offer quality education. Plus online education has solved problems of many people who cannot go to traditional schools.

Distance education has been around for over 150 years. Originally, it was created to give educational opportunities to people who could not get to a university campus - and that's still the case. Not everyone actually lives near a university, and not everyone can move. And some people's jobs or lives make it so that they cannot get to a university campus every week at a specific time to take a campus-based class. For example - people in the military; mothers with full time jobs and young children, whose only time to study is after their kids go to bed; etc. Their only option is to study via distance.

Reputable, prestigious unis like the University of London have been offering distance learning degrees for over 100 years. That's not a new thing at all. What's new is the online component. In addition, you're seeing more, traditional and reputable unis get into this business (yes, it's a business) because they finally place value upon educating non-traditional students - students who are not age 18, who are not full time students, who have jobs, families, etc.

I agree, though - in an ideal world, we'd all be able to go to school on a traditional campus. But most night classes start at 6pm - not everyone is even off work by then. Not all regions even have colleges that offer night classes. And not all regions even have *colleges*. If you're in Broken Bow, Nebraska, the nearest college might be a four hour drive away, one way. That's not possible. So people living and working in Broken Bow, NE, have been using the Colorado State U online/distance learning system for decades.

Online learning usually isn't done becuse it's a shortcut. It's actually harder for most students to complete a degree online than it would be offline. It's no shortcut. And yes, IMO, a traditional classroom is the better option. But sometimes, a person's life prevents them from being able to get to a traditional college campus class. An online degree, so long as it's from a reputable university, could be that person's only option.

cash money. u can pay someone to take all ur online courses then get a degree

Online school gives the ability for others to better themselves in circumstances that do not permit. There are online schools that are greedy justike there are some brick and mortar schools that are greedy. It's been stAted that some online program if not most are much more rigorous. People have choices and don't look down upon someone else's choices look at yours. If you don't like it don't do it. Technology also gives society new avenues and some of them have their good and bad parts. Also distance education is not new and has been around for 100s of years. I commend any 35 year old woman with 3 kids and a husband to take care off and completes a degree anyday! If the school is fully accredited then there is no problem!