Are online education courses helpful

[cygnus]

I am a bit confused. I read at many places about the gimics of the online education system. On the other hand I have seen people who have done well after undertaking an online education course.
Can anybody help me out here?
I need to weigh the pros and cons to decide.
Thanks in advance.

[tanya_ac]

HI!! As you know, a coin has two facets, so is the case here. Now if you go on to count on it's various aspects the positives will have a hand over win to its negative counterpart. To start off with, online education is far more flexible than the conventional form of educational systems. You don't need to waste time by travelling to and fro to your conventional educational institute.
Secondly you can determine your own pace of learning along with your time of convinience. So I suggest...take the plunge...you won't be a loser.

[Bill Deakin]

IMO it would very much depend on the subject, the level, your previous experience and your motivation.

An online course can never compete with a tutor in a traditional teaching environment. Having said that for some people, and some subjects it can be a great way to learn.

Pros:

As Cygnus says the flexibility - being able to run at your own pace and on youru own time (try getting a college tutor to teach you at 3am!)

Cost - often considerably lower than any other method.

Convenience - learn from home when YOU want to.

Cons:

Motivation - when you have a set time and place to learn (evening course, college, private tutor etc.) and you have paid in advance you are more than likely to attend every session. Working from home over the net it's very easy to let it slip and you need to be committed.

Feedback - a computer will never be able to offer the feedback that a tutor can. If you don't understand something it may not so easily be picked up on.

Synergy - in a classroom situation, or even one on one with a tutor there is a synergy and you can bounce ideas and concepts off eaceh other. This is a lot harder when distance learning.

There are countless more arguments for and against but these are what I would consider to be the most important. I would say that 99% of the time traditional face to face learning is better but I guess I'm biased since I teach, both in a classroom and also one on one. That said if the subject is suited and you have the discipline to see it through then a good online course might be ideal for you.

Bill

[cecilia]

Hi! Before opting for anything do assess your life... job, career needs, etc.

With online courses you have many advantages like :
- available whenever you need them
- no compulsion on semester schedules
- no set classtimes (decide when you want to complete your assignments)
- set your own schedule
- no travel expenses
- and the most important of all - you do not have to quit your job or take leave

But, if you are looking for personalized attention, can't find your own resources to complete assignments, need motivation to finish the course or not computer savy, online education is not for you.

[Ender]

My brother did an Environmental Studies type degree with the Open University and that was mostly online and email.

It was 5 years of hard work though, and he missed out on the support and friendship of other students, but it was the only option for him because he was abroad at the time.

You're absolutely right, motivation is the key to distance learning. There were many times when he wanted to relax on a Sunday evening but he had to complete assignments.


<Edit - just noticed this is a very old thread sorry... please feel free to delete. Ender />

[aaacbc]

Originally Posted by cygnus

I am a bit confused. I read at many places about the gimics of the online education system. On the other hand I have seen people who have done well after undertaking an online education course.
Can anybody help me out here?
I need to weigh the pros and cons to decide.
Thanks in advance.

I think best will be the one-to-one online course. This kind of education is much more powerful because adapted to everybody and individual.

I found a few teachers around who are working in this business. What are you looking for?

KR

M.