Online and distance learning is often one of those "ah-ha" experiences. You think you know about it, but once you get into it you find it is quite different from what you expected. Online learning is still being developed and refined, so some of these myths could be realities if program providers at online universities and other online schools are not offering their students a quality education. Luckily, many accredited online universities are offering excellent online degrees. Let's separate online and distance learning facts from myths.

Learning online is easier than learning face-to-face.

Nothing gets students into more trouble than thinking they can coast through an online course, pick up a decent grade, and move on to the next class. Once you take your first online class, you will know this is one of the top misconceptions about online education. First-time students often assume that because they don’t sit in class for 3 hours a week they can scratch that time from their to-do list. They can’t. Online students must study the 3 hours a week they would have been in class plus the 2 to 3 hours face-to-face students normally study outside of class. That’s 5 to 6 hours a week per class. Class at an online university is just like class at any college.

The quality of online classes is lower than face-to-face classes.

Maybe this was true when online learning programs at online schools first started. But it’s not true anymore, unless you’re looking at a diploma mill. Nowadays, online programs from accredited institutions are rigorously designed. Quality online and distance learning programs have entire departments dedicated to designing courses and training teachers. They constantly check course content and track teachers far more easily because everything—notes, lectures, demonstrations, student feedback, testing—is online.

I’ll be out there in cyberspace on my own with no help.

Experienced online universities include interaction and accountability with the teacher and other students in the course. Tech support is a vital part of good programs. Many programs offer help—either through the telephone or CDs—in familiarizing students with the software needed for their courses. Quality programs have advisers and mentors to assist you through the admission process and tutors to advise you in writing papers.

Online and Distance learning is for people in the wilds of Montana.

Yes it is, and it’s for working adults in metropolitan centers who don’t feel like dealing with traffic and parking or students who want to take a course or earn an online degree scheduled at a suitable time for them. Increasingly, students who live on campus sign up for online courses because they find them so convenient.

Online learning is just a bunch of e-mails back and forth.

The software available to online learning providers has made the online educational experience amazingly similar to face-to-face. Students can see, hear, and respond to instructors as though they were in a classroom. Not every online university or other provider uses the very latest software but many do, and the online learning experience gets better with each new technological breakthrough.

Page 1 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next