Online College vs. Traditional College When considering the ever-changing and ever-growing world of globalization and technology, it is no surprise that such trends have found their way into the educational arena. Accordingly, with the computerization of classrooms and assignments many more worldly citizens have been given access to the valuable education they deserve. Regardless of the subject they teach, almost all teaching professionals have also had to become more educated in

Persistence (also called retention) is defined as remaining enrolled in the institution, presumably until degree attainment or completion. Online courses can help students achieve this, because they provide options for learning that were previously not available to them (Drennan, Kennedy, & Pisarski, 2005). Satisfying and rewarding interactions with the formal and informal academic and social systems of the institution lead to greater integration and persistence (Tinto, 1975). However, teachers of

Teachers often make this task easier by using group work or asking students to discuss ideas in partners. Some who believe that online education is not as beneficial as land-based education often suggest that this type of discourse is unavailable in virtual classrooms. This, however, is not the case. Virtual classrooms often have discussion boards on which students can post questions and topics and respond to other students. Just

As Auburn University notes, online classes are especially appealing to adult learners, because of their flexibility and accessibility. They note, "No more giving up a career; no more driving hours each week to the nearest campus. All you need is contemporary communications equipment and the motivation to succeed in your courses" (Auburn University, 2002). Students who need to take occasional classes for certification or license renewal also have much

Distance learning is a new scheme or mode of transferring and acquiring learning or education through the use of modern technology between instructor and student who are separated by time and space. It can be between schools, between schools and colleges and universities, within school buildings and districts or between individuals (Burke, 2002). Is earliest prototype was the international correspondence in the 19th century. In the 1970s, it reshaped into open

Online Ed Online vs. Traditional Classrooms The Internet has provided enormous opportunities in many different areas of society, from pure information seeking to commerce to government access and a variety of other services. Even the world of education -- and especially higher education -- has been transformed by the advent of the Internet in numerous ways that support traditional classroom learning (the availability of online notes and podcast lectures, email communication, etc.)