(Hansen, 2006) Adults who already have degrees, and are weary of the college experience can also make use of online classes to pursue career-enhancing degrees, such as an MBA (Master's of Business Administration) part-time, or gain a certificate that offers them a new career path, such as in website or graphic design.
It is not simply the more responsible adult who will benefit from online learning. It can be a more effective learning environment "for certain types of learners (shy, reflective, language challenged, those that need more time)." ("What are the pros and cons?" e-learning FAQs: e-learners resources, 2006) Of course, it could be countered that such learners need to come out of their shells, practice their language schools, and need to benefit from outside resource room help, and thus might benefit from the additional pressures of a live classroom in the long run. But online learning can act as a bridge for such learners, giving them the necessary confidence in their ability to do college-level work, before they venture out into a more rigorous and socially demanding academic environment. Furthermore, "in the online environment learners retain a considerable level of anonymity. Discriminating factors such as age, dress, physical appearance, disabilities, race and gender are largely absent. Instead, the focus of attention is clearly on the content of the discussion and the individual's ability to respond and contribute thoughtfully and intelligently to the material at hand."("Strengths and Weaknesses of Online Learning." University of Illinois, 2006) Taking an online class enables a student to shed traditional barriers and assumptions of appearance, and viewed as such, enables a student who may have been the victim of academic prejudice to re-enter the learning environment and have a potentially more positive experience
However, one possible 'con' that is difficult to overcome is that "instructors need to learn to be effective online instructors," and go above and beyond the potentially impersonal Internet divide to connect with students. ("What are the pros and cons?" e-learning FAQs: e-learners resources, 2006) Here, the need for self-motivation is felt by the online learner, although it could be argued that even 'real life' professors can be remote or insensitive to student needs. But an additional problem is posed by "faculty members...
Learning Online vs. Traditional Learning Online learning has become a reality in the past decade and most traditional institutions have come to embrace this method of education. However, arguments remain regarding the effectiveness of online educational opportunities vs. those offered in the more traditional manner. Many possible reasons for this reluctance to fully embrace the technology exist, but the main reason seems to be that people are just not used to this
Producers have the ability to use flashy advertising as a substitute for a good product, and to deceive the customer through paid, sponsored relationships with bloggers and advertisers. Consumers may still have difficulty understanding when a blogger is in the employ of a company. Producers may find their good name impinged upon by reviewers who do not have legitimate grievances with a company. Staying offline and focusing on broad-based real
Online Learning Since the advent of the Internet, online learning has increased exponentially. Online learning is utilized by K-12 schools, by public universities and colleges, and there has been an explosion in for-profit online schools as well. Twenty years ago, the industry did not really exist -- distance education was usually some form of correspondence course . In 2014, Forbes estimated the industry to be worth around $107 billion in
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
Pros of Online Classes Excelling in an online world Online classes have numerous pros and cons. In some cases, depending on the individual, the pros may outweigh the cons. For instance, the working class may find it advantageous to take online courses in order to meet scheduling mandates. He or she can plan to take classes around their work schedule and by doing so they can spend more time with family as
Standardized testing guarantees the educational accountability in the academic achievement of all students (2010). Another great aspect of standardized testing is the fact that they can be used across states and districts. In not only helps the students, but it also helps schools become better educating institutions because they, in a way, are being tested too. Standardized testing makes it possible for us to see where schools are failing its
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