The 10 most common myths about online education
Online courses and degree programs have continued to grow as an alternative to the traditional classroom education. However, despite their popularity many misconceptions about this mode of learning still persist.
Here are the most common myths about online learning and the truth about them.
1.) Online courses are easier than on campus courses – more often than not, online courses tend to be more rigorous than classroom based courses.
This is because online terms are usually shorter therefore more intense. It requires more reading and writing and increased self discipline to stay on top of things.
2.) You are on your own – students enrolled in quality online courses are never isolated. They have support from many sources including tutors, fellow classmates, academic advisors, enrolment counsellors and financial aid experts.
3.) Employers don’t value online degrees – over time, the stigma against online degrees has continued to diminish among employers. They have realised that online degrees from accredited schools have the same weight as traditional degrees.
Furthermore, an employee who completes an online degree while working shows self drive, tenacity, commitment and self drive which is what many employers are looking for.
4.) Online programs are self paced – although online courses are flexible and you can study anywhere anytime, they are normally scheduled with definite start and end academic term dates and include deadlines which your tutor expects you to meet.
5.) There is no personal attention from your instructor – due to the distance gap, online instructors usually put more effort in interacting with their students to enhance the learning process. They provide personal phone numbers and e-mail addresses through which they can be contacted and log in daily to check and assist students who have questions or problems.
6.) Online students are not smart enough for traditional colleges – online programs have the same curriculum as traditional classroom programs. This means that the same effort if not more goes into successful completion of the course.
People opt for online courses not because they don’t qualify for traditional classes but since they are hindered by distance or lack of time due to their busy day to day schedule. Many are adults with undergraduate degrees seeking to upgrade their skills or further their education.
7.) You can cram your work into a single session per week – in order to be successful, online students must log on several times a week so as to achieve maximum learning through active interactions and participation. Most people learn best when they when they learn small bits of materials and get time to reflect on it before learning more.
8.) Respected schools don’t offer online courses – many well known and prestigious traditional colleges and universities are currently offering partial or full online courses and degree programs. They include Pennsylvania State University, University of Massachusetts, University of London, University of Manchester and Boston University among many others.
9.) You will be taught how to use a computer – basic computer skills are a must have for all online students and are not incorporated in the curriculum. Instructors only provide training for specific tools used in their course work. To be successful, you must have knowledge of basic word processing skills, navigating the Internet, uploading and downloading documents and using email.
10.) Anyone can succeed in an online program – the flexibility of e-learning makes it appealing to a growing number of adults seeking to balance work and family responsibilities with educational goals. It has different challenges compared to traditional classroom learning which makes it not suitable for everyone. It requires discipline, strong organisation and time management skills, self motivation and strong reading and writing skills.
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