Online Degrees versus Traditional Degrees
Penelope Grant
Whether pursuing a two-year, four-year or a post-graduate degree, you may have considered an online degree program. Online degrees programs offer students the convenience, flexibility, and individualized learning while being able to keep their day jobs to attend school. Everyone has different interests when it comes to career goals and everyone learns at a different pace. Some students are more motivated to succeed than others and may be stimulated by a variety of factors that lead them to success. What is good for one student may not be good for the next student.
When trying to discover what type of classroom setting is right for you - online or offline, there is a lot to consider. Sure, you can take a look at the two and ascertain that learning online is much more convenient. However, that is not the only aspect to consider when choosing an educational facility.
Years ago, people who took correspondence courses were considered a step below those who took traditional courses in the same subject matter. This is not the case anymore. Online education has become more accepted in the workplace and in the rest of the educational world. No longer is it considered the last refuge. Many employers now realize that many individuals can benefit from an online degree - particularly those who work full time and do not have the luxury of quitting their jobs to attend school. There are many benefits to obtaining an online degree and the fact that a person can learn at their own pace as well as during their own time are but two.
A study completed by Drexel University compared students who studied online with students who studied in a traditional classroom setting. The study indicated that the online learners were more relaxed than those students that were attending traditional classes. This was interpreted as an indicator that students who followed a tight schedule of studying and learning that was pre-determined were more stressed than students who were able to complete learning in conjunction with regular schedules.
Online students in the Drexel University study were less stressed and were able to complete their work quicker than the other traditional students. This was attributed to other life demands and aspects of campus and university life. Off-line students stretched the personal limits in an attempt to fit their lives into a class schedule, whereas online students were able to fit their classes into their regular schedules.
For some students, the camaraderie at traditional colleges and universities is not an aspect that they are willing to eliminate. Although many colleges and universities are offering online courses that compliment regular classes, younger people seemed to prefer the idea of the more traditional setting. This setting may be better for students who are not self-motivated and are not able to adhere to studies.
There are both pros and cons to obtaining an online degree. For the most part, if you are a person who wants to fit their classes into your existing schedule and is self motivated, you will do well online. If you are the type of person who needs constant stimulation and attention from others, you may do better studying offline.
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