Posted by mcjoshie99 on July 9th, 2008
While online learning has its advantages, there are some disadvantages as well:
Learners with little or no motivation or poor study habits may fall behind or even fail the course
Without the routine structure of a traditional classroom setting, students may get lost or confused about course activities and deadlines – Asking questions and anticipating deadlines is crucial.
Students may feel a lack of interaction from the instructor and their classmates
Instructor may not always be available when students are studying or need help
Slow Internet connections or older computers may make accessing course materials difficult
Managing computer files and online learning software can seem complex for students who are not computer savvy
Hands-on or lab work is difficult to simulate in an online setting.
Students have to wait for feedback until the instructor has reviewed their work and responded to it.
Certain employers do not acknowledge online learning. Students who want to work for a specific employer after graduation should be aware of the employer’s perspective about online education.
Posted by mcjoshie99 on July 9th, 2008
These are some advantages that online learning offers students:
Class work can be scheduled around those who work and have families
Reduces travel time and travel costs for students living off campus or that drive long distances to attend school
Students may have the option to select learning materials that match their interests and skill level
Students can work anywhere they have access to a computer and Internet connection
Students to work at their own pace
Flexibility to join discussions in the discussion forum at any hour, allowing them to converse with classmates and instructors
eLearning accommodates different learning styles and facilitates learning through a variety of activities
Students develop computers skills that will help them throughout their lives and careers
Successfully completing online courses encourages students to take responsibility for their learning - DISCIPLINE
Students can test out of courses already mastered and concentrate on mastering new skills
Posted by mcjoshie99 on July 9th, 2008
While receiving my education at ITT, I experienced what they called “Hybrid†courses. This meant that there would be an optional on-campus lecture every week for the course in addition to the online program. While some mathematically challenged students like me benefited from a physical lecture in College Mathematics, it wasnt long before hardly anyone would show up for the lectures. Here ITT was paying an instructor to sit in the solitude of an empty classroom unable to physically teach anything they merely had to be available should someone come in with a question on campus or through online submission. The fact that these weekly lectures were not mandatory certainly did not help matters. As a result of these events, ITT decided to hinder these Hybrid courses at the Strongsville campus, making most of their classes on campus only. Currently, ITT offers some online degree programs worldwide, such as Web Design, Construction Management, and Master of Business Administration.
Posted by mcjoshie99 on July 9th, 2008
I graduated from ITT Technical Institute in Strongsville, Ohio on September 6, 2007 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology – Multimedia. While attending ITT for 2 years, some of my courses were done totally online. Discipline is very important if one wishes to excel learning in an online setting – there are deadlines that must be met when submitting assignments. Some of my classmates would end up failing online classes because they did not submit assignments on time or at all, and would use an excuse such as not having internet access. ITT provided computer labs with internet access, and there was nothing stopping them from completing their work in the comfort of their own home, provided they have access to the internet. If one is going to take online courses and be successful at them, they must be aware of how the system works and anticipate assignment deadlines.
