As an employer, I've always had a tendency to view non-traditional education as "Not ready for prime-time". How could an education that didn't involve sitting in a classroom measure up to the "real thing"? My thinking on this was probably colored by my experience in the Army with their correspondence courses. I would read the book and take a test in the back and send it in. It didn't take long before I figured out to forget about reading the book and go straight to the test. Because of this, I've always thought that "distance learning" was "easier learning". I've been to "real" schools. I've attended the University of Maryland in Europe, Central Texas College, and Savannah State University. Those were "real" schools. "On-line" schools were just modern-day, mail order degrees. After two semesters in Georgia Southern's on-line Master's Program, I've learned how wrong I was!
On-line programs share a lot of things with their traditional brethren. You still have reading, homework, midterms, projects/papers, and finals. There are some major differences though. While there is a schedule to keep and certain deadlines, there are no set class times. An on-line student has to be disciplined in keeping to his own - self-imposed - schedule. In essence, he is a class of one. Also, we lose the benefit of having class lectures. I know most people would say, "What benefit? Loss of snooze time? Most lectures are just boooorrring!" Until now, I didn't realize how much I got out of being in a classroom. I don't get to have a lecture and try to glean what I need to get from how a professor communicates. Things like what is really important to know and what is just nice to know. I also don't get to learn from other students questions. We have discussion areas, but I've found that people will ask a "stupid" question in person but will never ask that question in writing. Missing those questions and answers has given me a new perspective on the phrase, "There are no stupid questions." Imagine your boss assigning you a task that you've never done (and never seen done) before. You're able to read about it and Google it, but you don't get to talk face to face with anyone about it. If you can get enough of an understanding about the task to formulate a question, you can always ask your boss, but you aren't able to see him/her or your other co-workers. In a nutshell, that's what on-line learning is about. If you're very self-disciplined and motivated, it can be a great way to learn. If not, don't even attempt it!
All of this has had one important point. If you're an employer that is looking for a disciplined, self-motivating employee, one that has survived an on-line program is right up your alley.
On-line programs share a lot of things with their traditional brethren. You still have reading, homework, midterms, projects/papers, and finals. There are some major differences though. While there is a schedule to keep and certain deadlines, there are no set class times. An on-line student has to be disciplined in keeping to his own - self-imposed - schedule. In essence, he is a class of one. Also, we lose the benefit of having class lectures. I know most people would say, "What benefit? Loss of snooze time? Most lectures are just boooorrring!" Until now, I didn't realize how much I got out of being in a classroom. I don't get to have a lecture and try to glean what I need to get from how a professor communicates. Things like what is really important to know and what is just nice to know. I also don't get to learn from other students questions. We have discussion areas, but I've found that people will ask a "stupid" question in person but will never ask that question in writing. Missing those questions and answers has given me a new perspective on the phrase, "There are no stupid questions." Imagine your boss assigning you a task that you've never done (and never seen done) before. You're able to read about it and Google it, but you don't get to talk face to face with anyone about it. If you can get enough of an understanding about the task to formulate a question, you can always ask your boss, but you aren't able to see him/her or your other co-workers. In a nutshell, that's what on-line learning is about. If you're very self-disciplined and motivated, it can be a great way to learn. If not, don't even attempt it!
All of this has had one important point. If you're an employer that is looking for a disciplined, self-motivating employee, one that has survived an on-line program is right up your alley.
