E Learning, the Easy Way to a Degree?

With lifestyles becoming busier every day and time always increasing in value, online learning has gained significant popularity in the last decade. More and more colleges and higher learning centers are offering traditional courses through online learning environments.  Students are moving from requesting classroom alternatives to demanding them.  In response, the majority of colleges are scurrying to add more and more of these courses to their catalogs.  Another group of schools is fighting the shift towards online learning.  One of the main reasons for the opposition is the debate over whether e Learning is equivalent to classroom learning.

The stereotype is that classroom learning, primarily because it is the predominant and traditional form of learning is superior.   Before we attempt to address this stereotype, one must step back and think about why schooling is important.  Is a college education really about learning Calculus, Sociology, Art and Chemistry?  Some would say yes.  But most would agree that the learning process outweighs the importance of the subject knowledge.  College graduates commonly enter a field not directly related to their schooling.  Degrees are a symbol of the effort exerted and not immediately a profession for the graduate.  There are the exceptions of course; Engineering, Accounting and Nursing Degrees are all examples of education that can earn you a profession.  Other areas of study such as English, History, and Political Science are examples that will not get you a career.  A degree is significant because it shows a commitment to studying, learning and completing a program.  The discipline showed in the journey is what is important because it shows work ethic.

There is a difference between being able to learn online instead of in a classroom.  College students admit to passing courses without completing the "required" readings.  The percent of the textbook actually read is less than fifty percent in most cases.  Of that fifty percent, most reading occurs the weekend before an exam.  Classroom students on the other hand are able to get along this way because professors spend class periods summarizing the "required" readings.  A student who shows up and takes good notes can refer back to what the teacher said prior to the exam.  Online courses on the other hand require actual reading.  An online environment does not give the student a lecture summarizing the readings.  In terms of test taking an online student can only rely on his or her own notes.  The lack of a lecture requires the student to learn independently.  A trait highly valued in the real world.

Another main difference is the degree of discipline required to complete an online course compared to a classroom course.  Often times in a classroom environment attendance is measured either through roll call or by the submission of assignments.  Professors also have in class lectures to students about the importance of coming to class.  An online student does not have this reminder.  The online student must themselves stay on track, study and complete assignments.  This reinforces independence.  Being able to manage yourself is key to successfully completing online courses.

There is no doubt that classroom learning also has significant benefits.  The interaction and discussion piece of a classroom environment is crucial to the learning process, however the degree to which classroom learning is seen as superior is overstated.  E learning is challenging and requires much more independence and discipline.  As more and more students have the online learning experience, it will quickly become evident that these students are learning skills and traits that are just as critical as what is learned in a classroom environment.  Online learning is not as commonly thought, an easy way to obtain a degree.