I get asked more often than I would think, "Why are you going to school online" or "what caused you to go to school online?" To me the answer seems obvious, because of time and convenience, or at least that's what I say as a ready answer, but the reality is a little more complex than that, there are a ton of reasons to be an online student.
First and foremost in my life is the scheduling. By going to school online I can do my work when I am available to do so within a given time frame, of say, a few days to a week. Without this benefit, going to school for many people would be difficult if not impossible. My schedule is much less predictable than I would like it to be and I cannot quit my job to become a student, tempting though it may be at times.
Secondly I am an online student because the variety of programs available to me are much greater than what my local market could support. Oddly enough, Texas has some really great schools, but I have yet to enroll into a degree program in a Texas school. By going online I can find a school that meets my needs and desires, I do not have to conform to a "close enough" degree program locally.
Third is the price. Going to school online is more expensive than my local community college or even a couple of local smaller schools such as Amberton University or Texas A&M Commerce, but then Ashford University and Southwestern College prior to that, have been far less expensive than Texas Christian University or Southern Methodist University. Since we are factoring cost into the equation, being able to go online allows me to read the assignments and perform the work almost at my own pace. I am not forced to sit through lecture classes which take away from my personal time, the time I could spend earning money or the time I could spend doing the actual work. Thus the opportunity cost is dependent upon my own abilities. One of the great things about going to school online is that a less expensive school in Nebraska will compete in price with a more expensive school right next door. In a competitive environment, the consumer wins.
Fourth, there are many fine accredited schools online, some of which I would never have an opportunity to attend otherwise. For instance if I had always wanted to go to Penn State, I have that option. If I have always wanted to be a part of Boston University, I have that option as well and I do not have to relocate from Texas to do so. Being able to attend the school of your choice or possibly a school you have always wanted to attend without uprooting your life is a wonderful thing. It doesn't always work out that your childhood dream school has an online program, but many do. Look at University of Florida for example.
Fifth, as an adult learner I can tell you first hand how unnerving it can be to sit in a classroom full of 18 and 19 year old kids who are only there because they don't know what else they should be doing with their lives. It can be not only distracting, but lonely. I tried night school and would see exhausted adults trod into the room, sit for the lectures and then leave to go catch 6 hours of sleep before working the next day. Generally we didn't speak to each other much and frankly it was a bit depressing. Going online I don't have to deal with either group.
Sixth, online education has got to be the most bias free environment from which to learn. Nobody looks at your work from the perspective of race, sex (usually) or religion because nobody knows that about you online unless you share that information. Your ideas will be taken solely upon their own merit. Online school completely levels the playing field.
Lastly going to school online allows me to work around not just my professional life, but my personal and family life as well. I can adjust my class work to my families needs and that is important because as we all know, family comes first.
What are your reasons for going to school online?
---Cajun