Through the technological advancements that our world had undergone, we have been focused too much on getting the edge on learning these advancements. True that computers, cellular phones and satellites are effective and efficient as means of communication. But the question in education still remains, Is learning more effective online? I can say that enrolling on online school has numerous advantage but the fact that being physically present in the classroom is more effective for learning.

rafaelescobar:

I can say that enrolling on online school has numerous advantage but the fact that being physically present in the classroom is more effective for learning.

Sorry, Rafael, but like the saying goes, you're entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts.  There's plenty of research going back for decades that demonstrates that distance learning is as effective as classroom-based learning.  For more information, see the excellent No Significant Difference web site, a repository for that sort of research. 

There's even a U.S. Department of Education meta-analysis that suggests that distance learning is more effective than classroom-based learning!

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

I won't repeat Steve suffice to say I disagree that classroom learning is superior to online learning.  Now in a hands on, applied knowledge type environment such as clinical learning during medical school absolutely.  But then for business and information systems it could be argued that online learning is superior as it requires skills in non-verbal communication techniques. 

I think that it only diminishes your argument when speaking in absolute terms- on either side of the fence.  Statistics can be mainpulated to prove/disprove any point.

I have taken many online courses and I feel as though the ones that were administered correctly were amazing courses that I learned a great deal from.  The best ones I took were offered through colleges that respect and encourage non-traditional college aged students.  I took full advantage of the discussions and the group interactions and I feel as though the flexibility they offered me far outweighed any negative factors. 

I am currently attending a B&M college that is geared toward traditional aged college students.  While I really love the direct, face to face interaction with the professors, the younger students are less than enthused with the courses, professors and content.  In general, they appear to be putting in the bare minimum effort.  The discussions could be really great, but they are limited because of the apathetic attitudes.  I am getting a great deal out of the classes, so I can't complain.  I have met a couple of nice people and that kind of "meeting" could never happen in an online course. 

 I would say that both types of education offer advantages aw well as disadvantages.  It is a bit narrow minded to think that one is so much better than the other.  There are so many factors that influence what one person needs in a school and what would make a school good for them.  What works for one may not work for another.  Why not adopt the idea to learn and let learn. 

Sorry, but what you are stating is opinion, not fact.  As Steve has pointed out, studies have been done showing there is no significant difference in the learning outcomes between students who took their courses online and those who studied in the classroom.  For some people, classroom study may be best.  For others, online learning may work the best for them.  It is really up to each individual student to determine which method will best suit their needs.

 

I think it is more accurate to say that online learning is not for everyone, but that does not make it inferior to classroom learning.

 

I agree that there are no absolutes.  I think that the process of education and in turn learning is so highly personal of an experience that the more offerings made available in the better.  Having a variety of forums by which to learn to allow people to choose what works for them is the essence of the concept of life learning and as such I find that there is much that can be said of online and in classroom learning styles.  I also support work group when it works, internships, testing for credit, etc.  Learning is highly subjective based on the individual, there is no and never will be a "one size fits all".  That being said I don't think Steve is being narrow minded at all, instead stating his position in the argument and backing them up with empirical evidence.  Saying "statistics can be manipulated..." is a losing argument, instead back your opinion with facts and findings of your own.

Like Steve said, you're entitled to your own opinions but it really comes down to what type of learning mode best fits you. Perhaps, you need the extra "hand holding" and support in a traditional school, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, in today's fast paced environment most people can't afford to take off several years to focus on school without maintaining a steady income. Therefore, analyze your own needs and lifestyle and go from there. I can't speak for everyone here but I can say with a strong sense of confidence that most of the folks in these forums don't into your specific learning mode.

cimbriano:

I think that it only diminishes your argument when speaking in absolute terms- on either side of the fence.  Statistics can be mainpulated to prove/disprove any point.

I understand and agree with the argument that different modes of study are better suited for different educational situations.  That said, I don't think it diminishes an argument to actually hold a concrete position on something.  Yes, statistics can be manipulated, but there's research going back to the 1920's that the mode of study produces no significant difference in educational outcome.  Once there's enough evidence for something, denying it just means denying the existence of any truth at all, and that's not a philosophy that interests me.

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

I think that is only in the eye of the beholder.  In undergraduate, I was so into partying, relationships, being homesick, that I didn't apply myself as much as I wanted to and I went to a brick and mortar university.  With graduate study online & in my experience, I have retained so much more information and learning objectives than I did with undergraduate.  Even when I attended a graduate school right after undergrad to get 6 credits, I was still unable to focus because of other things going on at home.  So online gave me the opportunity to learn, study, and interact with my classmates, while embracing my profession's foundational concepts, counseling.  Now, I think the experience is different for everyone.  In my personal testimony, I would have to disagree with you on that...lol.

The only thing in online learning I have missed out on is the personal interaction, but that's about it. 

I agree tcord!

Having studied "in-class" and "distance", I have to say that the subject matter really has a significant impact as to whether or not distance education is even feasible.  That analytical chemistry class, a mainstay of many science undergrad degrees, has to take place in a classroom and laboratory setting.  The same with some of the soil science, plant science, botany, biology and dendrology courses I took.

Other courses, like economics, finance, english lit, etc. perfectly suited to the distance delivery format.

I think that both delivery systems have advantages and disadvantages that must be taken into consideration when preparing a program of study.  That said, I haven't run into or personally experienced (or spoken with someone who has experienced) blended delivery yet, where distance learning is done around or before a lab session.  That might work extremely well, and knowing you need to have your game on when you step into the lab should provide incentive to have worked through the material.

I understand and agree with the argument that different modes of study are better suited for different educational situations.  That said, I don't think it diminishes an argument to actually hold a concrete position on something.  Yes, statistics can be manipulated, but there's research going back to the 1920's that the mode of study produces no significant difference in educational outcome.  Once there's enough evidence for something, denying it just means denying the existence of any truth at all, and that's not a philosophy that interests me.

-=Steve=-

 

 Regarding this type of issue, it serves no point to stand up and say one is so much better than another.  The title and OP were merely the perceptions of another poster.  I usually stay out of these types of discussions, but the word "personally" in the title made me do it.  It really boils down to what works for the individual student.  There is no way I could say that my way of learning is better than that of another person.  The way I learn is best for ME!  I think it is narrow minded to try to box people into one learning modality.  I think it is important to remember that our society depends upon  well educated future generations, so it seems pointless to waste time quibbling about the "best" way when there is a different "best" for each person. 

Dear i think there are certainly fundamental differences between brick and mortar learning and distance learning. Several studies have been conducted on this very topic. Most have revealed that people who take courses online tend to have sharper cognitive and technical skills than those who do not. On the other hand, the students who learn inside the classroom usually have better social and interactive skills. Of course, it isn't always how the student learns, or what they learn that should be observed. The idea of taking college courses via the Internet has earned a good deal of snubs by many in the higher learning sector. Employers sometimes look down on applicants who've learned via the Web versus those who have actually attended a University on site. This stigma can be harmful to students who have chosen to participate in distance learning.

cimbriano:

Regarding this type of issue, it serves no point to stand up and say one is so much better than another.  The title and OP were merely the perceptions of another poster.  I usually stay out of these types of discussions, but the word "personally" in the title made me do it.

I thought the original poster meant "personally" in the sense of being in class in person, as opposed to taking classes online or otherwise by distance.  And sure, different people will prefer different modalities.  But I still say that overall, ample research shows that distance learning at least holds its own against the classroom when it comes to being an effective means of conveying academic information.

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

I have taken classes at 4 different brick and mortar universities over the years and I have almost completed an BSBA degree online at Colorado Technical University so I feel that I have a substantial amount of experience in this subject.  Online Education, in my opinion, is not for everyone.  I think that there is a lot to be learned about life on a University campus outside of the classroom. I would prefer that my two kids go to college in a traditional manner because the transition from childhood to adulthood is much easier and smoother, for the most part, on a college campus than it is in the real world. Having said that I do not see a single difference between the online curriculum and on campus curriculum.  Most large state universities are now doing remedials and core curriculum classes such as Comp, Lit and Algebra online anyway.  The costs are so much less and the amount of instruction is probably better online than it is in a classroom of 300. A College education is about more than learning job skills, which is what an online degree, in my opinion, amounts to. Most adults who are online students have acquired these skills through life which is often a better school for learning such lessons. In my experience there is no clear advantage to either method. Like everything else in life you will get out of an online university exactly what you put into it.  Life will be a judge of the quality of eduation you have. Having Harvard on your diploma will open more doors but it is the individuals attitude that keeps those doors open, and that has nothing to do with where they were educated.