Is online education equal in quality to a traditional campus based education?

I added the last option because I really do think it varies based on the college/university. Some online universities are equal, or better than, some traditional colleges. Others are pure diploma mills. And some online learning environments are done through a campus-based college, which is what I did this past semester and many of my other friends have done. Rather than attend classes on the campus, they attend classes online.

~C
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I think it varies alot depending on the subject material and the student, including their integrity.
I think things like anatomy and chemistry would me better taught and learned in a class were as criminal just and such is taught just as well on line.

Some students will do everything possible to cheat through an on line class. I have even heard of them going so far as to pay someone to do the work for them in a class that was not degree specific.

Of course some people can not learn by reading material alone. I took chemistry on line one time and right in the begining I could tell this girl was trouble. She did not understand how to do an assignment and asked for help in the chat. We told her page mubers, quick linked to the correct slides, and paraphrased. She still not get it. We got extra points for as much details as we put up with out doing it for her and for refering to the teacher when help was not working. Seriously if you going to try an online class you should at least know if you can learn through reading.

There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.~- Anais Nin

I said it varies. I think it greatly depends upon the person. As a homeschooler, most of my education is via internet. I submit all my assignments online and I can call/email my counselors with questions. All my friends who use the same program are online friends (until I turn them into real life friends by talking on the phone and meeting up and stuff). I'm really social and I learn well through discussion, so that part is really difficult for me. I find it harder to memorize stuff if I don't have someone to talk to. Luckily, like I said, I'm social, so I've made friends with some of the online kids in my grade and we swap info. However, it's really nice at the same time because it's more flexible than regular school. Finally, it takes a lot more self-discipline when you're all on your lonesome having to motivate yourself to get your school done, so it teaches you big time. Now I know college isn't exactly the same, but there are some similarities.

As for me, I'm looking forward to deadlines, classrooms, and discussion. I've LOVED being homeschooled and would totally do it all over again. However, for college, I'm going to be on a traditional campus all the way!

RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa

On how you learn. If you learn best with human interaction then a typical university will work best for you. But if you are a more independent type of person and not a procrastinator, then try the online.

It varies - but not so much in terms of the college/organization. It really comes down to the individual's initiative and want to learn. I would not do very well in an online setting unless I REALLY worked hard to change my ways. I do, however, want to learn and learn a ton thanks to the internet - but most of my actual learning will occur on campus. I am a campus person.

There are others, however, that are more focused on their studies that might fair well, even florish, in an online setting.

-acertainsaint-

I also said it varies. Those online universities that are accredited are held to the same educational standards by the accreditation bureau's as are traditional brick and mortar schools and often offer just as quality an education. And the instructors are, more often than not, just as qualified as those in traditional schools.

I opted to do online partly because I can't stand the traditional classroom. I hate sitting there and the more I hate sitting there, the more my attention drifts and the more my attention drifts, the less I learn. Online, however, I can get up and move around when I want too and since I have only myself to rely on, I have to ensure that I'm doing all I can to learn all I can. Having that higher level of self discipline that is involved means I, personally, learn more. I've heard similar sentiments from others that opted to do online as well. It works best for them because they learn more in that self oriented environment than they ever did or would in a traditional classroom.

It doesn't work for everyone though. I've been a peer advisor with Kaplan for the last year and I've had so many students tell me that they decided to do online because they thought it would be easier as well as more convenient. When they realize it's a lot harder than they thought, it's not uncommon to see half of a class drop because they weren't prepared for the strict deadlines and the sheer amount of work it requires.

They do make us work. And then when we're done with that, they make us work some more.

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~Fallon~

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.- Russell
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I strongly believe that an important part of the college experience is being away from home, so that's why I voted traditional campus. You can get a good education with either; in that sense, it depends on the person.

"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson

The Internet is evil. Actually, I've been working on a blog post about how much I hate modernity. Call me old fashioned.

Of course, I voted that on-campus education is always better than online.

I tried one expensive class at Phoenix and I didn't like it.

I'm the type of person that likes to go to a class. However nowadays with my work schedule, I could only do an on line course from a reputable physical college.

Its just too expensive. I did my BA and Master's the traditional way.

Susan
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A life not examined is a life not worth living.....plato

H
Of course since ive never taken an online class, i guess i'm not objective, but i know many people taking online classes (and no they dont represent everybody) but they cheat, they have their wives, siblings etc do their homework, they treat it like its a lesser education, i wonder if employers see it as just as good when hiring people. also, its all done with message boards so a lot of times discussions are misunderstood/misinterpreted, like how many misunderstands occur online

While I voted that it varies, I can sincerely see Jsaj's point on the importance of going to a traditional college. That may be the best option for a traditional student, one who is just getting out of high school. Younger students may benefit greatly from the experience of being on there own in a more structured atmosphere. As far as actually "learning" and getting an education, I feel that it really depends on the student rather than the institution they attend. It all depends on what the student wants to learn and how much energy they put into their own education. Any means of learning can be effective, even if instructors are lacking, students can choose, and should choose to in subjects directly related to their major, go above and beyond and want to learn as much as they can about their future area of study. Even one good professor at the crappiest school in the world can make a world of difference in one's education.

I would probably never even try an online course, unless it was just for certification or something like that. My school is purely traditional, and I love having debates in class, and talking in person to the professor and other students. I know chat options are available, but it is just not the same. However, I chose it varies because I know there are times when online is better with a students schedule or some people may learn better that way. I also do not have the self-discipline to succeed at it.

I am one of those students who tends to dominate discussions, so I do realize that it can be dificult for others if they do not like speaking in front of people, or have trouble speaking up when there are a few students who always volunteers the answers right away so in that way the online classes could be better.

Like what you've read? Well, then here's more:
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711

I know there is an official place to suggest new polls, but I couldn't find it.

I am encouraged by the responses to this one. I really did expect a lot more elitism supporting traditional on-campus education. I think that this is more evidence supporting the value of the internet and the evolution of the transmission of information.

(Out of curiosity, is there anyone on ProU who is familiar with Internet II?)

i would like to see how people respond to a poll about war. Is war effective? If so, under what circumstances should war be instituted? How is it effective?

"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude