Online Education

as an Alternative to the Traditional System

The College Network

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of online education ………………………………………………………….... 2

The history of online education ……………………………………………………......... 2

Online education can help with the nursing shortage …………………………………… 4

Advantages of eLearning ………………………………………………………………... 4

Disadvantages of eLearning ……………………………………………………………... 7

Distance education vs. classroom learning ……………………………………………… 9

Institutions that partner with universities ……………………………………………… 10

Researching online schools/programs ………………………………………………….. 11

Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………... 16

Sources …………………………………………………………………………………. 18

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Overview of online education

“Distance education reaches a broader student audience, better addresses student

needs, saves money, and more importantly uses the principles of modern learning

[education].” i More and more students are choosing to earn a degree online. In fact, “by

2006, 3.5 million students were participating in online learning at institutions of higher

education in the United States. According to the Sloan Foundation reports, there has been

an increase of around 12–14 percent per year on average in enrollments for fully online

learning over the five years 2004–2009 in the U.S. post-secondary system, compared

with an average of approximately 2 percent increase per year in enrollments overall.” ii

As with most things, there are pros and cons of earning a degree online. This

paper explores both sides of the issue as well as provides suggestions on how best to

choose an online institution, should that be the final decision.

The history of online education

Online education goes back further than one might expect. The following is a

brief timeline of how online education came to be:

• In 1892, the term “distance education” was first used in a University of

Wisconsin-Madison catalog for the 1892 school year. iii

• Small advances were made throughout the next fifty years, and the next big

milestone occurred in 1953 when the University of Houston offered “the first

televised college credit classes via KUHT, the first public television station in the

United States. The live telecasts ran from 13 to 15 hours each week, making up

about 38 percent of the program schedule. Most courses aired at night so that

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 students who worked during the day could watch them. By the mid-1960s, with

about one-third of the station’s programming devoted to education, more than

100,000 semester hours had been taught on KUHT.” iv

• In 1960, scientists at the University of Illinois developed a computer-based

system called PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations)

that allowed students to use terminals to receive individual lessons, tests, and

guidance from remote instructors. v

• Tim Berners-Lee, a British engineer, developed the World Wide Web in 1989.

And, in the same year, the University of Phoenix launches the first online

university program to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees. vi

• In 1993, Jones International University became the first accredited college to exist

fully online. vii At this time, online classes were still slow. Pictures were small and

took a long time to load. Courses were also text-based, making it more difficult to

digest the amount of information being posted.

• Once we reached the millennium—an age of fast web servers—it was much easier

for students to learn online. With more people owning their own PC, students

were able to learn from home during their own time, enabling them to work and

learn on their own schedule.

Today, online education is as common as classroom learning. Some instructors are

being hired just to teach online courses. Online education has come a long way in the last

fifty years and the possibilities of where it’s headed are endless.

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Online education can help with the nursing shortage

Over the past decade, there has been a shortage of nurses throughout the United

States. However, qualified applicants are being turned away from nursing schools

because there are not enough educators in the field to admit the number of interested

students, only perpetuating the cycle. Yet another issue is baby boomer nurses are

beginning to retire in mass numbers, leaving the industry in even worse shape. One of the

ways this problem can be alleviated is through online education.

In addition to traditional schools, prospective nurses can

also use less conventional means of education including
online education avenues. Online education, for example,
offers a focused education at an accelerated pace. And now
there are plenty of accredited online universities offering
flexible classes. This may also help existing nursing
professionals obtain further education while they are able to
hold down part- and full-time jobs. viii

By encouraging nurses to earn a degree online from one of the many accredited

institutions available, this bottleneck effect that has wreaked havoc on the nursing

industry would begin to clear out.

Advantages of eLearning

In the new Education Department study about online education, researchers

“found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than

those receiving face-to-face instruction.” ix For the right person, online education has

many advantages, from the overall cost of the education to its effect on the environment.

In traditional colleges, tuition is just the beginning of the expenses students will incur for

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the duration of their education. There are a few other costs that should also be taken into

consideration that could be eliminated if they pursued an online degree.

For example, look into how much money would be spent on gas and parking

passes. Travel is not always applicable, but the national average for travel expenses for

four-year public colleges in 2009–10 is $1,079. x Before students even set foot into a

classroom, they are spending money on education.

Next, let us move on to course materials like textbooks. The national average for

public schools for the 2009–10 school year was $561 per semester.xi Students attending

campus-based classes also need to consider lab fees and equipment, library fees and costs

for using the Internet, as well as printing and photocopying expenses. While the costs for

these course materials seem fairly low, paying them each semester can really add up.

If students are single parents or their spouses work during the day, then child care

is necessary to go back to campus. “With an average of $8,150 per year ($679 per

month), daycare costs for babies and toddlers in the United States range from $4,388 to

$14,647 a year ($366 to $1,221 monthly), according to data from the National

Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).” xii No matter

what avenue students choose to pursue regarding childcare (babysitter, daycare center,

etc.), it’s an expense that can be difficult to avoid if they want to attend classes at a

traditional college.

Online education also often allows students the ability to complete classes on their

own timeframe. This helps them save money on both travel and childcare expenses, not

to mention that the student may be able to maintain a full-time job while taking classes. It

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also does not matter how far away a student lives from the college; there are no travel

expenses to worry about.

Merry Merryfield, a professor of social studies and global education at The Ohio

State University, also discusses another advantage of distance learning. “Online classes

permit students to tackle more controversial subjects, ensure that all students participate

equally, and give the opportunity for more thoughtful and in-depth discussion of

issues,” xiii Merryfield found in a recent study. In one particular course, she had over 60

people from 18 states and 12 countries. Her classes give students the opportunity to

discus controversial topics—such as the war in Iraq and terrorism—that some students

might feel uncomfortable discussing in person.

Another aspect of Merryfield’s study that is continuing to help teachers globally is

a project she has her students complete on global education every semester. She makes

these projects available to all the students to read and use. From these projects,

Merryfield and her collaborators have created databases

about certain countries, regions and issues in global
education. When the latest conflict between the United
States and Iraq erupted, Merryfield and colleagues took
database information about Iraq and the Middle East and
sent it to various listservs and published it in Social
Education, the lead journal for social studies. ‘It’s
immediately getting the best resources we have about a
certain part of the world in the hands of teachers so they
can use it in their classrooms,’ Merryfield said.
‘Traditionally, it would have taken 10 to 15 years to
publish this information in textbooks.’ xiv

Merryfield’s research proves that online education is beneficial to more than just

the student.

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 Distance learning is also beneficial for the environment. The Stockholm

Environmental Institute (SEI) and the United Kingdom’s Open University Design

Innovation Group (DIG) found that “distance learning courses consumed nearly 90

percent less energy and produced 85 percent fewer CO2 emissions than conventional

campus university courses.” xv

Some of the reasons behind this benefit to the environment are no commuting so

less car exhaust. Online education also saves trees by providing discussions, lectures, and

other reading materials electronically instead of printing copies for each individual

student. “DIG’s study found that electronic delivery of distance courses more than halves

paper and print consumption.” xvi

No campus also means less energy is being expended. From lighting for the

buildings and classrooms to temperature control, colleges in the United States spend

more than $2 billion every year on energy costs—and more than 30 percent of that is

wasted. xvii

Many hidden expenses that go along with attending campus-based classes can be

reduced or eliminated with online education.

Disadvantages of eLearning

Despite there being an overwhelming number of advantages to earning a degree

online, there are also disadvantages that should be pointed out. For instance, part of the

reason many people look into online education is because they are far enough away from

their local college campus or university to make it difficult to commute to and from

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classes. This also means they might be in a location that does not get adequate, if any,

connection to the internet—a must-have if you are going to take classes online.

Online degrees also lack the kind of social interaction that can be found at a

traditional brick and mortar school. Unless there are specific groups that agree to meet

and discuss classes or homework, online education is a very individualized undertaking.

While this is becoming less of a problem thanks to online discussion boards, chats, video

conferencing and emailing, it is still not the same as attending classes with 20, 30 or even

50 other individuals.

The idea of working alone to achieve higher education might also be difficult for

those who need that extra push to make sure they keep up with classes and do not fall

behind. Online degrees can often be completed in a fraction of the time it takes to

complete a traditional degree, but only if students maintain a high standard for

themselves. It can be very easy to begin putting off the work until months or even years

have gone by without having completed enough courses to earn a degree.

For students who have just graduated high school, a traditional degree might

provide the better option because of the potential for social growth in addition to

advanced education. Online education means a loss of the college lifestyle, such as

activities and events that take place outside the classroom, which can be very enticing to

younger students and not as important to adult learners. Very often, younger students do

not yet have a full-time job or a family to provide for, so they are better equipped to

spend the majority of their time learning in a campus-type environment.

Another disadvantage to distance learning is the lack of immediate feedback. In a

classroom setting, performance can be assessed through questions, quizzes, etc. With

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online education, students are often forced to wait until the instructor has evaluated their

work and given feedback.

Occasionally, a class that is required for a certain degree (or maybe several

classes) is not available online. Some classes are not suitable for online education and in

such cases, the student is responsible for attending a certain number of hours or classes in

a traditional classroom setting. Labs, which provide the student with hands-on

experience, are difficult to teach entirely online.

Despite the advancement of online education, there are still some universities and

employers who will not accept courses or degrees from online institutions. If students are

looking to continue their education through a traditional school once their online degree

is complete, they should make sure that the courses they complete online will transfer.

The same goes for businesses. If there is a future employer a student has in mind, it

would be wise to check their policy regarding online degrees.

The most important thing to take into consideration when looking into distance

learning, or online education, is remembering that students need to have specific skills

such as self-motivation and good time management skills if they expect to succeed.

However, this can also be the case in traditional classroom-based learning.

Distance learning vs. classroom education

We have gone through the advantages and disadvantages of online education, but

now we are going to sift through the actual differences between online and classroom

learning. For starters, face-to-face instruction provides a more intense type of interaction

between teacher and student and even within the student body. Online lectures can

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provide a sense of human contact, but they don’t necessarily have the interactivity of an

actual classroom setting.

Another big difference between the two is that with distance learning, students

can maintain a full-time job, family life, extracurricular activities, and other commitments

while earning a degree. A classroom education has strict scheduling and there are often

penalties for tardiness or missing class.

One of the biggest differences between the two learning styles is that it can be

much easier to pick a reputable brick-and-mortar college than an online institution. For

one thing, traditional colleges have been around longer. Their reputations have often been

built on decades of satisfied customers—or students—and it is relatively easy to check

and make sure they’re accredited. Online institutions are a little trickier. Unfortunately

there are some companies out there that are only interested in duping students out of their

hard-earned money and offer degrees that are not accredited by an institution of higher

learning. Students need to be careful to ensure that the online education provider they

seek is regionally accredited by a reputable institution.

Institutions that partner with universities

In addition to the two ends of the spectrum—classroom and online education—

there are also companies that help with the process. These companies partner with

universities and colleges across the United States to provide working professionals with

eLearning and educational services. With the help of these companies, interested students

can obtain a college degree or professional certificate from established and accredited

universities. These programs are designed for busy adults and are self-paced so that

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students have the opportunity to advance their education without sacrificing their

personal or professional life.

Researching online schools/programs

How do students go about choosing the right school or program for them?

Although it might be tempting to focus heavily on pricing, it is often a poor indicator of a

school’s actual value. EducationOnline.com, which includes information, advice, and

search options on distance learning schools, features an article called “How to Choose an

Online Degree Program” and offers several questions to ask before choosing a

program. xviii

1. Statistics Track Record

Find out the graduation and dropout rates. If there is a high percentage of

students transferring or dropping out, chances are students aren’t being taught

well.

2. Experience

“Quality institutions continuously learn about and develop new

methodologies. Some major universities have the name recognition, but do

their online programs have the recognition, too?” xix

3. Number of Students in Classes

Find out the number of students allowed into each particular class. It is easy to

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 see those kinds of numbers in a classroom setting, and most colleges will brag

about a low teacher-to-student ratio.

4. Standards and Practices

“Diploma mills are quite clever in assigning themselves accreditation and

stamps of approval. Caution is necessary.” xx Look for regional accreditations,

as they are more widely accepted and reputable than national accreditation.

5. Does the Program Meet Your Needs?

Students should make sure the institution(s) they are looking into have the

programs and classes they are interested in. Research is the simplest way to do

this. “When it comes to licensing or certification, it’s even more critical. If [a

student] take[s] courses toward a license or certificate from an out-of-state

online university, make sure the degree, license, or certificate is valid in the

state in which [it will be used].” xxi

6. Transferring Credits

Not every college and/or university will accept credits from online schools.

The most widely accepted credits will come from a regionally accredited

institution.

7. Dropping Courses

Students should make sure to ask about the policy on needing to leave a

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 course. Is it possible to get a refund? How about readmission at a later date?

8. Policy on Disabilities

“Some programs have a disability coordinator. Ask about policies and

accessibility. What kinds of accommodations can students with disabilities

expect, such as taking longer to complete tests?” xxii

9. Teacher Response

A student’s success depends a lot on his or her teachers. Prospective students

should “ask questions such as ‘How long have faculty members taught

online?’ and ‘How long does it take to get homework back?’ and ‘Do

professors answer email frequently?’” xxiii

10. Online Education Training For Teachers

“For-profit online institutions usually have control over faculty members and

can require training. However, in institutions with a strong tradition of faculty

and/or union control, such training may be suggested but not required.” xxiv

11. Teachers Certification

Students should look to see how much experience and education teachers have

in their own field. “For instance, a marketing class in health administration

might have the CEO of a health group or a person running the health-care

system of a senior center develop and/or teach the class. Students would work

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 with the CEO to develop a proactive marketing plan so that they not only

learn information but also use it in real-life situations.” xxv

12. Curriculum Development

Just because a teacher is good in the front of a classroom does not necessarily

mean he or she will know how to adjust those skills to an online environment.

Because of the strong differences in online and face-to-face education, courses

need to be formatted differently.

13. Example of a Well-Designed Course

o “Clear Organization

o Clear goals and objectives

o Thorough instructions for all assignments and other course logistics

o Instructionally appropriate media (graphics, audio/video, animations, etc.)

o Opportunities for interaction

o Activities that encourage students to be active learners

o Student resources (library, tutoring, technical support, etc.)

o Clear content that’s easy to read and aesthetically pleasing”

14. Example of a Poorly Designed Course

o Unclear content organization, unclear navigation

o Incomplete or wrong information in the syllabus

o Unclear expectations and learning objectives

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 o Incomplete or missing instructions for class participation, homework
assignments

o No clear communication plan

o Few opportunities for students to interact with other students, instructors,

or the course material itself

o Poor content presentation (typos, errors, text-heavy and difficult-to-read

materials, technical problems, etc.)

o Assistance and/or resources for students are incomplete or missing” xxvi

15. Student Services

Students should make sure there is someone who will be available to answer

their questions, from financial aid to directions to scheduling questions.

16. Questions for the Student Advisor

o Is the degree program totally online? Any reason a student is required to

be on campus needs to be known up front.

o Is the degree the same? The diploma shouldn’t look any different from a
traditional degree diploma earned on campus.

o Are there entrance exams? Most admission requirements need to be

completed as if the student were taking classes traditionally.

o What degrees are offered? Not all degrees offered at the campus may be
available online as well.

o What is the registration process?

o How long will it take to earn the degree?

o How is testing completed? Students need to know if their exams will be

proctored and where to learn their grades. xxvii

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 17. Tutoring and Mentoring

It is important that students know where to find college-recommended tutors

should they need them during the course of their education.

18. Library Services

Distance learning students should be offered the same access to campus

library services as traditional students. Often books, articles, or other

information can be mailed or delivered to a library nearer to the student.

19. Help Desk and Technology

Students should understand what level of technology and programs are

required before enrolling in any particular degree program.

20. Tech Support

Since online students are able to complete assignments 24 hours a day, seven

days a week, tech support should be available to them on the same schedule so

that they aren’t forced to wait until operating hours.

Conclusion

Whether it is online education or a traditional classroom, ultimately the decision

comes down to what is right for the individual student. More and more prospective

students are choosing to earn degrees online because of other commitments in life that

simply cannot be put on hold. Whether it is the need to work full-time, other

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commitments, or simply because the degree they are interested in is not offered close to

them, students are beginning to realize the potential in distance education. The question

is, if students are self-motivated, eager to learn, and have the willingness to put forth the

effort, why wouldn’t they take that next step?

About The College Network, Inc.

The College Network partners with established universities to offer associate’s,
bachelor’s and master’s degree programs as well as professional certificates entirely
through distance learning. Since 1992, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of busy
adults advance their education and training while maintaining a good work/life balance.

All of the programs offered through our partner universities are regionally accredited and
accepted by institutions throughout the country. Upon completion of a degree program,
students will receive the same university diploma they would have earned by attending
classes on campus.

The College Network strives to provide high-quality education that can be completed
conveniently and at an affordable price. Call us at 1-800-395-1014 or visit us at
www.collegenetwork.com for more information about the programs available.

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SOURCES

i
Fitzpatrick, R. Is distance education better than the traditional classroom?
http://www.clearpnt.com/accelepoint/articles/r_fitzpatrick_060101.shtml. 2001. April 14, 2010.
ii
Wikipedia. E-Learning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning. May 14, 2010.
iii
History of virtual learning environments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_virtual_learning_environments, May 7, 2010.
iv
Ibid. May 7, 2010.
v
Monko, Andrew. Online Adult Education: A Look Back to the Future.
http://www.allonlineschools.com/online-education-resource-center/history-online-education. May 7, 2010.
vi
Ibid. May 7, 2010
vii
Ibid. May 7, 2010
viii
Nursing Shortage Continues During Recession, http://www.bestnursingschools.net/information/nursing-
shortage.html. May 7, 2010.
ix
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Evaluation of
Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies,
Washington, D.C., 2009.
x
The College Board, Break Down the Bill: What’s It Going to Cost?
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/482.html. May 12, 2010.
xi
Ibid. May 12, 2010
xii
BabyCenter.com. How Much You’ll Spend on Childcare. http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-
youll-spend-on-childcare_1199776.bc?print=true. August 2007. May 12, 2010.
xiii
Ohio State University. Online Classes Provide Better Way to Teach Global Education, Researcher Says.
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/globeduc.htm. May, 12, 2003. April 14, 2010.
xiv
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xv
Kaufman, Clare, Nine Ways to Save the World with Your College Degree.
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-advisor/indepth/save-world-online.php. April 14, 2010.
xvi
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xvii
Williamson, Jennifer, Distance-Education.org. Going Green: Why Distance Education is Better for the
Environment. http://www.distance-education.org/Articles/Going-Green--Why-Distance-Education-is-
Better-for-the-Environment-46.html. December 27, 2007. April 14, 2010.
xviii
EducationOnline.com, How to Choose an Online Degree Program,
http://www.educationline.com/choosing-an-online-school. April 14, 2010.
xix
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xx
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xxi
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xxii
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xxiii
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xxiv
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xxv
Ibid. April 14, 2010.
xxvi
Freeman, Jennifer. University of Texas System Telecampus, How to Choose and Online Degree
Program. http://www.educationonline.com/choosing-an-online-school. April 14, 2010.
xxvii
EducationOnline.com, How to Choose an Online Degree Program,
http://www.educationline.com/choosing-an-online-school. April 14, 2010.

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