Research backs online learning

Over the years online learning has received a bad reputation; for whatever reason people think it’s of lower quality and not worth as much as an education received from a “brick-and-mortar” institution.  Well, a recent blog posted on About.com by Jaime Littlefield provides research and statistics that state the contrary. 

 

The research reports mentioned state that students in online learning not only outperform their peers but also show a greater level of commitment to their students.  And, it’s no surprise that with the continual growth and interest in online learning that more and more colleges and universities are building it into their curriculum.

 

To read more about the different studies mentioned check out Jaime’s blog in About.com’s distance learning section.

 

Do you think online students are more dedicated to their studies?  Should all colleges and universities offer online learning in some form (individual courses or entire degree programs)?

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Comments

August 4. 2009 19:21

I do not think online students are more dedicated to their studies any more than traditional 'brick and mortar' students are either. Performance and dedication all comes on the individual level. Some people prefer the challenges online study offers over the traditional schools. *tsk

I also think it is important that most universities should integrate online learning in some form. If they cannot go it all through a degree program, then at least some individual courses will do. Variety will help, as obviously not everyone is open to getting tied down with the full day system. I am not saying it like anything is bad about traditional schooling, it's just it is important to be up to speed in this 'jet age'.

Josh

August 4. 2009 21:25

On another note, it is encouraging to see that more people are beginning to be curious enough to give online study/students some befitting attention, rather than try to discourage the process altogether.

Just wondering: Do all online schools follow the Penn Foster model of open-book course module level exams and proctored end of semester exams? Or do they tailor their needs according to what the board thinks?

I'd also like to have a reminder on why PF chooses the above mentioned examination method. I believe it is necessary PF students are armed with enough information to be able to defend themselves when their study methods is brought up to scrutiny.

Josh

August 7. 2009 03:12

I think that online learning is only good for social science courses, but on courses with needs lots of application, it doesn't suit at all, like nursing and medicine, etc.

Dental Riverside

September 7. 2009 09:06

Am I allowed to write a comment from the other side of the world? I come from Germany and I'm the owner of a small head hunting agency in Halle (Saale).
We have kinds of online universities in Germany, too. Its a really good way for working people to get a higher level of education without a break in their current profession. Unfortunately some leaders in german businesses rank people with certificates of online educational institutes lower than people from universities - but the situation gets better step by step. Online education in Germany has to be fully paid - and I think that someone, who pays for his education automatically has an high interest to reach best results in learning. Regards from Germany, Marco

Marco

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November 20. 2009 21:14