College students are no longer constrained by having to take classes on a college campus. Recent technological advances have created the opportunity to earn online college degrees, and tens of thousands of students are taking advantage of this option.
Many people are unable to pursue a traditional, campus-based college degree because of family commitments, demanding jobs, and/or other obligations. For them, online education is a great option, an option that allows them to achieve professional goals which otherwise might not be possible.
But, with online education, students can make academics fit their schedule. That means that anyone who is motivated to do so can find the time to earn a degree.
Another major benefit of taking classes online is that the time, trouble, and expenses of commuting are eliminated.
What about course scheduling conflicts? They do not exist for online students. And, online students are never "closed out" of a class because a classroom can not accommodate additional students.
Because online students can enroll in any courses they need, whenever they wish, they are frequently able to earn degrees much more quickly than their counterparts enrolled in campus-based degree programs. As a result, they have the potential to reach their professional career goals more quickly.
Discomfort with technology used to prevent some adults from earning online degrees, but those days are virtually gone. Because almost all jobs now require at least as much computer skill as are needed to take classes online, most adults now feel far more comfortable sitting at a computer than they do in a classroom.
With the increased use of webinars and discussion boards in online classes, the other concern some people had about online college programsabsence of interaction with faculty and classmateshas also nearly disappeared. No longer does online education mean that students are alone.
No responsible educator would suggest that students should not automatically rule out traditional, on-campus degree programs. In fact, for some, it is the best option. But, when most working adults weigh their educational choices, they will conclude that online education offers them the best chance to meet their educational goals without neglecting their professional and/or family responsibilities.
Many people are unable to pursue a traditional, campus-based college degree because of family commitments, demanding jobs, and/or other obligations. For them, online education is a great option, an option that allows them to achieve professional goals which otherwise might not be possible.
But, with online education, students can make academics fit their schedule. That means that anyone who is motivated to do so can find the time to earn a degree.
Another major benefit of taking classes online is that the time, trouble, and expenses of commuting are eliminated.
What about course scheduling conflicts? They do not exist for online students. And, online students are never "closed out" of a class because a classroom can not accommodate additional students.
Because online students can enroll in any courses they need, whenever they wish, they are frequently able to earn degrees much more quickly than their counterparts enrolled in campus-based degree programs. As a result, they have the potential to reach their professional career goals more quickly.
Discomfort with technology used to prevent some adults from earning online degrees, but those days are virtually gone. Because almost all jobs now require at least as much computer skill as are needed to take classes online, most adults now feel far more comfortable sitting at a computer than they do in a classroom.
With the increased use of webinars and discussion boards in online classes, the other concern some people had about online college programsabsence of interaction with faculty and classmateshas also nearly disappeared. No longer does online education mean that students are alone.
No responsible educator would suggest that students should not automatically rule out traditional, on-campus degree programs. In fact, for some, it is the best option. But, when most working adults weigh their educational choices, they will conclude that online education offers them the best chance to meet their educational goals without neglecting their professional and/or family responsibilities.
About the Author:
Laura Greene is an education columnist and freelance writer whose interests include online college degrees, adults returning to higher education, scholarships for adult students, and the advantages of online college attendance.
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