Online Education NETWORK. as an Alternative to the Traditional System. The College Network River Crossing Parkway Indianapolis, IN 46240

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1 Online Education as an Alternative to the Traditional System The College Network 3815 River Crossing Parkway Indianapolis, IN LEARN (3276) NETWORK Education Inspired by life

2 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 Sources. 18 1

3 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 percent per year on average in enrollments for fully online learning over the five years 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 2

4 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 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. 3

5 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 4

6 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 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 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 5

7 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 the student. Merryfield s research proves that online education is beneficial to more than just 6

8 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 CO 2 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 7

9 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 ing, 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 8

10 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 9

11 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 10

12 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 11

13 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 12

14 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 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 13

15 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 14

16 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 15

17 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 16

18 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 or visit us at for more information about the programs available. 17

19 SOURCES i Fitzpatrick, R. Is distance education better than the traditional classroom? April 14, ii Wikipedia. E-Learning. May 14, iii History of virtual learning environments. May 7, iv Ibid. May 7, v Monko, Andrew. Online Adult Education: A Look Back to the Future. May 7, vi Ibid. May 7, 2010 vii Ibid. May 7, 2010 viii Nursing Shortage Continues During Recession, May 7, 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., x The College Board, Break Down the Bill: What s It Going to Cost? May 12, xi Ibid. May 12, 2010 xii BabyCenter.com. How Much You ll Spend on Childcare. August May 12, xiii Ohio State University. Online Classes Provide Better Way to Teach Global Education, Researcher Says. May, 12, April 14, xiv Ibid. April 14, xv Kaufman, Clare, Nine Ways to Save the World with Your College Degree. April 14, xvi Ibid. April 14, xvii Williamson, Jennifer, Distance-Education.org. Going Green: Why Distance Education is Better for the Environment. Better-for-the-Environment-46.html. December 27, April 14, xviii EducationOnline.com, How to Choose an Online Degree Program, April 14, xix Ibid. April 14, xx Ibid. April 14, xxi Ibid. April 14, xxii Ibid. April 14, xxiii Ibid. April 14, xxiv Ibid. April 14, xxv Ibid. April 14, xxvi Freeman, Jennifer. University of Texas System Telecampus, How to Choose and Online Degree Program. April 14, xxvii EducationOnline.com, How to Choose an Online Degree Program, April 14,