Online Education

One of the ways to tackle an opinion survey on CR4 is to have a couple of replies to the original posting, one with opinion A, one with opinion B, and for readers to vote for either one using the Good Answer mechanism. One problem with it is that the results would be skewed by miscreants using the Off Topic mechanism. Another problem with it is that the results of the survey will not be statistically significant.

It's a bit of a conundrum, isn't it?

There are a few accredited online universities in the US, and I really don't know how much credence the diplomas are given.

If you simply want to educate yourself, there are some incredible online sites. This is just one example that's completely free:

http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

College diplomas are becoming worth less every day, it's the knowledge and experience itself that is opening doors.

We've got a bunch of freaked out kids in the US, with liberal arts degrees, and they can't figure out why they can't find a job that starts at $60 K.

We've got a bunch of freaked out kids in the US, with liberal arts degrees, and they can't figure out why they can't find a job that starts at $60 K
First phrase a liberal art majors learns is " do you want to super size that order".

Online is a very good way to get additional information in your area of study or get educated outside of your main area of study. Getting a degree online may or may not be a good education but you will always have people that don't trust it.

I see you are from India. On YouTube it seems like India is the world leader in placing very good quality college courses online. Here is an example of just one of the many courses.

It depends what you want.

If you want a prestigious university diploma you should talk to the school you plan to graduate from and see if they will accept/transfer credits you plan to take.

If simply graduating is all that matters and the credentials of the university is not important, go for it.

However, most people want to have a reputable degree from a reputable university, so you must choose wisely and not all courses may be available on-line.

It depends on you, and your desired field.

If you are motivated and disciplined, and are studying in a non-technical field, I'd say they are fine.

If you want to study chemistry, physics, math or any highly technical subject a classroom is the best place to be.

Asking total strangers to make personal decisions for you is not a good approach.

Do the legwork yourself, just as you would have to do if you were taking an on-line course in Carrier paths. You shouldn't ask others to do the thinking for you!

Good luck.

How motivated are you to get educated? A lot of successful people became educated through self-education. By that, I mean they looked everywhere and absorbed knowledge where ever they found it. Abraham Lincoln was a self educated man. Sure it is difficult, but that is why I say "motivated. There is much you can learn from the internet. While the accumulation of knowledge is important in the education process, experience is also a very important component. Working in an environment of your choice and complementing that with books and the internet can lead to a good education. You won't have a degree and you might not even need one as long as you can prove your worth. Again many of our most successful people throughout history were self educated and didn't have a degree.

GA, ronseto

The education is only as good as the source. Highly valuable information can come from anywhere. Have your antenna up and watch for anyone who can add to your knowledge resevoir.

If you're looking for specialized education I would stick with Accredited Institutions. it also makes a difference as to what direction you want to go. If you're pursuing a Degree you need to make sure the classes you take have transferrable Credits.

Like Ronseto mentioned some of the most renowed statesmen we have had in this country had little, if any, formal education. They were self-directed in their education and were voracious readers.

Many colleges have online classes available. Most of the instructors are regular classroom instructors. Online is not for everyone. If you are a PROCRASTINATOR, please don't take online classes. If you want to learn and do well you need to read the next weeks curriculum this week and have all your work done early. Online classes require more time on the computer than regular classes and require more time overall. Many have forums that you must be involved in. Getting extra help (tutoring) can be more difficult in an online class. Extra help may require you to actually go to the campus and see someone.

You must have a reliable computer and you must be able to use it and the schools software well.

I think, online education is a very cool thing!

Online education initially sounds great. But you need to be very disciplined. And I’m talking about the general education classes. The more technical classes,... I’m not so sure on the reasoning that I feel a class involvement you get more out of it working with a group and instructor/professor right there. Especially labs.

I took a couple "correspondence courses" when I was overseas in the military, early 1970's. Truly correspondence - one mailed assignments in, got corrected version back by mail.

It was at my own pace, and I finished both courses, sometimes doing 3 lessons a week, sometimes a lesson every two weeks, depending on what the work load was.

About 2005, I signed up for a Powerr Point on-line course. I was astounded that it was a strict schedule (2 or 3 assignements per week) that could not be changed. That was totally unworkable for the job situation I had. I was naively expecting a correspondence course on a computer - the computer version of the self scheduled courses I did in the =1970's, but got trapped in a strict schedule course.

If I could have done a strict 2 or 3 times a week schedule, I'd have found something brick and mortar close to home and attended class.

I never finished the on-line course because of out-of-town travel and 12 hour days that just did not accommodate a strict "assignments due on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday".

I've inquired of others who have taken on-line courses and they all appear be "school minus the classroom" - boring lectures on-line and scheduled assignments. Not my cup of tea, but if that's the game, so be it. I'd prefer to read the text and do the work and turn it in at a pace I can manage, but from what I can see, such is not manner of on-line education.

Students can fit them around their existing responsibilities and commitments, and can engage with multimedia content and learning materials at whatever time is most convenient to them. Even better: they don’t have to travel anywhere to study, they can simply log in to the virtual campus from the comfort of their own home or office.There’s a second reason why online learning has become so popular: it’s cheaper. Cost can often be a prohibitive factor in why individual students don’t enrol in courses they’re interested in. Online courses are easily accessible on much smaller budgets.

Hello All,

Here is my take on online education.

Let me start from saying at 16 years old, I drop out of school.

I was never good in school with fighting and just a angry young man that grow up in a big family of 8 kids. 6 boys and 2 girls.

We were poor, but my father worked very hard and did his best.

I did my GED later in the years, but never good at writing. I did start a engineering course online that was credited as they claimed, but when I wanted to transfer those credits to a real collage, it was turn down.

I work for myself, so I don't need to depend on degrees to get a job.

I learn the internet is a great way to learn stuff, but still hands on is far greater then reading a book or looking at a video.

Tom

I think it`s ok, especially now!