The Intelligent Internet: Online Learning gives you the Edge

By Mary Hobson

In the 21st Century, the concept of continuing education is recognized as being a necessary way to progress your career. A degree is accepted as being almost essential to progression and 75% of managers have some form of higher education.

However, the process of acquiring a degree can be a daunting one, especially if you are already working. An online degree is the answer for many people. Online degrees have proliferated exponentially during the last five years. There is now a wider than ever choice of subjects, syllabuses and institutions offering online formats.

Online Learning Benefits

There are benefits to online learning that are not immediately obvious. Studying online can allow access to techniques and information that might not otherwise be experienced with a more traditional campus education. An online format allows greater flexibility in terms of perusing and manipulating information, and the use of associated software tools can aid analysis and synthesis: the basis of the learning process in higher education.

Online versus Campus Learning

Online learning is a relatively new concept, although many bricks and mortar universities now offer online programs and there are also schools that offer exclusively online degrees. Studies have discovered some interesting issues associated with online learning. Long and Javidi carried out a comprehensive study in 2001 comparing online learning with traditional classroom techniques. In particular, they examined the effectiveness of the method, and the test results of students.

They found significant differences in the way that students tackled assignments online and communicated with their instructors. Many online students gained higher marks attributed to the flexibility of online learning, and because much of the interaction with instructors was written. This meant that students could study the replies to their queries over time, missing nothing out.

Satisfaction with Online Learning

Other studies have explored student satisfaction with online programs. For example Enockson (1997) found that students were satisfied with online study (in a University setting) because it provided flexibility and responsiveness to their learning requirements and expectations.
Linda Cooper undertook a study of online and traditional learning during the 1999 to 2000 academic session. When asked to comment on the advantages of online classes or the "most helpful feature of online instruction," over 80% of the students stated that online classes enabled them to better manage work and school, and they liked being able to learn at a self-directed pace. The primary reasons they chose to take their course online were convenience and flexibility.
Many students commented that online instruction enabled them to be personally responsible for their own learning and determine for themselves the amount of time they needed to achieve expected outcomes and meet course requirements. In fact, a majority of students who enrolled in the online class stated that they did not want to be held back by the pace of traditional class instruction.

Quality of Online Degrees

Student satisfaction is evident in these studies, but what about outcomes? Overall, there is little difference in the percentage pass rate. But Enockson found that online learning, unlike other forms of part-time study, allowed a better pass rate for students who are studying while they work. He proposed that the reason for this is that these students are allowed to keep their own timetable. Thus, they are able to study more efficiently, getting the maximum done in the least amount of time.

Your Future with an Online Degree

As soon as you have a degree qualification, job prospects change dramatically. According to the US Department of Labor, all but 2 of the 50 highest paid occupations require a degree for entrance. All seven of the employment categories forecast for above average growth require a post-secondary vocational or academic award, and these categories will account for two fifths of the economic growth up to 2010.

Investing in your future career makes sense. An Online degree is a wise investment, especially if you work, and in many cases, can give you a better education than other study methods. With the emphasis on education as never before, an online degree could give you the edge over your peers in your chosen career.

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
Larry W Long, Akbar Javidi, "A comparison of courses: Online distrance learning versus Traditional classroom settings", Illinois State University, 2001
Enockson J, "An Assesement of an emerging technological delivery for Distance Education", North Arizona University 1997
Linda W Cooper "Online and Traditional Computer Application classes" University of Phoenix, March 2001
Scott D Johnson, Steven R Aragon, Najmuddin Shaik, Nilda Palma-Reux, "Comparative Analysis of Online Versus Face-to-Face Instruction", University of Illinois, May 2000
Neil Terry "MBA Students perceptions about the Effectiveness of Internet Instruction" Business Education Forum April 2000