Online Education Essay

Submitted By cwings82
Words: 522
Pages: 3

Online Education

What is the value of online education versus a conventional education format? The way online education is conveyed to the student is drastically different then that of a classroom type educational setting, but the same advantages that make a traditional education esteemed and meaningful apply equally to an education achieved via an online delivery format. Plus an online education can be more convenient, flexible, and successful then the standard educational setup. Online education can be more valuable in comparison to conventionally acquired educational experiences where one physically attends a college. Online education offers learners unmatched access to instructional resources, far exceeding the reach of the conventional classroom setting. It also makes possible learning experiences that are open, flexible, and distributed, providing opportunities for engaging, interactive, and efficient instruction (Kahn, 2001). The flexibility of online learning is why it has become so popular in recent years. This is a characteristic that all working adults can appreciate because many of the online learners have careers and families, which require their presence and time. It offers individuals that before could not attend college the opportunity to receive a college education. Without the need to attend a class at a specific time and day people with strict daily routines can now login to their “classroom” at whatever time is suitable for them. Well-designed computer-based instruction developed in the 1970s and 1980s, for example, has been demonstrated to enhance learning outcomes when compared to classroom instruction (Kulik and Kulik, 1991). Online classes today consist of videoconferencing, chat rooms, and message boards to help students build associations with each other and can also improve an instructor’s availability. Because these tools and classroom resources are all online they become always available to the student and can be viewed at any time. This safeguards the students from never missing out on a lesson or falling behind as long as they stay motivated and has some self-discipline. Dr. Steven A. Brown in an online blog comments on the fact that in an online learning