The norm for most universities in America seem to be, to have both online and face-to-face classes, in order for students to earn college degrees, whether they are Associates Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, or Doctorate Degrees. Imagine earning your Master’s Degree, without ever having to step foot on campus, except to attend the Graduation ceremonies. How would you feel about that? I know, that with our class, simply meeting online every other week through Blackboard can be challenging for some students, as technology is never guaranteed to work properly when you want it to.
George Washington University, among other universities, offers students the possibility to earn Master’s Degrees and/or Graduate Certificates through the Educational Technology Leadership Program entirely online. To learn more about this, please use the following link: GWU-Educational Technology Leadership Program. Penn State is another institution offering online degrees at both the undergraduate level and graduate level. To learn more about online degree programs offered at Penn State, please visit the website: Penn State online Degree Programs.
Earning degrees entirely online can certainly be convenient for students, especially those who have full-time jobs and live far away from campus. Earning degrees online has been a hot topic for me, as I have had discussions about the topic both at work and in the classroom. In your opinion, can student earn degrees at the Master’s level entirely online and be as qualified for positions upon graduation as students who earn Master’s Degrees in face-to-face classes? Would you prefer to earn your Master’s Degree entirely online, and never have to step foot on campus, never have to spend gas money commuting to class, or never have face-to-face interactions with your professors and peers?
I personally don't see an issue with students earning their degrees on-line. It would be in their best interest, however, to ensure that they're receiving their on-line degree from an accredited institution (as one should if they were receiving it in the classroom).
ReplyDeleteI don't think it should matter whether you received a degree from the classroom or on-line; at the end of the day, what matters is that you're able to sell yourself to future employers and/or use your knowledge to enhance your craft and improve practice.
Although I prefer face-to-face interactions with my professors and peers; I would consider pursuing an on-line Ph.D. program in the future. That way, I don't have to worry about relocating and putting my life on hold.
I do not think it would make the degree mean any less if it was earned online. Technology allows for convenience. There are people who do have 3 children, work full time, and attend graduate class after their work day. This is not possible for all people. A single parent with type of lifestyle may find it a lot harder to make it to class at night. That is where the internet can really help. The classes are still structured the same and learning objectives have to be met. Do you think a university would approve an online master’s degree if they did not truly believe in it? I personally do not think that getting an online degree is much different than meeting face to face, it is all about preference. I love taking classes online and would not have an issue getting a master’s degree through my computer.
ReplyDeleteI think earning an advanced degree online can be successful as long as the person already has the social interaction skills to take that knowledge and apply it in the working world. JMU has their own online masters degree - it is the MBA Info Security. The entire course is conducted online, except for a cohort meeting at the beginning and end of each semester. This meeting is over a weekend and in DC. A friend is doing her doctoral online, and she said it includes a lot of online focus groups, message boards, group talks ,etc. Our class is a perfect example of various ways of creating education online - we have looked at blogs, PowerPoint, podcasts, websites and now an instructional video. Online education is directly connected to the growth of technology, and as long as the classes use the most effective ways of teaching, an online degree can be just as, or if not more impacting than a brick and morter class. With that said, the student must be responsible in researching the program s/he is looking into, check its accreditation, etc.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of earning a degree on line given that institution is credible. My thing is if the degree does not have "online degree" written on it, what does it matter? The point of online classes is making sure the program fits the student's lifestyle. Thus, if it did not,the student would not have registered. Personally, I would not take online classes for myself because I would much rather be in a traditional classroom setting. However, that person has to do what's best for them and their lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteThe question whether or not the student learns just as much as a student in a regular classroom is depending on how that student learns. Education Technology should have never came about if now all of a sudden it's questioned. What makes earning a degree different from in-classroom degrees? Nothing in my book. It is merely an opportunity for students to learn who are involved in an array of other things at that time: family, careers, etc. I would encourage on-line degrees for those who can handle it.
I think there are many variables to this topic. I agree with the comment about it being a matter of personal convenience however why obtain a degree that is not going to be worth the effort and money to make a difference in one's life and career? I have seen several scenarios play out, both personally and with other co-workers.
ReplyDeleteTake the employee that has been encouraged to return to earn a graduate degree. The top executive that is encouraging him to go to grad school wants to see him attend a top school that is not on-line. Despite the fact that his degree will be in information technology. I met with this executive to ask him why he was pushing for this employee to not go the on-line route. He said the person's lack of interpersonal skills is killing him and that he needs to most importantly develop them by going to class and interacting constantly with other students in a real world environment. Sitting behind a computer will not do anything for him.
Another issue that happened to me personally was my decision to attend law school on line. I was accepted and met with some local attorney's to see what the job prospects would be once I graduated. I was shocked to find out that the Virginia Bar would not recognize a program that was not "brick and blocks", or an in classroom setting.
My experience with our on line sessions in this course have not worked very well for me since I need to be able to work with others and ask questions as I learn. I believe an on line program would be very difficult for me to learn. I would be very motivated to not drive hundreds of miles a week to attend JMU in person but I just don't think it would work.
I find online classes extremely useful and beneficial, as far as time management and my learning preference. I hope to eventually earn my Doctorate online. Thinking into the future, I would like to start my business, get married, travel, and have a family before earning my Doctorate. By the time I get to this point, my life will be hectic and re-locating for classes will not be an option.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that some Doctorate programs offer everything online except for a week long class on campus. Once a student can relate what they learn to work, it is not necessary to sit in a physical room with their classmates.
Interesting conversation piece. I happen to have three children, work a full-time job, coach a sport Fall-Spring, and am working to earn my degree. I have been juggling the benefits vs. costs associated with E-learning prior to committing to a class for the winter term. My experience with this cross-course has been less-than-optimal. A posting from one of our classmates reveals that a study done at Wales found that an E-only format interferes with the student's sense of normal and suggests a hybrid be a better route.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced much of the same loss of familiarity with our current course. The convenience of home learning comes with some big costs. In the classroom, my kids are never around and do not need me. Solution, find a designated place for the E-learning course. Two, there is a large time committment and work load that comes with the E-class. While I recognize that I spend time commuting and sitting in the classroom, the at-home learning leaves me feeling like I spend much time on this one course. I can not figure out yet whether this is a misperception or not. My last comment is that I feel that I am being short-changed by JMU. At more than $1000.00 per class, I expect to be taught, not self-taught. Paying that much to teach myself seems like a short deal.
The hybrid solution provides access to a professional who does provide explanation and answers questions in real-time. I have noticed that we spend a portion of each face-to-face relearning what we allegedly learned during the e-portion the week prior. While I always review at the start of my personal classroom, I can not help but think that much of this is due to a communication breakdown that technology creates.
I will make my decision soon enough, but the hybrid has much more to offer to my learning style than a straight e-learning environment could.
Emmett
I am all for getting a degree on line. However, not all students are well enough prepared or diligent self-starters who have the discipline to complete on line or even independent study courses. The classroom environment is necessary for many younger students or new students. My husband has tried and failed miserably at distance ed. I, loner that I am, have done quite well. I tend to do even better as the requirements seem stricter and more dependent upon writing and test analysis. With all that said, I am really enjoying being in the classroom again. I completed my teaching certifications at MBC all independent study. But this classroom stuff is great. The only problem is the long hours in the car....
ReplyDeleteGreat conversation about online degree seeking! I totally enjoy taking online courses and have found through trial and error how to succeed in that environment.
ReplyDeleteThere are several key points in this discussion that I firmly agree with, for instance, Chiquita’s advice on ensuring that the online institution selected is accredited. This can easily be done by checking out this site http://www.directoryofschools.com/
My daughter has just completed her Associate’s Degree through Kaplan and did very well. For her particular circumstances, it was the best way for her to fit continuing education into her hectic schedule.
Unfortunately, JMU does not have a doctoral program in my area of interest. Therefore, I plan to continue online to obtain my doctoral degree in the future. There are many administrators on campus who have completed their doctorates online with great success. This leads me to agree with Jeanne in that online programs seem to fit more appropriately with advanced educational degrees.
I would not recommend online programs for anyone who is returning after several years, does not have a strong technological background or coming directly from high school. There are many variables that determine if a person can successfully achieve an online education. These include motivation, social maturity, and excellent time management skills.
Absolutely not! That would not be a great learning experience for me. I love going to class and having the interactions with not only the professor but with other classmates.Especially in most of the classes that I am in now we learn so much from each other, one of the things that stick out to me is hearing the real world experience from those that have already had jobs and or currently have a job in the field. Let me just say if I had a spouse, a job, and kids I'm almost pretty sure I would be singing a different tune but since I don't I wouldn't like the idea of getting my master's online. With the issue of being qualified I don't see why individuals that get their degree online would not be just as qualified if they are learning pretty much the same material and covering all the aspects that are important in this field of study. I do not believe f2f courses will make someone more qualified than those that are doing the courses solely online.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, if the degree or certificate to be granted is related to educational technology, then using e-learning technologies and communication interfaces as a requirement for full participation in the class, then the student will learn by doing as well as by completing readings and more traditional class assignments.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic - given the direction of many accredited and credible institutions of higher ed. The beauty is that individual students have choices - something they did not have prior to elearning technology.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, it is the program first and the means of delivery second. If it was no good in the classroom face to face, things will not change online. Much of this is the design of the learning experiences and the collaborative experiences orchestrated by the instructor and students.
I think that most well-done courses require some investment of your time outside of class, regardless of initial delivery status. A technology intensive course simply necessitates a devotion of individual learning and practice time, depending on a student's initial skill level and experience. Spending time sitting in a class is often counter productive to the time that could be spent individually practicing skills.
I agree that it is the "program first and the means of delivery second". And furthermore, to my mind, it is the quality and/or proven success of a course which is first and the method of its delivery is second.
ReplyDeleteYes, the ability of students to decide to take an course online rather than in the classroom does indicate a choice. But I have begun to see courses (especially in the area of computer science and information technology) which are ONLY offered online. I suspect that as the balancing act between online and classroom delivery methods continues, more and more classroom courses will become online only. And more and more classes will become hybridized and employ both delivery methods.
I feel that the investment of time and energy exerted by the instructor and the student(s), as each works his or her way through the class sessions and course assignments, remains the only real measure of effective learning.
I think that Masters degrees shouldn't be offered entirely online. Like a previous post, blended learning is most likely the best approach for these types of learners. From my personal experience, I know that being in the classroom during my graduate level program has been extremely beneficial and I don't think I would have had the same experience had it been entirely online. The discussions we had in the classroom were so helpful for my understanding of the material. I don't think that type of experience can be transfered to 100% online classes.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think having an online master's degree is fine. However there are certain professions that should never have all online classes such as a nurse, counseling, or physical therapy. As long as there are not much hands-on abilities associated with the degree then I think it's fine.
ReplyDeleteOnline degrees are so convenient for students. Not just young students, but adults too. By having online degrees it gives adults the opportunity to go back to school and to keep their jobs if they want to. Also, it gives them a chance to work around their schedules.
This topic really touches home for me. I actually seriously considered not coming to JMU for grad school and working on my master’s through an online degree program. I felt that as long as you had the degree in the end, it really didn’t matter how you got it. If you put in the effort, then you would reap the benefits.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people disagreed with me though and in the end I think I even disagreed with myself. There’s just so much you miss out on by taking all your classes online and never seeing teachers or students in the classroom. The social aspect is probably a motivator for learning. So, I think it really just depends on how much education you really want to receive versus just earning that degree to hang on the wall in your office.