Ten Myths About Online Education Debunked

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Many people today lead extremely busy lives with dreams of continuing their education in order to earn their degree and enhance their career and income. A full family life and a full-time job might seem as if it's prohibiting you from attending traditional classroom college courses. People often dismiss or delay getting their college degree because they simply do not have the resources or time. There are a wide array of online colleges that now offer "virtual learning," where you no longer have to go on campus to get a high quality education. Everything is presented via the Internet through a registered log-in interface, essentially allowing you to learn at your own pace. This is a viable option for many families who would like to earn a degree, but simply cannot enroll in on-campus classes.

There are plenty of myths surrounding the quality of online education, so it's important to know the facts before you enroll. Here are ten common myths about online education, and why you should know the truth about them.

1. Online education is not a high quality education.

You might be surprised to know that a great deal of major colleges and universities now offer the same classes online that they offer in the actual classroom. Most online educational facilities are fully accredited, and offer identical courses and certifications that they would give students who attend on campus lectures and classes.

2. Credits from an online university cannot be transferred.

Unless the school you've received your degree or class credits from is not accredited, this myth is completely untrue. If you are interested in transferring somewhere, it will always be up to the receiving school as to whether or not they will accept the credits. If your plan is to transfer from an online school to another institution, be sure to call the receiving school to make sure the credits will transfer prior to enrolling.

3. Online schools allow you to get your degree in half the time or less than that of a traditional college.

While many online schools offer some accelerated courses, it typically takes students just as long to complete them as if they were to attend a regular school, depending on the credit requirements. You can choose to complete courses early, but for most majors and individual classes, the standard time it takes to get your degree may still apply.

4. Online education keeps students from interacting with others.

With an online curriculum, students still need to utilize good communication skills and interact with their professors. The use of interactive student portals and email are just a few ways they can do this.

5. The work is much easier for online students than it is for on-campus students.

The coursework that online students must study is just as difficult as the coursework for those who don't learn online. In fact, the knowledge required in order to get a passing grade is exactly the same as those who attend classes in a lecture hall or classroom. Students who study online don't get an "easy break" when it comes to the same stringent higher learning requirements.

6. Students who learn online can "slack off" more.

Although online learning is much more flexible in regards to scheduling, students must be very self-disciplined or they will not pass their classes. In fact, most online students must be more motivated and able to work independently since there is no one to look over their shoulder or remind them to complete an assignment.

7. Most employers will not hire people who have received an online education.

In today's modern world, this is simply not the case. Even official agencies such as law enforcement and the military have been recognizing online degrees for quite some time. As long as students have fully completed their online degree and the program is considered accredited, it should be received just the same as if they had attended classes in a regular classroom. However, it is important for students to make sure of any licensure or state/federal requirements related to their prospective career path.

8. The idea of online education is just a passing fad.

With transportation and other costs increasing and more people entering into the workforce right out of high school, the concept of online education has truly caught on. More students each year are choosing to enroll completely online to save both time and money.

9. Students don't get the personal attention they need when learning online.

Professors participating in online teaching actually have an unorthodox yet highly effective method of communicating with their students when they teach online. Access to email and student portals are a great way to create a line of communication between student and school that allows questions to be answered and problems to be addressed.

10. You have to be computer-savvy to do well with online education.

Many online colleges have a very simple and easy to use portal that just about anyone can use. You don't have to be a whiz at computers or an Internet expert to use most online educational systems. The method is easy and fun, and fosters a desire to learn as much as possible with a simple and helpful student portal which hosts other valuable tools.

If attending a university isn't something you currently have time for, consider online classes instead. With so many new courses and degrees available and the added benefit of lower costs, more students are choosing this option. You will gain knowledge and still have the freedom to set your own schedule. Think about the degree you'd like and the career options available, and decide if online education is right for you.


This article was written for you by a member of the California Coast University staff. Do you have a question, comment or an idea for an article? Email: [email protected]

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