Non-traditional education becoming traditional?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by w_parker, Dec 28, 2003.

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  1. w_parker

    w_parker New Member

    I am an active duty military member that pursues education wherever I find it, and as such I have experienced college as a freshman prior to enlisting, satellite campuses, CLEPs, DSSTs, to the online forum. I have found in my experience that I now prefer the online forum mixed with access to the university, or lacking that the online forum alone appeals to me. I travel extensively--over 7 months this year alone for homeland security requirements and training requirements for GITMO, Iraq, and Afghanastan. Due to my heavy travel requirements, I am thankful that the online forum exists. Additionally, the Army has began to seriously push education, as evidenced by E-Army-U ( a consortium of colleges that work with the military). My subject of this discussion is whether you feel that e-learning will outpace traditional bricks and mortar education and become the norm? Personally, I feel that in the undergrad arena bricks and mortar will dominate, but in the grad and post-grad arena non-traditional will soon become the traditional arena of educating those who can little afford to place well paying careers on hold to pursue Masters and Doctorate degrees. I am curious how all of you out there feel. BTW, I am glad that I stumbled across this forum, there are great discussions here...glad to participate.
     
  2. dis.funk.sh.null

    dis.funk.sh.null New Member

    Though I am a strong advocate to B&M education for younger students (upto and including the first Bachelors degree), I do tend to think that it is important to feel the impact of distance and online education. Non-traditional education is here to stay, and I feel it will definitely outpace the norms of bricks and mortar schools pretty soon.

    Though *I think* (hint hint :D) that due to the advent of the internet, traditional correspondence education (snail mail) will soon disappear, its modern counterpart, i.e. online schooling will totally take (and in some cases, already has taken) over Higher Education; especially graduate studies... I say this because most people who go for grad study are not really in need for formal on-campus learning (since that is what they have already done for their undergrad) but rather want to focus on the subject matter, without the formalities of in-class attendance, which may be due to their work schedule or family etc...

    Of course, if interaction is important, then virtual classroom is more than adequate a method of discussion in studies at a graduate level. The future in my view, is that of online learning... no question in my mind.
     
  3. obecve

    obecve New Member

    I think that the day DL outpaces bricks and mortar is very near, particularly for graduate school. Look at the enrollment of Phoenix alone. I think the issue will be the arguments about quality. In recent years here has been an argument about two levels of college education: one level for those who can afford bricks and mortar and one level for those who cannot. I strongly believe in education equalizing things in many places, particularly in areas where advanced education is hard to come by (much of rural America). DL provides new opportunites. Time will tell if these new academic opporunties are competive in the market place of real jobs.
     
  4. Felipe C. Abala

    Felipe C. Abala New Member

    I fully agree...after all, learning cannot be confined in just the 4 corners of a class room (B&M as some refers to it).

    Glad to hear from you guys of your thought about graduate DL (Online) programs. I’m a DL (Online) student too at a DETC graduate school.

    Together we’ll uphold this great “new” way of advancing our careers.
     
  5. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    It is my understanding that most U of Phoenix students attend classes at local campuses or at sponsoring company/government/military facilities. What percentage of Phoenix students are actually DL?
     
  6. w_parker

    w_parker New Member

    I do not know the exact number, or even a rough estimate, but the U of Phoenix does continue to expand and in areas where a satallite campus exists you can mix your classes--online and in class. This is also the case for schools that service military posts, in most cases you can attend in person or online. Personally, I prefer online courses. Attending in person, when possible, really is more of a social event for me rather than the online forum, where academics are my only focus. It is always beneficial in my opinion to meet and greet with fellow students and faculty if possible, if only for the networking value, but as more virtual teams and video conferencing replace long travel sessions that are expensive to the corporation and taxing on the individual that must travel, I believe you will see increased usage of virtual meetings and e-learning...It is here to stay and as more schools offer DL degrees the quality will not be questioned any longer. My wife attends the University of Arkansas, and many online courses are offered in conjunction with classroom attendance, some courses are only offered online which forces the student to become familiar with this medium of learning.
     

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