Same Schools... same education?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Han, Jan 7, 2004.

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  1. Han

    Han New Member

    After reading the "MBA curricula" thread, I thought of a question I wanted to see if there is any data on.

    Do you think that someone who receives a BS, MBA, and PhD all from the same school receives the same level of education as a scholar who receives these three degrees from different educational institutions?

    Does obtaining one via DL enhance your education?

    I have heard the traditional approach, but wanted some experiences, or studies to back up the "traditional " view.
     
  2. rinri

    rinri New Member

    I would say a lower-level or less-enhanced level of education. Because of fewer perspectives. Plato's allegory of the cave comes to mind. We are not chained prisoners in the cave only able to see shadows which we interpret as reality. What could we understand of the world (or field of study) if we could get up and move around the cave and experience the "educational missions" of other institutions/programs, especially at overseas schools. Well, there is always the internet... :D
     
  3. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    After reading the "MBA curricula" thread, I thought of a question I wanted to see if there is any data on. Do you think that someone who receives a BS, MBA, and PhD all from the same school receives the same level of education as a scholar who receives these three degrees from different educational institutions?

    I would be hesitant to say that someone who receives three degrees from three different institutions always receives a higher level of education that one who receives all degrees from one institution. There are several factors that would be significant:

    1. Are all three degrees in the same subject/department?

    Someone who receives a BA in humanities, an MBA in business management and a PhD in political science from the same university may not suffer at all from "fewer perspectives"). This may be true even when someone gets a masters in curriculum and instruction but a docotrate in educational leadership (usually two different departments with different faculty and, often, very different perspectives).

    2. Are the undergrad and grad courses taught by the same faculty?

    Many programs have separate faculty for undergrad vs. graduate courses or masters vs. doctoral courses.

    3. What are the schools in question?

    Does someone who receives her/his three degrees from Harvard receive an inferior education than one who receives degrees from three less-endowed state universities?

    There really is no research data of which I am aware that either supports or disproves the idea that it is best to get different degrees from different school. If such a study could be conceived, it would make a fascinating doctoral dissertation. Having said that, it is my personal opinion that having degrees from different universities is a desirable thing, since it usually does expose one to different perspectives. I have been fortunate to attend institutions at different levels (community college, comprehensive university and research university) and to be able to attend both public and private universities.

    In academia (higher education, specifically) there is a preference for those who have degrees from at least two different schools; however, the many thousands of successful faculty with all their degrees from the same school demonstrate that this is not the primary consideration.

    Does obtaining one via DL enhance your education?

    I have heard the traditional approach, but wanted some experiences, or studies to back up the "traditional " view.


    I recently spoke to a professor at BYU-Idaho (a "traditional" brick-and-mortar school), who informed me that all BYU-I students are required to take at least one online course as a requirement for graduation. The rationale is that students should leave the university with the ability to learn in different environments (including distance learning). This gives them the experience and skills to pursue further education and training via DL if they wish.

    Regarding the research, media comparison studies between "traditional instruction" (i.e. classroom-style lecture) and "non-traditional instruction" (e.g. correspondence, radio, television, satellite, video telecourse, videoconferenced, computer-assisted and online) instruction have been conducted for over 70 years. Overall, the record shows no significant difference in achievement between those who learn traditionally and those who learn non-traditionally.

    In essence, the research says that most people can learn about the same whether they are taught in a live classroom or at a distance. The critical factors are the preparation and motivation of the learner and the quality of the instructional design and teaching methods used by the teacher.

    Although several good reviews of the educational technology/distance learning research literature are available, one popular reivew is that by Thomas Russell. You can find some of his literature review at http://teleeducation.nb.ca/nosignificantdifference/

    Best wishes,

    Tony Pina
    Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino
     

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