Is DL really as good as B&M?

Very true. Retention/attrition of DL students is a big issue at a lot of institutions. Many institutions are short-staffed in their DL programs, so they focus on administration of the learning management system, course development and instructor support. While these are important, it is often what happens outside the online course that affects student retention. Too many institutions do not have student support personnel and resources for online students that compare to the support and resources for their face-to-face students. At my institution, our DL retention rates hover around 90%, which compares very favorably to our face-to-face retention.

 

I'm finding this to be true at NCU. The customer service is not so great. It appears that everyone is overloaded. Slow turnaround time on questions and grading, very terse and seemingly slapped together replies. That said, the program and curriculum is good, and it's pretty rigorous. So I like it, but someone who requires a lot of hand holding would not like NCU.

 

Oh boy, now we are resorting to facts? Whatever happened to anecdotal evidence and experience ...... do we really needs "facts" to push the "DL is better than B&M" argument along?

I would suggest we delete this peer reviewed paper and forget it ever existed before it makes it's way to the DETC vs. RA thread, a lot of heads will roll over there!

 

I'm so sorry for resorting to such dirty tactics as using facts. What was I thinking? I'm so ashamed. To be fair, I must make it clear that I have no idea of whether or not this paper was peer reviewed. So I don't know how much weight this particular research carries.

 

OK, this is too cute.

 

Thanks for your comments members!

I wanted to provide a bit of levity at this time, but this in no way diminishes my appreciation for the many fine debates that occur at this site.

At some point, I'm going to need the help of each of you members when I finally take the plunge into a doctoral program. We are getting close to that day as the funds are ready to go!

My choice:
A DBA, 100% on line, does not have to be heavily accredited as long as it is legit in every way. Personal interest only, no agenda to get a job or teach. I'm currently considering the new U of Liverpool DBA which is expected to start in Sept of 2010.

 

Congrats on your decision to further you education. I offer one caveat: Getting a doctorate is an awful lot of work. It would take an exceptional individual to go all the way through with no motivation other than personal interest. I'm not saying you can't make it, because you can, but it will be difficult to keep going with no financial/career incentive to go along with your personal interest.

 

Fair warning! I graduated with distinction with the MBA, I have two other degrees and a pile of credentials to boot, at no time did I feel I was lacking motivation. In fact, I'm an extremely motivated person having built a business up from scratch and retired very young. This is just another exciting challenge for me. and who knows, I might write a book or something! I have been asked to teach on two occasions, and while it isn't something I'd like to do at this time, I would be interested in a Directorial role at a local college. We'll see, I'm going to go through with it anyway, something I have wanted to do for a very long time now.

I wrote a 30,000 word dissertation for my MBA, I would like to expand on that by contributing something new and worthwhile, sort of another opportunity to publish again.

A bit of history:

I worked as an investment strategist for a large brokerage house for a few years, went back to school to earn an engineering degree and built my business around that. I sold the business with the exception of the consulting segment and now I invest full-time. I would like to complete a major paper. within the investment field, hence the need to do a DBA.

Thanks.

 

My best regards to you! Sounds like you have all the right stuff! A self-motivated individual. So my warning to you was not needed.

I think we are of similar ilk. I wrote a 28,000 word thesis, earned a 4.0 on my master's degree and have built and sold 3 businesses in my career as well. I'm going for the PhD as much for interest as for monetary gain. The difference is that I do have career plans for my degree. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that a PhD will earn me any extra money at all. It's a bit of a gamble and I find that I must do it for the joy involved.

 

Best of luck with that degree Michael, we are very similar, so it seems! I'll start my search for a doctoral degree in the weeks ahead as everything is in place for this next challenge. GL

 

Great! I'm sure you will rock the house! If I can be of any help, let me know.

 

Sorry for bragging!

 

I didnt get through all of this with just my coffee cup but a nice read none the less...

Even after reading this I have a question?

Does the Degree you get state anywhere on it that it is an online degree? I was under the impression (maybe its because we school has this on their site) that it will not say anything similar. Does this only apply to schools that people know are mostly or entirely online schools?