Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Opinion

No, it's not what you think.

I am talking about online courses versus on-campus courses. In today's day and age, we have so many more options available to us, but are we ready for these options?

For some people, online courses are necessity due to work schedules, family activities, or transportation. For others, online course may seems easier because they don't want go through the hustle and bustle of going to campus.

There are advantages to both, of course. Online courses are convenient. For one, you don't have to worry about parking or getting to class on time, although assignments still have deadlines. You can pretty much do your coursework from anywhere you want, or at least, from anywhere you can get access to a computer and the internet. Does any of this sound like an advantage to you?

On-campus courses have many advantages too. First and foremost is a direct access to your instructor. I believe they call that contact hours. Actually, being in a classroom provides a visual, hands-on instruction that is less demanding in reading and writing. Remember, online requires a lot of reading. Also, though you may have your own computer, you may not have all the software programs you may need for specific projects; these specialty programs are available in the media lab (some restrictions apply). In the labs, you will always find instructors and/or aides to help with anything you may need. Have you noticed that on this campus, NVC, there is pretty much a lab for everything to help you study: math lab, writing lab, science lab, etc.

I surveyed few people (okay, friends) to get their opinion about online vs. on-campus coursework. I only took feedback from people that have actually attended college, preferably those that had experience in both types of courses. The consensus was in favor of on-campus courses.

Veronica Amaro says, "I was a bit hesitant to take the on-line classes… Well, after one semester of being a wife, mom to a toddler, foster mom to a teenage son, full-time employee, and part-time student taking 9 hours, I was mentally and physically exhausted!"

Jason Stubbs says, "Being in a classroom setting allows me to hear what I need and move as fast as I want with the information that I am provided. If there is anything that I question, I can get the answer for it right then and there while it is still fresh in my head. When I took a course online, I was able to do the material easily. The problem that I had was that there was not enough of a challenge to keep me progressing through the chapters. Also, I did not get the satisfaction of knowing I was doing well. Come test time, I could fake it and then use that as a guideline for what I needed to learn. In my opinion, before someone is allowed to take an online course, he or she should have to answer questions about themselves. It might seem like an easy way out of a schedule problem, but it will only get worse if you do not have the attention span, as well as the dedication to complete it."

I have tried both types of courses. In my opinion, online courses are very convenient, but I prefer on-campus courses. I need one to one instruction and hands on learning. I learn much faster and easier when I can use all five senses. I find that most of the younger generation is willing to enroll for online courses. I wonder where this will leave me, a non-traditional student, if the trend leads to less on-campus courses?

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools