Enrollment in online courses has soared in recent years as more colleges are increasing their offerings.
About one in four college students took an online course in 2008, a 17 percent increase from the 2007 school year.
Numerous universities plan on expanding their online course selection in efforts to keep tuition costs down for students and increase online revenue.
Advantages
- Convenience: students can work at their own pace and have access to materials at any time
- Time: flexibility to schedule learning around family, jobs or other activities
- Accessibility: students can learn and access materials from anywhere in the world
Disadvantages
- Self-discipline: must be able to set and manage own schedule; not ideal for those likely to procrastinate or have trouble with time management
- Restricts interaction between teacher and student
- Technology: must acquire and learn how to use equipment
Who benefits the most from online courses: students, or universities? Are online classes as effective as in-class courses?
Tell us what you think.
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