Online school. Has it come into it's own?

[ChilliDawg]

Makes a lot of sense. One of the arguments presented by a good friend of mine is that online education creates the illusion of life going on my terms, when in the ‘real world’, you fit yourself into the flow of life. He was pointing out that I seem to have the ‘luxury’ of taking a proctored exam whenever I feel well prepared and ready. Hypothetically, that means, I could also study one subject for a whole year before attempting an exam. Whereas, the traditional education system has dates set for exams, and you need to race against time to prepare yourself for those tests. He was kind of skeptical that I don’t seem to get stressed over tests at all, because I will attempt an exam whenever I am confident. I had to disagree and tell him that there are several exams/certification programs these days, that are offered year round, and could be taken whenever one is ready. But it made me think as to how many different reasons people need to conjure up to resist this changing trend in education. Embracing change is always so difficult!

I think that both you and Sanantone have made some great points. 

Regarding your most recent post, I look at it as the people who take traditional courses are always in a rush and in a panic to PASS A TEST.  I mean, cramming for tests is nothing new.  I can't tell you how many times in the work environment I have heard people talk about a college class that they took two decades ago, and say "I forgot that material the minute the test was over".   In an online capacity, with self paced courses, you have the option of rushing through the course if you know the material well, or slowing down and spending as much time needed to retain a subject that you are weak in.  An example, I have always been weak in History.   I will fly through ANY tech course. But history, I struggle to retain information.  I recently took the Study.Com Upper Level History of the Holocaust.  I throughly enjoyed it. I read some things over and over.  By the time it was finished, I could ace the tests. A classroom course would have never allowed me to do the same.  

As for traditional colleges and Professors......I see them starting to move towards being more accepting about online formats.  For many reasons.  This generation coming into college right now is demanding it.  Parents are demanding it.  We are now starting to see parents that have themselves adopted to telecommuting for work.   Another practice which was widely frowned upon years ago.

Schools were afraid to lose students to online for-profits.  Now they realize that they can actually increase their own profit margin by going online delivery.  Professors realize that they are still needed to mentor and grade lessons.  Maybe from the comfort of their own home.  Online schooling has opened up different types of jobs.   My wife's B&M school has seen students who are full-time living on campus and one of their parents gets ill.  Cancer or another dread disease.  they would like to go home to be with mom, but they have no options to continue their schooling online.  This many time results in withdraw from courses.  This is putting massive pressure on the school to adopt an online program, and do it quick.