White campion
5 Myths of Online
Education
Ivana Zuber
General Manager at Counterparty
Online education is a relatively young concept, and as
such it is often the subject of skepticism and doubt. Many people believe that
online education is an easy way to quickly get a degree in a particular field,
although the degree will not be as valuable as one achieved on campus. Despite
numerous quality online programs available today, many people still consider it
to be an inferior form of education, one that lacks in communication, can be
easily cheated, and is not valued by employers.
Dear readers, and prospective students, I am here to tell
you that these beliefs are far from the truth, and that, based on my experience
with the University of Liverpool Online, online education can be as
credible, reliable, beneficial, and highly-regarded as a degree attained on
campus. In fact, I found that online education can be a superior learning
method, as it provides flexible study – ideal for working students – and unites
students from all over the world – which brings a wide palette of knowledge and
experience into the classroom and into your lives. Therefore, I would like to
take this opportunity to debunk the 5 most commonly mentioned myths of online
education.
Myth 1: Online education is easier
This is a common myth, one that even I succumbed to.
There are no official lectures you have to go to, no traditional exams you need
to take, and no verbal examinations you have to pass. You are free to study in
the comfort of your home, at any time you please, and in whatever way you see
fit. This all sounds very tempting, and suggests that online studying is easier
than traditional on-campus studying. This however, is not true.
Every module you take as a part of your online course is
characterized by strict deadlines and tight schedules. For two months (the
duration of each UOL module) you are required to comply with the ‘3 out of 7’
rule (that is, actively participate in the classroom 3 out of 7 days), submit
all your work on time (and not a day late), and regularly read the classroom
thread and group forum posts. This requires excellent time management skills,
as besides your professional and personal duties, you have an extensive amount
of study to complete weekly.
Myth 2: Online education lacks classroom communication
This is another opinion which the UOL online disproves.
The amount of communication that goes on in the classroom is extensive, and can
go beyond 200 posts per week. Furthermore, since all communication is written,
it is, in my opinion, of much greater quality. You are required to read all
your classmates’ posts daily and reply to those you find most interesting. The
reply, however, has to show critical thinking, and preferably be supported with
peer-reviewed references. This results in high quality discussions and the
expansion of knowledge, as each article you read for your reply brings new
insights and opens the door for many debates. This kind of communication is not
possible in classrooms, as there is no time to conduct research, support your
views with references, and deepen your knowledge on the subject.
Myth 3: Online education is inferior in quality
I believe my arguments against the first two myths reveal
that this is not the case. Not only do you gain excellent time management
skills and discipline (characteristics necessary for any professional), but
also learn to think critically and adopt new skills independently. In addition,
online education provides access to world-wide knowledge and experience, as you
will be communicating and collaborating with students from all over the world.
Each student brings and shares his own experience and knowledge, which is one
of the most valuable benefits of online education.
Myth 4: Online education system can be easily cheated
This myth is completely wrong! The level of security that
online education implements will become very clear even during the enrolment
process. The structure of the program, and the various tools and methods used
for authentication and plagiarism checking, make it simply impossible to cheat.
Myth 5: Online degrees are not accepted by employers
The fact is, that online education programs must conform
to the same accreditation standards as traditional on-campus programs. This is
well known by employers, and is proved by the fact that there is no difference
between the UOL online and their on-campus degrees. In addition, the fact that you have
experience in working with virtual teams may be a competitive advantage when it
comes to new job applications.
In conclusion, I would say that online education has
proven to be the best choice for working students, and is no longer considered
an inferior form of study. The level of quality and security make online
education at least equal to on-campus education, while the level of flexibility
and diversity make it superior.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141125172853-113901494-5-myths-of-online-education?trk=hb_ntf_MEGAPHONE_ARTICLE_POST
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