What Is Adult Education Online?
Online adult education is a way for adults to easily take classes about subjects they are interested in. Thousands of classes covering a wide array of subjects are available on the Internet. From cooking to finance to foreign language classes, online education is a convenient way for adults to learn new things or improve their basic knowledge of a variety of topics. Online education can also serve as a pathway for adults who are interested in improving their job performance or changing careers.
Who Takes Online Adult Education Courses?
The Internet is becoming an increasingly popular source for learning. According to a study from the U. S. Department of Education, nearly 60 million Americans used online resources to improve their knowledge.
Adult education is very similar to continuing education. However, we distinguish between these two learning formats. For our purposes, the online courses that fall into the adult education category are basic courses that cover general subject areas that an adult might be interested in and it does not matter whether the adult has already earned a degree in a related field. For instance, an online cooking class that has students who are novice cooks would be a good example of an online adult education course.
Oftentimes, adults take these types of online courses because they are interested in the subject and want to learn more—not necessarily because the course will get them a promotion or help them find a new job. In order to succeed in these courses, adult education students must be self-motivated and able to complete assignments by themselves. Taking web-based courses also requires a good Internet connection, computer literacy, and a willingness to learn a new method of instruction.
Online classes have several advantages and disadvantages compared to the more traditional, on-campus learning formats. The flexibility of online classes (e.g. the fact that you can typically take a class whenever you feel like it) translates into increased convenience. Online courses also reduce geographic boundaries. An instructor could live in Tennessee, yet teach a class that has students from all around the globe. Plus, a well-run online course may even prove to be more engaging and interactive than other methods of adult education.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of online learning varies according to the type of class and what institution is providing the education. Online classes can be very cheap. A U.S. Dept. of Education study found that almost half of the people taking personal interest (e.g. adult education) courses spent no money at all on the education, and those who did pay courses spent a median of only $19. However, the quality of cheap or free online courses varies widely.
There are many free classes available online, yet many of them are provided by potentially dubious sources. People should always use discretion when deciding whether an online course is high quality or not. Some respected schools like the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, Yale University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology do offer free lectures and course materials online. These free materials would work well for a self-directed learner who does not need an instructor to make sure they complete their work.
A class is offered online through a college or university, and therefore is taught by a faculty member, will be much more expensive. A four- or five-credit online class taken through an accredited college or university will probably cost between $1,000 and $2,000. This does fluctuate, however, depending on where you live and what type of class you are taking. Plus, some colleges charge an additional “technology” fee for their online courses.
For adults who are interested in learning purely for their own personal enrichment, it might be easier to shop around and find an inexpensive class that best fits how much they would like to pay. There are online schools that do offer lower rates. StraighterLine, for example, charges a flat subscription of $99 per month for 101-level courses. Generally, though, lower prices might lead to a higher risk of entering a diploma mill that will grant a worthless degree. When deciding on what online class to take, whether it's free or expensive it's always best to do your own research. Before you commit time or money, try to get an idea of whether you're getting the most for your dollar.
Article Resources:
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
Digest of Education Statistics
Kevin Carey, “College for $99 a Month,” Washington Monthly Sept./Oct. 2009
The Adult Learner: An Eduventures Perspective
“Getting An Education On The Internet,” National Public Radio
Carol Lloyd, “Online education comes into its own,” San Francisco Chronicle, 8/2/2009
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: The 30 Fastest-Growing Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections
“Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States, 2008” The Sloan Consortium
The College Board
Open Courseware Consortium
Minnesota Public Radio