What Is Online Distance Education?
Online distance education is an educational format used by people who attend a college or university but cannot, for whatever reason, attend certain classes on campus. Instead, these students take specific classes online. More and more universities and colleges are starting to offer complete programs online. Almost 40 percent of public universities now offer online programs in popular fields such as business, liberal arts, social sciences, education, and healthcare. Around 20 percent of private for-profit universities also offer entirely online majors.
Who Takes Online Distance Education Classes?
Distance learning over the Internet is becoming increasingly popular as it provides students with a greater degree of freedom. In 2005, approximately 94 million Americans over the age of 16 used some form of distance education. Oftentimes, online distance education is done in concert with traditional on-campus learning. For example, a student could take two online courses at home while also taking two classes on campus.
Online education has several advantages over traditional face-to-face learning. Online classes are more convenient because they can be structured around one's schedule, and they can reduce the overall cost of education by eliminating transportation expenses. Online classes can provide a student with a more personal learning experience as opposed to the experience one would receive sitting in a lecture hall with 300 other students. A recent study conducted for the U. S. Dept. of Education found that students in online classes performed better than students in traditional classes.
However, the advantages of distance learning work best for a particular type of student. Online distance learning works best for students who are self-motivated, are computer literate, have a good Internet connection, and have time to study. For students who are prepared and mature enough to direct their own education, distance learning will give them the opportunity to obtain a degree while it is convenient for them, even if they are working a job or dealing with family commitments.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of online distance education can vary widely. Since colleges and universities, whether they are public or private, treat online courses the same as traditional ones, the overall cost of an education can still be very expensive.
The average tuition for a four-year public university is around $6,000 per year. The average for a four-year private for-profit university (like the University of Phoenix or ITT Tech) is about $14,000 per year. A private non-profit college or university costs about $23,000 per year. However, the average costs can be misleading for several reasons. Many online universities charge different rates for different classes. The University of Phoenix, for example, charges about $530 for arts and sciences credits that are taken for a bachelor's degree, and about $450 dollars per credit that is taken for an education degree.
For most public universities and community colleges, the cost of online classes is the same as that of regular classes, and this price depends on whether you live in-state and how many credits you are taking. Sometimes the cost of an online class might be higher than that of an on-campus class. However, there are online schools that do offer lower rates. StraighterLine, for example, charges a flat subscription of $99 per month for introductory classes.
Cheaper schools should be researched before you sign up to take a class. Many of the cheaper schools might turn out to be diploma mills that will take your money and not provide you with a proper, credible education. Just be prepared that w hatever type of distance learning you choose it will most likely be a significant expense. But take heart: learning from home will let you save time and travel expenses. These savings, and the fact that you can still work full time while attending school, make online distance education an affordable option to improving your job prospects and work performance.
Article Resources:
National Center for Education Statistics
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 University of Phoenix
The College Board
Open Courseware Consortium