Distance Education Versus Campus-Based Classes

The traditional model of attending college for four years right after high school is changing rapidly.  Students have jobs and children competing for their time.  They need flexible schedules and access to education without spending precious time and gas money driving to a campus and fighting for a parking space.

But others worry that distance learning makes it difficult to connect with professors and fellow students.  Unfamiliar technology could add to the complexity of courses.  And do online classes offer the same quality of education as campus-based classes?

Ideal Students for Campus-Based Education

• There is a campus near you. If you have a long drive, difficulty parking, or a lack of public transportation to your campus, it will be harder to stick with your plan.
• You lack self-discipline. No judgment here -- lots of people need in-person accountability in order to meet deadlines.
• You learn best through live lectures. Many students retain information better by listening to someone in person.
  
• You need to work on teamwork and presentation skills. If you haven't had much on-the-job experience working with teams or making presentations, a classroom is a "safe" place to work on your skills.
• You have limited access to a computer and the Internet. If you have to go to the public library or a friend's house to use a computer, it will be difficult to stay on track in your classes. Students who are unfamiliar with computer software such as chat, uploading/downloading files, or videoconferencing may have a more difficult time at first.

Ideal Students for Distance Learning

• You have excellent time management skills. Students interested in distance education often have jobs and families demanding their time and attention. Will you be able to balance their needs with schoolwork? Many students mistakenly believe that online classes are easier, or require less time than a traditional classroom course. While you will save substantial time commuting, be prepared to spend 6-12 hours per week for each class.
• You are motivated and have self-discipline. While you have the support of your professors and fellow students, you will ultimately be accountable only to yourself. You must be absolutely dedicated to completing assigned reading, participating in online chats with your classmates, and finishing projects and papers on time.
• You communicate well through writing. It's not necessary to be a Nobel Prize-winning author, but online students must be able to correspond with professors and classmates. The vast majority of communication is through writing. You also must be willing to "speak up" if you don't understand a particular concept. Professors do not have in-person cues such as confusion or frustration, so you must let them know if you have questions.
• You have a computer and the Internet in your home. As discussed above, trying to work around a friend's or library's schedule to use a computer is a recipe for disaster.

Reference: http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp