With the development of an online educational process, there has been a significant evolution in the process and method for learning. Students today can elect how they would like to obtain their post-secondary education depending on the level of degree that they are pursuing (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral) and have not been restricted by either attending a physical campus or being required to attend class at a scheduled time/date. Due to advances in technology, Universities have the ability to provide their students with a more extensive breadth of curriculum material via the internet than would have been possible if all courses were taken in person. Consequently, the availability of taking courses online and/or using an “as needed” schedule allows many working individuals to pursue additional education without adversely affecting the performance of their full-time employment responsibilities. Nevertheless, while there are numerous advantages associated with being able to pursue your degree through an online medium, there are also many significant limitations associated with achieving your degree through an online format.
While online education has many benefits, it also requires a high degree of self-discipline and independence from the student. In a traditional classroom environment, students receive supervision by their instructor in the form of physical presence in the classroom, but in an online environment, students are expected to take responsibility for their own scheduling and time management. In addition, many students have difficulty in staying motivated and managing their time due to the ongoing pressure and demands of completing assignments, writing papers due for some time in the future, and taking exams. As a student experiences the added organizational responsibilities of assignment completion, participating in discussions, and examination, these responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming for a student to manage.
Generally, schools of thought around online education require very strict standards of academic preparation. Therefore, it is expected that students are able to demonstrate proficiency through submission of research-based assignments, participation in online discussion boards, proper APA formatting, and demonstration of critical thinking skills.
For example, traditional education provides students with a more structured learning process based on assignment due dates that enable them to plan and organize their coursework. In contrast, many online educational programs (such as FlexPath) allow students to demonstrate their mastery of course objectives without relying on assignment due dates. Because of this structure, online education programs tend to place additional pressure on students trying to succeed in college or advance their careers through continuing education. This may also increase the emotional stress and strain associated with the workload or time commitment required by an online program, or as students work through coursework while coping with personal challenges.
It is important to note that many online learners face multiple commitments simultaneously. Over 70-80% of online learners do not fit the traditional-age bracket of college students. Most online learners have jobs and families they support while still needing to fulfill their financial obligations (e.g., student loans) or responsibilities to health care providers during their schooling. For example, many nursing and health care students pursue their degrees via online programs while also working full-time and going through clinicals on a full-time basis.
Online education is projected to continue to be increasingly popular due to its ease of access and convenience for the student. However, the ultimate success of the student in online education is dependent upon his/her commitment and self-discipline as well as on access to the appropriate support system. Students who develop excellent time management skills, use available resources when needed, and remain committed to their education throughout their entire academic journey will achieve both academic success and success in the workplace.