Online Vs. Campus Learning

Unimaginable just a generation ago, today's students can earn degrees without ever stepping foot into a traditional classroom. In fact, more than half of all brick-and-mortar colleges in the U.S. now offer online learning-not to mention the increasing number of institutions established to provide online learning exclusively. There are pros and cons to each environment, so examine both before determining which is right for you.

CAMPUS LEARNING

Ah, campus life: ivy-covered walls, professors at the chalkboard, and fellow learners just a desk away. This is how it's always been done, but does that mean it's right for you?

Benefits

• You receive one-on-one attention. You can ask questions any time during class if you're lost, and you can make an appointment to speak more in depth during your professor's office hours.
• Obtaining internships may be easier. Internships can be a valuable addition to your resume or even lead to a job offer. Most traditional campuses have programs and relationships established with local companies to assist its students in obtaining internships. It can be more difficult to land a local internship if your university is based in cyberspace-or four states away from where you live.
• Career Centers offer guidance. Similarly, most traditional campuses offer a Career Center whose mission is to help its students with employment. These Career Centers aren't only for recent graduates; they're often a resource for alums throughout their careers.
• Friendships are more sustainable. You may be able to chat online with school friends who live across the country, but it's pretty tough to catch a movie with them. Meeting new people and developing in-person friendships is one of the great joys of campus learning.
• It works better for specialized subjects. The sciences, especially-with practicums and lab requirements-are really suited for campus learning. Fields like nursing and biochemical research require materials and experiences simply not available over the Internet.
• Prejudice isn't a problem. While more employers see online degrees as comparable to those from brick-and-mortar institutions, there's still a lingering skepticism in some sectors.

Drawbacks

• You may pay more. Discounting the cost of books and the courses themselves, you may spend money on gas or public transportation to get you there, childcare, and fast food that you gulp down before or after class.
• It may not fit your schedule. Non-traditional students often have to work around full-time jobs and kids, but even traditional students usually have a full schedule of work, campus activities, and family obligations. With campus learning, you're at the mercy of the registrar's office.

ONLINE LEARNING

It's being touted as the wave of the future in academia, and thousands of people who've earned degrees online agree. But is taking classes from your living room the best choice for you?

Benefits

• Learn on your schedule. The biggest reason for the explosion in online learning is the flexibility factor. It's particularly convenient for people who work during the day or need to care for children or other family members at home. Online classes allow you to attend class when it's handy for you.
• Select from a wide variety of classes. You can only take classes taught by professors who live locally when you attend a traditional campus. Online universities can pull teachers from all over the world to teach a broad array of course work.
• The material is always available. Because students must be able to access lectures and other course material at their convenience, it's available 24 hours a day. Can't remember what the teacher had to say about a topic from two weeks ago? You can review it again online whenever you want.
• Dig deeper through discussions. Most online universities measure your class attendance by your participation in chat room discussions. "Conversing" with students in your class is a great way to boost your comprehension of the material, bond with other students, and perhaps get a fresh perspective.
• It mimics the real work world. Doing business today means video conferencing, emailing, and using multiple technologies to communicate with colleagues and customers all over the world. Online learning models that approach and accustoms students to the workforce they'll enter upon graduation.
• It accommodates all types of learners. There's typically a combination of written and oral material in online classes, so you're covered no matter how you learn. In addition, it allows students to learn when they're at their peak, rather than attending class at the end of a long day or when they're only half awake at 8 a.m.
• It might be your only choice. Depending on where you live, you may not be within easy driving distance of a traditional campus. But if you have a computer and access to the Internet, you can learn anywhere.

Drawbacks

• Forced participation. Yes, participating in chat room discussions can help cement concepts and broaden your understanding, but some people may not have the time or inclination to do so. Alternatively, students are able to "hide" in online classes more easily than in a campus environment.
• No in-person contact with instructors. Sometimes an in-person discussion is the best way to handle a situation-from a concept you're having trouble with to a complaint about a grade. It's tough to read body language and tone when you're only able to communicate via phone and email.