The benefits of online classes

¶ … Online education [...] many benefits of taking online classes, including convenience, scheduling, and ease of enrollment. The benefits of online classes are myriad - from ease of use, increased communication between student and instructor, completion times, more course offerings, alternatives for disabled students, and most importantly, convenience and accessibility. With the overabundance of online classes available from a wide variety of highly respected institutions, there is little reason not to take advantage of all the benefits online classes present.

With the advent of technology, the Internet, and advanced course creation software such as WEBCT, online education has become increasingly easy to use and develop. That means more educational institutions are offering a greater number of online classes. It also means ease of use for the online student. Early online classes were often difficult to negotiate and clumsy in their design. Today's online classes are usually very simple for the student to navigate, and they include a variety of additional information for the student to explore on their own as they navigate their way through the course. Indeed, many institutions, such as the University of Phoenix, offer a majority of their coursework online and in addition offer a variety of coursework references and materials, such as style sheets, databases, dictionaries, and other reference materials for students. Most online courses are also interactive, which means the student interacts with the course, answering questions, taking polls, or taking quizzes online during study. This makes the course more interesting and keeps the student involved, which makes it easier and more enjoyable to continue through the course to its conclusion. Most of the interactivity is also very easy for the student to use; it usually simply entails the click of a mouse or selecting a button or letter for an answer, and then sending it to the instructor. The ease of use in online classes is one thing that many students see as an important benefit.

One benefit that might not be so apparent is the increased communication between instructors and other students that online classes offer. At first, this might seem difficult to understand, since the student never actually meets the instructor face-to-face (Editors, 2006). However, after actually experiencing a class, the student sees how much more communication and one-on-one instruction is available. First, the student has 24-hour access to the class and the instructor. He or she is not limited to communication during class or during office hours. If a question arises, they can send an e-mail to the instructor whenever they choose, and the instructor can reply at any time, as well. Many classes include message boards where students post reactions to instructor's comments and questions, as well as discuss the class with fellow students. In the traditional classroom, this interaction might not be encouraged, but online, it is a component of many classes, and it adds depth and an additional layer to the learning environment. Because the instructor responds individually to individual questions and comments, the student may actually experience more one-on-one interaction with their instructor than they would in a traditional classroom. Thus, the communication between students, instructors, and other students is enhanced, and this benefits everyone enrolled in the class. Information feeds from one student to another, and this may encourage dialogue and discovery that might not occur in a traditional classroom as well. This is especially helpful for a student who may be experiencing difficulties with material, or may be studying a particular field in depth. This allows them greater communication with their instructor so they can develop more expertise and insight into their particular interest or field of study.

Another aspect of online classes that may appeal to many students is the ability to complete the class at their own pace. Most institutions do place limits on how quickly you complete classes, so as not to overwhelm the instructor, but many also have lengthy time limits for completion (as long as one to two years in some cases). This means the student can complete the class in a period that works for them, rather on a semester basis. (Many classes do follow stricter guidelines, however. For example, the University of Phoenix classes are completed on a semester basis, with coursework due to the instructor each week of the class.) However, many other classes follow the traditional model of distance education, which gives the student more time to complete the classes, which is often much more convenient for students who are taking a full class load, or are adult learners returning to the classroom. Not every student is comfortable in the semester-based learning system, and online educations offers more flexibility and less pressure in this area. In addition, online classes are a viable alternative for students who have found difficulties conforming to the semester-based system. They may be slower learners, and take longer to comprehend certain aspects of their classes. Online, they can repeat areas they do not fully understand until they fully grasp the material. Combined with increased communication with instructors and other students, this can be an increasingly appealing option for students who may flounder in the classroom due to speed and comprehension difficulties.

Another great benefit of online classes might not be apparent to many students, but online classes are a godsend for many disabled students who cannot attend traditional on-campus classes for any number of reasons. Disabled students may not be able to gain transportation to the campus of their choice, or they may not be able to attend classes because of severe disabilities, and yet, they can still learn and appreciate learning. Blind and deaf students can use specific software to help them translate online classes, and students with other disabilities have similar tools open to them. An author discussing online classes and the disabled notes, "In recent years, more students who could not attend traditional classes on campus due to limitations in note taking and mobility, have turned to online classes to get their degrees" (Jansen, 2007). In addition, many disabled students may need support personnel, such as aides or note takers when they attend on-campus courses, but are able to take care of themselves and keep their own notes by using online classes (Jansen, 2007). Thus, online courses can make it easier and more comfortable to learn, because they learn in their own, more comfortable and comforting environment.

One of the most compelling reasons to experiment with online classes is the sheer number of course available to students. There are literally thousands of courses available to students through universities, private colleges, junior colleges, and online institutions. One distance education Web site notes, "If a course or program isn't offered in your area, you can almost always find an online school that offers a comparable distance learning program. You no longer have to be at a disadvantage because you live in a remote or less-populated area" (Editors, 2006). In addition, online learners do not have to limit themselves to only one or two institutions. With online classes, they can pick and choose from any of the many institutions offering online learning, and then transfer credits to the school they choose for graduation. This makes it easier for students to find just the course they need to complete their degree, and it allows them to choose from many more degree options than just those offered locally. They can also complete entire degrees in areas that are not offered locally, so educational barriers do not limit them, but only by their own abilities and desires. With online education, the most difficult choice might be what area to study!

Perhaps the most compelling benefit to online education classes is their vast accessibility to anyone, no matter who they are, where they live, or what their interests and needs. Where a student lives no longer dictates where they can attend college. If a student desires a degree in an area not offered by their local institutions, they can choose another institution that does offer that discipline, anywhere in the world. This means students who live in remote areas are no longer unable to attend school, or major in an area of interest not offered by their local institutions. Even better, students who cannot attend an Ivy League or other renowned institution can still attend via online classes, because most instructions, even the most respected, now offer at least some online classes. Thus, online classes demolish physical barriers to education, and that excuse simply does not work any more. In addition, most online classes are comparable in cost to traditional on-campus classes, so students do not have to pay a premium to get a high-quality education. Classes are also accessible 24-hours a day, seven days a week, so the student can participate on their terms, and not the school's terms. This is especially important for students who have to work and attend school. This is also especially appealing to adult learners. Many adults return to college to complete degrees, or take their career down a new path. As Auburn University notes, online classes are especially appealing to adult learners, because of their flexibility and accessibility. They note, "No more giving up a career; no more driving hours each week to the nearest campus. All you need is contemporary communications equipment and the motivation to succeed in your courses" (Auburn University, 2002). Students who need to take occasional classes for certification or license renewal also have much more accessibility to relevant classes. If they are parents, this allows them the flexibility to work, attend school, and still take care of their family responsibilities. Another writer notes, "This means that parents can attend to their children, then sit down to class; working students can attend classes no matter what their work schedule might be, folks that travel for business or pleasure can attend class from anywhere in the world that has internet access" (Coleman, 2005). As noted, online classes offer increased accessibility for handicapped students as well. Thus, accessibility is clearly the most important benefit of online education. Online classes offer so many plusses; it is difficult to see how they could possibly come under criticism.

Of course, there are contentions that online classes offer drawbacks for some students. One of these alleged drawbacks is the lack of motivating forces for some students. Some opponents say students need the structure of an organized classroom, with specific class times and attendance. They may not be motivated to complete an online course because they do not motivate themselves to work on the course in a sensible amount of time. This may be true for a small minority of students, but this drawback is easily overcome. Many online classes no longer completely depend on the motivation of the student to complete the course. These courses are organized over a specific period of time, and the student must submit coursework throughout the class or risk being dropped from the class, just like traditional on-campus classes. Students who lack the motivation to complete a course entirely on their own can enroll in one of these time-specific courses, which encourage them to compete the work in a timely manner. Thus, motivation can be eliminated as a drawback if the student chooses the correct course. Another aspect of this alleged drawback concerns the interactivity of the course. Since most courses include many interactive elements, they keep even unmotivated students interested and alert, which leads to more motivation to complete the course. Courses also often contain requirements, such as posting a specific number of messages in the course message boards each week, to indicate the student is online and participating in the course. By giving structure such as this, the student has more requirements to complete the course, which leads to more interactivity and interest between students, the instructor, and the course materials. It is interesting to note that despite perceived drawbacks, more students are enrolling in online classes than ever before. Another writer notes, "In spite of the drawbacks, however, many new and returning students are opting to study via distance learning and are finding it to be a very rewarding experience" (Norman, 2005). Thus, the positive aspects of online classes far outweigh the perceived drawbacks for students.