On- Line Verses On-Campus Schools
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On-Line and On-Campus schools both offer diplomas and degrees (of equal value) in the same amount of time. However, On-Campus schools offer: immediate responses to problems or questions, visual instruction, in-depth class debates, closer personal relations with Instructor/Staff, and group projects, while On-Line schools offer: schedule flexibility, less hassle (no commute), and more comfort to non-traditional students.
On-Campus schools are beneficial to students when a student needs immediate attention with a problem or assignment. Help is often aided by the fact that on-campus schools practice the use of classroom settings, which allow visual instruction. Visual instruction minimizes a students need to research their subjects by having the ability to inquire about steps that are confusing to them, as well as not being limited to the few examples that are displayed in their textbooks. Having an instructor there to give general help, or to explain an assignment allows a student to continue their work without the wait for a posting in a virtual classroom or e-mail response. This allows a student to swiftly move forward with the work that is required of them. However, on-line instructors usually respond to their e-mails on a daily basis. This allows students to access any needed information or instructions that may occur during the long weekends that on-campus students spend waiting for help.
On-campus students are also at liberty to debate or discuss a process or formula used to exercise their subject, either with their fellow classmates or with their instructor. Having open debates or discussions in a class can stimulate the learning process of an entire classroom as a whole. When a student is able to interact with their class and instructor in this manner, they develop a closer relation with both parties. On-line classes have discussions, but rarely do they involve complete group participation. However, these on-line discussions are logged into class threads allowing students access to them throughout a courses entirety, whereas the missing of a discussion in an on-campus classroom may be lost completely.
Having a close relationship with a class and instructor, generally encourages more participation from students. It also develops a stronger sense of trust and pride, which inevitably inspires a desire to try harder. Group projects that are often required by on- campus schools, give students a great opportunity to build these types of relationships. When involved in a group project, students earn a grade as a whole. This allows the students to brainstorm ideas and see things in different perspectives that they may have not seen otherwise. Students also develop a competitive edge when working in groups, which prepares them for the harsh competition of todays business world. There are a limited amount of group projects that are available to on-line students, but these are subject based and may depend on which school a student attends.
On-line schools are the perfect solution for many students who dont have the time in their schedule for a daily classroom routine. Numerous students today need the flexibilities of the virtual classroom. Many of todays students have children or jobs that do not allow them the ability to be in a classroom during normal school hours. In fact, a lot of on-line students do their work or assignments during the early A.M. hours of the day. Without being afforded this luxury, a lot of on-line students would not be able to enroll in school and earn a degree. These students rely on this flexibility so they can complete their assignments