| The debate between the effectiveness and popularity | | | | availability of accredited online programs has increased |
| of online degree programs with the traditional campus | | | | over the years. Students wanting the opportunity to |
| programs rages on. Some prefer the structure and | | | | continue their education without sacrificing their current |
| face-to-face contact of a campus classroom. Others | | | | personal and professional obligations are amazed at |
| prefer the flexibility of the online experience. Here's a | | | | the flexibility of online learning. |
| summary of how students learn through both | | | | Effective learning online is the direct result of |
| programs. | | | | convenience of study schedules, the opportunity to |
| Online Versus Traditional | | | | interact with online peers, and instant feedback from |
| A 1999 survey conducted by Professor Kathryn | | | | professors through e-mail and other forms of instant |
| Holleque in the Division of Education and Psychology at | | | | messaging. The classroom of tomorrow has arrived, |
| Valley City State University gave some insight into the | | | | and students are reaping the benefits by the |
| preferences of students when it came to online | | | | thousands. |
| classes. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed stated | | | | Combination Programs |
| that completing coursework online is more convenient | | | | Many colleges offer combination programs so that |
| than the traditional campus model. | | | | students can do some work online, while attending |
| Also, a majority of respondents agreed that | | | | class at other times. Classes are offered at night and |
| completing coursework online better met the variety of | | | | on weekends as well. The choices are more abundant |
| learning needs of students. But the traditional | | | | than ever for adults to earn their college degrees, and |
| classroom isn't without its place. Most of those | | | | top colleges and universities are committed to helping |
| students surveyed stated that a combination of online | | | | students succeed with a program designed to fit their |
| and classroom learning methods were most effective. | | | | individual needs. |
| The Traditional Classroom Setting | | | | The Choice is Yours and Your Options Abound |
| The traditional campus program has long been the only | | | | Whether you choose online learning, traditional |
| option for students who wish to earn a degree. In this | | | | classroom participation on campus, or a combination of |
| traditional model, students were held to rigid class | | | | the two, earning your degree is easier to do than ever |
| schedules, often at the convenience of the instructor. | | | | before in history because of the many options |
| And because the class sizes were so large, | | | | available to you. |
| one-on-one contact with a professor for extra help | | | | If you're ready to pursue a degree for the very first |
| was difficult, if not impossible. | | | | time, there are associate degrees in almost any field |
| The traditional campus model also required students to | | | | you can imagine. If you currently hold a degree, and |
| pay a variety of fees in addition to tuition that | | | | you're ready to move up to the next level of |
| supported the everyday functions of the university. | | | | education, explore your many possibilities to earn a |
| There were very few options for the student of | | | | bachelor, master's or even doctorate degrees through |
| yesterday. | | | | accredited online colleges and begin the pursuit of your |
| The Online Classes of Today | | | | educational advancement today. |
| With the fusion of technology and education, the | | | | |