Myths About Distance Education
It didn’t take much for distance education to skyrocket to become one of the most popular methods of acquiring higher education. While there will always be the traditional on-campus college experience, even more students—as well as working professionals/adults going back to school—see the numerous benefits of working towards a degree or certificate in a virtual setting.
Despite this, there continues to be some myths that surround the concept of online learning that could prove to be misleading to those just starting to get familiar with considering this as an option for their academic goals. There are undoubtedly many advantages to online classes and earning a degree through distance education, however, such a method is not for everyone. This is why it is so important to debunk the myths so people have the chance to research the subject for themselves in order to get an accurate picture of what to expect.
Myth #1: Online Education is the Fast Way to a Degree
Convenient? Yes, but faster? Not necessarily. If you’re thinking about pursuing online learning for the sole purpose of speeding through the process of earning a degree, you could be in for a disappointment. There are certificate and diploma programs that can be completed within a few months but a number of online degree programs still range anywhere from 2-4+ years. It all depends on the actual program of interest and the curriculum that goes along with it.
Myth #2: Only Small Schools Offer Online Courses & Degrees
Such a misconception could have passed for some kind of truth when distance education first started by these days more and more credible campuses are jumping onto the bandwagon. Reputable schools like Stanford University first started with a few online courses and select degree programs online but quickly saw the potential of reaching an even wider range of future students.
It’s no longer uncommon for prestigious colleges and universities to not just have a huge number of online courses to choose from, but entire online degree programs, including Master’s and PhD level programs.
Myth #3: If You Choose an Online Program, You Can’t Attend Classes On-Campus
Not true. There are degree programs that are 100% virtual but many more offer a hybrid method. The latter is a program that requires students to complete a set number of courses on the Internet but also attend traditional classes on-campus. This is often the case for degree programs that come with a lab component, such as science and nursing.
Myth #4: Distance Education Classes Means no Need to Buy Textbooks
If only that were true. Although there are classes online that provide its reading materials digitally for students, there are others that still require the use of hardcover textbooks. It is important for students to find out what the required reading is for online courses they plan on taking and determining how many textbooks they’ll have to purchase for the semester and which ones they can access digitally.