As an adult with a full time job in a remote part of Arizona, I have returned to college. Without question, the online college experience is a vastly better fit for me, I am able to complete my coursework on my schedule and still do my job.
I am convinced that the quality of the courses, the difficulty and academic rigor, at least at Arizona State University, is equal to traditional classes. The online discussion boards are an example, instead of having to come up with an interesting and useful point on the spot in a classroom, I can take the time to compose a reasoned argument or response to another student.
I have two reservations however. First, many people, including the younger me, would not succeed in an online program. It is absolutely essential to be highly motivated, you must organize your time, you must complete your coursework and submit it when it is due. No slacking! My second hesitation has to do with the type of course, I am a history major with a political science minor, these programs both work well online, lots of reading, writing papers, occasionally an exam. I do not think that all programs are a good fit online, for example I can not imagine how a chemistry course would work.
Despite my two caveats, I firmly believe that online education should have a place in the modern university setting, complementing rather than replacing the traditional classroom model. It can only be beneficial to use every tool possible to improve our nation’s education.
