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by msinfo62 from Glendale

Last Post 42 days, 5 hours Ago


Online education
Oct 2, 2007 | 3:12 PM
Category: News
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I am just curious as to whether anyone has ever taken any courses online?

I am currently taking a course called "Learning and the Brain" through Rio Salado CC and took a few other classes through them in the past.

I already have both a BAE and a master's where I physically went to school. Now people can get degrees online and I was just wondering if anyone had gotten an assoicate, bachelor or master's degree completely online.

It would be hard to compare experiences if one did all of their college online, but since I have done most of mine in person and now have the luxury of further education courtesy of Al Gore (he invented the Internet, you know...) I find it more convenient in some ways, but the need for discipline and fitting it in can be creative.

If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't mind the ability to do lower divisin classes online, but wouldn't want to have done it all that way. It would have been great to have been able to just get online and read a lesson at my convenience.

The self-determination to get the coursework done is something I don't think I would have handled as successfully back then. Now it is easier and there is more incentive to get it done.

What do you think? Would you consider trying to earn a degree online? Have you taken any classes through distance learning?

 

Just curious.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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littlefoot1979 read my blog
Oct 2, 2007 | 6:19 PM

I'm getting ready to start U of Phoenix online, and the counsler (jay) was wonderful in stearing me in the right direction. I start on the 8th, I'll let you know! :)
RunnerinPeoria read my blog view my photos
Oct 3, 2007 | 3:39 PM

Depends on what your trying to get out of an online class. If it's just to take a class because you think its interesting, then online colleges are very convenient. If you think an online degree carries as much as weight as a degree from a brick and mortar, then I think you will be disappointed.

Littlefoot1979: As a hiring manager, I see a lot of resumes from the UoP online and have yet to see one resume where the listed GPA is less than 3.6. This little metric in itself should speak volumes about the programs offered at UoP. Isn't the UoP online part of the Apollo college group which is a for profit organization?
msinfo62 read my blog view my photos
Oct 3, 2007 | 9:48 PM

The only post-secondary discipline that works on an enforced curve is LAW.

The irony is that we need more attornies that are willing to put their necks out. Most operate on the CYA factor because of malpractice prevention in the profession.

I don't know that I would be in a hurry to be represented by someone with an online law degree no matter what the GPA.

Further, there is mastery learning that affords the learner the opportunity to earn the higher GPA.

Then there is the honesty factor.

How many employers actually look at transcripts to see if the GPA isn't padded.
RunnerinPeoria read my blog view my photos
Oct 4, 2007 | 10:07 AM

Padding is not the issue, it's the quality of the programs offered by the UoP. I know people who have taken online courses at UoP, pulled, not earned, an A for the course. I've interviewed current and former employees for Apollo/UoP college and have said the curriculum is not challenging.
littlefoot1979 read my blog
Oct 4, 2007 | 1:12 PM

runner writes: If you think an online degree carries as much as weight as a degree from a brick and mortar, then I think you will be disappointed.

do you think this will become less so as the years go on? I mean when the internet first came out I could see that it wouldnt look as good to have a degree from online, but now it seems everything is done by web...? Just curious.....
also, what if all my pre-rek classes were taken online but then the "major" classes were taken at "brick/morter"...would that look better?

what would you say is the best advantage for going to class as opposed to taking them online? I just dont have time to go to a class...but when the kids are in bed, I can log on and do it from home...thats why I thought about going the web route.....

any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated! :)
RunnerinPeoria read my blog view my photos
Oct 4, 2007 | 6:05 PM

>

I think some college will offer some courses online but look at the reputable universities (i.e. ASU, Ivy League, et al) and find out if they offer online degrees. The answer is no.

> Difficult to do since most colleges are very particular on transferring credits.

> With kids, work, etc online classes are very appealing and online colleges know this. Ask yourself the question what is better: something which takes 6 years and has real value or earn a degree from an online college in 3 years which carries less weight?
Have you considered doing weekend classes?
msinfo62 read my blog view my photos
Oct 4, 2007 | 6:55 PM

Rio Salado is part of the comm college district and the curriculum has to meet the standards.

It is all fully accepted at ASU, NAU, UofA and other universities.

I can't speak for UofP and one would have to check with brick & portar to be sure that it all transfers.
Me404
Oct 5, 2007 | 1:18 AM

I've done both traditional and online education. If your online education is from an accredited school, it can carry just as much weight as a "brick and mortar" education. Many universities are picking up on the trend of older, working, "non-traditional" students and capitalizing on that by offering online or hybrid courses and degrees -- yes, even the older, established schools. I do know people who have earned degrees online and they are perfectly legitimate. If you are just getting off the ground with online courses, Rio is a good place to start. Their curriculum must meet the same standards as any of the other Maricopa Community College District colleges all of which, by the way, offer online courses.
littlefoot1979 read my blog
Oct 5, 2007 | 11:58 AM

thanks for all the input.....I think I'm going to get the nitty gritty out of the way online and finish up with weekend classes at ASU/UOA. happy learning to you all! :)
Common_Sense read my blog
Oct 6, 2007 | 4:05 PM

I know a couple of HR managers and they consider the University of Phoenix to be a diploma mill. They will pass over a UofP graduate in favor of a state university graduate. They feel the same way about DeVry graduates.

I took a number of NAU online courses and, in my opinion, they are more difficult than classroom classes. You don't have the continual interaction with the professor, you can't benefit from questions asked by other students, and you NEVER get out of class early. ;)
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msinfo62

I am a married mother of three, plus one grandson and daughter-in-law. In my spare time I enjoy substitute teaching. If you want to know anything else, just ask.

Member Since: 8/21/2007


 

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