Online University vs. Traditional University, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Historically the traditional way of earning a degree was to attend a University and spend around 3 years at this learning establishment.  This often involved having to stay in Halls of Residence and having to manage a University Grant or worse self-financing over the duration of your undergraduate years.  With the advent of computer technology, advanced communications and the internet it is now possible to earn your degree by online or distance learning tuition.  This concept has both advantages and disadvantages; however there has been a big movement towards this means of earning your degree.  This paper explores the pros and cons of this new way of learning and questions whether this new approach provides an adequate learning experience.

The traditional university

In England there was a class or social distinction in terms of attending either Oxford or Cambridge University. Similarly in the USA it was symbolic to attend an Ivy League University that was considered the elite of advanced education.  The concept changed as other more prestigious traditional Universities appeared across the States and throughout the world. In the USA the movement became more focused upon the quality of the University and the degrees that they offered. This led towards the concept of Accreditation for both the University and the degree courses offered. Accreditation had two main objectives: (1) Quality Assurance – Maintaining the threshold quality in US Education and (2) Quality improvement – Assuring that the institutions and programs strive towards continuous process improvement. (Council for Higher Education Accreditation, 2008).

A traditional University offer many advantages over the distance learning concept. One of the biggest factors is the University experience itself. This is a social experience in a shared learning environment. You often meet friends that become lifelong companions and friends in both a business and professional capacity. The concept of having tutorials in small learning groups with a Professor is often a lot more interactive and personal. Living on the campus provides a whole new social experience and the ability to develop social acquaintances with people who share your views and interests. There are certain types of degree study that must be conducted at the more traditional University, for example medical studies need to be supervised closely and require expensive technical equipment.  Science degrees are often similar and it is widely held that Teacher training needs to be performed in a teaching environment by professional teachers. (Lynn, 2007).

The online or distance learning university

The concept has many appealing factors. Perhaps the biggest is flexibility, as it allows you to continue working and earning money whilst studying for your degree.  Phoenix University is one of the biggest online Universities in the USA but there are literally hundreds of these Institutions offering degrees in America and throughout the world.  This virtual method of learning makes use of sophisticated online software like Moodle and Blackboard to interact with classes and a professor through online interactive media. Chat rooms enable you to communicate with a peer group and facilitate bulletin boards and discussion forums.  One advantage is in the lectures. You get to hear precisely what is being said and have the opportunity to record the audio/visual lecture for playback later on.  Accreditation has become an important issue but even the traditional universities are now offering this mode of learning for example : London, Liverpool and Manchester Universities in the UK; Athabasca, Royal Roads and St. Mary’s University in Canada and Phoenix, Cornell University to name but a few in the USA.

The ability to self-study is extremely powerful provided you have the dedication, commitment and personality to commit to this form of learning. Evidence now suggests that there are over 4.6 million students taking online courses in the USA. The growth trend seems to be building by 17% per annum from 2008.  A great many students have turned to this mode of learning because of the economic downturn and the need to have a job in order to pay for their studies.  Even the traditional Universities have started to adopt an element of online and distant learning concepts in their curriculum in order to avoid overcrowding problems and provide the student with options in their learning programs. (Seaman, 2010)

Conclusion

Statistics prove that the online or distant learning concept will continue to grow in demand.  The Financial Crisis and downturn in economy has prevented the ordinary student from attending the more prestigious Universities.  The yearly fees cost thousands of dollars and only the more affluent can afford to obtain tuition at the leading Universities.  Students will opt for maximum flexibility without being saddled with long term student debts that may take several years of working life to pay off once they are graduated.

As technology improves, then so will the sophistication of the online learning software and the quality of products that they are able to produce.  Being technology based they will be attractive to the more modern business employer.