essay... learning online

Othman Albolushi

ENG 101

Dr. Janet Starner

October 13, 2014

Learning Online

Education has been repeatedly touted as the key to a better world. If that were not the case, then the United States may not have thought to increase it’s higher learning institutions from less than one thousand at the turn of the 20th century to the current staggering number of 4000 (Hjortshoj). Similarly, students would not be working themselves into a stupor in high school if education were not an important factor in their lives. And in our world today, the highest form of learning is usually in institutions such as colleges and universities where one can receive undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate diplomas and degrees. Learning online in your class is important because it will increase the skills of students in their jobs

Whichever mode of study a high school graduate student will choose, whether they opt for going for the physical classes themselves or going digital and pursuing their studies online, one thing that stands out is how their high school education and experience has prepared them for college. According to Keith Hjortshoj, students who join high school, no matter how prestigious or unknown the school was, appear seemingly unprepared for the norms and way of the academic college life. He gives examples of two of his students, from two different backgrounds, who despite their different performances from high school, perform differently in school. Eduardo came from a tough neighborhood, attended a similarly tough school but was successful and went on to college. In college, he performed much better than was expected of him, based on his background. Maria, on the other hand, came from a wealthy home, attended a prestigious high school and did very well in her finals. However, when she went to campus she failed her sophomore year (Hjortshoj).

Hjortshoj goes on to explain that students fresh from high school think that the same methods they used in high school, be it during assignments or exams, will work in college. The sad reality is that they do not necessarily do. Of course, virtues like hard work and determination are universal, and as such should be applied everywhere, but in regards to how work is actually done, the rules are somewhat different (Hjortshoj). Those that opt for online learning may find that they are more willing to rely on the course notes and lectures given by their teachers when tackling assignments and preparing for exams. But as Hjortshoj explains, this tactic will not work because they fail to understand what the questions and assignments really ask for. Although learning online could be useful in one way it can also be unfair in another way.

Traditionally, going to university entailed physically going to the institutions and attending classes offered there. This has been the norm since universities and colleges were established. However, thanks to the ever dynamic and progressive technology in our world today, this is no longer necessary. The World Wide Web is indeed that; worldwide and thus education has gone digital. Universities have on-line presences where potential students can take classes from the comfort of their homes. This phenomenon, known as on-line learning, has redefined higher learning as it opens the door to more students who would have been excluded because they cannot attend the physical address of the university.

As the Chinese saying goes, for every yin, there must be yang and the same is true for online learning. Some of the weaknesses of this learning forum would be lack of access of the work. This may be because of economic or logistic reasons, where a student may not be able to afford the fee for the studies or the costs accompanied with using the Internet for such sustained periods of time. As is common knowledge, Internet accessibility is not a universal phenomenon, and as such, potential customers are lost simply because they have no access to the Internet (Illinois Online Network).

Also, technological tools are critical to the success of online learning. A student may be able to pay the course fee, have a computer and access to the Internet, but all this may prove futile if the same student is not technologically equipped to use these devices and resources made available to them. This is a common occurrence and is not only limited to the students, but to the lecturers as well. While technological advances are dynamic and ever progressive, they are not 100% reliable. Systems, even the most sophisticated, have issues that may hinder the process of online learning (Illinois Online Network).

Another weakness worth noting is that while online learning is an ideal program for students who are self-driven and disciplined, it is not an ideal platform for more dependent scholars. This is because the entire process of online learning is self-driven and controlled by the learners themselves. Therefore, for a student to be successful on this platform, they must be well organized and motivated to achieve their own success. The assignments, exams and other course-related work is given to the student to do at their own discretion. If the students are not able to handle themselves with decorum and endeavor to work hard at his or her studies, then they may fail their course work. Time management is critical to online learning. While the student may not be in class like his or her other counterparts, they will all still be expected to hand in their work and complete their studies in a given time frame.

There are many benefits or advantages to online learning. The biggest of all perhaps is that it can be conducted from anywhere, all one needs is a computer and Internet access (Illinois Online Network). Students form Hong Kong can comfortably take classes from China and receive degrees from the United Kingdom. Similarly, a busy executive who is constantly on the move can still pursue his/her higher learning ambitions from wherever they may be. Online learning makes education that much easier to access as it is quite simply at one's fingertips. Also, learning online gives the students an accessible virtual classroom 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is because the material and tutorials are all provided for at the click of a button. Students are able to learn at their own time and pace, of course keeping up with the syllabus. Time efficiency is a great advantage of online learning as other commitments that students may have, be it family or work, may be scheduled together with school so that they do not clash. Access to materials anytime also makes online learning efficient and effective in delivering education to students (Illinois Online Network).

Another benefit that has students opting for online learning rather than the traditional lecture hall is the synergy and interactions that come with online studies. This is primarily because students and their lecturers are able to have more face time than those that are in actual physical classes. Moreover, the resources and ideas that are shared throughout the entire process are more invigorating and interactive than those experienced in a class. Each student is able to freely contribute to discussions and add their opinions in regards to the coursework (Illinois Online Network). This is not to say, however, that the same is not done in physical classes.

Works Cited

Hjortshoj, Keith. The Transition to College Writing. Boston, New York.

Illinois Online Network. “ Strengths and Weaknesses of Online Learning.” 2010. Illinois Online Network. 6 October, 2014. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/overview/strengthAnd Weak.html