Don,
Unfortunately money does drive much of education for better or worse. There have been great strides in education because of money, but others have taken it to the point of diploma mills and lowered standards to the point that some individuals believe all online education is substandard. Online will continue to grow and traditional instruction will continue to be transformed with the new online tools to develop more hybrid models of instruction. The next 5-10 years will be an interesting time in education.
Herbert Brown III
While those truly dedicated to traditional instruction may feel that online learning will never replace traditiional classroom instruction, recently a group of significant deans, provosts and college presidents took part in a PBS round table concerning this very question. It became obvious, after each participant had a chance to introduce their point-of-view, that the driving issue was and will be increase in enrollments and revenues. One university president remarked that, through their online classes, they will now be able to increase their enrollments from 30,000 to 300,000, and currently they have students from Africa to Alaska. He also went on to discuss how this new revenue stream will bolster the university's presence in important matters such as research, etc. While I have no opinion one way or the other, reality may prove that Cindy Lauper's 1980s tune is correct, "Money changes everthing".
Zakaria,
This is certainly a different perspective on the question. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences. I think it is hypocritical of universities to push online courses and programs and then (at times and some institutions) consider online advanced degrees substandard for their own faculty. I don't want to suggest that all institutions are this way, but I have seen enough of this in my years to know it is more prevalent than we want to admit.
Herbert Brown III
Someone may think that online learning will replace the traditional classroom for the advantages that online learning can provide, however, while I was thinking otherwise up to two years ago, I don’t think that online learning will replace the traditional classroom for many years to come.
It is not Online Learning inability to produce quality education, but the main cause of that is accepting it by many traditional institutions as well as business organizations, and I speak from experience. My BS and MS are from two great universities in the US, but my Ph.D. is from an online university. I have many years of experience working for the industry automotive leaders as a design engineer and have published few patents in the American Patents Office, and have more than 22 research papers published in several international journals, and was recognized for at least two of my research papers and received awards for it. However, none of the traditional universities in the US (or overseas for that matter) would give a job as an instructor. All I am offered an online teaching position. That all reads: Online is not widely accepted yet by the traditional institutions (yes they may use the technology to offer some classes but not totally switch towards fully online education) .
Zak Saleh
Online education is an alternative to the traditional classroom. On line education works especially well with students that must work full time or are parents of young children. Other factors might be that the student is in a rural location or perhaps in the military. I expect that we will see a decline in traditional classrooms over the next 20 years. However the traditional classroom works very well with the student that goes directly from high school to college. Traditional classrooms also offers the student a place to grow in regard to maturity in a monitored system such as dormitories and land campus activities.
Over the last decade there has been a sharpe increase in the number of online courses being delivered, primarily driven by cost of delivery and flexibility for the student to attend the course. At least in the medium term, online will not completely replace face-to-face courses although the online platforms are becoming a larger part of the face-to-face courses. In fact, I design all my face-to-face classes using the online CMS for content delivery of assignments, projects, quizzes, and examinations. This provides faster feedback for the students and 24 hour 7 days a week access to grades, comments, and content.
Lisa,
Interesting view on the matter, thanks for your comments. I certainly don't want a nurse sticking me with a needle if they only "simulated" it online. :-)
Herbert Brown III
I think that we are already seeing a hybrid approach in many disciplines. It's impossible to teach online in some cases. I currently teach at a nursing school and simulated activities will only get you so far. You really need the hands-on learning, and clinic hours are required.
The possibilities for online learning are pretty exciting, though. I love to take courses through Coursera, where there are literally hundreds of students from all over the world accessing and discussing course content. I recently heard an interview with the Chair of Engineering at Stanford. He said that knowledge is free to anyone now (when asked about posting their courses for free online). But, he said the challenge for the next generation of learners is going to be to learn HOW to use knowledge - in groups and employment settings. For that, face-to-face has no replacement.
Taryn,
Excellent comments. You are right on target. This is also what most of the current research is showing!
Herbert Brown III
There will be some cases where online learning will replace in-person instruction, but this will not be across the board. There are some experiences and concepts that translate poorly to distance education, and as such, there will always be a demand for hands-on, in-person coursework.
While I don't think online learning will replace the traditional classroom, I do believe that the drive toward online learning will be the catalyst for a great deal of change and improvement in online settings.
I believe online classes will take the place of many onground hubs where so much emphasis is placed on theory and policy. In this day and age, many adult learners are gravitating away from large lecture halls and toward small group settings, both onground and online.
If online courses can allow adult learners to enter the global market of education, industry, trade, travel, etc. Many adults will choose the option that allows them to enter that global market and get much of their education at the same time in online courses at times that a meet their schedules.
I believe on-ground classes will center on practicums and experiential subjects for vocational undergraduate and graduate degree students. Of course the career of choice makes all the difference in the world.
Online learning has earned greater respect and credibility since the invention of the PC/Mac. As a student of an onground education and an online education, I am looking to the online campus for my next advanced degrees. Why? Because the online campus meets the demands I have for an institution for learning to help me meet my educational and career goals.
There once was a time when an person could not be in school and at work at the same time during the hours of 8 - 5. Now people do that and their banking, shop for groceries, Facebook, plan their vacations, etc. Now I'm just being cheeky :)
Also, when I said "catalyst for change," I meant that as onground institutions start looking at declining enrollment, due to the growing demand for online programs, there should be an honest examination of where there exists inflation of under used and under performing programs. It's in these areas that traditional institutions will look at onground, online, and blended programs for sustainability.
Jamilya,
We are definitely seeing a growth in online learning, but I agree that many learners still want the traditional on-campus experience. Some programs (content) are also much more difficult to conduct completely online and will be much slower to migrate to an online format.
Herbert Brown III
I don't think that online learning will replace traditional classroom delivery. We have to remember that we have different types of learners. Some learners are auditory, while others are visual. We have to ensure that each learner benefits through their own way of learning, whether it's through online or in a traditional classroom setting.
At some point, I believe that the majority of training will be online. I also believe that the virtual environment will progress far beyond the "Blackboard" CMS approach that many institutions use, and will eventually involve 3D elements, virtual presence, etc. It will ALMOST be like "being there"!
In my opinion, both online instruction and traditional classroom delivery of instruction are here to stay . In other words, neither one of them will replace or eliminate the other, but rather they complement/supplement each other. As a student, I may be registered in an online program, but may opt to take a few on ground classes , or I could be a student that is registered for an on ground program, and may wish to take a few online classes.
Each form of instruction offers its own advantages and benefits.
Hello Diane
I agree with this statement. Traditional classrooms almost always require students to access to a computer for internet research, typing, email, and so on.
Helena,
This is also what the research is showing. There is still a steady increase in students taking online courses. Web-hybrid offerings are also increasing at most schools.
Herbert Brown III
There are many benefits to online learning but I do not think that the traditional classroom will be completely replaced. I do however see more classes moving toward a hybrid format, which can make the best use of costs, space and time for student learning.
Hi Ron,
I don't believe online learning will replace traditional classroom learning, but I do feel it will become the leader in education. With many Americans living busy lifestyles and being technology savvy, online education is most convenient and desired.
Sandra,
Online learning is certainly growing and continues to demonstrate strong enrollments; however, I agree with your statements that a complete replacement for traditional teaching is unlikely in the near future.
Herbert Brown III
