Online vs Traditional Education
In today's marketplace, more and more schools are offering online coursework. The standards that were set in an in-class setting are being met and even exceeded using online formats. Hiring of most employees is done by meeting a specific qualification and then interviewing qualified candidates to see if they:
1. Possess the knowledge they claim;
2. Fit the personality of the office;
3. Bring a positive attitude.
4. etc.
Therefore, having the degree is more important than where it was obtained. Therefore, I would hire the candidate that best fits with my current employees and the needs of the position.
Maureen,
So true. There are some students a class is better just because it forces them to focus a little more.
Shelly Crider
I think online e-learing is excellent and applicable to certain professions/diciplines. Students with time management problems may find it convienient to combine both traditional with online courses to further their studies.
On the hand, some students may gain more from on-site training.
Some students tend to grasp more through actual experience.
For example, a surgical technician would gain more experience from a real clinical case in understanding "the operation room environment".
Teya,
Great points - thanks for sharing!
Jon
Teya,
Having students in an online program contact a professional in their field is an excellent idea. What better way to learn than by speaking with someone already working in the profession?
The name of the institution of higher learning has always been important. Just look at Hollywood, for example. Every lawyer in every movie goes to Harvard Law School. It's a quick and easy way of conveying that the character is smart and has had his or her "ticket punched." Employers at certain levels do look at the name of the university. The good news for most of us is that most employers respect a degree from any reputable institution. Students need to be sure that their online university is accredited and that it offers the courses they need for the career they wish to pursue.
Online colleges and universities need to prove themselves just like any other institutions. Our graduates will help make or break our reputations. So we need to be sure that we grant degrees only to those who have earned them.
Mr. Phillips,
I've taught both online an traditional courses. I do agree knowledge is more important than where it was obtained but accreditian ranks among the top reasons as well. Thus being, most unaccredited instiutiions do not provide the same quality of education needed to succeed.
Like you, I do look for the "best fit" candidate not just for my employees but as for the company as well. If I am undecided I do go by the institution the person has attended and/or experience s/he may have.
As for determining if s/he posses the knowledge they claim, you can always test them - though some people are not good test takers. You really do not know at this point since you have to use your "gut" and the experience you've gained over the years to locate that "perfect person".
Is there really a difference as to where the degree obtained - yet alone accreditation? My answer is no. Due to the fact that I have met several people throught my years of working that do not even posses a higher education degree but their knowledge of the subject matter far exceeds those that do.
Gardner,
I think it is possible to compress timeframes - but you are right - it needs to be a shorter time, but with the same learning expectations.
Jon
Steve,
This is true. The name of the school counts as employers can check the course content offered by these schools. Generally the traditional scools that have online course with the same length and rigor as the on-campus schools, there is no difference in the educational value received. However, the five week online course schools that graduate students, do not fare as well in the marketplace for students seeking work.
James,
True if the online course is the same length as an onground course. This is true with the traditional colleges and universities. However, with the plethora of non-traditional schools that offer five week courses it is different. How can you learn in five weeks what a traditional course typically takes 12 weeks? This is where employers balk at the validity of the degree.
Some of the non-traditional schools have no testing whatsoever. No weekly tests or final exams.
Well that provides a really good point. Students who research and base their choices on the school and not the degree are already showing a different degree of online knowledge and doing the prep work required - just like an actual university, you need to visit a few and see what they can give you before you settle on one.
I haven't heard about too many students recently who are even asked if their degree was earned ground or online!
Jane,
I couldn't agree more. The online diploma mill is a booming industry. It flourishes because there is a market for it, and no one has been able to shut them down. Having a certificate all the way to a PhD from an organization like a diploma mill can cost you time, embarrassment, and in severe cases prosecution if you tried to pass off a phony degree.
Carol:
Straightforward answer to your question---if someone enrolls for the course and another person completes the course work, the person who enrolled has not acquired the knowledge and skills.
Satrohan
Carol:
Quite true; the name of the institution does add to the positive outlook of a resume. Is the name of the institution enough for one to decide whether to pursue an online program at that institution?
Satrohan
I am glad you addressed the concerns of watered down classes, students taking the online class for someone else, and gaining the appropriate skills. These are things that have also concerned me about online education. Of course, the same concerns can be addressed in traditional settings, but not to as great an extent as with online programs. In the end, I believe, having mastery of the subject matter and having gained the appropriate skills are the desired results. So how can we be sure the individual taking the online classes has achieved them if another person takes the course for him/her?
Carol Silvis
I have to agree that the name of the school where the online degree was obtained would make a difference to me. With so much misinformation on the Internet and with so many new companies popping up, I would be cautious of where I received my online education.
Carol Silvis
Charlotte:
We do not use prsonality tests. Our tests are performance based. The tests are anchored on the duties associated with the job to the task level.
Satrohan
Satrohan,
What kind of tests - logic, personality? Just curious....
Charlotte:
We use the tests not only to determine the best fit; but also to estimate the degree of training we would have to provide of we were to select the candidate.
Satrohan
