DemocraSay

In response to On-Line Degrees: Are They as Good as the "Real" Thing?.

It's not a secret that many employers out there might be skeptical about someone who only has an online degree. In fact, years ago an online degree was something most people were dismissive about. As time went on, though, and the world became more dependent on the Internet, I think the reality of the situation is changing. More and more people are taking online courses and obtaining degrees this way.

Of course, old perceptions die hard. The more people resort to online coursework, the more employers will have to accept that they are legitimate alternatives. This will take time, however, but it will be helped by increasing determination on the parts of universities to produce quality online programs.

I myself have used online courses when the ones I needed were not available in the classroom. The quality of your online education would depend on what you were studying. I am a history and political science major, so much of the work could be done in class or online without much variance in quality. Most of the work is done through lectures or reading anyway, and online courses would produce much more determined students. I found that when forced to fend for yourself and learn concepts yourself, you become much more confident with the material than if you were spoon-fed by merely taking notes in lecture.

Nothing beats real-world experience, though, and for fields that require more personal interaction, it's obvious that real-world programs should be given preference.

We are currently in flux, where some employers are coming to terms that some courses are equally well-taught online, while other courses just can't seem to make the transition and will ultimately fall short.

In my own mind, as a future historian and political guru, online courses are priceless in learning to work, interpret, and learn on your own, which is what we will be required to do in the future. So, in a way, online coursework for history and politics is sort of like real-life experience.

Sort of.