VirtualStudent.com

Online degree programs are incredible. They have made it possible for people to start or return to school in amazing numbers. Just a few years ago, it simply could not happen.

But along great opportunity in distance education come hand in glove with some challenges. For the Virtual Student, it is important to understand both.

Isolation

Perhaps the most common complaint of Virtual Students is that they feel isolated. They feel they are alone in their quest.

Without a doubt, studying at home –often late at night—is a solitary activity. Especially for people who enjoy the energy of social interaction, studying online can seem a lonely experience.

On the other hand, many Virtual Students find a whole new group of friends in their online classes. Their online classmates become their friends, just like sometimes happens in a physical classroom.

Nevertheless, it is important to understand that online study usually lacks a lot of personal, social contact. If you are considering an online degree program, a lot of your class time will be spent alone.

Impersonal Communication

Likewise, some Virtual Students find that they miss the personal contact of spoken, in-person communication. Although it is possible to get to know another person through email and discussion groups, some people miss the sound of the human voice.

Online video and audio are really taking a bite out of this problem, even as we speak. But let’s face it, those who feel most connected to others by body language and vocal factors may find the online study environment impersonal.

Having said that, others love being able to communicate honestly and perhaps forcefully without having to risk speaking out in a crowded classroom. They appreciate the chance to get to “know” their instructors and classmates in an environment they find less risky.

Time and Energy Drain

Distance learning has made studying for a degree much more convenient, but it has not made the process less taxing. It has displaced the need to drive to campus, or perhaps to relocate, but it has not eliminated the need to work hard or devote time and effort.

Distance learning schools require just as much work from online learners as a campus course, and sometimes more. They are not masochistic (although it may seem like it sometimes!), but are hyper-aware of the scrutiny distance learning programs are still under.

Good distance learning programs will make you work. Would it be real otherwise?

The logic is that distance learning students do not have to spend time in class listening to lectures (yippee!), so they should spend the time on other work. That can make distance learning courses even more work-intensive than their on-campus counterparts.

Are you starting to understand why we favor credit by exam?

Technology

Virtual Students have to be able to overcome technological hassles. Unfortunately, many schools have bought into the “bells and whistles” approach when it comes to their distance learning technology. They haven’t quite accepted that more technology actually interferes with the learning process instead of supporting it.

Sometimes, even cutting edge learners find that their base of technology does not match the school’s. This usually happens with audio or video streaming, and especially when firewalls are involved.

Before you enroll in a distance learning program, be sure to visit a course or take a demo course. That way, you will know exactly what the technological expectations will be.

Learning Style

Schools haven’t quite figured out how to make their online environments match the variety of their students’ learning styles. Especially for visual and auditory learners, who need the presence of a spoken word, this can be a real challenge.

To some extent, it is the responsibility of the school to either address this issue or acknowledge it in their marketing materials. However, it is also a technological challenge that may be difficult for schools and Virtual Students to solve.

Let’s face it: Some people just learn better in a classroom. If you’re one of them, you’re best off to pay attention to that voice in your head saying “just go to the classroom.”

You can check it out in advance: Just Google “is distance learning for me” and you’ll find links to tons of online evaluation tools. Work through them and pay attention to the results; it can save you a ton of trouble and pain later.

Financial Cost

Online degree programs are expensive. For some schools, online education is even more expensive than campus-based courses. Here’s the dirty little secret: Many schools use their nontraditional and distance learning programs to subsidize their campus operations.

For the schools, distance learning is a cash cow; campus programs are losers. So guess where all the money goes!

For many Virtual Students, studying online imposes a financial burden that translates to a drain on family finances or a student loan debt.

As more and more public institutions move into the online arena, their lower tuition prices may benefit learners in their home states. However, in the interim, there are relatively few low cost alternatives among the top-name, accredited online schools.

Wrap-Up
At the end of the day, distance education presents unprecedented opportunities and real challenges. Like so many things in life, there are trade-offs for Virtual Students. The challenges do not necessarily overshadow the prospects of distance learning. But everyone should decide on their own terms just how these challenges impact their study experience.