1. Online Education Sean Taylor

2. Summary • • Investigates the pros and cons of online education. • • Explains how online learning can be highly effective for some students.• Also notes how it can hinder others when it comes to maximizing their learning experience. • • Gives some guild lines on this debatable subject, and some individual considerations

3. Issue/Trend • While online programs have significant strengths and offer unprecedented accessibility to quality education, there are weaknesses inherent in the use of this medium that can pose potential threats to the success of any online program. These problems fall into six main categories: The Technology, The Students, The Facilitator, The Administration, The Online Environment, And the Curriculum. • “Online method of education can be a highly effective alternative method of education for the students who are matured, self-disciplined and motivated, well organized and having high degree of time management skills, but it is an inappropriate learning environment for more dependent learners and has difficulty assuming responsibilities required by the online courses” 

4. Pro • • With a computer, you can work anywhere with internet access.• Provides the practice of applicable technology resources. - office software - internet browsing expertise - programs for the classroom (teachers) • • Convenient - work from home - broad hours for study - able to have a job - people with children - people with disabilities • • Inexpensive compared to sit in classes. - on average, classes are cheaper online - no traveling cost (gas) - less required material (books, notebooks, writing utensils, etc.)

5. Cons • • Limited, to no instructor face-to-face time. • • No social interaction or classmate relationships. • • Financial inabilities for technology outside of the library. • • Assessments are not complex.(memorization) • • Teacher and student technology illiteracies.

6. Questions • Are online classes right for you? • • Are you a “people person?” • • Do you readily have access to a computer and internet? • • Are you motivated to check daily and not procrastinate? • • Will you be open to learn new technologies as they evolve? • • Do you utilize your face-to-face instruction time as a student now?

7. Conclusion • /• There are many pros and cons to the controversial question? Are online, or face-to-face classes more beneficial? • • You must analyze yourself and figure out what works best for you. • • Consider your work ethic, time management, and weekly availability when deciding for yourself. • • In every endeavor, you get out what you put in, so in my opinion, the outcomes strictly depends on the person.

8. References • http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/overview/weaknesses.asp • http://www.collegequarterly.ca/2007-vol10-num03- summer/rolfe.html • http://jolt.merlot.org/vol5no2/mcnabb_0609.htm