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| Distance Learning: Is it worth it? |
| Yes, depending on the degree one seeks |
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34% |
[ 8 ] |
| Yes, it is more effective than inclass programs |
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13% |
[ 3 ] |
| No, inclass programs carry more credibility |
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17% |
[ 4 ] |
| No, it's just like those degree Mills |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| Yes, as long as it's the same degree you would get by physically attending |
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26% |
[ 6 ] |
| other (please explain) |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 23 |
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Message |
cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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 Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject: Distance Learning: Would you? |
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Just curious if anyone has or would enroll in a distance program (i.e. Master's, Ph.D., program). If you would, why? If you wouldn't, why not?
Currently, I am doing my Master's through a distance program. I find that I learn more this way (as opposed to onsite learning). I read more and put forth more effort in my work than I would if attending class in person; maybe it's because I am older now? LOL. 
Discuss. |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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been there done that. Yes it was worth it and I found that I probably did more work than if I had attended classes. However it was also very difficult to balance study, work, and family (wife and young daughter)
Overall I have found that I am a better teacher - I would recommend it, but only if you have the discipline to learn alone. |
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Fresh Prince
Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Location: The glorious nation of Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:39 am Post subject: |
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It really depends on what your career goals are.
The major advantage of going to a traditional school is learning the culture and behavioral patterns that are the norm in your field. Certain ways of presenting yourself when meeting others, socializing, methods of thinking. By physically working with others the student will be able to improve interpersonal skills and basically learn the social norms of people in his or her field.
If you plan to pursue a PhD then I suggest you do some informational interviews with people that have PhDs and see what they suggest. It would be really frustrating to put in all that hard work just to find out that most universities and companies prefer people from a traditional program. |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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| In light of a lot of questions regarding distance learning programs, I thought it would be good to bump this up. |
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nobbyken
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Location: Yongin ^^
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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I just finished a 4-year distance learning degree while being also being in full time employment.
I needed to work to pay of debts from my past, and found I was able to manage time for study better.
I sure didn't like those Saturdays stuck at home studying, but definately worth it. |
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waterbaby
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie
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| Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:35 am Post subject: |
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I voted 'other' because none of the options suited me. I'd vote "No, because distance learning is just too hard for me". 
I tried distance ed in 2002 and that type of learning did not suit me at all - I can't read material and digest it on my own. I need to be able to ask questions and listen to others perspectives.
It also didn't help that the University ran out of the prescribed books  and I didn't get one set until 7 weeks into a 13 week semester and had one week to catch up on 7 weeks of reading and complete the first assignment (for which I could not get an extension because the prof had to post the results on the board).
The University also sent me the wrong disc, so I was unable to connect to the online community for the first two weeks.
So, it was a disaster!
(I think it was the Universe interfering and telling me that I should be doing an MBA)
Needless to say, I got my money back.
I am now studying part-time, on campus and I love it - I do all the required reading each week and then read other books for a second, third or even fourth opinion. I love being able to discuss things in class and have face-to-face study and project works. I think this is because I'm older, too (one of the oldest in my class!)
I think ultimately it comes down to what type/style of learner you are.
I don't care about reputation so much as what I actually get out of the course (which is usually equal to what you put into it).
It sounds like you're loving your course and the style of distance ed/learning suits you - that's great  |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:52 am Post subject: |
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A poster here at this site is taking an online course through a major, state-funded university, so as far as credibility and having one of those "fake degrees", I don't think that's too much of an issue.
I haven't looked into online courses yet, but if I were to take one, this is what would be ideal for me:
- brief video of a lecture (maybe about 20 minutes), available at any time rather than live feed
- online notes
- a discussion forum where the students can ask questions and the professor or t.a. will answer them
The last bit is most important for me. Anyone know if this is how the courses generally are constructed? I'm interested in taking a couple of courses to finish up my business degree, but don't feel like moving back to Florida to do so. |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:57 am Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
A poster here at this site is taking an online course through a major, state-funded university, so as far as credibility and having one of those "fake degrees", I don't think that's too much of an issue.
I haven't looked into online courses yet, but if I were to take one, this is what would be ideal for me:
- brief video of a lecture (maybe about 20 minutes), available at any time rather than live feed
- online notes
- a discussion forum where the students can ask questions and the professor or t.a. will answer them
The last bit is most important for me. Anyone know if this is how the courses generally are constructed? I'm interested in taking a couple of courses to finish up my business degree, but don't feel like moving back to Florida to do so. |
Hi Q,
My MA through www.su.edu follows your format verbatim:
they send your DVD's for most of the courses
their are online discussions where questions are posted and you have to answer them (you are graded on them). Also, there are forums where you can just talk to people (much like Dave's here). Some courses, depending on the professor, place note summaries up for all. However, ultimately (as you know) the work is done by you.
My wife is doing her MA through FSU (Florida State University). Her set up is almost like mine minus the DVD's. |
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gang ah jee
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: city of paper
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| Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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It's not my intention to disrespect distance learning in any way, CL, but I do agree with what Ryst Helmet wrote over in the job discussion forum:
| Ryst Helmet wrote: |
Cubano,
There is the problem. They are not the same, and will NOT be for quite some time. I know, I performed 1/2 of my MA TESOL online with my university (and half of those credits were performed overseas), while the other half in the traditional classroom. Online classes are sorely lacking, and very small minority of professors are skilled/experienced enough in this mode of instruction, to even adequately made the quality of learning equal that of a traditional setting.
I am not alone in this belief as many of my classmates did the same as me and friends as well at other institutions.
Where I stand on this issue is that the traditional setting has inherent benefits over online coursework that is really where (at least, as I/we found) learning took place: sounding boards. It was the discussions, debates and banter amongst the students and professors (in and out of class) that our ideas really exploded.
The ideas and opinions that orally took place in just 3 minutes would require pages upon pages of reading to get through....if it could even happen in print. I've only seen one online format that came close to that worth within our program and/or class(mates)/professor, but we were a different group. We were already familiar with each other, already demanded much out of each other, and most importantly had a professor who created an environment AND curriculum/ rubric which further stoked our out-of-reading/classwork learning. |
In addition to the above, I have no idea how you distance students manage without library access - I spend a lot of time in the university main library, in the departmental library, and in the library at the College of Education. Also, even if you have electronic access to the relevant journals, this generally doesn't go back much further than 10 years at present, which can miss out some really important stuff.
As well as that, being on campus can give you a lot more opportunities for academic and career development. It's not only interactions and relationships with classmates that are helpful, it's also getting to know the PhD students and the faculty, and being able to share ideas and get assistance from them. (and uh 'networking' - a PhD student who's also a professor at Kyoto University told me to get in touch about a possible position if I end up in Japan, for example) Quite a few foreign universities recruit directly from my programme as well.
My university also has weekly seminars in the department where faculty members and visiting academics present their recent research, and I've gotten a great deal out of attending these, including a lot of insights and knowledge that I would not have otherwise come across. A good university will also have well-known scholars visiting regularly, and I've had the opportunity to meet David Crystal (briefly) and attend his lecture series. In the past 12 months Merrill Swain, Tom Cobb, and Joan Rubin among others have also visited the department and taught intensive courses in their areas of specialisation.
Plus, there are often opportunities for employment on campus. I've been lucky to get teaching work in two different departments, and I'm currently on staff in my department teaching in the university EAP programme. Apart from English teaching experience from a Western university not looking too bad on one's resume, being part of staff meetings and intra-departmental professional development courses is also very useful.
While I understand that not everyone can take a year or two away from fulltime employment, I'd say that to a lot of people, the willingness to make the sacrifice for the sake of one's study may count for something.
And finally, I understand that even if a distance degree looks exactly the same as an on-campus degree, if a prospective employer calls your university and asks, your university will tell them whether you actually physically attended or not (thus even being there for one semester changes your overall status to 'on campus'). I'm not sure where I heard this though, so feel free to check the accuracy of this. |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:37 am Post subject: |
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| gang ah jee wrote: |
It's not my intention to disrespect distance learning in any way, CL, but I do agree with what Ryst Helmet wrote over in the job discussion forum:
| Ryst Helmet wrote: |
Cubano,
There is the problem. They are not the same, and will NOT be for quite some time. I know, I performed 1/2 of my MA TESOL online with my university (and half of those credits were performed overseas), while the other half in the traditional classroom. Online classes are sorely lacking, and very small minority of professors are skilled/experienced enough in this mode of instruction, to even adequately made the quality of learning equal that of a traditional setting.
I am not alone in this belief as many of my classmates did the same as me and friends as well at other institutions.
Where I stand on this issue is that the traditional setting has inherent benefits over online coursework that is really where (at least, as I/we found) learning took place: sounding boards. It was the discussions, debates and banter amongst the students and professors (in and out of class) that our ideas really exploded.
The ideas and opinions that orally took place in just 3 minutes would require pages upon pages of reading to get through....if it could even happen in print. I've only seen one online format that came close to that worth within our program and/or class(mates)/professor, but we were a different group. We were already familiar with each other, already demanded much out of each other, and most importantly had a professor who created an environment AND curriculum/ rubric which further stoked our out-of-reading/classwork learning. |
In addition to the above, I have no idea how you distance students manage without library access - I spend a lot of time in the university main library, in the departmental library, and in the library at the College of Education. Also, even if you have electronic access to the relevant journals, this generally doesn't go back much further than 10 years at present, which can miss out some really important stuff.
As well as that, being on campus can give you a lot more opportunities for academic and career development. It's not only interactions and relationships with classmates that are helpful, it's also getting to know the PhD students and the faculty, and being able to share ideas and get assistance from them. (and uh 'networking' - a PhD student who's also a professor at Kyoto University told me to get in touch about a possible position if I end up in Japan, for example) Quite a few foreign universities recruit directly from my programme as well.
My university also has weekly seminars in the department where faculty members and visiting academics present their recent research, and I've gotten a great deal out of attending these, including a lot of insights and knowledge that I would not have otherwise come across. A good university will also have well-known scholars visiting regularly, and I've had the opportunity to meet David Crystal (briefly) and attend his lecture series. In the past 12 months Merrill Swain, Tom Cobb, and Joan Rubin among others have also visited the department and taught intensive courses in their areas of specialisation.
Plus, there are often opportunities for employment on campus. I've been lucky to get teaching work in two different departments, and I'm currently on staff in my department teaching in the university EAP programme. Apart from English teaching experience from a Western university not looking too bad on one's resume, being part of staff meetings and intra-departmental professional development courses is also very useful.
While I understand that not everyone can take a year or two away from fulltime employment, I'd say that to a lot of people, the willingness to make the sacrifice for the sake of one's study may count for something.
And finally, I understand that even if a distance degree looks exactly the same as an on-campus degree, if a prospective employer calls your university and asks, your university will tell them whether you actually physically attended or not (thus even being there for one semester changes your overall status to 'on campus'). I'm not sure where I heard this though, so feel free to check the accuracy of this. |
Hi G.A.J.,
to quote what you said, "In addition to the above, I have no idea how you distance students manage without library access - I spend a lot of time in the university main library, in the departmental library, and in the library at the College of Education. Also, even if you have electronic access to the relevant journals, this generally doesn't go back much further than 10 years at present, which can miss out some really important stuff.
As well as that, being on campus can give you a lot more opportunities for academic and career development. It's not only interactions and relationships with classmates that are helpful, it's also getting to know the PhD students and the faculty, and being able to share ideas and get assistance from them. (and uh 'networking' - a PhD student who's also a professor at Kyoto University told me to get in touch about a possible position if I end up in Japan, for example) Quite a few foreign universities recruit directly from my programme as well."
Through S.U. (my university), our access dates back as far as what they have (I have managed to gain access to documents published in 1990). Though, it can never be as great as physical access.
You are absolutely right when it comes to networking. That IS the most sacrificed item when doing something via distance learning rather than onsite; you miss out on wonderful opportunities. This is where the difference will ALWAYS be. However, those with the right personalities and those that utilize the medium through which the classes are taught can gain a bit of what is lost, therefore great relationships can still be formed (I can attest to this). I encourage those who partake in distance learning to actually go and visit your professors and university. As you have already read, I went to my uni., did some work there, and even turned in my term paper (which, I may add, is up for final review in an academic journal...yeahhhH!!!!!) to my professor. I guess you can say with me visiting campus every year, I do "both".
GAJ, you have extremely valid points and have illustrated the main drawbacks in D.L. Ultimately, IMO and as you stated, D.L. is great for those that cannot take off a couple of years. Some can; others can't. |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:32 am Post subject: |
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| and jussssstttttt one bump in case anyone else has information they'd like to contribute to this forum. |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:47 am Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
A poster here at this site is taking an online course through a major, state-funded university
- online notes
- a discussion forum where the students can ask questions and the professor or t.a. will answer them
The last bit is most important for me. Anyone know if this is how the courses generally are constructed? I'm interested in taking a couple of courses to finish up my business degree, but don't feel like moving back to Florida to do so. |
Yo Q....here's a few screenshots per our conversation 2 weeks ago...
--The TA and prof take 3 years and a day to answer questions, but they do get back to you...eventually.
--the discussion boards are about as lively as my grandmas senior center on bingo night.
--You read the books, you post your homework, they grade you on that + participation (Do you read other peoples posts and reply to them? You better if you want a decent grade!)
--In the last pic, you see the digital dropbox? That's where you submit papers and other assignments that she/he gives you in addition to the discussion board assignments. I'll post the syllabus.
--You get a midterm and a final.
Last edited by SuperFly on Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:09 am; edited 1 time in total |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:08 am Post subject: |
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| yep. that is identical to mine. |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:10 am Post subject: |
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| Blackboard? You from Florida right bro? |
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skinhead
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:51 am Post subject: |
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| waterbaby wrote: |
I voted 'other' because none of the options suited me. I'd vote "No, because distance learning is just too hard for me".
I tried distance ed in 2002 and that type of learning did not suit me at all - I can't read material and digest it on my own. I need to be able to ask questions and listen to others perspectives.
It also didn't help that the University ran out of the prescribed books and I didn't get one set until 7 weeks into a 13 week semester and had one week to catch up on 7 weeks of reading and complete the first assignment (for which I could not get an extension because the prof had to post the results on the board).
The University also sent me the wrong disc, so I was unable to connect to the online community for the first two weeks.
So, it was a disaster!
(I think it was the Universe interfering and telling me that I should be doing an MBA)
Needless to say, I got my money back.
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Which uni was that, waterbub? I've got two options so far, and it could help me choose. Macquarie or Deakin? I'll be starting my MATesol this year and will be continuing it through distance learning once I'm back in Korea. |
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