Do you think online schools are easier than classroom schools?

MSG Brian Breaker — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:50:49 -0400

I am currently working to complete my degree. Since I've joined the Army I have been to traditional colleges and online colleges. Do you think online colleges are too easy?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 11:54 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:54:47 -0400

I don't think one is harder than the other. It really depends on how you learn. Many people don't do well on exams but are great when it comes to remembering visuals and applying themselves in essays, just as some people may be the other way around. I personally have done both. Being in front of a professor in college was a good experience I think. It gave me the opportunity to ask questions and clarify in real time as well as interact with the other students by sharing experiences and knowledge. Online school on the other hand, was a little harder for me, it didn't have that personalized aspect I was so used to and felt more impersonal. I missed having that interaction and real time physical connection, so to speak. But on the other hand, I knew what the objectives were and it created a better discipline in me in regards to time management and weeding out the procrastination in me. Overall, I don't prefer one over another... once again, its a question of personal preference and the ability to focus and adapt to that particular learning environment.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 4 at 2014 7:06 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 07:06:00 -0400

Too many factors to consider which would make it impossible to make a blanket statement. Some need the classroom environment in order to stay focused and on task and will quickly fall behind with online classes. Some classes are better suited to classroom vs. online or online vs. classroom. Some students need the 'real time' feedback from the professor and other students, while others work better alone, just to name a few.
I have taken classes in a traditional setting as a full time and as a part time student and I have also taken on line classes as well, and I can say from my experience, that I have had both easy, and very challenging classes in each type.
My best advise would be to take the classes you need in whatever format they are offered on the schedule that fits your schedule and needs the best...preferably with the same school so you don't have to battle with transfer credits and matriculation and residency requirements for graduation (SOCAD is often helpful with this, but not always).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 8:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:53:15 -0400

MSG, I believe everyone has a different learning curve. Personally, I prefer online colleges because I can do it while working full time and don't need the personal "presence" of an instuctor. For others, maybe not so much. Some individuals "need" the classroom instruction because it's more "hands on" and direct face to face with the instructor. So really that question could be answered either way, just depends on the person answering.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Sep 4 at 2014 9:43 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:43:21 -0400

It depends on what you want, and your personal / learning needs.

Some folks have mentioned it. There are programs that work best as classroom versus on-line and the other way around. But also your personal preference and learning needs.

Kudos to you for taking on the academic challenge. Please post your graduation photo when you finish.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 4 at 2014 9:48 AM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:48:06 -0400

Easier to schedule? yes. Easier to grasp? Not really.
I posted this on another recent thread, but it seemed fitting here:

"I teach SCUBA in my spare time (what little of it I have). We have two ways of doing it: We have an online version, where students go through the entire book, and then we do about a 2 hour review in the classroom. The other way is to have four two hour classroom sessions, with reading assignments in between (essentially 2 chapters a week). We have found over and over that students get more out of the traditional teaching methods than they do the online method. I (we) attribute it to the interactivity.

Note: The teaching that I mention here is independent of the pool sessions- those get the same number of hours regardless. For some things, hands-on is irreplaceable."

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 11:35 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:35:08 -0400

ONLINE:

Pros:
Flexibility and convenience, mastery of writing papers

Cons:
Lack of face to face interaction, less room and less convenience to ask questions, linear projects, less critical learning

CLASSROOM

Pros:
Face to face interaction, immediate clarifications, relationship building, sharing personal examples and experiences

Cons:
Inflexible, harder to 'make up' or 'reschedule'

Your choice that you can only answer for yourself: I really want to learn it - classroom. I just want a degree - online.

Degrees are the same. MEANS and MOTIVATIONS of obtaining are not. Now you must decide.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 11:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:50:18 -0400

You would probably want to take into account the complexity of the classes. If they are 100 level classes that you need just to add credits then online might be a good choice. If it's the upper 400 level classes and they are your core requirements, you may want to consider classroom courses depending on how well you think you might master the subject.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Sep 4 at 2014 12:18 PM

PO1 Michael G. — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:18:35 -0400

MSG Brian Breaker I've taken both online and traditional classes and I find that it's not a matter of course difficulty as it is individual learning style and self-motivation. In online classes, I would find it easier to justify "skipping" class and procrastinating on assignments, so I definitely found myself being more successful in a classroom setting.

What ended up working the best for me when I had to take online classes (due to schedule constraints and course availability) was that I would make sure to be on campus to get myself in the schoolwork mindset; I would end up scheduling time to do my online coursework during long breaks in between my classroom sessions.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 1:47 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:47:35 -0400

I enrolled in an online college in 2007 by the encouragement by my CSM at the time. It was 20 years since I last had been in college and found that it was a little bit easier for me than a traditional college in some ways but was challenging as well. I like the flexibility of online learning but it takes a lot of self-discipline to ensure you stay on track. That can be difficult at times and there were a few cases where I had to file for an extension to complete the class.

I received my Bachelors degree in 2010 in Criminal Justice and would encourage all enlisted Soldiers to further their education either way. I have sat on Senior Promotion Boards in which civilian education was a key factor by many board members on whether or not a Soldier should be recommended for promotion.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 9:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:55:56 -0400

Yes, while in a physical class I get distracted easy. Online school I feel more focused and can go at my own pace with no distractions. If you put me in a classroom I begin to daydream and socialize.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 10:00 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 22:00:09 -0400

MSG, I just received my degree from an online University last month, it was the greatest feeling I have ever felt next to the birth of my child. What I feel is special about many online programs is the opportunity to take courses in a field that many of us salts have hands on experience in. Distractions are minimal, the secondary knowledge gained from using a computer interface, and of course watching the game while studying are all perks. I suppose it is based on study habits and personality type also. When I was taking in class courses I didn't feel as if I was absorbing as much as I did with online courses. It's the wave of the future and you are ahead of the game.

Tango!
/Doc

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 10:29 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 22:29:22 -0400

I found online classes to be more difficult and time consuming because it forced me to set aside time to do the work rather than relying on going to a set class time at certain times during the week and only doing homework afterwards.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 5 at 2014 12:37 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 00:37:20 -0400

In my experience I would say that the work that is required is similar in each. The best thing about online schools is that you can do everything on your own time. Being able to do my schoolwork while working is pretty nice.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 10 at 2014 12:34 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:34:17 -0400

The opposite for me. I find online schooling boring, it fails to keep my interest. It feels more like a chore than an education to me.

Response by COL Roxanne Arndt made Sep 10 at 2014 12:36 PM

COL Roxanne Arndt — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:36:12 -0400

It is my professional opinion that online education is more difficult, especially when the 'semesters' are condensed down to 5 week terms, 8 week terms, or 11 week terms. I teach in an online environment and it takes many hours of preparation to get a class online and keep it going plus keep up with discussion boards, assignments, technically difficulties etc. I have taken online classes and it is very easy to put things off but it takes a disciplined person to stay on top of everything, make sure you have right technology to facilitate whatever LMS the school is using. A lot of people think because it is an education that is online it will be easy but I bet if you surveyed today's student they would say how difficult it is. Online education isn't for everyone and there are some disciplines that should have an in class component in my opinion. It is not the same when doing a presentation to your peers to do it front of a video or doing in front of a class situation having your professors present to ask questions etc. I feel 'live' presentations are the only way to refine your presentations skills and defeat the 'I can't talk in front of people' situation that many 'new graduates' have. You cannot exceed in your job field if you have trouble speaking in a group or do not have the experience of working in groups etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 9:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 09:26:50 -0400

MSG Brian Breaker, I have attended both a brick and mortar school for my BA and have done my MA 100% online. Like several have mentioned, I enjoy the flexibility to be able to go and do my lessons wherever and whenever I want to, provided they are done by Sunday at midnight. : ) I did miss the verbal discussion of sitting in a classroom while attending online course. However, I do not think in any way that the courses are any easier simply because they are online courses. Practically every single one of my MA courses has required a minimum 20 page research paper, by no means making it easier. Of course the flip side, if my computer failed (luckily has never happened to me) it would be ruinous to the course I was in, whereas if I were at a school, I could explain to the professor what had happened in person. Each type of school has it's own risks and rewards. Some students do better in the brick and mortar environment, and that's encouraged. Some students do better in the online environment, and that's wonderful too. Online course require a little bit more in the initiative category, I feel. You aren't required to face anyone in person and say that you did not complete the assignment, making failure easier in the online version. Good question to think about though, thanks.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 12:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:32:25 -0400

I have obtained my BA in Criminal Justice all online and I'm working on my MBA online so do I think online colleges are too easy? No, they are convenient for those of us which are either deployed, serving fulltime, or working fulltime and as with me working fulltime raising two kids as a single parent and serving in the National Guard. If you feel they are too easy maybe you should challenge yourself and find another college? My question is if they are too easy is that individual achieving 100% on every assignment? Online is not for everyone and you need to be self disciplined to take online classes, its not for everyone. I find the course work through Grantham University challenging and educational. The hardest part of online is that with out and instructor giving a traditional class you have to basically self educate by reading more. Either way you decide to further your education you can't go wrong.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 7:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 19:13:51 -0500

I graduated my bachelor's through traditional on campus college, but did my master's online and I am working on my PhD through online. Both my online courses had some interaction in person (master's had to do practicum and PhD had to do three four day weekends). I think that some things make it easier as in "easy" as you have less interaction, but others require you to have a certain amount of posts and if you are the type to sleep in class you might find it harder. I think it is just more convenient for those who work full-time and want to be flexible when you go to school, etc. Anyone can go to an "easy" college whether it is a traditional or online college or go to a harder more rigorous college that is respectable if you do your research.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 10:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:32:42 -0500

I think it depends on both major/degree and the school. My engineering bachelor's from a brick and mortar school was much more difficult than masters coursework in public health; however, I am currently working on a masters in statistics online and I often wonder if I should go to behavioral health for that decision.

To expand on your question - I worry about Soldiers getting degrees that are not really transferable to life outside of the Army. Many online schools are degree mills that seem to exist to devour TA and offer the Soldier little outside of promotion points.

That said, being part of the medical community in the Army, I have counseled my fair share of Soldiers attempting to earn a degree. We work through a decision tree to decide the best path for them:

1 - Are you getting your degree simply for career advancement in the military? If so, pick something you enjoy, is covered by TA and you can easily accomplish online with transfer credits from military training IOT finish in the shortest time possible.

2 - If #1 does not apply, are you trying for a degree in the sciences, engineering or your BSN? If not, an online degree from a reputable school is a great way to work on your degree at your own pace while staying on Active Duty.

3 - If #2 does in fact apply, you should attend a brick and mortar school for the majority of your education. You can knock out your "general education" requirements via distance education (as long as they are transferable to your school of choice), but a degree in science/engineering/BSN requires hands-on learning. Many of the concepts are too difficult to grasp fully while teaching yourself, which is how online colleges generally go.

I hope I did not go too far off topic on this one.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 8:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:16:56 -0500

I have to say no because it takes a lot of discipline to get up, get on-line, log onto your school assignment(s) plus read and do assignments versus walking into a classroom and listening to a teacher.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 8:20 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:20:00 -0500

Either should be as aggressive with their curricula, but it definitely takes more discipline and motivation to do online schooling and assignments.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 10 at 2015 4:18 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:18:53 -0500

I prefer the traditional classroom, I am a people person so being able to raise my hand and interact with classmates is what made me successful in my college career. My online classes to me were a bit more challenging to me.