Online Education. A lot of military folks get online degrees. What are the good and bad experiences you've had with online classes?

In my last command several of the GS workers and I had degrees from traditional schools encouraging him to go for it and enroll in college courses working toward his ultimate goal of a degree. One of the ladies in the shop that was always stirring the pot opened her mouth and actually badmouthed the Bachelor's of Arts Degree I earned in one year dropping 33 credit hours on top of full time military committment. At the time she was working with what we considered a diploma mill Phoenix University. During my time earning the defree I did try a blended course with some online components. The connection was always suspect, and the professor was just in it to get paid. Hands down the worst one I ever had to deal with. As far as I'm concerned after seeing that troublesome ladies 'work' the online experience is not for me. If she can get a degree with what she was turning in, I am ashamed for what is considered a higher education system.

I have 4 children, a wife, a dog(a very time demanding Pit Bull that likes to make messes), a full time job, classes that are mandatory that the company is paying for, and I would love to see one of my hobbies once in a while but my guitars have an impressive layer of dust on them. Online school is hell on earth for me, but a necessary evil. It changes your entry point for the step you are on in your career. You can progress through one company or through many. But most hit road blocks and have to move up to support themselves. So, having a degree from wherever is needed to change that entry point in the next company. I went to night classes at a brick and mortar school but my family can't wait hungry for me to finish my graduate degree while I am in school so, off to online university virtual land I go.. it takes a lot of discipline, but, in the end.. a degree is only a piece of paper that gets you past the HR rep that has no idea what you actually do. It is your work performance, willing to learn, willing to take on projects, your active and positive engagement, and strive for better processes that get you a head in your career, not the piece of paper that hangs on your wall. That is, of course, if you aren't a doctor. Then that piece of paper is everything.

What drives us? What doesn't drive us? Most I know, who were pushing to attend college classes while in uniform, had a future of providing well for their families, and a life outside the military in mind. Some, like my husband, took classes thru the Marines, on just about anything that meshed with his career, but keep in mind that he is seriously OCD and even to this day, at the top of his field, gets a nervous tic if something new comes out that he doesn't know about.
Some, like myself never made time for it while in uniform, and only fulfilled that degree plan afterwards, when the kids were full time in school, and we'd put down roots with plans of staying put for several years.
When it comes down to the singular idea of higher education or not, I think most of us just want to get a leg up on a civilian career, because we find ourselves a little out of touch with what works and what doesn't out of uniform.

It's important to distinguish online learning into two categories, application centric and degree centric. I've taken both. To me, application-centric is learning an application with all the test labs and virtual labs available. Degree-centric is a different animal. Yes, virtual labs can be used in the degree program, but greater importance needs to be class participation on a programs message boards where discussions can be had in real time with an instructor.

I retired in 2010 and am currently working on my MBA online. I find it very convenient as I can participate in the discussion at my own schedule. I find the online discussions to be more active than those I experienced in a classroom while working on my BBA as time in the classroom was limited. Another convenience is all lectures are provided on a Word document preventing the need to take notes. I actually feel I am learning a lot more in this program than I did during my BBA program.

online degree is wonderful opportunity for Active duties. However course is not easy for processing course due to assignment complete and relationship or communication with Prof.

The good thing about on-line college education is the flexibility. You can take the class almost anywhere and you are not restricted to a time or place.

Some classes have required collaborative chat sessions. Sometimes that can be a pain. I was in Egypt for two classes and then in Alaska for another two. Most instructors offer make up and they record the chat sessions.

Overall, I save time and I can take the class and do the when I want it and where I want it.

The drawback is that you lose the face to face interaction from a traditional classroom. However, nothing restricts us from linking with classmates on social media and having phone or Skype conversations.

Good luck!

For military students I think its a matter of convenience mostly. With our hectic schedules and personal lives and commitments its hard to go to a university after working a full day. Taking courses online can be challenging or not depending on the university and degree program you follow. As far as interaction with classmates and professors, its what you make of it. I am in a course now that is centered on group interaction and projects and we are all over the world but still manage to communicate effectively to get assignment completed. Plus TA is there for our use and I am constantly reminding my soldiers that it will not be available forever so take advantage. Some listen and other will be kicking themselves down the line when they realize the time they wasted.