Would you rather sit in a traditional college classroom or learn distantly and on-the-go (podcasts, audiobooks, webinars, mentor programs)?

2017-10-25T09:05:37-04:00

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 25 at 2017 9:17 AM

2017-10-25T09:17:55-04:00

That question came up in another form recently, and I state as I did then, that my preference is for the classroom setting. Although to be fair, I haven't tried online or any other form of remote learning yet. When I was an undergrad, there was no such thing as "online" learning. Probably why I just don't think its something I'd be comfortable with, which is funny, because my grad program is one of the top ranked part-time programs in the country for flexibility, and that's in no small part to it's online/distance capabilities.

Response by SSG Derek Scheller made Oct 25 at 2017 9:21 AM

2017-10-25T09:21:43-04:00

Me personally, I prefer to be in a classroom type environment. Even more so I prefer bootcamps as the one on one time with instructors is better. This is of course when dealing with cybersecurity as there are lots of times when I would like to be able to get more information on the fly or on a sidebar.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 9:38 AM

2017-10-25T09:38:40-04:00

Since 1989 when I participated in a pilot program with The University of Wisconsin at Madison called "War and Peace in the Nuclear Age" I have been doing remote/online courses. Today I use edx.org. Yet, for all two of my three degrees (AS,BS) I did attend tradition classes. I do not think I could have learned Nuclear Physics from a computer. I did find my online MBA through the UT system to be quite rewarding. I would not have been able to attain my MBA otherwise. So I think both methods are valid. I belive in life long learning so check out http://www.edx.org it is free and there is a plethera of offerings so I am sure you can find something that interests you. I just finished a class in Python programming, not that I will ever use it.

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Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 25 at 2017 10:13 AM

2017-10-25T10:13:47-04:00

I prefer being in a classroom. I've tried online learning and it doesn't appeal to me. There is a kind of motivation that I get by getting up in the morning and going to school that just doesn't exist when all I have to do is roll out of bed and walk to my desk. Perhaps if my schedule was less open, I might consider doing online classes.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:16 AM

2017-10-25T10:16:52-04:00

For me it really depends on what I'm studying. I mostly prefer the traditional classroom/lecture format but for subjects that I'm already familiar with the online format works well. Case in point, I had worked in the IT field for about 10 years when I started working on my first Master's program. I chose an online format because I already knew the vast majority of what we were studying and could skip the online lectures and just do the projects and take the tests and be done. However when I went to seminary to work on my second Master's degree in Christian education, while the material was familiar, I didn't have the mastery of it that I already had of IT systems, so the traditional classroom worked better.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 25 at 2017 10:19 AM

2017-10-25T10:19:03-04:00

I have done both and I preferred whichever was most practical for the circumstance. Remote/Online is not for everyone, one must be extremely motivated, driven and good at self study habits as well as research. Thank you for your service!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 25 at 2017 10:29 AM

2017-10-25T10:29:46-04:00

Education comes in different varieties. Technology has created more. I remember doing my first two years of engineering school with a slip stick (slide rule). Then my Dad purchased a piece of magic; the HP-35 calculator from his "Jewish Connection" for half price. It was a game changer. The webinar, distance, extension, etc. methods can provide value, but you have to realize direct contact is important in many cases. Same applies to the business world. Human nature wants to see the look in another's eyes, have interactive discussions of which language/word is only half of it. So for me, the answer to what method/venue is "it depends". I'm leaving for a US Soccer meeting in Chicago tomorrow. The dynamic is just as important as the material. You can't see that on a monitor. You also get the benefit of the sidebars, and yes, the bar after. I took my MS program from USC in Silverdale, WA. What made it better than a classroom down there was the classes were made up of middle managers. It just wasn't theory. The professors competed to get the opportunity to teach there because the class wasn't young grad students that only knew some book learning.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 11:28 AM

2017-10-25T11:28:22-04:00

I’ve done both. A brick and mortar setting for my undergrad, online for my MBA. I prefer in-residence classes. While my interaction with my MBA professors was adequate, it didn’t compare to the instant feedback I had for my Bachelor’s degree. And maintaining the appropriate time and scheduling discipline was an ongoing problem. My undergrad university had a 75% failure rate for their online classes because of it; students might wait until the last couple of weeks of a semester long class to do the coursework.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 25 at 2017 11:44 AM

2017-10-25T11:44:06-04:00

I've seen American campuses recently, at least those in California that my children attended. Not impressed. I've taken distance education classes from Hillsdale College. Very impressed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-10-25T13:20:51-04:00

Online

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 1:25 PM

2017-10-25T13:25:25-04:00

I've done both and I think it really depends on the class. As long as the class size is relatively small I like the discussion aspect of a traditional classroom. I know online classes have discussion boards and what not but it's not the same. On the other hand I enjoy the flexibility of distance learning. It's a big plus while in the military.

Response by Megan Hnizdo, MBA made Oct 25 at 2017 2:43 PM

2017-10-25T14:43:21-04:00

As someone who received 2 diplomas via distance learning, I can say that was the right choice for me. The traditional setting is great too though, it's a personal choice and both require a certain level of discipline and focus.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 3:48 PM

2017-10-25T15:48:04-04:00

If the instructor is really good, I prefer the classroom, but have used other distance learning methods to get my last masters.

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Oct 25 at 2017 9:18 PM

2017-10-25T21:18:37-04:00

I preferred the class environment. Interaction between the students and instructors is needed for gathering information, and to get the full experience only classrooms provide. Versus online. My opinion. Thank you.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Mar 8 at 2018 9:05 PM

2018-03-08T21:05:26-05:00

i prefer the classroom.

Response by SGT Jay Thomas, MSW, MS made Mar 8 at 2018 9:42 PM

2018-03-08T21:42:22-05:00

I like the mix of traditional courses in person and one or two distance learning courses. This worked for me because I got the college experience and also had comfort of not having to go in to school everyday. Also, for those Vets who want to get the full BAH, you have to take at least one course in person while being a full-time student.