Houston Business University

Is online education a way to go?

How do you feel about getting an education online? Do you see any obstacles in taking classes online? Or not? Why or why not?

Public Comments

1. I wouldn't personally do it, I like having a teacher in front of me if I have any questions. Online education in my opinion isn't half as good as the real thing.
2. For: It is useful to choose an on-line course if you have a job or family ties which would make campus life hard. On-line courses are also useful because you can listen to the lectures in your own time, again and again if required, (download it on to your MP3 and listen to them at work.. etc). They do offer 'get-togethers' every few months where you will be able to meet Lecturers and students. Some offer on-line student blogs where students can cyber meet and make friends too. Against: Firstly, it is certainly not for those who struggle with self motivation and self discipline. Also, although on-line courses may offer on-line libraries, these do not compare to campus library's. On-line courses (accredited) usually do offer a postal Library system, but these can be expensive as postage needs to levied to the student ((the books good continuing condition is the students responsibility too!).. They can also offer a library card system ... a scheme in Britain which enables students to use any University Library in Britain that is involved in the card scheme. But these other libraries may not cater to your course the way your own college does. So it may end up being quite expensive to keep up with your reading assignments and you may lose out on the resources available to campus students.. Certainly a good and accepted way to be educated.. but not the best: I think it is possible to get a good on-line education from accredited colleges. The system is accepted as a way of earning degrees in Britain, so, if the people in the 'know' say its good, that's all that's ultimately necessary. Having said that though, I think 'live action' will always have the edge on cyber, because of the greater interaction, the availability of resources, advice, and finally and most importantly the personal encouragement and motivation from real people on a weekly basis..