Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

We, as humans, fear the unknown, and change is after often at the root of our fears. One of the greatest catalysts for change is today’s rapid technological development, but the concept of traditional education has always been the same. Even that is changing, and as to be expected, there is a substantial amount of fear and apprehension towards distance education. With this, students are presented the chance to overcome of a

“Can You Be Educated from a Distance,” an insightful essay by James Barszcz, brings to focus some of the benefits and disadvantages of Distance Learning education (DL). In it, Barszcz discusses the mechanics of DL courses available to students, the quality of education DL can offer, and some reasoning behind its rapidly growing popularity. “Can You Be Educated from a Distance” is an engaging article that students of all ages can benefit from.

Online courses have become more common among colleges and universities. About thirty percent of all college and university students are enrolled in at least one online course (Bergstrand, Savage, 2013). Online classes provide flexibly for students, allowing them to work more hours or care for their families. Studies have found that there is no drastic difference in student achievement whether they are enrolled in traditional classes or online classes (Bergstrand,2013). This article will analyze the experience of taking an online class as a student and will provide information from a sociological perspective.

Since, distance learning provides for educational opportunities outside of an actual classroom; teachers are not faced with problem behaviors, daily routine/procedures; and the challenge to build relationships with students. Distant learning also allows for the opportunity to provide exams through the use of technology; exams are electronically scored to cut down on paperwork. For example, in a traditional classroom setting teachers are usually faced many distractions from students and at times administrators. These distractions can lead to future classroom management issues; if an effective management plan is not in place. However; those type of concerns are not relevant in a distant learning classroom. Distant learning is focused more on

Casey delves into the history of distance education (DE) from the perspective of technological advances. Though citing three reasons for the growth of DE in the United States, she concentrates on the fact that technological advances paved the way for a similarly rapid expansion of DE. Her argument is that of the three instrumental factors (distance to educational facilities and thirst for knowledge being the other two), technology most closely parallels the growth of DE.

Alisa Stern’s article discusses the boom of online learning in higher education institutions and the major challenges an instructor faces with these online courses. According to Stern, the most challenging thing about an online course is replicating the same learning environment a student would get attending a regular face to face class. She discusses how technology has pushed online learning to become more collaborative and less isolated. Furthermore, Stern has experienced teaching an online courses and discusses the different tools that helped her recreate a conventional learning environment in an online course. Stern mentions that communication played an important role in the way she taught her courses and students felt as if she was interested

Distance learning (education) is a modern system of non- formal education. There are different terms used for

He is interested in how Distance Education and ELearning will adapt to the emerging technology.

Distance learning (education) has become an integral part of the education process over the past few decades and is growing in popularity as technology advances.(Willis 1992) describes distance education (as) "the organizational framework andprocess of providing instruction at a distance. Distance education takes place when ateacher and student(s) are physically separated, and technology…(is) used to bridge theinstruction gap." (Coutts 1996). Furthermore, "distance learning activities are designedto fit the specific context for learning, the nature of the subject matter; intended learningoutcomes, needs and goals of the learner, the learner's environment and the instructional echnologies and methods." (American

First, online classes require a large about of dedication and self-motivation that isn’t apparent beforehand. Because there isn’t a classroom to keep students focuses or teachers making sure students are getting things done on time, students must rely on themselves to constantly check due dates and watch for new assignments. Something that is harder than expected — one study of over a thousand online students by

After completing the chapter reading at Bethel University, the adult student has learned that there are many benefits and advantages of distance learning programs. In this modern day society, many students, employees, organizations and companies are utilizing the new innovated technology of distance learning while, also enhancing their educations goals, job skills and cognitive skills. The Bethel student also learned that distance learning also reduces many costs that would normally be associated with classroom, training, learning materials and expenses. As a college student, one is able to take advantage of taking under graduate courses no matter where I’m at. According to Bethel, (2017), Distance learning fits around existing professional and personal responsibilities by offering both home and work sites that are convenient for training skills, educational and workforce development (p. 296). The purpose of the paper is to discuss and demonstrate the advantages of distance learning, training methods and learning principles, while enhancing the student educational goals, job skills and intellectual skills.

Students taking online courses are not engaged in their academic life. These students are not taking advantage of their education while on campus. By being on campus, there is the opportunity to be connected with their faculty members. From my own experience, interacting with my professors promotes the concept of learning with purpose through the process of socializing, mentoring, and networking.

The increasing number of open universities being established across the world clearly shows this trend. To add to that, more and more traditional universities are transforming from single mode to dual mode universities, recognising the importance of distance education in providing greater accessibility and up-to-date educational resources (Malaysian Qualifying Agency 2008).

Education is an important part of people’s lives; it will either make them or break them in the future depending on the careers they choose. Education is greatly diverse today in comparison to the 1950s because of advancements in teaching and other great inventions that provide easier techniques of teaching. One major issue that has been raised is distant learning courses and online education.

The online distant learning programs displayed are only filled with false promises. It also makes life more boring and lonely for students and teachers alike, depriving us of our vital learning communities that make up the joys in our very own intellectuality. Classroom learning programs are the oldest, most efficient ways of learning any criteria, it has been taught by instructors since the age of time within a classroom, making learning is less frustrating when taught by a good instructor, does not ask for a constant computer and internet access in order to do essential academic course