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Merits and Demerits of Online Education- 19-Jun-2010
Merits
1. It is essentially flexible. You can choose when you want to download the study material, when you can spare time to study, and also when to appear for the exam. Though these courses have to be completed within a stipulated period of time, but this is too extended than a regular course and you can appear in the exams at convenient intervals. Thus you can manage work and studies, or pursue more than one course at the same time.
2. All courses and at all levels are available. So you can opt for an undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, or certificate course online. Regular colleges thus have no course that online education does not offer. Especially true for such courses that you offer a certain specialization beneficial for your career or field of study without spending a couple of years attending classes. Though in some moderation and not as developed as the West, but India is fast catching up with the new trend.
3. Your total spending is far less - in money and time. The amount you have to pay for the program is lesser than a regular one. Besides, you do not have to travel to the institute to attend classes. Thus you save not only on the commutation charges but also the time spent on unnecessary travel.
4. You can also apply for various online courses abroad. Thus you may end up acquiring a foreign degree and in a course that may not be available in your own country. So this is scope galore for any aspiring student.
5. For students with certain handicaps, especially physical and language, this is the best, most suited, and viable choice. You can be at home, in your own space and yet learn everything.
Demerits
1. What you miss in online education is the Tutorial. You can post your queries and concerns, but the personal interaction with teachers and the discussion of issues and topics is absent. You thus are on your own and the healthy clarification of doubts is done away with in this system.
2. Interaction with fellow students and seniors is also not present as there is no existence of a class or institute. It is a virtual learning hub. So the concept of discussions, group studies and projects is not there.
3. This may not be true for all students, but there is a possibility that you give way to procrastination. This is quite natural as you have time at your command, can leisurely choose to study and take the test, so you may develop a laid back attitude which can hinder and hamper effective studies. As you are not bound by the norms and conditions as in a formalized educational institution, you may not take the course as seriously as you ought to.
4. This can also lead to a compromise on excellence in studies, which you strive for when you have competitors and peers. You want to prove your knowledge and efficiency, which you do not require to do in this case. So your grades may not be all too good, and there is selective study and selective knowledge gained.
5. Online degrees have not developed well in India as of now. There are certain higher education institutes that do not accept such educational qualification. Some companies may also have concerns regarding such degrees. So you have to be very careful about what program you go for and from where you do it.
