Online Continuing Education - Is It Right for You?

There are many reasons students choose to continue their education online. But, is it right for everyone? Research says no. Not everyone can handle online courses. Some individuals need to be sitting in a classroom to succeed. There are many factors to consider when you are deciding what program to choose. Many professions require continuing education to be done online for many reasons. They feel you receive the same education online as if you were sitting in a classroom. For the most part the content the student is learning is the same whether they complete the course online or in a classroom. In this article we will talk about some different characteristics of online courses and classroom courses so you can better decide what the best option is for you.

First, let's start with some pros and cons of taking a course in a classroom. One of the major benefits is the interaction you have with your professor/instructor and your fellow classmates. The majority of students really appreciate this because they can bounce ideas off of each other and participate in a live lecture. They are also able to ask the instructor questions and receive an immediate response. A major con to sitting in a classroom is having to drive to the physical location and sit in a lecture/seminar for a specific amount of time. This eliminates the flexibility and convenience that an online course offers.

Now, let's talk about online continuing education courses. A major con to taking courses online is there is typically no live interaction with any of the other students or the professor. This can be a huge downside if you are having trouble in one of the courses. You have to rely strictly on email and sometimes that is just not enough. Hopefully your instructor is available via telephone or live chat so they can walk you through the problem. On the upside, online courses can be completed from the comfort of your home or office at anytime during the day. Many professionals and adult learners really appreciate this since their schedules are typically slammed.

As you can see, there are some positive and negative characteristics when taking online courses. You have to weigh the pros and cons to decide what the best method is for you. Also, consider the course content and how familiar you are with it. Is it professional continuing education that you know or a completely new subject to you?