Compelling Arguments for Attending a Cyber Classroom

Writing for World Wide Learn, Stephanie Coleman attempts to answer the question, “Why Do Students Like Online Learning?” Based on the dramatic increase in the number of students enrolled in online schools and universities, Coleman identifies a number of compelling arguments for attending a cyber classroom.

15 reasons why students like online learning:

1. Students can "attend" a course at anytime, from anywhere.
2. Online learning enables student-centered teaching approaches.
3. Course material is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Student interaction is increased and the diversity of opinion, because everyone gets a say, not just the most talkative.
5. Because instructors and learners can participate from anywhere in the world, students are exposed to knowledge that can't be learned in books and see how class concepts are applied in real business situations.
6. Using the Internet to attend class, research information and communication with other students teaches skills in using technologies that will be critical to workers in the 21st century business community that works with colleagues globally and across time zones.
7. Participating online is much less intimidating than "in the classroom."
8. Students experience increased bonding and camaraderie occurs due to "chat rooms" for informal conversation between students, where student bios and non-class discussions can take place.
9. The online environment makes instructors more approachable.
10. Online course development allows for a broad spectrum of content. Students can access the school's library from their PCs for research articles, ebook content, and other material without worries that the material is already "checked out."
11. Students often feel that they can actually listen to the comments made by other students. Because everyone gets a chance to contribute, students are less irritated with those that "over contribute" and can ask for clarification of any comments that are unclear.
12. Over 75% of colleges and universities in the U.S. offer online degree programs, with online degrees as respected as "on the ground" degrees. (Lewis)
13. Online classrooms also facilitate team learning by providing chatrooms and newsgroups for meetings and joint work.
14. Students often comment that online learning lets them attend class when fully awake and attend in increments of convenient time block, rather than rigid 2 or 4 hour stretches once or twice a week.
15. Because there are no geographic barriers to online learning, students can find a diversity of course material that may not be available to them where they live or work.

Read the entire article, Compelling Arguments for Attending a Cyber Classroom

Contributed by Chip Donohue