Astonishing Scepticism towards the Credibility of Online Education

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Is not it very surprising that in spite of technological advancement dominating the whole perception over our way of doing things, education online is still not encouraged that much? We have taken every advantage online communication has to offer in each and every sector; still many people see online style of learning as something inferior than conventional, in-person, classroom training. The phenomenon is so typical that people become too eager to use internet for their instant enrichment of knowledge, yet hesitate to gain official learning through the powerful and much superior way of learning than that of the age-old, traditional system. Much of this mindset is, however, the result of demeaning view of some employers who still place traditional style of education over the innovative, more effective online education. Community colleges are, obviously, for the sceptical view, because much cheaper online education is a threat to their business growth. Students Stance towards Online Education Community colleges are the machineries for nearly half the nations undergraduate students to get their degrees. Those are the so-called ideal places for acquiring skill, knowledge and credentials to establish a position of middleclass standard. According to research, many community college students are
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underprepared for colleges. At the same time, online education is taking

increasingly sophisticated shape. As a result, pedagogical effect grows more deepening, and new opportunities are opening. Survey denotes that in 2011, 29% of American adults thought that online learning is of equal effect as of classroom learning. In 2012 such opinion became 49%. But what is disappointing is that only 26% of faculty feels that online classes organised at their institutions can produce equal effects equivalent to in-person classrooms, though in-person trainings would be more profitable. Employers Point of View So far the employers view is concerned, survey shows that 73% think online education serves with equal knowledge as traditional classroom method, and 42% think that online degrees and certificate programmes are less knowledge-generating and easier to pass than traditional ones. The opinions from employers on online education are diverse, varying with different factors. Whilst 80% thinks that online degree and certificate programmes are very suitable for older students to get college credentials, only 50% think that this learning method is equally effective for younger students who are first time to their colleges.

Employers are also divided in their feelings on the discipline factor associated with online courses. Whilst 45% of employers think that online education requires more discipline, 23% think online education is sufficient in respect of discipline, and 29% think that it is just same as the discipline of any traditional classroom. So long the efficacy online education can produce, 42% of employers are sceptical about the knowledge
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students earn through online learning. They think that online students learn less. Only 4% think that online students learn more than in-person learners. 49% of employers opine that learning of online students is same as the offline ones. Although astonishing, most employers prefer applicants with traditional degree over online certification. The matter is so biased that they looks traditional degrees from average school more preferable than online degree from a top-class university. What is hopeful, however, is 82% of employers are optimistic about including online programmes in in-person instruction. They think that such hybrid method of learning would be truly beneficial for students. The survey also throws light on what community college students think: Whilst 46% of them take a few online courses, only 20% think that more online classes are needed. The survey also reveals that students do not consider online courses to be easier at all. Rather 38% such students think it to be harder than the traditional ones, as 61% students think that online courses take more discipline than traditional classes.

Online education comes with tremendous flexibility that allows students learn as per their convenience, rather than involving them hard and fast routine. In this age where flexibility of all kinds is the key to sustain, where one can do various things at a time, for his subsistence, enrichment and professional development, majority of people is biased with the idea that online learning programmes would not give them that much which traditional ones would offer. It is really a hindrance to educational advancement in spite of the rapid progress of technological developments where people can learn with boundless speed, yet credibility of online education remains an issue for students as well as employers.

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