Running head: THE VALUE OF ONLINE EDUCATION 1

The value of Online Education

Joe Andaloro

TESC – ENC-202
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Abstract

Since the dawning of online education many have found that there are overwhelming benefits
opening up higher education opportunities for people who may not have these opportunities.
The number of enrollments for online learning has outweighed traditional class room enrollments
in the past several years. Online classes have greatly helped adults in the workforce and stay
home moms who are seeking post-secondary education, allowing for those who may have not
completed their four years at a university, the chance to pursue the opportunity of getting their
degree. But those enrolling are not just adults; these are students of all ages, including
elementary, middle and high school students. There are in some cases substantial cost saving
which are passed on to the students enrolled in online classes, less expensive credits then
traditional brick and mortar schools, transportation savings, boarding and meal expenses. There
is also a time saving where students are not running across campuses in order to make their next
class. Online classes allow the students the flexibility of doing class assignments at their leisure.
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The value of Online Education

In an age where education has become a staple for anyone wanting to forge ahead in their

careers, online learning has allowed for many of us young and old to pursue our dreams of

achieving a college degree. Online education has saved countless students time and money,

enabling them to study and complete assignments at their leisure while spending considerable

less for course credits. Kamenetz, A. (2010) “Online learning can be less expensive, and tuition

should reflect that”. Students don’t have to pay for babysitters, gas, parking, etc. to attend online

classes, or expend time to commute to campus. Online learning can provide benefits to students

in terms of access, satisfaction, educational outcome and cost savings.

Of course with anything great comes an associates cost, for institutions offering online

education to students, the infrastructure requirements are still extensive. Instead of classroom

buildings, there is still the need for robust IT systems and staff to maintain them, online library

resources and services, course development and the staff necessary to train and manage faculty

while maintaining quality control. Von Lehmen (2010) “It’s a mistake to assume that online

education is expensive to support”.

Studies have shown that online learning is more engaging and that students learn more

online. The U.S. Department of Education did an analysis and found that students who took all

or part of their classes online performed better. The analysis showed that “time” was one of the

key factors for many taking online classes; the face-to-face time needed for many is just not

feasible in today’s society. The majority of students must maintain jobs and care for families
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while taking on studies, online learning has made this easier. Swan (2010) “A federal study

found that students who took all or part of their classes online performed better”

The value of online education in today’s society can have great benefit for those who

want to take advantage of it, the savings of time and money in our busy everyday lives is a

considerable factor and many have chosen to take this path in pursuit of their college degree.

With advances in technology many more colleges and universities are engaging in the online

classroom model, adults of all ages are returning to the virtual classroom to live out their dream.
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References

(”von Lehmen)” (Kamenetz) (Swan)

von Lehmen', G. (2010, March 3). As good as classroom lessons. Retrieved from

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/college-degrees-without-going-to-

class/?scp=2&sq=online+education+benefits&st=nyt

Kamenetz, A. (2010, March 3). Better and cheaper. Retrieved from

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/college-degrees-without-going-to-

class/?scp=2&sq=online+education+benefits&st=nyt

Swan, K. (2010, March 3). Flexibility and time. Retrieved from

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/college-degrees-without-going-to-

class/?scp=2&sq=online+education+benefits&st=nyt