Students also need strong reading and study skills, since nearly all communication in these courses is written and all the activities take place at home. Online education isn't self-paced. Courses have scheduled beginning and ending dates and there are deadlines assigned for classroom activities, including homework, assigned readings, and even discussions. The teaching style best suits those who have busy work and personal lives. One of the barriers prohibiting many working adults from going to college is the need to be in a particular place at a particular time.
Online courses deliver the same results, but more efficiently.
Though online students are typically working adults seeking masters' degrees, the flexibility of taking courses from home is luring more students to their computers, completing all their course work via e-mail and on their own schedules. But even online education has its problems. Some students have a hard time getting used to online learning, or they aren't comfortable with the computer technology, according to Joanie Shannon, program coordinator of Distance Education for El Camino College in Torrance, California. But once acquainted with the process, most report an improved learning situation. Costs for online courses are about the same as those of traditional classes.