Online College versus Traditional College - Essay Example

Introduction In the fast changing dynamics of social interaction, the role of technology has become critical element that not only enhances the performance but also significantly influences the fundamental formats of social institutions like education system. Beaudoin (1998) has stressed that technology has created new platforms for making education accessible to people across the geographical boundaries. It has provided them with huge opportunities to enhance their professional competencies to survive in competitive environment.

Indeed, in the current times, online education considerably improves the prospects of job for people who need to upgrade their skills and academic qualification to face the challenges of transforming socio-economic business dynamics. 2. Transforming formats of Education in current era of technology The digital revolution has provided people with vast possibilities of acquiring knowledge and gaining higher level of academic and professional excellence. Online college or distance education is a new approach which has manifold advantages.

While it is beneficial for people who would otherwise, be not able to gain higher education in their chosen field due to myriad reasons, it also provides others with huge scope of widening their knowledge base as well as financial gain. Technology innovation has been the key driving force for emerging changes in the society. Thus, the use of technology to improve and improvise personal and professional competencies through online education system has been a natural outcome within the broader context of academia.

It not only eliminates the barrier of time and place but also widens its scope of knowledge for people who might not be otherwise eligible to get admission in traditional education system. 3. Differences between online and traditional education The main differences between traditional and online education system is in its basic format. While the online education facilitates access to education through digital revolution and advent of internet, the traditional education highlights teaching in classrooms and enhancing its impact by using technology based teaching aids like interactive boards, multimedia etc.

Another important difference is in its rigid time system which does not allow students any leeway. Online education, on the other hand has highly flexible schedule that can be adjusted to suit the needs of the students. Most important difference is perhaps in the methodology of teaching. In online education, student is free to use the best way that best complements his/ her learning capabilities. In traditional system of education, students rely on teachers for understanding their needs and requirements which often adversely impacts their academic achievements.

Thus, online education is beneficial to not only people who were need to acquire higher academic qualification for better job prospects but also for people with disabilities who are unable to attain traditional schools. 4. The similarities between online and traditional education The basic similarities between the two system is in their need to propagate education and make it accessible to diverse populace. In both the education system, the students are evaluated for passing on to the next level and their examination results are published.

Interestingly, assignments completion has been maintained in both the system, thereby ensuring that students are able to learn and acquire requisite knowledge that is evaluated during end of session when the students undertake and clear examinations to go the next higher class or semester. 5. Why online education has more advantages? The benefits of online education outweigh the advantages of traditional education system in many ways. Higher online education is cheaper than traditional higher education.

Allen and Seaman (2007) also affirm that more students are opting for higher online education as against traditional format. The traditional educational systems and institutes often lag behind in meeting the needs of the diverse society in the changing times due to reasons that may extend from lack of financial and infrastructural resources to lack of understanding of the needs of diverse society. The online education has no barriers of class, culture, race or place. The concept of equitable access to education is realized by online education.

People of all age and from diverse society can access same standard education. The impact of technology has been so vivid and rapid that its catalyst affect is easily observable though innovation in college curricula and creation of new formats to reach wider areas of students. Indeed, in the contemporary times, Educational leadership has significantly contributed to the expanding database of students through new formats of education like distance education, franchisees and online education. They all facilitate cyber library and access to course material that is often not accessible to students in traditional education system. 6. Conclusion In the end, one can conclude that online education definitely offers more benefits to larger fraternity of students and professionals.

Internet has redefined communication and its application in the area of online education has made it accessible to people who may only have dreamt of it. (words: 800) Reference Allen, E. & Seaman, J. Online Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning. Sloan Consortium, Needham, MA, 2007. Beaudoin, M. (guest editor & interviewer). Interview: speaking personally- with Ray McTarnaghan. The American Journal of Distance Education, 12(2), 1998.