Driver Lifestyles

Online Classes: Worth It or Not?

The Internet has afforded us all the opportunity to reach higher levels of education than we might otherwise have been able.  Regardless of topic, taking college classes online is undoubtedly popular, and rightfully so.  Many, many schools offer specific classes online, and more are beginning to make entire degrees available as online options.  These changes obviously bring a lot of change to the landscape of higher education, such as the nature of "college life" and go a long way towards de-centralizing a school's campus, but many colleges and universities clearly feel that the benefits outweigh the hindrances. 

We're going to take a look at the pros and cons of taking classes online, look at some trucking-specific issues when it comes to online education, and we'll also discuss some issues you might not have thought of in your search to choose the online school that's right for you. 

Pros

Convenience. Instead of having to go to a campus on a regular basis, school resides in your computer.  It's definitely a nice thing to have your education next to you in the truck as opposed to hanging over your head, hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Writing instead of face-to-face interaction. If you prefer to express yourself in writing as opposed to having to meet in a classroom environment face-to-face anywhere from one to three times a week, online classes are probably for you. 
Gain experience using a computer. Whether you're new to using the Internet or an old hand (chances are, if you're reading this, you know what you're doing), using a computer to complete various tasks affords you the opportunity to add more to your resume.  Not seeing a disadvantage here. 
All students are equal. In a traditional classroom environment, you're inevitably going to come across the occasional fellow student who monopolizes class time with either (a) his or her grand ideas for no other reason than to show off their scholarship or (b) the fact that he or she needs extra help from the professor.  Neither help everyone else in the class--and in an online class environment, that's an even rarer occasion. 
Flexibility. You go to class at your leisure.  As long as you're participating to the level you're supposed to and are learning what there is to be learned from the class, you're golden.
Pace. This ties in with the flexibility offered in an online class--but you learn at your own pace, which means that, as long as you put in the work, you're less likely to get left behind. 

Cons

Isolation.  Some students prefer the atmosphere of a traditional classroom, and find that they miss the facetime with the professors.  In short, online classes can be alienating from time to time because you're essentially alone in the class.
Some find it harder to learn online.  This comes down to learning styles--if you find it easier to learn in a traditional classroom environment, you might find it difficult to sift through the comment boards, written lectures (though some online classes do offer video and/or audio lectures), and other computer-based tasks that go hand in hand with an online class.
If you're not so great at writing, it might be tough for you.  This is, of course, the converse of the above item--if you have trouble getting all your great ideas onto paper (or the web, as it were), you could find yourself in a bind.
Computer Trouble? You're out of luck.  Part of being in an online degree program is ensuring you've got a machine that works and meets all the program's requirements.  If, say, your computer breaks down or you're incapable of running a particularly necessary software, it's off to the nearest electronics seller. 
If self-motivation isn't your thing, things can get hairy.  As someone who has a degree from a primarily-online university program, I can tell you this: you have to be good at self-motivation, even in the face of, well, everything life has to throw at you.  It can get pretty hairy, especially when you're on the road; you're essentially adding another ball to the ol' juggling act. 

What About A School's Reputation?

Just as with Harvard versus, say, an obscure technical college, a school's reputation is important--but not so important that you should pass over a school just because it's not your first choice.  There are a few things you might consider when choosing a school that offers online classes. 

Accreditation

Accreditation is, in short, an indication that the school you're looking at has been vetted and continues to be measured against a set of educational standards.  Not all schools are accredited.  This isn't to say that the education you got isn't in any way useful, but if you want to continue your education at a different school, it could be tough (and in some cases impossible) to get your new school to recognize the classes you took--or even the degree you received. 

Your school's accreditation information is usually available in come capacity on its website; if it's not, the administration office should be able to point you in the right direction insofar as looking into its accreditation. 

Credit Transferability

If you want to move to a different school in the middle of your degree program, it's worth looking into whether your new school will accept the credits you've taken on a one-to-one basis.  Some schools, since many work on different formats (quarters, semesters, etc.), won't accept credit hours at the same rates.  This could possibly lead to snags in your credit hour counts upon switching schools, and that's never a fun thing.  Of course, this shouldn't necessarily keep you from switching, but it's always a good idea to be prepared ahead of time for any possible turbulence with respect to the classes you've taken versus those you have to take in future semesters. 

Scams? 

Yep.  Scam schools.  Diploma mills.  There are all kinds of them out there, and it's worth doing a little digging to make sure your school isn't one.  A college's reputation typically precedes it in a lot of ways--and looking into a school's accreditation goes a long way to ensuring that your school of choice isn't a scam.  The most important advice I could possibly give to this end would be to say you should simply keep your eyes peeled, and that if you're uncomfortable about a particular school for whatever reason, move on to a different one.  Education is what you make of it; you get out of it exactly as much as you put into it.  A school's reputation might look good on a resume, but it doesn't tell anyone what you actually learned.