Online vs. Traditional Education Compare/Contrast Essay
The process of selecting a university can be frustrating and overwhelming for students especially when assessing the variables, and searching through the extent of attainable information. Before choosing a university to attend, students must first consider an online or traditional university. With the rising costs of education, more students are choosing an online university. “In 2007–08, about 4.3 million undergraduate students, or 20 percent of all undergraduates, took at least one distance education course. About 0.8 million, or 4 percent of all undergraduates, took their entire program through distance education” (National Center for Education Statistics). Both online and traditional education have many similarities. However, the end result is the same; a degree in a student’s choice of study that will help graduates obtains a career in the student’s field of choice. Communication, flexibility, and skill/learning development is similar to both online and traditional universities; there is no effortless choice when it comes to a student’s education.
Communication is important with classmates and professors. All students have a question or two with assignments or clarification about a grade. Online universities offer many forms of communication. Students may contact professors and other students through e-mail, instant messaging, phone, and sometimes video chat. Students may also contact professors and other students via posts in the class room. Attending an online university makes it difficult to form study groups, but not impossible. Sometimes, students must participate in group projects. Socialization is up to the student, students can be as social as they want. For students who are easily distracted or fidgety, online education may be the best option. With most online universities students also have a financial aid advisor as well as an academic representative to help guide students in the right direction. Traditional universities offer a more personal
Communication is important with classmates and professors. All students have a question or two with assignments or clarification about a grade. Online universities offer many forms of communication. Students may contact professors and other students through e-mail, instant messaging, phone, and sometimes video chat. Students may also contact professors and other students via posts in the class room. Attending an online university makes it difficult to form study groups, but not impossible. Sometimes, students must participate in group projects. Socialization is up to the student, students can be as social as they want. For students who are easily distracted or fidgety, online education may be the best option. With most online universities students also have a financial aid advisor as well as an academic representative to help guide students in the right direction. Traditional universities offer a more personal