Distance Learning - Rhetorical Analysis

"What Every Student Should Know About Online Learning." Illinois Online Network. Web. 02 Apr. 2010. The author--John E. Reid, Jr.--clearly writes in favor of Distance Education, or as he calls it, Computer Mediated Distance Education. He argues that for adult learners, the conveniency of being able to take classes, and then work the material, watch lectures, at their own preferable time. Reid claims that the traditional system of education is well on the verge of being swept away by online learning. Many universities offer dozens of courses for many different majors. That being said, these select universities offer the online classes for the same prices as an on-campus class. A few skills that he mentions can be better developed by the online courses are considered. First, time management; because students have the freedom to study wherever and whenever they choose, this will help them learn how to stay on top of things on their own, instead of being told when to do what. Second, self-learning; self-learning is a key to computer mediated education, because the instructors only facilitate, the student has to find their own way. This leaves the student to really try and get a grasp on the material mostly on their own. Last, technological skills. This particular skill is stressed greatly. A student needs to know how to search for information via the internet.
"What Is Distance Learning | About Distance Learning." Guide to Distance Learning Colleges | Online Colleges |Accredited Online Degrees. Web. 02 Apr. 2010. The author of this article takes the side for distance learning. The reason for this is mainly because this website is a distance learning guide. He/she talks about why choose distance learning over traditional face-to-face. The authors main support behind this is social changes. Because the entire country is technologically evolving, demanding more technologically skilled persons. The author also talks about who uses distance learning.