Online Education...for real this time

last weeks topic was rather interesting. i enjoyed the video by TED regarding online education and the push for it to become more accepted/used. there were many great points brought up by the speaker but online education is one of those things that has been a "wish-wash" experience for myself. i have taken online courses here at Sac State & at my community college as well. i have taken some that have lectures via the Internet and some that require students to attend a physical location once a week & take test in person. 

Online education is a great alternative to those students who work and/or have other demands that make attending school difficult. it also allows us student to learn in our "comfort zone" and that can help someone who typically doesn't enjoy going to school turn their perspective around. it can let a student learn the material in the best manner that suites them. another thing that was awesome (in my opinion) was the fact that many test were done via the internet it became open note/book. 

like many great things, there is another side that is less favorable in my opinion. the first problem that i see/experienced is that due to it's rather relaxed feeling, the student has to constantly remind themselves to actually do the assigned work. i found it rather easy to "forget" that something was due because i didn't have reminder. another problem is that i ran into was attempting to convert a videotaped lecture into written notes which required to keep up with the professor or have to rewind parts of lectures (if available). to go along with is the fact that you can't directly ask the professor a question and gain an immediate response like one can achieve in the typical classroom setting. 

While Online education may not be my cup of tea, it has benefited many people & will continue to benefit people. i guess i'm just an old school learner in the sense of going to a classroom.