schoolonline

Though going to school online is a growing trend, its popularity may lead some astray when it comes to considering the potential pitfalls of this schooling option. Going to school online does have drawbacks, however, and you should take them into account.

Lack of Input from Instructors

Instructors for online courses typically don’t make much money for teaching. That means many of them do as little as possible to maximize their hourly pay. Others simply believe the online environment requires students to do more peer teaching, and this belief can lead to little guidance from instructors.

Loss of Social Interaction with Peers

Social interaction doesn’t mean frat parties and campus protests. You will miss out on having a drink with peers while you discuss a class or meeting with your group to give each other support for an assignment. Though you can simulate these interactions through remote options, they don’t have quite the same intimate feel to them, which some students find frustrating.

Lag Time for Problem-Solving

In a real-time classroom, a student can pose a question and receive immediate feedback. In an online environment, the student must wait – sometimes up to 24 hours – for an instructor’s comment. Should the student need additional clarification, the process may take another 24 hours and could stretch out over a few days for what would take 5 minutes in a traditional classroom.

These negatives are very real and important to many students. When considering whether you should pursue an online education, seriously think about whether you can live with these downsides before you enroll.

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