Demand for online courses has increased in the early 21st century among college students. This is especially true among adult workers who rely on flexible and convenient education to get a degree. According to an August 2011 "Pew Research Center" report, 89 percent of public and 60 percent of private colleges offer online courses. Despite the popularity, online classes do have downsides.
Less Direct Contact
Online classes don't offer the same immediate and regular access to instructors and classmates as traditional face-to-face classes. The communication typically takes place through e-mail and in virtual discussion forums. While this can aid in learning technology, it negatively impacts a student's ability to interact with professors, ask questions and get immediate help. It also takes away from some of the social and team-building that occurs informally in college classrooms.
Students sometimes misconstrue that online classes require less time and effort than traditional courses. The Montgomery College Online Student Success Center noted that active and self-disciplined learners typically succeed. Students who struggle with traditional course rigor often have difficulty with the time commitment required for online classwork. You normally have to schedule time each day to read assignments and complete quizzes and tests that you would take in class in a traditional setting. Online students also have to engage in class discussions and complete assignments, papers and projects. Team activities may also add to the time commitment in some classes, as students must often communicate with peers electronically and collaborate on work.
Online students can't rely on as much instructor and peer feedback and accountability as traditional courses sometimes offer. Instructors often update grades through virtual grade books and don't have as much opportunity for regular informal feedback before and after classes. Additionally, students don't have regular contact with class peers, who can offer assignment reminders and encouragement to complete projects and assignments. This also applies to team activities since you don't have direct interaction with teammates pushing you to complete your responsibilities.
Higher Dropout Rate
Tangibly, the most negative effect of online classes is a higher rate of class failure and dropouts. A study revealed in July 2011 by the Columbia University Community College Research Center indicated that Washington community college students were more likely to drop online classes than traditional ones. Course completion for traditional courses was 90 percent, and for online classes, it was 82 percent. Additionally, students in the study who took online courses were less likely to complete a degree or transfer to another college. Students studied in 2004 who took at least one fall online class were 34 percent likely to drop out after one year compared to 26 percent who only took face-to-face classes.
- Pew Research Center: The Digital Revolution and Higher Education
- Harford University: What are the Negative of Taking an Online Course?
- Montgomery College: Ten Disadvantages of Online Courses
- Columbia University Community College Research Center: Regardless of Background, Online Students Drop Out More Often Than Classroom Counterparts
- Columbia University Community College Research Center: Online and Hybrid Course Enrollment and Performance in Washington State Community and Technical Colleges: Slides 14,19, 36
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