"Distance" education

[jread]

No, I'm not talking about the diploma mills online or any of that crap... I'm talking about real, well-known universities that offer online degree programs. It seems that more and more of them are being offered by major universities these days.

My question is, would you do an entire graduate degree through distance ed.?

I'm strongly considering an MS in Software Engineering at Texas Tech University that is offered entirely through distance education. All courses are presented to the student in a blended format of online communication, streaming video and DVD's that are mailed out periodically throughout the semester. Professors are also available by email or phone should you need help. Here is a quote from their site that explains it in more detail:

How Courses are Delivered.
All lectures are delivered in state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms with video mixing equipment which allows for the capture of computer feeds, document camera images, and electronic whiteboard notes. Both on- and off-campus students participate in other course activities via the Internet, and off-campus students view the lecture component of the course via the Internet. These things are accomplished in many ways, but mostly by:

* Flexible Internet Environments: By using the Internet, in most cases we have been able to reduce the lecture component of our courses by at least half that of the traditional classroom. We use multimedia environments for activities and materials that can be more appropriately and effectively delivered there, such as administration, lecture notes, ancillary readings, class discussion, collaborative projects, interactive exercises, and many other components of college courses. This offers both our faculty and students a high degree of flexibility in choosing when and where they participate in the course.

* Asynchronous Interaction: One of the most popular features of all of the distance courses is web-based asynchronous discussion. These groups provide a continuous opportunity for students to obtain feedback and interact with their professor, peers, and in many cases, outside experts. All class discussions are held in these environments, so both on- and off-campus students participate equally in a more considered, higher level of discussion than is normally possible in face-to-face classroom discussions. This results in a significantly higher level of interaction for students and instructors than is possible in the traditional classroom setting.

* Technical Support and Free Software: We have developed software solutions for providing effective instruction via the Internet. Students in the distance program are not burdened with having to purchase software to receive course content because we use software that can be distributed at no cost. We also provide any technical support students require to participate in the program. With the help of our support staff, students quickly gain the necessary Internet skills -- skills that are in high demand in industry.

* Up-to-Date Content: Each course is developed as the semester progresses, and no courses are canned. Each time the course is offered, new materials are produced and Internet materials are refined, so instructors can readily respond to new developments in their field and to student questions.

* Commitment to Quality: The College of Engineering is committed to growth in the use of distance education tools by our faculty. This committment will allow us to provide more courses utilizing the distance education model for our students both on- and off-campus. By increasing the number of courses that utilize the distance education model, we are making a real difference in the quality and availability of higher education -- providing a workable solution to the education needs of practicing engineers and industry.

Texas Tech has always had a strong engineering department and I've heard good thing from people in the distance programs. I'm just trying to decide now if that's the path I want to take. I know that there are many degrees where you could not go through distance education, but it seems that software engineering is one that you could. I enjoy working alone at my comptuer anyway, so I see it as a good thing. I've definitely loved taking courses online in the past (and present).

Are there any potential problems I have not considered here? Is there anything I'd miss out on by not being in a traditional classroom?

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Originally posted by: jread

Yes.

 

[jhayx7]

I am enrolled in the University Of Alabama's Online Business program. Took my core classes at a community college and am starting at UA in the Fall (online of course). It is more work than traditional classroom stuff but you do not have to sit through a boring lecture. Go for it!

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy

Originally posted by: jread

Yes.

LOL! I accidentally hit enter before adding the text... I didn't know it would let you create a blank thread. Great answer, though

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: jhayx7
I am enrolled in the University Of Alabama's Online Business program. Took my core classes at a community college and am starting at UA in the Fall (online of course). It is more work than traditional classroom stuff but you do not have to sit through a boring lecture. Go for it!

This is what I"m hoping for. I learn much more quickly by myself.

 

[michaels]

I have had several distance learning classes at my school. Our main campus will be the main class and we broadcast to several other campuses, we can all interact and see/hear each other in realtime.

 

[speg]

I usually take a DE course when on a work term or home for the summer. I think they come with their own set of pro's and con's that depend a lot on the individual. I know our school has a few degree's available entirely DE but some classes you need in class stuff. I'd think CS might be one of them. Anyways, I wouldn't want to give up on the on campus experience for complete DE, at least not yet...

 

[jread]

Well, I should also add that this distance program is based in a city quite far from here. However, there are a handful of people here in Austin who are in it, so we could always meet up in person. Having a video of the classroom will definitely help as well.

 

[BAMAVOO]

I am looking into the Alabama online degree as well. I just got my Associates from AIU online and had some classes with Phoenix. The degrees offered are the same as you would get at the big name schools. I can't wait to walk the line getting my Bachelors from UofA..ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!

 

[kranky]

I think it would work from an educational standpoint. You'd miss out on the relationships formed in school, though.

I am a little unclear on this:

Asynchronous Interaction: One of the most popular features of all of the distance courses is web-based asynchronous discussion. These groups provide a continuous opportunity for students to obtain feedback and interact with their professor, peers, and in many cases, outside experts. All class discussions are held in these environments, so both on- and off-campus students participate equally in a more considered, higher level of discussion than is normally possible in face-to-face classroom discussions. This results in a significantly higher level of interaction for students and instructors than is possible in the traditional classroom setting.

I'm trying to decode the edu-speak, but I think they are saying a web-based message board (like ATOT) provides a higher level of interaction than a classroom? That's a load of BS.

Schools love distance education since it costs them next to nothing to offer it, and they still charge full tuition rates. I've always felt it should be discounted, as you certainly aren't using any of the campus amenities.

 

[notfred]

I'd rather attend actual classes.

 

[CanOWorms]

I wouldn't do a graduate degree through distance education if it was in engineering. You would be taking different types of courses since you don't have access to all the software, labs, etc. that normal students would.

 

[Willoughbyva]

A science based degree through de is harder than more liberal arts type of classes. Think seriously before you decide.

 

[jread]

I completely understand where you guys are coming from with your concerns about D.E. For me, it is a good option as I'm married, work fulltime, have a mortgage, etc. It would be awesome if I could drop everything and be a fulltime student again, but I don't have that option anymore. I'm finishing up my undergrad degree in evening/Saturday courses and it's tough, but the school is right here by me and offers enough evening courses to finish your entire degree this way. The only school I could maybe go to for my graduate degree is 30 miles away, which isn't far until you figure rush hour traffic every evening. Just the time and money I'd spend on the road to class and back would make up the difference for me. Not saying that I wouldn't do it if it were worth it, but with an option like this D.E. program I'm not sure if it *is* worth it.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: jread
I completely understand where you guys are coming from with your concerns about D.E. For me, it is a good option as I'm married, work fulltime, have a mortgage, etc. It would be awesome if I could drop everything and be a fulltime student again, but I don't have that option anymore. I'm finishing up my undergrad degree in evening/Saturday courses and it's tough, but the school is right here by me and offers enough evening courses to finish your entire degree this way. The only school I could maybe go to for my graduate degree is 30 miles away, which isn't far until you figure rush hour traffic every evening. Just the time and money I'd spend on the road to class and back would make up the difference for me. Not saying that I wouldn't do it if it were worth it, but with an option like this D.E. program I'm not sure if it *is* worth it.

I recommend you work full-time and go to grad school part-time. Lots of people do it. I wished that I did instead of going full-time. You build up your resume both academically and professionally that way. You can also use the completion of your grad degree as an impetus for a shift from your current field to another within your overall engineering field (software engineering in your case) if you want to.