1. Many employers view an online degree as a worthless piece of paper.
Some educational experts believe that interaction between students and their peers and teachers is quite less in an online course, and that this does not enhance the learning process. Modern technology may help to bridge the distance between students and their teachers and peers, but as of yet, many employers simply don’t see it that way.
2. Online courses are too new and therefore viewed as insignificant.
Many employers and educators believe that the idea of taking classes online is too new of a concept. Therefore, their reasoning goes, it is much too early to conclude that online courses are better or even equivalent to the learning experienced in traditional courses.
3. Online courses do not provide for realistic educational exchanges.
Being in a classroom situation can help students to learn, simply by listening to the comments from other students and participating in communication exchanges with fellow students and teachers. This important part of the educational process is nonexistent in online education.
4. Traditional, off-line learning allows for debate between students and teachers.
Spontaneous doubts, replies, and exchanges exist in a traditional classroom setting, and can’t be found in online education. This type of exchange leads better learning and creates a deeper interest in the subject being studies. Because online courses require far less participation, they are not valued as highly as off-line courses.
5. Earning an online degree requires far less discipline than traditional, off-line degrees.
Many students are attracted to online learning because they think that classes can be completed whenever it pleases them. This requires less discipline and commitment from the student than having to show up at a particular time and place for class. Many employers and others view online classes in a negative light because of this.
6. Students don’t get to participate in group projects in online learning.
One large part of the off-line classroom situation is working on group projects with fellow students. Nearly all off-line classes have this requirement. It gives the student a chance to work with different types of people, much as they will have to do in the real world after graduation. Online learning does not provide students with this benefit.
7. Traditional, off-line schools are more likely to be accredited than online schools.
Employers are looking for graduates from accredited schools. Many more traditional, off-line schools are accredited than online programs, and by respected accreditation agencies.
