I need to say this first! I am not opposed to online degrees. I am not about to bash online degree-earning. (And it would be foolish to do so, considering I hope to get a seminary degree online.) Okay, moving on...
It seems the volume of advertisements for online education has shot through the roof lately. I see them on TV and on the internet all day. They're all over! Of course, my initial reaction is, "This is good. People have more options for getting a degree." But the more I think about it, the more I wonder what the implications are for those who earned their degree online. We know there is a hierarchy. Educational institutions are stratified based on reputation, prestige, etc. But could stratification also be occurring based on the way you earn your degree? If so, then online education is solving one problem while creating another.
These days many institutions are utilizing technology for distance-education programs. These are great for people who have families, local obligations, or can't afford to relocate (or just like to stay in their pajamas all day). And I suppose that no one will know that you earned your degree online just from looking at your resume. But there are some institutions whose programs are only offered online or specialize in offering programs online. And as these programs gain more popularity, I wonder, will they gain or lose esteem and credibility? If they lose these things, then online education has re-created a problem it was trying to solve. The playing field is once again uneven, because two people with the same degree--all other factors being hold constant--may be evaluated differently when it comes to getting jobs and such.
Are online degrees in danger of being stigmatized? Or will they be embraced? Will online education close the gap or make a new one?
The only problem I have with online degrees is a lot of people don't actually look into the school. Degrees aren't really worth more than the paper they're printed on if they don't come from an accredited university.
My dad earned his degree online from the University of Maryland, which is a pretty common occurence over at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where continuing education for soldiers in a classroom setting isn't exactly a viable option.
I prefer a classroom setting because I like being in a classroom to learn. Some people prefer classes online, and for a lot of things, it'll work. I do think with some degrees, like Nursing and Education, it is better to get the hands-on experience that a classroom/lab/practicum setting will give you.
Whatever people choose to do, just be sure to make sure the school you're looking at has accredidation. Also, please realize online classes aren't necessarily cheaper than a physical university.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
I've been to Ramstein!! That has nothing to do with online degrees, but I thought you might appreciate that random fact anyway. :) It was many, many years ago when my dad was stationed at Bitburg, which has been closed for a while now.
I'm liking your "The Sociology of..." series. You bring up interesting topics and talk about them without going overboard.
I personally wouldn't take an online program for my major because I need special equipment and facilities for video production. If I were only interested in, say, English, the online degree might be a good alternative. However, online classes are not for everyone.
During high school I took four online college classes through Marywood. I didn't do terrible, and I got an A in my Sociology course. I'm glad I took these classes in high school so now I can concentrate more on my major now.