Do you think online degree is as good as traditional degree?

Ah... you have a point too. It is really tough to want to embark on something when you are constantly required or needed in other family commitments eh? And the distractions from them will make it tough to concentrate at home. Sigh... I must find a way to muster enough energy to take up a part time course as well!

I did think about it. Getting a CFA I mean. But numbers ain't exactly my thing.

Actually it's more tedious to study online. I wonder how many people can study when the whole family is watching TV. Actually many colleges have moved away from exam based system to coursework based system. Some colleges have both courseworks and exams, I think if the colleges used coursework system, then the online degree is the same as the traditional degree, provided the students dont hire people to write the courseworks for them.

I know, I know.. ha... But it's just boring to go to school; if for me, at least.. I'm not good with schedules and stuff.. I will tend to want to break the rules.. I find the own time, own target kind of thingy more disciplined for me..and I can stick to it better. So online learning for me...

Hi Zed, I'm quite surprised with your remark! Since everyone knows that UniSim (SIM) is offering many undergrad online degree, with goernment support. Online degree does not mean that there are no schedule or interaction with classmates. UniSim arranges for tutor for each student, and the professors are available for discussion and chats. Plus there are many classroom tutorials available for students who want to do the assignments together. There is a clear schedule for submission of coursework, tests and whatever. The advantage is that the students can watch the video of their professors giving lecture many times. Many online degree courses require students to hand in weekly assignment, I think this is the part more stressful. Normal degree is better, can play throughout the semester, and worry about the exam the night before.

I agree Zed. I had done the traditional university and the online university. Between the two I love the online university better. With the online university you tend to get individualized attention and more interaction with your classmates. I am doing a graduate program online and I like it a lot. I am learning a lot and there are students who are in the field who can share their experiences.

Hi Sally, many online degrees have on-campus components. I guess certain branches of medical studies can have partial online studies, and since most medical students have to do a year of housemanship, there is little risk of ill-qualified doctors. Business related course, psychology courses and others can be conducted as full time online degree courses.

The subjects which needs some practical orientation as well as physical activies, generally not welcomed by online campussing. But the only theoritical based subjects, i think cannot be a problem while conducting online study modules. But still the online degrees have not attained full acceptence.

Hi Nzal, nice to see you pop up again! I think you are not suitable for long holiday, you get very lazy in holiday, that's why you can write when you are studying for exam, and so lazy when you are having the holiday. I guess it's the cultural thing also. Many Asians just cannot accept taking online degree, unless they are working with computer all the time. Most Asians still prefer face to face rather than online communication, even in friendships and shopping.

Hi Canellita, if you are talking about first degree for technology and medicine field, then there is no way a person can complete the course online. He must have certain on campus hours for the lab or practical. Actually many doctors and nurses get the master degrees through online or distance studies, since they have working experience and they have access to conduct clinical trial to support their studies.

I suppose it is different with advanced degrees since there is so much writing involved and a shorter time period, etc.

Perhaps the young person has no extra time, or extra money. Perhaps the young person is already a single parent, or wants to live on their own, so they have to work full time to pay their bills. There are many reasons people forego traditional experiences. I'm not saying it's better, just that what fits one doesn't fit all.

Hi Lindiebiz, some young people do not know what they want, so they rather work for a few years before taking up a degree course. By then, it's hard for them to quit working for three years just to get a degree in college. it's better for them to study online and working full time. Bosses generally prefer fresh graduates to graduate with traditional degree, but they dont mind their existing employees taking up online degree.

Hi Scarlet, I think it's more on the bias of the bosses rather than the job requirements. After all if the existing employees upgrade with online degree, the company will recognise the degree and promote the employees to a level held by degree holders. So I think it's really a bias.

Hi youless, Asia countries are less open to online degrees. The only way to overcome this is to take online degree for first and second year of college, then travel to campus to complete the degree course. At least you can honestly say that you attend the graduation ceremony and you complete the degree in the university ground.

Hi Bluepatch, online degree course is far better than correspondence course. You have live chat with the lecturer, and the fellow online classmates. You can view the video of your professors teaching numerous times. There are weekly assignments, and tutors to assist in the assignments. Plus the discussion forums to ask and argue, and access to the libraries and research tools. The few things missing are the partying and the sports.

Hi Iakulchen, I think in Singapore context, those graduates of UniSIM will prove the success of online degree programs. UniSIM has face-to-face tutorial for students who can make it to campus. And they are encouraging many retirees to take up online degrees. I doubt that is workable. It's hard for retirees to swallow the concept of online degree. I think many employers will view degrees from Singapore universities differently than those accredited by overseas university. I wonder who will employ the cats and dogs degree holders?

Hi Aliks071, I agree with you that online degree is tougher. Many online degree courses have weekly assignments, much worse than studying for traditional degree. At least I can relax for the whole term and worry about examination the night before. I doubt I will enjoy online degree, simply can't imagine having weekly assignments and examination.

Hi Weizen, it's a sooner or later thing that online degree will overtake traditional degree in terms of stupid enrollment. Online degree is good for international students as well as working adults. For us in Singapore, the choice of degree courses is limited. That is why many people have to study overseas. Online degree can save time and money for people who want to take up courses from foreign university.

Hi Randylovesdar, I think online education is more challenging, since you basically have to push yourself to log into the website and study. It's great that both of you are taking up online degrees and can encourage each other. I hope that the employers will value online degree as highly as traditional degree. After all, sooner or later, all colleges will have online degrees.

Hi Complexkid, I think it's great to have online degree courses, especially for those international students who want to save money on overseas study. I guess the students can take online courses for two to three years, and complete the last year on campus. That will be the best of both worlds. Maybe twenty years from now, the popularity of online degree will exceed the traditional method of teaching.

Hi Dragon, I agree with you about the degree mills. One reporter here was very naughty, she signed up for the fake degree for her dog. After she gotten the degree, she took the picture of her dog with the degree, and put it in the newspaper. I guess online degree is tougher, since you need more self-discipline to continue the course. It's great that many colleges are offering online degree, and I think ten years later, the online degrees will be more recognized throughout the world. I think more students will prefer online degrees too, they can save costs on commuting and accommodation

Hi Tdemex, you just need to have one Minister telling the world that he takes up online degree, and then the whole country will accept the change. If the students taking online degree manages to secure scholarship, the employers will view him differently too. I guess the recognition of online degree worldwide is possible after another ten years, after those "older" people retire!

Hi Natmo, it's good that you have considered taking online degree course, and that you have done the due diligence. I think those colleges that allow you to transfer the credits to traditional degree in college is good. This shows that other colleges recognise the degree. I think you can take the online degree at a slower pace, build up the credits while you are working. Then when you have enough credits, and enough money, you can study on-campus to get the degree. In case the employers do not value the online degree, you can honestly say that you complete the degree course in campus.

Hi lefthooklacey, actually the discussion board and instant messaging are better for discussion than in the classroom. In classroom environment, most students are so hesitant to ask questions. Yet these are the ones who enjoy discussion forum. Plus in classroom environment, you tend to forget the questions easily. At least in dicussion forum and instant messaging, you can scroll back to read the questions and answers. There is no difference in interaction for knowledge, whether online or offline studies. i wonder why many people still think that online degrees are standalone, when there are many online courses with active cyber-group participation.,

Hi Mrfdg, actually online degree is far better than the "take home study course", because you get to interact with the classmates and professors practically everyday through the online forum and instant messaging system. The online degree usually have an online lecture, where you can watch the video of your lecturer teaching, and if you have any question, you can chat with him via the instant messaging system.