On-Line education, good or bad idea?

Question

Has anyone here, over the age of 45, ever completed an online education? (1) Were you satisfied overall? (2) Did it, the education, help you with attaining a better job? (3rd) Would you recommend it for someone over 45 and thinking about it? Lastly, what drawbacks did you or someone you know encounter? Thanks to all who answers!

Answer 1

You're looking at some issues here that aren't going to be in the typical answer to this question.  

  

1) Yes, I'm over 45 and have been satisfied overall with the online/distance education programs that I've completed.  2) no, at this age, education is the least of the considerations in finding a new job - unless you're drastically changing careers .  All the degree does at this point is open the door to jobs that require a degree, it's our skill and experience that gets the job. 3) I would absolutely recommend it to anyone whether over or under 45.

some more info:

1) Online programs, like traditional programs, have good and bad aspects.  There are good and bad schools as well.  If you pick a program that has a solid reputation for quality education (UMass, UC-Berkeley, Harvard, your StateU, etc.) then you will likely be as satisfied as if you were on campus.  If you pick a program that has a reputation for being not-so-great (for example those "as seen on TV" online programs) then you will be constantly defending your choice and are apt to be not so happy with the outcomes.

2)  If you don't have a degree at all then you need to get one in order to be able to check off that box.  Back "in our day" we didn't have to compete with a population that has 1:3 people with a college degree.  You just need one these days.  But, at our age, unless you're planning a drastic career change, a bachelor's degree in anything and from anywhere is sufficient to check off that "has a college degree" box.  Once that box is checked, it's your experience and achievements that will determine whether you advance - your time to prove yourself is past so let's hope you have.

If you are changing occupations then the nature of the degree will be important.  You also have the advantage of your past work experience to support the change but if you are drastically changing (for example from auto mechanic to CPA) then your past experience will have minimal value and the quality of the degree will be paramount.  Here it becomes very important to get your degree from the best college you can get into whether online or traditional.

3) I'm a proponent of distance learning.  It's especially useful to those that can self-motivate and who don't need the "college experience" as a social leveler.  It's unlikely that you'd head over to StateU and join in the "party scene" with students the age of your kids.  Ã¢Â˜Âº  The "social experience" is one of the things those who disfavor distance ed. points to.

There are some subjects that are better learned in the classroom.  I'd not attempt a math or science major online for example.  While it can be done - it's very complicated and difficult.  Majors with a significant hands-on or supervised performance component are also difficult online; nursing or initial teacher certification for example.

I've found that online classes from a quality program are harder than the same course in the classroom.  Online classes require self-motivation and a higher requirement for reading and writing in the class.  There is no lecturer to tell you what the book says and remind you of the multiple guess test on Friday.  For this reason, I learn more this way.  But, my learning style is suited to this mode of delivery and I know plenty of people that simply can't do it.

The real key, and don't underestimate the value of this one point, is to pick a quality program with a solid reputation.  Reality is that everyone and his brother is teaching online these days.  That's everyone from the very best in the world (Oxford, Harvard, UC-Berkeley) to the lowest rated/respected colleges in the world (I won't name these - you know them).  It likely includes at least one campus of your StateU and a couple community college campuses in your state.

Before you begin this journey, weigh your needs.  Your first question implies that you want a quality education.  The second that you are concerned with employment outcomes.  The third question is really "am I too old" and it's an easy one.  You're never too old.

An example of a really good online degree program:

http://www.umassonline.net/Home.html

An example of a really good online non-degree program:

http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/online/

An example of among the best in the world and online too:

http://humanrightslaw.conted.ox.ac.uk/MS...

An article about diploma mills from the nice people in Oregon.  Avoid diploma mills - terrible waste of time and money:

http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/diploma_...

Answer 2

I'm over 35 and the only drawback for me is that it's harder than being in the classroom, I hope there are more 45+ folks on here who can help answer that. It helped me as far as spending less time on the road, more time with the kids, you can work the online class around your work schedule. If you're sick you don't have to worry about what you missed. Hope this helps!