What are the Main Disadvantages of Internet Education?

You have probably heard of all the great benefits of getting an online education, but it wouldn't make sense to skip over learning about its drawbacks. While getting a degree online is in fact convenient, it does have a down side. Here are some of the disadvantages of an Internet education.

*If you aren't a self-starter (highly motivated and disciplined), then online education may not be right for you. Some students need the pressure of learning in class, sitting face-to-face with their teacher, and having a deadline. If you choose to get an Internet education, you will miss out on all of that- you will need to learn to work unsupervised and keep your motivation from flagging.

*The lack of interaction between students, classmates and instructors can lead to a sense of isolation or "They just don't understand". Part of the "college experience" is coming away with a story or two to tell, or a teacher you will never forget. If you take classes online, you won't have any stories to tell when you get older.

*Internet education may not be right for students who are not tech-savvy. Studying online requires some degree of computer knowledge, as well as the use of new software and technology as it arises. Online students may end up having to do some troubleshooting of their own, and not all students have the know-how.

*Depending on where the school is accredited, the student may have to make some adjustments to their schedule in order to hand assignments in on time. For instance, if a student lives in California and their school is based on the East Coast, the time difference could create problems. Students will probably also need to wait for feedback from teachers and classmates, where there would be no wait in a traditional class. Distance learning also causes the student to miss out on valuable networking opportunities.

*Some online schools are mere "diploma mills", which makes it easier than ever for them to scam students out of time and money only to hand them a worthless degree. This is perhaps the biggest single disadvantage of an Internet education. Students need to look out for their interests, making sure the school they choose is fully accredited.

*If the student plans to log onto their online classes while they are at their daytime job, they may have restricted access to the site, or they will need to get special permission from their employer.

Studying online obviously is not for everyone. Despite the fact that over sixty-three percent of all American universities and colleges offer some sort of online or distance learning program, many students pass up an Internet education in order to get the full college experience. By giving equal consideration to the disadvantages and advantages of online degrees, you will make the decision that's right for you.