1) Noble, D.F. “Digital diploma mills: The automation of higher education.” First Monday 3(1)
(1998). <http://outreach.lib.uic.edu/www/issues/issue3_1/noble/>.
Distance education, or online education, can be defined as courses or curriculum that is delivered to students through the Internet, using various media, in lieu of a physical education (Noble, 1998).
2) Lorenzo, G., & Moore, J. “Five pillars of quality online education.” Sloan Consortium Report to the Nation (2002).
Online education is typically distributed through traditional universities, which carry an online component, or private companies that offer online degrees and courses for a fee (Loreno & Moore, 2002).
3) Volery, T. & Lord, D. “Critical success factors in online education.” International Journal of
Educational Management. 14(5) (2000): 216-223.
Traditional or campus-based education is defined as courses conducted physically, at a college campus or other designated institute for learning (Volery & Lord, 2000).
4) Volery, T. & Lord, D. “Critical success factors in online education.” International Journal of
Educational Management. 14(5) (2000): 216-223.
Online education permits classes to reach a greater number of students, allowing for larger class sizes (Volery & Lord, 2000).
5) Lorenzo, G., & Moore, J. “Five pillars of quality online education.” Sloan Consortium Report to the Nation (2002).
The lack of strictly set class times and hours allows for online students to learn at a slightly more relaxed pace, with more resources immediately available to them (Lorenzo & Moore, 2002).
6) David Coronado. “Online and Traditional Education Through the Eyes of an Undergrad.” Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Apr 10, 2013. http://diverseeducation.com/article/52546/#.
“According to Vygotsky’s theory of the ‘Zone of Proximal Development,’ instructional guidance is helpful and is considered a much needed aspect in the process of learning” (Coronado, 2013).
7) Cavanaugh, J. “Teaching online - a time comparison.” Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 8(1) (2005): 1-11.
8) Bullen, M. “Participation and critical thinking in online university distance education.” Journal of Distance Education 13(2) (1998).
9) Bullen, M. “Participation and critical thinking in online university distance education.” Journal of Distance Education 13(2) (1998).
Researchers saw no measurable difference in student performance between traditional and online courses (Bullen 1998).
10) David Coronado. “Online and Traditional Education Through the Eyes of an Undergrad.” Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Apr 10, 2013. http://diverseeducation.com/article/52546/#.
“The challenging part of online classes is that you must be a self-directed learner and motivated to finish” (Coronado, 2013).
11) Allen, M., Mabry, E., Mattrey, M., Bourhis, J., Titsworth, S., & Burrell, N. “Evaluating the
effectiveness of distance learning: a comparison using meta-analysis.” Journal of Communication 20 (2004): 402-422.
There is "no clear decline in educational effectiveness when using distance education technology" (Allen et al., 2004).
12) Ausburn, L.J. “Course design elements most valued by adult learners in blended online education environments: An American perspective.” Educational Media International 41(4) (2004).
Adults most value course designs that possess personalization options, and the opportunity for self-direction and variety in their education (Ausburn, 2004).
13) Ausburn, L.J. “Course design elements most valued by adult learners in blended online education environments: An American perspective.” Educational Media International 41(4) (2004).
“Adult learners have unique learning needs and expectations that set them apart from their younger counterparts” (Ausburn 2004, p. 328).
14) Gregory Ferenstein. “How California’s Online Education Pilot Will End College As We Know It.” TechCrunch Jan 15, 2013. http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/15/how-californias-new-online-education-pilot-will-end-college-as-we-know-it/.
In January 2013, the California State University system announced a pilot program to introduce lower division online courses at its campus for as little as $150 (Ferenstein, 2013).
15) Gregory Ferenstein. “How California’s Online Education Pilot Will End College As We Know It.” TechCrunch Jan 15, 2013. http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/15/how-californias-new-online-education-pilot-will-end-college-as-we-know-it/.
Online courses are often thought of as a solution for dwindling grades in traditional college education courses, which focuses on rote memorization (Ferenstein, 2013).
16) Noble, D.F. “Digital diploma mills: The automation of higher education.” First Monday 3(1)
(1998).
One of the pitfalls of for-profit distance education is that curriculum offerings are often limited in order to maximize profits – the emphasis is on making money, not providing a godo education (Noble, 1998).
17) Gardner, Lee and Jeffrey R. Young. “California’s Move Toward MOOCs Sends Shock Waves, but Key Questions Remain Unanswered.” Chronicle of Higher Education Mar 14, 2013. http://chronicle.com/article/A-Bold-Move-Toward-MOOCs-Sends/137903/
California’s Senate Bill 520 is a bill that establishes a statewide platform that permits universities to accept credits earned in MOOCS (Gardner and Young, 2013).
18) Gardner, Lee and Jeffrey R. Young. “California’s Move Toward MOOCs Sends Shock Waves, but Key Questions Remain Unanswered.” Chronicle of Higher Education Mar 14, 2013. http://chronicle.com/article/A-Bold-Move-Toward-MOOCs-Sends/137903/
Access to classes is a huge problem in California, with 472,000 students enrolling in California Community Colleges put on a waiting list in the fall of 2012 (Gardner and Young, 2013).
19) Allen, M., Mabry, E., Mattrey, M., Bourhis, J., Titsworth, S., & Burrell, N. “Evaluating the
effectiveness of distance learning: a comparison using meta-analysis.” Journal of Communication 20 (2004): 402-422.
Distance learning students are said to possess greater motivation for achievement than students in traditional college climates, due to the perceived extra effort needed for distance learning (p. 414).
20) Cavanaugh, J. “Teaching online - a time comparison.” Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 8(1) (2005): 1-11.
90% of public education institutions provided distance education courses to their students by 2001.
