International Conference on Education, Management and Computing Technology (ICEMCT 2014)

Pros and Cons: Web Based Education

Liu Jingyu
Foreign Language Department
Jiangxi Yuzhou Vocational College of Science and Technology
Xinyu City, China
Liujingyu210@163.com

Abstract-The world of web-based education is changing more other responsibilities. Web based education allows
quickly. Online education offers students an anytime/anywhere students to take control of their own learning and
method of receiving an advanced knowledge. Proponents point therefore learn at their own pace. Students can be
out the increased access will level the playing field for all. given greater control over the learning environment
Online course enrollment may be on the rise; however, with by allowing them to select from the learning
growth may have come growing pains.This study explores the modules or course material which best assists their
benefits and issues of the web-based education for the students own understanding and retention. In addition,
and professors. material can be reviewed at a later time or as many
times as necessary in order to master specific skills
Keywords-online education; students and professors; pros
and cons
or retain knowledge According to Indiana
University, most students work full time while
taking classes (www.indiana.edu). Working
I. INTRODUCTION students in a study conducted by the University of
Web-based education, also known as online learning, Wisconsin on student's satisfaction with distance
or online education, is quickly changing the face of higher learning courses found flexibility to be the key
education because it attracts students of all ages (Truluck, benefit of online learning (www.uwex.edu).
2007). According to the study, part-time students who
Berge (2000) and his colleagues assert, “For maximum worked full-time evaluated online courses more
effectiveness, training and learning opportunities must go to positively than full-time students. Besides, Online
the students and arrive just-in-time. For these and other education allows instructors to reach students in
reasons, demographics and competition no longer allow different geographical areas as well as students who
instructors or trainers to insist on ‘my place at my pace.’ would otherwise be unreachable. Students such as
Totally online Web-based courses offer benefits for learners working adults, stay at home moms, the military
and trainers/instructors alike” (p. 35). deployed, and the elderly and handicapped now
Though there are many advantages to offering web have unlimited opportunities to take courses and
based education, web based education is not without its attain degrees from a distance because they are no
challenges. Many of the challenges are directly related to longer limited to educational opportunities which
the same advantages of web-based education (Cook, 2007). are within driving distance of their home. This in
This study explores the benefits and issues for those tasked and of itself has far-reaching implications in that it
with those who are teaching the students and the students helps students obtain an education.
themselves. This study focuses on the higher education • Cons: According to a study published in the Journal
faculty and students who enroll in online courses. The pros of Information Technology Education students
of online education will be balanced with the possible cons perceive time management as a major disadvantage
of Internet education versus face-to-face education. to controlling their own coursework. Some students
reported that online courses requires too much or
II. PROS AND CONS : WEB-BASED EDUCATION more self motivation, organization and planning than
FOR STUDENTS coursework at a traditional university, particularly in
required work for the course. In discussing the
A. Flexibility vs. Time Management in Online Classes benefits and challenges of taking its courses online
vs. traditional, the University of Connecticut warns
Taking online classes at home or other places of their students to plan their flexible time wisely when
choosing allows students maximum control over their time. completing course assignments to avoid
Online classes offer convenient, 24-hour access to courses procrastination (www.uconn.edu).
and do not depend on the proximity to the organization or
school offering the course. Online course environments B Technology vs. Student Engagement in Online Classes
may have classes more frequently than are offered through
a traditional on-campus program. Online courses rely on Internet technology trends.
Students do not interact face-to-face with each other or
• Pros: One of the main advantages of the flexibility with the instructor, but use web pages, e-mail, software
of online learning is accommodating work and programs such as Blackboard or WebCT, message boards,

© 2014. The authors - Published by Atlantis Press 459

chat rooms, webinars, webcasts and social media. Work III. PROS AND CONS: WEB-BASED EDUCATION
assignments most often are written and rely on Internet FOR PROFESSORS
research rather than primary source library research.
A major benefit of online education for professors is that
• Pros: Advantages to online students in terms of an online environment is time-independent and place-
technology depend on the preferred learning style of independent. Online education provides convenience and
the student. Students who prefer online classes may flexibility for professors. The less demanding work
find that online learning fits their learning style, environment enables professors to attend conferences,
giving them more time to think about answering present papers, recruit for the university. Professors who
questions and allowing them the option interact teach online courses can be compared to those who
with classmates with whom they might not connect telecommute. According to study by Brigham Young
with socially. A study conducted by researchers at University (2010) 25 percent of employees reported that
Valdosta State University (www. teach.valdosta.edu) work interfered with personal and family life. A member of
found that students who favored online learning the faculty at Brigham Young University also concluded
tended to be independent learners, while a study that flexible work options is connected to increased
published in the Journal of College Teaching and production, more flexibility in the workplace and reduced
Learning found online students to be slightly more office space needs. That's the good side.
introverted. Online education decreases limitations and increases
diversity among the student population. The wide range of
• Cons: Disadvantages of technology in online
students' geographies, cultures, backgrounds, and ages bring
classes can include concerns about technical
new ideas and premonitions of the subjects being introduced
problems and limitations of one kind of
in the course. Students in the course are able to gain a much
instructional delivery, demonstrating learning and
broader prospective on the subjects at hand which make for
turning in assignments. The success of web based
a richer learning environment .
education is very dependent upon the technology.
However, for the professor tasked with developing and
When the technology fails, the online course can
conducting an online class, a significant portion of their
fail with it. This causes student frustration and
time will be required. Although web based education offers
dissatisfaction, particularly to students who are
the instructors flexibility and the convenience to
already uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the
determining their teaching schedule, the time demands are
technology or the online environment in general.
greater for teaching a course in the online format than for
This causes the students to either avoid the course
teaching a course in a face-to-face setting (Cavanaugh,
or focus on the technology rather than the content.
2005). Cavanaugh conducted a study that did a time
Cook (2007) asserts, “Even minor problems can be
comparison between a course taught online and a course
a serious impediment, decreasing satisfaction and
taught in the face-to-face setting (same class and same
course participation while increasing cognitive load,
instructor). He contends, “The amount of time spent
which in turn impede learning” . A Harvard
teaching online was over twice the amount of time spent
University study found that for all the promises of
teaching in-class”. Cavanaugh further states that the amount
technology, bored students drop out
of time spent teaching an online course seems to increase
(www.harvard.edu). Researchers at Clemson
directly with the number of students enrolled and that the
University and Lander University, writing for The
major difference in the additional time spent is largely due
Journal of Educators Online, studied dropout rates
to communication with the student (time emailing, time
in online courses and found that student
spent answering students’ questions). The American
engagement, particularly socially, was a key factor
Association of University Professors found that online
in retaining students in online courses. A study
courses take more time to conduct than traditional courses.
published in the Online Journal of Distance
Online professors find a huge amount of time spent in
Learning Administration reported that students felt
answering individual questions which could be handled
that not all course content or subjects translate well
class-wide in a face-to-face environment. Additionally
into an online environment, particularly those that
learning multiple course management system software
may require feedback from the instructor in hands-
packages requires a learning curve use of time. Discussions
on, real time learning.
with students can take place 24/7 and students expect
In conclusion, no matter the environment, education
immediate feedback online.
requires a firm commitment of time, money and other
Online education opens up a Pandora's Box for
resources. Students who need the personal interaction with
professors. Many of the evils from this box are substance
peers presented by in-class face time might need to think
from the lack of physical interaction between the student
twice about completing the majority of their education
and teacher. Dykman and Davis articulated the value of the
online. Yet, one who loves control over time and
physical human interaction as it relates to education,
resources might feel right at home in an online class.
"Without significant human contact, students may seek to
get by with the least amount of effort possible, and their
learning and the quality of the online course will suffer

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accordingly"(p.288). IV. SUMMARY
Many professors are concerned with the increased risk of Online education continues to gain popularity as the
academic dishonesty. Students who want to cheat will find a demands for an educated workforce continue to increase.
way; however, research has found that it is easier for Students who work full-time, have children at home, have
students to cheat in online classes. Although the course odd work hours, or live across the globe can attend class in
management system, eCollege, continues to implement the comfort of their homes. Students with handicaps can
changes to their software package to make the assessment take classes without special arrangements for travel or in the
portion more secure robust, students can easily use a simple classroom. With enhanced access in the form of online
screenshot of their monitor to save and share test questions. education, student enrollment will increase. Ease of access,
Therefore, professors must rethink how they choose to convenience, and flexibility is not only beneficial for the
assess their students in order to increase the true validity of student population; it also is attractive to faculty. The
the exam results. On response from an SHSU like/dislike flexible work schedule and environment makes it easy for
survey of online classes pointed out that this can be universities to obtain the best faculty and more faculties to
accomplished as the student said, "You had to study meet the demands of increased enrollment.
beforehand. You didn't have time to look up the answers." The main benefit of online education is both faculty
This was definitely in the dislike section! and students is that it allows time and place independent
Another issue for professors is the constant demand of access. The issues of online education tend to vary
written communication. E-mail is a great way to significantly between institutions, professors, students, and
communicate technical messages, but is not a great way to employers. Professors and students have issues with student
communicate emotional messages. In a traditional self-regulation and written communication, with more
classroom, professors can read body language, pick out emphasis. Online education has long had its proponents and
sarcasm, and reflect on tone while a student expresses their naysayers. Do the benefits of online education outweigh the
issues, confusion, or excitement. E-mail is written word that issues? The answer: It depends .
can be stored and forwarded; it has the possibility to haunt Finally, the student survey on their perspectives of
the professors and affect a teacher's position, tenure or technology use in their courses indicates several benefits--
reputation. from better understanding to better communication with
Professors must also be more aware of students in online their instructors. It is clear that students perceive some
courses who are not self-regulated. Self-regulated learners positives of technology use in this setting.
set goals and monitor and react with regards to their
progress towards their goals. Professors can add REFERENCES
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