by Erin Byers

Created on: February 16, 2010

It is the end of the day in Iraq. A soldier completes his mission, accounts for his gear, eats chow and then hits the books. He is not hitting the books in a traditional classroom, but rather in an online classroom.

Online college classes are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the military environment. Many military personnel do not have a routine work schedule or they may be deployed to a difficult environment such as Iraq. Years ago, a college education was impossible in situations like these. However, online classes are allowing people to pursue their education in even the most extreme situations.

More and more colleges and universities are adding distance education programs to their curriculum, giving students plenty of options when considering their education. Is an online college education as good as a traditional college education? How does an online education compare to the traditional classroom experience?

Demetrica Brooks, a 35-year-old Army sergeant and a single mother, says that she thinks that an online college education is just as fulfilling as a traditional classroom education. Brooks is currently taking classes online at Strayer University. She stated that she would only be able to attend classes twice a week if she had to attend in a classroom setting. Online classes give her the freedom of attending day or night as her schedule permits. "In a classroom, you are worried so much about taking notes," said Brooks, "you don't have enough time to digest it [lecture material]." She said that online classes can be more difficult since she has to be more disciplined to work on her own and to meet deadlines.

Some military personnel are still unsure about an online education. Katherine Uridil, a 26-year-old Army specialist, said that she does not know if an online education is equal to a traditional one. She has never taken an online class before, but she said that she heard that they are a lot easier than traditional classes. "I think it is an easy way to sham to a degree,"she added.

Online education is also a popular choice for working mothers. Michelle Zugay, 26 and a receptionist at the Special Immunizations Program at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, says that although she is not currently a student, online classes are definitely an option. She said that she doesn't think an online education is for everyone. Zugay said, "People with a shorter attention span need that classroom interaction." Virginia Wolcott,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>