The Association of Public Land-grant Universities conducted a major survey of public colleges and universities in August of 2009 that contained startling results. It found that 70 percent of faculty felt online courses offer inferior education to classroom instruction. Many professors sited that online courses are easier and more susceptible to cheating as reasons. In addition to the perceived decrease in learning, the study suggested that online courses are also harder to put together, with 64 percent of faculty members stating they take somewhat more or a lot more effort.
Online education utilizes technology to deliver rich interaction amongst students and between student and teacher. Tools like virtual school environments and real-time communication through chats, forums and video conferencing blur the line between digital and face-to-face learning. The availability of email means that both students and professors can interact with other when it's most convenient for them. A student who comes up with a question while studying can send an email, and likely receive a more expedient and personal response from their professor than in traditional classes.
Although in colleges the responsibility of staying focused and motivated to learn and study rests solely on the students' shoulders, many schools in the K-12 community still place this responsibility on teachers. In the traditional classroom environment teachers can more readily notice and address students who lack motivation. If talking to the pupil directly doesn't work, then they can phone parents to discover the root of the issue. Discovering and helping these students proves more difficult in online education, which frustrates teachers and detracts from the learning of some students.
According to Robeson Community College, 79 percent of their students take online courses for the convenience of not coming to campus. Parents save money on childcare, and everyone avoids the extra expense of commuting and frustration of dealing with rush hour traffic. Many students work full or part time while attending college, and distance learning allows them to schedule classwork around their jobs. For those with full schedules, online education can shave years off the time it takes to acquire a degree.