Pros and Cons of Online Learning

El Mansour, Bassou, and Davison M. Mupinga. "Students' positive and negative experiences in hybrid and online classes." College Student Journal 41.1 (2007): 242+. Educator's Reference Complete. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.

This is a qualitative study exploring the positive and negative experiences of students taking online classes. This article also delves into the characteristics of online learning and what instructors can do to improve the student experience. The study seeks to prove that since students learn in a variety of different ways, the traditional classroom style is not right for every student. The article compares the differences between the traditional face to face classroom style and the online style. Students were presented information both online and face to face and data was collected to describe their experiences.

Why choose online learning?

Hayes, Dianne. "College on demand: as the economy continues to stagger, universities are forced to respond to increasing numbers of students knocking at their virtual doors in search of online classes." Diverse Issues in Higher Education 27.3 (2010): 17+. Educator's Reference Complete. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.

This article focuses on the demand for more online classes and the statistics and recent trends toward online learning. It talks about reasons for the high demand such as flexibility, convenience, and savings on travel costs. The article also focuses on some of the first colleges to introduce online classes and some of the current leaders in this trend. Also discussed is the price some institutions have to pay to provide this service, a major point being increased need for student financial aid.

Online vs. Traditional Learning

Klaus, Tim, and Chuleeporn Changchit. "Online or traditional: a study to examine course characteristics contributing to students' preference for classroom settings." International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education 5.3 (2009): 14+. Educator's Reference Complete. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.

This article is looking for the answer to student preferences, how to make traditional courses more attractive to students and also how to determine which classes should be changed from traditional to online. The study sought to determine whether or not there are significant differences between student who prefer online courses and those who prefer the traditional online course. The article contains a literature review, methodology, analysis and discussion and a conclusion describing the findings of their study.

Online Learning and Web 2.0

Rogers-Estable, Michelle. "Web 2.0 and distance education: tools and techniques." Distance Learning 6.4 (2009): 55+. Educator's Reference Complete. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.

The author of this article describes the pros and cons of Web 2.0. She talks about many cases in which these tools offer exciting new collaborative connections and multicultural learning. There are many ways for students and teachers to interact with one another. The articles describes a variety of tools and topics such as Open Source Initiative, RSS feeds, blogging and micro blogging, wikis, social sites and podcasts. She also discusses the benefits and responsibilities that come with using them.