Information Technology. Two single words that meant to change our lives. We live in the age of Information. Things are moving so fast that we, the new generation, can barely co-op. Internet. A huge technological chapter. An enormous innovation. The mean that has set new standards in communication, education and businesses among others. Users located in the 4 corners of the world have now the chance to discuss, exchange opinions about any possible issue or even see each other with the help of a web-cam. No-need for expensive phone calls. No-need for stamps and envelopes thanks to the electronic mail. Anyone with internet access can have these things, and now people are suggesting that the internet may take over education for college students and be a main source, instead of kids learning on campus.
The internet has created a world without borders consumers can purchase goods from around the world by going online and comparison shop for whatever he or she wishes, it could be a car, clothes, or a boat, and make a purchase. Once a purchase is made the items you received through the mail are tangible. Meaning you can interact with your products for example; you can wear your clothes, drive your car, and sail in your boat. What about services goods? The intangible things you love as well. Can you buy a service online? The answer is yes. You can now go online do your banking, see a concert, see an art exhibit, watch a movie, and the list goes on. What I found interesting is online education. You can go to grade school, High school, get your GED, undergraduate degree, master’s degree, even your PhD. E-commerce has changed the future of may services, especially education.
This article caught my attention because after all computers and Internet are main sources in our everyday lives. This article comes from the Wall Street Journal, and I think it is something that we should really think about. With all of these virtual worlds and the social networking sites becoming so popular, it is scary to even think that colleges might eventually all be online! Coming to college is important not just for academic reasons but it also enables you to grow as a person because you learn responsibility, taking care of yourself, managing money, just to name a few, and by earning your college degree online would take away from that and honestly not benefit you in the future.
It ponders upon the question of if the future of educations lies online. For online education to become mainstream is kind of a depressing thought because some say it is such a crappy experience. You don’t interact with anyone else but yourself. The article goes on to quote, “the bottom line is that learning online is a soul- destroying experience. It really, really stinks. It’s always second best to face to face learning.” This article really makes you stop and think about the future and could colleges really go virtual? Would it be the same or would it be better. Thankfully the educators in the article think that it wont happen, but never say never.
This article can be found at:http://kmi.open.ac.uk/people/marc/wsj/index.html
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