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The Genesis and Evolution of Online Degree Programs: Who Are They For and What Have We Lost Along The Way?

Across the nation, colleges and universities are adopting the Internet as the new medium for instruction at an increasing rate. As a result of this growing trend, more and more students are getting their education away from the traditional classroom setting. This shift in instruction has called into question whether students who take online courses and programs are getting the same caliber of education as their face-to-face counterparts, or if they are missing out on important variables that will help them succeed. This article begins with a definition of online education and traces its origins in distance education. Next, the institutions who offer online education and students who take these courses are identified. The paper concludes with a discussion of why administrators, educators, and students should be cautioned when using online technologies to replace traditional classroom instruction.