Traditional Degrees vs. an Online Degree
There has been a significant increase over the last two years in advertisements for online degree programs and it would seem that this new educational medium is quickly gaining traction and popularity with those who are unable to attend classes due to scheduling conflicts and/other personal or professional commitments. However, the growth of these programs has not been as robust as it should be mainly because there is a certain traditional mindset that dissuades people. While certain traditions have their benefit, overemphasis on repeating things "the way they have always been done' can be quite harmful and an impediment to progress.
The "Curse" of Tradition
If there was an enemy so to speak in regards to the prevalence of online degrees it would be tradition and familiarity. That is to say, an online degree is a radically new entity in the world of education and for some the notion that a radical departure from traditional norms is automatically negative. Hence, anything that is a departure from the norm is wrong. This is not a sentiment exclusive to the world of education as it is found in very industry. For example, in the early 20th century when Henry Ford sought a loan from the Bank of Michigan so as to move forward with his plans for the automobile, the Bank turned down the loan stating "the automobile will come and go, but the horse is forever." Yes, sadly sometimes progress is not always welcome by the status quo. However, if one looked closely at online degree programs, one would quickly realize that very little has changes between the traditional and the new media version of education.
How to Defeat Tradition?
This all brings about the question as to what will defeat the traditional mindset regarding increasing the understanding that an online degree is a valid one? The answer can be summed up in one word: success. That is, those who earn and possess an online degree will head out into the workforce and become successful and this will forever change the perception of those who have negative opinions towards an online degree. After all, it becomes next to impossible to argue with success and if those who hold an online degree are successful in the workforce and demonstrate their educational skills, criticizing an online degree not only becomes difficult it will become ludicrous. As such, it is only a matter of time before this revolutionary new approach to education becomes more widely accepted.