Online Education: is it a wise choice?

I am embarking on my master’s degree via an all online program. I have been contemplating this most of the summer. What led me on this path of contemplation was that I found myself in quite a dilemma. My teaching position at my school had been drastically changed and I was unhappy with the change. To top it off, I found out I was expecting a baby the very day I was informed that my job of 17 years would be profoundly changed: (non-renewed and re-hired at 60% load). I chose to take a sabbatical for the upcoming school year. It was then that it hit me that while I am taking some time off that I should pursue an advanced degree. Sure, a master's degree sounds great, but how could I accomplish that. I am married to a farmer and I have a small child and expecting another. I am simply tied down and I am not willing or able to go to a conventional institution and attend "regular" face-to-face classes. I had to consider online education. I spent many countless hours searching for information on the Internet. Google and online master’s degree searches became images burned onto the screen of my laptop. It all seemed so overwhelming. There was so much information to digest. When the dust settled, I had found something I was happy with. I applied, was accepted and enrolled. Then the fear of what had I done hit me. Online courses? Am I out of my mind? How can this possibly be better than “real” education? After some more investigating and questioning, I really felt that an online program was actually going to be a great fit for me. The flexibility was what intrigued me the most. Although I am not working this school year, I still had real life to contend with. The ability to work at my own pace and in the comfort of my own home was just right. Could I be disciplined enough to perform at an acceptable level? That will be something that will have to be determined as I go. I certainly plan to be successful.

We have had some exposure to “online” education at our school through the IVN system. I have seen it be both a good thing and a bad thing. It gives students opportunity to take a class not offered at our school. Since we are a small school there aren’t many choices to be had in the daily schedule. But I am not convinced the instructing has been conducive to the best learning environment. I have seen kids squander their class time as well! This is sort of the same concept with Online Education. Basically, if it is online, it is available to you. You get out of it what you put into it. What a web of wonderful opportunities.
As I have discovered by a study done by SRI International for the Department of Education my decision to study online is apparently a good one. I feel better knowing that there is some sort of “scientific” evidence to support my choice.