Online Learning: The "Easy" Degree
As my counseling practice is online and I work toward completing a doctorate [mostly] online, it is probably vital for me to talk about being online. Allow this post to be an introduction to many things to come about online education and counseling.
I used to have a defensive response to people who expressed beliefs that online education was "not as good" or something equally minimizing and dismissive when compared to transition brick-and-mortar. The only “easy” part about online learning is the ability to not show up or be seen. I, myself, held the belief that online classes would be easier. I was right, but for all of the wrong reasons. It was easier because it allowed me to be a full-time student, a full-time employee, and a full-time parent. It afforded me a level of flexibility that allowed me to reach my personal goals while tending to the needs of others.
I didn't make the shift to online learning and counseling unhesitatingly. Life happened, and I responded. I set goals, and to accomplish those goals, I had to get creative with how I completed my undergraduate and graduate degree. Taking online classes in the summer while I worked full-time was my first experience with online learning. After graduation, I enrolled in a primarily online counseling program which allowed me to move seven times across five states attending class and submitting assignments in 16 different states.
Online learning is not easier. It is more accessible. In so many ways, it is more challenging. The tragedy of COVID-19 and the closures of primary schools highlighted the fact that complete and full-time online learning was not built for children’s learning. Online learning is about self-directed study. The teacher isn't in charge anymore. In the United States, online learning in higher education is on the rise. Being online, in general, is on the rise. With this, the challenges to being online- from social media to education to professional practice-are rising.
The first challenge I faced was overcoming my perception that my online degree was “not good enough” in some way. Regardless of the teaching modality you are provided, your degree is about what you take from what you are given.