1. Topic: Online Education

2. Research Question: Is online education more advantageous (favorable) than traditional classroom education?

3. Thesis Statement: Research suggests that online education (is more) (has become more) advantageous than traditional classroom education by offering lower tuition costs, more diverse and obtainable degrees and masteries, and by enabling the realistic pursuit of higher intellectual learning for paraprofessionals and unconventional students.

Task 1 Annotated Bibliography
Smith, David E., Mitry, Darryl J. (2008). Investigation of Higher Education: The Real Costs and Quality of Online Programs. Journal of Education for Business; Jan/Feb2008, Vol. 83 Issue 3, p147-152, 6p, 1 Chart. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?hid=7&sid=2eb08f08-6338-4b77-9193-45add548c475%40sessionmgr14&vid=2
This article by Smith and Mitry (2008) addresses via analytical inquiry the cost and quality of online teaching in college education. These authors are doctors in their respective fields at National University, and this article was published in a peer-reviewed journal. Using a variety of different scientific tools Smith and Mitry (2008) clearly explain the problems, illuminate the solutions, and discuss, imply, and recommend ways to help online education realize its true potential. While there is a lot of information about many different facets of online education, this article shines with the recommendations that the authors pose. It also gives a balanced look at the realities of the business of online education and where this can lead to less than stellar e-learning. The conclusion being that we cannot realize the true potential of e-learning until all universities adheres to the higher academic standard of full-time faculty expertise, which may be a goal to grand to be realized. (Smith and Mitry, 2008)

Hayes, Dianne. (2010). College on Demand. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education; 3/18/2010, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p17-19, 3p. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=af6e5a1a-8413-4bcf-8c90-ef3727ec12c7%40sessionmgr14&vid=4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=48752169
This article by Hayes (2010) elaborates on the trends of people seeking more education through online study due to the economic hardships of recent years, citing that online education increased faster than overall higher education from 2002 to 2008. The author has published this article in a peer-reviewed journal and is an award-winning education and science and technology writer and editor, who founded College Prep Network: an online community resource that serves middle and high school students, parents, and teachers of math and science. Reasons for the change included fuel costs, unemployment rates, scheduling flexibility and accessibility. The article further explains Public institutions, to remain competitive and compete with private schools flexibility, need to offer courses online. This article is straight forward in that it offers percentages and trends of the demands being placed on colleges from the general public, which lends credence to the idea that traditional face-to-face schooling is becoming less and less convenient for students, workers, and the unemployed who are looking to make themselves more marketable. (Hayes, 2010)

Parry, Marc. (2010). Such a Deal? Maybe Not. Chronicle of Higher Education; 11/5/2010, Vol. 57 Issue 11, pB12-B14, 2p, 1 Color Photograph. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=d62648ee-9b62-476d-a457-0fd5ab39144b%40sessionmgr15&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=55245097
This article by Parry (2010) explores how universities and college could further decrease the costs involved with hosting online education, but then points out how many universities and colleges have seen costs increase with their online classes. The author is a staff reporter at the Chronicle of Higher Education who has written many articles on technology, focusing on online education. The author has published this article in a peer-reviewed journal and quotes comments from high ranking individuals that work in the education field. This article further discusses issues such as the quality of online education, out-of-state tuition costs, and master course development. The article is helpful in pointing out some of the challenges universities and colleges have had to overcome or run into trying to offer online education and gives solid data that some colleges’ online courses are much more expensive than the face-to-face courses. Though, there is debate still on why that is the case. (Parry, 2010)

Ash, Katie. (2009). Experts Debate Cost Savings Of Virtual Ed. Education Week; 3/18/2009, Vol. 28 Issue 25, p1-9, 2p. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=8d5efa10-aa26-49e8-878a-915b36d39435%40sessionmgr13&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=37251730
This article by Ash (2009) discusses possible ways to reduce the cost of providing education in the United States through online classes. The author has published this article in a peer-reviewed journal and has written many articles for Education Week and Digital Directions, focusing on educational technology, facilities and transportation. This article probes into the issue of online education and whether or not it is more cost-effective than face-to-face schooling. Stating that there are many factors that determine what is in involved in making an online program less expensive, namely the curriculum being taught and technological resources available to the school. The author discusses how some schools have lowered costs by contracting courses to different online providers. The interesting point of this article lies in its argument that online education seems more cost-effective than traditional schooling, pending specific situations and the fact that experts are saying that there is not enough data to say one way or the other. (Ash, 2009)

Parry, Marc. (2009). They Thought Globally, but Now Colleges Push Online Programs Locally. Chronicle of Higher Education; 7/10/2009, Vol. 55 Issue 41, pA9-A9, 1p, 1 Color Photograph. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=d180ade8-e5c4-4ce6-b8de-249caaf3cb57%40sessionmgr15&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=43640361
This article by Parry (2009) talks about the rising trend for colleges and universities to market online classes in their respective local markets, specifically targeting individuals who feel unable to participate in face-to-face classes multiple times a week due to hectic schedules. The author is a staff reporter at the Chronicle of Higher Education who has written many articles on technology, focusing on online education and published this article in this peer-reviewed journal. The author further discusses that this rising trend is due to the dominance of for-profit schools like the University of Phoenix whose massive marketing budgets have greatly effected traditional brick-and-mortar college enrollments. This article further demonstrates how more and more universities and colleges are shifting their focus from traditional face-to-face instruction to online education and helps support the idea that online education is truly becoming more desirable than traditional face-to-face education. (Parry, 2009)

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development.
(2009). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A metaanalysis and review of online learning studies. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.hakoled.org.il/webfiles/fck/File/tikshuv_usa.pdf
The U.S. Department of Education (2009) sought out over a thousand empirical studies of online education from the year 1996 to July 2008. Analysts sifted through those studies and through meta-analysis discovered that on average, students in online education classes performed better than students in face-to-face classes. Further variables are discussed and pointed out as to how this result was found. This analysis is often the source of many online education advocates arguing points and the meta-analysis is quite compelling. There is still much debate about the U.S. Department of Education’s findings by those who are more skeptical of online education and whether the analysis should have any real merit on trying to debate the online versus traditional learning methods. (U.S. Department of Education, 2009)

Hill, Joanne. Ph.D. (2007). The Merits of an Online Education. Chronicle of Higher Education; 2/9/2007, Vol. 53 Issue 23, pA47-A47, 1/6p. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=9e7b09ed-65d3-4af1-8ed8-90c67ad6179a%40sessionmgr11&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=23973755
This letter by Hill (2007) addressing the article, Employers Often Distrust Online Degrees (The Chronicle, January 5), that was published in the journal, Chronicle of Higher Learning, refutes the bias, negative attitudes, and ignorance from the employers in the surveys. The author is a Candidate in Leadership in Higher Education out of Capella University, Minneapolis and is cited for her personal experience earning her doctorate through online courses. In the letter, the author explains that it takes a high level of disciple to do online education and elaborates on some of the more positive merits needed to succeed in online classes. This letter gives further credence to the quality of the individual that completes an online program and earns a degree. While not all online students will share the same outcome, it is safe to assume that the ultimate quality of a given degree is based on an individual’s effort and focus that was put into said degree. (Hill, 2007)

Feintuch, Howard. (2009) Study Investigates If Online Education Is Key to Helping More Low-Income Students Obtain Degrees. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education; 10/15/2009, Vol. 26 Issue 18, p23-26, 3p. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=01fa6aac-000d-4687-9f47-c51f02038148%40sessionmgr14&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=44962107
This article by Feintuch (2009) looks at a study by Western Governors University on whether online programs can improve graduation rates for low-income and unconventional students to improve their marketability in today’s workforce. The author is a contributing writer to INSIGHT Into Delivery, currently the largest and oldest diversity employment magazine and website in higher education, and has published this article in a peer-reviewed journal. This article further discusses the ways in which this university offers online degree programs and provides the motivation and help a student needs to make it to graduation. These programs measure ability or skill in a given subject rather than just the accumulation of credits. The draw of this article comes from the university it mentions and its practices, which may be the future of higher education learning. Especially, when it comes to online learning for paraprofessionals and unconventional student that have more to offer than just time sitting in a classroom. (Feintuch, 2009)

Carnevale, Dan. (2007) Employers Often Distrust Online Degrees. Chronicle of Higher Education; 1/5/2007, Vol. 53 Issue 18, pA28-A30, 3p, 1 Color Photograph. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=7&sid=06f70f03-8395-4233-81ea-b53bf8ed7aa3%40sessionmgr14&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=23647670
This article by Carnevale (2007) discusses several surveys of employers and their views on online degrees. The results indicate a strong bias against online degrees. Even though colleges and universities are continuing to offer more and more programs online. The author is a product analyst at Hedge Funds and Managed Accounts at RBC Dexia Investors Services and writes from time to time concerning current trends that affect the market like this article that was published in a peer-reviewed journal and has many comments from individuals who are doing the surveys. This article explains that the common perception of the general public is that online degrees are lower quality as compared to traditional degrees. The article discusses the final hurdle in online education. Even if an individual obtains a degree online, there is still a massive stigma in the general public against such degrees. It has yet to be seen if raising the quality online education is the answer. (Carnevale, 2007)

Jaggars, Shanna Smith. (2011). Online Learning: Does It Help Low-Income and Underprepared Students? CCRC Working Paper No. 26. Assessment of Evidence Series. Community College Research Center. Available from: CCRC Publications. Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street Box 174, New York, NY 10027. Tel: 212-678-3091; Fax: 212-678-3699; e-mail: ccrc@columbia.edu; Web site: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/ccrc Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED515135.pdf
This paper by Jaggars (2011) explores whether the current form of online education hinders low-income and underprepared students and then discusses why these students might be struggling and explores how to possibly remedy these issues. The author is a senior research associate at Community College Research Center and has a doctorate in Human devolvement and Family Science and is currently involved in studies analyzing online course enrollment and performance; developmental education teaching, programming, and policy; and infrastructure. This paper looks over evidence that affects online students that are underprepared and from low-income environments. This paper has a lot of information in it for a very selective group, but it can be used to glean bits of useful information regarding the positive accomplishments of online education in its current form as a whole and not just its weaker areas. (Jaggers, 2011)