I understand that they are convenient for most working people, but I can't help thinking that one is sort of getting shortchanged in receiving a thorough educational experience, which includes being in a classroom listening to the passionate speeches of the professor and a vis-a-vis talk with fellow classmates and professors. The way I see it, taking an online course or even an entire program is almost like teaching yourself. I mean I do understand that being enrolled means that the school is provioding some learning structure and providing guidance and such, but still, it's almost like you might as well just buy books and do your own studying. The only drawback to that is your learning won't be "official."

Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I still like being in a traditional classroom and having a professor physically present to lecture and answer questions. I also like talking to fellow classmates even though I hate talking in class and being put on the hot seat when the professor randomly picks someone in class to talk about whatever is being talked about.