Last week, I was speaking with colleagues at Indiana University Southeast , and we had a great conversation about the growing need to balance the demand for online coursework and the on-campus experience.  It’s a topic that’s not unique to just one campus (or even limited to Indiana University sity), but as we discussed the topic, a key point bubbled out of the brainstorming.

When we talk about online education, we tend to focus on it as simply being “remote” or “distance.”  We think about it in terms of space or geography.  True, this is a very strong aspect of online education versus the traditional campus experience, and this characteristic has a natural appeal for some students.  It cuts down on costs (e.g., gas or daycare), saves time (e.g. commuting), and increases appeal (some students may be more comfortable working in their own space).  This “freedom of geography” certainly holds a certain cache for many students.

But a second aspect of online learning may be more persuasive to students: “freedom of time.” While we have both synchronous (students meet virtually at specific times) as well as asynchronous (students do NOT have set meeting times), its the asynchronous format that is far more popular.

Here’s the point: Perhaps the hidden appeal of online programs is less about space and more about students having control over their own schedules.

This makes sense to me more and more.  If we give a student the choice between learning online or learning in-person, I assume most students would still PREFER in-person instruction.  However, that’s not really the question we ask.  We ask something along the lines of “Would you prefer to learn online on your schedule, or would you prefer to learn in person at 9 to 10 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday?”  I’m betting that’s a far different question for students to answer.

Interestingly, I can’t really think of an example of an asynchronous on-campus course.  Perhaps an independent study, but you rarely build an entire bachelor’s or master’s degree from independent study courses.

Maybe, as universities and colleges, we should talk about a student’s time just as much as their location.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.  Kudos to my colleagues for sparking an insightful discussion!