The recent growth of online education has added a new dimension to college learning that was unthinkable a few decades ago. Knocking down the traditional notion of the “ivory tower” college campus, online education presents an entirely new classroom paradigm, a shift resulting in more opportunities and challenges. For insight into both, we turned to college professors and administrators who reveal the good and the bad that accompany an online college education.

THE PROS

A diverse educational experience

College administrators, faculty and students agree that the most obvious benefit of online education is convenience. Additionally, online education connects students from all over the world, enriching the learning experience by presenting global perspectives in online discussion groups and chat rooms.

That’s the case at Regent University, a Christian-based college in Virginia, where administrators estimate that 50 percent of its 4,400 students now take courses online. Regent currently enrolls students from every state in the United States plus 56 countries, according to Tracy Stewart, the university’s vice president of information technology. In addition to attracting international students, online education has become an increasingly appealing option for active- duty U.S. armed forces personnel, according to Dr. Steven Gold, a professor of business administration with TUI University (formerly known as Touro University International).

This 10-year-old online university accredited by the Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges markets directly to military personnel, an increasingly large part of its student body. Gold reports that online education works well for this demographic.

“They [military students] are smart, diligent and have high levels of integrity,” he says.

Students with these attributes, he says, make a good match for the type of teaching TUI promotes: research, critical thinking and analytical skills.