Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative development?

It is true that online
courses
are becoming a common feature of
university
education.
Although
there are some drawbacks
of
Change preposition
to
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Internet-based learning, I would argue that there are far more benefits. The main drawback of the trend towards online
university
courses
is that there is less direct interaction.
Students
may not have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with their teachers, and will
instead
have to rely on written forms of communication.
Similarly
,
students
who study online do not come into direct contact with each other, and
this
could have a negative impact on peer support, discussion and exchange of ideas.
For example
,
whereas
students
on traditional
courses
can attend seminars and even discuss their subjects over coffee after lessons, online learners are restricted to chatting through website forum areas. These learners may
also
lack the motivation and element of competition that face-to-face group work brings. Despite the negatives mentioned above, I believe that online
university
courses
are a positive development for various reasons.
Firstly
, they allow learners to study in a flexible way, meaning that they can work whenever and wherever is convenient, and they can cover the material at their own pace.
Secondly
, the cost of a
university
education can be greatly reduced,
while
revenues for institutions may increase as more
students
can be taught.
Finally
, online learning offers open access to anybody who is willing to study, regardless of age, location, ability and background.
For example
, my uncle, who is 65 years old, has recently enrolled on an online MBA course in a different country, which would have been impossible in the days before Internet-based education. In conclusion,
while
I recognise the possible disadvantages of online learning, I consider it to be a positive development
overall
.
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Structure your answers in logical paragraphs

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A strong argument essay structure can be split up into 4 paragraphs, each containing 4 sentences (except the conclusion paragraph, which only contains 3 sentences).

Stick to this essay structure:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • Distance learning
  • Flexible schedule
  • Virtual classroom
  • Digital resources
  • E-learning platforms
  • Asynchronous learning
  • Synchronous learning
  • Cost-effective
  • Self-paced study
  • Technical difficulties
  • Blended learning
  • Online modules
  • Remote access
  • Student engagement
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