Go back to the beginning of the chapter, and reread the At Issue box, which gives background about whether online education is better than classroom instruction. As the following sources illustrate, this question has a number of possible answers.

After you review the sources listed below, you will be asked to answer some questions and to complete some simple activities. This work will help you to understand both the content and the structure of the sources. When you are finished, you will be ready to develop an argument—using one of the three alternative approaches to argument discussed in this chapter—that takes a position on whether online education is better than classroom learning.

SOURCES

“The Evolution of Online Schooling” (infographic)
www.collegedegreesearch.net

Chris Bustamante, “The Risks and Rewards of Online Learning”

David Smith, “Reliance on Online Materials Hinders Learning Potential for Students”

Elena Kadvany, “Online Education Needs Connection”

John Crisp, “Short Distance Learning”

Scott L. Newstok, “A Plea for Close Learning”

Ray McNulty, “Old Flames and New Beacons”

Pete Rorabaugh, “Trading Classroom Authority for Online Community”