Of all the inventions, wars and historical turning points, finding one definitive accomplishment of the 20th century proves to be a difficult task.

One could point to the invention of the automobile, or the forming of the United Nations.

Hitler’s Nazi Germany irreparably changed the world, as did countless other people ideas.

However, despite the many great advancements of the 20th century, one could very well argue that the crowning achievement of the last hundred years is an intangible asset.

The evolution of the Internet has played a large role in the globalization of economics, politics and familiarization.

While it would be asinine to argue against the countless advantages of the Internet, that does not mean that every second of life need be put online.

With that being said, the news that companies like Udacity, who offer free enrollment to collegiate-level courses, detracting students from actual college campuses seems preposterous.

Granted, there are a handful of advantages of holding classes online. For many, the convenience of online classes works to the advantage of their often-busy schedules, and considering the weak economic state of the country at the moment, online classes seem a cheap alternative.

It would be unfair to argue that all online courses are ineffective. There are many advantages of using the Internet as a tool for education.

However, companies like Udacity are not, nor will they ever be, as effective in educating students as actual campus classes.

Real education and intellectualism is not enhanced through a computer screen, nor can it flourish without sincere and diverse discussion and debate.

Relegating education to an online discussion group may help a student earn credit hours, or offer them some basic insight on a subject. However, it does little to enhance critical thinking skills or unique thought.

William Weber, Eastern’s vice president for business affairs, recently stated that companies like Udacity are “turning the tuition model on its head.”

According to Weber, courses offered by Udacity can sometimes enroll up to 160,000 students per class, all at no expense. This, he said, creates significant competition for universities around the country.

Unfortunately for most universities, technological advances in the last century have significantly changed their business models. However, online classes lack the most important and crucial aspects of the college experience—experience itself.

True learning does not come from textbooks and Google searches, but from discussion and examination. Students can learn some basic theories and perspectives through online classes, but at the end of the day, their ideas will remain unchallenged and consequently stagnant.

Eastern should be worried about the effect of online companies like Udacity, but only to a certain degree—real students possessing true integrity would never relegate their learning to a laptop and a textbook, and if universities can retain those people, online classes pose little threat.