Online vs Classroom

So I have recently been seeing a lot of discussions vs online APN programs and classroom programs. My question is what is the difference between sitting in class and listening to someone tell you theory and sitting down and reading the theory yourself and discussing it on a message board???? All programs that I know of require practicum so you do get the clinical (hands on) experience.

I guess my opinion is to just find a credible university. I just got accepted to a masters program at the University where I got my undergrad which has a very distinguished nursing program. The bulk of the masters classes are online. I do not feel like it being online makes it any less of a program just more convenient for a full time working adult. Plus, the program if I had to attend on campus is 2 hours away and there aren't any programs that offer education/cns closer to home.

Plus, when i think back to my undergrad the majority of work is done outside of the classroom, with the reading and research, etc.

Now before I settled on this program I had looked in to American Sentinel and Phoenix and Liberty all these places that are very eager to admit people and call 10000x a day to get a hold of you. These programs did not seem very credible to me. So I think it depends more on the actual University.