Distance Learning OnlineIf you think earning a college degree is out of the question for you, it’s time to learn about online distance learning. Distance learning programs have been around for a few decades now, but things are radically different than they were in the early days. Today, many employers consider degrees earned through accredited online programs to be every bit as good as those earned at a brick-and-mortar school. As everyone knows, the internet has changed almost everything about modern culture, and the way we learn has been affected, as well. Continuous streamlining of existing programs, new technologies to fill needs gaps, and truly creative applications have transformed what used to be a practical but somewhat clumsy way to learn to state of the art.
Schools are springing up all over the world exclusively dedicated to online education. Because these schools are entirely virtual, students find that in some cases the cost of tuition is lessened since buildings, parking lots, and landscaping don’t need to be maintained and many of the administrative duties can be handled by computers. While it’s true that in the past many people cast a wary glance in the direction of such institutions, many have proved themselves over time. As long as an online university has been accredited, many employers consider them in the same light as brick-and-mortar schools. Online learning programs use special teaching software to optimize what computers and the internet have to offer. With programs such as Blackboard and Angel, instructors are able to maintain a class roster and identify when each student has logged into class, and what sections of the program they’ve visited. Some instructors include instructional videos of themselves teaching that students can watch, recreating the feeling of learning in a classroom. Others bring creativity to the videos they post, incorporating graphics and sound that drive home a lesson in a meaningful way. These learning programs also permit webinars, and some professors schedule “class” times when students are expected to be present and participating in the learning environment. Discussion boards are another online distance learning option. Here, a teacher might post a topic and ask students to respond to the topic, then read one another’s posts and remark on each other’s ideas. This approach is more flexible in terms of scheduling, but less dynamic and exciting than a webinar. Angel allows students to post assignments, complete quizzes, and upload presentations as well. Sometimes students feel uneasy about the idea of an online class because they wonder how responsive teachers are. These students understand that they themselves will be taking on a large part of the responsibility of learning, but still want to be able to ask questions and get timely responses. Most online instructors are well aware that in some ways, student needs are identical whether the lessons are being taught in a classroom or over the internet, so they respond to emails daily. Another concern students have is that some types of programs seem to beg for a hands-on component. For example, how complete could an online nursing program be if students aren’t given the opportunity to work directly with patients? The answer is, just as online programs are tailored to the students’ scheduling needs, they are also tailored to the students’ geographical needs. A nursing student who lives a hundred miles from the school can receive assistance from the school in locating nursing programs close by and helping to arrange hands-on volunteering or other learning opportunities. In a number of ways, online learning programs offer advantages. In addition to the fact that some programs are less expensive, students also find that they often will save time, as well. If you consider that a fifteen minute drive to school done twice a week actually means an hour of lost time in the car that could have been spent studying, the time savings become very real. Another way time is saved is that online learners can focus most of their energy on those areas where they need to work, rather than on all the sections that other students will spend hours of classroom time questioning. For many students, online distance learning means having their cake and eating it, too. Students who are already established in a j0b they don’t want to or can’t afford to leave in order to attend school can continue to work for a salary while working for a degree as time permits. This might, of course, mean taking an additional year or two to complete an advanced degree, but that’s a small price to pay to radically improve professional standing, future salary and benefits, and job stability. Many online learners are surprised to discover that if they are working and studying in the same fields, a good amount of information they are expected to learn, they already know. In that case, it might not be necessary to take additional time to earn that degree. Distance learning via the internet is frequently a perfect match for parents, as well. Giving up just an hour or two of television after the kids are tucked into bed and using that time for studies results in steady progress toward earning a degree. As long as the student has the right attitude and certain basic skills, online learning can be the answer to a better future. Good time management skills, self motivation, and a willingness to work hard are required, though. Online learning is not an opportunity to goof around and try to slide by on little effort. Those who believe otherwise are not likely to pass their classes! As long as the online learning program you are interested in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting board, agency, or group that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, there should be no question as to whether the quality of education you will receive is sufficient. Accreditation is a big deal, and schools without it should be avoided unless you are only interested in learning for its own sake. Don’t assume that just because a school points to its accreditation that what they’ve got is sufficient. Unfortunately, there are some shady businesses that sell accreditation to equally shady schools in an effort to dupe online students. Employers know which schools offer solid education, and to be sure you’re covered, a quick trip to the government’s Department of Education website will give you a list of which groups are considered legitimate. It’s also important to know that only students attending schools with proper accreditation are eligible to receive federal loans, scholarships, or grants. Distance learning online programs offer flexibility but also require certain personality traits for successful completion. Attendance requires self-motivation and self-discipline. The online student has to be able to schedule time for each class to complete the coursework which requires time management skills. Computer literacy is very important. In a traditional classroom many students rely on somebody else to ask the instructor for clarification. The online student needs to be able to ask questions without fear to make sure he or she understands the class concepts. |
Online learning is offered both by schools that have been established as on-campus institutions where face-to-face classes are held in classrooms, as well as by newer schools that work exclusively with online learners. In the first case, some of the same courses that are taught on campus have been modified and fine-tuned to fit both the needs of the online learner and the unique capabilities of the delivery system. In fact, most technical and junior colleges, as well as private schools and universities, offer some of their standard courses through online options.