Online Education
Distance Learning And Online Education
What You Really Need To Know
Online Education, Distance Learning, E-Learning or whatever term you want to use to call this, rose by any other name, is really alternative education and it opens the door to higher education from the comfort of you own home. This non-traditional education system allows you to find a program that suits your needs and meets your goals. Over 1.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of distance learning, with projected expansion expected to double in just the next few years.
Here are a few basic things you need to consider and some decisions you need to make in order to create the environment that will best suits you in this rapidly expanding and viable form of education and training. You will need to answer What, How, Why, and What’s in it for me as you look into the various forms of distance learning.
The original distance learning was the correspondence course which dates back to the 1800’s. Online education and distance learning has evolved into multifaceted terms that serves many purposes and these terms differ will depend upon how the institution defines and labels the programs which they offer. The basics are this distance learning is an alternative way of schooling to the traditional “brick and mortar” campus. Some distance learning and online programs may or may not be connected to a university or college. There are many programs that are independent and are not affiliated with any such institution.
Distance learning offers alternative paths to personal goals which include: GED, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, graduate certificates, master degrees, doctoral degrees, non-credit training courses, and others. Whether you are seeking a degree, meeting continuing education requires for a license, keeping professional skills updated, or pursuing skills for an interest area or hobby, there is a program that will work for you, given the multitude you have to choose from today.
The reasons so many people turning to distance learning are as varied as the people. Maintaining privacy; convenience; flexible schedule; allows for balancing job and family obligations as well as working at own pace is only the beginning of the list. No formal class attendance is a big advantage and being able to go slowly or accelerate your learning is another one. The list continues with usually less expensive, great for homebound individuals, no unnecessary travel and you learn and work at the same time. These are only a few reasons for people like yourself to take an entirely different approach to attaining knowledge or skills you desire. You may just need that piece of paper that says “Degree”.
Not everyone is looking for the classroom activities, college events or parties, and the social interactions of a school campus setting. Many of the classroom activities such as discussion and support can be achieved online. The online education is a closer match to today’s working world than the “brick and mortar” campus because of its up-to-date references, current research, listening through audio lectures or video clips and graphic illustrations/demonstrations as well as doing assignments, quizzes, exams, research papers, Q&A, and communication through email, chats or electronic discussions.
Most programs require a minimum of a GED or taking an admissions test. Usually, the process for applying will include: an application; transcripts; test scores; an essay; and letters of recommendation. The rule seems to be the less formal the program, the less formal the requirements. To be successful in an online program, the right computer equipment with high speed internet connection and the usual word processing capability; email and multimedia player are a must.. The program you choose will have specific details and recommendation about the equipment and software you will need to obtain.
In choosing a program you will evaluate what is in it for me as do your research and make your selection. For one thing how much help and support is available to you then is it an accredited program. Also, get the details about the curriculum and multimedia elements of the program and if these are really what you need in reaching your goals. Next you will want to look at the qualifications of the instructors and how long the institution itself has been providing distance learning services.
Your program may be called distance learning, correspondence course, online education, internet based education, electronic education, e-education, electronic learning or e-learning. There are rip-offs in distance learning just as there are rip-offs in any industrial, you have to be aware of that fact and fully check them out as part of your research. But distance learning is an extremely viable alternative to the brick and mortar style education.