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.
H
ere
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.
