 Editor's Note:
I have personally taught online at the College level for
12+ years. I have found the students to be older in general
but also quite engaged and interested in learning. And
the process is so much more convenient for them. It was in fact
the convenience factor that led my wife to earn her master's
degree online from a school in the California State University
system. With 3 kids at home, learning online was ideal
- not easy, but a perfect fit. You will find that your
online professors are often the same
men and women that you would take on
campus. And those who work off
campus are required to have the same
kind and quality of education; as such, you
are in good hands both on campus or
taking classes online.
If you feel that you can
benefit from this approach to learning than by all means take
the online education plunge!! |
When giving thought to
online education, some questions come to our mind:
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What's it Like
To Study Online?
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What exactly is the difference
between online and on-campus education? Is online
education the same thing as eLearning? Which of
the two is better? Is one style of education more
effective than the other? Are online colleges accredited?
Will I learn as much online? While online
education is indeed the future of learning (every
major and minor college and university is adopting
online classes for online degrees, or has been teaching
online classes for many years), can a computer can
truly replace a teacher?
Online education can never
completely substitute on-campus education. But that
is NOT to say that they are not the same in quality.
You won't have the on-campus experience, but that
is a small issue when you are needing to further
your education or complete a stalled degree from
your past; while at the same time juggling a family,
kids and full time employment. Whether you
study online ot on-campus comes down to you knowing
your abilities, learning styles, discipline levels,
time schedules and the like. But if you have
schedule inflexibility that would keep you from
effectively attending an a regular campus, OR, you
have a particular need to earn a degree across the
USA but cannot move there at the moment, distance
education via online classes are extremely effective
and the convenience level is unprecedented.
Teaching styles change from
time to time depending upon the requirements of
a class or degree program, so in some cases, a mixture
of both is being adopted by many institutions, corporations
and organizations. The main purpose is to deliver
the training in the best and the most efficient
way. The method of teaching can never become “one
size fits all”. To conclude, both are good in their
own ways and preference is done on the basis of
choice.
Here's a
perspective from an online professor
at Liberty
University (the largest Christian online/offline
university in the world):
"As an online
professor for more 12 years, I've seen it change
- all for the good. The technology has
improved as well as the ability to communicate
at a level and in a style that can shape the
mind - the mind that is that genuinely desires
to learn and earn a degree. If you are
not reasonably computer savvy it will be a bit
daunting in the beginning but the with the use
of educational portals (websites) like Blackboard,
eCollege, WebCT, ETUDES and similar, you can
overcome your tech difficulties. The bigger
issue is this: If you are academically lazy,
and undisciplined, you'll need to wok on those
before you step in to the online education realm.
While the online class schedule often affords
you extreme flexibility, it does not mean that
the classes are easier, just easier to fit in
your schedule. Therefore those who are
not disciplined in their time-usage can struggle.
But if you are a busy person who truly wants
to expand yourself, and needs the flexibility
while being willing to do the work it takes
to learn, start and also finish a degree program;
online education can be a tremendous opportunity."
Common Online
Education Queries?
-
Online education
is so common these days that accreditation is
rarely a concern. Sure, you should check
out any and all programs but it comes down to
your specific goals and ambitions? IF,
you need a degree from an accredited
 university,
you'll have no problem finding one. Can you
go to Harvard? Stanford? USC? nearly every state
college and university? as well as many Christian
colleges and universities such as: Grace Bible
College, Biola or Liberty University? The answer
is a resounding, YES!
If you simply want to take a class or two for
your enrichment or to relearn a subject, accreditation
ceases to be a concern. Online classes for enrichment
or skill development are easy to find in many
clubs or institutions (for instance art schools
or clubs, or industrial situations, community
colleges and so forth) or on the web.
-
Online Degrees
Available? - Most community colleges allow you
to do part or entire online degree programs
without ever setting foot on the campus. Many
colleges and universities that do not not typically
offer 2 year online degrees as well as the opportunity
to complete a stalled Bachelors degree (or begin
one fresh), a masters degree or various doctoral
degree programs.
-
eLearning
and online class are very similar if not the
same in most cases. eLearning often refers
a bit more to classes or seminars given by corporations
and Human resource offices for specific training
or skill development. Online classes can
refer to any class online, but typically refers
to classes tied to a college or university setting.
Online education,
distance education, online classes, online degrees?
Are they for you? Well, that is something that you
will need to give some careful thought. But
whatever your decision, be sure to base it on the
facts. For instance, do not assume that online
degree classes are a poor approach to learning.
They are not. Do not assume that you are receiving
a second class education, or your degree will not
be worth anything in the marketplace. That
is simply NOT the case.  Your online degree
is ultimately as good as YOU make it. Yes, you can
go to a hugely well known university and study online
or attend a small state college and do the same
- earning the same degree. But it will only
work if you determine at least two things: 1. Does
your learning style and need for time and educational
flexibility, fit the online degree format?
2. Are you genuinely willing to put in real effort?
Frankly, the
world does not need more people with degrees, we
need people who have poured their heart into a program
so that they can impact their field of study in
the years to come. Determine those issues
and you are on your way. Good learning
on your journey!
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