Sunday, May 22, 2011

Online students received better grades than classmates in a traditional setting

       How do online courses differ from a correspondence school?
When you take a course from a correspondence school, you typically receive printed course materials in the mail on a regular basis. These materials generally consist of reading assignments, practice exercises, etc., and you are expected to complete them at your convenience. Once you are finished, you send your completed work back to an instructor for review. This dialog between student and instructor can be rewarding and it allows you to complete a course of study at your own pace, but it lacks the community of fellow students and faculty that you would find in a traditional classroom at a college or university.
In contrast, our online, web-based instruction techniques offer the benefits of both worlds. Online courses at Concordia are first and foremost discussion based learning experiences. As a student in one of our online courses, you have the convenience of being able to study when your schedule permits, and you are one of a group of students who are constantly in contact with each another (and with your instructor) via the online classroom. You will be required to complete weekly assignments on time, meet milestones and deadlines, and keep pace with your classmates, just as you would in a traditional on-ground course, but you can do this at night, and in your pajamas if you like!

The discussion groups for each class are there for you to work through problems with your classmates. The instructor helps guide the discussion by introducing relevant topics and maintaining a focused dialog. Building a 'community of learners' is a goal in each of our online courses at Concordia.
E-mail is also used for private correspondence with instructors and fellow students.
The opportunity to communicate with other students is perhaps the most valuable aspect of any education. With today’s online education technology, there is no reason to forfeit community just because you are unable to attend a traditional classroom-style school.


            How do online courses compare to traditional courses in terms of grades and student comprehension?
Although there are no conclusive studies as yet comparing the two methods, preliminary evidence has suggested there is “no significant difference” between the two.
Recent research on distance learning programs that use web technologies has had positive findings. Several studies indicate that students taking distance learning courses have similar attitudes, grades and test scores as those students in traditional classrooms. For example, a three-year study of more than 2006 students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology suggests that students perceive they are learning at least as much as they would in a traditional class. Fifty-eight percent said Net learning increased the quality of their education. The same study showed no significant difference in grades.


            How does online learning compare to traditional learning?
Many of the same proven instructional strategies that provide a rich context for learning in a traditional classroom have online counterparts. While the form of interaction and engagement may be different, the same principles apply. In addition, many would argue that a technology mediated learning environment can provide a more rich level of learner-to-learner interaction and learner-to-instructor interaction.
Traditional Class
Online Class
In a classroom at a campus
Anywhere there is a computer
Reading, writing, small groups, discussion, videos, research
Reading, writing, small groups, discussion, videos, research
Professor directs instruction
Professor directs instruction
Regular interaction with instructor and other students
Regular interaction with instructor and other students


Article Source:http://www.cu-portland.edu/

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Online Degree Programs


Arts & Humanities
 Subjects within the arts & humanities field include Art, Design, English, Fashion Design, Game Art Design, General Studies, Humanities, Interior Design, Liberal Arts, Library Science, Philosophy, Technical Writing, Theology, and Writing.
Agriculture
Subject within the Agiculture field include Agricultural Business Manager, Agricultural Equipment Salesperson, Agricultural Grader, Agricultural Managers, Agriculture Inspector, Animal Breeder, Dairy Scientist, Equine Scientist, Farm Equipment Mechanic, Farm Manager, Gardener.
Business
 Subjects within the business field include Advertising, Applied Management, Business Administration, Business Professional Studies, Communication Studies, E-Business & E-Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Financial Management, International Business, Labor Relations, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Marketing Management, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Management, Project Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Relations, Restaurant & Culinary, Sales & Marketing, Sports Management, Supply Chain Management, and Tourism & Hospitality.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Subject within the Hospitality field include Bio-Medical Technician, Bio-Technologies Professional, Bioinformatics Technician, Biological Health Professional, Biological Treatment Technician, Biomedical Tech, Biophysics Professionals, Biostatistician, Ecologist, Embryologist, Epidemiologist, Ethologist, Oncologist, Oncology Assistant, Pathology Scientist, Pharmacologist, Urban Ecologist, Vascular Scientist, Wildlife Biologist, Zoologist
Education
 Subjects within the education field include Corporate Training, Curriculum Design, Distance Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Administration, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Physical & Health, Reading & Literacy, Special Education, and Teacher Licensure.
  Engineering
 Subjects within the engineering field include Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Software Engineering, 
Health & Medical
 Subjects within the health & medical field include Counseling, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Management, Food & Nutrition Science, Gerontology, Health & Medical Sciences, Health Care Administration, Health Care Management, Health Informatics, Health Information Technology, Health Services, Life Care Planning, LPN to BSN, Nursing, Occupational Safety & Health, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Psychology, Public Health, Radiologic Science, and RN to BSN.
Legal
 Subjects within the legal field include Crime Scene Technology and Investigation, Criminal Justice, Economic Crime, Forensics, Homeland Security, Justice Administration, Law, Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, and Paralegal.
Mechanic and Repair Technologies
Subject within the Mechanic and Repair Techonologies fild include AC Technician, AC Technician, Aeronautic Technician, Airplane Technician, Auto Detailer, Auto Maintenance Technician, Autobody Paint Technician, BMW Motorcycle Mechanic, Battery Technician, Boat Maintenance Technician, CNC Operator, Cable Technician, Computer Installer Career Overview.
Technology
 Subjects within the technology field include Computer Programming, Computer Science, Graphics & Multimedia, Information Assurance, Information Science, Information Systems, Information Systems Security, Information Technology, Internet Technologies, Managing Innovation, Network Management, Network Security, Technology Management, Telecommunications, Web Design, and Web Development.
Other Subject 
Communications and Journalism,Computer Sciences,Physical Sciences,Transportation and Distribution,Visual and Performing Arts .
Article Source:http://oedb.org
 

Why Online Education Is Growing

Distance education of one sort or another has been around for a long time. Correspondence courses helped people learn trades on their own free time, while radio or taped television courses educated students in remote areas. Now, with the rapid expansion and evolution of the Internet, online education has become a reality. What began as a convenient means of offering internal training to employees via corporate intranets has now spread to the general public over the worldwide web.

Online-only colleges and career schools have flourished, and traditional ground-based universities are moving courses and degree programs onto the Internet.  It’s now possible to earn a degree from an accredited college without ever setting foot on campus, and more people enroll every year.

Evidence of Growth

The Sloan Consortium, a non-profit foundation, conducts yearly surveys investigating online education. Their most recent report captured the online learning landscape as it stood in 2007-2008, revealing that
  • 20% of all US college students were studying online at least part-time in 2007;
  • 3.9 million students were taking at least one online course during Fall 2007, a growth rate of 12% on the previous year;
  • This growth rate is much faster than the overall higher education growth rate of 1.2%.

Higher Education: Meeting The Need For A Skilled Workforce

Higher education in general has grown greatly. Census data shows that in 1980, only 32% of US adults under 25 had earned a degree or completed any college coursework. By 2000, this number had jumped to 52%. Prosperity has played a role in this growth: as median incomes have risen over the past several decades, more people have been able to afford to send their children to college. Political support for putting people into college education, via Federal funding such as Pell Grants and loans, has also helped increase access to higher education.

However, the main driver behind the increase in higher education is the huge change in the overall economy of the US over the last fifty years. Changes in technology and globalization of the economy means the once-large manufacturing base of the United States has dwindled. Those jobs accounted for 40% of workers in 1950, but by 2000 had shrunk to include only 18% of the workforce. Most workers are now employed by the service sector, where more specialized skills are often a necessary requirement for finding a job. As a result, some post-secondary education is now seen as critical for workplace viability by a majority of the population.

Online Education: Meeting The Needs of the Skilled Workforce

And a majority of the population is now online: in 1997, less than 20% of US households had Internet access. By 2007, that percentage had grown to 61.7%. Internet access took only 7 years to reach 25% of US households, compared with 35 years for the television and 46 for household electricity. As with music, television, and newspapers, higher education needs to move to where the people are if it wants to expand its user base. Also, traditional campuses are having trouble maintaining facilities that meet the growing college population’s needs.  While the cost savings of running an online degree program aren’t tremendous (or at least aren’t a driving concern for university officials), it’s generally easier for colleges to move programs online than it is for them to build extensions to their campuses.

The sagging economy has also been good for online education.  The Sloan Consortium’s findings revealed that many institutions expect more working adults to turn to continuing education to build new skills or enhance existing ones to better their chances in the job marketplace, and also to avoid paying higher fuel costs as commuter students.

This is probably a safe bet: nearly 90 million adults participate in some form of continuing education every year even during good times, according to Census data. The convenience of being able to complete a degree without giving up employment makes online education attractive to working adults. As those adults strive to continue earning, they’ll want to continue learning.

Colorado Technical University
is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504) www.ncahlc.org.

CTU does not guarantee employment, salary, or performance of graduates.

References

http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/US.htm
http://www.sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/computer/2007.html
http://www.usdla.org/THINKEQUITY.ppt
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2003-06-12-backtoschool_x.htm

Article Source:http://www.edarticle.com

The Hows and Whys of Online Education


Technology, aiming to improve people's lives, has started to tap education by making it possible for students to earn a college degree. Way back then, when only traditional colleges and universities existed, only few had the money to spare to get a degree. Now, with the emergence of cheaper education, more and more students get attracted to online education.

Some may argue that while online education may be cheap, it has a lower quality compared to that of regular campuses. This is definitely as misconception. The quality of education that distance learning provides has the same standards, if not better. Also, online education is more convenient because it allows students to attend their classes, anytime and anywhere. All they need is a computer or laptop and an Internet connection. This means that education can be enjoyed together with business trips or overtime jobs or even babysitting. Generally, working adults largely benefit in this set-up. These are some of the reasons why an increasing number of people opt for distance learning over the traditional classroom setting.

Some may think that enrolling in an online college or university gives them the opportunity to slack off. However, graduating with an online degree course requires self-discipline, effective time-management and commitment as well. Students should allot a regular period of time to study to be able to catch up. This is also one of the advantages of online education; students can learn in their own pace and in their own time.

Recent technologies such as the computer and the Internet are a great help in making our workloads easier and faster. They're also a fantastic source of earning a higher education, particularly for middle-aged individuals wishing to sharpen their skills in order to compete with the demands in the workforce. This method of learning is called online education or distance learning. In fact, there are many technology-based online colleges today that offer a wide selection of subjects for a relatively economical cost.

Online education is focused on providing students the activities that shift the control of learning activities from the instructor to the student. This goes without saying that this method of education is indeed a really great means of advancing one's career that will lead to a successful life. With this in mind, undertaking an advanced knowledge and skill program (depending on your area of interest) is a really smart decision to have. Keep in mind that employers these days now give great value to career-oriented people who are open and willing to learn more for the better opportunities that may come their way. And as a competitive individual who wish to see success in your career, you should know how to take maximum advantage of your education in order to get ahead of your competition and make it big in your field of choice.

Article Source:http://goarticles.com

Benefit From Free Online Education, It's Great!


Have you heard about free online education? Well, if you search the Internet, you can come across many online schools and institutes offering free online education. You can sit back in your comfy home and get a degree that you are looking for long. The most important part is that you do not have to spend hefty sum when you are going for online education.

Online Learning serves all your needs

Online education can be categorized in two categories. You can go for free online learning as a part of self study or may be as assistance to your regular course. This may be part of your assignment or a school project. Another facet of free online education is when you get yourself enrolled for a degree or a certificate course through an online institute. In every case, free online education is a great help for many people today.

Learning made easy with free online education

For those who cannot quit their jobs for studying further, online education is a great solution. And when it comes free of cost, it becomes all the more easily to get. There are number of good universities and colleges that let you get free online education. The education online has solved the problems of those who want to continue their education but cannot go for regular colleges due to restrictions of time and money. When you take up any course online you have full assistance of the teachers and professors. So you do not lack any kind of teaching help when you go for free education online. The online institutes have developed virtual class rooms that are great to help you learn fast. With the assistance of online aids like e books, audio video tutorials, you will not find it hard to grasp things. You can interact with other students who are studying the similar course via forums and question answer sections on the college web site. All this helps you to get the clear picture of the subject matter of the online course.

Free online education via universities

A great news for those who are looking for free online education is that many reputed universities such as the Boston University and the University of Massachusetts has a lot of free course materials over the Internet. These sources are reliable, so there is no harm in getting free online education through them. But one of the biggest problems with free online education is that there is no one who can evaluate you as such. You have to evaluate yourself to know how much you are gaining from the online education. If you have the ability to evaluate yourself then there is no harm in going for these online courses. Many people are not able to make it with the online education as they lack competition while learning which is there when you go for class room study.

Free online education is great for those who cannot afford to get education at good centres. You can get good education in the privacy of your home and without spending a good sum. With little caution, you can get advantage of these online learning programs.


Article Source:http://goarticles.com

Benefits of Online Education


Online education has become a recent trend that has allowed many people to attend school that could not before. No matter what the age, location or interest there are online universities that will help someone earn their degree. Online education has specifically been beneficial for teachers, or other professions, who are going back to school to receive their masters or doctorate. Now, more then 75% of all colleges have an online education program of some kind. In a time when education is the key to moving up in the world, the impact of online education has become substantial.

The largest benefit of online education is the availability. For the first time, students have the opportunity to enroll in a college that meets all of their expectations and offers a degree that matches what they want to do. Many times, at traditional schools, a student chooses a major that is as close as possible, but it isn't want they really want to do. With online universities, prospective students do not have to factor in location when applying for school. This results in students really focusing on their degree choice and their intended career path. Sometimes, the amount of school choices is overwhelming; however, 360 Education Solutions is partnered with a vast amount of online universities to help people, such as teachers, find the school that is right for them. For teachers who are returning to school to earn a graduate degree, they can choose a school that is all the way across the country and still continue to teach and learn in the state they live in. The availability of online programs allows students to find the best education that fits their lifestyle.

Another great perk of doing online education is moving through classes at different speeds, or "asynchronous" learning. Students can choose when to do their work whenever they please. If students are like most adult learners, have a job or a family, they can do their work when it is convenient for them. All of the lectures and class work are online 24 hours a day; therefore, a student could do their class work at night and go to work during the day. Also, for people who may be slower at learning, they can their time learning the material to ensure that they do well on tests. By working at one's own pace, it is possible that they can earn their degree in a shorter amount of time. A master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at a traditional university may take over two years to complete; however, through online schooling, a student could earn his or her degree in 18 months. This benefit has helped many people go back to school to get a higher education, which was not possible before.

A third advantage includes learning how to become computer literate. Because all of the courses are taken on the computer, it is imperative that students know how to use a computer correctly. Also, with online courses come different learning methods. Many courses use discussion boards frequently. This feature lets students talk to each other and get any questions they may have answered. This also leads to countless networking opportunities through peers. Most online courses have students that live all across the country; so many connections are made through their classes. Networking allows teachers from all over the nation to communicate about education. A teacher in California is able to create a friendship through an online course with a teacher from New York, which most likely would have never happened if it wasn't for the class. E-mail is an important factor in online education as well. Students learn "netiquette" which allows them to better communicate through the internet.

 With all the benefits that online education offers, it is no wonder that this trend has swept the nation. Not only can students be flexible with their schedules, choose a school based on the degree and become computer literate, but they can also save thousands of dollars. Online tuition is usually a lot cheaper to begin with; however, students are saving costs by not having to travel to school, buy textbooks, pay for living expenses and pay for extra university fees. Online education is the ultimate way to earn a higher education for students who don't think that traditional schools are the way to go.

Article Source:http://goarticles.com

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Students received better grades than classmates in a traditional setting

       How do online courses differ from a correspondence school?
When you take a course from a correspondence school, you typically receive printed course materials in the mail on a regular basis. These materials generally consist of reading assignments, practice exercises, etc., and you are expected to complete them at your convenience. Once you are finished, you send your completed work back to an instructor for review. This dialog between student and instructor can be rewarding and it allows you to complete a course of study at your own pace, but it lacks the community of fellow students and faculty that you would find in a traditional classroom at a college or university.
In contrast, our online, web-based instruction techniques offer the benefits of both worlds. Online courses at Concordia are first and foremost discussion based learning experiences. As a student in one of our online courses, you have the convenience of being able to study when your schedule permits, and you are one of a group of students who are constantly in contact with each another (and with your instructor) via the online classroom. You will be required to complete weekly assignments on time, meet milestones and deadlines, and keep pace with your classmates, just as you would in a traditional on-ground course, but you can do this at night, and in your pajamas if you like!
The discussion groups for each class are there for you to work through problems with your classmates. The instructor helps guide the discussion by introducing relevant topics and maintaining a focused dialog. Building a 'community of learners' is a goal in each of our online courses at Concordia.
E-mail is also used for private correspondence with instructors and fellow students.
The opportunity to communicate with other students is perhaps the most valuable aspect of any education. With today’s online education technology, there is no reason to forfeit community just because you are unable to attend a traditional classroom-style school.

            How do online courses compare to traditional courses in terms of grades and student comprehension?
Although there are no conclusive studies as yet comparing the two methods, preliminary evidence has suggested there is “no significant difference” between the two.
Recent research on distance learning programs that use web technologies has had positive findings. Several studies indicate that students taking distance learning courses have similar attitudes, grades and test scores as those students in traditional classrooms. For example, a three-year study of more than 2006 students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology suggests that students perceive they are learning at least as much as they would in a traditional class. Fifty-eight percent said Net learning increased the quality of their education. The same study showed no significant difference in grades.

            How does online learning compare to traditional learning?
Many of the same proven instructional strategies that provide a rich context for learning in a traditional classroom have online counterparts. While the form of interaction and engagement may be different, the same principles apply. In addition, many would argue that a technology mediated learning environment can provide a more rich level of learner-to-learner interaction and learner-to-instructor interaction.
Traditional Class
Online Class
In a classroom at a campus
Anywhere there is a computer
Reading, writing, small groups, discussion, videos, research
Reading, writing, small groups, discussion, videos, research
Professor directs instruction
Professor directs instruction
Regular interaction with instructor and other students
Regular interaction with instructor and other students

  
      Classroom vs. Your Room
       In a traditional course, multiple students gather to learn in a specific time and place. Online courses allow students the flexibility to choose the time and place to learn that is most convenient for them. Each learning environment attracts different learning styles, and, given a choice, students tend to thrive in or to gravitate toward either an online or a traditional learning environment.

In a typical traditional course, the style of instruction at traditional universities is most often teacher-driven, in that the knowledgeable instructor lectures on the subject of his or her expertise.

Successful lectures in a traditional classroom depend upon the presentation style of the instructor. Yet, a study from Indiana University found that students tend to rate professors highly based on what the students have learned, rather than the personality of the instructor. Still, a personality students enjoyed in the instructor was important to students.

Further, studies like one published in Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication in 2005 have found that mismatches between the teaching style of the professor and the learning style of the student can impact student learning. Teacher-driven instruction tends to favor auditory and kinesthetic learning styles. A study by University of West Georgia found that auditory learners, who learn best by listening, and kinesthetic learners, who learn best by hands-on engagement with the material, fared best in traditional courses. The same study found that visual learners, who learn best by processing information by what they can see, performed well in online courses.

In contrast, the style of instruction in online programs is student-driven. Depending on the course, students may experience varying levels of control over the pace of receiving learning the material and when they attend the class. Online courses rely on Internet technology trends including Web pages, software programs such as Blackboard, message boards, chat rooms, webinars, webcasts, Internet research via search engines and social media. Face-to-face interaction with classmates or the instructor is absent.

Given technology and student learning styles, instructors have had to adapt both their teaching styles and the way they present information to online students. Research such as that published in the Journal of Educational Computing Research in 2007 concluded that online courses need to put more effort into adapting to diverse learning styles. The study found that students in online course environments tend to share certain characteristics, including strong preferences for organization and independence, as compared with traditional students.

Article Source:http://www.cu-portland.edu/

How to Take Online Distance Education Classes?

Online classes offer a convenient way to complete many fully accredited classes, certificates and degrees, but they aren't an easy way out. If you are new to online classes, ask questions and consider your goals before attempting courses online. Information for high school and college students.

Stpes

1.Make sure online learning fits your learning style. Online classes typically involve lots of reading and writing. If you don’t learn as well from reading or dislike writing, you’ll have a more difficult time learning online. Everything "said" in the online classroom is written in the form of messages. An advantage of this is that it eliminates note-taking. Every word is captured in an online classroom and can usually be referred to throughout the quarter to help on tests, papers and projects.
2.Be realistic about your computer skills and computer access. In most online classrooms you’ll be expected to use standard Internet tools such as a Web browser and email, and may be required to download and install additional software on your computer. You may need regular (often daily) reliable access to a computer and the Internet. You’ll need basic computer skills, to be able to save, rename and manage files and copy and paste text.
3.Carefully select a college or university or virtual high school. Make sure the program is accredited or recommended by your school counselor and that the degrees, certificates or classes offered meet your educational goals. Look for a mature online program with a rich variety of courses leading to complete degrees or certificates. Make sure the school provides educational value that satisfies your financial requirements. Spend time going through the Web site to find out what other services are available online. This is important for students who may rarely (or never!) set foot on campus. Look for online technical support and advising, financial aid, registration and an online bookstore and library.
4.You may discover many community colleges have gone into Internet learning in a big way...but be aware of tuition and fees. Community colleges may charge higher fees for "out of district" students. There are some (for instance, Oakton Community College in DesPlaines, IL) which do not discriminate between "in district" and "out of district" students on Internet courses. "Out of District" students are charged the same as "In District" students. This could be a large saving for many seeking to take several Internet-based classes from an accredited institution.
5.Expect to work and participate. Online classes typically require the same amount of work and interaction as a traditional college course. Plan to spend 5 to 12 hours each week on the class depending on the difficulty and your abilities. Good online courses create active virtual classrooms and students are expected to participate in weekly discussions and assignments and online group activities. Many classes expect you to be able to check email and log into the classroom a number of times each week.
6.Set realistic expectations for online courses. Schedule time for personal emergencies and computer problems. Notify your instructor as soon as you realize you have a problem that may result in you missing the deadline for an assignment or test.
Advice
  1. Work with a college adviser or school counselor to find out what online courses you can take and what degrees or certificates you can complete online.
  2. Ask about scholarships.

Warnings

Do not procrastinate: Because online classrooms offer more flexibility, students need to have strong self-management skills. It’s best to create a regular time throughout the week, free from distractions, to concentrate on your online class.
Article Source: http://www.wikihow.com

Why You Should Take Online Classes?

Online classes offered by your university can be an easy way to earn credit without stepping your foot into a classroom. You may want to take an online class during the semester to lighten your actual physical class load. You’ll still have to do the work but you’ll do it at your convenience. Web based classes will be structured and assignments and exams will have deadlines, you may be expected to join a group chat during certain times, but generally you’ll be able to schedule most of the work around your life and not your professor’s hours.

Taking web classes during the winter and summer sessions are a smart way to earn extra credit and give you a competitive edge. If your college isn’t offering the class you need, every major college offers online classes so look elsewhere. You may want take an online course at your local community college or state university. Or you can look to a traditional onlinebased college (all of their courses are internet based). Another option is taking a course at an uppertier college. You can take courses at an Ivy League or top college without applying as a traditional degree seeking student. Although taking this route may cost you more it presents a great opportunity, especially if you didn’t get into your college of choice. In fact, taking online courses can sometimes be a way to transfer into that college. If you’ve already earned a certain amount of credits (check with your college of choice), your college G.P.A. is high and you’ve earned credits at that particular school; this may be the secret code and certainly nontraditional way to transition in and become a student.

If you decide to take a class at a school other then your own college, make sure the credits transfer. Always talk to your academic advisor first. Although most colleges offer comparable courses, not all college credit systems operate the same way. Some colleges, such as the University of Phoenix online run on a different credit system. Therefore, your classes may not transfer back to your school. Generally if you take online classes at a large state university, the courses and credits will be comparable but always check to verify this.

The benefit of online courses is the flexibility that is allowed. The disadvantage is the lack of structure and discipline in an online environment compared to having to face the professor so unmotivated students may be more likely to drop out. As long as you know you can be the driving force behind your momentum in college and not rely on the professors to make you show up in class and take active interest, then you can succeed in an online atmosphere.

Article Source.http://articles.student.com/

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A Brief History of Online Education Article

The internet has given us many gifts throughout the years - from music and video game codes to not so G-rated material. Therefore, it is no surprise that e-learning has made such a big splash in the web world. Within the past ten years, online education and internet training has provided many people with a new incentive to learn.

During the early 80's, e-training was just starting to become a potential creation. Companies and educational institutes were strictly hiring instructors to train their students. This was because computers were only beginning to grow, therefore making it difficult to come up with any other plan. These instructors were great at the time because it allowed training to be very hands on, especially since students were able to interact with their classmates and visually see the lessons. However, the problem with having just instructors was that there was a lot of blank time in between. Students were not being able to learn the material on their own time, thus difficulty set in when training with hoards of other people.

Luckily, as the computer industry started to expand, e-training was becoming a reality. For the next ten years, multimedia was at everyone's fingertips. Companies were just starting to use PowerPoint; a program that allowed people to create visually enhanced presentations. Video games and other multimedia programs were also popping up, thus resulting in a technology overhaul. As these advances continued, online education was only a step away.

The first type of online education was in the mid 1990's. This was when the internet was a great success, and multimedia was being taken to another level. The first few e-training companies dedicated their services to mainly businesses who did not want to hire trainers. Although the online education courses were great for new employees who needed training, it was only the beginning of an uphill process. Education online was very slow, as pictures were small and the entire course was text based. Nevertheless, it was beginning to catch the eye of many.

As the 1990's quickly ended, the millennium marked an entirely new period for technology. E-learning was finally on the map as online education courses were now very popular at colleges and businesses. Great streaming media, online video access, and fast web site servers made it possible for online education to make quite a splash. Students were also now able to learn from their homes during their own time, since working a job and going to school was quite a difficult task.

Today, online education has come a long way. Instructors are now being hired to solely teach online, which usually consists of being filmed for lesson videos. Companies are also hiring these online education programs, since a training session can not only be quick, but also be accessed at any time of the day or night. For many, it is a great opportunity because it gives us all more knowledge. We not only are able to get college degrees through this type of e-learning, but we also can have a life, without having to stay at the office overnight just to learn some material.

Natalie Aranda writes on technology, learning and education. The first type of online education was in the mid 1990’s. This was when the internet was a great success, and multimedia was being taken to another level. The first few e-training companies dedicated their services to mainly businesses who did not want to hire trainers. Today, Computer training cd and web-based trainng are widely used for many large corporations for software training, sales training and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Arand

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/248882

Discovering The Best Online Colleges

Electronic learning is a learning and teaching method that incorporates some type of computer based or other electronic elements. Many manifestations are available such as content delivered solely via the internet. It can also include any type of digital enhancement such as the use of streaming video. The best online colleges are one offering under the electronic learning umbrella.
Computers as a tool for education is not a new concept. Some of the earliest research and application happened in the 1960's at Stanford University. Teachers of elementary students used computers to assist them in instructing their math and reading lessons. An example of e learning in action at this time would be the computer giving voice to a story as the children read along in their books.
As time passed, the idea of computer based learning came into sharper focus. In 1993, electronic mail was used to provide all the elements of a course to students. This project helped researchers to define the ingredients for a successful e learning platform. They determined that such a program should be easy to use, applicable to many disciplines, and affordable to use. The best online colleges of today have found a way to incorporate all of these suggestions into their protocol.
As the past decade or so has passed, more and more students have chosen online learning. Millions are enrolled in various schools and programs. The demand has created the need for traditional schools to provide web based options. It has also created the need for schools committed to distance instruction exclusively.
This option provides convenience. This is a very important quality to many undergraduates and graduate students. They need to continue to work or care for their families yet still want to participate in higher education. Many colleges and universities are working to provide that convenient education for them.
Finding the right school can be a daunting task. Some wonder if a degree from an online school will be as valuable as one from a traditional brick and mortar school. One important thing to focus on during a search for a school is accreditation. The United States Department of Education's Office of Post Secondary Education maintains a database of all accredited schools. You can check to make sure your choice is represented on the list. This assures that a standard has been reached in terms of quality.
An exploration of degrees and programs offered is another important part of the research that should be done prior to enrollment. Not every college or university is alike in terms of their offerings. Schools often specialize in one discipline or another such as education, health related fields or business. Make sure the one you choose offers all you need to have when you have finished your course of study.
The best online colleges are those that provide what a student needs in terms of programs and flexibility. Many who might otherwise have never had the chance to further their education can do so through online education. It has developed over time from a novel way to teach certain subjects into an effective way to take part in higher education.
It is important that you find the best online colleges. We would like to point you towards the top online school. Let us tell you more about this.

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List of Colleges and Universities Offering Online Degrees