Is Online Education Is Right For You?

In a nutshell, online education requires self-discipline, organization, and the ability to use modern technology. Students must be able to learn through written words, not audible words. And they must feel comfortable sharing information over the Internet. Students must also believe their education can be learned without ever stepping foot in a traditional classroom setting.
To determine whether or not online education is right for you, you need to be honest with yourself and ask the following questions?

Why do you really want to return to college?

Understanding the real reason for returning to college is vital to your success. If you're returning to college just to have something to do in the evenings, returning to college is not for you. But if you are returning to college to better your lifestyle, get a raise, advance your career, or set an example for your children, then there's a 90% chance you'll not only complete your courses, but get a good education in the process.
Why do you want to pursue an online education instead of attending a traditional in-person college?
If you're a social butterfly who flourishes when others are around, attending an online course may not be for you. If, on the other hand, you're quiet and reserved, online education can be your ticket to success.
"Research indicates that quiet students often thrive in online courses," says Dr. Stella Thompson, an online Assistant Professor of English at Prairie View A&M University. "This environment enables quiet students to consider a response and to compose and revise that response multiple times before making their knowledge public."

Do you tend to quit a project due to lack of motivation?

If you can't stay motivated on your own, an online institution is not your best choice for getting a degree. Attending an online college means you must be self-motivated. You won't find the professor, or another student reminding you to get to work, stay on task, or turn your assignments in on time.
"Completing a degree online demonstrates a tremendous commitment and discipline on behalf of the student," says Shari Sterling, Director of Enrollment Management at Northcentral University. "The student must be self-motivated to be successful."

Do you work better alone or with other people around? 

Can you work in solitude? While you may be networking with other people through the Internet, you won't see these people face-to-face and that can feel isolating at times.
Do you need in-person study groups to help you complete assignments and shoot ideas off of, or can you find the same help from Internet interaction? Why does one method work better for you than the other?

Do you learn better by reading, by listening, or by seeing?

When you read information, do you comprehend what you've read easily or must you read the information several times to understand what is being said? If you find it difficult to comprehend information when read, and learn better through visual or audible techniques, you may want to find a traditional institution.
Can you write your thoughts down so others understand what points you are conveying?
Since online courses require the use of written words to ask and answer questions, as well as turning in assignments, you must be comfortable with sharing your ideas in written form.

How many hours can you devote to learning, studying, and homework?

You need to set aside time every day to work on your courses. Whether you're researching, reading, completing an assignment, or meeting your classmates in an online forum, your education needs to have a priority in your busy schedule.
"Just because you don't have to attend school at a particular time everyday, doesn't mean you don't need a daily or weekly regimen," says Terri Main, an online instructor and teacher of 20 years. Your schedule "may vary from day to today, or simply be spending 30 minutes a day on your education, but it needs to be consistent."

Does your work require you to travel a lot?

If you're constantly away from your home computer, it can be difficult to get your assignments done. However, it's not impossible. If you travel a lot, you'll need to invest in a laptop computer and wireless Internet access.

Do you have a working computer in your home?

If your computer is over two years old, it could be outdated and unable to handle the demands of attending an online institution. You need to find out what kinds of software programs are needed for the course you plan to take and if your computer has enough RAM, and hard drive space.
Keep in mind that you can use an older computer, but if it doesn't have enough memory or space to run a particular program it will stall and freeze, which can be very frustrating and eventually cause you to quit.

Do you have dial-up Internet access or high-speed cable/DSL?

The courses you take will determine which Internet access is best. If you have dial-up Internet access, you'll need to set aside more time for research, uploading, and downloading.

Do you understand how the Internet works?
how search engines work;
how to send and receive email;
how to attach documents in an email;
how to download programs or documents to your computer;
how to find downloads later, when you need them;
how to use hyperlinks;
how to use chat rooms, message boards, forums, or instant messaging and what the proper etiquette is;
how to protect your private information; and
how to protect your computer from hackers, spam, and viruses.

Do you know how to cut and paste?

Sometimes you'll need to take information you've written in one program and put it in another program. This is called "cut and paste." If you don't know how to do this, find out how before you begin your online education.


Do you find learning new computer programs easy or hard?

Depending on the online course you take, you may need to download new software programs. If you find it difficult to learn new computer technology, you'll need to either set aside more time for learning, or take a traditional class. "Online learning can be completely dynamic and engaging! Whether it is due to health, excessive job travel, military personnel stationed overseas, or living in a remote or rural area, continuing your education and earning your degree online" is possible, says Sterling. Are you ready to take the next step? Start by searching for online courses and online degrees now.

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

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/

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