How to Reach the Top with an Online Degree

The internet’s ability to penetrate our lives is utterly mind boggling.

Ever since the glint in Tim Berners-Lee’s eye evolved into the World Wide Web as we know it, folks have gone bananas for cats who “haz cheezeburgerz” and memes of an exasperated Jean-Luc Picard.

Add in catching up with friends via Facebook and Twitter, or buying Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles memorabilia from eBay, and it’s safe to say the modern online experience can be mesmerising.

However, it’s not just frivolous activities that have us smitten.

Hundreds of thousands of would-be students the world over are turning their backs on traditional bricks and mortar universities in favour of gaining a degree via distance learning.

In the UK alone, over 400,000 learners are studying for an online degree, boosting qualifications, increasing their earning power and dovetailing work and family commitments with their studies.

But what are the other benefits of an online degree as opposed to uprooting and opting for life on campus?

The Advantages of an Online Degree

Whether you’re just out of high school and considering your next step, or you’ve been away from education for a while, distance learning offers you the opportunity to study a vast range of subjects.

If you’re mad for marketing or eager to learn economics, this method of study won’t restrict your aspirations just because it’s conducted digitally rather than in a stuffy lecture theatre.  

flickr: usnavy

Additionally, given that you study in your own time and at your own pace, you avoid the mad rush to get to campus on time for a scheduled class.

Nevertheless, an online degree requires oodles of discipline.

After all, if you’re left to your own devices, the temptation to “take a quick look” at Amazon, catch up on Mad Men, or don your tinfoil hat to look at government conspiracies can quickly creep in.

It’s alright, we understand.

In order to get ahead, though, you have to put your crush on Christina Hendricks to one side and concentrate on supplementing your existing skills with an accredited university qualification.

Learn How to Realise Your Potential

Considering the competitiveness of the modern employment market, to get a foot on the career ladder you want to climb requires being armed with a strong educational background.

With around 50 graduates applying for every job, jostling free from the pack and persuading employers that you’re the man or woman for the role is increasingly important.

Quite simply, if a potential employer is comparing candidates, the one with the drive and commitment to have successfully completed a degree is likely to nose in front.

Not only that, but if you’ve gained a qualification while working full-time, it demonstrates to prospective organisations that you’re ambitious and have a real commitment to self development.

That’s not just corporate mumbo jumbo, it’s the truth.

But how do students undertaking an online degree actually learn – what assignment methods are employed and what interaction do they enjoy with the fellow students?

Trade the Campus Experience for Distance Learning

Learning on campus involves a mix of lectures, tutorials and hushed library sessions – and distance learning is not too dissimilar.

Although you’ll study online and interact with tutors via Skype or forums, the teaching methods and course materials are second to none.

If you feel like you need to chat about what you’re learning with students in the same boat, your institution will typically have a discussion group set aside for you to post any questions or fears.

Although an online degree may lack the immediate face-to-face feedback you’d receive from a tutor on campus, you’re never left in the dark.

A dedicated team of teachers will be on hand to ensure your online learning experience goes as smoothly as possible – and with not a pimply high school leaver in sight ...  

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E-learning – A Vibrant Approach to Make Your Career

With the world turning into a global village and the prerequisite of skilled individuals taking a vibrant approach in top industry, the aspiration of pursuing long-term courses in traditional colleges is constricting – not because a few institutions exist to offer such courses, but because today's people are more than conscious to study them while earning their livelihood. Yes, these days the entire scenario of education has changed. We opt to study short-term courses over long term. It is owing to the fact that long-term courses take much time in shaping our career if we compare it with the time consumed by short-term courses.  It is challenging in the age where skills and talents, learned with thorough study (long-term courses)  matter much to flourish our career than the knowledge gained from short-term courses. 

My question is, what is the best way to enhance our knowledge and skills while working an organization? “Isn't there any alternative that can help us study our  courses and work in organizations as well? Or isn't there any way that can help us enhance our talent and skills in the particular field we are hoping to enhance our career growth? All these questions have simple answer and that is E-learning. Yes, e-learning is the finest approach to hone your skills and increase quality knowledge along with working jobs. Let's understand what the E-learning is all about and what are the challenges and benefits an individual comes across.

E-learning

In this highly technological world, online has unearthed as one of the top most sources to solve any issues. E-learning is the part of it. The effect of online study continues to expand. It is designed by professionals with  an aim to enable schools, institutes, colleges or universities to educate their aspirants – whether or not they are engaged in jobs -  at cost effective way. With this availability, those who are separated by space or time have a multitude of choices to study their courses in order to furnish their skills and knowledge.

In fact, E-learning programmes are growing miraculously to learn in educational institutions today. This electronic mode offers extraordinary opportunities to individuals who have otherwise limited scope to access proper education, who have left their long-term courses incomplete or who want to expand their knowledge while working. E-learning is the new paradigm for educators in which dynamic courses of higher quality can be developed. Through this technology, students are able to get an excellent method to receive effective education. No doubt, it is the finest medium of courses delivery unbound by time or location, which provides applicants with accessibility to get information at any time and from anywhere.

Advantages of E-learning

Here are what existing institutes offering E-learning courses and those who learn through this medium say about the benefits of this new way of teaching.

·      They say that e-learning has increased the student's learning. According to them, this method has enabled those students to complete their education who were not able to pursue long-term courses for certain reasons.

·      Most of the students indulged with electronic education believe that they communicate better in a web based environment than in the conventional classroom. They say that e-learning is good for those students who do not raise a hand in the classroom are very frank and active to participate in online discussion programmes.

·      While pursuing their courses online, learners are able to use many technology resources to gain information and skill required such as online discussion board, lecture environment, testing and assessment, chats, audio and video conference, etc.

E-Learning from home: Stockvault

·      E-learning technology continues to become greatly accessed and implemented by the people and for the people of all walks of life. It is more integrated as an invisible and ever-present part of a global education system.

·      It is the best resource to design an important skill for corporate trainers and adult educators to have. Moreover, e-learning is the universal access. Due to the internet protocols and widely available web browsers, the same training programme can be delivered to virtually any computer anywhere in the world.

·      In addition, students enjoy cost effective rate to complete their education – no travel costs to reach schools, no facilities costs if someone applies for hostels. Most importantly, there is a great amount of time saving. The time needed for online learning is maximum 50%.

What makes it challenging

Below are certain challenges for e-learning educators

·      It is important to keep in mind that a good institution cannot rescue the bad online learning. Hence, educators need to focus on designing the programme, which is a big challenge for them.

·      Institutions must take technology intensive seriously. E-learning sometimes does depend on a complex system of software, hardware, protocols and network infrastructure. Though there is an increase in demand of e-learning, but technical problems continue to occur. There is a need of quality technical support

·      Information measure is the major concern – audio, video, including other rich media components are needed for high-speed connections. Lack of it puts a strain on limited-capacity organizational networks.

·      There are some courses in which face-to-face training is a 'must have' requirement. E-learning does not provide this opportunity. This may seem to be an issue in any organization where training is seen as a peak.

·      In order to offer quality and successful E-learning programme, it is essential for institutions to re-examine the goals of their course, activities, and assessment methods. If they do not, they are spoiling career of one who studies with them.

·      In an online course, to create an effective sense of community is challenging. Whereas, in a traditional course, the community develops naturally. An online education programme provided by institutes should include "getting to know their candidates" activities.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be said that E-learning course is the better option for those candidates who are unable to find sufficient time to attend the regular classes in schools or institutes. Before applying for an online course, they should ensure that the institute they are going to apply is able to provide them with proper assistance to educate them or not. It will be the best approach for students to enhance their education and increase knowledge even after they are engaged in their jobs.

Author bio : Sumit Dawas is a leading content strategist for www.learnwithflip.com, a largest e- training and certification offering in  Banking and finance in India.

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How Online Courses Reinvent Learning in Australia

In previous years, conventional schooling had restricted students to a brick and mortar setup. Hence this traditional educational format was limited to a select demographic of society particularly children of schooling age. However, as Australians embrace the use of new technologies in their everyday lives, the educational landscape down under has also been reinvented.

In only the last decade, the frequency of enrollment in distance education courses has increased. At the same time, it has allowed different sectors of society to pursue further studies without hesitation. The format primarily benefits people seeking higher education or those required to rake in continuing education units for professional development.

Demographics of students for education online courses

Online learning has widened the demographics of students who are able to study. Aside from college students, people in the workforce, homemakers, and even retirees can look forward to earning a degree online.

Nowadays, companies require their employees to keep abreast with the latest technology and trends in their particular area of specialization. Rather than enroll at the local university, professionals have the option and convenience to sign up for a degree program provided by reputable distance education providers.

Stay-at-home moms can also take up short courses to enhance their hobbies or to learn something new. Retirees and silvers who set aside their lifelong passions in order to earn a living or raise a family can partake of the latest technology as well.

Online Education in Australia: Stockvault

Benefits of online courses in Australia

Although there continues to be some reluctance among potential enrollees, the following list outlines the advantages brought on by distance education:

·       1) Online learning is a time saver.  Online courses offer fixed number of hours that a student can work around his or her daily or weekly schedule.  In contrast to taking up a class at campus, students need not waste time traveling from point A to point B just to get to class on time.

·       2)  It limits student’s expenses to the essentials.  Campus life and traveling to and from the university grounds can be expensive. Learning online limits incidentals as references are also part of the package. 

·      3)  Earning a diploma is within reach. Previously, the only way to earn a diploma was through attendance at a brick and mortar institution. Reputable distance education providers offer diploma and certificate courses that are accredited and recognized by industries.  

·      4)  Online learning offers flexibility and accessibility. Students who work as fulltime employees or mothers who have idle time while their kids are at school can easily fit an online class into their busy schedule. Unlike regular classes, there is no set time to log in for students. Hence, a mother can sign in after dropping her kids off at school or an employee can check lessons during lunch break at work. 

·      5)  Distance learning fosters independence and accountability. In traditional classrooms, teachers typically prod students to study and complete assigned tasks. In contrast, there is less interaction in an online classroom setting. However, this does not mean that students can afford to drag their heels. A student must be responsible for his or her own development as an assigned tutor for each course offering monitors output based on the lessons. 

·       6) It encourages the use of technology. Students are able to expand their technical knowledge, as they are able to use internet resources in connection with their studies. This practice also enhances their use of software programs that make learning exciting. 

·       7)  Online learning facilitates the practical application of knowledge. As a student learns, he or she is able to put into practice what they have learned in class immediately. 

Online learning is a worthwhile and time-effective activity that can benefit any individual looking to gain more knowledge and improve oneself.  An individual may sign up for an online course and access their lessons anywhere they may be and at any time, provided they have access to the Internet.

Moreover, unlike earlier online learning programs, today’s distance education providers offer email interaction with the competent tutors assigned to each course offering. The communication can help enhance the learning experience by making it possible for students to ask questions related to the lessons and expect a reply within a twenty-four period. 

By: May Ann

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Why Online Education is Growing at Top Universities

The reason why online education grows is clear to us today. It’s cheaper, it’s convenient, it helps you move beyond the foursquare system, and offers you an option to build a network throughout the world. Moreover, it’s encouraging lifelong learning and enhancing higher qualifications, notwithstanding predicaments from physical to geological. So, enrollment for online classes has ballooned within the last few years and it’s everywhere now.

In brief, the main reasons behind the mounting popularity are:

·       -Everybody is eager to boost the intellectual property to keep pace with the rising demand.

·       -Campus learning that keeps you engaged from 9-5 isn’t a good choice anymore.

·   -People don’t prefer making sacrifices in professional and personal commitments for the sake of knowledge.

·       -Employer-based courses offered through online learning is helping to enhance the workforce.

And now, it has evolved with options like:

·           1) Video conferences and video instructions to enhance an engaging learning atmosphere.

·           2) Free access to study materials making knowledge available anywhere in the world.

·           3) Online platforms through which a programme can be tailored according to preferences.

·     4) Online tools to discuss, debate on and include comments on any recent topic are encouraging independent ideas.
       Rapid and better connection with the educators and peers for an effective educational environment.  

Online Education Growth: Stockvault

So, no need to visit campus anymore?

But the growing fame of online courses isn’t making the experts happy. The trend of acquiring knowledge through machines and technology is slowly eliminating the human element from the entire process of learning and teaching. A computer can never be equivalent to a teacher. Human guidance, which actually helps to groom the personality of learners, will disappear completely if online learning becomes a mainstream practice.  So, what’s the solution?

Whether the online classes are able to address the sustainability issues, deliver qualitative knowledge and guide you through a right career path are not relevant at this time, it is quite clear that the facilities and freedom they are offering is being preferred over traditional form of learning. So, quite a few measures have to be taken on urgent basis to save universities.

How to drive the flock back to campus again?

A fair deal is immediately required. Students have been spending fortunes for university courses. Higher learning is a financial burden to most of the families. The problem of loan debts is increasing in every nation. Learners today, want to get rid of expenses. If accreditation is available at an affordable price at home, a few would care to set foot on campus.

Adopting practical methods are essential for universities. Blending the advantages of various learning approaches is an intelligent way to encourage campus education. Wasting a great amount of productive time on campus to earn a degree doesn’t seem viable to many.

Adding an online curriculum to the syllabus is a great decision as they open many options to develop a better communication between the educators and learners. Moreover, including technological equipments can help building an engaging learning environment.

Opening more professional and employer-based courses is important. Most of the learners are choosing to enhance qualifications to maximize their career opportunities. So, the courses relevant to the market and employers make them happy.

Including some exclusive attractions besides reducing costs is also important. This inclusion must add facilities on campuses that are able to contend online offerings and will successfully draw students’ attention toward residential education.
  

Welcome change! It’s necessary to accept that open university courses online are getting attention from the new age learners for quite a few reasons. So, opening an online option will not only enhance enrollment but help the universities reach a wider section of academic aspirers. Hence it will expand the service and also the goodwill of the university.   
  

With new age learning system you don’t have to be necessarily in UK to earn a degree from London. Well, that’s truly big news for the academic aspirers all over the globe. The world economy is evolving and expanding. With new business strategies and societal activities, education as well as employment is getting redefined. People these days want a higher position at workplace and also a comfortable life. So, they need to enhance knowledge as well as expertise. The learning system too is changing rapidly to keep pace with these preferences. 

By: Mark William 

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Children with Special Needs Thriving from Online Education

"Every child is gifted.  They just unwrap their packages at different times." -Unknown

Special children are special in every way. And also they need special attention from all of us. A crammed classroom might not work the best for them and to let them study in their own pace and comfort, the schools and colleges should now start finding ways to make their learning endeavor easier. This might be possible with the help of online learning, which eventually has great prospects in the global education sector.

One of my friends is a special child. His limbs are immobile since birth and he spend most of the times in a wheelchair. He was a sharp learner. We were together in school and he would get highest marks in each of the subjects. He didn’t let his disability come between him and his dreams, however, life wasn’t that easy for him!

After completing his A-Level, he wanted to get himself enrolled in a topmost UK university but he couldn’t as it wasn’t possible for him to travel so far everyday to get a degree. He was devastated. His parents were worried about their son and couldn’t think of a way out! At that time, I told him about taking up an online course from home.

Photo: Stockvault

Upon listening to me, he was not really satisfied with my proposal as he too believed that online learning is not meant for the scholarly ones! And he was totally wrong! I told him that he can get the degree from his chosen college itself and it will mean nothing less than a regular degree. After a lot of thinking, he finally got ready to apply for an online degree.

He is now working as a Management Consultant from his home and he is happy that I suggested him to apply for the online degree course. According to him, the course let him enjoy:

§  Flexible study shifts: He could read and write his projects and journals whenever he wanted too. There was no pressure on him for completing the course.

§  Affordable Costing: He knew that a degree from a reputed UK university would dime a dozen but the online degree from the same university was a lot cheaper. He could cut down on his conveyance costs, tuition fees, study material costs, etc.

§  Up-to-date knowledge: As the online world is updated in each second, the online course materials are also updated from time to time. This lets the learners be aware of the latest trends and changes regarding their courses. 

§  24*7 Online Aid: The online educators make sure that they are available for help for their learners. Whenever my friend had problems, he would call or email his educator and solve his doubts in minutes. This kind of all-day assistance is hardly possible in a regular college classroom.

§  Developed Confidence: The special children often find it difficult to cope up in a regular school/college classroom and hesitate to learn in front of all. It often shallows their confidence level. However, in an online classroom, the learner is absolutely alone and thus my friend gained a lot of self confidence. 

§  Social Networking: In an online classroom, the learners get to interact with each other through various social networking sites. They share their experiences, go through various discussion forums, connect and comment and likewise befriend a lot of other online students. 

Most of the time, the schools and colleges forget that each of us have the right of education and gaining a degree for ourselves. Then why those who need special care are ticked off? But now, with the help of technology in learning, such learners can get a degree of their choice, without toiling much. With an online degree by their side, they feel all the more confident about themselves and also carry forward their career as they wish to.

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Author Bio: Emily Parker, an Educationist by profession, is also an avid blogger and writer on the web. She writes thoroughly about the field of education and tries to make her readers aware of the various changes happening in the sector throughout the globe. You can get in touch with her:

Twitter: @EmilyParkerUK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006580417062

G+: https://plus.google.com/118279605801693604789/posts?partnerid=gplp0

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Facts to Know Prior to Paying for an Online Degree

Online degree programs are the most advantageous in this new technological world. This was once a rather conceptual inspiration, and while it provided a substitute to conventional school programs, it fell significantly short of a complete educational experience. However, that is no longer the case and online degree programs are now richer, more influential, more flexible, more perceptive and more complete than ever.

Undertaking how to pay for an online degree is as complicated as paying for a campus degree. As per Babson Survey Research Group, in 2008, online students paid mostly the same tuition and fees as traditional students.

Consider following points when going to pay for online education:

1. Tuition: There is not any worldwide procedure of charging students for online programs. While many institutes require students to pay one lump sum for an online program, there are various institutes that require students to pay by credit hours or course. Students can begin with some credits—and hence reduce time in college and tuition charges—if the desired course provide credit for earlier school program or life experience.

Since what needs to pay can be changed enormously by college, it's very important to make arrangements ahead of time, ensuring that one understands how much credit to transfer and how much lengthy the program is. When looking for a graduate program, speak to any counselor to outline a degree track.

2. Fees: Online students are frequently charged with different kinds of fees, occasionally even for services they may never utilize. Fees for equipment, educational activities, resources, and further add up, while students may not even be aware of it until after they have gotten a bill.

When assessing different programs, determine the overall charges of attendance, accounting for the years a program requires completing. Moreover, never overlook to determine the expenses of recommended books and other course materials. 

Photo: Stockvault

3. Employer Reimbursement: Working professionals usually pursue online degrees with fiscal support from their employer, but many employers wait until students get their results prior to
cutting checks. When an employer reimbursement program is a main factor in funding online degree, ensure that the desired college has flexible payment preferences. 

For instance, at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, one can pay after getting remission checks from their companies, providing them time to express their marks and have compensation.

5. Loans: Online students also have borrowing chances for financial support. However, online students need to take into account that professional suggest them to turn to all federal loans first prior to going for private loans. Keep up with the plan vigilantly and never take loans more than your requirements. 

6. Scholarships and Grants: There are as much scholarships opportunities for online students as there are for campus students. Online students can also get federal grants like the Pell that provides around $5,550 annually for the deserving students. However, online students are also required to complete the FAFSA to get any federal assistance. There is now 2012-2013 version that is accessible since January 1.

About Author:

Ronnie Williams is a staff writer for TheOnlineSchools.org, offers information on accredited online degree programs. You can follow Ronnie on twitter @askforedu.

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Online Education Degree not From a Traditional Campus

There are many people who realize late in life that they want to work in the Education field. While the traditional route to this type of career is often initiated right out of high school, when students go straight into college and on to student teaching while they themselves are still young, becoming an educator once you are older isn’t impossible. In fact, it’s not as difficult as you might think. What happens when life has already gotten in the way of your career in Education and you simply have too many commitments on your time to make it to a traditional campus? You get your degree online.

Many people pursuing an online Education Degree do so from home. The reality of today’s economy makes it impossible for many people to stop working or even reduce their hours in order to further their education. Online classes are often more flexible and just as thorough as their on campus counterparts. They afford you a way to earn your degree without giving up a large portion of your time and income. It’s no wonder that online learning has become such a popular alternative to traditional college classes; you get the same education on your own schedule, without the hassle of traveling to and from class.

For those concerned that the classes available online are limited in some way compared to those offered in brick and mortar colleges, consider the fact that many schools now offer exclusive, in-depth classes that are only available online, taught by busy, highly respected professors exclusively for online education programs. In fact, some traditional students combine on campus classes with online ones to get a more complete education. 

Working towards online degree: Stockvault

Wondering how far you can go towards getting a degree in Education online? The sky’s the limit. Some students are able to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education completely or almost completely online, depending upon their level of education already obtained. The coursework is no less challenging when done online, but there is typically plenty of support available for students and the schedule is usually much more flexible.

Online education isn’t just for young, technologically savvy students. With a basic knowledge of computers and adequate internet access anyone can begin to earn their degree online, at any age. Working parents, people who never finished college and even those who never thought further education was ‘in the cards’ for them can take advantage of getting a degree. For those students who are already pursuing an education degree at a traditional campus online education offers them a chance to complete additional studies online or reduce the time they spend on campus.

As an added incentive to earn an Education degree online many colleges offer assistance with financial aid, so part of the cost of your education could be taken care of for you. Low cost, low stress online education vs. traveling to campus and juggling a busy work/life schedule…which would you prefer? For more and more people, the answer is clear. Online education is the convenient and affordable way to obtain a degree in Education or many other fields of study.

By: Joe Whyte

It’s never too late to get started earning an Education Degree. Don’t give up on a career in Education; consider getting your degree online and let your career dreams become a reality.

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Ensuring Effective Online Courses

Distance learning is getting more popular in the recent years, becoming one of the growing forces in the education sector and the reason why many universities are investing in online platforms to get a piece of the action within the industry. In these fast-paced times students need non-traditional learning tools that will give them the full experience without having to sacrifice their full time jobs and this may be the main reason behind the increased potential. However, most institutions are still unprepared to face this worldwide phenomenon because of the lack of expertise to recognize the need and create platforms that will enable them to deliver effective online courses. Highly qualified professionals and academics who will provide innovative and industry-focused programs are absolutely necessary, but they are only part of the whole service package, with additional five main areas that must also be considered before teaching an online course:

Interaction and Support. Students most often won’t choose online courses that miss the element of interactivity. The interaction is a vital element of the educational process that creates a community environment and encourages academic learning. For the program to be effective the institutions providing distance learning services should give a consistent level of support and interaction delivered through forums, live streaming lessons or virtual classrooms with experienced online lecturers who know how to set the emotional and intellectual tone the students need to feel the dynamic of their online classes.

Extra resources and services. Quality distance learning services also invest in different tools and resources that will additionally enhance the quality of their syllabus and give students the full learning experience. Plagiarism checker is a good example of such service that students can use when writing their papers and course assignments to ensure their academic works are completely unique and original. This plagiarism checker will scan their content against all web pages and a comprehensive database of over 20 million academic works to deliver a plagiarism report with a list of used sources and highlighted sentences and paragraphs that need to be cited.

Interaction and Collaboration among Peers. The students want to have the opportunity to collaborate and exchange opinions and ideas with other people who have same experience as they do. Learning as a social activity has been pointed out by many studies, where the students can share their knowledge and build better mental connection regarding the material, drawing their own conclusions and generating ideas from their mutual experiences.

An effective online course should be designed as an open and organized online community where students can work together in groups, initiate interactions through forums, get involved in discussions led by their lecturers and be part of online study groups that promote peer to peer interactions. This way they have better chances of building long lasting relationships which will benefit their professional networks during and after they complete the online course.

Additional Tools and Support. One of the best things about distance learning is the possibility of enhancing students’ learning experience by using different multimedia content. The institutions providing e-learning services should offer their students proper balance of written, video and audio tools and assignments to cover the main points of the course curriculum and allow them to get the most out of their experience. The best online courses give their students access to quality online libraries and provide them with tools they can use to self-assess their knowledge, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and track their progress throughout the course of their study.

Accessibility and Implementation of Innovation and Technology. A great advantage of distance learning is that it becomes more accessible and comprehensive with the implementation of the ever-evolving innovations and technology. The online educational platforms should create and provide dynamic interactions with an exhaustive approach and they should also be accessible from different devices (laptops, iPads, smartphones) and from any place in the world so that the students can have a truly flexible study experience.

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Can Brick-and-Mortar Institutions Maintain Their Prestige?

One of the oldest institutions in the Western world is the university. Institutions of higher learning have a history that stretches back nearly a millennium. The oldest continuously-operating university is the University of Bologna. This school, founded in 1088, will celebrate its 1,000th birthday later in this century. The oldest university in the United States, Harvard, dates to 1636. Earning a degree from on the of the top European universities or an Ivy League school in the United States gives its bearer a high degree of prestige in the employment marketplace.

The Growth of Online Education

Late in the twentieth century, online schools started to supplant the earlier correspondence schools that utilized snail mail for submitting and grading assignments. The online revolution changed education by offering high-quality classes to students who lived in just about any corner of the globe, as long as those students could access the Internet.

New students have flooded online classes and there is no sign that this relatively new phenomena is slowing. Recent studies have shown that there were over 6 million students completing at least one class in an online format in the Fall 2010 semester. The same study anticipated an increased growth in the number of students in the foreseeable future. The online education industry has seen growth rates that are around 10 percent. This increase in the number of online students far outpaces the 2 percent growth rate of regular face-to-face college classes.

Will Brick-and-Mortar Institutions Survive?

Online education is attractive to many college administrations. While there is quite a bit of expense required to pay for the computer hardware and the technicians who know how to maintain the systems, these expenses are much less than the cost of keeping up a large physical campus. Many schools, including some of the more impressive colleges and universities in the nation, are starting to see the benefit of the additional revenues that Internet classes can bring in. Even Harvard University offers extension courses online that can result in undergraduate and master's degrees. While the degrees are technically from the Harvard Extension School, there is little doubt that most people would find such a degree impressive because of the Harvard name.

Other prestigious schools are starting to offer MOOCs, or massively open online courses. Included in this list are Penn and Princeton. These open courses offer a certificate of completion rather than a degree. The proliferation of these courses shows that well-known schools are trying to enter the online education game.

Not All Are Jumping Online

While there may be a massive growth in the online education industry, the prestige that degrees from online schools carry is still under review. Some people wonder whether these degrees actually pay off in the long run in terms of better job prospects and increased income potential. There is also quite a bit of evidence that human resource managers view a degree from a brick-and-mortar school as more impressive than a degree earned over the Internet. A recent study showed that at least 49 percent of such managers held this low view of online education. However, there appears to be an increase in the overall number of human resource managers who view online degrees in a higher light.

There is little doubt that the growth of online classes will continue. While there may be more online classes, traditional schooling still has more respect. Therefore, it is unlikely that brick-and-mortar schools will go anywhere in the near future.


This article was composed by Jeffrey Worthington, a freelance writer who concentrates on education, online learning, innovations in educational technology, educational reform and other like topics; for those interested in nursing be sure to visit nursingclassesonline.net.

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The Pros of Online and Distance Education

In this world, there are two types of people exist. One type of the people sits beside the flow of life and tries to adjust with it through compromise and sacrifice. Another type of the people turns the flow of life as per their own requirements to make their lives comfortable. When it comes to education people, who being afraid of responsibilities and expenses leave their dreams of receiving higher education in life, belongs to the first category of people. They compromise their dreams in order to fulfill other requirements of their lives. However, the second category of the people goes for distance education and change the direction of their lives as per their own requirements.

Yes, little compromise and sacrifice definitely help you run your life smoothly, but you should never compromise with your dreams. Especially, when it comes to your education, which helps you make the base of your life, you must not compromise with it. If you have a weaker base, what strength you will get to make your life happier ahead? Therefore, choosing distance education as the mode of receiving good education in life stands out as an exceptional choice which helps you receive a genuine degree by putting aside all the difficulties of your life.

How helpful distance education is for the students?

It helps avoiding real life troubles

When it comes to education; expenses, time, distance and responsibilities come up as the four main obstacles. Distance education has a genuine answer for all these.

• While continuing to pursue your course, since you get an option to continue to your job it becomes easier for you to pay all your education expenses.
• You study from your own place, so you don’t have to go to any other place leaving your family or responsibilities behind.

Distance education is cool

Yes, the word “cool” helps students get a better overview of the matter of distance education, because-

• It offers students better learning facilities without binding them inside the strict rules and regulations.
• It offers students facility to learn wherever, however and whenever they want as per their own interests.
• It offers students a provision to stay online 24-hours-a-day. Even, they get to download study materials, make projects, read books, submit projects and give exams online.
• No time schedules are fixed, so the students can stay relaxed and prepare themselves for the exams at ease.
• The students can learn using mobiles, laptops, iPads, note pads, etc. which convert them into techno wizards along with giving them the right education.
• It helps them taste the flavor of freedom, not only for their studies, but also for their exam timings or project submission timings, etc.

So, what else do you want? Hold the hands of easy learning with distance education and have bigger success in life at ease.

About The Author: The author Melissa Spears is a blogger and writing different blogs related to education is her hobby. In this blog, she has focused upon how pursuing distance degrees through UK universities help students learn better at ease.

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Top Five Things to Know About Distance Education

Believe it or not, the concept of distance learning dates back to the early 18th century, when an advertisement was placed in the Boston Gazette offering students the ability to learn shorthand through the mail. Of course, the face of distance education has changed drastically over the years and many students are finding themselves earning their high school diploma, bachelor’s degree or even a law degree through online courses. There are still many misguided and uninformed individuals that believe distance learning is inferior to a traditional classroom education. Learn about the Top Five Common Misconceptions about Distance Education, some of which might be keeping you from pursuing your online finance MBA through this non-traditional experience:

Employers are Put Off by Distance Learning Degrees

 

Many students shy away from earning their diploma or degree online because they believe employers will take one look at their resume and toss it into the trash. In reality, the courses taught through online and correspondence courses are the same caliber as those offered in a traditional campus setting. Your employer will only see the academic degree earned on your resume or application, without any knowledge of the road you took you get there. Your prospective employer might even be a graduate of an online university himself.

Online Professors are Inexperienced and Inaccessible

 

Another misconception about online education is the teachers’ or professors’ lack of experience or accessibility. Because you’re not able to speak to the instructor one-on-one, many believe that their questions will go unanswered, and their grades will suffer for it. In actuality, many university’s online courses are taught by well-educated, renowned professors that are more than happy to correspond with their students through message boards, email and over the phone. You may not have the ability to visit with your professors or academic advisor in their office, but this doesn’t mean that your concerns and questions are important, or will be glossed over and ignored.

Traditional Classroom Education is More Effective

 

Imagine having the ability to work at your own pace, become self-motivated and learn without the stress of classroom discussions or public speaking? These are just a few of the benefits that distance education offers a student over a traditional classroom setting. Many busy adults with children, spouses and full-time jobs simply don’t have the time to drop everything and rush to a classroom. With distance learning, students have the unique ability to chart their own education destiny by not only learning at their own pace, but also by their own rules.

Online Classes are Less Challenging

 

Many students opt for online education because they believe the classes are a breeze, and because you don’t have a professor breathing down their neck, they can put forth less effort to achieve the same results. The truth is there are no “easy A’s” in life and this same fact holds true in the world of distance education. You must go the extra mile to earn stellar grades in a traditional classroom and an online school setting. Be prepared to take rigorous notes, read text books and literature, write thoughtful and well-constructed research papers, and put all into your education, because this is the requirement to complete an online education in four years. But keep in mind, with distance learning you still have the ability to work on your schedule, which makes achieving those “A’s” a much more realistic possibility.

Credits from Distance Learning aren’t Transferable or even Legitimate

 

When choosing an online or distance learning university, pay attention that it’s accredited through a local or regional accreditation agency. These agencies ensure the college or university meets acceptable levels of quality or excellence. If you complete courses through an accredited online university, your credits are completely legitimate and transferable, even if you decide to take classes in a traditional campus setting. The credits are also transferable in many cases to an alternate online university. However you look at it, the credits earned through an accredited distance learning program are no different or inferior to those earned while sitting behind a desk.

As with traditional campus universities, some distance learning programs such as a; finance MBA online, are more academically rigorous than others. Before making any final decisions, speak to an admissions officer or academic counselor, peruse the course catalogue or speak to current students to learn if the distance learning university is a good fit.

This guest post article was written and provided by Marissa Krause who finished her degree online this last fall and has just begun her own online marketing company.

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