Consider an Online College

Learning Online

You’ve seen the ads, been bombarded with emails,maybe even heard about other people taking them. But should you take an online course? Consider these advantages and disadvantages of learning online.

Pros and cons of online learning

Pros:

Interact faster with people around the world

Many online learning or e-learning courses allow you to learn from professors and instructors from around the world. Although many schools have students from around the country, when you take an online course, you can reach these people faster. Take advantage of these opportunities.

Become a computer and technology whiz

Employers are always looking for employees with strong computer skills. Learning online how to interact with others and process information on screen are valuable technology skills that can help build your professional résumé.

Have a flexible schedule

With online courses, you can often schedule your class work at any time, and take the courses in the comfort of your own home. There are few other opportunities in which you can show up in your underwear, and watch a professor discuss physics or contemporary politics.

Cons:

Choosing a college

It can be hard to know whether one school is better than another for online learning. Search online for student reviews and to confirm the school’s accreditation. Be sure to see whether the “reviews” are merely advertisements or are from actual students.

Can encourage slacking off

With flexibility comes the added responsibility of self-scheduling much of your coursework. You must be prepared to be independent and adhere to a daily or weekly schedule, whichever the online course demands. If you slack off or waste time, there won’t be someone to call your name in class and demand that you recite your homework to your peers.

Missing social interactions

Although you can “meet” other students online, there’s no replacement for meeting people in person. Online courses may tempt you to stay home, connected—but don’t. Keep your usual social activities away from the computer, and make sure to spend time outdoors and away from the computer.

Learning online is a great fit for some students, but not for others.  Consider the pros and cons of online learning before you enroll.

Did you know that you can take college courses online while in high school?

Here are the reasons why you should take college courses online while in high school.

Reason 1: You can learn a new subject

You’re probably already taking many high school basics, like math, English, writing and maybe even a language. Why not try learning a new language online?

There are many programs through which you can learn from native speakers.

Though most high school classes provide a good foundation for language learning, this is a good way to connect with other students across the world. (Check out myngle.com.)

Reason 2: You can connect with a accredited online college early

You don’t have to wait until after high school to get a taste of online college classes.

Several top colleges (even Ivy Leagues, like Harvard), offer online courses in interesting subjects.

Reason 3: It’s a chance to use your computer for something other than Facebook

Signing up for an online course is a great way to get out of the social Blog-o-Facebook sphere and actually use the computers as an online learning tool.

You’ll also stay active and learn how to interact with, speak to and learn from people and professors around the world. That’s great training for college!

Seize the opportunity to enroll in fun interactive courses online. Online courses from accredited online colleges allow you to enhance your academic résumé, connect with new teachers, and to do something different from your classmates who only use computers for games and chatting!

Ross Blankenship is an admissions expert and president of Top Test Prep (toptestprep.com), which provides private tutoring and admissions consulting to students and parents. Contact him at (800) 501-PREP.

Learning Online

Online College Classes

Getting up for an 8 a.m. class can be rough. Doesn’t it sound enticing to be able to wake up on your own, do your work on the computer and work from anywhere? With online college classes, you can.

What options are there for learning online?

You can earn an entire degree through online college classes, or take classes online through a traditional college to earn a degree or just master a certain topic. Is there a course you need that isn’t offered at a convenient time? You might be able to take it online.

As a high school student, you might also be able to take online classes to earn college credit before graduating.

Should everyone consider online college classes?

“As is true with many aspects of life, including college itself, the online course is not for everyone,” says Larry Edmonds, faculty member at Arizona State University (asu.edu).

Being proficient in Facebook doesn’t mean you’re automatically a match for online classes. Think about how much face-to-face interaction with teachers and other students influences how well you learn.

Are online college classes easier?

Students learn quickly that “online” does not mean “easy.”

“A few folks drop out the first week of classes because they learn once they see the syllabus … that this is not the cakewalk they had anticipated,” Edmonds says.

Though they aren’t attending lectures, online students spend time reading assignments, watching videos and contributing to online discussions.

Bruce Kingma, associate provost and professor at Syracuse University (syr.edu), says, “Online courses are definitely not the easy way out. Online discussions are text-based and require more thought, input and participation by all students.

Student group participation requires textual interaction, which requires more time and effort than verbal communications.”

Many professors require online students to contribute multiple posts.

“Online learning must be active in order to achieve any kind of success in the course,” says Carolyn Hess Johnson, Esq., assistant professor of law and forensic studies at Stevenson University (stevenson.edu). “The option of sitting in the back of a traditional classroom … and choosing not to participate in class discussion does not exist in the online setting.”

How do online college classes look on a transcript?

“Students receive the same degree whether they complete it online or face to face, so employers do not know the difference,” Kingma says.

Johnson agrees: “If a student is attending an institution that offers both traditional and online learning, there is no indication to an employer that a particular student took online courses exclusively.”

Anything else I should know?

Online college degrees require planning, self-directed learning and a strong work ethic.

“The primary reason students are not successful in online courses is that they are unprepared for the personal discipline that online learning requires,” says Johnson.

“Online, it is clear within a week or so which students will not have the time to be engaged with the courses,” Kingma says. “In a face-to-face course, it may take longer to identify a student who will not be performing.”

But for those who can’t attend college classes—either for a few courses or an entire degree—online college degrees offer a way to still get an education.

Get your degree online

I sold my successful home theater and security contracting business to stay home with my two young children, whom I homeschool. My husband and I both knew I would need to stay challenged to ensure peace in our home. I never finished my degree, so it became the opportune time for me to do so.

I had attended a local community college and was looking for a school where I could freely share my faith in a learning environment. PBA’s online program seemed tailored to my needs. The online program didn’t require I leave my family to attend classes. I also found out PBA is recognized as a stellar university in both religious and secular circles.

The online program at PBA was a great experience for me both personally and corporately. I was challenged but not overwhelmed. I worked with perseverance, and it paid off.

Getting your degree online is a confidence builder. Through class discussions, I’ve seen that I have valid statements to make and questions to ask. Students and faculty respond, and we learn together.

My husband and I founded a nonprofit organization called Building Our House. Our current goal is to expand the organization throughout the county. Building Our House teaches young women manners, etiquette and what it means to be a godly and virtuous woman in today’s culture. There is also a club in the works for young men, training them in chivalry, integrity and what it means to be a godly man. I’m also publishing a guidebook called “Divine Debutantes.” Eventually we hope to launch these programs nationally.

During my PBA studies, I was able to complete part of a business plan in the budget and analysis course. I read a book on nonprofit management for an assignment in the career assessment and planning course. I was easily able to incorporate my career interests into what I was learning in the classes.

My advice to students is to not be intimidated getting your degree online. Don’t think you lack the discipline to succeed without a traditional classroom. Your classmates and professors will help you and hold your hand when necessary. And you will make friends for life just as you might in a traditional setting.

In some ways you get to know your classmates and teachers better than in a traditional setting. In an online course, you have a conversation about a subject for an entire week. You can respond uninterrupted as you post your thoughts. The best part is that you can go to class whenever you want. Class is open 24/7 for your convenience. 

Palm Beach Atlantic’s online bachelor’s degree in organizational management allows you to connect to the university through your computer from anywhere in the world. In addition to the convenience and flexibility of studying for your bachelor’s degree online, you’re able to relate to your professors and classmates. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to reach the next level in your career, plus gain an appreciation for values, faith and ethics in the workplace.

PBA offers you technical support whenever you need it. Find out more by calling (561) 803-2122 or (888) 458-6722. You can also visit www.pba.edu.

Online degree programs

Online degree programs are the wave of the future—but they can help you in the present, too.

There are four reasons why you should consider taking online degree programs now: for college credit, dual credit, advanced placement and credit recovery.

1. College credit
You can begin earning college credit while still in high school!

Many college students are unable to complete a college degree in four years. Part of that has to do with the unavailability of courses, but there is also the problem of having to work to afford college. Taking online classes for credit now can help you lessen your course load (and price tag) in college.

Getting those freshman courses out of the way early provides you with the opportunity to take the classes that really interest you when you’re in college.

The most common place for students to take online college courses is at a local community college. And they are quite used to 16-year-olds taking courses there (with a school counselor’s approval, of course).

2. Dual credit
Another way to take online courses for credit is through an online high school. You’re not looking for just any online high school; you’ll want one like MU High School (part of the University of Missouri-Columbia) or Texas Tech University High School.

These well-known universities offer courses that provide dual credit. In other words, you get high school credit and college credit through the university. Two for the price of one!

Once you make sure that the course is acceptable to your high school, it can be a great way to complete your high school requirements and get a jump on college.

3. Advanced placement
One significant advantage for you to learn online is the ability to take courses not offered at your high school.

If you live in a mid-sized city, there are likely plenty of opportunities to take AP courses. However, if you live in rural areas, the odds decrease rapidly that a school can provide you with a full range of AP courses.

A number of states, like Alabama, have started programs to offer these courses online precisely because of the many rural districts located within their borders.

4. Credit recovery
Credit recovery is one of those terms that has been invented fairly recently. What it means is that you need to retake a class. Yes, you got one of “those” grades. But all is not lost.

Credit recovery is the most commonly cited reason for districts to offer online courses. By taking an online option, you have the ability to graduate with your class by passing the classes required to graduate.

Matthew, a student from California, needed to retake Advanced Placement English, but the only AP English teacher available was the one from whom he had already received a failing grade.

Enter the excellent program offered by the University of California’s UC College Prep Online (UCCP.org). Not only did they have Matt’s necessary AP English course, but a wide selection of other courses available as well.

Most experts estimate that, within a very short period of time, most high school and college students will be taking at least part of their programs online. You can drag your feet, or you can be part of the future. The choice is up to you!

Thomas Nixon, the author of Complete Guide to Online High Schools, is also the manager of two sites: BestOnlineHighSchools.com and CollegeAdvocates.com.

• Next Step Community - Online Learning

Want to earn an accredited degree through your computer? Schools such as Florida State University, UCLA and Boston University are just some of the schools offering students the chance to pursue a degree online.

A study done by the Sloan Consortium found that 29.9 percent of traditional schools offer at least one online degree or distance learning bachelor’s degree.
But don’t think that gaining acceptance to an online degree will be easier than being accepted to a traditional program.

Online degrees are “as difficult to gain admission to and complete as campus-based options,” says Vicky Phillips, professor and founder of GetEducated.com.

If you’re considering a non-traditional degree, there are important factors to consider: accreditation, cost and residency requirements.

Accreditation
Make sure the degree you’re considering is from a college that is regionally, nationally or state accredited. Most school Web sites contain their accreditation information. 

If the college claims you can “earn your degree in 30 days,” or that earning your degree is “cheap and easy,” then cross that school off your list.

Cost
Just because a degree is offered online doesn’t mean you’ll get a price break over traditional tuition. Ask if your potential online degree program accepts the FAFSA, scholarships or other forms of federal financial aid.

Residency requirements
Residency requirements differ from program to program. Some programs offer “low residency” options where students must stay on or near campus for up to two weeks once or twice a year. Other programs require no face-to-face contact and are completed exclusively online.

Types of instruction
Instruction in online courses may be solely Internet-based or may use a mix of technology to deliver the course content. Many online degrees are composed of Web-based classes that offer instruction via e-mail, school chat rooms, discussion boards and more.

Even at a traditional two- or four-year college, you may have the option to take some of your classes online. Should you?

Consider online if…

• You’re self-motivated. If you’re able to set your own schedule and stick with it, an online program may work for you.
  Online students need self-discipline and the ability to ignore the lure of TV, IM chats and cell phones to get through class assignments.


• You can work on a degree from anywhere. If you love your city and aren’t ready to venture off to College Town, an online degree will allow you to visit your favorite local spots while you earn your degree.
   
• You can pursue other ventures. Commuting, sitting in class and preparing for class takes time that you could instead spend on a job, internship or a rock star career. With an online degree, you won’t be trekking to class from a dorm room or sitting in traffic waiting to get to school. You’re able to attend class any time, and that freedom may allow you to spend more time on extracurricular activities.

Reconsider online if…

• You don’t have a constant Internet source. If you don’t have Internet service in your home, ensure that you’d have open Internet access from somewhere else. Programs that use video and book downloads may not work well with dial-up. Check the program’s computer and Internet requirements to find out if DSL or a high-speed Internet connection is required.


• You prefer to interact face-to-face. Attending class online means your actual contact with students and professors is limited. If there is a problem with a grade or you don’t understand the material, you must be comfortable calling or e-mailing your professor to ask.
  
  “As an online student, I have found online classes to be harder than face-to-face classes,” says Sharon Chapman, coordinator of student support services from the Office for Distributed and Distance Learning at Florida State University. “The student doesn’t have the benefit of verbal and visual interaction with the instructor.”

Online degrees

In today’s ever-changing, technologically advanced society, there are more options than ever available for finishing a degree.

Want to stay local? You’re no longer confined by your geographic locations and work schedule, but rather are now free to choose a degree from any one of the several thousand institutions of higher learning in the U.S. and abroad.

However, be warned: Just because there are many online degrees to choose from doesn’t mean they are all right for you.

How do you know if distance learning is the best option for you? How do you know if you will learn better in a face-to-face environment or online? Here are some questions to help you decide.

• Do you work well alone?      Yes  No
• Will you feel motivated without regular     Yes  No
   personal contact with your instructor?
• Will you complete assignments regularly without reminders?   Yes  No
• Do you have 10 to 15 hours a week to devote to schoolwork?   Yes  No
• Can you learn by reading alone instead of listening to a lecturer?   Yes  No
• Do you have regular access to a computer and the Internet?   Yes  No
• Are you comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet software?  Yes  No
• Are you self-disciplined?       Yes  No
• Do you communicate well in writing?     Yes  No
• Do you adapt easily to new learning environments?    Yes  No
• Do you tend to work ahead of schedule?     Yes  No
• Do you have extensive work and/or family commitments?   Yes  No

If you answered mostly NO
If you: • Need constant contact with your instructor and peers • Enjoy working as part of a group • Communicate better verbally than in written form • Have not yet mastered solid time-management skills...
...Then you would probably do better in a traditional, on-campus environment.

If you answered mostly YES
If you: • Have a work or personal life that does not allow you the ability to attend classes at preset times each week • Work better individually • Are comfortable with technology and enjoy changing learning environments...
...Then online degrees may be the answer. Distance learning students are generally very organized self-starters who work well independently with limited reminders on assignments and due dates.

If you think that distance learning might work for you but are nervous about making that kind of commitment, look for an institution that offers blended or hybrid courses. These courses offer the best of both worlds. They incorporate aspects of both the on-campus and online environments.

Individual setups vary depending on the institution; as a general rule of thumb, however, these courses will meet half as frequently as traditional on-campus courses and allow you the ability to submit your work and communicate via the Internet.

It is important have a good understanding of your learning style before you enroll in your first class. If you are unsure as to how well you will do in the online environment or if your schedule will not allow you to attend a traditional online course every term, try to find an institution that offers both. This will allow you the flexibility you need to be successful in reaching your educational goals.  

Christine Javery is the manager of student services and academic advising with distance education at Southern New Hampshire University.

As your junior year ends and you approach senior status, you’re probably anxious about attending the prom, the senior class trip and walking across stage during graduation. But the one thing you’re probably looking forward to most is finishing up high school and getting started with college. Why wait? With online courses, you can get started on your college education now!

The what and why of college online courses
Distance learning comes in many forms: CD-ROM, video, mail courses and more. But nowadays, college online is where it’s at. Just as the name implies, an online course is a course you do via computer and Internet.

There are definite perks to taking an online course. Thomas Nixon, a distance learning expert and coauthor of Bears’ Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, says, “One good reason for taking online courses while still in high school is to begin accumulating units that you can then transfer to your school of choice.” It’s a great method to get ahead. He suggests you ask yourself whether you’d prefer being stuck in freshman English the first year of college, or be working on one of your major courses.

Another advantage of using college online courses is the convenience. You can complete your coursework whenever you have the time—in the comfort of your own home, at a library, on a bus. And you don’t have to worry about dragging yourself out of bed early in the morning to go to class. With online courses, you can continue with your high school work and after-school activities with little to no interruptions. “Since high school students are already carrying a full schedule, this can be invaluable,” Nixon says.

What does it cost?
How much can you expect to cough up to take an online course? Prices vary depending on the school and the type of course you take. Nixon recommends looking into online courses offered through your state university system to find affordable choices.

One thing Nixon says students should keep in mind when it comes to selecting a school is, for transfer credits, there is no prestige. “Whether you earn your units at Harvard University or Podunk State, it will amount to the same thing,” he says. So your best bet is to find the cheapest accredited courses and use those.

Is online learning worth it?
Before you shell out the dough, make sure what you’re getting will be worth it. Here are some questions to help you determine that.
•  What is my goal in taking the course? Nixon says there are two main reasons for taking online courses while in high school: to get your general education courses done so you can focus on your major when you get to college, or to start your major courses now. Getting your general requirements out of the way is a good idea, as it will free up time for your major classes when you get to university.

•  Is the school accredited? According to Nixon, “the growth of the Internet has brought a growth in the number of degree mills—unaccredited schools that offer degrees for varying amounts of work, but of very limited value in transfer.” So it’s important you do your research on the school offering the course to make sure it’s regionally accredited. Most universities include their accreditation information on their Web sites.

• Are you motivated enough? If you’re the type of student who prefers to have a teacher standing over you to guide and assure you along the way, an online course may not be right for you. “Few programs will have teachers chasing after you to finish a course,” Nixon says. “So you must ask yourself whether you are a self-starter and whether you have the motivation to complete tasks without being reminded.”

In today’s ever-changing, technologically advanced society, there are more options than ever available for adult learners. Adult learners are no longer confined by their geographic locations and work schedules, but rather are now free to choose a degree from any one of several thousand institutions of higher learning.

But just because there are many distance-learning programs to choose from doesn’t mean they are all right for you.

How do you know if distance learning is the best option for you? How do you know if you will learn better in a face-to-face environment or online? Here are some questions to help you decide.

Do you work well alone?                                                                                  Yes   No

Will you feel motivated without regular personal contact with your instructor?       Yes   No

Will you complete assignments regularly without reminders?                               Yes   No

Do you have 10 to 15 hours a week to devote to schoolwork?                             Yes    No

Can you learn by reading alone instead of listening to a lecturer?                         Yes   No

Do you have regular access to a computer and the Internet?                               Yes    No

Are you comfortable using word processing and spreadsheet software?                 Yes    No

Are you self-disciplined?                                                                                    Yes    No

Do you communicate well in writing?                                                                   Yes    No

Do you adapt easily to new learning environments?                                              Yes   No

Do you tend to work ahead of schedule?                                                              Yes   No

Do you have extensive work and/or family commitments?                                     Yes   No

If you answered mostly NO
If you need constant contact with your instructor and peers, if you enjoy working as part of a group, if you communicate better verbally than in written form, or if you don’t have solid time-management skills, than you would probably do better in a traditional, on-campus environment.

If you answered mostly YES
If your work or personal life does not allow you the ability to attend classes at preset times each week, or if you work better individually, if you are comfortable with technology and enjoy changing learning environments, then distance learning may be the answer. Distance learning students are generally very organized self-starters who work well independently with limited reminders on assignments.

If you think that distance learning might work for you but are nervous about making a commitment, look for an institution that offers blended or hybrid courses. These courses incorporate aspects of both the on-campus and online environments. Individual setups vary; as a general rule of thumb, however, these courses will meet half as frequently as traditional on-campus courses and allow you the ability to submit your work and communicate via the Internet.

In summary, it is important have a good understanding of your learning style before you enroll in your first class. If you are unsure of how well you will do in the online environment or if your schedule will not allow you to attend a traditional course every term, try to find an institution that offers both. This will allow you the flexibility you need to be successful in reaching your educational goals. 

Christine Javery is the manager of Student Services and Academic Advising with Distance Education at Southern New Hampshire University.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE
Check out these Web resources for adult learners.

The Next Step Magazine Web site offers information about colleges that cater to adult learners. Also use the college/university search tool to find a school in your area with your intended major and a free scholarship search. www.nextSTEPmag.com/AdultLearner

About.com offers lots of great information about where to get your degree and links to articles about how adults learn. http://adulted.about.com

The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education publishes Adult Learning and Adult Education Quarterly. Visit for links and conference information.

www.aaace.org

The Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) offers ideas for nontraditional student programs, such as “bring your spouse to school” day. Also check out information about the annual ANTSHE conference. www.antshe.org

National Institute of Adult Education is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to adult learners. Although based in the UK, the Institute offers books you can purchase on adult education.

www.niace.org.uk

Office of Vocational and Adult Education is the official United States Government educational Web site.

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/index.html?exp=0

New Horizons in Adult Education is a scholarly electronic journal about adult education. www.nova.edu/~aed/newhorizons.html

The Adult Student Learning Center contains resources, articles and a bulletin board to leave messages for other students. www.adultstudentcenter.com

Education Planet offers 8,232 links to adult education resources and the many services available. www.educationplanet.com/search/Education/K-12/Adult_Education

ACE, the American Council on Education, recommends college credit for professional training. Read about the Adult Learner of the Year Award and request a credit review online. www.acenet.edu

—Compiled by Sarah Pearlman