Consider online courses Save time and travel by going online 01/26/2012

 

 

Online college courses —How does it work?

 

Online college courses—which vary from college and program—are a lot different from sitting in a lecture hall or discussion group with a professor. You can sign up for a whole degree program or a few classes at a time. You have textbooks, projects and tests, but do all the work on your own schedule. Faculty mentors are there to keep you on track and answer questions about assignments. These programs are best for students who know exactly what kind of degree they want and have the self-discipline to finish assignments without professors reminding them 

what’s due when.

 

 

Should  You Take That Online Class?

 

Whether you’re earning your whole college degree online or just taking one class, make sure the school offering it has been accredited. Basically, accreditation is a long process that verifies a college as legitimate. If a college isn’t accredited, the government won’t give you financial aid. Here’s how to see if a college is accredited:

 

• Search for the school on the U.S. Department of Education website (www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation)
• Double-check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org)
•  Go to the accrediting agency’s website and make sure the college is listed.

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Online courses offer an alternative for students If you're looking to save money and fit college into your busy schedule, try online 12/07/2010

Earn your degree online

David Dietrich was home-schooled his whole life. Then he took a community college algebra class. He wasn’t used to sitting in a classroom with a bunch of other students, listening to a teacher, instead of working at his own pace. 

 

“I always felt like I was being held back,” Dietrich says. Then his mom learned about Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu), a non-profit college where students earn their degree online. Dietrich applied, got in and started working toward a bachelor’s degree in information technology, which he expects to get before his 21st birthday. He did his coursework from his home in Mississippi, usually for about five hours a day.

 

Like Dietrich, a growing number of students take college classes online. Some do it to save cash, earn a degree faster or fit a college education into a busy schedule. 

 

How does earning your degree online work?

Online college courses are a lot different from sitting in a lecture hall or discussion group with a professor. With WGU, you sign up for a whole degree program, not a few classes at a time. You have textbooks, projects and tests, but do all the work on your own schedule. Faculty mentors are there to keep you on track and answer questions about assignments. Most programs cost less than $3,000 every six months, no matter how much work you get done.But the setup isn’t for everybody. WGU spokeswoman Joan Mitchell says it’s best for students who know exactly what kind of degree they want and have the self-discipline to finish assignments without professors reminding them what’s due when.

 

“We don’t have fraternities,” Mitchell says. “We don’t have a football team.” But the setup is perfect for students like Dietrich who don’t want the traditional college lifestyle. Most of his classes have been training for information technology certification, and he likes that the material isn’t filtered by a professor’s opinion.

 

One class at a time

But you don’t have to earn a whole college degree online. You could just take a class or two.A service called StraighterLine (www.straighterline.com) doesn’t award degrees but offers basic classes, like biology and economics, for $99 a month plus $39 a class. You learn at your own speed, consult a tutor if you have questions and take tests when you’re ready.

 

“That course at the college is going to be anywhere between $300 and $1,500,” says StraighterLine founder Burck Smith. “With us it’s a fraction of that, and it’s as good or better.”

 

Last year Inessa Volkonidina, a senior at Long Island University (www.liu.edu) in New York, signed up for a precalculus class at her college but dropped it because she wasn’t understanding it. But the biology major needed the class to graduate, so she took the same course through StraighterLine and transferred it toward her degree. It was easier to grasp the material with StraighterLine for Volkonidina because she had to take a quiz before moving on to each part of the class. 

 

“The textbook was just like the website,” Volkonidina says. “All the steps were spelled out.”

 

Just be sure to do your homework. Before you sign up, ask your academic advisor if it will transfer credit, says Smith of StraighterLine.

 

Be cautious

If an online college course or degree is what you want, make sure you’re picking a good program. For several months the federal government has scrutinized for-profit colleges, many of which run online programs. Lawmakers have questioned whether these schools give students a good education. But most people don’t care if you earned college credit on your computer or in a classroom as long as you’ve learned what you’re supposed to, says Richard Pokrass, spokesman for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Some online programs are better than others—and some are run by schools that have dorms and football teams.

 

“Not all are bad and not all are good,” says Brianna Bates of the Distance Education and Training Council. “You just have to do your research.” 

 

SHOULD YOU TAKE THAT ONLINE CLASS?

Whether you’re earning your degree online or just taking one class, make sure the school offering it has been accredited, says Brianna Bates, information and accounts specialist for the Distance Education and Training Council.

 

Basically, accreditation is a long process that verifies a college as legitimate. If a college isn’t accredited, the government won’t give you financial aid. Here’s how to see if a college is accredited:

 

• Search for the school on the U.S. Department of Education website (www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation)

• Double-check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org)

• Go to the accrediting agency’s website and make sure the college is listed.

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Have you thought about learning online? Here are three perks about starting to take online classes in high school 03/05/2010

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

Here are the reasons why you should consider an accredited online college.

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.

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Tips for online learning Be prepared to manage your time effectively and participate as an online learner 11/04/2008

Study Online

Online learning has a special set of pros and cons. Here’s what I’ve learned on my journey through the world of studying online.

Direction: A strong sense of direction is required in distance education. If you don’t have the final goal in mind, it will be hard to know which classes to take and how to plan for the next couple of years.

Internet: Online classes offer up-to-the-minute information and assistance. To get the most from these opportunities, you must be aware of the technical requirements. A computer in your home is essential. I found that though I could use the computers at the local library, I was unable to download software due to security reasons. Don’t have a fast Internet connection in your home? The library can be the perfect place to go to watch instructional videos or listen to required audio files.

Self-discipline: No one will remind you to pay attention, and it’s easy to let your mind wander when you’re studying online. You’ll also have to adhere to an honor system for exams. Some of the tests are taken online in quiz format; others are e-mailed a few days before they are due. Read the rules carefully and follow them.

Time: Distance learning classes can be demanding due to their short time frame. Some classes are over in five weeks. This lets you become immersed in the subject, and you will be more likely to retain the information when it’s time to take a test.

Adaptability: You can adapt your learning plan to nearly any schedule. If you work full time, you can study in the evenings or on weekends. There is usually no required class time, so your classroom can literally go with you. You can study the online and textbook materials as soon as you get up in the morning or in the evening after supper.

Need: Before taking the plunge into distance learning, look at the many options available for financial aid.

Cost: This is where distance learning can really pay off. You’ll have to pay for tuition, textbooks, an Internet connection. But you won’t have the cost of a dorm room, and you won’t have to drive to college.

Extras: When you get your class textbook lists, shop around. If you run into technical problems as an online learner, don’t be shy about calling the help desk. Be sure you read all announcements, and make a mental note if there is a planned downtime for the Web site.

Each class and teacher is different. Be outgoing when you have a question about an assignment; most of my teachers have been very helpful.

Through online education, I have been given the opportunity to continue my education in an environment I create and feel comfortable with. I enjoy being able to study at my own pace. Due to the special demands of distance learning, I’ve also learned to use my time and talents wisely. I hope that whatever path you choose will be just as rewarding!

 

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Is online the way to go? What are your options for earning a degree—or at least some credits—online? 11/04/2008

Online college degrees

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 degrees, you can.

What options are there for online learners?
You can earn an entire degree through an online college, 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 courses to earn college credit before graduating.

Should everyone consider online?
“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 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 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.

 

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Online degree success Melissa Nicholas pursued her PBA degree online 02/27/2008

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.

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Are online courses for you? Take an online course while in high school or after to help you prepare for college, get college credit or finish up high school. 08/20/2007

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.

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Is an online degree for you? If you’re self-motivated and want to stay put for college, consider taking college classes online. 10/31/2006

• 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.

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Are you cut out for online learning? Going to class online to finish your bachelor’s degree sounds tempting, but take this quiz to find out if it’s your best option. 10/19/2005

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.

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Using Online Courses to Get Ahead in College When you’re a senior, consider taking online college courses to get transfer credit. 04/25/2005

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.”