There is an old saying: Time moves on. That is certainly true in the world of education. In the past, higher education was strictly an option for the wealthy and privileged. Beginning in the last century, higher education became a reality for the common person. But the pace of change has not slackened up one bit!
Where is higher education heading in our century, the 21st century? Perhaps the most fundamental shift has occurred because of the availability of the PC (personal computer) and the Internet. Because of the Internet, our planet is 'shrinking' - and distance is less of a factor in our travel and in our decision-making. It is now possible to carry on all sorts of activities with others physically located all over the globe. In educational circles this has ushered in the era of 'Distance Learning.'
Let's put it in it's most simple form: Distance learning means that a student can participate in class - in India, let's say - when the school is located in Boise, Idaho. Distance is no longer an obstacle - in fact, distance from the school, from the instructor, or from one's fellow-students has become irrelevant. What matters now is receiving the course content, whether one lives down the street or in another continent.
All of this has particular relevance for the United States, of course, as our population is aging. And the older the student, the more life responsibilities she or he has probably taken on - child rearing, full-time jobs, etc. Distance learning is an option - perhaps the only option - that will work for them. Course assignments and projects can now be scheduled around other life activities. A brave new world, indeed!
Here's our take on the situation: as more and more schools start distance learning programs, more and more adults will take advantage of them and enroll. And when these students graduate, they will bring their up-to-date skill sets into the workplace. As a result, business will greatly benefit. Overall, we can see the American worker becoming more and more efficient. Our workforce will then be positioned to keep - and retain - better paying jobs, as we compete in the global marketplace.
What happens when you enroll in a distance learning program? Well, imagine a world where your entire academic program of study is handled via the Internet, using your PC at home. You will have to complete some assignments offline, of course (primarily the reading of required texts), but typically your class assignments and course (instructor) lectures will take place in an online environment. You will sign in to 'virtual classrooms' - a kind of chat room - to hear (and see!) your instructor. Communications not handled in-class will be taken care of through e-mails.
One of the great things about most distance learning programs is their approach to testing (exams). It is very difficult to replicate traditional examinations online. That is because those kinds of tests basically ask the student to repeat memorized information on paper. Since the student is offline, it is impossible to keep them from looking at their books and notes - so many schools offering distance learning programs have taken a different approach: completion of projects and research that force the student to take the information that they should have mastered, and use that in some way to complete the assignment.
This means that distance learning programs put a premium on 'learning by doing' - not simply spitting out facts that have been memorized. And does this not more accurately mirror the kinds of responsibilities one has in the real world? Graduates of distance learning programs are in fact better prepared to 'hit the ground running' and be productive in their job from the first day of employment.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Value of an Online Degree
Many people wonder, “What is the true value of an online degree?” In reality, there is no price that can be put on higher education. In today’s world, the job market has become extremely competitive. For every position that becomes available, there are dozens of applicants who are trying just as hard as you to get that position. Because of this, employers have to be extremely selective when they are attempting to pick the best candidate for each position that they offer. When employers are evaluating new candidates, there are several factors that they seriously scrutinize.
One of these factors is work experience. In the eyes of employers, work experience is one of the most important things that a candidate can possess. Relevant work experience is normally a strong indication of a candidate’s ability to succeed in a specific field. However, it is important that any work experience you have, whether in a related or different field as the current job that you are applying for, have a positive reference attached to it. Almost all employers, especially those interviewing for positions with multiple applicants, will call your previous employers, supervisors or managers. Although you can write whatever you want on your resume, these phone calls serve as a true test of your character. By having a direct conversation with an authority figure from your previous job, a potential employer can find out various facts about your character, abilities and interactions with other people. Although in some situations the person that is contacted may not provide the most accurate picture of you, most potential employers will put a lot of weight into these conversations that they have. Therefore, it is extremely important that you try as hard as possible to end your term of employment on a pleasant note.
Although work experience degree is an extremely important factor for employers when they are evaluating potential job candidates, it is not necessarily the single most important factor. The other factor that is just as important, if not more important, in the eyes of employers is the candidate’s educational background. Regardless of the type of job that you are applying for, a strong educational background is extremely important. If you do not have a college degree, there are many employers that will not give you any further consideration for a job, regardless of how much work experience you have already obtained. For many who did not have the opportunity to attend a traditional college, this is a very scary prospect. However, this is where the true value of an online degree shines through. Thanks to the multitude of online degree programs which are available, people who never thought they would have an opportunity to earn a degree are now accomplishing their goal on their own terms.
Thanks to the design of online degrees, anyone can earn one on their own schedule. Unlike traditional colleges and universities, online degree programs are designed with busy individuals in mind. Whether you have a full-time job or a family to take care of, an online degree program allows you to obtain a degree in your precious spare time. This is one of the things that truly shows the value of an online degree. By obtaining an online degree, you are opening the door to a multitude of exciting opportunities. Whether you are looking for a promotion within your current company or a new, more lucrative career, an online degree is the best way for you to accomplish your goals.
As you can see, there is truly no price that can be put on an online degree. The value that an online degree gives you far outweighs any monetary investment that is required. Regardless of the reason you are interested in obtaining it, the value that an online degree will add to your life is tremendous.
One of these factors is work experience. In the eyes of employers, work experience is one of the most important things that a candidate can possess. Relevant work experience is normally a strong indication of a candidate’s ability to succeed in a specific field. However, it is important that any work experience you have, whether in a related or different field as the current job that you are applying for, have a positive reference attached to it. Almost all employers, especially those interviewing for positions with multiple applicants, will call your previous employers, supervisors or managers. Although you can write whatever you want on your resume, these phone calls serve as a true test of your character. By having a direct conversation with an authority figure from your previous job, a potential employer can find out various facts about your character, abilities and interactions with other people. Although in some situations the person that is contacted may not provide the most accurate picture of you, most potential employers will put a lot of weight into these conversations that they have. Therefore, it is extremely important that you try as hard as possible to end your term of employment on a pleasant note.
Although work experience degree is an extremely important factor for employers when they are evaluating potential job candidates, it is not necessarily the single most important factor. The other factor that is just as important, if not more important, in the eyes of employers is the candidate’s educational background. Regardless of the type of job that you are applying for, a strong educational background is extremely important. If you do not have a college degree, there are many employers that will not give you any further consideration for a job, regardless of how much work experience you have already obtained. For many who did not have the opportunity to attend a traditional college, this is a very scary prospect. However, this is where the true value of an online degree shines through. Thanks to the multitude of online degree programs which are available, people who never thought they would have an opportunity to earn a degree are now accomplishing their goal on their own terms.
Thanks to the design of online degrees, anyone can earn one on their own schedule. Unlike traditional colleges and universities, online degree programs are designed with busy individuals in mind. Whether you have a full-time job or a family to take care of, an online degree program allows you to obtain a degree in your precious spare time. This is one of the things that truly shows the value of an online degree. By obtaining an online degree, you are opening the door to a multitude of exciting opportunities. Whether you are looking for a promotion within your current company or a new, more lucrative career, an online degree is the best way for you to accomplish your goals.
As you can see, there is truly no price that can be put on an online degree. The value that an online degree gives you far outweighs any monetary investment that is required. Regardless of the reason you are interested in obtaining it, the value that an online degree will add to your life is tremendous.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
How Do Employers View an Online Degree?
If you considering pursuing an online course of study, there are probably several major questions on your mind. Most likely, the biggest of these questions is how will your current or future employer view an online degree. Although there is no clear cut answer to this question, there are several major factors you can take into consideration. It is important that you take the time to thoroughly consider and understand all of these factors.
The first factor that you need to take into consideration is the generation gap. The generation gap refers to the distance between generations. For example, if you are a twenty-five year old, there is an obvious gap between you and someone that is fifty-five. The generation gap applies to online education in the way that older generations view the internet and anything that is part of it. For some older generations, they do not actually understand the internet or what it can do, and therefore they are threatened or even almost afraid of it. For this reason, they may view something like an online degree as trivial or not even legitimate. Although this may seem like a major problem, it is probably not as bad as you may think.
The generation gap factor actually leads into the second factor that you need to take into consideration when taking a look at how employers view an online degree. The second factor that you need to be aware of is accreditation. Accreditation is that separates legitimate online education programs from scams that are worth more than taking your money. It is vitally important that you choose an online degree program that is accredited. By choosing an accredited degrees, you can ensure that you are investing your time and resources into the correct program. Now, you may be asking yourself how the generation gap and accreditation are related. Accreditation is one factor that can help ease the worries of members of older generations. Accredited degrees allow an employer to look at the program of study that you followed to earn your online degree. By having access to this information, an employer (even one that is a member of an older generation) can see that the online education you received was just as valuable as the education that someone attending a four-year college or university receives.
When determining how an employer views an online degree, the final factor you need to take into consideration is your own performance. This factor is arguably the most important of all the factors that have been discussed. When an employer is evaluating your life experience degrees, once they get over any initial apprehension that your degree was obtained via the internet, they will be scrutinizing your personal performance in your program of study. Just as they would look at someone’s grades at an actual four-year, your employer will be very interested in how well you did in the courses you took in order to obtain your degree. Therefore, it is very important to take your online education very seriously. It is not enough just to obtainan online degree, it is necessary that you excel in the program that you study. By performing to the best of your ability, your employer will see that you are a committed individual that takes important things seriously.
As you can see, there are quite a few factors that impact how an employer will view your online degree. Although there is not a specific answer, as long as you choose an accredited online program and take your online education seriously, any employer that reviews your resume will give your online degree the same respect that they give to a degree obtained from a four-year institution.
The first factor that you need to take into consideration is the generation gap. The generation gap refers to the distance between generations. For example, if you are a twenty-five year old, there is an obvious gap between you and someone that is fifty-five. The generation gap applies to online education in the way that older generations view the internet and anything that is part of it. For some older generations, they do not actually understand the internet or what it can do, and therefore they are threatened or even almost afraid of it. For this reason, they may view something like an online degree as trivial or not even legitimate. Although this may seem like a major problem, it is probably not as bad as you may think.
The generation gap factor actually leads into the second factor that you need to take into consideration when taking a look at how employers view an online degree. The second factor that you need to be aware of is accreditation. Accreditation is that separates legitimate online education programs from scams that are worth more than taking your money. It is vitally important that you choose an online degree program that is accredited. By choosing an accredited degrees, you can ensure that you are investing your time and resources into the correct program. Now, you may be asking yourself how the generation gap and accreditation are related. Accreditation is one factor that can help ease the worries of members of older generations. Accredited degrees allow an employer to look at the program of study that you followed to earn your online degree. By having access to this information, an employer (even one that is a member of an older generation) can see that the online education you received was just as valuable as the education that someone attending a four-year college or university receives.
When determining how an employer views an online degree, the final factor you need to take into consideration is your own performance. This factor is arguably the most important of all the factors that have been discussed. When an employer is evaluating your life experience degrees, once they get over any initial apprehension that your degree was obtained via the internet, they will be scrutinizing your personal performance in your program of study. Just as they would look at someone’s grades at an actual four-year, your employer will be very interested in how well you did in the courses you took in order to obtain your degree. Therefore, it is very important to take your online education very seriously. It is not enough just to obtainan online degree, it is necessary that you excel in the program that you study. By performing to the best of your ability, your employer will see that you are a committed individual that takes important things seriously.
As you can see, there are quite a few factors that impact how an employer will view your online degree. Although there is not a specific answer, as long as you choose an accredited online program and take your online education seriously, any employer that reviews your resume will give your online degree the same respect that they give to a degree obtained from a four-year institution.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Difference between Online Education VS. Traditional Education
These days, the internet has grown into a veritable wealth of information for college seekers. Everything from applying for financial aid to taking a course can be accomplished online. Now, a student can even obtain online masters degrees from one of many schools offering online education as a viable alternative to a traditional classroom education. How different are these two methods of teaching, and do either prove better for the student? There’s an abundance of information regarding online education, and distance education is becoming increasingly popular for students everywhere.
First and foremost, there are some obvious benefits in obtaining online degrees. For example, juggling a job, school and a home can be very difficult as far as commuting to the classroom every day. With online education, you eliminate the need to attend classes, and instead access your coursework from an internet website. This presents an obvious benefit to the overworked college student because his commute is basically slashed in half. What’s more, many distance education programs allow students to complete the coursework any time during the day, while still adhering to overall deadlines. This allows for flexibility that a traditional classroom setting can ordinarily not provide.
However, is an online education truly comparable to the type of education a student would receive in an actual classroom? Many professionals in the field say yes, and certainly students seeking online degrees can confirm this response. Not only does online learning provide a stimulating environment for students, but it promotes even interaction among every student because everyone has a say in classroom discussions. What’s more, online education programs allow each student to learn with the methods that work best for them. Plus, many employers respect online degrees as much as a traditional college degree, so there’s really no difference in the amount of education or respect a student will receive when attending an online college.
While traditional colleges will never be eliminated, there’s definitely been an increase in the amount of students attending online colleges in recent years. Many people choose to follow the online education route for the diversity of material they can find, or because the teachers are more approachable via the internet than they would be in a classroom setting. Students definitely need discipline and self-motivation to succeed in obtaining online degrees, but there’s still the same level of help and support from teachers and students online that there would be in a classroom. What’s more, internet college students are learning skills that will be beneficial to them in the workforce and beyond because of the way technology is evolving today.
Life experience online degrees are becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain a college education and many students are turning to online education because of the quality of material, convenience and the level of flexibility inherent in distance education programs. Because there’s no distinct differences between an online education and a traditional education, students are assured they are receiving the same kind of education that they would in a brick and mortar setting. There are definite benefits to online degree programs, and students with discipline and motivation can and will succeed greatly in online education programs.
First and foremost, there are some obvious benefits in obtaining online degrees. For example, juggling a job, school and a home can be very difficult as far as commuting to the classroom every day. With online education, you eliminate the need to attend classes, and instead access your coursework from an internet website. This presents an obvious benefit to the overworked college student because his commute is basically slashed in half. What’s more, many distance education programs allow students to complete the coursework any time during the day, while still adhering to overall deadlines. This allows for flexibility that a traditional classroom setting can ordinarily not provide.
However, is an online education truly comparable to the type of education a student would receive in an actual classroom? Many professionals in the field say yes, and certainly students seeking online degrees can confirm this response. Not only does online learning provide a stimulating environment for students, but it promotes even interaction among every student because everyone has a say in classroom discussions. What’s more, online education programs allow each student to learn with the methods that work best for them. Plus, many employers respect online degrees as much as a traditional college degree, so there’s really no difference in the amount of education or respect a student will receive when attending an online college.
While traditional colleges will never be eliminated, there’s definitely been an increase in the amount of students attending online colleges in recent years. Many people choose to follow the online education route for the diversity of material they can find, or because the teachers are more approachable via the internet than they would be in a classroom setting. Students definitely need discipline and self-motivation to succeed in obtaining online degrees, but there’s still the same level of help and support from teachers and students online that there would be in a classroom. What’s more, internet college students are learning skills that will be beneficial to them in the workforce and beyond because of the way technology is evolving today.
Life experience online degrees are becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain a college education and many students are turning to online education because of the quality of material, convenience and the level of flexibility inherent in distance education programs. Because there’s no distinct differences between an online education and a traditional education, students are assured they are receiving the same kind of education that they would in a brick and mortar setting. There are definite benefits to online degree programs, and students with discipline and motivation can and will succeed greatly in online education programs.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
About Online Education
The world we live in has never been short of thugs and looters using so convincing tricks that millions of people believe in them and lose something precious. Only after poor people have lost their valuable belongings they realize that their decision was wrong. In modern-days the thing that is badly affecting millions of lives is online fake degrees. It is absolutely unbelievable to see that people are actually buying fake degrees only to face some very serious consequences sooner than they think. There is a wonderful alternative rather thousands and thousands of million times better option exists in this very world of ours. The option is online degrees on the basis of life experience. Several different online educational institutes today offer online Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees on the basis of life experience. The online academic institution that has gained popularity due to the acceptance of its degrees worldwide is Belford University. Earning an online degree on the basis of life experience or online equivalency test from Belford University enables students secure a position in some of the world’s most successful corporations.
It is unfortunate to see that more and more people are falling prey to the tempting words companies offering fake online degrees use to advertise their products. No one in their right mind will opt for the fake degrees, especially when the chance of getting an accredited degree is available and that too as simple as on the basis of life experience. Now that you are reminded, your loved ones must also get reminded of the available wonderful opportunity. Belford University or
BelfordUniversity is one of those universities to where you can apply for and from where earn an accredited degree on the basis of your life experience. Belford University is accredited from the two main accrediting bodies for higher education: Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA) and International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU), which means that the degree you will earn from this university will have accepted throughout the world.
There are some universities in cyber space which offer bachelor’s degree on the basis of life experience. They are actually a pretty handy facility for someone with a vast experience in any field but don’t have a degree to be acceptable to employers. Online universities such as Belford University or BelfordUniversity, Ashwood University, Rockville University are few examples of the online Universities that offer accredited degrees on the basis of life experience. If you are finding it hard to take some time off of your busy schedule and get enrolled in a degree program, you should seriously consider getting yourself enrolled in the bachelor’s degree on the basis of life experience program of an accredited online university such as Belford University or
BelfordUniversity.
It is unfortunate to see that more and more people are falling prey to the tempting words companies offering fake online degrees use to advertise their products. No one in their right mind will opt for the fake degrees, especially when the chance of getting an accredited degree is available and that too as simple as on the basis of life experience. Now that you are reminded, your loved ones must also get reminded of the available wonderful opportunity. Belford University or
BelfordUniversity is one of those universities to where you can apply for and from where earn an accredited degree on the basis of your life experience. Belford University is accredited from the two main accrediting bodies for higher education: Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA) and International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU), which means that the degree you will earn from this university will have accepted throughout the world.
There are some universities in cyber space which offer bachelor’s degree on the basis of life experience. They are actually a pretty handy facility for someone with a vast experience in any field but don’t have a degree to be acceptable to employers. Online universities such as Belford University or BelfordUniversity, Ashwood University, Rockville University are few examples of the online Universities that offer accredited degrees on the basis of life experience. If you are finding it hard to take some time off of your busy schedule and get enrolled in a degree program, you should seriously consider getting yourself enrolled in the bachelor’s degree on the basis of life experience program of an accredited online university such as Belford University or
BelfordUniversity.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Practical Hints On Online Distance Education
Simply put, online distance education means earning degrees or certificates without having to leave the comfort of your room or office. Perhaps, the most popular type of distance learning program is online distance education. The medium of receiving your course material in a correspondence program is the traditional mail while the internet is the place where you get your course material for online program. Certain academic standards must be met by interested students before they can be permitted to join an online course.Recently, there has been an increase in the number of online college degree programs. The meaning of this is that these days, you can acquire a degree without leaving your home and also select from a wide variety of online degrees that are available. The major requirement for anyone wishing to take online course is computer literacy.The student must be able to use word processing software, e-mail and how to manage folders and files as these are what will be used when learning online.
Expectedly, students are required to have access to a computer with an internet connection. Furthermore, when studying some online courses, you may have to get a scanner, printer, CD-ROMs and additional software. Some courses will call for specific software.You can get to know this if you carefully go through the details of the course before you register. There are also online adult education programs in various fields of endeavor.
You should be aware that online distance education is quite challenging as its traditional counterpart. And many employers of labor are in love with the idea that the World Wide Web offers real education. Consequently, many of these employers are recruiting employees from the internet.
Expectedly, students are required to have access to a computer with an internet connection. Furthermore, when studying some online courses, you may have to get a scanner, printer, CD-ROMs and additional software. Some courses will call for specific software.You can get to know this if you carefully go through the details of the course before you register. There are also online adult education programs in various fields of endeavor.
You should be aware that online distance education is quite challenging as its traditional counterpart. And many employers of labor are in love with the idea that the World Wide Web offers real education. Consequently, many of these employers are recruiting employees from the internet.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
How Can A Distance Learning Course Help You Meet Your Educational Goals?
These days, who's got time to sit in a classroom? Between working hard all day, or night, and other responsibilities, finding the extra time to attend a traditional campus to further education is a dream that may never come true. Because of the Internet however, online learning is becoming the wave of the future, and the future is catching up when it comes to education.
More and more schools and universities around the country and the world are offering online learning courses to students and adults who have long ago put their educational needs on hold. For many, attending a school campus for classroom instruction is just not feasible, or possible. Now, a farmer from China or a home business owner in Oregon or anywhere else in the world can log on and study to their heart's content on the Internet, thanks to the growth of online coursework offerings available today. While some distance learning courses may be simple and consist of one subject, others offer complete course loads for certificates to degree programs. More people today than ever before are earning Master's degrees online, which is convenient for busy work schedules and obligations. Whether you want to take a course in home business management, computers, or medical terminology as a course unit or as part of a larger program, there is an online school out there that will cater to your goals and desires.
When searching for any distance-learning course however, the first thing to do is to make sure that a national recognized accreditation board properly accredits the school you're looking at. Online schools are held to the same standards of quality and course requirements as traditional colleges and universities, so don't worry that your certificate or degree from an online school won't hold water. Did you know that more nurses are able to advance their careers and education through online universities and programs that specialize in medicine? The same is true for those seeking careers in education or other medical careers, and we're not just talking dental assistants.
Distance learning has become the preferred method of attending school for millions of students around the United States as well as the world. As long as enrollment requirements are met and coursework grades can be transferred, students can also attend foreign universities and distance learning programs that they wouldn't otherwise be able to take advantage of, thanks to the World Wide Web. With a computer or a laptop, men and women are now able to access the degree program they've always dreamed of, and the best part of all is that they can do so when it's convenient for them and not the other way around.
There's no longer any reason not to pursue the degree that you've always desired. Student financing and payment methods are available to online students as well as those who attend university programs. If in doubt, call the online school that you're interested in and ask them about student financing, loans and payment methods they offer. Remember, a college education will earn higher wages, bigger promotions and open doors that have otherwise stayed closed for years. Taking distance-learning programs can change all that.
More and more schools and universities around the country and the world are offering online learning courses to students and adults who have long ago put their educational needs on hold. For many, attending a school campus for classroom instruction is just not feasible, or possible. Now, a farmer from China or a home business owner in Oregon or anywhere else in the world can log on and study to their heart's content on the Internet, thanks to the growth of online coursework offerings available today. While some distance learning courses may be simple and consist of one subject, others offer complete course loads for certificates to degree programs. More people today than ever before are earning Master's degrees online, which is convenient for busy work schedules and obligations. Whether you want to take a course in home business management, computers, or medical terminology as a course unit or as part of a larger program, there is an online school out there that will cater to your goals and desires.
When searching for any distance-learning course however, the first thing to do is to make sure that a national recognized accreditation board properly accredits the school you're looking at. Online schools are held to the same standards of quality and course requirements as traditional colleges and universities, so don't worry that your certificate or degree from an online school won't hold water. Did you know that more nurses are able to advance their careers and education through online universities and programs that specialize in medicine? The same is true for those seeking careers in education or other medical careers, and we're not just talking dental assistants.
Distance learning has become the preferred method of attending school for millions of students around the United States as well as the world. As long as enrollment requirements are met and coursework grades can be transferred, students can also attend foreign universities and distance learning programs that they wouldn't otherwise be able to take advantage of, thanks to the World Wide Web. With a computer or a laptop, men and women are now able to access the degree program they've always dreamed of, and the best part of all is that they can do so when it's convenient for them and not the other way around.
There's no longer any reason not to pursue the degree that you've always desired. Student financing and payment methods are available to online students as well as those who attend university programs. If in doubt, call the online school that you're interested in and ask them about student financing, loans and payment methods they offer. Remember, a college education will earn higher wages, bigger promotions and open doors that have otherwise stayed closed for years. Taking distance-learning programs can change all that.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)