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MAIN
Education
Online
Learning
Tips
for Finding the Ideal University Program
(ARA)
- When Mick Jagger sang, "Time is on my side" he obviously
wasnt referring to your career. Today, working adults are
on the clock for ten to twelve hours a day with little if any
time to pursue other interests. And when they finally reach home
after work, most assume responsibilities that come with raising
a family. Yet adults across the nation -- knowing a fragile job
market still looms in the United States -- are discovering an
easy way to return to school to improve their chances of advancing
their careers.
That answer
is online and today dozens of schools offer degree programs that
allow students to learn on their own time from where its
most convenient for them.
The practicality
and convenience of online learning has helped it become a popular
choice among busy adults who feel there is not enough time in
the day. According to a new report from Eduventures, a Boston
based research firm, enrollment in fully online education programs
is projected to grow 30 percent in 2004 reaching a total of about
915,000 students.
Those with
reservations about online learning should consider the benefits.
Most programs offer rolling admissions and courses begin frequently
so students can get started quickly. Going to school online means
no hurried commute to make it to class in time. Students can log
on to their course any time of day. And online programs typically
cater to adult learners, so courses focus on material thats
important and practical.
Despite more
than a half million people enrolled in online degree programs
today, theres still much uncertainty about what it is like
to study online. Since most people are used to a traditional,
campus-based education, its no wonder many question how
valid and effective online learning can be.
That attitude
has begun to change. According to a recent study by the Sloan
Consortium, 57 percent of academic leaders feel that an online
education is equal to or superior to traditional face-to-face
instruction.
Choosing the
right school is key to a positive and rewarding online learning
experience. Prospective students should understand the options
available and investigate which programs best suit their needs.
Geoffrey M.
Cox, Ph.D., and executive director for Ellis College of New York
Institute of Technology, an online university for working adults,
recommends people seek the answers to these five key questions
when beginning their search for the right online university:
1. Is the
institution accredited?
2. Does the
institution have both an online and traditional brick-and-mortar
presence?
3. Does the
institution have adequate student support services?
4. What are
the qualifications of the instructors in the specific field they
choose to study?
5. What is
the success rate of alumni?
After the
initial research is conducted and the list of target schools is
narrowed, Ellis College recommends five key criteria when determining
which program is right for them.
* An online
education should be highly interactive and allow for fluid communication
between students and faculty members. Online learning does not
have to be an isolated experience.
* Courses
should be specially tailored for online delivery and the course
content should have immediate real-world applications.
* Instructors
should be qualified and experienced online professors who understand
the technology that supports online learning.
* The institution
should be committed to the students success. To do this,
they should have sound technological infrastructure and have a
strong support structure for each student.
* The institution
needs to understand that students time is limited and must
design the program so each person can achieve their goals in a
rapid and efficient fashion.
Acceptance
of online learning is growing every day. In its study, The Sloan
Consortium also discovered that two-thirds of all schools surveyed
believe that online learning will have a critical role in their
future and the schools realize it must be a part of their long-term
strategy.
Individuals
looking to improve their career opportunities and earning power
should consider returning to school online.
But Mick Jagger
didnt get it entirely wrong when he sang, If you try
sometimes/you just might find/you get what you need.
To learn more
about online learning, please visit: http://visit.ellis.nyit.edu/index.jsp.
Courtesy ARA
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