The Advantages Of An Undergraduate Online Education

By Tony Jacowski

Why Online Education?

After a hectic time in high school, most graduates want to take some time off and have plenty of fun and unwind. A few also take jobs in order to pay for their education later - and others just want take the time to find out what they want to do. However, all of these delays are only hindrances to obtaining a degree and can have a negative effect on economic stability and future prospects.

It is well known that a bachelor's degree is prerequisite to getting a lucrative job in any industry - and the earlier one has it, the better it is in terms of career growth. So with all these choices to make, online undergraduate programs are becoming more popular than ever.

The Advantages

With the Internet maturing day by day, the quality of online education is improving, removing all possible barriers to higher education. The primary benefit of an undergraduate online education program is that physical presence is not required to take a course. So with a busy lifestyle for a time consuming job, if a person has the zeal to pursue further education, the online option gives students the opportunity to do both.

When work takes up most of your time, even after a few hours of socializing and doing chores a few hours to spare, online education makes it easy to progress in your chosen career field. For those who cannot pursue a degree because of geographical constraints, pursuing an undergraduate education online enables them to attend classes from their home computer and saves them time and gas.

Other Advantages

Pursuing an undergraduate online education offers a similar level of education that is provided in regular classes. Students can work on their program of study at their convenience. Studies never interfere with travel plans, employment and basically any activity that couldn't be done on the campus. Undergraduate online education is unique. They are more facilitative, as discussions are quick and easy to understand. Classes are held through chat, Internet meetings and email, as well with the subject coordinator and other students. There are virtually no shortcomings in online interactions.

Another advantage of undergraduate online education is that it is different from traditional education and benefits students by giving them access to develop technological competencies and exposure to telecommunication technologies. Also, online education gives students an exceptional experience in education, irrespective of age and geographic location. It provides psychological support by shedding introvert behavior and slow learning processes. With online education, students have time to prepare notes and other information discussed in the virtual classroom because all the subjects discussed will be posted online.

The best and most valid advantage of undergraduate online education is that there are a limitless number of courses by many educational institutes. From courses in fine arts to medical science, most are provided online and these e-learning courses are as simplified as possible.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

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Common Myths And The Facts Of Online Education

By Julie Harvard

Although online education has been introduced for such as long time, there are still many misconceptions and myths about online education program. The myths if not cleared might affecting your decision if you are considering pursuing your degree online. Here are the facts for the common myths that you may heard before:

Myth:

Degrees earned through online format are not as valuable as traditional degree programs.

Fact:

The myth may be true during the initial introduction of online education, but the 2 digits growth rate in the past 20 years has shown online study format has gained it popularity. The proper accreditation by the accrediting agencies approved by Department of Education that guarantees on it education quality has made online degree no difference than the traditional degree. The online degrees are widely accepted in the job market. What the employers concern is the fake degrees issued by diploma mills. As long as your degree is from legitimate and properly accredited university, then it has no difference whether your degree is earned through online or campus-based university.

Myth:

Online learning is easier than a traditional campus-based education

Fact:

Both online and offline learning are the same in term of courses. Many brick and mortar universities are offering the same degree they offer offline to online students, same courses with same total credit hours to complete the degree program. Although there are fast track degrees where you can waive some credits with your life experience in the related field, online learning does require a considerable amount of time and effort. The online learning may look easier as it provides you with the flexibility and convenient learning environment where you can learn from your comfort home and at your own schedule.

Myth:

Online courses cannot transfer to other colleges.

Fact:

You will face the difficulties to transfer the courses to other colleges if you are getting online degree from unaccredited university. If you attend online courses offered by an accredited school, you should have not problem to transfer the courses to other colleges. But credit transfer will largely depend on the admission office regardless of online or offline courses, you should check for the feasibility of transfer credits during the enrollment process.

Myth:

Online learning program means that you can complete fast.

Fact:

Due to most online learning programs allow you to plan your own time that fit into your own schedule. If you can spare more time to speed up your learning process, then you can complete the education program faster then the required completion duration. But if you are a busy working individual who can only spend very minimum time on your study, then you may take a longer time to complete the courses. Hence, in the self-paced online learning environment, you are the one who can decide how fast you want to complete your courses.

Summary

Don't just make your decision to go for online or campus-based degree program based on the myths, get yourself understand the fact of each myths and decide which learning media is best suit you.

Julie Harvard is the author of http://www.studykiosk.com, an online degree directory that lets you browse online degrees offer by various online schools to help you understand your option for online education.

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Tips-to-be-a-Successful-Online-Learner

by keith

Online Learning is a total new experience in of its own type. Keeping few things in mind, you can enjoy learning online to its fullest. In this piece of writing I'll share some important tips that will surely help you in your journey of e-learning.



• Find out the institution that gives you best education for your money. There are websites on the internet that compare the pricing of different institutions. Thus giving you a better choice.

• Check the accreditations FIRST! An extremely important task it is. Never keep it aside. Give it first priority.

• Improve your writing skills. Practice to communicate via writing effectively. Writing, or shall I say typing is the most important skill an online learner must possess. Your tutor assesses you by the words you have typed out to him. Feel comfortable at expressing yourself in writing.

• Have an open mind. Be ready to accept diversities. Learn to share experiences with fellow students. Remember it is not important that your fellows in a course be from your own territory, they may be from some where opposite in the globe.

• Keep a strict check on yourself. On one hand where online education facilitates you with ease at studying when free, on the other hand it may make you lazy. Make a timetable for yourself and follow it strictly.

• Set aside 4-5 hours, preferably more, daily for study. Then only would you get good grades.

• Learn to communicate problems with your instructors. An instructor won't know you are facing a problem in learning or understanding something unless and until you speak up to him and tell him about it.

• Never take online education as an easy way to get education. The marking criteria, course, assignments and exams are all the same as in traditional colleges. They are not at all easier so never take them lightly or your grades would suffer.

• Try turning your mentality towards critical thinking. This way you'll enjoy what you study.

• Instead of using internet from cafe's or some other place. it is better you save some money and buy a computer and get a DSL internet connection. This way you will have access to the internet whenever you wish and will not have to worry about speed problems. A DSL connection solves it all for you.

• While studying online, mostly assignments and questions given by the instructors are based on critical thinking. The answers are always easy, but never jump to conclusions. Sit back, relax, think and answer the questions even if you have a 24 hour submission quiz.

• Complete assignments at least a day before the given deadlines. Don’t wait till the last hour. Make a habit to complete at the earliest possible instance. Emergencies never knock!

• Communicate with your fellow course mates. You will get versatile ideas.

• Keep aside some space where you can sit and study daily for a few hours without any interruption.

• Be a strong believer in the merits of online education. Never hesitate to advocate it in a group decision.

• Make a routine to log on to your learning management system daily or at least every alternate day.

• Be polite in discussions. Never taunt. Be rational and reasonable in your arguments.

• Finally apply whatever you learn in your daily life. Try and implement it practically.



Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://best-online-degrees.info/ A website that specializes in providing information on Online Degrees that you can research on the internet. Please Visit http://best-online-degrees.info/ now!



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Earning an Online Degree - The Psychology of Distance Learning

Author: Tuppy Glossop

If you've decided to return to college online you've doubtless spent a long time analyzing the reasons you need a degree. Perhaps you want to enhance your career; or instead you may be looking for an intellectual challenge for its own sake. But have you thought about the psychology of studying online?



Choosing distance learning will involve facing some different situations than those faced by most traditional students. A clear sense of what's ahead of you, and some thought-out strategies for approaching any problems, will be valuable assets as you begin your online degree program.



- Motivation



Simply wanting a degree isn't going to be enough. The work required to get your degree is substantial, and you have to be sure that you're committed to putting in the hours. When you're faced with a daunting task -- a major essay that's due, an exam for which you need to study -- do you have the self- discipline to buckle down and get the job done?



Or will you fall victim to the many avoidance techniques that will stop you achieving your goals? At times, you'll need to turn off the television; ignore the pile of laundry that needs folding; and be willing to make your excuses when friends invite you out for pizza and a beer.



- Social isolation



One of the most obvious psychological pitfalls of studying online is isolation. Instead of the hustle & bustle of a busy campus, with all its opportunities for chatting, socializing, and just generally hanging out with friends, you're going to be spending long periods of time alone with your laptop.



It'll take a conscious effort on your part to get out of the house once in a while and see friends. Despite the time constraints of a demanding study schedule, it's important that you find at least some minimal time to get together with actual real people, away from the computer.



- Adaptation



Adaptation is the skill of handling new situations by changing your behaviour. In order to study online effectively, you need to learn new skills of time management, organization, and research. Do you have the flexibility to adapt to this new way of studying?



Or will you be stuck in the old patterns you learned in high school, where much of the information you needed was spoon-fed to you by willing teachers?You're going to need to be more self- sufficient, now that you're in a mode of study that demands greater independence.



- Communication



Communicating online takes different skills to that of a regular classroom. While most online degree programs will facilitate quite a lot of interaction, both amongst students, and between students and faculty, it's likely to be via your computer. Whether you're using simple email, or advanced software for collaborative study, your writing skills are going to be vital.



Online communication often lacks nuance, and subtlety. The body language that tells us that the person we're talking to in real life is amused, or intrigued, or bored, is almost completely absent online. A gentle joke, or innocent question, may be read as a snippy insult without the context of live interaction.



The psychology of online learning is only just beginning to be studied in any real depth. As you begin an online degree program your mindset needs to reflect this very different way of studying, and you may have to modify your approach as you progress.

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About the Author:

Whether you plan to study psychology online or to earn an online college degree in another subject, understanding the psychology of distance learning will be valuable to you.