There are many reasons to select a so-called ‘distance learning option’ (i.e. curriculum that is administered over the internet where the other students are seated at their home terminals watching a professor as he runs through a mathematics, language or chemistry class.
This relatively new trend allows individuals with health and mobility problems to attend school as well, and enables them to complete their coursework at their own pace and speed. Nonetheless, it does NOT mean that they will be sacrificing quality. Many of the on-line degree programs are every bit as rigorous as the in-classroom program.
While it is true that a ‘traditional’ classroom degree will be better accepted than an on-line program there are many accredited on-line degrees available these days. You’ll want to carefully research as many of these possible in order to make an informed decision about which one to choose.
How do you go about finding an accredited on-line school? Well, obviously the internet is your first resource. The U.S. Department of Education is the body who accredits such programs, and it maintains strict standards in so doing. So, you’ll want to first check out a specific on-line program to see whether it does or does not meet the accreditation guidelines of the DOE.
After doing that, you’ll want to Google the instructors to find out about their want to know whether they have written any publications or if they have any special expertise. If you are pursuing a journalism degree, you’ll want your professors to have been journalists in the past so that they can provide you with a realistic picture of what working for a newspaper involves. If you are attempting to become a teacher, you will naturally want to know how much time your professors actually spent in the classroom.
Regardless of your exact degree program, before making your decision as to on-line instruction, you should read everything you can about distance learning. Be careful to keep a folder of information about on-line learning so that you can show various articles to future employers to demonstrate the viability of this concept.
There are many blogging sites on which you can post questions and enter into a dialogue with others who have had the same experience. Ask them these questions:” What did you feel were the major benefits of on-line learning and what were the major disadvantages?” “Would you do it over again if given the chance or would you opt for a physical classroom environment?” “Do you feel that the quality of learning you got equipped you for the job world?” And finally, “Were you able to locate a position at the end of your studies?” This more than anything else will be of paramount importance.
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