“The academic guilds are not used to open entry. They are not used to public criticism from non-guild members. If the public ever figures out that it can escape the clutches of higher education in the United States, which absorbs about a third of a trillion dollars a year, the game will end. The guilds will have to compete in a free market. They are not used to this. They will resent it. But they are going to have to learn to live with it.”
Gary North once again takes a look at the economics behind changes in our society. Online colleges and universities are front line in the assault on traditional academics.
Online education offers many advantages over residential colleges including the convenience of choosing when to access your classes and when to study, the ability to get your degree while employed full time, and saving both time and money by not relocating or commuting to classes.
———-
Online Education: Ten Advantages to Online Programs
There are many advantages to online education. You can
take general courses or pursue a degree at any level from associate to doctoral. Here are ten of the most
significant advantages to online education.
1. You don’t have to leave home or relocate. You can
attend college while your family is asleep or otherwise
occupied. You can use even 15 minutes of spare time
productively. You don’t need babysitters. You don’t have
to fight traffic or bad weather.
2. You can work at your own pace - fast or slow. You
aren’t held to a strict regimen of classes or a timeline.
If you wish, some programs can be completed in as little as 24 months. If you want to go slowly, no one will rush you.
3. You’ll get a high-quality education. Online colleges
are recognized the world over and are accredited by
professionals, so you receive a top-notch education from
high-quality universities. Several U.S. regionally
accredited colleges are: the University of Phoenix, AIU,
Walden University, DeVry University, and Capella University.
4. You’ll have a wide variety of choices at 114 online
colleges. Courses and specialization classes number in the thousands. There are hundreds of majors offered.
5. You can stay employed while getting an online
education and some employers will even pay for your courses or your entire degree program.
6. Professors are very accessible for easy, efficient
communication, via email or instant messaging, as well as online conferencing.
7. You’ll benefit from the use of technology. An online
education is made easier through the use of e-mail, online textbooks, and online course materials, including videos. Writing papers and taking tests are much easier using a word processor.
8. There are many levels of participation. You can earn
online education degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s,
master’s, and Ph.D. levels. You can also take GED (high
school equivalency) courses and general education courses. Training programs are also available.
9. The cost of online education is affordable. You also
have no travel costs, parking fees, etc. At many online
colleges, financial aid is available.
10. You’ll never be late or absent from a class again.
These are ten of the most significant advantages to online education. Perhaps you will agree that online education is the only way to go!
These are ten of the most significant advantages to online education. Perhaps you will agree that online education is the only way to go!
About the Author:
Ken Anczerewicz is an author and publisher devoted to
providing time & money saving resources designed to help students of all ages achieve their financial goals. Learn how to create your own income stream by clicking here now: http://www.resourceriver.com
———-
Our Comments and Review:
Ken’s article gives you the main reasons for choosing an online university over a residential college. Here are some others that people think about but often don’t voice:
As an adult, I don’t want to sit in a classroom with hung over 19 year olds. Heck, I might even have one or two at home I am still supporting.
You won’t have a strict regimen of classes that once you miss, you have missed forever. Online discussion boards are always there, and any other events like seminars are archived. Never miss another class.
All decent online schools have deadlines. At Kaplan University, all assignments are due at Tuesday midnight Eastern Time. Those who manage their time well and meet deadlines excel at online education.
Because you don’t attend classes in a physical building, you don’t have to wait for the next semester to begin classes. You are usually no more than a two or three weeks away from a start time. Most online universities will have a dozen or more start times each year.
By studying all year long, you turn most 4 year degrees into 2.5 to 3 years. You are an adult. You don’t need summer vacations and summer jobs. You need the degree to advance your career.
Courses are no joke online. Don’t expect any dropoff in curriculum for accredited online schools. They guard their credentials by making sure their classes are on a par with traditional residential schools.
IM and email make professors and fellow students more accessible than ever, no matter where you are in the world.
Caveat: I do have a relative who is an Admissions Advisor for Kaplan University, so Ken’s mentioning several of the others and leaving out KU was a disappointment. KU ranks highest with the BBB and may well be the only online university with an A+ rating.
Ransom Stone is a junkyard philosopher and blogger who believes that education is stuck in a buggy whip era and does not take advantage of existing technology to do justice to American students. His blog can be found at: http://www.virtualjoefriday.com and comments and questions are welcome at: education@virtualjoefriday.com .
Online education is attractive to busy people who want to get ahead. It’s private, secret, almost sexy. I’m using my spare time to get that degree and move up the food chain at my company. My co-workers will soon taste my dust.
If the company doesn’t appreciate my effort, I will move up and out and help the competition. I may even start my own company. There is no stopping me now.
It’s not high school. It’s not a residential campus. I study when I want.
No more:
attending classes at the school’s convenience
driving or walking to class
favoritism for the jocks or pretty co-eds
losing points because a professor doesn’t like you
residency requirements
living in expensive dorms or ratty student apartments
I have all the benefits I need to get that degree:
24/7 access to my school and assignments
24/7 technical support
24/7 online library
instant, fair, anonymous grading of quizzes
work from any computer with Internet access
no sitting through useless classes
no need to kiss up to professors’ egos
grades based on results and merit
total control of my time
get my degree faster than at a residential school
email and IM communication with professors
Depending on the school, you can shave a year off a four-year degree. For adults, this is the benefit of online education that matters most. And more money. Most adults need a degree to move up in their companies or careers no matter how much experience they have.
So what is the downside?
few if any social activities
no one looking over your shoulder pushing you
no dating opportunities
no chance to show off in front of classmates
Who succeeds at online education? Students who are:
self-motivated
self-directed
self-disciplined
good time management skills
If you don’t have a firm mental vision of why you need a degree, and what it will do for you, save your money and leave the student loans at the Department of Education.
College for 18 year olds is about getting away from home, drinking, partying, finding a mate, growing up, dealing with roommates, learning to manage your life, and occasionally studying hard enough to pass and stop spending your parents’ money.
Online education is for adults. Adults with lives. Adults with spouses and children and full time jobs.
Make sure online education will help you fulfill your dreams. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time, and that is what life is made of.
===
Ransom Stone assists adults in determining if online education is right for them, and in helping them find the right programs at the right online universities. The right time is now. You can read his articles and reviews at http://www.virtualjoefriday.com .
RSS feed
