Benefits of Online Education

online colleges, online degree programs, online education, online universities

Internet based educational and productivity tools provide a number of ways for students and professors to communicate, including discussion boards, forums, chat, email, and instant messaging. Students actually have more interaction with faculty, not less.

Unlike a traditional undergraduate classroom where professors play favorites with jocks and beautiful coeds, all students contribute on equal footing by posting to the discussion boards.

Discussion boards allow all students to participate and see the various opinions of other students. Ideas are sometimes easier to express in writing – avoids fears of public speaking.

Instructors are more accessible to students. Faculty can be reached by instant messenger during virtual office hours, or by email any time of the day or night.

Among major corporations, online degrees have become as respected as traditional campus programs. Over 75% of colleges and universities in the U.S. now offer some online degree curriculum.

Online media provide a wealth of study materials from handouts to notes to audio to video. And more. Traditional college cannot deliver as wide a range of course materials and certainly cannot deliver it as fast.

Many professors at online colleges and universities teach part-time and maintain their standing in the business or professional worlds. Students learn real world tips and make valuable contacts.

Visits to websites, often called web field trips, reinforce course content by showing how the knowledge is applied in business or the “real world”.

Online learning encourages student-centered teaching. Each student has his or her own way of studying and learning that works best. Visual learners and hands on “learn by doing” students can all be accommodated.

Working parents can manage their time to include online classes, no matter how busy their home or business schedules may be. For working adults, online degree programs are often the only viable option for career advancement.

Computer graded true-false or multiple choice tests provide students with instant grades and feedback. Incorrect answers are explained. When you study for finals, you have the correct information to study.

At traditional campus based universities, technology is underused. Lectures have not changed since 14th century Europe when books were rare and expensive. U.S. classrooms have not changed in 100 years. Online universities use every interactive online tool available, and will add more as they are developed.

Online, students often form bonds with students in other parts of the country or even the world that would not otherwise be possible. With chat, IM, and video web cams readily available.

For group projects, online education facilitates team learning by using chatrooms and forums for meetings and joint work.

Caveat: Due to the nature of online education, students must be motivated, self-directed, and have good time-management skills to succeed online.

And, of course, there are no frat parties, rush week, or football games online.

A diversity of degrees and courses is available to students regardless of their physical addresses. Online classes, libraries, and study materials give the rural resident equal footing with metropolitan students.

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afreevoipworld @ August 19, 2008