Learning Anytime, Anywhere

You may have heard friends talk about online colleges or seen ads for a number of schools, but don’t know much about virtual education. The idea is simple: work towards your associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree by taking classes online. Like traditional universities, online schools are taught by instructors and you have classmates taking the same course as you. Some of the curriculums are similar and many degree programs cross over from traditional to online. But, the key difference between online and traditional colleges is the Internet. Everything is done on the Web in online classes, which also happens to be the main selling point. The convenience of taking a quiz, reading course material or discussing a lesson while at home is ideal for virtually everyone.

While some traditional, campus-based colleges are larger and easily recognized, it doesn’t always mean you’re getting a quality education. Online colleges are typically smaller and allow you to focus primarily on getting your degree without added distractions or requirements. Online colleges also allow you to attend school and work, while maintaining other obligations. Not many traditional college students could say that about their time management and flexibility. Traditional universities also have added costs, such as housing, meal plans and campus fees that add up quickly. But, online colleges keep it simple with tuition and program fees only. 

Pros:

Convenience, Convenience, Convenience!

You can literally roll out of bed and go to class in your pajamas — i­­t’s that convenient. You can attend class at home, in an airport or out of state. Online college classes are designed to fit your needs on your own time. While there are still deadlines and you must submit work online, you can attend class and do your schoolwork 24/7.

Learn at Your Own Pace

Many online colleges give you the freedom to learn at you own pace with convenient test times, due dates and classroom schedules. If you are a quick learner, you can speed through assignments and read ahead for class, or if you prefer a slower pace, extend your learning time by reading and completing assignments one thing at a time. 

Work and Learn at once

Online schools don’t get in the way of work. In fact, distance education encourages flexibility and continuation of daily needs, which in many peoples’ lives includes work. The idea is to easily blend education into your life and take your career further. Online schools give you the option of part-time or full-time education, as well as a flexible schedule and reasonable demands. 

Affordable Costs

Get the same quality education for a lot less money. You can save thousands in housing fees, meal plans and extra costs that you would otherwise pay at a traditional university by attending an online college. Also, some of the degree programs offered at online colleges are less expensive than a 4-year university. The average tuition ranges from school to school, but state-specific schools may include additional out-of-state fees. There are also tons of scholarships, grants and loans available for online college students seeking financial assistance.

Unique Programs and Courses Offered

Something that makes online colleges stand out from traditional universities is that you can major in specialized areas, such as fine arts media design or forensic psychology, and take unique courses like world mythology and interior decorating. The diverse selection of classes and programs give students many ways to find their passion and excel in school.

Cons:

Lack of Human Interaction

There is little social interaction when taking classes online. In some programs, you may meet for class on a campus or public facility, but you most often learn online. This can be difficult when you need further explanation on a subject or just want to talk to your professor face to face. However, many online college classes have discussion threads, chat rooms and live lectures that let you ask questions and discuss lessons with your professors and classmates. 

Internet Issues

The Internet is a wonderful tool for education and it’s used every day in online colleges, but the problematic tendencies of the Web may cause some added frustration. You may run into connection failure, frozen Web pages and slowness when you’re about to turn in an assignment. So prepare to plan ahead and get your work in early because the Internet cannot always be trusted.

Delayed Responses

Although many online schools have quick e-mail and messaging accessibilities, you can still expect a delayed response. The lack of immediacy can make asking questions and clarifying information a frustrating process. 

Self-discipline

Spending hours on the Internet and working from home can create a lot of distractions that may side track you from school work. You have to be a go-getter on your own and motivate yourself to get all of your work done and meet important deadlines.

No Sports Teams

It may seem minor to some, but if you’re a college sports fan you may not enjoy the fact that most online schools don’t have sports teams. However, some of the traditional schools with online degree programs have sports teams you can root for.

Don’t Think you Have the Time? Online School is Your Answer!

If you’ve dreamt of going back to school and pursuing a degree (or more), but can’t find the time to make it happen, then online schools are the route for you. The convenience of online colleges is rather unique within higher education, because it’s designed to easily integrate into your current life. Many students are working professionals, looking to further their education and enhance their careers, or mothers and fathers who want to pursue a degree while maintaining the household. No matter your situation, online degree programs are flexible with your life, career and other obligations. In addition to flexibility, online colleges are generally a cheaper alternative with lower tuition costs and fewer campus-related fees. Online College Really is for Any and Everyone

Online college students are a melting pot of people all working towards the same goal —to get a degree. From high school graduates working towards their first degree, young professionals taking classes to advance their careers to parents who want to work, attend school and raise a family, online colleges cater to all individuals. Because of the flexibility of online college, you can work a full-time job and attend school at the same time. The convenience of choosing part-time or full-time school also works well for parents or individuals who need to care for their children and family members. You can finish your school work in the morning and have plenty of time for your family and other obligations in the afternoon or evening. 

The student demographics of online colleges vary from school to school and many cross over as international online schools. For example, the working students who attend University of Phoenix come from all areas of the world, including U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Netherlands. In 2007, University of Phoenix’s enrollment was 54.7 percent Caucasian, 22.9 percent African American, 12.6 percent Hispanic, 4.8 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 3.8 percent other/unknown and 1.2 percent Native American/Native Alaskan. In that same year, 63 percent of students were female and 37 percent were male.

Stuff You Should Know

Basically, online colleges are virtual classrooms where students attend via the Internet. Many times professors will use course development applications, such as Blackboard, in order to post assignments, syllabi and course outlines for students. These applications allow classmates and professors to communicate with discussion boards, chat rooms and e-mail access. While most of the school work you do is online, some instructors require face-to-face meetings for orientations, lab work or final exams. Learning materials may include, but are not limited to textbooks, video demonstrations, interactive lessons, PowerPoint presentations and Web resources. Depending on the nature of the class, you will most likely have online learning activities and submit assignments via the Internet, such as essays, comments on discussion forums, individual or group projects and quizzes and tests. You have the choice of where you want to work from and when, but deadlines for homework and exams are enforced. You can expect to spend at least the same amount of time in a traditional class as you would in an online class. In general, you will spend three hours per unit working on a class. Therefore, a typical three-unit class will require nine hours per week of course reading, assignments and communication. 

An Education is That Important

With the current economic climate, people are finding themselves without jobs and turning to education. If you don’t have a college degree or want to earn another, this is the time to do so. Whether it’s for a promotion, a career change or you just love to learn, online colleges understand your need for education and want to help now. Attending college online will give you the tools to reach your personal goals, land better jobs and be confident in your knowledge and marketability. So, no matter your employment status, age or education level, you can take comfort in knowing that you are bettering yourself and opening up doors for future employment.

It’s all in the Numbers

Here is a breakdown of some top online college’s enrollment for 2009. (All of these numbers came from Edvisors: Online Education Blog.)

If They did it so Can You

Online college student commits to life-long learning

Gloria Anderson proves that there’s always time to attend school, no matter your age. At 60 years old, Anderson is currently enrolled in the online bachelor’s program for psychology at Ashford University and is eager to continue her life-long learning plan. Formally a stay at home mother, secretary and parish administrative assistant, Anderson had always dreamed of what a college experience would have been like. In her late 50’s, Anderson decided to pursue an associate’s degree in psychology online, and found distance education convenient with her lifestyle. Her previous success in an online program led her to Ashford University, where she said, “it was a good fit.” “I could continue to work, I could study at home, and I would have a degree with value when I was finished,” Anderson said. This dedicated wife, mother and grandmother is determined to reach her personal goals and be an educational role model for her grandchildren. “I hope to set a good example for them as they mature and begin planning for their future,” Anderson said. “I also want to impress upon them, the fact that it’s never too late to achieve a goal!”

Online education helps career man

Butch Ferguson was once a college drop out with 140 credits and no degree. Going back to school was a very “personal” choice for Ferguson as he was already an account manager for Caterpillar, Inc., and doing well. But, when an opportunity to complete his bachelor’s degree for a full reimbursement arose, he jumped on the offer and enrolled in an online marketing program. The specialized program has allowed Ferguson the chance to share his learning experience with his company. He has lead a training program for Caterpillar where he contributed his experience to a Capella course for a study in human resources management. Ferguson is continually surprised by the value of his online education and how much information he has been able to take from class and bring to his workplace. “It’s exciting to develop that kind of knowledge,” he said. “It sparks creativity that helps me go back and question and improve some of our strategies and day-to-day practices.