Category Archive: Online Education
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The Benefits of College Degrees Online
College Degrees Online are becoming increasingly popular as students are finding that online schooling allows for more flexibility and is more cost-effective than on-campus learning. College Degrees Today provides all the information you need to find your College Degrees Online and enroll today!
Earning College Degrees Online is easier than ever before as more accredited colleges are adding online degree programs to their curriculum. College Degrees Online presents many benefits over on-campus training and, as of February 2006, financial aid is available for students enrolled in an accredited online degree program. With College Degrees Online, the virtual classroom is universally accessible to all students: people with disabilities, full-time workers, soldiers, study abroad, and stay-at-home parents.
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Additional benefits to College Degrees Online include the elimination of a daily commute or re-locating to the school’s area, no need to purchase clothes for school or pay for a sitter, and students can complete coursework when it’s convenient for them!
Be forewarned that students earning college degrees online are self-directed and responsible in order for college degrees online to be advantageous. Without the structure and accountability enforced through a traditional classroom setting, earning college degrees online requires time management and discipline. College degrees online can be difficult for students who are easily distracted, who procrastinate, or those who thrive from engaging in classroom discussions. A good suggestion for students who are new to college degrees [earned] online should start slowly by taking a few online courses to test their success before jumping into an online degree program.
If college degrees online is a program you want to investigate further, College Degrees Today can help you find the right accredited online degree! Our schools offer a broad range of college degrees online from Associate’s to Master’s Degrees, as well as certificates. Let College Degrees Today assist in your search for the best college degrees online from top universities by simply filling out our form to find a program that best meets your educational needs.
5 Steps to Research Online Degrees
5 Steps to Research Online Degrees
Congratulations! You made the right choice when you decided it’s time to go back to school. Everyone benefits from furthering their education and it’s never too late to start. Even if you have a full-time job; if you are a stay-at-home parent; or if you’re interesting in applying for a promotion, earning a degree is still accessible to you. Since you’re already on the path to making good decisions, be sure to research online degrees to make the most informed choice. Below are 5 steps to research online degrees and make a logical decision that benefits you the most.
1. Choosing a school.
After you have decided on the degree program you will apply for, it’s important to find a school that offers that program. And, you will probably want to choose the school that offers the best program. Why not consider researching online degree programs? Schools like Columbia and Duke offer full Bachelor’s degree programs online. Or, you can opt for a well-known online college like University of Phoenix or even Devry.
2. Beware of fake online schools.
The most important rule of thumb when it comes to researching online degrees is: verify the school’s accreditation! Be wary of a site that offers a fast, easy degree. Likewise, if you can just purchase a diploma online, you’re falling into a diploma mill trap. You’ll waste money, time, and effort on a worthless “degree” if you don’t take the time to ensure the school you want to enroll in is accredited.
3. Application deadlines.
Once you know what degree program best suits you and you’ve verified the accreditation of your ideal school(s), you need to make note of the application deadlines. Often times, there are different deadlines for online school applications as opposed to campus-based school deadlines.
4. Coursework.
If you are choosing to enroll in online education because you think it’ll be easy peasy, you might want to reconsider. Online schooling is convenient because you can access the virtual classroom from anywhere that has an internet connection. However, without the presence of a teacher, a set class time, or assignment deadlines, online school can get overwhelming for a procrastinator. So, look into the amount of coursework that will required of you before committing to online school.
5. Costs.
As you research online degrees, it’s important to compare the cost difference between online school and campus-based schools. With online schooling, there are no costs for the actual brick and mortar building maintenance of campus schools; you don’t have to worry about room and board, commuting costs, or school clothes. But, you will want to research online degrees that don’t have hidden fees or costs in the fine print.
Going back to school to earn or finish your degree is a life-changing decision. You should be excited to embark down this new path, but make sure you research online degrees and campus-based degree programs well so you know what you’re in for and for how much money. We want you to succeed!
Online Education: The Future has Arrived
“Let people have an education and you can’t stop them.” LaMonte Young
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Whether you’re just graduating high school, earning your discharge from the Navy, trying to change careers, or simply looking for a way to get ahead- there is no better route you can take to succeed other than furthering your education. Being able to get an online education is an opportunity that technology has offered us, and makes becoming a college graduate easy to accomplish.
A high percentage of the most widely admired and sought after professions in the U.S. – nurse, engineer, non-profit executive – require advanced degrees as central parts of their qualifications. By continuing with (or going back to) school and educating yourself, you will open these doors and countless others for yourself.
Finding the right online college for you has transformed into a simple 3-step process tanks to the advancement of search engines and sites such as CollegeDegreesToday.com. By utilizing these tools, you can narrow down your options to the school that will fit your requirements. Whether it is online or not, these colleges offer many programs a traditional school education may not.
Flexibility is a big element that an online college offers that many other schools don’t. While some of the traditional schools are offering some online education benefits, it’s unlikely that the whole program is available online. What’s nice about the online education sector is that the schools partner with many schools in your area to fulfill several requirements – such as lab components. For example, if you were to pursue a degree in Crime Scene Investigation, there would likely be lab components for studying the uses of chemicals to determine evidence collected at the scene. Obviously this would be difficult for one to set up a chemistry lab in their home, so by forming these partnerships with local colleges, online colleges are able to offer programs that are at the same education level as traditional schooling.
Getting a college education, regardless of in-class or online, is a commitment of time and money. Research your degree field thoroughly so you know that the path you’re about to take is going to be a long-lasting and profitable decision for you. College is often referred to as an investment. It is; it’s an investment in yourself.
Long days of work for minimal recognition and achievement are reserved for those who are less ambitious. With the opportunities that are available to you in today’s era of technology, knowing that you can realistically achieve your dreams is exciting and comforting at the same time.
Everything worth doing takes time and hard work and you must approach online education with this in mind. It will be convenient to take classes online if you’re a stay-at-home mom or a full-time employee, it also requires dedication and discipline to be able to make it through to graduation. This statement isn’t meant to scare you, just to confirm what you probably already know. There’s no time like the present to begin these exciting journeys; the only way you can help yourself tomorrow is by starting today!
Online Education Cuts School Budget Costs
More and more school districts and states are turning to online education, or E-learning, as a way to combat budget cuts for this school year. Florida is amongst one of the states that has long been saving money through their year-round virtual school, Florida Virtual School (FLVS).
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Online education for both grade school and secondary education is a great alternative to traditional classroom education. Whether students want to take an extra course in order to graduate earlier or need to catch-up from failed or missed courses. Some parents have also completely abolished traditional classroom education in favor of an online medium.
Online education is frugal because districts do not have to pay for food, busing, building maintenance and staff, furniture or supplies. Making it a really appealing option with the current state of the economy and declining school budget.
This form of distance education is outcome-based rather than based on time actually spent in the class room. It is a significant difference from the traditional brick-and-mortar model. It is not a learning medium for every student, however, some find it easier than traditional classroom learning. It has taken a significant amount of time for the classroom to catch up on technology and with the current state of the economy most schools are not able to purchase the right technology for their students. At the same time, personal computers can be found in more homes and young people are becoming more accustomed to using them on a daily basis. More often than not, students can be put through the exact same educational requirements as traditional classroom learning. Students can easily access suggested reading, audio and video material as well as interactive educational tests, quizzes and final assignments
Online colleges have been the benchmark for online learning. Universities were amongst the first schools to offer online learning. They have become the industry experts and have adapted to all the newest technology. College students can often find their professors lectures online via video or podcasts. Now, at least 85% of college students use online learning for at least one of their classes. Even students that attend traditional classroom lectures do more of their work online and can submit assignments via the internet. Making the material available outside of the classroom so students can access it at any time is a great way to reinforce the topic.
A recent report done on online education by SRI International for the Education Department concluded: “On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.”
While online learning is a great alternative to classroom learning it doesn’t come without a price. The software for online learning can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year plus licensing and support. Time is spent to develop and modify software so that it fits perfectly with the needs for any particular online classroom. Teachers and students also have to be trained to use it.
Technology is growing at an increasing rate and schools are learning to adapt that technology in new ways to create better learning communities and mediums for students.
Myths About Online Education
Are you considering earning an online degree? Are you hesitant because you heard some unfavorable opinions from co-workers and friends? Don’t let other people influence what could be the best decision of your life. Instead, read the facts and choose for yourself.
Myth: Distance education is more expensive.
Fact: That all depends on which school you choose- tuition rates are different depending on the school. However, you WILL save money on transportation because you only need to travel to your computer. Plus, room and board at school can cost you thousands of dollars! So next time someone says that distance learning is too pricy, ask them how much they spend in gas per month to commute to either school or work. That’ll change their mind.
Myth: Online courses are easier
Fact: If you’re looking for an easy way out of earning a degree, distance learning is not for you. Online courses are definitely not easier than traditional courses just because they’re online. Distance learners need to have excellent time management and organizational skills to complete assignments on-time.
Myth: Distance learning is too independent, what if I need help?
Fact: Just like traditional schooling, distance learners can contact their teachers and interact with students. The method for asking questions may be different than simply raising your hand and being called on. But, you can contact teachers through e-mail, Skype or even through phone calls, depending on the teacher’s preference. Many courses encourage students to interact through forums where they can ask questions about the material and discuss their opinions.
Myth: Online degrees are fake.
Fact: Many people tend to believe that employers don’t view online degrees as credible. But, believe it or not, employers are real people. They understand that online education is not only convenient for some people, but they also understand that it is just as challenging as traditional schooling. They know that distant learning requires a lot of hard work and dedication, just like any type of learning does.
Myth: Distance learners are computer geniuses.
Fact: This isn’t true! You need to have basic computer skills that you probably already have or could learn very easily. You should know how to check your e-mail, use a word processor, and access the internet before starting your distance learning program. Try playing around with your computer before your course begins if you’re really concerned – it just takes some getting used to.
Myth: There is no attendance policy for distance learning! Hooray!
Fact: Before you start cheering, there’s something you should know. Many teachers keep a record of when students log-on to their online program, when they interact with other students, how long they stayed on the site, etc. So it is important to remember that attendance IS a factor in distance learning. But don’t worry, you can still wear your pajamas to class, teachers won’t know that!
How to Succeed in Online Schooling
The life of an adult can get pretty hectic at times. Setting aside time for school can be impossible for some adults. We’ve got a solution: online classes. Online classes allow flexibility while earning your degree. You have to keep in mind that although you can make your own schedule, you still have to keep up with the work and be able to set aside time for class work each day. Online classes mainly require dedication, and self-control. You don’t want to slack and have to complete all the work at the end! First, you need to decide if online classes are for you. In order to take classes online, you need to:
- Have self-motivation and perseverance
- Have access to a computer and internet
- Have a quiet area to do work
- Have time each day to do the work and stick with it
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Once you are sure online classes are for you, you have to become accustomed to this new way of learning. Online classes have a different structure; this may take time to get used to. You should get to know the online format right away and learn how to navigate through the site as best you can. Some things that will help you succeed once you start the class are:
- Keep up with conversation between students in discussion boards, and e-mail
- Stay in contact with your instructor
- Write down all the due dates on a calendar or planner
- Print out worksheets, study guides, or any other review material
- If you have a textbook, keep up with the reading
Although online classes can seem overwhelming at first, and may take time to become 100% comfortable with. It’s a really great way to save time. Some students claim they learn more when they take a class online because they’re doing all the work on their own, so you’re forced to cover all the material completely. Just remember to stay on track and you will have a positive online experience.
College Degrees: Why Online Works
Twenty years ago, if you were told you could earn a Bachelor’s Degree through the computer, you may have laughed that off. In all actuality, getting your online college degree is a reality today – with thousands of people graduating from these programs every year. Online college degrees afford people with a full-time job, busy stay-at-home moms, or soldiers serving our country the ability to obtain college degrees while being “a supreme multi-tasker.”
CollegeDegreesToday.com is a powerful college search engine that can help you narrow down your college degree options. With so many degrees becoming available on a daily basis, it can be difficult to find what works best for your personal goals. Do you want to focus on becoming an engineer? Or perhaps graduating and finding an accountant position? Along with getting certificates for certain programs, colleges all across the country are opening their Associate’s Degree and Bachelor Degree programs to the online environment.
More and more employers are recognizing the online college degree learning platform as a program that supports the learning requirements for the jobs they need filled. Putting things lightly, this is the most competitive job market in decades due to the slow recovery from the recession. If you don’t have the proper skills that employers are looking for, you may be out of work much longer than you would if you had a relevant degree.
America’s economy becomes more knowledgeable- and information-based with each passing year. For U.S. workers, acquiring professional skills and advanced college degrees is the key to finding and getting the job you want; as well as, during difficult economic times, keeping the job you already have. A college degree is very likely to put you at the forefront of the competition.
Aside from actual workplace performance, education is one of the starkest ways for employees to distinguish themselves from their colleagues. To an employer, a job applicant who lists ‘fluent in Spanish’ on their resume and holds an Associate’s degree in Spanish will be viewed as a more qualified candidate for hire than an individual who simply lists ‘fluent in Spanish’ as a skill on their resume with nothing to back it up.
Individuals with advanced degrees also enjoy advantages once they’ve already begun work with an employer. Suppose two employees are performing equally in the same position, which one is more likely to be selected for a promotion to upper management: an employee with an advanced degree in business administration, or one without?
Additionally, educational advancement can serve as a strong bulwark against unemployment during tough economic times. In the recession-rocked year of 2008, for instance, Americans holding an Associate’s degree or higher were 60% less likely to be afflicted by unemployment than workers holding only a high school degree or below. For reasons you’ll see throughout the rest of the way, employees who have college degrees have an easier time of making themselves indispensable to their employers, earn higher salaries (allowing them to save more for weathering bouts of unemployment) and have stronger, more robust personal and professional networks, providing greater exposure to future job and entrepreneurial opportunities.