Following an Online Degree: 6 Guidelines for Success

Several older or returning students opt for an online degree. After all, pursuing an education can be complex when you already have a full-time job, a full load of bills, and probably even a family to feed. But the vision of a good education shouldn't have to be turned away because of problems such as these.

But pursuing an online degree can be difficult, too. Several students don't know what it takes to succeed in an online education situation, and may end up deciding that education just isn't for them. To avoid this happening to you, here are six guidelines to keep you on track for your online degree.

Tip number 1: Take your classes seriously. This may sound like a given, but you would be surprised how many online students fail to take their responsibilities seriously. Traditional classes require you to clear your schedule, commute to class, and spend a predetermined about of time learning, taking notes, and being reminded of upcoming due dates. Because online classes aren't always in your face like this, it is easy to push them to the back burner, whether intentionally or unintentionally. By constantly reminding yourself that your classes are real, even if they aren't held in a classroom, you can set yourself up for success instead of failure.

Tip number 2: Get organized. A lack of organization is one of the most certain ways to sabotage your education, especially with an online degree. Many online students find it difficult to manage their workload. After all, in a virtual setting, you won't have teachers reminding you at every class of an upcoming assignment or test.

One option you may find helpful is to keep a calendar of important dates, such as assignment due dates and upcoming test. If you prefer, you could also keep a to-do list. The important thing is to write the dates down and keep them where you will be reminded of your commitment on a daily basis.

Tip number 3: Schedule time for doing coursework. One of the biggest reasons students fail to complete an online degree is because they don't take the time to do the work. When you are not going to a physical class everyday, sometimes it is hard to read the text, log in to your class, or do the assignments. An easy way to remedy the problem is to set aside a specific time in which you will do your coursework. You can be flexible with yourself, after all, your need for flexibility is probably why you are pursuing an online degree in the first place. Even if every day is different, you still need to be sure to set aside time that is devoted specifically to coursework.

Tip number 4: Don't wait until the last minute. Many students have the habit of waiting until the last minute to do assignments and study for exams. For a student who is pursuing an online degree, this tends to get even worse, because the reminders of an upcoming due date aren't as prominent as in a traditional class. Doing work at the last minute is almost always a stressful experience, and many students find that their work isn't as good as it would have been had they completed it under less pressure.

Tip number 5: Don't get behind. To make matters worse, some online classes have only a few major due dates, with readings or minor assignments to be completed at the student's own pace throughout the semester. This format enables students to get behind on coursework, allowing the situation to snowball until not just one assignment, but the entire semester's load of work is being done at the last minute.

Tip number 6: Communicate and get involved. While an online degree has many advantages such as enabling you to complete coursework on your own time, it also has some disadvantages. A notable disadvantage is the loss of personal interactions with teachers and classmates. In a traditional classroom setting, the teacher and your fellow students are readily available to help if you need extra help. In a virtual class setting, however, you will need to take the initiative by communicating with the rest of the class via email and class forums.

It has been said that different people have different ways of learning. Unfortunately, although most people can benefit from the flexibility an online degree offers, many people have troubles adapting to the different format of an online class. This doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't get your education online, however, it just means you will need to be more attentive to ensure that you succeed.

Why is the Shift Toward Online Education Happening?

This paper deals with the question: Why is the shift toward online education happening? This is a complex issue that involves questions of educational access, paradigms for teaching and learning, competition and globalization among universities, the development of new and better online technologies, and the financial pressures facing higher education. A huge transition is underway. The same networking and computing technology that has revolutionized global commerce, and many other facets of modern life, is now being targeted at education. Partnering the Internet with modern course management systems makes it possible for universities to offer online coursework on a global basis. The critical task that lies ahead is to create and disseminate curricula of high quality that students can embrace and educators can sustain. The overall objective of José’s Online Education Forum is to examine the realities of college and university online teaching, and the processes of education using today's information technologies. Collectively, the authors of this paper have taught over a hundred different university-level courses online, both graduate and undergraduate, mostly using the Internet. The issues and insights discussed in this Forum will provide educators with important tools and the understanding needed to effectively embrace the world of online education.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Sloan Consortium

In a Sloan-C survey of 1170 Provosts and Academic VPs, more than half indicated a belief that online education would be 'critical for the long-term' in higher education. Surprisingly perhaps, the same percentage said that they believe success in achieving learning outcomes is already equivalent between online and traditional teaching methods. And there was also a consensus of opinion among these respondents that the quality of online courses would continue to improve, with a third of them believing that online teaching quality will soon surpass the quality typical of conventional teaching. These opinions may be surprising for many of us in the teaching profession, coming as they do from such high level and influential administrators. They signal a fundamental change in perceptions about the potential of online education in the immediate future.

1.2 Overview

The objective in this paper is to investigate and assess why this shift to online education is happening. Several factors can be cited beginning with improvements in access to educational services using online technologies and changing paradigms for teaching and learning that integrate well with these technologies. Other factors include heightened educational competition and globalization, the ongoing and often dramatic improvements in online systems capabilities, and the underlying economics of providing online education versus conventional means. The following sections of this paper explore each of these factors individually.

2. ACCESS TO EDUCATION

2.1 Access for the Masses

The ability to use information technologies effectively is one aspect of achieving success in today's society, both for individuals and for organizations as a whole. The current job market requires educated workers who are capable of changing and adapting as business and cultural realities shift and evolve in today's fast-paced, global economy (Kantar, 2001). Information technology is enabling the development of this kind of economic world structure. It is also making possible the education of the workforce that this new economy requires by providing new capabilities for teaching and learning online.

Online education offers the promise of increased access to high quality education for the masses. Exactly how this is going to occur is not clear yet, but there is no doubt that online education is rapidly becoming an established modality. The development of the modern world economy demands an educated workforce. Places like the three It’s (India, Indonesia, and Ireland) and more recently China, are finding that the need for an educated workforce is overwhelming the capabilities of their traditional educational systems .In America and Western Europe, the same economic and political pressures associated with 'equality of opportunity' contribute to demands for equal access to a quality education for all who seek it.

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Reasons to Choose Pursue an Online Education

Those who may be pursuing higher education should seriously consider obtaining a degree via online education
. This is a relatively new phenomenon as it has only been in existence since the Internet has really come into its own. Due to its popularity more and more colleges and online universities are offering this type of education opportunities to the masses. There are a few great reasons to choosing to acquire education through online means.

Perhaps one of the best reasons to acquire an online education is that it is a convenient way to obtain your degree. Most of the class work can be completed on your time, within reason, which is an ideal notion for those who work full-time. In addition, you can do the work from the comfort of your own home, local coffeehouse or wherever else you choose to sit and work. The convenience factor makes acquiring an online-based education a wise choice for many individuals who are hoping to obtain their degree.

Another reason to get your degree online is that it is often a cost effective way to gain higher learning. Online educational providers will often offer courses at a reasonable rate as they don't have to deal with all of the overhead which other colleges and universities experience. In addition, frequently you will only need one or two books which cuts down costs as well; depending on the course you are taking. Gaining a degree and not spending a fortune while doing so is an extremely beneficial attribute for many individuals.

Choosing an online-based education to gain a degree is also a wise move as there are so many online universities to choose from these days. Since the popularity is really growing in this regard, finding a good online university is quite simple. No matter what degree you are trying to acquire and how much money you want to spend doing so, you are sure to find good options when it comes to online colleges.

In addition, many online university course credits will transfer should you choose to go to a different university. When these institutions were first starting up, it was a lot more difficult to take those course credits and transfer them to universities which have physical locations as schools were skeptical about their validity. Today, this type of online coursework is so common and highly thought of that more and more colleges are accepting transferred college credits which come from online universities.

Lastly, obtaining a degree through an online university allows you to get your degree in a reasonable amount of time. The course credits which you can acquire by doing so are not that much different from ones you would obtain through universities if you attended the class in person. Therefore, you are able to get your college degree via online education in almost as quick a time period as you would if you were attending a local university which is another wonderful added benefit to obtaining a degree via online avenues.

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The Grow of Online Degree Programs

Within the past decade, online degree programs have multiplied at an astonishing rate. While several schools have been based on these non-traditional programs (though, for the sake of impartiality and so as not to unfairly give advertising to one program or another, I will refrain from giving these schools specific mention), many “traditional” brick-and-mortar schools have also begun offering online courses and, in some cases, complete online degree programs. In fact, colleges and universities ranging from community colleges up through Ivy League schools have embraced the use of technology as a learning vehicle; in a sense, this signals maturing of online degree programs.

What spawned this shift in academia? The answer lies in the affordability of computing technology coupled with the improved connectivity offered through the Internet. More people worldwide have access to personal computers and high-speed Internet connections, though identification of accurate statistics still proves difficult. These technologies have enabled schools to provide learning environments that meet modern student needs and accreditation requirements.

Some schools have established evening or weekend programs in an attempt to entice more non-traditional students. Even these programs pose challenges to the working adult, who may have to sacrifice attendance due to work or family obligations. Military students are also ideal candidates for online programs. In the 1990s, deployed service members aboard naval vessels enjoyed onboard college courses from universities that specialized in distance learning. In some cases, faculty members qualified to teach a number of courses were deployed on board the ship, thus offering service members the opportunity to continue studies while deployed.

Online degree programs satisfy most of the needs of current degree seekers, particularly the needs of “working adults.” Society has become faster-paced in the past two decades, and often we are inundated with information and are expected to increase productivity within the fixed confines of a day. As a result, the ability to attend traditional programs can be difficult, if not impossible, for prospective students. Online degree programs eliminate the time constraints, allowing students to avoid traffic, meet work and family obligations, and provide a 24/7 classroom environment. All told, online degree programs afford more students the opportunity to attain academic goals than ever before.

Delivery of online programs varies greatly depending on the school and the specific program. Some schools offer some online courses, but require physical attendance at a local campus for the student to meet graduation requirements. Other schools offer completely online programs; in theory, a student could complete an entire degree program online without ever setting foot on campus. The key to selecting a suitable program depends on the individual, as some students need some physical interaction with faculty and students, while others can complete degree programs completely online from the safety and comfort of their homes. Deciding on the best combination of online coursework depends on the individual. Many of the schools originally founded on online degree programs have established local campuses in major metropolitan areas.

Few can argue that online degree programs are quickly gaining acceptance among employers, students, and traditional academic professionals. Online degree programs will continue to provide a vehicle for students to attain degrees that might not be possible through traditional means. Ongoing improvements in technology offer additional promise in the growth and availability of these programs.

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Online Degrees - Know What To Look For And Save Yourself Some Grief

One of the greatest benefits of online degree programs is that you can work at your own pace at any time of the day and on any day at home or on your laptop somewhere. Working on your online degree at home enables you to control the expenses and learn in your own style and will allow you to decide how quickly you want to earn your degree.

At one time one survey found that 55 percent of employers preferred traditional degrees over online degrees but that has all been changing in recent years. People are becoming more aware of saving money and saving the environment by not traveling to on-campus settings and that is becoming much more accepted now with the focus on global warming.

One study found that public institutions were much more likely to offer online degrees than were private institutions. The term online degrees usually refers to college degrees (sometimes including high school diplomas and non-degree certificate programs) that can be earned primarily or entirely through the use of a computer that is connected to the Internet, rather than attending college in a traditional on-campus setting. Today, you can earn a bachelor's degree, master's degree or even graduate degree online from a major university without ever having been to or in one of their classrooms.

Online colleges, that are fully accredited, have earned a widely recognized form of university accreditation from one of six established regional accreditation boards. The time, distance and the financial hardships of a higher education really no longer exist with the arrival on the scene today of online technology and it's getting better all the time. According to one report, about two-thirds of the largest educational institutions have fully online degree programs.

The types of online degrees that are readily available include: associate degree, bachelor degree, master degree and doctorate degree online. Make sure to find out if you have to go to a campus to take some of the exams or complete some of your online coursework there. Take into consideration, in case you might have difficulty getting to the campus during the evenings and on weekends, how you would handle it. If you're seeking financing there is a lot of money available for online degrees now, which was not the case in the near distant past. You can research scholarships online but make sure to be aware of any scholarship scams.

And make sure that any online credits you earn are transferable. Ask a counselor at the institution directly because most schools vary from course to course and with the individual school policy. Research the online schools of your choice and talk to a counselor or representative from those institutions to find out what financial aid, scholarships, grants, student loans or education loans are available. Types of the many online degrees that are available today include: interior design degree, law degree, education degree, engineering degree, paralegal degree, computer science degree and history degree.

Its been reported that employers feel that an employee who received an online education degree compared favorably, in terms of the knowledge learned, to someone with a resident degree. To determine whether you'd make a good online student ask yourself if you're someone who gets things done ahead of time, procrastinates or puts them off until the very last minute. If you are not sure what you are going to be doing after you have your degree in hand, ask the school counselors or representatives handling the accredited online degree program or bachelor degree online program what your job prospects are.

So there are many advantages today to online learning. Keep in mind there are plenty of education loans available if you can't locate the right grants or scholarships. Whether you want to earn an associate degree online, a bachelor's degree online or even a masters or doctorate degree online, rest assured that most online programs today are fully accredited, especially from a major institution but make sure to check this out before you commit.

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5 Reasons Why People Fail Online Education

Online education is becoming a more popular way to get one's degree today because it is more convenient to earn one's degree from the comfort of his/her own home and at one's own pace. The fast-paced lifestyle of today makes it more difficult for working adults, especially those with families, to take time out of their busy schedules and go to traditional classrooms on university campuses in order to obtain or upgrade their degrees.

However, online coursework writing is not the same as offline education in terms of how the classes are structured and how the material is taught.

There are many reasons why people fail online education:

1. The person is not used to working in an online classroom setting.

An online classroom is considerably different from a traditional classroom. There are rarely textbooks; most course material is presented online on web-pages, in downloadable reports, and in video and audio lectures.

In addition, you don't sit in a traditional classroom with other people sitting next to you, behind you, or in front of you. Instead, they are on their computers at home or elsewhere, looking at the same course material you are, so you have no direct contact with them. You usually can "talk" to them via message boards or forums, making posts that anyone in the class can respond to, and vice versa.

In some rare instances, you might talk to them or your professor via the phone, but direct contact is not usually possible, and some students who are trying online education for the first time cannot overcome the lack of interaction and direct dialogue to complete the coursework and pass the course.

2. The person is not used to the rigorous expectations from a professor teaching an online course.

Online education is a new experience for professors as well, as this is a whole new medium for them to teach what they know. Some professors are more willing to embrace this new way of learning than others.

Some professors feel that they have to "make up" for the lack of interaction and direct dialogue that you would get in a traditional classroom setting, so they give you more assignments to complete than they would their traditional students, just to make sure that you are getting the education you should be getting because these professors are not confident or convinced that online education give you the same level of knowledge as traditional education does.

Some students cannot handle the extra workload and demands expected from some online professors, which is another reason why some students can't complete online coursework.

3. The person is not able to deal with the extra distractions associated with online learning.

When you take an online course, you do so on your computer. Often, this is at home, where other distractions can affect some online students. This includes children and/or pets who are unruly and/or need constant care. Other worries regarding home life can also distract the online student from doing his/her very best, since he/she is still in the same environment even when he/she is "attending class."

This can prove to be too much for some online students, resulting in them not completing online courses.

4. The person doesn't have the computer skills necessary to complete the online courses.

For those who are trying to start a brand new career, especially one that is technically challenging, sometimes, the whole experience of working with computer software and programs that you have never used before can prevent students from doing well in their courses.

Not only do they have to try to learn the course material, but they also have to learn how to access the course material, how to ask for help when they need it via the message boards/forums, how to access the tests when they are ready to take them, etc.

For some online students, the experience is so overwhelming that they don't succeed in completing their courses.

5. The person does not utilize good time management skills in order to keep up with the online coursework.

In order to be successful in the online classroom, you have to have good time management skills. After all, you're the only one who decides when you "attend class," when you take the tests (within reason; there is a time limit to complete the course, but you decide what days you take the tests, unlike the traditional classroom,) how much time you spend on the message board or in the forum, etc.

Some online students can't designate their time between all the tasks required to complete online courses, as well as balance the rest of their lives.

It is suggested that online students stay current on their coursework as much as possible because once you fall behind, it's very difficult to catch up, especially if you are not comfortable in an online classroom setting in the first place. Most experts suggest logging in at least once a day at least six days a week to give you the best chance of staying current on your coursework and giving you the best chance of completing your online courses.

By being aware of the reasons above, you can better prepare yourself to handle these challenges and give you a better chance of completing those online university coursework and your degree.

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