Is Online Schooling Right For You?

by Guest Blogger on May 16, 2012

in Distance Learning, e-Learning, Education, Ideas

Is Online Schooling Right For You?

Online learning programs are becoming increasingly popular largely due to the increased accessibility of this method of education.

Benefits of Online Schooling Programs
Also known as distance learning, online schooling has a number of benefits. These include:

  • Convenience and Access for Students in Rural Areas – Students can complete the class anywhere they have access to a computer and the internet without long commutes to a physical campus
  • More Accommodations for Learning Disabilities – Online classes are often more user-friendly for those with disabilities especially for students who already possess computer technology adapted for their particular needs.
  • Lower Costs – Fees for such on campus factors as meal plans, housing, text books, and miscellaneous fees covering other campus expenses are avoided for online programs

Yet, even with such benefits, many students who are used to attending campus in a physical location with face to face instruction may wonder if online schooling options are right for them. One thing to consider when making this decision is the different types of online options that are available.

Types of Online Education Learning Options
There are several types of online education options, predominantly defined by the amount of time the students spends online vs. in a physical classroom with live instruction, when completing a certificate or degree program. The most common types of online education are:

  • Individual Credit or Non-Credit Courses – Colleges often offer the ability to take or audit certain classes online either at the school the student attends or at another school. Classes can be synchronous (requiring instructors and students to be online at the same time in order to receive credit for the lecture, discussion or activity) or asynchronous (class materials can be accessed by the student at any time).
  • Blended or Hybrid Courses – These courses mix classroom instruction with online instruction. Commonly instruction is split fairly evenly between face to face class time and online class time while assignments, activities, discussions and often tests are completed online. The number of blended courses available differs by college but is generally significantly less than traditional classroom or fully online courses.
  • Low Residency Online Degree Programs – While most of the degree requirements for this type of program can be completed online, students are required to attend short classes, day-long or weekend-long workshops. Residency requirements differ by school and degree program.
  • Online Certificate or Degree Programs – These programs allow the student to complete all requirements for a certificate or degree online, with no residency requirement included.

Even with all these options, however, many students wonder if an online education is right for them.

Determining if Distance Learning is the Best Option for Your Education
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding if an online education is the best fit for you. While motivation and independence play a large part in successful online learning, there are other important internal and external determinants of whether distance learning is a good match for an individual student. Internal characteristics are those that are intrinsic to the individual.

Important internal characteristics for success in online learning programs include:

  • Learning Style – Those who learn best through visual and kinesthetic (based on movement) channels tend to be comfortable with online learning since it involves a great deal of reading and typing. Auditory learners are less comfortable outside a traditional classroom setting since they are more successful when they can listen to the material as it is presented orally and process it as the hear it.
  • Self-Motivation and Organization – Those who are internally motivated and do not need others to keep them on track perform best in online courses. A successful online student must be able to organize the components of the class. It is also crucial for online students to be able to organize their schedules in order to balance course requirements with other responsibilities in their lives.
  • Independence and Time Management Skills – Completing an online course or degree requires the ability to work well with minimal external structure and the capacity to impose structure without the need for outside guidance. In addition, online work requires the self-discipline to set and meet individually determined goals.

Important external characteristics for success in online learning programs include:

  • Time Availability – While asynchronous courses are more flexible than classroom based courses, there are still required deadlines. In addition, though many assume online classes aren’t as time-consuming as traditional classroom courses, most online courses require more time per week to complete, generally around 15-20 hours weekly vs. 10-15 hours weekly for classroom courses.
  • Computer Competency – For online education to be a good fit, the student must be comfortable with basic computer technology including internet use, familiarity with programs like Word and Excel and the ability to learn the specific computer platform used to teach the course.
  • Expression of Ideas in Writing – Online courses involve correspondence via email. Courses also often require participation in discussions or synchronous chats. Therefore to be successful in online coursework students must be comfortable communicating about the course with your professor and fellow students online and be able to express your thoughts and opinions accurately in writing, sometimes in real-time.

So Is Online Schooling Right for Me?
There are numerous factors that predict whether online schooling is right for an individual student, some of which are intrinsic while others are extrinsic. If after reviewing the requirements of online learning, you are still uncertain, there are several interactive assessments available to aid your decision. Easily completed online, such assessments can help you determine your comfort with this type of learning and whether you possess the characteristics and skills needed to succeed in an online learning environment.

About the Author: Jessica Alan is a guidance counselor earning a counseling masters degree online from the comfort of her own home.

5 Useful Android Apps For Students

by Jorge Goncalves on May 15, 2012

in Education, Learning Technologies, mLearning, Tools

Gone are the days when mobile phones were just meant to be used for making and receiving calls and text messages because nowadays with the number of smartphones and iPhones available in the market, mobile phones have been transformed into PDAs. While iPhones may be synonymous with the image of a cool mobile phone, it is not an affordable option for everyone. Therefore those who cannot afford to get an iPhone can settle for smartphones featuring Android OS (operating system) which is just as useful as iPhone if not more.

For the contemporary generation, Android smartphones have become the friend, philosopher and guide for students. They help them study and organize their study materials better. The following is a list of top five useful Android apps that are meant for use by students:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
This is definitely a must-have app for all students since it is not practical to carry a pocket dictionary with you everywhere. Dictionaries play a very important role in a student’s life and this app is best because it allows them to find out the meaning, synonyms and antonyms of words with the snap of a finger or rather the tap of a finger. The app also supports voice search and the best thing about this is that internet connectivity isn’t required to use it.

Android Scientific Calculator
This app can be downloaded from the Android marketplace just like the other apps. Even though scientific calculators have evolved and they are no longer big and bulky, but small and compact, students would still prefer this app over their scientific calculators any day. This app is considered to be the best for students and it is free of cost. One can use it for calculating degrees, fractions, complex mathematical problems, trigonometric problems, conversions and much more.

Evernote for Android
Evernote has long been in the list of ‘top 10 must-have apps’. This app is not just useful for students but just about everyone from businessmen to homemakers, office-goers and school-going kids. It is free and it can be used for the purpose of organizing one’s photos, ideas and videos. As a student, you can use it for tracking your study plans, managing your study materials, summarizing your notes, capturing photos of the whiteboards, preparing time tables, capturing important notes and many more. Don’t try cramping everything into your brain and use Evernote instead to help you to remember everything.

Aldiko Book Reader
Given the modern world that we are living in, students are bound to use certain e-books instead of using the traditional physical books all the time. To view such e-books you will require a good application like the Aldiko Book Reader. This one allows you to customize, highlight and copy the text. You can also download or buy e-book with this app.

My Budget Planner
Students generally have a hard time planning their budget because they have to balance so many expenses. Budget planning is required in order to have a successful financial life as a student and this app will help you plan your budget and manage your finances easily so that you will have money whenever you require it.

About the Author: Denis a contributor for http://www.carinsurancecomparison.org provided us with this free article on android apps.

Top 10 Benefits of E-Learning Adoption for Schools

by Jorge Goncalves on May 11, 2012

in e-Learning, Ideas

Top 10 Benefits of E-Learning Adoption for Schools

While many schools have begun adopting more online learning programs and are offering a wider range of online courses and tools, there are many out there still wary about the implications of online education.  Schools like South University are offering both physical, in-class learning options as well as E-learning options that open the doors for a much larger number of students.  And for those of us who have personally benefitted from various facets of online education, we already know how much of a blessing it can really be.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the biggest benefits of online learning; it’s our hope that more schools will give greater consideration to offering online options that can benefit an entirely new range of students in the future.

Boundary-less
The geographical boundaries associated with physical locations are virtually wiped out with online learning.  Students can access content from anywhere around the world at anytime with the latest wireless technology.  As more and more developing countries gain cheaper access to these technologies, online learning becomes more accessible as well.

Physical Space
E-learning undoubtedly decreases the physical space required to house students, and offers the unique advantage of learning from the comfort of one’s own home.

Degree Management
E-learning affords students the unique ability to manage their own course load and work toward getting their degree at their own pace.  There are also a number of great online resources like Degree Scout to help find online schools and aid in the degree decision process.

Engagement
With many great new communication technologies emerging E-learning is increasingly engaging.  Students can exchange ideas easier via live chats, video or audio conferencing, and by various modes of document sharing.

Live Feeds
Live reporting allows learners to get feedback from instructors and have one on one communication very rapidly and easily, letting them know where they stand academically and what they can improve on.

Less Learning Curve
With learners online going at their own pace, and being able to review material when they want and as frequently as they want, learning curves will be significantly reduced.

Teacher Freedom
As a teacher, online learning offers the ability to teach multiple courses at the same time.  Professors can become more resourceful and helpful without spending so much time traveling to and from a physical classroom.

Reuse
Materials can easily be reused and updated quickly online.  With the click of a few buttons, content can be virtually updated and instantaneously revamped.

Cost
E-learning is much more cost-effective than in-class learning on account of lower delivery costs of training, fast grading, reduced prep time for materials, and eliminated travel and housing expenses.

Eco-Friendly
It’s no surprise that with much less travel, and virtually no paper or printing costs, online education is a very environmentally friendly enterprise.

These are just some of the many reasons why implementing online courses or teaching methods could be a good fit for any teacher or institution.  While we’re certainly not recommending that E-learning take over your entire existing physical education systems, utilizing or implemented hybrid systems with online education may be a great consideration and benefit to you.  Online learning can allow you to keep your current student base, while simultaneously expanding your reach, students’ reach, and attract new students from around the world all the same.

Image credits:Ronfromyork | Dreamstime.com

3 Ways to Supplement an Online Education

by Jorge Goncalves on April 14, 2012

in e-Learning, Education, Ideas, Online Classes

3 Ways to Supplement an Online Education

The online education route is becoming an increasingly popular way for students to obtain degrees and educations in a number of fields. There is no doubt that it affords numerous great benefits including levels of schedule flexibility, personal freedom, and personal comfort that many physical institutions just can’t offer. But there are some additional things that students taking online classes should consider doing to supplement their educations that can be very helpful in landing a job after degree completion. Here are just three of those supplements for your consideration.

Internships

Although many people take the online education route because they don’t have enough spare time or means for getting to a physical institution, if you can manage it, getting an internship can be a huge step to help you land a job upon completion of your online education. Many internships offer part-time or very part-time positions that can still give you valuable experience that will make you a better candidate for future employers.  Check out a list of sites that offer plenty of internship postings. There are bound to be multiple that will fit the profile of what you’re seeking.

Job Resources

Using the internet to figure out some beneficial resources for finding jobs is something you should do prior to graduation. There are some great job placement agencies out there that can be of immense service to you in finding a job after obtaining your degree. Do some research to figure out the best job resources for your particular needs.

Mock Interviews

Many students receiving their education through online courses don’t have the benefit of getting personal mock interview experience. Do some research on the types of questions asked most often in an interview setting, and get a friend or family member to sit down with you and ask you some of these questions. Getting comfortable with certain responses and questions is a great way to be ready for the real thing when that day comes.

No matter how far along in your education you happen to be, preparing for a job search in your field of study is something that you can start doing now.  There are tons of comprehensive and helpful online resources out there to help you get comfortable with all the various aspects associated with finding a new job once you graduate. Keep up the hard work and look to the future at the same time.

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