Well before the rise of the Internet, distance learning was an option for some students. Those days, courses were by correspondence — students would complete assignments and send them off by mail to be reviewed by an instructor. The instructor would go over the assignment, mark it up, assign a grade and return the assignment to the student. This would go on until the student fulfilled the requirements of the course when a final grade was assigned.

Compared to online learning, this method was slow as molasses. But it worked well for some people.

Today, online education has essentially replaced correspondence driven education, enabling students from all over the world to enjoy distance learning. Millions of people are now learning online, opening up windows of opportunity that hadn’t existed previously. Some schools, such as the University of Phoenix, are largely online education providers. Other schools such as Stanford University, the University of Texas and Seton Hall University, offer online programs in addition to on-campus classes.

If you’re considering online education, there are some things you should consider. Our “reality check” will help you decide whether distance education is right for you:

You crave independent study — For students who like to learn on their own and at a pace that works with their schedule, independent study can be ideal. You set your schedule and study when you want — morning, noon, night or on weekends. Flexibility is the key for you as you learn while handling work, family and other responsibilites.

You don’t mind not interacting with your peers — Peer interaction is part of on-campus life. Not so with distant learning. Some programs and schools have attempted to resolve this deficiency through chat rooms and “go to meeting” type arrangements where everyone logs on at once and interacts. Barring that, you’ll have little if any connection with your classmates.

You are fine with limited instructor feedback — Certainly, you’ll hear from your professor. She will also be available to respond to your e-mails and may take your calls. Don’t count on face-to-face meetings, however, unless your instructor works nearby and there is an in-class option available.

You are technologically capable — Online learning means access to a computer, one that you generally own and have in your home or can carry about as in a laptop. As with any online work, certain programs can be challenging to learn as well as to access remotely. If you’re computer savvy, then whatever bumps in the road occur won’t be a problem for you. You also have broadband or some other quick and reliable connection, not dial-up which is so 1990s.

The above points don’t completely tell you how you would respond to online learning, but they do go a long way in helping you to review what distance education is all about. For a more thorough review of what online learning is all about, please visit the University of Illinois Online topic — Is Online Learning for You?

But, obtaining that elusive degree is a must for many working professionals. After all, if you want to move up at work you may need to demonstrate that you’ve made an investment in advancing your education. One way to do that is to take classes online and on your own schedule.

Online learning has been around for many years and has gotten a lot of attention due mostly to the influence of one school – the University of Phoenix. This school, which has been offering online classes since the 1980s, has hundreds of thousands of students enrolled. Hundreds of other schools also provide distant learning instruction, creating a valuable option for students.

Before you sign up for classes you’ll want to keep some things in mind. Not every school should be on your short list of possible places to study and we’ll give you some reasons why if you read on.

Accreditation – This is a biggie when considering any online school. Yes, virtually every school claims accreditation, but not all accrediting agencies are on par with those recognized by academia. For example, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) sounds legitimate and it is, but does it carry the same weight as regionally accreditation awarded to colleges and universities who meet certain academic criteria?

Among the regional entities are the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, among others. Oh, by the way, the U.S. Department of Education does recognize the ACCSC in addition to several national and regional accrediting bodies.

Courses – Lots of schools offer a wide variety of courses, but do these courses meet your personal requirements? Take the time to evaluate each class – that information should be available online. Compare classes offered at College A with College B (and so on) to see how each one stacks up. Similar names may mean entirely different courses.

Contact – Colleges and universities offering online education options should also be readily accessible to prospective students. But be careful – the so-called “adviser” may be getting paid to steer you to their school and to specific classes. Ask your contact if they are receiving a commission. If possible, meet face-to-face with a school representative. You’ll also want access to a faculty adviser after you enroll – what sort of help does the school promise?

References – Knowing someone already enrolled in a particular school is helpful. If you don’t know someone, ask for references. Visit message boards, forums and blogs visited or managed by students already enrolled. It isn’t hard to uncover information online by googling for help. Read student comments carefully, but also be prepared to separate the whiny complaints from the legitimate gripes.

Enroll – Now, for the tricky part. Enrolling should be fairly easy, but you may need to submit references, test scores, an essay and other materials just as you would if you were attending college for the first time as a young freshmen. Follow the college’s enrollment layout precisely. And, ask if your credits can be transferred to another institution. Be mindful of application fees, tuition costs, semester fees and graduation and other fees. Some of those costs may not be reimburseable from your employer while others may be waived if you ask.

Lastly, apply for scholarships to defray some of your costs. Online learners are eligible to apply for most scholarships; visit our scholarship page to begin your search.

Resources

U.S. Department of Education: Regional and National Institutional Accrediting Agencies

See Also — 6 Signs of a Scam School

You don’t have to hate your job. With the help of an online degree, you can start working in a field that you love.

Do you wake up every Monday morning thinking, “ugh, not again”? Sadly, this is the experience that a lot of people have each week because they hate their jobs. It doesn’t have to be that way. If you set some goals and work hard enough, you can eventually end up in your dream job. An online degree is one step that you can take to help you get there.

Figuring Out What Your Dream Job Is

The most difficult part of getting your dream job isn’t finding the job or getting hired. The hardest part is figuring out what your dream job actually would be. Although there are a few lucky people in the world who know exactly what they were born to do, most of us have to go through some trial and error to figure it out. An online education provides you with the opportunity to explore the different options that are available to you so that you can narrow down your choices and figure out what you really want to do for your career.

Some of the perks of an online degree for figuring out what your dream job is include:

• There are many different degree programs offered to you right in the comfort of your own home. You aren’t limited to what may be offered by your local college.

• You can go to school while working at your current job. That means that you can take your time exploring different classes without compromising your financial situation.

• It is easy to switch between programs. You won’t have to wait in long lines at a counselor’s office like you often do when attending a campus-based school.

Getting the Education You Need to Get Your Dream Job

Once you do decide what your dream job is, you’ll probably need to attend school to get qualified to do that job. Some of the reasons that it’s best to do this through an online degree program include:

• It costs less. It is usually much less expensive to get your degree through an online school than by attending a traditional campus-based program.

• You’ll have flexibility in your class schedule. This means that you can stay at your current job or take care of your other responsibilities while you work towards getting your dream job.

• It’s an optimal way to get an advanced degree. If you already have a degree and need a higher degree to get into your dream job then an online program is a terrific choice.

Networking to Get Your Dream Job

The classes that you have to take to qualify for your dream job aren’t all that you’ll need to get that job. You also need some help getting those doors open to get the job that you want. Networking through your school is one of the best ways to meet people who can open those doors.

An online school often offers great networking opportunities that include:

• Small class environment makes you memorable to teachers. Although it isn’t always the case, online classes are often small. You may also take multiple classes online with the same teacher. As these people get to know you, they can help you along in your job hunt.

• Local opportunities for networking. Just because you are going to school online doesn’t mean that you don’t have the option of meeting people locally. Many online schools have community meeting spots and local campuses where you can connect with counselors and other people in person.

• Internships. It is important to get hands-on experience in many fields. Since you aren’t attending a class to get that experience, you’ll most likely be asked to participate in internships. This will afford you yet another networking opportunity.

Do you know what your dream job is?

Author Information

Chase Jenkins is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. MyCollegesandCareers.com helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online colleges and online courses they can choose from to reach their goals.

The school doesn’t have a huge research facility, active alumni or Top 25 football program. Heck, WGU doesn’t even have a campus unless you count its administrative building as part of that equation.

Online Education

Yes, WGU is an online university, its students are from all 50 states and from around the world. Though founded by 19 western governors, WGU is open to eligible students everywhere. Importantly, its tuition rates are much lower than the typical for-profit online university.

Did I say that WGU is a non-profit educational institution? That’s something worth noting given how expensive college is these days.

Enrolled Students

The milestone WGU has reached is 20,000 enrolled students. That’s significant as the school has grown by 30 percent in each of the past 5 years. The first student was enrolled in 1999 and tuition has only increased by $200 in the past four years.

Yes, dig a bit deeper and you learn that students are paying about $6,000 annually for their education, far off the $40,000 on up figure lots of colleges and universities are charging today.

“Today, more than 70% of college students are considered ‘non-traditional,’ meaning that they don’t live on a campus and that they work and have family responsibilities,” said WGU’s Vice President of Marketing & Enrollment Patrick Partridge. “WGU makes it possible for these non-traditional students to realize their dream of advancing their education by providing a flexible, affordable way to get an accredited degree online.”

Degrees Conferred

To date, WGU has conferred more than 7,000 degrees with that number expected to increase sharply as the current crop of students make their way through their classes.

Notably, big business is bullish on WGU, perhaps because the school makes it easy (and affordable) for their employees to further their education. WGU counts AT&T, Dell, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, HCA, Microsoft, Oracle, Qwest, SunGard Higher Education, Sun Microsystems, American Express, and Zions Bank among the corporations and foundations who support the university.

Adv. — Do you need help paying for your education? A Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan can help you close the financing gap. Competitive rates; world-class business.

Online education has created possibilities that previous generations couldn’t even fathom.

Literally, students can earn their entire degree at home, by working when it’s convenient for them, while wearing their pajamas. This amazing innovation has allowed for greater access to universities and targeted specializations that may not be locally available. It has also been especially beneficial for working adults or stay at home parents who are eager to earn a degree.

So, how did online education programs get started? Here is a brief history of online education.

The history of online education extends back further than you may think, with the very first virtual classroom environments being created in the 1960s. University of Illinois scientists created a classroom system based in linked computer terminals. There, students were able to access informational resources while listening to a professor whose lectures were brought in remotely, via some form of television or audio device.

Certainly not a form of “online learning” that stands up to the web learning of today, but it was the beginning of enhanced distance learning and the utilization of computer resources for educational purposes.

Universities quickly began to take advantage of these new resources by offering distance learning courses, using computer networking for information and resource sharing, and more. By the mid 1980s, college resources frequently included online access to course information and student networking tools.

Online only courses began emerging in the late 1980s, with some moderate success. The concept was further popularized as major corporations began using similar utilities to trim their training budgets. While businesses began with software training programs, the largest corporations started utilizing online tools to minimize software distribution costs.

Another phenomenon that contributed to online learning was the correspondence school. The original correspondence schools worked in a very straightforward way: You registered by mail, received materials by mail, then mailed the course work back for grading upon completion.

As the digital age swept across the nation, the correspondence school became more grounded in the virtual world, and the first online correspondence school, the University of Phoenix, made its way onto the scene in 1989. It was not a fully accredited institution at that time, however, and it wasn’t until 1993 that the first accredited university, the Jones International University, really opened the floodgates.

It was at this same time that a new innovation in the online world made more universities of this kind possible: the Mosaic web interface. This was the first graphic interface that reached out to more common users, allowing for unprecedented access and support. Since that time, hundreds of standard universities have started offering a variety of online courses.

Many institutions, as well as a number of digital correspondence schools, offer full degrees online. As the web continued to open doors, these universities expanded their degree selection. These days, it’s literally possible to graduate with the degree of your choice without ever having to set foot in a classroom.

Education Rocks

If you haven’t seriously weighed distance education as a learning method you may not have considered all the advantages. To that end we’ve listed 7 reasons why distance learning rocks:

1. Opens Doors – Distance education opens doors for millions of people who might otherwise not be able to set foot in a classroom due to accessibility issues including time, a physical handicap or location.

2. Flexible Schedule – There are two types of distance learning classes: synchronous and asynchronous. With the former, you’ll be gathering together with classmates and your instructor at a precise time during the week, the same as you if you attended school in person. With the latter, you establish your own learning schedule, relying on teaching materials and recorded data to accomplish your work.

3. Saves Money – Certainly, not every distance education program is cost effective which means students may still shell out a wad of cash for each course. But, some schools such as Western Governors University offer a value based package. In addition, you’ll use up less gas and your car won’t wear out as fast.

4. Customized Learning – You may find it easier to get the classes you want online than you would if you had to go to the Registrar’s office each semester. Moreover, some programs are tremendously flexible when you pursue a degree, allowing to basically customize what courses you take beyond core subject material.

5. Builds Confidence – Older students, especially those who have been away from the classroom for decades, can find online learning liberating. No need to keep pace with youngsters or feel embarrassed about asking questions in front of a class.

6. Career Changer – Over the past few years, millions of people have seen their careers go up in smoke. Many are making the transition to a new career with distance education playing a role in helping them reshape their lives.

7. Education Sampler – Lastly, online learning allows students to sample a variety of classes some at no charge. If you aren’t sure what you want to study, you may be able to preview class videos and notes before signing up. Save time and money by targeting the types of classes you want to take first.

Survey Says

More than likely when the next education survey is released, the number of schools offering online learning options will have increased. For a number of colleges and universities that is all they do while traditional campus based institutions are expanding to incorporate distance education.

Photo Credit: Simon Cataudo

Virtual Education

While brick and mortar institutions aren’t likely to go away, they’ll need to adjust to reach students who can’t or won’t attend their schools in person. The smart schools are those which are now accommodating students through online options, presenting similar classes via the internet as they do on campus.

But are these classes equal?

2009 Campus Computing Survey

That was one of the questions recently asked by WCET and the Campus Computing Project, a pair of organizations who track trends in online learning. Indeed, since 1994 the “Campus Computing Survey” has been conducted annually with results of the 2009 survey released this week.

The questions asked were submitted to schools who have online programs. Those schools typically responded through their senior campus officer responsible for online or distance education programs with 94% reporting that their online programs are growing.

The most recent survey revealed a few surprises including:

• Students enrolled in online programs may pay higher fees than their on-campus counterparts. Students are paying a one-time application fee averaging $232 and are often subject to additional fees for instruction materials, technology services, and singular courses.

• Many campuses require training for their faculty before sending them “into the web” to teach online courses. Professors often must rely on a support network that includes IT staff to maintain internet access.

• Quality still looms as a large question for online education programs. Colleges are struggling to manage their online programs in response to surging demand. A number of the survey respondents said that their online programs would be be overhauled within the next two years in a bid to streamline management and introduce new technologies to keep pace with demand.

Tech Support

Of note, is how tech support plays in managing online education. 36% of the schools offer ’round the clock support, which is critical when your student body is located across many time zones, if not around the world.

25% offer support throughout the week during daytime and early evening as well as limited access on weekends. 22% responded by saying that they offer support on weekdays and limited evenings while 17% offer support only during normal business hours which are defined as 9 to 5, Monday through Friday.

Summation

Clearly, those schools who are limiting themselves will grow slower which means that technological improvements as well as policy changes need to be made to welcome more students online. Finally, closing the cost gap is essential if schools want to attract distant learning students. By maintaining a wide open gap, schools will find that other institutions will beat them where it counts: in the wallet.

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Will online education disrupt traditional higher education learning practies?

Last week, The Christian Science Monitor, echoed a trend that has been gaining steam thanks to a disturbing force–the internet. Just as newspapers have withered in the face of an ostensibly relentless online assault, traditional colleges and universities may be about to encounter similar disruptions.

Surging Higher Education Costs

Dr. Zephyr R. Teachout, the Fordham professor who was the internet organizer for the 2004 Howard Dean presidential campaign, wrote in a September 2009 opinion piece for The Washington Post that a “radical reordering” of undergraduate education is at hand. She pointed to the cost of college education as being a primary factor for the pending change–costing students twice as much today as it did in the early 1990s and that is factoring in for inflation.

At some point families and students may say “enough” to uncontrollable higher education costs and look for other options. Also, families who have been long locked out of college (such as the poor) know that possessing academic credentials is the key to landing good jobs in the 21st century.

Christian Science Monitor staff writer Gregory M. Lamb noted that online schools as well as traditional institutions with online options have educated millions of students via internet classes, but even those classes may be priced beyond the ability of some students to afford.

À la carte Classes

One new model emerging on the scene is being touted by StraighterLine.com, a company who “provides students with a new option for required college courses built on the expertise of seasoned, respected and proven educators and partners.”

Those educators and partners include McGraw-Hill for course content, Blackboard for a learning management system and Ed Map for an online bookstore. Partner colleges include Charter Oak State College, Fort Hays State University, Lake City Community College, and Potomac College.

Together, these parties allow prospective students to take one course at a time from any of the partner schools right online for a set price: just $99 per month. That fee includes ten hours of 1-to-1 instructional support, if desired. A Course Advisor is made available, a person who can be reached by phone for guidance. Students can mix and match courses between participating colleges.

The New Model?

Whether the StraighterLine model takes off or not is something that will be revealed over time. However, given that the internet has changed the way that people do just about everything, why not encourage the same for higher education?

Perhaps the best solution for future educational needs is a hybrid model suggested by Lamb: students will take some classes online, others at brick and mortar institutions. Clearly, most students crave face to face contact with their classmates and professors, something that just isn’t the same even when everyone is logged on at the same time.

Adv. – No matter where you’re planning to attend school next year, you’ll want to weigh all of your options first. Technical school v. community college. University v. college. Online education v. night or weekend school or traditional path. If you’re considering an online education, please check our dedicated page to help you find the right school and program for you.

Have you noticed a trend with most online, for-profit universities? Typically, those schools were founded many years ago as independent, private universities, but were eventually snapped up by corporations who wanted to capitalize on their name. There isn’t anything wrong with that practice, but then the number of distant learning schools who got started from scratch is probably quite small.

Building A New Model

Capella University is one school that has bucked the trend, having gotten started in 1993 by Stephan Shank, the former Tonka CEO. Shank felt that adult students were not being adequately served by traditional universities so he set out to mix things up by creating a school whereby students could take classes anywhere they chose.

Initially called The Graduate School of America (TGSA), offering MS and PhD degrees in organization and management, education, human services, and interdisciplinary studies, the Minnesota based school received state recognition and, in 1997, national accreditation for its program. By 1999, the school took on its present name expanding its program in the process. Today, the university offers 34 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 122 specialized areas of study, with nearly 30,000 students enrolled.

Awards & Recognition

Capella University has managed to set itself apart from most online schools of learning, by pulling down important awards and receiving recognition beyond academia. In 2001, US News listed Capella among its Best Online Graduate Business Programs. In 2007, the state of Minnesota accredited Capella’s Master of Science specialization in Reading and Literacy program for licensure, one of just a few online schools so recognized.

Capella has also been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Online Advantage

Recently, the U.S. Department of Education made a profound statement when it comes to distant education, “Online learning has definite advantages over face-to-face instruction when it comes to teaching and learning.” Those advantages typically include allowing students to learn at their own pace which for some students enhances their learning experience.

Capella University offers classes strictly online which means that students do not attend classes locally nor can they travel to Minneapolis to sit in on classes. But, that underscores what the college is all about: offering certificates, bachelors, master’s and PhDs to time pressed students who want to reach their goals on their own schedule.

Adv. — Online learning opens a world of educational opportunities for students. Almost every course of study imaginable is offered via the internet, offering degree, diploma and certificate programs for tens of millions of students. To learn more, please visit SayLearning.com to find a program to your liking. Do you need financial aid? If so, check out our free financial aid charts to learn how to apply.

Learning Away From Campus

Strayer University offers both online learning and on-site learning opportunities, via numerous degreed programs.

Online education, also known as distant learning, has opened up new educational opportunities that our parents could only dream about. Once a niche or trendy way of getting a degree, many for-profit private schools as well as traditional public and private universities are now offering courses online, some which never require students to sit for an exam or attend a lecture.

Strayer University is one such school that is attempting to redefine learning, allowing students to take classes at nearby campuses or strictly online. Offering both synchronous and asynchronous classes allows Strayer students to choose the right path for themselves.

Choose Your Learning Path

With synchronous classes, Strayer students log on at a set time and date each week to hook up with their fellow classmates and instructor. This arrangement can work especially well for the student who needs the discipline of learning at a predetermined pace.

Asynchronous classes could be the best arrangement for the student who needs to study at his or her own pace. Like when the kids are in bed. Or when you catch some down time while at work. Weeknights, weekends and holidays could work well for you too. You’ll keep up with everyone via Strayer’s audio lectures, video presentations and supporting instructional materials found online. In addition, web chat will help you stay connected with other Strayer students. Phone or email contact with the professor is encouraged as is online tutoring if needed.

About Strayer

Strayer University offers undergraduate certificates and diplomas; associates degrees; bachelor degrees; executive graduate certificates; as well as masters programs leading to degrees in business administration, education, health services, public administration, information systems and accounting. Many of these same programs are offered on lower levels, allowing Strayer students to complete their studies and move on to the next level if they choose.

Strayer Education, Inc. in Arlington, Virginia now owns the university which was founded as Strayer Business College in 1892 in Maryland. A private corporation was established in 1996 to take over the newly minted Strayer University and has run the school ever since. Today, the school claims nearly 50,000 students are taking its classes at 70 campuses across the US as well as online.

Adv. –  Prospective students considering enrolling in online courses, should perform due diligence to make sure that the program of study is everything they need it to be. Schools should be accredited, courses relevant to the degree program and financial aid options should be available. To help you succeed, please visit our online education page to help you build a better future!