Article Dashboard: Reference & Education | College

Monday, March 12, 2007

Online Schools Allow for Flexible Learning Environment

Did you ever think you could get a college degree in your skivvies and bare feet? Perhaps not in any respectable campus classroom setting, but it is possible to earn a degree at home in front of your own computer through an online school. It’s actually happening every day. Hundreds of thousands of students attend classes over the Internet daily, making it possible to earn a respectable degree in the convenience of their own homes. Online schools have gained in popularity and continue to grow in use as this flexible learning environment gains credence.

Degrees in practically any field – education, sciences, business, art, humanities – can be earned through online and distance learning venues. Technology is amazingly available and proficient, allowing "virtual schools" to provide virtual classroom experiences and allowing learning and interaction between students and instructors. Students often interact with professors and other students enrolled in the same classes through online discussion boards.

Vocational and technical schools also offer distance learning and online degrees. Enrollees can study culinary arts, carpentry, engineering, graphic design, health care, computer technology, and much more for diplomas and certificates and associate degrees. Other students may prefer non-credit courses for the pleasure of learning a new skill or for broadening their experience through educational programs or single classes. Online schools allow learning anytime from anywhere. Students without a personal computer can even attend an online school in a public library, if necessary.

There are so many advantages to online courses: Parents can earn a degree without sacrificing the emotional and mental wellbeing of their children by studying online while kids are in school or tucked in for the night. Working adults can prepare for advancement or job changes without sacrificing their regular jobs to attend classes on campus somewhere. And, high schoolers can get a jump on college studies before college admission officially begins.

There is a drawback: To be successful in an online school, you must be self-disciplined and focused on achieving your goals. No one is going to look you in the eye and apply pressure to complete assignments or remind you of deadlines with a schedule that you control. Do yourself a favor and give your character and ambitions an honest assessment before starting on the online college path.

Also, before enrollment commences, keep in mind that accreditation is key to a quality education. A school that is not accredited amounts to little more than a waste of time. Schools must be accredited by national associations and organizations to confer online degrees that hold merit. In addition to determining accreditation, you should do some research on institutions that specialize in the areas and fields of your particular interest. Also check out the employment potential of your particular field; marketable degrees that are in demand are certainly more worthy of your time and effort than an obscure, meaningless degree.

If you are interested in learning more about Online Schools and other programs of study, please search our site for more information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

By: Michael Bustamante

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Visit our Distance Learning Directory and find Online Schools, Distance Learning Schools and other Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools at SchoolsGalore.com

No comments: