Online Degree Education - Advantages

Distance education has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it isn't new. Correspondence courses have been around for over a century, allowing students to complete assignments and mail them to an instructor for feedback. Advances in technology have presented more opportunities in distance education. Classes can be taken through telecourses and the internet.

Family and job related responsibilities make it difficult for many people to attend traditional college classes. Distance education makes it possible to complete degree requirements, while attending to other responsibilities. Online programs eliminate the need for long commutes and allow work to be completed according to your schedule. You will still have the opportunity to interact with the instructor and other classmates.

Distance education is available in a variety of forms. Telecourses come with video taped lessons and lectures, which you watch on you home television. Assignments are then completed and mailed to the instructor. Online courses allow you to complete coursework on the computer and email assignments to your instructor. Message boards and chats with other students add to the experience. Video conference classes are held at one site with the instructor at another location. Students and the instructor interact through two way television.

Some colleges offer programs that don't require you to travel to the campus at all. Other programs require you to attend an orientation at the beginning of the semester and may meet once or twice throughout the semester. Brief residency programs require students to attend a weekend long session at the start of every semester. After this initial meeting, you complete the coursework on your own. In some programs, all courses are offered online. In other programs, you may have to take some of the courses on campus.

Programs are structured to give students the same information and quality education they would receive in a traditional college program. In some cases, the textbook and assignments are the same. Opportunities for community involvement and exposure to a diverse student body are found in many programs. Several years ago, few schools offered degrees through distance education. More schools are now offering this choice in response to student needs. The availability of online degree programs continues to increase.

Older students often return to school to fulfill job requirements or to secure a promotion. These students like the flexibility distance education offers. You can work independently and gain skills valuable on the job market. You have the flexibility to study during your lunch hour, in the early morning or at night, according to your schedule. If your job involves travel, you won't have to worry about missing classes.

Distance education offers flexibility in the amount of time you spend on each class or assignment. You can spend more time on difficult concepts and less time on those you find easy. If you are taking more than one course, you can schedule your study time according to assignment due dates. You may have a paper due in one class this week and another project due next week in another class. You can tailor your schedule to meet the changing course requirements.

Katie Robbins is a professional writer, providing content to help the online student. Check out her other articles, including accredited online universities, education master degrees and criminal justice degrees.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


What to Look For When Choosing an Online University

A college degree gives a person a guarantee of higher... Read More

Distance Learning: Balancing Your Education and Busy Lifestyle

Distance Learning is a priority for most who have already... Read More

College Roommates: Threes A Crowd

It's hard enough sharing a dorm room the size of... Read More

The All-Important College Application

H.G. Wells once said, "Human history becomes more and more... Read More

Academia Fraud and Brain Washing Cartels

Many have a tough time listening to the scientists debate... Read More

Accredited Online Universities ? Getting Good Grades

Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline... Read More

Physical Therapy Schools

Physical Therapy Schools administer course instruction to potential physical therapists.... Read More

The Family University Network: Unplugging Institutional Higher Education

Why not build a Christian family enterprise with the energy,... Read More

GCSE English I Hate the Moor Notes about Othello

The Shakespearean play "Othello" describes a cruel chain of events... Read More

Break it up, Break it Down: Paragraphing Strategies for College Essays

Some of us fill a page with a wall of... Read More

Making the Most of Your Summer

At last, summer is here! After a school year full... Read More

Financial Aid for Online Education

You've made the decision to pursue your degree online and... Read More

Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college,... Read More

Federal PLUS Loans

As a student entering college, it is very unlikely that... Read More

Oxford Student Convicted of Child Pornography Offenses

An Oxford student has been convicted of downloading child pornography... Read More

Internship Opportunities at Levine Communications

ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW! "As we celebrate... Read More

College Tuition Costs are Spiralling

So, our children want to fly away from the nest... Read More

Distance Learning : Get an education while you work!

Distance Learning Makes the GradeDistance Learning might make all the... Read More

Student Removals - How to Get the Lowest Quote

The problem with student and any small move comes when... Read More

Online Education and Digital Divide

Digital Education is really coming along thanks to the US... Read More

Tips On College Selection

It is highly recommended that early in the college selection... Read More

Principalship: Leading Change in Schools

The L.E.A.D.E.R. WayINTRODUCTIONIn June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled... Read More

Revolt of the Scholars

Scindex's Instant Publishing Service is about empowerment. The price of... Read More

Student Moans and the Quarterlife Crisis

It's that time of year again when global issues take... Read More

Chiropractic Schools

Before CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOLS accept one into their educational system, it... Read More

7 Tips To Avoid the College Low Expectations Game

Many public universities play the "Low Expectation Game" (see article... Read More

Why Pursue Your Degree Online?

Distance education has been around longer than people may realise.... Read More

Choose the Delivery Mode for your e-Learning Course

There are so many ways to deliver instruction online that... Read More

College Low Expectations Game Cost Students, Parents, & Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars

During a recent conversation with a client, he shared with... Read More

The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses

What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More

Looking For a Rewards Program That Offers Free Money for College Students?

With the rising cost of books, tuition and housing, it's... Read More

Mind-Body Secrets for College Success - Six Key Secrets

Embrace the secrets of the body-mind connection and tap into... Read More

College Is Way More Than Higher Education

The first day of college begins with hopes and dreams... Read More