Online Education Basics

If you're thinking of taking an online class, you are not alone. Many of today's students choose a virtual education due to its flexibility and tested effectiveness. However, this phenomenon still carries with it a fair bit of the unknown. Understanding the technology requirements and basic structure of online learning can go a long way in calming any unnecessary fears.

How Does Online Learning Work?
What Are the Technology Requirements?
Is an Online Education a Good Fit for Me?
Is Online Business School as Good as Traditional School?

How Does Online Learning Work?

Online learning shifts the classroom from a physical to a virtual place. This is ideal for individuals who don't have the time or the means to attend a university or follow a regimented class schedule. Contrary to what people may believe, though convenient, online programs are not easier than traditional universities. Programs vary, but across the board, an online education requires a great deal of self-discipline, determination, and motivation. Regardless of the program you choose, it's beneficial to understand the schedule, structure, and software before you begin.

Online class schedules will vary depending on the nature of the course, the program, and the professor's demands. The curriculum for a business degree typically involves reading, web-based worksheets, homework, and tests. You may also be required to often participate in web forums and discussions with other students. Some classes have a fixed meeting time, while others allow students to download lectures at their convenience. The sessions may be synchronous (live) or asynchronous (pre-recorded), and since the transcripts are often archived students can go back if they initially miss something or wish to review what they learned at a later date. Be sure to research the programs you're interested with these considerations in mind.

Classes that use the Internet tend to do so in three different ways:

• Online courses, which allow students to do coursework over the Internet.
• Hybrid courses, where class time is split between the Internet and a classroom setting.
• Web-enhanced courses, which have required classroom hours but use the Internet for homework assignments, resources, and communication.

Typically online classes contain traditional course elements such as a syllabus and include written papers, group and individual-based projects, quizzes, and examinations. Although students can decide where and when to complete their assigned work, they are given deadlines for homework and will get penalized for late submissions. Class materials may vary between courses and can include text books, videos, Powerpoint presentations, and Internet resources.

What Are the Technology Requirements?

Online learning has proven to be an effective method of education, and it will continue to evolve as technology advances. Before you commit to a particular program, it's wise to get accustomed to the pertinent technology involved. In addition to the required textbooks for your online course, you will need to have reliable access to a working computer. Since some online classes require virtual meetings, you'll want to have a microphone and perhaps even a webcam. Before beginning the class, make sure that your computer is virus-free and has all relevant updates, including any new versions of software that you'll be using. If you have a computer that has been purchased within the last five years, you most likely have all the components necessary for online learning.

Another primary component for any online education course is Internet access. If you are working off dial-up Internet, you may consider upgrading to high-speed in order to handle any graphs, photos, or other attachments. If you are currently without Internet and/or a computer, remember that many coffee shops offer high speed Internet for free, and most public libraries have public computers and Internet.

If you find you need assistance, most online courses have tutorials and telephone support, so be sure to take advantage of these features.

Is an Online Education a Good Fit for Me?

The convenience and flexibility of an online education experience is particularly appealing to those who cannot physically attend a university or follow a regimented class schedule. If you fit into one of the categories profiled below, you might be a good candidate to benefit from online education.

• Working Professionals: Many members of the labor force wish to advance their education, however they cannot take time off work or forgo a paycheck to be present at a class. Online schooling enables them to simultaneously work and become educated, so they don't have to give up their job to acquire an advanced degree. By furthering their skills, they become more desirable to their employer and are likely to be eligible for raises and promotions.
• Parents: Being a parent is a full time job in itself, and therefore people with children might find it difficult to leave home or follow a strict schedule. An online education can potentially eliminate the need to find childcare because it enables parents to attend class from home. Since raising children is often unpredictable, they can learn and study at their convenience, and develop a routine that adapts to their busy lifestyle.
• Underprivileged Students: Educational costs can be detrimental to a student's bank account, and typically online tuitions are lower than those for traditional universities. Distant learning is beneficial for people struggling financially, as they can avoid expenses related to transportation and housing. There are also many scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to students pursuing an online degree.
• Aspiring Specialists: Online educations are also great for those looking to obtain a specialized degree or certificate. Many online programs focus on a particular area of study, giving a potential professional the chance to join the workforce more quickly.

Is Online Business School as Good as Traditional School?

Over the past few years, more and more students have been choosing to earn their degrees online. Online education offers an element of flexibility and control that traditional classroom learning does not. However, opinions regarding degrees earned online differ. What was once viewed with skepticism has now come to be accepted by many employers and students. The question of whether your potential employer will view your online business degree as legitimate is essential, and there are many factors to take into consideration before making your final decision.

A 2008 Excelsior College survey of business executives showed that about 83 percent of employers polled believed an online degree to be just as credible as one earned through traditional classroom learning. However, some key factors, such as the accreditation status and the reputation of the school played a large part in how highly employers valued the degree.

Making sure the online degree program you have chosen is accredited should be a priority. Accreditation conveys an assurance of quality and consistency in education, and a degree from a school which is not accredited will most likely not hold much weight with employers. The U.S. Department of Education has a searchable database whereby students can research the accreditation status of a school.

A college's reputation is also important. Read up on your prospective school's enrollment-to-graduation ratio in order to find out how many students who enroll actually complete the program. In addition, see if you can find press clippings and articles about your institution which might indicate popular opinion about the school, and find out how long the college has been in existence.