When
you hear the words online schools do you imagine some guy in his
pajamas, sipping coffee and tapping away at a home computer? Well, that
image is not too far from the truth; but an online course is not
exactly a piece of cake, either. Contemporary colleges and universities
of today offer a sophisticated array of online degrees and diplomas
that are very well-regarded by modern employers. In fact, online
schools are presently poised to overtake traditional, campus-based
schools as the preferred method of education for the adult learner!
Back in the day, distance learning courses
entailed a cumbersome process of waiting days or weeks for books and
tests to be mailed back and forth; students rarely if ever came face to
face with an instructor. But, thanks to the advent of personal home
computers and the Internet, online schools
can provide students with instant access to classes 24 hours a day, and
instructors are available online via email discussion groups, chat
rooms, and video conferencing. Students can easily download books and
exams, and upload essays and reports at their leisure. In fact, most
online courses allow for a pretty flexible learning period; the online
student can usually go as fast or as slow as personal preferences
dictate.
Realistically, though, most online courses will require at least 12 to
15 hours of work and study every week. Any school that will "award" a
college degree or diploma without the student actually completing the
coursework is really just a diploma mill, and credentials from such a
"school" are not worth considering. It is important to be sure that
your choice of online schools is approved by the US Department of
Education (USDE). This will ensure that you will receive a quality
education that is accepted anywhere is the US and Canada.
The best news of all is that you can study practically any subject
online, and most of the time you will never have to set foot in a
classroom. Of course, some fields of study, such as online medical
schools, will necessarily have site visit requirements to prove
competency. But, this is something you can inquire about when you start
looking in-depth at specific online schools. If you are not able to
commute for any reason, such as a disability, ask the admissions
department about it; it is possible that accommodations may be made.
There are more than a hundred different types of online courses listed
on our website, so, what will your choice be? May we suggest some
popular favorites? If you are seeking a career in business
administration, how about Business Administration Online Schools. Or,
if you like computers, check out Computer Science Online Schools. Truth
is, there are far too many to list on this page, so we urge you to look
carefully at the Online and Distance Learning Directory on our website,
where you are sure to find the perfect Online School for you.
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 2007 - All rights reserved by 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.
Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools, colleges, universities, and vocational/trade schools.
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Michael Bustamante
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