Online Education ? The Changing Face of Education

September 9, 2010 by admin
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Online Education ? The Changing Face of Education

Opportunities in education today would have been impossible even a few decades back. With the popularity of the Internet, easy accessibility to computers and the World Wide Web, higher education has been transformed into a new dynamic entity. With technology progressing at a rapid pace and demands changing almost daily, our lives are only becoming busier. The world around us is left with no option but to change and move along with the times to accommodate to our new schedules and requirements. This is more than apparent in the field of education. As times change, fewer and fewer students rely on the traditional method of attending classes at a college campus. The ‘brick and mortar’ type of education still exists but now side by side with the option of graduating from an online degree program as well.

As the number of people who look for ways to complete their education or improve their skills becomes too large, it is inevitable that a large number of colleges and universities take the necessary steps towards filling that need. But jobs, childcare and other family obligations limit the amount of time people can devote to their education, and thus, alternative arrangements are created. Online education has started gaining popularity and has now completely changed the way we approach education today.

Online degrees are now widely accepted and recognized as authentic educational qualifications. As long as the institution offering the degree is accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, there should be no problem in the degree being accepted and acknowledged anywhere. Fully accredited online degree programs are now available in nearly every field. From management to medicine, law to accounting, there is a wide variety of choices on offer. Even obscure subjects and fields of study have found their place on the Internet. With degrees such as healthcare, students are even given the option of combining the practical aspect of their training at local hospitals or clinics along with virtual classes and studying online.

The flexibility of online education has opened up the doors of education to people from all walks of life. Stay at home moms and dads can now study from their own houses and employees can complete their assignments around their work schedules. There is 24 hour accessibility to the study material allowing for all night study sessions as well as the possibility of returning to subject matter again and again if necessary. And as universities continue to expand their options, the flexibility of online education will only increase. Students will be offered more options with the possibility of a custom created curriculum that suits their individual requirements and interests.

Distance learning also allows people hundreds of miles away to graduate with degrees from the college of their choice. Without spending a penny on gas or transport, students can make the most of a world class education with resources and faculty from all over the world. Through pre-recorded lectures, worksheets, assignments, e-classes, online forums, and tests, students can view, interact, and study from the comfort of their own space. With a more flexible attendance policy, students can choose to tackle their workload as quickly or as slowly as they need to (all within a larger pre-determined schedule, of program). While this freedom may prove to be a little daunting to a new student, after completing a few programs, it becomes easier to get used to this new way of studying. To be successful in an online program, a large amount of self discipline and motivation is imperative. Without which it is all too easy to take advantage of the flexibility of the program and not achieve much. And while online education is definitely less expensive than a traditional degree program, to spend time, money and effort on something that is not taken seriously will not accomplish anything in the long run.

Online education in short offers every individual the right information in the right format at the right time for the best chances of success. Once upon a time online schools were considered the next wave of education and that future is finally here – ready to change the way we look at education way beyond the boundaries of any classroom.

Stevens-Henager College, established in 1891, is distinguished as one of the oldest colleges in Utah. It has trained generations of graduates through on-campus and online degree programs for Master’s, Bachelor’s and Occupational Associate’s Degrees. Stevens-Henager College also offers accelerated
online graduate degree programs for working professionals to enhance their career and qualification.

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Is the College Admissions Process Changing?

September 5, 2010 by admin
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Is the College Admissions Process Changing?

What college will be a good match for me? Are you currently or did you ever ask yourself that question? Deciding on a college is a decision that can’t be taken lightly and a college search requires a lot of dedication and time. What makes a college a good match? There are many factors that should be accounted for when deciding on a good fit for each student. For example, academic programs, sports programs, the social scene, extra-curricular activities, and school credentials may be very important for a student. Every student should evaluate where and how far they want to go in life in order to be sure to choose a college that will allow them to fulfill all of their most wildest dreams.

With this being said, it is important that every student takes a close look at each school they are wanting to attend. If a student is planning on furthering their education by going to a graduate school or a medical school, the student should find information on the undergraduate programs at the college they are wanting to attend. If the student is planning on attending medical school, he/she should find out if the chemistry department and biology department at the college of their choice is prestigious enough for him/her to get accepted into medical school. Even so, whether or not the student is planning on attending graduate school, he/she should find out information on the undergraduate program that he/she will be attending.

What students seem to forget is that they aren’t the only ones trying to impress someone. Colleges too are constantly trying to impress their prospective students. Therefore, if students are serious about getting the best education, they should do their own research on each college they are considering. Many students forget that the process goes both ways are happy to be accepted anywhere.

Even though I have done very well academically, I don’t consider my academic performance to be a complete measure of my current or future success. Colleges realize that academics aren’t the only way to find the most motivated students who will have success in the real world. Therefore, they are always looking for better ways to learn about future prospects and the kind of character that will be added to their campus through the students they recruit.

It wasn’t too long ago when I myself went through the whole painstaking ordeal of being accepted into the college of my choice. What I enjoyed about my ordeal however, is that the college admissions officers took a look at more than just my test scores and grades. There were many of us prospective students who spent a weekend doing various activities on that college campus while college admissions officers watched us closely and interviewed many of us. By doing so, there were able to see more of who I was and not just that I had awesome test scores. (I don’t mean to brag, but, they were pretty good.) Nevertheless, I was happy with how the entire ordeal was run and that I was considered to be more than just a test score.

College admissions processes are still a work in progress. Many schools nationwide are looking for new ideas to improve the way they deal with college admissions, trying to find a way to make prospective students more than just grades and test scores. With so many applicants, it makes it very difficult for college admissions offices to look at each student in depth. A quicker way to filter through student applications would be an ideal way to better the process.

Advancements in science and technology has helped to lessen the headache of the process of admission to college for the colleges and students. Online applications have made the process much easier for students. There are also new and exciting ways for college admission officers to recruit students. College recruiting is going to be taken to the next level soon with new programs that allow students to showcase themselves to any college of their choice. For example, the Yale Admissions Officers or Harvard Admissions Officials can now recruit using online services in order to find potential students.

Students looking to be recruited now have a new resource called Zinch.com. Simplify the college admissions process and learn about each colleges requirements including all ivy league schools. It’s more than just a college search. Jason Luke is a lead fulfillment manager for ioVentures, Inc.