Tips to understanding the ABC’s of online colleges

The world of education has been revolutionized. E-learning is a world where by using simple computing skills and having an Internet connection one can earn a bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree. Nothing is impossible.

Young or old, whether you live in a rural environment or urban, online learning is for all. A person can further their education, train to enhance their skills, continue professional education, or take a course for the love of it.

A large number of reputed universities offer online courses which can be completed from home, a library, or workplace. The courses are multi-disciplinary and interactive with discussion boards, chat rooms, personal tutors, as well as course study guides.

Self-paced, a student decides when to learn, how to learn, when to be assessed. A wealth of resources offered by the World Wide Web makes learning easy. From the PC one can access books, journals, and thesis, new as well as old in the many online libraries. These are open 24/7 and students can complete their reference work at leisure. Being electronic these libraries offer facilities like automatic generation of bibliography and so on.

Find out more about the wonderful world of online colleges by using the World Wide Web. Thousands of articles as well as sites offer advice as well as information on programs and links to colleges.

Examples are:

•    WorldWideLearn at http://www.worldwidelearn.com/  is a directory with information, articles on online learning, different search engines to facilitate search by subject, location, school identity and so on. It offers information in 408 subject areas offered by schools and colleges both online and at 516 locations in the United States and Canada.

•    Online Education.Info at http://www.online-education.info/  lists various degree and certificate programs, popular institutions, as well as colleges by state.

•    OnlineCareers.com at http://www.onlinecareers.com/ is devoted to career change, development, and skill enhancement.

•    eLearners.com at http://www.elearners.com/, features 84 accredited online colleges and universities.

•    2005 Colleges, College Scholarships, and Financial Aid Page at http://www.college-scholarships.com/ssac.htm contains information presented by the American Educational Guidance Center. It gives information on and links to accredited online degree colleges as well as universities. Contains valuable information on preparation for qualifying exams as well as financial aid and scholarships.

•    Search for Colleges Network at http://www.searchforcolleges.net/  is a directory of  post-secondary educational resources, schools, colleges, and universities that offer undergraduate online degrees.

•    The Education Department at http://www.educationdepartment.org/  is an US Education Department Website featuring several learning options, an occupations guide,

Online courses need:

•    User comfort with a text based environment. A large fraction of study material is visual.

•    A basic knowledge of computers, Internet, and e-mail.

•    Synchronization of interaction between student and teacher or mentor. A deep understanding between the two fosters higher learning curves.

•    A thirst for learning and the discipline that comes with it. It needs to be a quest for excellence.

•    Commitment as far as time and effort are concerned. At the minimum a student needs three hours of study for every three hours spent in class. A three-unit course needs 12 hours of study per week. The benefit is that these hours can be fulfilled at the convenience of the student.

To be successful a student must:

•    Set goals.

•    Establish and maintain a regular study/learning schedule.

•    Share the experience with others. Have a study partner or group or have a mentor.

•    Optimize personal learning style. Learn hands on.

•    Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

•    Set rewards for even small achievements.

Check accreditation as well as credibility. Even online education has a downside. Protect yourself from being duped. Realize your dreams educate yourself without constrains.