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Showing posts with label Distance Learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Distance Learning. Show all posts

Friday, July 11, 2008

Psychology Degrees Through Online Education

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 40 percent of psychologists are self-employed, with clinical psychologists earning anywhere from $50,000 to over $100,000. The average salary for a psychology professor was $82, 554 for the academic year of 2005-2006, according to the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. The demand for psychology professionals will continue to grow up to 26 percent.

Having a background in psychology can be very useful. Professionals in the field of psychology study, research and strive to understand human behavior and the mind. Counseling and clinical psychologists dedicate their work to providing treatment to individuals who are coping with various degrees of stress and trauma.

Research psychologists conduct scientific experimentation to understanding the mind, and the depth in which exterior stimuli affect mental processes. Being able to understand human behavior and how individuals interact is especially useful in business professions requiring communication skills. HR professionals and industrial-organizational psychologists directly apply psychology to the working environment. Practicing and developing the skills learned from a psychology course is rewarding and useful.

Whether you’re pursuing a psychology degree for a career or personal interest, the opportunity for studying psychology is more accessible than ever. Thanks to the many colleges and universities providing distance education and online programs, students now have access to hundreds of different educational programs, at all levels, from Associate’s degrees to Ph.D.s. Some universities have offered online educational programs for many years, while others are just now developing online courses.

With over 60 percent of all colleges and universities offering some form of distance education, students have access to hundreds of enriching educational programs. Online classes allow students to take classes from home, the office, and on the road, and there is no deadline for program completion. Individuals can complete classes at their own pace without facing academic penalties. Whether for personal fulfillment or achieving career goals, an education in psychology is within reach.

eLearners.com, an online learning advocate, provides a variety of services to help potential online and distance learners find out about and select the best courses, programs and degrees for their needs, including a searchable database listing accredited colleges and universities and the classes they offer. They try to give you enough information about online learning to narrow your choices and make an informed decision.

eLearners’ services are free — the site and it’s provisions are entirely supported by their education partners, sponsors and service providers.

Take the next step: Log on to www.elearners.com now to get your Psychology degree online.

Copyright © 2007, ARAnet, inc.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

ATutor - Online Learning Management System


LMS brainstorm
Originally uploaded by zappowbang
he emergence of the internet and the prevalence of personal computers in almost every sphere of human activity has also made its foray into the academic sector and a new concept has been introduced, this latest innovation is referred to as online learning or e-learning and it promotes online education to all those individuals having access to a computer and it involves learning through interaction with qualified tutors online and upon the conclusion of the course, online degrees are handed over to the selected successful candidates. It is interesting to note that unlike traditional educational system by means of which knowledge is imparted to the students manually, here interaction is based on a medium which facilitates transfer of knowledge. Therefore there is required certain tools which would aid in this mode of online learning. Such tools are known as learning management systems which comprise of a set of software applications which in their turn provide certain functions which are extremely beneficial in contributing to the cause of online learning. One of the most popular among the various learning management content systems or LCMS is known as ATutor and it is also an open source application which came into being for the first time in 2002 and there are multifarious reasons because of which ATutor is considered to be one of the most prominent online learning management systems. ATutor is distinguished to be the first among the learning content management systems to abide by the various accessibility specifications laid down by the W3C WCAG 1.0 and XHTML 1.0. While the latter allows ATutor to be displayed in all similar technological specifications, the former enables this learning content management system to gain access to the various categories of its operation at any point of time by any user.

In terms of adaptability functions, it is to be noted that ATutor can function in any given learning or teaching environment and there are certain features which reflect its mode fo functioning. These include themes and tool modules as well as study groups and other privileges. For long, it was considered to be a shortcoming on the part of the learning management systems as they were unable to provide the benefits of online learning to the blind and disabled candidates. But applications at ATutor has enabled these disabled candidates in gaining the advantages of online learning and it also provides various professional development courses designed for the teachers and researchers as well.

Online Degree Inofrmation Source: http://www.an-online-degree-by-distance-learning.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prahalad_Singh

Monday, November 19, 2007

An Online College Degree Guide to Success

Sitting around the house, in your pajamas, with a hot cup of coffee by your side is the image you most likely conjure in your mind when thinking about earning an online college degree. While an online education can in fact allow you to learn in your pajamas, it is anything but a lounging experience. In fact there are many reasons why earning a degree online can be more challenging than getting a degree at a physical campus. Is online education right for you? Is it something you will embrace, or learn to hate? The answer to these questions and more follows.

Earning an online college degree is largely based on ones personal motivation. If you find yourself motivated without encouragement, then online education is probably for you. Conversely, if you have an issue with the idea of having to do things on your own, on a regular basis, online education might take some getting used to. The fact is that like anything else online, you must choose to turn on your computer, login, and access the information. While students face social pressures if they do not attend a physical campus regularly, in the digital world, the only person keeping tabs on your work, and attendance, is you. Therefore it takes a personal commitment to make earning a degree online a reality.

Another important aspect of online college degree programs is the ability to operate a computer. Chances are if you are able to access this article, you know your way around the internet. But, it is important just to review the fact that online college degree programs expect you to have a reliable internet connection, and computer that is virus free, and enough hard drive space to store whatever documents, and recordings the university sends out.

Working two jobs, and have a flare for getting a lot of sleep? If this is the case, earning a degree will take some major sacrifice, and this is exactly why online programs offer financial aid. Utilizing the vast government resources, financial aid can offer assistance with living expenses, food, and tuition. Deciding if earning an online college degree is right for you will take an honest analysis at the current work schedule of the potential student, and what changes can be made to make time for study.

Each program is unique, and will require different commitments from a student. It is necessary to look at online college degree program course guides, and syllabuses if possible to get an idea of what it is that you will be doing on a day to day basis. The more research done now, the better understanding of the program will be later. Simply ask any admission counselor about the program of your choice when considering enrolling for an online college degree program. It is the counselor's sole job to help you understand what college is all about.
While there are certain people that were born for an online education, others must find out what it is that works for them. The most important aspect of them all when it comes to weighing if an online college degree program is right for you is time. Take your time when researching this life changing decision, so that when it is made, it is made with complete confidence that the online college degree program that you enroll in is the best one for your needs. After all the only question that truly will go unanswered in your search for a online college degree program is the one you choose not to ask.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Online Training for Skill Development

by: Randall Arthur Olson


When the purpose of corporate training is to help employees reach a particular level of skill competence, online training is often a much better choice than traditional methods of training. Online training is an excellent means of providing convenient, assessment-driven training that enables workers to move at their own pace toward accomplishing stated training goals.

Employees often have very different entry-level skills. When faced with learning a new skill that needs to be applied on the job, some workers are likely to begin training with no prior knowledge, and others may already have advanced knowledge. When students with vastly different prerequisite skills are sitting side by side in instructor-led, fixed time frame classes, it presents unique challenges for both the learners and the instructor.

When instructors begin classes at a level appropriate for those who have no prerequisite knowledge regarding the skill, those who are more advanced tend to become bored and resentful. However, when instructors begin classes assuming prior knowledge that some of the students don’t have, those learners who are most in need of instruction will not be able to achieve the learning outcomes.

In such situations, many trainers adopt a mentality of teaching to the middle, which simply results in reducing instructional effectiveness for all participants. Teaching to the middle still leaves those with no entry-level skills behind, and still bores those students who are the most advanced.

With online learning, this problem disappears. Online training programs are typically designed to allow learners to progress through training modules at their own pace. Those with advanced skills can quickly demonstrate proficiency with the basic skills and can move to the parts of the instruction they really need. Those who require remediation can spend as much time as they need getting a strong foundation on which to build.

The best e-learning systems for corporate training applications allow training managers to control which classes learners are required to complete, as well as monitor student progress through training. This results in a win-win situation for corporate trainers and learners at all levels of skills. Employees will appreciate being able to move through skill development training at a comfortable pace, at convenient times.

With corporate training, what matters in the long run with employee skill development training is whether or not employees develop skills and are able to transfer the necessary skills from training settings to the workplace. Online training options can be the most efficient solution for providing employees with the skill training they need.

About The Author
Randall Olson is a career and corporate training expert who specializes in online learning and certification testing at training at Mobile Technical Institute http://www.mobiletechwebsite.com. He also works with MTI Business Solutions, providing marketing, writing, and SEO consulting services to a wide variety of clients. Stop by http://www.dailycareerconnection.com regularly to learn more about the benefits of online learning and continuing education.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Distance Learning or Distance Education [The Overviews]

Distance education, or distance learning, is a field of education that focuses on the pedagogy/andragogy, technology, and instructional systems design that aim to deliver education to students who are not physically "on site". Rather than attending courses in person, teachers and students may communicate at times of their own choosing by exchanging printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to communicate in real time. Distance education courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason including the taking of examinations is considered to be a hybrid or blended course or program.

E-learning intitiative growing


E-learning (left page)
Originally uploaded by mushon
By Ela Gaur [ 12/10/2007 ]
[ viewed 9 times ]

Internet emerging as a training and education providing mode with high effectiveness due of the advantages provided by the mode. The mode is more relavent in the present context for the people or employees who want to up-grade and also work. The time constraint does not exist as per the convienence the study matter can be read and exams can also be conducted online so the timing and venue is not the constraint.
The erradication of such constraints have made the e-learning as potential training method for the busy executives who wish to upgrde themselves.
The learning is not absolute and continous learning is the key for success as new and new things come up and learning them is the requirement. So to keep oneself update with knowledge and learn and re-learn is the funda for growth and grab knowledge.

About the author:
Ela Gaur

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Continuing a Higher Education Online


computer classroom
Originally uploaded by y2k_maria
by: Steven Ross


When it comes to gaining a higher education, online opportunities are quickly becoming one of the most popular options around. If it's not the user friendly features of online learning, then it's the cost effective aspects that appeal to the average working adult. This is the person who is greatly interested in the benefits that come from a higher education, just not the rigid schedules and the pricey tuitions that tend to go with it. The benefits of online learning go beyond time and cost to offer a sense of accomplishment once the new Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degree is in hand.

With technology consistently changing the shape of the landscape of nearly everything, the history of e-Learning has evolved and continues to evolve into great legitimacy in the world of education. While conventional classrooms still have their place, the virtual classroom is seeing more and more students each year. With the accreditation of online schools offering not only a number of degrees and qualifications, the opportunity for financial aid also makes online venues even more attractive. For some, there is just no beating the practical experience one receives in online degree programs. This is especially true when career advancement hangs in the balance.

Whether opting for a particular qualification or needing to get a general education online, prospective students will find just the right courses they need in almost every subject. For some, online education can offer a chance to either broaden horizons or narrow down career options. Selecting a variety of subjects can help define a career path when a student finds they gravitate more toward certain subjects more than others. Often, online credits are considered transferable and can help in achieving one's degree.

It is doubtful that distance learning could have ever reached the level of effectiveness that it has without the help of the internet. Though this type of learning has been in place for a great number of years, it is the information superhighway that has changed the face of education from a distance forever. Where students waited weeks and months for correspondence from distant universities, one now merely needs to take a few seconds to log on to their virtual campus to get assignments. The virtual learning environment provides not only learning tools but collaborative software featuring such options as chat, discussion boards and even audio-conferencing. This can make long distance learning seem like anything but.

The advent of computer-based testing allows for students to gauge their skills and focus attention right where they need it. This leads to another bonus in the world of online education in the form of handy online tutoring. Students will find that supplemental learning options are readily available to those who may need the extra help from time to time. Many have come to realize that the only way to get around the frustration that sometimes comes with learning new skills is understanding the material better.

Most online programs generally consist of CBT (computer-based training), WBT (web-based training), interactive media, educational animation and a whole slew of other types of educational technology. Rapidly improving technology continues to develop these features at every turn, making online learning more and more efficient. Learning management software allows students to take control of their education and organize it right down to the specifics of career planning using ePortflios.

Of all the things the internet has proven itself to be useful for, online and distance learning continue to make their appearance at the very top of the list. The ability to cut across the distances in the blink of an eye and share common information also crosses the borders of the amazing. Every new technological enhancement ensures there will be no stopping the world of continuing education.


About The Author
Steven Ross owns and operates http://www.highereducationonlinereport.com Visit His Site To Read Many More Articles About Higher Education Online

Best Online Webtuition

by: Capstoneinfoways


Web Tuition Network consists of a group of qualified home tutors. We teach primary school kids, secondary school students up to college students. We help you or your children by bringing them to the next level of achievement. If the student is poor in studies, we improve it. If he or she is already quite good, we make it perfect.

You can easily secure the best tutor by one of a few ways below:

* Simply post your tuition job online. All relevant tutors will be notified. You just sit back, wait for offers and select the best tutor.

* Browse the full tutor listing, specialist tutor groups and tutors and contact your favorite tutors online.

A new gig, promotion, tour, recording, writing, teaching...whatever your story, we want to hear about it, which MI program you attended, when you attended, your current contact information (email and/or phone) and a brief description of what you've been doing. We'll get back in touch with you for more details- MI is proud of its alumni, and we'll keep working to help promote you and your career.

A new trend in Indian outsourcing is promising to revolutionise the way that British schoolchildren receive extra tuition in maths and science. this service also provide good online web tuition.

"UK parents spend millions of pounds a year for improving their children's grades. TutorVista aims to open up such services to the mass market.

Those logging on for online tuition are typically offered a free trial and a "get to know you" session at which teachers can ascertain the level of the student and particular areas in which he or she is having difficulty.

Here is a list of how much the Maryland colleges cost in general or for the In-State (IS) and Out-of-State (OOS) students (for state colleges).


About The Author
CapStone Infoways is a leading provider of world-class Offshore Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services.

CapStone Technology India is a Web design company and website development services firm based in New Delhi, India. The company is dedicated to providing.

CapStone Web Designers, website designers in India , web site developers india design web sites for indian and offshore companies. CapStone web designers.

http://www.capstoneinfoways.com/

Sunday, November 04, 2007

High School Online


online driving school
Originally uploaded by eeyorenada
Online learning has long been the domain of adult learners and college students. However, as the technology surrounding elearning grows, and more people have access to the online environment, more and more high school students are opting to complete their education online.

There are many different reasons for working through high school online. Some of the most common situations surrounding high school online include:

• Accessibility: whether it’s because of a physical disability or just simple location, sometimes it’s not easy for a student to get to and around school. If accessibility is a concern, online learning makes things easy. There are no buildings to get into or around, no classrooms to navigate, and little travel time required to get to the living room and sit in front of the computer.
• Learning Disabilities: a learning disability can make the high school experience difficult for students. Perhaps your child needs extra attention that’s unavailable at the local school, or he or she needs extra time that doesn’t come easily in a traditional school day. Regardless of your child’s needs, studying online is a more personalized and adjustable experience. Your child isn’t expected to fit in with a class of 30 other kids with different skill and knowledge levels, and you can cater the program to individual needs.
• Scheduling: it’s a reality that many high school students work. That job might be something as simple as a part time job at the local convenience store, or it might be the beginnings of a career (think child actors or musicians). If a student has to reserve time for work, it can be difficult to adhere to the traditional school day schedule. Online learning allows students to pick the hours that are most convenient for them, so they can work all the other elements of their daily lives into their education.
• Socialization: the teenage years are some of the hardest that any person can live through. Moreover, in high school, it’s really easy to feel like you don’t fit in. Sometimes the situation is so serious it affects the student’s ability to learn. In an online environment, students interact with each other but the interaction is more removed so there aren’t the social pressures of appearance or style. A normally shy or reserved student may feel liberated in the online environment, making the high school experience easier and more useful.
• Personal Choice: some students just don’t work well in the traditional school setting. They may get bored with the pace, or be looking for a more individualized approach. Online learning will allow students to cater their learning to any needs they may have that aren’t met by traditional schooling methods.

With all the new advances in online learning, high school online programs are becoming more easily available. If you or your child isn’t satisfied by the traditional high school experience, give online learning a try!

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

David Madison is a regular contributor to onlinelearning101.com – a highly informative and authoritative website specializing in Online Education, also features information on colleges and universities such as Capella University, and more.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Analyzing A Nursing Continuing Education Opportunity

By: Rita Henry

Continuing Education (CE) is vital for the further development of a nursing career, but you shouldn’t choose just any courses to add to your credentials. Each CE program that you choose should enhance your knowledge, make you a more valuable employee and further you on your career path. Evaluating your nursing continuing education opportunities for each of the following criteria can help you choose just the right courses to keep you on the right career and professional path.

Is the Course Relevant to my Job?

Choose courses that enhance your ability to do your job. If your current position is in the school nursing environment, a continuing education course about the latest advances in ER technology isn’t likely to have much relevance to your job. On the other hand, some courses that seem to be irrelevant on the surface may have subtle connections that aren’t obvious at first glance. Is some of your school nursing time spent in a full-service on campus clinic? In that case, that emergency room CE course may just offer something of value.

Does it Enhance my Career Opportunities?

Even if you’re content in your position and have no plans to seek advancement, you should evaluate how a chosen continuing education course fits into your plans. The world of medicine changes every day, and so do expectations of nursing professionals. Keep your eye on advances in your chosen segment of the nursing field to be sure that the courses you choose keep you qualified for the jobs to which you aspire.

Is the Course Accredited?

If your main goal in taking nursing continuing education courses is to garner CE hours toward recertification or licensure, then accreditation is vital. Check to be sure that the courses you choose are accredited by The American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Is it Offered by Respected Professionals in the Field?

Do you recognize the names of the instructors, or of the institution offering the course you’re planning to take? Popularity isn’t always a measure of quality, but it is one way of checking the credentials of instructors and institutions. If you’re not familiar with either the instructors or the offering institutions, ask around. Nurses’ forums on the Internet are great places to find out about programs that you might be considering – and you’ll hear directly from professionals just like you whether or not the course material was helpful and suitable for your continuing education.

Is the Learning Style Accessible for You?

One often overlooked facet of evaluating a nursing course is personal learning style. No one knows better than you do whether you learn best with hands-on instruction, or can absorb more information if left to explore and gather it on your own. Choose classes that are conducted in your best learning style to get the most out of your continuing education hours.

Continuing education courses for nursing represent a substantial investment of your time and money. Take the time to evaluate each course that you plan to take to make sure that it meets all your expectations and needs.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Rita Henry is a contributing editor for Nursing Job Finder, the leading job and resource site for the Nursing Industry. Interested in receiving only the hottest Nursing job listings weekly for free? To learn more visit Nursing Job Finder.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Activities for ESL Students

Activities for ESL Students is a project maintained by The Internet TESL Journal and boasts thousands of quizzes, tests, exercises and puzzles to help you learn English as a Second Language.

Features:

• English grammar quizzes sorted into easy, medium and difficult levels and focusing on all aspects of English grammar

• Vocabulary quizzes at easy, medium and difficult levels that deal with thematic groups of English vocabulary, including abbreviations, collocations, homonyms/homophones, idioms, phrasal verbs, proverbs and slang

• Easy and difficult crossword puzzles, each concentrating on a single motivating topic

• Podcasts and video podcasts designed especially for ESL learners with downloadable MP3/MP4 files

• Bilingual vocabulary quizzes for speakers of other languages

Visit Website

Required Teen Driver Course Now Offered Online

The American Safety Council, in conjunction with AAA and Taggart’s Driving School, announces the approval of its 30-hour online driver education course that meets Georgia’s new Joshua’s Law requirements for teen drivers and is approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

Called Joshua’s Law, the State of Georgia now requires 16-year-olds to complete an approved driver education course in order to receive their Class D License. The law was passed in response to the ever-growing overrepresentation of youthful, novice drivers in traffic crash and fatality statistics. Joshua’s Law became effective on January 1, 2007.

The primary objective of this course which is available at www.JoshuasLaw.com is to provide novice drivers with the knowledge required to effectively make responsible and well-reasoned decisions while driving. This includes appropriate responses when drivers are faced with observed traffic hazards as well as in routine driving situations.

The State of Georgia now compels the completion of a 30-hour driver education course in addition to imposing a more rigid behind-the-wheel mandatory education component before an applicant is eligible for issuance of a Class D driver’s license. Those individuals who do not complete an approved course must wait until age 17 to become licensed to drive.

The behind-the-wheel education requirement may be addressed by completing 40 hours of parent-administered behind-the-wheel driving instruction — including six hours of night driving — in accordance with a DDS-approved plan or successful completion of the behind-the-wheel education component at a DDS licensed driver education school. As a convenience for students, the American Safety Council provides a free link to access the DDS-approved behind-the- wheel course at no extra charge.

This online course may be accessed using any computer and may be taken from home or anywhere a student has access to the Internet. Students may log on and off as many times as needed to complete the course, will not lose any of their invested time in the process, and are thus able to take the course in whatever time increments they have available.

The course completion will be reported to the Georgia Department of Driver Services electronically upon successful completion of the course.

The American Safety Council and its affiliated organizations have provided educational courses, traffic safety training, and professional continuing education in association with state regulatory agencies and court systems for more than ten years. The organization was the first to be approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to offer traffic school courses in an interactive fashion over the Internet and now offers courses in various states.

For course information, contact the American Safety Council at (800) 732-4135.

Offer Online Teaching Credentials

Ashford University and Rio Salado College have partnered to offer aspiring teachers a new opportunity in online education. Ashford now offers a bachelor’s degree program designed to provide students with an accelerated way to earn their undergraduate degree and teaching certification.

“The partnership between Ashford University and Rio Salado College Online offers aspiring teachers an accelerated opportunity to fulfill their dreams,” said Ashford University Chancellor Jane McAuliffe. “By combining a bachelor’s degree and a teacher preparation program, Ashford and Rio Salado are providing students with a truly unique opportunity.”

This new degree program prepares students for success with courses that transfer into the Rio Salado teacher preparation program. These classes teach foundational content, methodologies, and functions performed by professionally certified teachers.

Upon graduation from Ashford University, you’ll complete your teacher certification course work at Rio Salado College Online. Rio Salado College’s online teacher preparation program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education. This program allows you to qualify to apply for a teaching certificate in elementary or secondary education, and is accepted in most states.

If you’ve always wanted to make a difference as a teacher, but wondered if you could do it in an online or accelerated format, this might be the option for you. Ashford University is an ideal choice for working adults to earn their degrees without disrupting their lives. Visit www.Ashfordteacher.com for more information.

Source

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Discover The Ease Of Online Learning

Author: Analeese Burnabaker

Many people in today's world are wanting to go back to college to gain a degree or to increase their knowledge in a certain area. Unfortunately, the busyness of life doesn't always provide the time (or the money) for desiring people to stop what they are doing and head back to school. It is not always realistic to lay aside a career for a few years simply to devote yourself to study. The good news for anyone desiring to learn more while keeping up with life can turn to online learning as a great alternative.

Online learning is one of the best things that the internet has brought us. I am amazed that all people need to do is log on to the internet and they can sign up for a nearly endless amount of amazing classes. Whether people are hoping to finish their GED or to graduate with a Bachelor's degree or even a Master's degree, online learning can be a great way to go.

Obviously, one of the biggest benefits of online learning is the convenience factor. You do not have to stop your career or move to another city that offers the program you desire. Instead, you simply need only to have internet access. Having internet access opens the door to endless possibilities that can be fulfilled within your home or at a local library if you do not own your own computer. There is perhaps no more convenient way to get an education than through online learning.

Online learning is also great because it is so flexible. It can work around your schedule rather than you having to submit yourself to the learning schedule. This is great for professinoal adults or for parents everywhere. Furthering your education does not become burdensome or impossible, but rather it becomes a pleasure. We could all use a few things that are flexible in our lives, and online learning is just that. You decide on the program you want to study, the classes you want to take at any certain time, and then you just sign up and begin.

Online learning is a great way to slowly work on a degree while keeping your current job and responsibilities. I am so thankful for online learning because it has allowed me to earn my Master's degree while maintaining a full-time writing career. No other method of education worked for my time and my needs.

I'd encourage anyone serious about pursuing more education to look no further than online learning. It's simply amazing.
Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:

Analeese Burnabaker has been an advocate of online learning ever since she successfully completed a degree that way. See www.coolonlinelearning.info for more on online learning that meets your needs.

Distance Learner’s Checklist: How Sharp are your Computer Skills?

Author: Matthew Paolini

Distance learners need to be computer savvy if they're going to succeed in their pursuit of an online degree. Are your computer skills good enough to learn online? Compare your computer know-how with the following list of essential skills to see how well prepared you are for an online degree.

The most obvious skill, perhaps, is a good understanding of how to navigate the Internet. You'll need to know how to open an Internet browser, how to maximize and minimize the browser window, and how to use the forward and back buttons to move back and forth between Web pages. Major browsers like Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox have extensive Help files where you can find answers to all of your questions about Internet navigation.

Second, make sure you know how to manage files on your computer. Make sure you can use Windows Explorer to find folders and files on your computer's hard drive. Practice creating, copying, deleting and saving files until you're sure you know how. If you're in doubt about your skills, select "Help" from the Windows Explorer menu bar and then search for information about "files".

If you don't know how to Copy and Paste, learn. Mastery of these basic Clipboard functions will save you tons of time when working online. These basic skills include the ability to left click and drag to highlight information in a document, to copy that information to the clipboard, and then to paste that information from the clipboard into a new document or spreadsheet. If you don't feel confident about copy-and-paste, search for a free copy-and-paste tutorial on any of the major search engines.

You'll also need to be thoroughly familiar with sending and receiving email. Make sure you know how to open and save email attachments, as you'll receive much of your course material and other work by email. Your email program will have a section in its Help file that can answer any questions you have about email and how to handle email attachments.

Finally, as an online learner you'll need to know your way around some kind of word processing software. Microsoft Word is considered the standard here and most new computers come with Word already installed. If your computer didn't come with Word, it won't cost you a dime to get a very capable alternative. Consider downloading OpenOffice from openoffice.org. OpenOffice is a free, easy to use software suite that includes a powerful word processor called OpenOffice Writer. It offers all the functionality of Word, including the ability to open and create files in Microsoft Word format.

Even if all of your online learning skills have been carefully honed, don't forget to check your computer system to make sure it can participate in the online learning experience. In most cases, you'll want a computer running Windows XP or MAC OS 9 or higher. Also, almost all online universities recommend Internet Explorer or Firefox, adding they've found that AOL users often cannot properly access online courses. You'll also want to have a minimum monitor resolution of 800 x 600 and a DSL or cable modem for best performance. Finally, say leading online institutions, you'll want to enable java script and cookies to optimize the learning experience.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:Matt Paolini works from home as a distance learner. Visit University of Phoenix or University of Pheonix for free distance learning info.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Some Tips to Find the Best Online University For You

It is much easier today to find a university offering online degree courses, but you would like to find out which is the best for you. These 5 tips could very well help you to find out. This way, the final choice for your university or online degree institution will be up to you. Use these valuable tips for making the best choice on your future online university.

At one time, the general public had never heard of a university offering an online degree. At present it seems to be discussed everywhere. How knowledgeable are you on the subject? Keep the research up on learn as much as you can.

Receiving a university education online has become a very practical reality for people who cannot spare the time and commitment to enroll in a regular university on a campus. Luckily there are countless options for getting an online education, depending on your particular needs and your mission. Making the right choice best suited to your personal schedule and particular learning style as well as the course itself is of the utmost importance.

1. Express your needs

Different people have different motives for getting an online education. Before you begin considering what yours may be, take time to think in depth to determine what kind of education you seek, how you can arrange your online education to fit into your routine, how much time and effort you are willing to spare and whether it is personal fulfillment or career advancement that you aim to achieve through the course.

2. Examine your options

The Internet is sprinkled with offers of online education for every conceivable purpose. So take the time to collect information about the options that suit you. Most schools give free information kits on their education programs that can help you get a better idea of what's to expect if you choose to enroll with any of them. You have the opportunity of conducting searches according to the type of courses you are interested in and colleges based on locations. Make sure you fully understand what this entails and you must have a clear idea of the program being offered before you invest your hard earned money and time into any one of them.

3. Spot the scams

As with all offers on the Internet, being able to spot a scam will take you a long way from the irritation of being burned. Check carefully when doing your searches for the right course. If you've been told about a course through a spam e-mail, this is not for you, steer clear of it. Fake degrees and credentials are out there and you'll only be wasting your time, effort and money if you choose one of them.

4. Verify Accreditation

Accreditation of the school or institute in which you enroll in is of vital importance. After all if the reason you are pursuing additional education is to advance your career, the degree you will be earning needs to be acknowledged by your employers or prospective employers.

5. The Facilities Offered

Not all online courses have the same facilities to offer their students. There are some that offer services like tutoring, links of references, library time, technical help, direct discussion messaging, grouping with fellow students and a variety of other features. Depending on the sort of study aids that are likely to benefit you, make your decision based on the kind of facilities you can be excited about, once you enroll for a course.

Nic Haffner likes to give his readers the best online degree information. You can go to the website online degrees from accredited schools for more.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Success!! with Online Degree Program


By: Amelia Turner

Earning a degree through an online degree program has become a trend for many students. Online education provides you with flexible and convenient leaning environment where you can attend classes from your computer at home wearing your pajamas. The online degree program can provides the same learning quality and degrees that are mostly acceptable in the job market.

The bad news is there are many online students fail to complete their online degree program. Online degrees are not for every student, unless you can adapt to the online environment and create regular study habits, you may be dropped off half way through your online study and waste your time and money. If online education is your option, here are the 4 tips for you to success in your online degree program.

Tip #1: Degree Program That In Line With Your Career Goal

Most of students choose to earn a degree are for their career planning to a brighter future. Hence, you need to choose an online degree program that can help in your career path. For example, if you want to become a marketing manager, you should choose online marketing degree or online business degree with marketing as specialization instead of online music degree. There are many online degree programs with the same degree title but there are difference courses offered in the program from one school to another. Hence, you should request the program details from the online schools and carefully review their courses to ensure the courses are in line with the requirement to achieve your career goal.

Tip #2: Choose a Properly Accredited Online Degree Program

The online degree program offered by your selected online school should be property accredited by an accreditation agency that is recognized by US Department of Education. Always double to check the accreditation mentioned by the school with CHEA.org to ensure that the online degree program of your choice is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency.

Tip #3: Make sure Your Love Online Study

If you plan to take you degree online, you must be good in learning in text format because most of learning materials are in text format. You should also like to search for information from internet, attend online chat sessions, able communicate through discussion forums and love to stay online; these are the key factors of a success online student. People who like to learn by listen to lecture in a class room should follow traditional way of education.

Tip #4: You Must Be Able To Self Motivated

Although you still have peers in an online class, physically you are alone accessing online material from home or any locations away from your other online peers. Hence, you must be able to motivate yourself to move along your online study progress. An online degree program gives you the flexibility of plan your own schedule for self pace study; the flexibility may cause you to stay out of focus if you do not have self-motivated and discipline to fix and fit your study into your schedule.

Summary

Earning a degree online is a good option because it gives you the flexibility and convenient learning environment. If you choose this online education option, you must adapt to the online environment and create regular study habits to ensure you will success in your online degree program.


Amelia Turner is the author from www.your-online-degree.info Visit her website if you want more FREE and detailed information on choosing the right Online Degree, online degree programs and online education information.

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Are Online Degrees Worth the Cost?

By: Daniel Z. Kane

Are online degrees as valuable as those earned via traditional on-campus study? More and more people are asking that question every year.

Interestingly, some studies indicate that students learn more in online study, and other studies conclude that the opposite is true.

Therefore, it is difficult to make sweeping generalities about whether an online or traditional college education will be of higher quality or will be received with greater acceptance. A better idea for folks considering their options would be to consider their individual situations and goals. But, the one constant is that students should consider only fully accredited colleges and universities.

The process of choosing your best educational options should always begin with questions. What are youir personal goals? Career goals? How strong is your commitment? How much time do you have to devote to your education? Will your goals require licensure or certification of any kind? As you answer these questions, your options will become clearer.

Convenience is, of course, another important consideration. Many working adults, in particular, have limited time to travel to and from a campus, and it can be difficult, given life's other demands, to be tied to a fixed class schedule. For folks with these challenges, online degree programs are often a clear choice. Online education may also offer more opportunities for applying previously earned credits, including those for life experience, which might in turn make it easier to earn an accelerated degree.

For most people, finances are a major factor in choosing a college or university, online or otherwise. Initially, few online degree programs were able to offer significant need based financial aid or loans, and even fewer offered scholarships. Today, however, many students in distance education program receive financial aid, including loans and scholarships.

Certainly online degree programs offer convenience, and many offer tuition payment plans, tuition rates and financial aid which make them affordable...in some cases, even cheap. And, it is not hard to find people in many professions who have enhanced their career options by earning online degrees. The tough question to answer is how well online degree programs are accepted by employers. Again, as with one of the questions posed earlier, generalizations may not be instructive.

You might best answer the question by contacting folks in your profession, especially those who are in charge of hiring and promoting, and ask them if an online degree would serve you well. Ask if they have found qualitative differences between students who have sat in a classroom and those who have availed themselves of online education. And, when speaking with admissions counselors at the institutions you are considering, ask them for placement information. While you're at it, be sure your admissions counselor addresses any licensure or certification concerns you may have.

Finally, when determining whether or not an online degree is a good choice for you, you would be well served to consider your learning style, preferences, academic skills, and your ability to self-motivate. If you have serious concerns, you may want to attempt a single online course or an online educational certificate program before deciding to pursue a full fledged degree program.

Daniel Z. Kane has worked at schools and colleges for 30+ years. He has created nearly a dozen educational websites on online degrees and online colleges to assist students and educators.
This and other unique content online degrees articles are available with free reprint rights.

"Who's Got The Time?" Online College Degrees

By: Jane Harris

What prevents most people from going back to college to complete their studies? Well, for starters, a busy person might have family commitments. They may have children at home (especially small children) who need constant care. Or they may have older parents who need looking after.

Still other adults would no doubt cite present job or career responsibilities as a big hindrance to getting further schooling. Most working adults are working because they have financial responsibilities - those bills roll in every month, and they have to be paid! These people (perhaps most of us) simply cannot AFFORD to take time off from their present job, let alone quit to pursue full-time school attendance.

You're probably thinking that leaves you between a rock and a hard place: you need to work - but you also need to get a better job for the better life that it would bring you and your family. But don't you see it? That better life will not ever become a reality if you don't have that diploma to hang on the wall. So what can you do? Attending daily classes on a traditional campus simply will not work for you. And that's where online college degree programs come in.

When you enroll in an online college degree program your entire educational experience is funneled through your PC at home. Via the Internet you can attend all your classes. Communication with your instructors and fellow students is handled either through e-mails or class forums. Through these methods, you can exchange information, collaborate on assignments and class projects - everything necessary complete your coursework.

I know your next question: "Are these schools for real?" And the short answer is yes. And the reputable schools are always accredited. This will protect you from the scammers out there. You will be able to transfer your credits to another school, and future employers will recognize the validity of your degree as long as you go to an accredited school.

What kinds of degree programs are currently available, and what courses of study are available online? Most schools offering online programs of study are either trade schools (such as Culinary Arts schools), business schools (specializing in courses in Accounting, Management, Finance), as well as colleges and universities (one of the most well-known being the University of Phoenix). You will find schools offering programs in IT (Information Technology), Medical Careers (Medical Assisting, Radiology), and even Engineering.

And here's some good news: the same kinds of financial aid that would be available to those attending a traditional campus (such as various types of student loans) are available to you as well. As long as your school and program of study are properly accredited, you will have financial aid options.

I hope that by now you are asking: "How do I get started?" Well, the best place to research information on online college degrees is ONLINE. So start there - locate some schools offering the kinds of degrees in the subjects that you are interested in. Make sure, of course, that they are properly accredited and approved. Compare costs - all the costs - for class attendance. You might even want to ask the a person already employed in that field for their opinion on a prospective school. When you have narrowed the field down to 3 or 4 choices, then contact them and tell them that you are interested attending. You will have a chance to ask any questions that you might still have, get additional information to help you make your final decision, ask about financial aid, etc. When you are ready, make your choice. Congratulations -- and welcome to the world of online college students!


Author: Jane Harris Writes about Distance Education and University of Phoenix. Learn more about obtaining your college degree at www.university-phoenix.com
This and other unique content online degrees articles are available with free reprint rights.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Adelaide elearning conference


Image Source : bcuc.ac.uk

This week found CWA New Media team members at the “Vision Splendid - ICT: Research, Pedagogy, implementation in Schools” conference in sunny Adelaide.

A highlight was hearing from Professor James Paul Gee, Tashia Morgridge Professor of Reading at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a prominent author on the New Literacies. His entertaining exploration of “video games as learning machines for a global world” confirmed our view that there is a lot more to the world of gaming than meets the eye.

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