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Many children, for many
reasons, are unable or unwilling to attend a traditional bricks and
mortar high school, college or University. They cannot attend for
reasons including poor health, financial reasons or even bullying.
An inability to attend school or college in the past has frequently
meant that our children have lost out in their education.
Online education was pioneered in the UK by The Open University
(http://www.open.ac.uk/) but is now offered by many colleges and
universities around the world.
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Online
education or distance learning was initially seen by many as just a supplement
to the brick-and-mortar classroom with traditional teaching and learning methods
and materials. Over the last few years however, improved technology and educational
techniques have made online high school classes and online college courses viable
alternatives to traditional methods of learning. Today the student does not have
to set foot in a classroom to obtain good academic qualifications up to Masters
Degree level.
Today's students can benefit in a number of ways that previously they could not.
They can get their qualifications despite having no way to get to the school
of their choice, or they may have children, a home, and one or more jobs that
keeps them from physically attending classes at a campus that might be too far
away.
These students can make use of online college courses that feature lectures via
Internet meetings, video, audio, email, instant messages, bulletin boards and
chat rooms, and online study and research sources.
For the home-schooled, or the advanced high school student, the benefits of access
and choice are great. For students who, for religious or personal reasons, do
not wish to mix at school, segregation or integration are available. Equally
those who prefer a religiously oriented curriculum can also be accommodated.
Online college courses are equal opportunity courses. Students of any age, race,
creed, color, religion, location, learning ability, disability, or mindset can
find the materials, sources, and lessons he or she needs or wants from fully
accredited courses.
If you choose an online course you need to be aware of a few caveats. Before
applying check that the online college courses is genuine and the accreditation
is in place. There are some online college courses that are not qualified offer
the qualifications quoted in that they are not "accredited". If you are looking
to use the online learning experience as credited coursework (to transfer, to
get a job or a degree), be sure that the online college is one which meets the
standards set by the state, province, or country accreditation body, agency,
or board.
In the U.S. the Department of Education (the DOE) oversees and regulates American
universities, though each state is responsible for its own higher learning authorization
standards. Checking the course credentials can be a difficult task particularly
if the institution is located overseas. In some countries unscrupulous and greedy "colleges" have
been quick to claim to be "licensed" to run a college but their business is,
in effect, a bogus degree mill, a fake college whos qualifications are worthless.
In the US states have different ways of regulating their colleges. Even in the
US con artists and scammers, claiming to be legitimate e-universities, have been
known to link their pages to the real sites of DOE or of the Council of Higher
Education Accreditation (CHEA). Always check accreditation directly with the
relevant body and do not assume that because of a link an institution is properly
accredited.
When looking into online college courses there are online resources offering
a range of studies at accredited colleges. You can also also ask state or federal
education authority for a list of accredited colleges. Contact the examination
board for the qualification you desire and verify that your choice of college
is accredited and finally check with potential employers or industry bodies which
qualifications they recognise. Most of the time this just takes a few emails
but could save you a great deal of expense and grief.
About the Author
John is 51 and recently completed a degree in
Creative Writing. He now writes on education at In Education where
there is a selection of articles on education for all ages. For more information
on course selection go to Find
Your Online Course .
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com
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