Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Online Distance Learning

Distance learning is the process of obtaining an education while not on the physical property of the institution at which you are being educated. In recent years distance learning has experienced a surging popularity as more and more students discover the convenience of fitting these into their life's schedules.

Although it sometimes seems that distance learning is a relatively new concept, it has been around for well over one hundred years. The first known correspondence class was a class in shorthand taught by Isaac Pitman in the 1840s. Over 100 years later the University of South Africa became the first established institution to offer correspondence classes in 1946.

The Open University was founded in 1967 in the United Kingdom and became the largest distance education university. Since the founding of the Open University, many other institutions have followed suit. It is now possible to earn an entire college degree without ever stepping foot inside a classroom.

The development of the Internet has increased the number of students able to obtain a college degree through distance learning. All the students need is a decent personal computer, a solid Internet connection, e-mail, and the ability to attach files to their e-mails.

There are many reasons that students now choose to obtain their degrees through distance learning. Many students like the fact that they no longer have to commute back and forth from home to class everyday since, as the gas prices rise, they are able to save money. Students also enjoy the fact that they can complete their classes at their convenience, so that classes don't interfer as much with their social lives and current careers.

Students who are also parents no longer have to worry about scraping up the money to not only pay college tuition but also day care fees as much of their distance education allows them to stay at home so they can watch their children as they study. Additionally, physically impaired students find that distance learning allows them to take classes without having to worry about accessibility.

As in everything, where there are advantages to distance learning there are also disadvantages. Often the cost of the technology is quite expensive for both the school and student. In the student's case, it is imperative to make sure they own a reliable personal computer which can sometimes cost several hundred dollars. On the school’s side, the technology required to teach students through distance learning is often expensive, which means an increase in tuition costs and fees.

Both the teachers and students must be prepared to make some sacrifices when it comes time to complete examinations. In some situations, not all online classes are totally online. Some schools require you to still appear on the campus to take tests and exams.

Many high schools are now becoming involved with distance learning and are offering such programs as part of their curriculum. Distance learning allows these high schools to share resources and information with other schools and offer a larger earth class option for students with special means and wants.

Sadly the increase in online colleges and universities has also brought about an increase in diploma mills. Diploma mills are schools that offer a college degree in exchange for a one-time lump-sum payment in life experience. Unfortunately, after students pay their money and receive a degree, they learned these degrees really aren't worth the paper they were printed on. Students can avoid falling into the diploma mill trap by checking with the Council of Higher Education Accreditation and making sure the school they are considering is on the approved list of colleges.


http://www.zcareer.com/articles/odistancelearning.html

Applying to Online Colleges

All too often, student’s shy away from the idea of an online university because they're worried about getting scammed. The fear of getting scammed chases the students away from the convenience online universities provide over their traditional counterparts. This is a sad state of affairs since it is so simple to avoid the diploma mill scam. All it takes is just a little homework, a little more research, and a little dedication.

The first thing potential students need to do when they're looking at an online university is to contact the National Educational Association and make sure that the school they are looking at is accredited. Most legitimate online universities will display their accreditation directly on their web site.

The second step potential students should take before applying to an online university is to ask the admissions counselor what type of student teacher support network exists. Students should ask the admissions counselor about how to contact professors with problems, what information will need to be downloaded to complete a course, and what type interaction there is with other students. The more a potential student knows about an online university, the more comfortable they will be filling out an application and ultimately sending in a tuition check.

Once contact has been made with the admissions counselor, students should locate a course catalog and read all of the online degree program descriptions. While they are going through the catalogs, they should write down any questions they may have and then get back in touch with the admissions counselor for answers.

Try talking to other students. Find out how they feel about the online college. Ask how they've handled problems in the classroom. See if they have any recommendations or suggestions for new students.

If you're lucky enough to live near a home base of the online university, try to schedule a visit.

If you're considering taking online classes at a traditional university, check to make sure the classes are completely online. Some schools advertise having online courses but require that the students still report to campus when it is time to take tests and exams. It would be tragic if you started to take classes at an out of state university and get half way through the class only to find out you must report to campus to take the exam or fail the class.

If you have previously taken college classes and amassed any credits, check with this online university and find out if those credits are transferable. Find out how to transfer the credits. Also check to see if the credits you acquire while at the online university will transfer to traditional universities or other online universities. While you might be planning on completing your degree program at the same university, no one can predict the future and things might change.

Before applying to an online university, consider the cost, how many credits will be needed to complete a program, and what the average length of time for completion of the degree program you're considering. Compare the results of this list to other online colleges and traditional universities you have been looking into.


http://www.zcareer.com/articles/applyingoc.html

How Online Colleges Can Help the Disabled

Disabilities come in many shapes and sizes. When most people think of disabilities, they generally think of severe mental or physical handicaps because they are the most obvious. Other disabilities include the learning challenged and socially challenged. In many cases, online colleges are the only option for students with physical, social, or learning impairments.

Accessibility, accessibility, accessibility. The very first thing a physically impaired student must consider before enrolling in a traditional college is whether or not the campus is accessible for them. Attending a traditional college or university does very little for them if they get to the campus and discover that it is riddled with staircases and inconvenient seating arrangements. It is also difficult to concentrate on your studies if you're been ridiculed by your fellow classmates.

Many physically impaired students are able to not only experience life on a traditional college campus but, in some cases, even revel in the atmosphere. However there are also many physically impaired students who find themselves unable to fulfill their degree requirements while they are attending a traditional college campus. For these students, online colleges are often the best solution.

For students with disabilities that require outside assistance in order to complete basic skills like dressing and personal hygiene, taking classes at a traditional campus is nearly impossible. For these students, online colleges provide an opportunity to receive a college degree that they might not have been able to achieve otherwise.

When they attend an online college, they know exactly what they are getting when it comes to their environment. Because they're able to take classes in the comfort of their own home, they know that the aisles are wide enough, the floors aren't slippery, they won't be impeded by numerous staircases, and they won't have to worry about people not knowing how to accept their disabilities. All they have to do is sit back and concentrate on learning.

Online campuses are often the answer for students who are learning challenged as well. By taking classes online, they are often able to customize their study schedule to suit their own ability to learn and/or concentrate. Online classes offer the students a chance to study at their own pace, communicate with the teachers, and socialize with fellow students, via chat rooms and e-mails.

Socially challenged students, such as those with severe autism, often find it impossible to attend a traditional college on a traditional campus. The sheer volume of students, the large confining classrooms, the constant activity, the social clicks, and the imposing professors, are simply too much for the socially impaired students to accept and, all too often, they're overwhelmed and end up dropping out of college.

For these students, the seclusion of an online university allows them to relax and focus upon their studies. Not having to come face to face of their college professors and fellow classmates and remaining in a familiar environment is often all it takes for the students to achieve success.



http://www.zcareer.com/articles/ocdisabled.html

Things to Consider When Deciding Upon a College

Most teens want to go to school based on how close it is their home or where all their high school friends are planning to go. While these are legitimate reasons for choosing a school, they are not the only things that should come into consideration. Things students should consider when looking at colleges are their location, academic reputation, availability of financial aid, job placement success, the college size.

When shopping for the perfect college, most parents and students consider the location of the college first. This is especially important if the student is planning on staying at home while attending college. If a student is not planning on living at home, the location may not seem as important but should still be taken into consideration.

Students should not go to a college or university where they might experience culture shock as soon as they arrive on campus. If students have a disability, they should make sure the campus is assessable. If a student would like to visit their parents on the weekend, is it close enough to home for this to be feasible? Is the campus at a location where the student will be able to work in a part-time job to help finance their education?

When students and parents look at the size of colleges and universities, they should not just look at the overall number of students attending the college. Instead of the overall student body, it is important that parents look at the student-teacher ratio. Will the student be able to get enough one-on-one time with the professor to be able to succeed in their classes?

Parents of students often forget to ask about what academic support services the college or university offers. This is often overlooked because most students preparing to go to college are just leaving the high school world and don’t consider the fact that the more difficult classes offered in college might require some extra tutoring. Will this tutoring be available if the student needs it?

If a student is lucky, before entering college they will also know what degree program they would like to pursue. Does this school have a good reputation for academic requirements in this major and what is their job placement rate in the desired field?

When it comes to the social life at potential colleges, parents and students are split. Parents would like to believe that their students are going to school to simply study. Students often would like to go to school to party. Before a student leaves for their college, parents and students should sit down, look over the social activities offered by the university or college, and discuss what is and is not acceptable.

Last, but not least, students must consider the cost of the college. Not every college is created equal when it comes to the cost. Often location also factors into the overall cost of the college. What is the standard cost of living in a given area? How does it differ from what the student is accustomed to?



http://www.zcareer.com/articles/considercollege.html

Student Loans Financial Aid

Financial aid for students is the funding and loans available to help overcome the incredibly high price of getting a college degree. A student can use the financial aid to help pay for tuition, room and board, books, and other miscellaneous college expenses.

There are two types of funds available: merit-based and need based. Need-based student aid is money that comes from the federal government which is based on a financial need. The federal government provides financial support in two different ways. The type of aid that is best for students is called FAFSA, which provides money to students which does not need to be paid back at the end of the college experience.

The other type of federal funding available to students is student loans. This is money that is given to the student in the form of Federal Stafford loans, federal park at loans, and federal plus loans. Money students receive in the form of these loans must be repaid at the end of their college experience.

Students cannot qualify for federal funding until they have filled out the Free Application for Student Aid Form provided by the United States government. Once this form is filled out, the student will receive notification about how much federal funding they can expect from the government. Many individual states also provide funding in the form of grants, loans, work study programs, tuition waivers, and scholarships to students attending school in their state.

Students can apply for financial aid before they are accepted into a school. However, they will not receive any funding until they are actually enrolled in college. It is important for students to remember that they must reapply for financial aid every year. Most students reapply for financial aid on January 1.

If a student receives a loan, it is important to remember that they, not their parents, are responsible for paying it back at the end of their college career. The only time parents are responsible for most of student loans is if they are cosigners. The one exception to this is the federal PLUS loan. Students can apply for a federal education long before the age of 18.

Merit-based financial aid is scholarships earned by the student that are financed from an outside source such as universities and colleges, corporations, and other private sources. Merit-based financial aid can be awarded based on the student’s personal character, leadership potential, or special talents.



http://www.zcareer.com/articles/studentfinancialaid.html

College Preparation

Depending on your personality, preparing for college is either the most exciting thing you'll ever do or the scariest. You're leaving the high school you've always known, preparing to make new friends, abandoning the rules and regulations imposed by your parents, and stepping into a whole new world of exciting possibilities and advanced knowledge.

Basically, you are leaving all that you've ever known and entering into a world where anything could happen. You are about to embark on the next stage of your life.

Whether the experience is terrifying or exciting there are some simple steps you can take to make the college preparation go smoothly.

You heard it before but try to get the highest possible GPA while you're in high school. The higher your GPA the more schools there will be that are interested in you. In addition to having more schools to choose from, working for the highest possible high school grade point average will also teach you valuable study habits that will continue on to college and graduate school.

Study and prepare for your college ACT or SAT test. If you receive a low score, plan on taking the test a second time. Colleges and universities study the results of these tests very carefully when screening potential students.

Know what type a degree you would like to have when you're finished with college. Certain schools offer a better certificate of completion while other colleges are more focused upon their bachelor’s degree programs. If you see a community college in the near future, you'll probably be enrolled in an associate's degree program.

Students and their parents need to start thinking about how they plan to finance college. Students should remember that they do not have to be accepted in a college or university to apply for financial aid. Students should fill out their FAFSA application immediately and start researching the types of loans they are eligible for. Students should remember that, unlike most bank loans, they do not have to be eighteen years old to apply for student loans.

If you’re are planning on living on campus, try to get a list of things you will need from the school early. The sooner you start shopping for school items the more relaxed you will be in the weeks leading up to the move in date.

There are many websites available that have resources to help parents and students prepare for the transition from high school to college.



http://www.zcareer.com/articles/collegepreparation.html

The Best Online Degree for Business

When most people think about a business degree, they automatically assume that that is exactly what it is, one single degree that covers the entire business world. They're wrong. In reality, there are several different types of degrees that all fall under the heading of business.

The top 10 business degrees currently are: business administration, management, leadership, project management, information systems management, finance, technology management, entrepreneurship, human resources, and international/global business. The Master of the Business Administration (MBA) is currently the most popular online graduate degree. The Masters in Management degree is the second most popular MBA and a Masters in Leadership is the third most popular.

Students who want to study business topics such as hiring, coaching, and benefits would be advised to pursue a degree in human resource management. A corporation’s human resource management team consist of individuals who review résumés, take applications, and often give the first interview to potential employees.

Students with a Human Resource Management degree often begin their careers with a salary that is in the mid-$30,000 range. As they gain experience, many employees go on to make more than $80,000 per year. Students studying human resource management normally take classes such as labor relations, workplace law, benefits planning, and professional development.

Students who have a strong desire to work in a company that is part of the global market and uses the latest technology should consider pursuing a degree in business management. Business management degree holders are renowned for their strong application skills, being able to analyze problems quickly, and their ability to think critically.

When involved in the business management degree program, students combine business administration skills with business concepts. In 2004, the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the average salary for business management degree holders was approximately $85,000 per year.

If a student is considering going into business, they might consider earning a business degree in leadership. A leadership degree assists potential executives in developing the skills they will need to compete in the business world. Students who are already in the workforce often pursue a leadership degree in hopes of a promotion or are considering starting a business. A recent survey done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the average salary for a leadership degree recipient is about $43,000 per year. If that same degree holder goes on to become a chief executive officer of a smaller medium-size Corporation, they might make as much $125,000 per year.

Leadership degree programs focused on development, organizational dynamics, business trends, and long-range planning. In addition, these degrees are also designed to help students develop their creative abilities and learn how to deal with problem solving a business world. Many leadership degree programs also encourage students to take courses in health and wellness.

Students who have an interest in budget analysis, investment banking, or real estate, should do well in a finance degree program. After completing a finance degree program, many students go on to pursue careers in budget analysis, investment banking, loan offices, underwriters, personal finance advisers, real estate, and money management. Most careers of this kind require a bachelors degree in finance as well as certification from the Chartered Financial Analysis or the Chartered Financial Consultant designations.

Some people are not meant to be employees. Some people are destined to own their own business. If this is how a student feels, they should consider pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship. By the time the student is done with their bachelors degree program, they will be endowed with such traits as: leadership, perseverance, ambition, independence, passion, future orientation, ingenuity, and creativity.

Some students dream of doing business in an international forum. For these students, there are international business degree programs. International degree programs are designed to teach students how businesses operate in an international forum. In addition to dealing with the typical business curriculum, students enrolled in a international business degree program also learn about international law, customs, strategic alliances, joint ventures with foreign firms, international trade, and will study real-world cases.



http://www.zcareer.com/articles/bestbusinessod.html

Student Loans

Very few students are able to afford college without receiving some sort of financial aid. Many students receive financial aid in the form of educational loans. Educational loans or student loans are a type of financial aid that students must repay, with interest, when they have completed college.

There are three types of these educational loans: student loans, parent loans, and private student loans. There is also a fourth type that is used less often called the consolidation loan.

Student loans are loans provided by the government. Student loans are renowned for their low interest rates. Many students who would not be able to qualify for other types of loans are able to get student loans because they do not require credit checks or collateral. Students are also able to apply for student loans before the age of 18.


It is important that students remember that they, not their parents, are responsible for making sure the loan is repaid after they have completed their college degree. Parents like student loans because, if their child defaults on the loan, the parents are not held liable. Many students are able to get extended repayment terms with their student loans.

The most popular student loan is the Stafford Loan. There are two variations on the Stafford Loan. One variation is the Federal Family Education Loan Program. This particular type of loan program is funded by private lenders such as banks, credit unions, and loan associations.

The other type of student loan is the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. These loans are administered by IDE schools and are provided by the US government. With the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, students can choose to receive a subsidized loan or an unsubsidized loan. A subsidized loan is one in which the government pays the interest while you are in school. With an unsubsidized loan, the student is responsible for paying the interest, however you can have payments deferred until graduation. All students are eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

There is a fixed interest rate of 6.8% for loans that were awarded after July 1, 2006. Before July 1, 2006 Stafford loans had a variable interest rate that was capped at 8.25%.

It is critical for students to remember that repayment of student loans begins six months after they graduate from a college or university. Although these loans are renowned for their low interest rates, students who fail to make payments quickly find out how fast the interest adds up.



http://www.zcareer.com/articles/studentloans.html

How to Save Money on an Online Education

A college education is expensive. On the low end, it typically cost about $25,000 to receive a bachelor’s degree. All too often people sign up for online universities expecting the cost to be significantly lower than traditional universities. It doesn't take very long for them to see the error in their ways. Just because the classes are offered online does not mean that the tuition check is smaller.

People will disagree. They might tell you that it is possible to receive a bachelor’s degree for as little as $2000. They're right. It is possible to receive a bachelor’s degree for the one-time low-cost fee of $2000. Talk with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, however, and you find that the odds are pretty good that the bachelors degree you receive won't go very far in helping improve your future career prospects.

Colleges and universities that offer a degree in exchange for a one-time low payment are known as diploma mills and the degrees they offer are not legitimate. If you are considering enrolling such a college or university, look before you leap.

Although many students find that the cost of tuition is usually the same for online universities as it is for traditional universities, they save money is in other areas. With an online college, it is generally easier to manage the demands of classes around current jobs or careers. Many students find the cost of living in their old home, often with their parents, is cheaper then getting an apartment in a big-city or moving into a dorm room.

The same students also find that they save a significant amount of money by not having to provide transportation to and from classes. They are able to invest the time they would have spent on transportation into studying, which allows a lot of them to complete the course faster than a student that went to traditional university.

Students of online universities and colleges also claim that they save money on books and school supplies. Several online colleges do not require that students purchase books before they take classes. A student doesn't always need to purchase books in order to complete a class. When books are needed, however, it might be a good idea to consult the Internet before running to the college bookstore. You can often find used textbooks for cheap on sites such as eBay and Barnes & Noble's.

Because federal funding is often not available to students enrolled in an online college or university, students interested in them should look for colleges and universities that offer scholarships to their students. Apply for the scholarships early before they are all gone.

If a student does not feel that they need to consult with the professor often, it they might be able to save on tuition costs by attending an online college or university with a higher student-teacher ratio. Since these colleges have larger class sizes, they are able to lower some tuition fees.


http://www.zcareer.com/articles/savemoneyoe.html

Why You'd Never Have to Leave Home to Earn a Bachelors Degree

Do you dream of going back to college and getting that bachelor’s degree you'd neglected to finish all those years ago? Are you worried about the expense? Are you afraid that you won't be able to arrange a school schedule that would also fit into your work schedule? Are you afraid you'd miss important family time while you are on campus away? Do you know that, thanks to the development of the Internet, it is now possible to earn a bachelor’s degree without ever having to leave your home?

It really is possible to earn a bachelor’s degree without ever leaving the comfort of your home. All you need is a decent personal computer, an Internet connection, determination, and a tuition check. With these simple tools, you're ready to finish completing your bachelors degree.

Why should you be interested in having a bachelor’s degree?

Statistics prove that Americans who have taken the time to complete a bachelor’s degree program earn a significantly greater annual salary than employees that never bothered to complete their college education. In addition to the financial perks of completing a bachelor’s degree, you will enjoy a greater sense of self accomplishment, a joy at the respect you will receive from family and friends.

Why, you ask, should you pursue an online bachelor’s degree as opposed to pursuing a traditional bachelor’s degree?

The main reason many students decide to pursue an online bachelor’s degree over a traditional one is that they find it to be much more convenient. Students are able to arrange their study habits and class schedules around their work and family routines.

You can't help wondering how you will ever finance an online bachelor’s degree after all you’ve heard about the lack of federal funding available for online universities.

While it is true that, at the moment, federal funding is not available for online universities, there are a few exceptions. Some online universities have made federal funding possible by holding at least half of their classes on a traditional campus. Online universities that do not have access to federal funding have started to offer scholarships to students who need financial assistance.

Many students who attend online universities claim that the convenience of not having to find housing, being able to continue working, and not having transportation cost more than balance out the lack of that federal funding. Talk to your employer as well. Many companies have money set aside specifically to help employees continue their education.

Years ago, before you acquired things like a family and your current career, you started earning your degree. Will those credits transfer to an online university?

Most online universities will except credits from a traditional university. Talk to the admissions counselor at the online university and find out what the university's policy is on transferring credit into their degree programs. Make this a top priority because many universities have a deadline on transferring credits into their programs.

While you have the admissions counselor’s ear, ask how difficult it will be to transfer credits to another online university in case you end up deciding not to complete your degree at this particular university and choose to go somewhere else to finish.



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