College Classes Online: How To Get The Most From Your Coursework
According to a 2009 study by Ambient Insight, an educational research firm
, almost 12 million post-secondary U.S. students take college classes online. The findings also show a projected dramatic increase in this number by 2014.Of the expected 19+ million college students, only 5.14 million students will go to class in a traditional, physical setting. Approximately 3.5 million students will take all their classes online. And, over 18 million students will use a combination of traditional and online coursework to complete their education.
With the huge expected growth of students selecting to take college classes online, how can you be sure to receive a quality education?
How to Select the Best College Classes Online
All you have to do is conduct a web search for online college classes and youll quickly become overwhelmed. The options are truly mind-boggling. However, you need to immerse yourself into the tons of information so the best educational options will rise to the surface.
A good place to start is a respected and accredited community college. Do a thorough review of a schools web site to determine whats offered in terms of college classes online. You should be able to find information on entrance requirements, program options, classes, costs and financial assistance.
You also want to pay attention to the degrees offered and your expected job opportunities upon completing a program. If you havent selected a field of study, make sure youll have access to counselors and advisors to help guide your choices.Whatever program you choose to pursue, youll have to meet specific requirements for that subject matter.
In addition to advisors, you want to carefully examine the support youll receive while you study college classes online. You certainly dont want to feel as if youre out in no-mans land! Regular interaction with instructors and students is necessary for you to get the most from your education and be well prepared for the workforce.
Attending an Accredited School
As the popularity in online education skyrockets, so do the number of sub-par programs. Whatever college classes online you take, you must make sure they are offered by an accredited school. Otherwise, you risk not getting the education you need for good employment opportunities. And, you can waste a lot of time and money.
Just keep in mind many schools and services are out to make money. They make profits through sponsorships. So, be wary of web sites offering online study at an unaccredited school. Verifying accreditation is your number one priority when selecting college classes online.
Dont Stop with Accreditation
Although accreditation is a critical first step in weeding out potential college classes online, its not the last. Once you have a short-list of potential schools to consider for your college classes online, you need to do some inward analysis. In other words, think about what you want to do with your career and how you like to learn. Being honest with yourself can help you avoid making a mistake on your post-secondary education.
For example, college classes online require certain types of characteristics. Excellent time management skills are a must. And, you need to be a self-starting, dedicated and motivated individual. You also must be comfortable using the Internet and other forms of technology.
For example, youll often need to communicate through e-mail, chat and web conferences. This type of interaction requires good communication and cooperation skills. Since youll be on your own, you need to be able to perform in a somewhat isolated environment.
Taking online college courses can help you develop many skills beyond whats needed for a job. Researching and discovering things will become second nature to you. Basically, youll learn how to learn on your own throughout the rest of your life!
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