Frequently Asked Questions

What is online education?

Online education, also known as distance learning has steadily gained popularity because of the increasing amount of people who now have access to a personal computer. With distance learning the student and his or her instructors do not meet in a classroom, but interact via computer from separate locations. Therefore, a student can live and study from any location with a computer and internet access.

Why is distance learning desirable?

Distance education courses are ideal for the student who is not able to attend traditional classes due to time or location constraints, or whose lives are further complicated by the set schedules typically offered by traditional college programs. Online education allows the student to earn a degree on their own time, and in many cases, at their own pace.

How do you compare online education to the traditional face to face class?

Many online courses are similar to traditional models in that the group of registered students usually begin a course at the same time. All assignments, quizzes and exams are posted on the website along with the syllabus and contact information of the professor. The student can interact and ask questions of the professor and fellow students via e-mail and threaded discussions. Students may be required to complete group projects or conduct group discussions in a similar fashion to that of a traditional classroom except that all interactions take place via e-mail. The major difference between online education and the traditional model is that a student need not be online at any specific time. This fact alone makes earning an online degree flexible and convenient.

Is earning an online degree for everyone?

No. Distance learning works best for those students who are self-motivated and self-directed. It takes discipline to do coursework without direct person to person interaction and set schedules. Therefore, it is important for the student to honestly assess his or her ability to do coursework independently before pursuing an online degree.

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