5 Tips before you start an Online Degree
A great Q&A article from the New York Times features common questions about online degree programs.
The five tips that can be taken from the article are:
1. Make the time to learn – You’ll need 10-20 hours of work each week for a year or two, in most online programs. So take that into consideration before enrolling. Will you be able to make the time in order to learn.
2. Be prepared to sit a lot in front of the computer – recorded lectures, discussion groups with other students, reading a lot of material. In the core of online education lies the participation of the students.
3. Online degrees can cost as much as regular degrees – but there are savings in the form of gasoline from the unnecessary trips to the university. Anyway, you can always find programs that meet your budget. Take into consideration that you will might want to take a few days off from work from time to time, so you might need to consult with your employer first.
4. Check if the program is recognized by your employer – you will also want to find a program that will show the added benefit of education to your current position. Many online program are recognized by employers for tuition reimbursement.
5. Beware of fake programs – You can check the accreditation of the programs with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Don’t be fooled by promises to a quick and easy online degree. If it looks too easy – it’s probably not the education you want.
More [NY Times]
Cyber High School Lets Teens Get Their Diploma
If you thought that you can enjoy the benefits of online degree programs only when you are old enough – you might be thinking again.
The first graduating class of Insight School of California-Los Angeles was held a couple of days ago. It was all like a similar ceremony in school, except for the fact that this was the first time the students really met each other.
An online high school could seem like the ultimate fantasy for teens. Not having to get in the morning and studying all day long on the computer playing games while explaining to their parents they are "studying". But in reality it’s far from it.