Online Education: One Size Does Not Necessarily Fit All
Online education is known for its flexibility and "out-of-the-box" approach, so it should come as no surprise that distance learning is not a "one size fits all" proposition.
In fact, there are several ways in which one can take advantage of online education opportunities.
Higher Education and Distance Learning
Online Education has grown into a viable educational option for those seeking a college-level education.
A recent report from the Sloan Consortium found that an estimated 3.94 million students - a little more than 20 percent of the total higher education student population - were enrolled in at least one online course during the fall of 2007. This number represented a 12 percent year-over-year increase.
The Sloan Consortium is an institutional and professional organization focused on the integration of online education into the higher education mainstream. The group also is dedicated to helping institutions improve the quality, scale and breadth of online education.
To address this increasing demand for online classes, many traditional brick-and-mortar institutions have started making online courses a regular part of their overall class offerings.
The National Center for Education Statistics reported recently that college-level online courses are offered by:
- 97 percent of two-year public institutions;
- 89 percent of four-year public institutions;
- 18 percent of two-year private for-profit institutions;
- 70 percent of four-year private for-profit institutions; and
- 53 percent of all private nonprofit institutions.
These figures should not be surprising - the Sloan report also revealed that close to 70 percent of the 1,500 institutions surveyed acknowledged that they are actively competing for online students.
Types of Higher Online Education
Online Courses
Online courses are designed to be very student-centered and are similar to traditional classroom-based courses. They come with an instructor who is an expert in the class's subject matter, a course plan or syllabus, expected student participation in class discussions, exams and term papers.
Such courses often use a mixture of technology to deliver instruction, including the Internet, web cameras, live chat, asynchronous message forums, pod casting and instant messaging.
Online courses can be used to fulfill a credit requirement for a degree program or can be taken as non-credit.
Blended Learning
Also referred to as blended education, blended learning combines course work in a traditional classroom setting with additional instruction provided online. These types of classes offer students both the opportunity to gain a sense of community from a classroom environment and the independence of being able to complete a portion of the coursework on their own.
Often, blended learning classes use virtual learning to take the place of all-day workshops, symposiums, labs and class meetings. This learning environment provides great convenience for those students who might find it difficult to continuously drive to campus.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs typically involve 10 or fewer courses, all of which are focused on a single subject or profession. Such programs are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
The fastest-growing disciplines for online certificate programs include project management, human resources management, digital marketing and Six Sigma.
One of the primary benefits of enrolling in a certificate program is students learn material that they will be able to apply immediately on the job.
Degree Programs
Whether you are seeking an Associate's degree or a Doctoral degree, chances are you can find an online program for that degree.
Students enrolled in online degree programs can enjoy many, if not all, of the same benefits as traditional students, including access to academic advising, financial aid and career services. Additionally, some institutions even offer virtual graduation commencement exercises for those graduating from online degree programs.
Such online degree programs help many students who are unable to relocate to the college or university of their choice.
