What is online education?
Learning through the use of computer and the Internet is called online education.
What are the statistics available in favor of online education?
The following are the results of a survey done by the Babson Survey Research Group:
- Approximately 6.1 million students have taken an online course as of fall semester 2010.
- This is a 63% increase in just three years if you compare the figures with 2007 when only 3.1 million students had taken online courses.
- Online courses enrollment is growing steadily at a rate of 10% while enrollment for traditional colleges is pegged only at 2%.
A lot of us wondering about the efficacy and popularity of distance education or online learning should be convinced by these statistics. These statistics clearly indicate that online education is growing at a steady rate and will possibly be the preferred mode of learning in the future.
What are the benefits of online education?
It offers you choices not possible in the traditional mode of education. For starters, you can enroll for courses not available in the location where you live. Suppose you live in the state of Texas and a particular course that you are interested in is only available in a college in New York, previously, you would have had to travel all the way to NY to enroll in that college. Now, with online education, you can choose a course in a college far away from your home, which offers the course you like, without having to move out of your state or home.
- Online education offers you the flexibility to multi task education and work. You can earn money by working while you can spend your leisure time studying online.
- Through online education, you can also get to network with peer groups spread across the length and breadth of the country.
- There is also no rush in distance education. Generally, you are allowed to study at your own pace.
- You will not need to commute through chaotic traffic to get to your college on time. This also means that you save on commuting time and gas.
- You will also have the advantage of connecting with professors and lecturers from other universities, states and from different parts of the world.
- In the end, you not only save a lot of money by opting for online education, you also undergo less stress and at the same time receive quality education that is welcomed by employers in the job market.
What are the degrees and courses/programs offered by online colleges?
There is literally no course or program not offered by online colleges nowadays. Most of the degrees or certifications available in the traditional colleges are offered by accredited online colleges, too.
- You can get certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and even doctoral degrees through distance education.
- Arts programs
- Business programs
- Criminal and legal programs
- Culinary programs
- Education and teaching programs
- Hospitality, travel and tourism programs
- Nursing and healthcare programs
- Liberal arts programs
- Psychology and human services programs
- Religion programs
- Engineering and math programs
- Trades and vocational educations programs
Almost everything that is offered by brick and mortar campus colleges are offered by accredited online colleges.
Online education is growing and will continue to grow, with more college students joining online courses and more accredited courses added day by day, even as this mode of education keeps gaining in respect and popularity among educators and employers alike. The high costs of traditional education, the popularity and the growth of the Internet and Internet technology, and the flexibility and scope of online education combine together and contribute to the success of online education.
What do I do next?
There are many accredited online colleges and universities available. First, you will need to decide on the program you want to take up, and compare all colleges that offer program of your choice, and then choose one that best suits your location and budget.
