Online education – what to look for

Distance learning, once limited to a just few courses and certifications all over the world - completed mainly through post correspondence, is now fast becoming the primary factor in educational methodology, and the way for the future, everywhere in the world. Students and prospective students, working mothers or fathers, even people on a farm on the other side of the globe, can now benefit from previously unreachable educational opportunities and sources, and still be able to fit their schedules according to their own needs and daily schedules (around work or other responsibilities and personal lives).

Technology and education

Technology is the greatest tool by which the importance and true implications of distance learning have come to the forefront. The use of computer ever improving and miniaturizing computer technologies, high bandwidth internet and lately the introduction of powerful pod devices like PDA's, iPhones and blackberries, have changed how people work, socialize and even how students study. Being online, a novelty experience a few years ago, has become the lifeblood of the social and economic bodies of society today. People are at work, in the classroom and even in the museum, zoo or local hang-out, all using small compact devices from anywhere in the world. Waiting on a platform for a train, a person can now share any kind of information and even play videogames with people on the other of the world.

Online education has become a big part or even traditional education in recent years. Assignments are submitted and lectures are attended in part or fully through the use of the aforementioned types of technologies and interaction between instructors and students and amongst students themselves, even in a physical and campus environment, can take place over video, voice or text chat in an orderly and convenient way. The only remaining difference between online education and the campus based classroom is the extent to which technology is used to assist teaching.

Blended education

Blended education is the combination of remotely imparted education and educational activity with some forms of face-to face interaction and other internet based interaction. Blended education is also the combination of the following methods;

Symmetric online learning

Lectures and training are conducted at a pre-arranged time thorough the use of live-webcasts and chartrooms with the assistance of audiovisual material and use of remote access methods to interact with instructors and other students.

Asymmetric online learning

Lectures and course material is loaded onto web pages and portals or sent through e-mail so that students can access this material anywhere and at any time convenient to them.

Classroom and direct interaction

This form of education is the traditional form. With training and lectures conducted in classrooms amongst other students.

Accreditation

Look for online programs, degrees, courses or vocational training courses which have been accredited by reliable and recognized sources, so that the certification holds a value of merit and is accepted by other institutions and employers alike. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the Middle states, Southern, Western, North-west and North-central Associations of Schools and Colleges are some of the recognized bodies which accredit online courses and also maintain lists of accredited institutions in their domains for public reference.

References:

Wikipedia
Trends in e-learning - Paper: www[dot]codewitz[dot]net/papers/MMT_106-111_Trends_in_E-Learning.pdf
www[dot]linezine[dot]com/2.1/features/ewette.htm

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