Ten years ago, the term online schooling might not be very appealing; just like the iron horses in the early part of the 19th century or an airplane in the beginning of the 20th century. Internet was still underdeveloped in 1996 compared to what we have now. And the conventional today may not be acceptable by the general population in 1996.

But we don’t live in 1996 anymore. We are now in the era where everything is possible and acceptable. Just like studying outside the school, in front of your computer at the very comforts of your home. This is called online schooling.

Thinking of entering online schooling can arouse discomfort for some. This is quite understandable since it is not the usual way of learning just like those people who have tried airplane as a way to travel for the first time. However, with the reputation online schools are gaining, the way students learn is transforming in an “unconventional way”.

If you are one of those students who are considering this relatively new form of learning, here are the things you should know- the pros and cons of online schooling:

Pros

No time wasted on traveling 

Although there are many advantages of an online education, there are also some disadvantages. The fact that you are working on your own could very well be one of the major disadvantages of taking online educational classes.

Consider the busy lifestyle of most people. Between work and family responsibilities, the average person has little time to dedicate to outside pursuits even when those pursuits could mean a better job, more money and better benefits. Simply finding the time to attend regular classes may be impossible so an online education becomes a viable option. But the same reason that online education is a great option - lack of time - is the very reason that online education is often difficult.

When you’re attending a traditional class, you go to school at a prearranged times. You are expected to be in class and you are forced to keep up with your instructor’s assignment schedule or risk failing the course. With an online education, there is probably no one checking your progress on a regular basis. You may be given some guidance along the way, but you and you alone are usually responsible for working your way through the course. Since you can work at your own pace, some people find themselves putting the work off until they don’t have enough time to finish the requirements.

If there are no time requirements, the opportunities to put off working on the material is even greater. You can literally go for weeks or months (or even years) without finishing the material to get credit for the course. You’ve paid for the opportunity to learn, but a lack of motivation is often the downfall of those who seek out online education.

Another major disadvantage is the lack of interaction. You aren’t in a classroom and don’t have the opportunity to hear questions and discussion from other students. This isn’t always an issue, depending on the subject of the online education course you are taking, but it could be an important factor in deciding whether an online education is the best option when seeking out opportunities for learning new skills or gaining new training.

Whatever you want to label “learning at home” and however you want to define the latest buzz words for non-traditional education, you can find a program and method that suits your needs. Right now over 1.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of distance learning, with a projected expansion to 2.3 million in just a few years.

In looking at this rapidly expanding and viable form of education and training, there are a few basic things you need to consider and some decisions you need to make in order to create the environment that will best suit your needs. You need to know the what, the why, the benefits and the how of the various forms of distance learning.

Distance learning (correspondence courses) started in Europe in the 1800’s and has evolved into a multifaceted term that serves many purposes. Some of the forms of distance learning are: correspondence courses, online education, internet based education, electronic education, e-education, electronic learning, and e-learning. How these terms differ will depend upon how the institution defines and labels the programs which they offer. To simplify the whole concept, let’s say that these terms represent ways of learning away from a “brick and mortar” facility. Some distance learning and/or online programs may or may not be connected to a university or college. There are many programs that are independent and are not affiliated with any institution.

Distance learning offers a variety of paths to personal goals which include: GED, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, graduate certificates, master degrees, doctoral degrees, non-credit training courses, and others. Whether a person is seeking a degree, keeping professional skills updated, or pursuing skills for an interest area or hobby, there is a program or offering that should work.

Why are so many people turning to distance learning? What are its advantages? On a personal level look at such pros as: maintaining privacy; provides convenience; enables a flexible schedule; allows for balancing job and family obligations; working at own pace, going slowly or accelerating learning; can be less expensive; great for homebound individuals; no unnecessary travel; no formal class attendance; and can “learn while you earn.” These are a few of the many things that are causing quite a number of people to take an entirely different approach to attaining knowledge/skills and/or earning a degree.

Those who advocate against an alternative of distance learning, often site the lack of socialization which is a part of a traditional type of education. However, not everyone is looking for the classroom activities, college events/parties, and the interactions that are a part of a school campus. Many of the classroom activities such as discussion and support can be achieved online. The other things that an online education will reinforce are: reading - ebooks, up to date references, current research; listening - through audio lectures or clips; seeing- through graphic illustrations and demonstrations; doing - assignments, quizzes, exams, research papers; and speaking/communication - through email, chats, and electronic discussions. A distance learning program can be far more than just reading and writing.

What are the requirements for becoming a part of a distance learning program? Many programs require a minimum of a GED or taking an admissions test. Usually, the process for applying will include: an application; transcripts; test scores; an essay; and letters of recommendation. The less formal the program, the less formal the requirements. There is a wide range in answering this questions. However, what is necessary for an online program is the right computer equipment with the internet connection (high speed), word processing capability; email; and multimedia player. The program you choose will provide more specific details for recommendation about equipment and software.

In choosing a program there some questions to ask as you do your research and make your selection. Ask about the following: help/support is offered; qualifications of the instructors; number of years the institution has provided services; is it an accredited program; details about the curriculum; and multimedia elements of the program. By the way, accreditation is voluntary since there is no officially sanctioned entity in existence. However, most schools considered the six regional accrediting agencies listings to be legitimate agencies. Ask if it is regionally accredited.

The last thing you need to think about is your motivation and work ethic. If you are a good reader (good reading comprehension skills) who doesn’t procrastinate and can avoid distractions, you will be a good candidate for an alternative approach to education. In this age of global education and the need for current knowledge and skills, this is a fast delivery system that will bring all the technological advancement right into your living room instantaneously. It works for more than a million people, and it can work for you.

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Getting a college degree today is easier than ever before thanks to the number of institutions offering distance learning opportunities. Whether you are pursuing a undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree you can choose from scores of degree granting schools. 57 leading institutions are featured here.

1. Southern Christian University

2. University of Phoenix

3. Walden University

4. DeVry University

5. Kaplan University

6. Everglades University

7. Ellis College

8. American International University

9. Capella University

10. St. Louis University

11. Regent University

12. Utica College

13. The University of Scranton

14. University of Saint Mary

15. Touro University International

16. Stetson University Virtual School

17. Nova Southeastern University

18. South University

19. St. Joseph’s College of Maine

20. San Joaquin Valley College

21. Rasmussen College

22. Keiser College

23. Jacksonville University

24. Jones International University

25. LeTourneau University

26. Crown College

27. University of St. Augustine

28. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

29. University of Northeastern Ohio

30. University of Southern Indiana

31. Florida Metropolitan University

32. Champlain College

33. Bellevue University

34. Pitt Community College

35. Stephens College

36. The College of St. Scholastica

37. Vincennes University

38. North Arizona University

39. St. Petersburg College

40. Barton County Community College

41. Simon Fraser University

42. Simmons College

43. A.T. Still University

44. Medical College of Georgia

45. ECPI College of Technology

46. Westwood College

47. Kettering University

48. Thomson Education Direct

49. South University

50. National American University

51. Columbia Southern University

52. Canadian Virtual University

53. Western Governors University

54. US Sports Academy

55. The Art Institute Online

56. Bryant and Stratton Online

57. ACCIS

Scores of additional schools also offer distance learning to their students including traditional “brick and mortar” universities. Drexel, Fairleigh Dickinson, East Carolina, and Iowa State, are some who fall into this category.

So, whether you are pursuing an art certificate, a B.A. in Psychology, an MBA, or a PhD consider doing your studies from a laptop and never set foot in a classroom again.

Although it may seem like a misnomer, the term “virtual education” has taken on a whole new interpretation in today’s technological society. Virtual education has come to mean higher education via the Internet. In other words, virtual education means an online school, college or university. Students who obtain their education over the Web on a computer are said to have completed a virtual education.

Now, some may laugh at the idea of a virtual education, taking it to mean a “pretend” or “almost” education. Nothing could be further from the truth! Computer savvy students, as well as online educators and enterprising employers, all know that a degree from an online school, online college, or online university is as good as, or better than a campus-based education. Students are able to study at their own convenience and at a pace that is less rigid than a traditional school. This flexibility allows individual students to receive an excellent education while keeping stress to a minimum.

Students taking the path to online degrees can select from hundreds of career-enhancing programs, ranging from certificates and diplomas to PhDs. Many students will start out taking online courses in such subjects as Business, Business Administration, Accounting, Business Management, Health Care, Computers, Information Technology, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Engineering, or Graphic Design, to name a few. From there, the student can go on to specialize in their chosen field, earning online bachelor degrees, online master degrees, and even online doctorate degrees.

Keep in mind, distance learning is not a breeze. Students are expected to devote at least 12-15 hours of online study per week. And, depending on the chosen field of study, there may be some hands-on experience or lab work required. These are some prime reasons why students looking into virtual education should be sure to thoroughly investigate the online college curriculum to be sure any prerequisites can be met before enrollment commences. As curriculums can vary from school to school, so do online course duration and tuition costs.

Still wondering if virtual education is right for you? If you are a working adult, stay-at-home-parent, or if you just have big career ambitions and little time, a virtual education may just be your ticket to success!

To learn more about Virtual Education we urge you to search our site for Online Schools, Online Colleges, and Online Universities.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All Rights Reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

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As most people who are immersed in the workplace will tell you, business is a competitive environment that requires an enormous dedication to maintaining - and elevating - a skill set in order to remain marketable and successful. In this day and age, attaining a college degree is absolutely necessary for growth within the business environment.

Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to attend college and still maintain their lifestyle; a busy work and family life leaves little time for driving to and from school and sitting in a classroom for hours. Luckily, with the growing trend towards convenience derived from the home computer, non-traditional students can have access to education through a distance learning college.

A reputable distance learning college provides all the education and accredited degrees that a traditional college or university; however, the learning takes place within the student’s own environment rather than in a classroom setting. This convenience allows non-traditional students to achieve their educational goals at their own pace and still manage to meet work and family obligations.

The most important thing when looking for a distance learning college is determining whether they offer an accredited program. There’s not much good in embarking upon distance learning if the degree you receive is not going to be recognized. The U.S. Department of Education offers an online service dedicated to revealing the accreditation of all colleges including those that offer distance learning programs.

A reputable, accredited distance learning college will offer course work in a variety of subjects. And as the popularity of distance learning continues to grow, the subject offerings provided by these programs continues to grow exponentially. The benefit to students is clear; the ability to pursue a curriculum of interest without the hassle of travel and classroom time.

In most cases, a distance learning college will require students to choose their course of study and pay their tuition by the semester. A professor for each class will act as an online facilitator, presenting students with a class syllabus that will tell them what to expect from the upcoming semester.

Credits are received for the completion of the course and completion is generally dependent on a number of assignments and examinations. Often, the professor will require students to purchase books; books will be used for course study and reading. Lessons may also be taught via online tutelage and through the use of video.

Students can complete these lessons at times which are convenient for them. Completed assignments are either posted to an online site or sent to the professor via email; and examinations are generally set for a particular time period - perhaps to be taken anytime over the course of two days - and students log in to a specific site to complete the test.

Traditional college can not always meet the varying needs of today’s non-traditional students. Not every college student has just graduated from high school. For those students who wish to pursue a degree in higher education, today’s distance learning college allows them to reach that goal and still remain committed to their lifestyle.

Online education programs have changed the college landscape, allowing students to work from anywhere in the world to obtain accredited college degrees. According to The Washington Post, some groups are predicting that one in 10 college students will be enrolled in online degree programs by 2008. And fortunately, it’s easier than ever to get funding for online education programs. The advantages of online learning continue to stack up.

Attend Class on Your Schedule without Putting Your Life on Hold

For adult learners, an online education can mean the freedom to keep a job and get a degree at the same time.

Many adult learners have families or other responsibilities, and a strict work schedule that doesn’t lend itself to a traditional education that requires traveling to campus and attending classes at specific times. One of the advantages of online learning is the flexibility to attend classes on a schedule that works for you. For adult learners, returning to school shouldn’t have to mean putting a busy life on hold.

Discover the Online Advantage for Continuing Education and Certification

Another great advantage for adult learners is the ability to take continuing education courses online. Many times jobs require employees to continue their education for certification, job requirements, or to allow employees to gain added knowledge and skill within their area of the organization. Online learning is perfectly suited to fulfill these types of requirements. You can continue to meet your everyday responsibilities while upgrading your credentials and skills with an online certification.

Find out about Federal Aid for Funding Your Future

Recently, it has become easier to get federal aid for online education. Now, filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines how much money in grants and loans you can get from the government. If you’re thinking of continuing your education, but you’re worried about funding it, the government just might have you covered.

Online education programs are growing more popular among young and adult learners alike. Online courses don’t interfere with your life, and it’s easier than ever to pay for your education. The online campus is as large as your imagination, and it’s growing.