Education and Careers

Is Online Learning For You?

More and more college students are taking classes online, according to a new survey by the College Board and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. About 3.2 million people took at least one college course online during the fall of 2005 term, compared to 2.3 million in the fall of 2004.

In 2005, women ages 25-34 with bachelor's degrees earned 70 percent more than those with high school diplomas, and for men the difference was 63 percent. For all full-time workers in this age group, the average earnings premium for a four-year college degree is almost $14,000, according to "Education Pays 2006," published by The College Board.

Online courses can be a terrific way to both pick up the education you need and still be able to work, parent, or juggle the many commitments that define most adult lives. There are currently over 1,500 online degrees offered by over 130 online colleges. Popular online degrees include MBA, and Nursing as well as Criminal Justice, and Education.

Is online learning right for you? One way to find out is to think through some of the issues you may confront as an online student. eLearners.com, the leading resource for connecting students with online education, provides the following questions for guidance:

* How important is it to have face-to-face interaction with your teacher and classmates?  Many students find that they are comfortable learning independently, or enjoy the virtual camaraderie that develops among online students. These are the students who most enjoy online learning.

* What's your access to the key learning technologies? Most online course providers recommend students have access to a computer (preferably one less than five years old), a fast Internet connection, and their own e-mail account from home, or the same set-up from work.

* How good are your computer skills?  The best-case answer is that you're comfortable using word-processing software and the major Internet browsers, and you easily share information electronically.

* How good are you at organizing and managing your time?  Online learning works best for those who are well-organized, self-motivated, and able to manage their time well.

* Do you enjoy (and are you good at) reading and writing?  Online courses are based on students' ability to read, reflect, analyze, and write. In addition, you'll have online "conversations" with your teacher, your classmates, and your virtual project team members.

* What are your expectations about online courses? A well-done online course can be fun, stimulating, engaging, and a great learning experience, but rarely is it going to be easier than a classroom-based course.

These questions should serve as a good place to start when considering pursuing online education.  For a more personalized assessment, you may want to check out the eLearners Advisor, which will give you comprehensive results on whether online learning is right for you. eLearners.com also provides assistance in finding an online degree that meets your needs.

Copyright © 2006, ARA Content