An article by Justin Brown about how the “Distance Learning Phenomenon” is changing the face of higher learning in America.

Distance learning programs – college courses taught over the Internet – have really taken off in recent years. As home computer ownership has expanded, due in part to lower prices and increased interest in the Net, the idea of working on a college degree in the comfort of one’s home has struck a chord. It’s definitely one of the more practical uses of online technology.

There are many advantages to distance learning. First, there is the convenience aspect for students. There’s no need to get ready (shower, shave, dress), no commute, and no walking from one side of the campus to the other to get to the next class. Additionally, in many cases there is no set meeting time, so no rushing to get to class on time. Many courses involve downloadable lectures, giving students maximum flexibility. This has been enormously helpful for those who work full-time jobs during what are traditionally considered “normal” class hours. Now, the working distance learning student can keep a busy work schedule and still keep up with lectures and coursework. Likewise, the flexible structure has made life easier for many professors as well, who also deal with time pressures and scheduling constraints.

Another big advantage that distance learning offers versus in-person classroom attendance is money savings. With traditional college educations, there are everyday expenses that quickly add up:

• Gas, if you commute (which is now an even larger expense!)
• Vehicle maintenance or bus fare
• Dorm room fees, if you live on campus
• Meals at a local restaurant or campus cafeteria
• Clothing, makeup, etc.

Distance learning eliminates virtually all of that! Additionally, more and more programs are becoming nearly or even completely paperless. No more outrageous textbook fees, blue books, pens, Scantron forms, book bags, and all the other incidentals that accompany the old way of doing things.

The savings extend beyond just what the individual students experience directly. Universities also save tremendously, especially the newer ones that have been built around the distance learning model. Class size is more manageable in a virtual environment, reducing the teaching work force and building space needs at many colleges. Moreover, a significant advantage for many universities is that more time can be spent by professors on critical research and scholarship, which is how many institutions earn reputations and make their money.

College tuition inflation is also a real and growing problem. And it’s borne by many students who already struggle just to make ends meet. At some traditional universities, tuition is increasing at an astonishing 10-15% annually, pricing potential attendees out of the running. This situation illustrates another advantage of distance learning. Institutions created specifically around the off-site education model offer comparable instructional quality at greatly reduced tuition rates.

The only potential cost disadvantage with distance learning is for students who do not already own a computer. However, this is increasingly a non-issue, since personal computer ownership, especially among teens, is rapidly expanding. And the cost for a basic PC has come way down in recent years.

How to pick the best distance learning program for your needs

Once you decide to pursue a degree from an online distance education institution, there are a few steps you should follow. First, get on the Web and research the various schools. This is arguably the most important part of the entire process, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Just do a search at a major search engine, like Google or Yahoo, and use the phrase ‘online education’ or ‘distance learning schools.’ You’ll want to weed out the non-accredited schools first. What does accredited mean? Good question! For standard higher education institutions and colleges, there are six regional accrediting associations in the United States. They review an institution’s standards, curriculum, and degree requirements, and issue accreditations for schools in their geographical areas that meet their criteria. This process takes place for a wide variety of colleges and universities, ranging from small community and junior colleges to the giants of academia, like Harvard and Yale. The six accrediting associations are:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

If you’re pursuing a degree in a specialized field from a school that focuses exclusively or mainly on just that field – religion, health, technical, computer-related – look for one of the following accreditations:

• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
• Accrediting Commission for Career Schools/Colleges of Technology
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
• The Association of Theological Schools
• Council on Occupational Education
• Distance Education and Training Council

*Note: accreditation does not guarantee a superior (or even adequate) educational experience. Be sure to look into each school’s history to discover any complaints or legal troubles they’ve had or are having currently.

Next, when you have culled your list of potential schools based on accreditation and a clean track record, visit each institution’s website or call them to learn if they offer the exact program you’re interested in. If you’re not sure of the degree you need or want, set up a phone or face-to-face meeting with an advisor, which most of these colleges will provide at no charge. The key is to keep looking until you’ve found the program that most closely matches your goals. Go through your entire list before you jump into any admissions process at a particular school.

For most students, tuition differences will also be a pivotal deciding factor. The costs vary considerably from school to school, but are generally about one-half of the fees you would pay at traditional colleges. That’s good news! Here’s more: the vast majority of these distance learning institutions will accept the same tuition assistance, grants, and government loan payments that other colleges always have. Moreover, if you’re already working in a career and are seeking a degree to advance, more and more employers will reimburse part or all of the tuition, as long as you get satisfactory grades. Here are a couple of examples of tuition fees at two of the bigger, accredited distance learning schools:

• University of Phoenix (general)
  • Bachelor’s Degree: $440/credit hour
  • Master’s Degree: $545/credit hour
  • Doctoral Degree: $620/credit hour
• DeVry University Online (specialized)
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology: $395/credit hour
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration: $460/credit hour
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems: $460/credit hour
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Management: $460/credit hour

Finally, be sure to factor in differences in coursework loads and how many terms you must commit to in order to earn your degree. If you’re younger and work only part-time, you can probably handle a full load and faster advancement. But many folks who find distance learning colleges appealing already have careers and families and cannot pursue their degrees full-time. By screening your choices with a realistic eye on your personal schedule, you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress later on, once you’ve paid for and are taking courses online. As with most endeavors in life, careful planning and research first will make life simpler after you choose a distance learning program and begin your higher education journey. Good luck!

About The Author

Justin Brown is a successful business writer and educational advisor providing valuable tips and advice for career minded individuals who are interested in pursuing a distance learning >associate degree, >bachelor’s degree, or a >MBA degree. His numerous articles offer career advancement tips and valuable distance education insight.

An article by Justin Brown about how to distinguish between reputable online schools and those offering only bogus promises.

More and more people are looking into an online education as an option for pursuing an advanced degree these days as distance learning opportunities flourish. Looking into these programs can become confusing, however, when you try to compare the different programs offered.

After a while you may realize that some offer genuine continuing education online while others are simply offering to sell you a fake diploma for an outrageous fee. This is one of the greatest complaints about online education – that integrity is sometimes compromised in the search for convenience.

It doesn’t have to be that way, and the few bogus universities or colleges online that are actually fronts for these diploma mills are damaging to the reputation of the many excellent MBA and Bachelor’s programs offered over the Internet that are challenging and rewarding.

Know what to look for in an online education provider

If you are looking for a challenging, educational coursework that will really teach you and broaden your horizons, make sure the online college or university you are considering enrolling at is accredited. An accredited online university has met stringent guidelines in order to be certified as an accredited distance learning facility.

An accredited distance learning school must be able to prove to the governing body that:

• They have met high academic standards.
• They are financially stable and sound, with good economic resources.
• They have a solid, credentialed teaching staff and support staff available to assist students in need.

You may also ask for business references from companies who have hired graduates of the program.

Ask for an outline of the program you are interested in. What classes are offered? Can they show you the syllabus for a few of those classes? You should be able to get a list of a few of the resources you’ll be using so that you can look them over and see what they’re like.

If it seems too easy, it probably is

If a university assures you that you can get numerous credits for your ‘life experiences,’ be very wary – they may be a diploma mill trying to sell you a worthless piece of paper without actually providing you with an education. The curriculum should be distinctly different for a Bachelor’s degree, an Associate degree and an MBA, and each should require a combination of independent work, virtual classroom work and research and hands-on work. Ask about all of these things in order to gauge the integrity of the school’s interest in providing you a first-class education in addition to that fancy document when you graduate.

Ensuring integrity in distance learning

Proponents of online education note that generally if someone is willing to enroll to work on a degree in addition to working or other commitments, they aren’t likely to be trying to take advantage of the system in the first place. They will also note that there are plenty of people on college campuses across the country that are paying someone to take their exam in lectures halls. However, some will say that it is inherently easier to ‘cheat’ online. Let’s take a look at each of these concerns:

It’s easy to plagiarize in an online classroom.

Actually, it’s more difficult to plagiarize a paper in an online environment because of the rise of so many efficient plagiarism tracking software programs. These programs quickly check sections of any submitted work against anything on the web for similarities and return a side by side comparison. If someone is cutting and pasting, the instructor will know.

How do you know the person is really who they say they are?

The same way a professor in a large auditorium classroom does – taking roll and calling on students. Neither asks for I.D., so distance learning operates on your original registration (which does require identification) and your own integrity.

If you are pursuing an education, why would you want someone else doing your work and learning everything?

What about exams?

Testing and examinations are an individual preference for instructors at each distance learning school, but some have that there are ways to ensure that there is a level playing field for all students by eliminating the factors that can affect scores when not everyone is in the same place at the same time. For instance, rather than a timed exam, a final essay may be used, or a multiple choice exam with no time limits. Other professors offer the final exam in specific locations in cities so that all students can commute for this one session, which is a minimal hardship for most.

What about the instructor?

If a school doesn’t provide instructors with integrity, an online education can be a wash when certain courses are a waste of your time. Instructors who don’t return your work, don’t show up for schedules online chats or videoconference classes, or skip online office hours. This isn’t acceptable from an accredited school, and if you complain to the director of the school it should be corrected quickly.

The advantage of distance learning is that all classroom activities, email and chat are saved on a server, so you do have a record of all interaction with your instructor, making a record of any problems you may have.

And the whole tech thing?

If the school is offering an online education, they should have exceptional technical support any time you need it. Ask about access to any online library resources, hours of operation for technical support help desks and what the procedures are if you can’t log into a classroom session.

The more informative and complete the answers are, the greater the chances are that the school will serve your needs by providing an excellent online education with efficiency and integrity.

If you are considering online education in order to get an advanced degree, there are dozens of accredited online college courses offered that are challenging that will broaden your horizons.

Employers today looking for employees with MBA’s or Bachelor’s degrees no longer differentiate between traditional classroom degrees and online degrees – they value education wherever it’s obtained. So don’t hesitate to check out the many online universities and colleges who operate with complete integrity and dedication to your higher education.

About The Author

Justin Brown is a successful business writer and educational advisor providing valuable tips and advice for career minded individuals who are interested in pursuing a distance learning target=”_blank”>associate degree, target=”_blank”>bachelor’s degree, or a target=”_blank”>master’s degree. His numerous articles offer career advancement tips and valuable distance education insight.

An article by Justin Brown about the history of online education and the opportunities that it provides for people today.

Distance learning covers a wide range of opportunities, from correspondence courses to virtual classrooms on the Internet, and the concept has been around for quite some time.

When the traditional classroom wasn’t available

While online education over the Internet is a relatively new development, the concept of distance learning is actually much older than most people realize. As far back as the mid-1800′s, some colleges were offering distance learning opportunities to students through correspondence courses. This provided a way for teachers, lawyers, doctors and ministers on the western frontier in the United States to keep up with recent developments and pursue advance degrees. At the end of the First World War, soldiers returning from the war were offered opportunities to pursue a variety of classes through correspondence courses and take classes via two-way radio. The two-way radio was also used for areas that were sparsely populated, such as Alaska. In fact, in Alaska and Siberia, the two-way radio and delivery of educational materials was frequently used for elementary and high school classes.

This faded over time and was replaced by closed circuit television, but with the birth of the Internet, distance learning really took off. For the first time, almost anyone could log on, download course materials and interact in real time with classmates and instructors while working from home. Today millions of people around the globe pursue degrees online.

Today’s Distance Learning is Sophisticated

The distance learning opportunities offered today are so varied that you can find a course for almost any interest you have. In addition to the traditional offerings for those looking for a traditional degree, there are courses that are specific hobbies, religious practices and personal interests.

You can find universities and colleges were you can pursue:

• An associate degree online
• A Bachelor’s degree online
• A Master’s degree online
• An MBA online

Or you can take continuing education courses such as:

• Online computer courses
• Art courses online
• Communications courses
• Creative writing

Why Online Learning is so great

Distance learning has grown in popularity faster than any other type of learning system and for a very good reason – it’s so practical in today’s fast-paced world. Just about everyone can vouch for the fact that they have too much to do and not enough time to do it already, so returning to school seems impossible. But in today’s economy, an advanced degree or a better education can be invaluable. To save both the money of a bricks-and-mortar school and the time spent commuting every day to and from class just makes sense.

The majority of people enrolled in online colleges and universities are working adults returning to school who appreciate the advantage of attending night and weekend classes from home so that they can be with their families and still attend classes.

It’s also a great opportunity for those who have a particular career in mind, but want to complete their degree before relocating. For instance, if your spouse has a good job and you want to get a degree in criminal investigations, but the nearest school is a 95 mile commute, an online degree makes sense for you. Simply sign up for an online degree program and get your degree in crime scene investigations.

Some advantages to Distance Learning

• You can take any class you want anywhere in the world; you aren’t limited by geography, so your curriculum is unlimited.
• You have no travel time or expense from commuting.
• Email makes scheduling time with your professor and contacting classmates simple and efficient.
• Working at your own pace is usually an option within some time frame.
• You can be at home with your family and still attend classes.
• You can be employed full-time and still work on your degree.
• An accredited online school offers the same level degree as a bricks-and-mortar college or university.

Facing the Challenges of Online Education

As with anything new, there is an adjustment period – and distance learning is no different. While it’s a real godsend for many people, others discover that they have to readjust their thinking if they want to take advantage of the opportunities available online.

When you’ve always attended classes where there is an instructor watching over you, it can be easy to forget that a virtual classroom is just as real, and you may have a tendency to slack off or treat the classroom as more of a chat room environment, treating it too informally. If you don’t take it seriously enough, you may discover that you aren’t getting enough out of it because you aren’t putting enough into it.

You must also pace yourself properly on independent assignments with distance learning. Can you keep track of your work and make sure your assignments are turned in on time without classmates to remind you and no study partners available?

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

1. You’ll need to be disciplined – it’s easy to put things off, and you don’t want to do that when you have a job and family obligations that could get in the way of your classroom work at the last minute.
2. Remember to always be respectful to your instructor online – he or she is a professional.
3. It can feel isolating to not have any “real” classmates, so contact a few others taking the class via email to share notes and open class discussions if possible.

Looking toward the future of distance learning

Virtual education over the Internet is becoming increasingly popular and has become accepted by the mainstream as a viable alternative to attending a traditional classroom environment.

One of the main complaints students have about online education – the isolation – is currently being addressed by many online universities that are developing new software and videoconferencing solutions for class discussions and lecture environments that open up more interactive possibilities.

More professors and instructors also now make themselves available via instant messaging during schedule hours for live chat “open forums” with students, adding an intimate feel to the courses. As the instructors continue to respond to the students’ needs, distance education is destined to thrive.

About The Author

Justin Brown is a successful business writer and educational advisor providing valuable tips and advice for career minded individuals who are interested in pursuing a distance learning target=”_blank”>associate degree, target=”_blank”>bachelor’s degree, or a target=”_blank”>master’s degree. His numerous articles offer career advancement tips and valuable distance education insight.

Arguably, elementary school teachers have the second most important job in the world today (second only to parenting). As the cost of living increases, parents must trust in their child’s teacher to help turn an active child into a bright, well-rounded student. By no means is this an easy task for some!

Job Outlook

There is a consistently high demand for teachers in almost every state. Certain grade levels teacher openings, such as high school, are frequently available, while others, particularly preschool and kindergarten teaching slots, fill quickly. This is an important fact to take under consideration when deciding to enter college in order to pursue a teaching degree. What age level are you comfortable handling? Do wild kindergarteners put shivers down your spine, or are hormonal pre-teens who like to take out their aggression on each other more fearsome?

Educational Requirements

To become an elementary school teacher, one must possess at least a bachelor’s degree. This requires a full four-years of college study with the last year or two requiring student teaching. A student teacher goes into a school in the final year or two of his or her college education and trains alongside a licensed teacher. This is the best way for a college student to gain hands-on experience at planning a curriculum, handling students, and experiencing a typical school day.

If the teacher is going into a certain field, such as special education or computer technology, he or she must complete courses specifically designed for their area of specialty. Kindergarten teachers are asked in many states to have completed additional courses in child development and behavior.

Passing Examinations

Many states require teachers to continue their education in order to keep their teaching positions, so college is ongoing for those interested in the education field. Typically, the state or the taxpayers residing in that school district pay for the extra college courses. While the college is paid for, the teacher must spend time traveling to the local college, attending the lectures, and completing any coursework.

Once the minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree has been met, the teacher must pass the state’s teaching license examination. This testing process covers reading skills, writing skills, and teaching skills. If the test is passed, the aspiring teacher is given his or her license to teach. The only exception to this rule is for private school teachers. Many states do not require teachers in private school settings to acquire a license for teaching.

Expected Salary

Salaries for elementary school teachers vary from area to area. The national average ranges from $38,000 to $62,000. The salary is based on the area in which you will teach:

• Southern states like Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas find teacher salaries ranging from $44,000 to $47,000 per year.
• In the west, Californian teachers earn an average of $56,000 yearly. Arizona’s elementary school teachers’ salaries are approximately $46,000. Up in Washington, teachers earn approximately $49,000 per year.
• Central areas like Kansas and Iowa range between $44,000 and $45,000.
• New England’s elementary school teachers do very well. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire find the average teacher earning $47,000 to $48,000 per year. Massachusetts and Connecticut are slightly higher at $55,000 to $62,000.
• Alaskan teachers earn around $54,000 on average. While Hawaii makes a little less with their salary average of $52,000 per year.

Teachers can supplement their income by coaching one of the school’s sports teams or holding an after-school class or workshop. Summer school programs always need teachers, so additional opportunities for income are available through those programs as well.

One thing to remember with any teacher’s salary is that paychecks can be given year round or just during the months of the official school year. Many teachers prefer year round checks as it ensures there is money coming in when school is in a hiatus.

Other Considerations

There are other items to consider when taking a career in teaching. First, it is highly recommended (sometimes required) that teachers receive a flu shot, pneumonia shot, and full series of Hepatitis B vaccines. Children often come to school sick, and virus and bacterial infections can pass easily from child to teacher or child to child.

Teachers usually receive a good number of sick days per year, but this can vary depending on where you are teaching. In Vermont, which is typical of the majority of states in the union, the average beginning teacher is given ten to fifteen days and they can accumulate over the years.

Still citing Vermont’s 2004 statistics, teachers must work with their class for 177 days per year, minus any sick or personal time. Eight days are required for teacher in-service days.

The average Vermont teacher works for 7.5 hours per day and spends another 45 minutes planning the next day’s curriculum or grading papers. School begins at the end of August and finishes in mid-June. The remainder of June, July, and most of August comprise the summer vacation period during which a teacher can lounge, take a second job, or help with the summer education programs.

Other benefits that Vermont teachers receive are: Health insurance plans in which the school taxes pay for at least 80% of the monthly insurance rate. Dental insurance is usually a minimal charge amounting to dollars, if any. 63% of all teachers are involved in a cafeteria plan matched by their employer that pays for either a 401k or daycare expenses.

There is no doubt that teaching a class of elementary aged school children or secondary students is both rewarding and exasperating. Remember that your attitude and mannerisms can shape a child’s future. Teaching is not an easy job, but with the benefits and salary as a secondary reward, watching a child grow into a responsible young adult is truly satisfying!

View a list of online schools offering teaching degrees and classes.

One of the most prestigious jobs in education is that of a college or university professor. It is also the hardest level of teaching to reach. Four-year universities and colleges require that their professors hold a Doctorate degree. Only two-year colleges will allow a teacher with a master’s degree to become a professor, and even then they prefer a Doctorate.

Responsibilities

Professors must plan the curriculum, any lab work, test, and grade college student papers, assignments, and exams. As college requires a stronger focus on excelling, professors must schedule office hours for all of their students to come in and ask questions or have issues clarified. A professor’s schedule can be shorter on certain days while longer on others. It depends on the varying course schedules and number of students arranging appointments for additional help.

Professors usually must be available for between 12 and 18 hours of classroom instruction per week, plus additional time for staff meetings and student appointments. In smaller colleges, off-shift courses and weekend courses are also held, and may require the professor’s participation on evenings and weekends.

Earning Tenure

In the United States, professors often work on a path of tenure. A file is kept for all professors that includes any works they have had published, student assessments of the professor’s abilities, any awards of merit, community service, service within the university, and any other letters of recommendation.

A tenured professor holds protection against being dismissed for whatever reason. Tenured professors can voice their opinions in strong manners without fear of reprimand by the college or university dean. A tenured professor sits on the top rung of the ladder. Job growth for this position is steady, but placement depends on when a college or university’s professor/ professors are ready to retire. At this point, someone on the lower rung can move up in tenure and take over for retired professors.

Putting Your College Degree to Work

To understand how to become a professor, it is important to understand how college degrees work:

• Two years of college equates to an Associate Degree.
• Four years of college equates to a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Six years of college equates to a Master’s Degree.
• Eight to ten years of college is the typical length of college necessary to receive a Ph.D. (Doctorate Degree.)
• Ten to twelve years of college usually equates to a Post-Doctorate degree.

These time frames will vary, as it requires dedication and constant attention to your college courses. Taking a year or two off can drastically extend the length of time it takes to achieve the next degree.

Any college or university teaching position for a four-year program requires a PhD as a minimum. The bottom rung on a career as a teacher in a higher education setting is that of an assistant professor. In rare cases, a Master’s Degree is accepted. An assistant professor earns approximately $56,000 per year and answers to a tenured professor or an associate professor. Assistant professors are usually responsible for teaching two classes per semester without planning the actual curriculum, attending at least one university committee, and ongoing research into the field in which they teach. In general, an assistant professor will be in his or her job for seven years before being promoted.

Types of Professorships

An associate professor is the next step to becoming a tenured professor. The average yearly salary for an associate professor is $65,000. Associate professors plan their own curriculum, research their field, confer with students, sit on committees, and handle a larger number of courses. They still work closely with a tenured professor, but handle a number of job functions independently.

A tenured professor is the highest, position. The average yearly salary for a tenured professor is $98,000 per year. Tenured professors do all the course planning and teaching, but they can hand portions of their jobs to assistant professors. Tenured professors work independently and have the most freedom of any position. Tenured professors cannot be fired without just cause and a college hearing. This helps ensure their job safety.

Finally, a distinguished professor, a professor emeritus, is retired. A professor emeritus can be called back to help teach certain classes if there is a need, or he or she can return to give lectures to incoming students. Professor emeritus wages are based on whatever retirement plan they own. If they do return to teach part time at a college, some find their wage is approximately $30,000 per year in excess of their retirement pay.

One can also find both part-time and non-tenured professor positions available. Typically, these positions involve filling in for professors who need a leave of absence or a lecturer to come in and offer his or her insight on the material being covered. Part time professors and lecturers tend to earn an average of $45,000 per year.

While job growth for any professor is strong, the part-time professors and lecturer fields will find the job growth is rapidly increasing. The demand for this type of professor far exceeds the number of qualified applicants. If you are interested in becoming a professor, going non-tenured or working part-time is an excellent route to take.

If teaching is your dream and you want to earn a large salary doing so, look into becoming a professor. If you can handle the extensive college work required to become a professor, it can be an extremely desirable job for those wanting the best in life while doing the work they love.

View a list of online schools offering teaching degrees and classes.