September 2009


How to choose an online school: Interview your school

How to choose an online school: Interview your online schoolBefore beginning the admission process for a school, whether online or brick and mortar, students should ensure that the institution has the potential to live up to their expectations and provide them with the education they’re seeking.

Here are 4 questions that every prospective online student should have answered before committing to an online degree program at a school:






What is: Synchronous (Distance Learning)

Synchronous adj : instructor’s delivery of online course content and participation by online students occurs at the same time.

For those who opt for a synchronous distance learning course, the experience is very similar to the traditional classroom one: instructors and students meet at a scheduled time at a predetermined [virtual] location, and interaction is instantaneous. With this type of online course, educators rely on technology such as video conferencing, chat rooms, webinars, and phone conferences.






What is: Asynchronous (Distance Learning)

Asynchronous adj : instructor’s delivery of online course content and participation by online students not occurring at the same time.

For those who opt for an asynchronous distance learning course, there are no scheduled online class meeting times and interaction between online instructors and students are normally delayed. Educators rely on discussion boards, e-mails, and prerecorded videos to communicate with their online students.






5 free iPhone apps for online students

5 free iPhone apps for online studentsMany online students are always on the go, whether they’re at work or running around with their families. They’re juggling various responsibilities, and an online degree program should not be an added burden.

For those who own smart phones, make your e-learning experience a little easier and smoother by taking advantage of your mobile device and increasing your productivity during the day. Your cell phone is already your constant companion so why not make use of the notes and calendar features on your phone to prepare for your online course? And if you’re an iPhone user, well, your options are a little more open with the thousands of applications available.






Reasons to go back to college

Reasons to go back to collegeThought you were done with school the last time you graduated? You might want to reconsider.

An increasing number of adults are venturing back to the classroom, and the availability of distance learning classes is making that trip much easier.

If you’re looking for a change, big or small, it might just be the time for you to go back to school. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider going [back] to college:

I want a promotion: Diligence, competence, and personality will get you far but maybe not far enough. Moving up to the next rung in the corporate ladder sometimes requires additional education.






Why is accreditation important in online learning?

Accreditation (read the definition of accreditation) is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online college, and it may also be the most overlooked.