| In our rapidly changing global world, millions of | | | | the traditional education delivery formats. |
| students are currently taking college-level online | | | | As a student, you will need a desktop or laptop |
| (distance education) classes. Private and public | | | | computer, an Internet Service provider, a cell phone, |
| universities in the United States and abroad are | | | | software (i.e., word processor, financial spreadsheet, |
| offering Certificate, Baccalaureate, Masters and | | | | calendar and Power Point), a backup storage disk |
| Doctoral degree programs over the Internet to adult | | | | drive (nothing can make your heart drop faster than |
| learners. From Ivy League to Community Colleges, an | | | | losing a body of work that you've diligently |
| increasing number of students can log on to their | | | | developed), a headset with microphone for virtual |
| classes from home, work or while commuting by bus | | | | team discussions and the traditional school supplies. |
| and train. Adult learners frequently juggle a myriad of | | | | Optional technology may include memory upgrades, |
| responsibilities including raising children, career, and | | | | scanners, digital scanners, and fax machines. |
| care giving for senior parents. Formerly, a university | | | | Ten Tips For The Successful Online Student:o Have a |
| of interest may have been out of reach | | | | credit card or debit card ready for downloading |
| geographically. Presently, an employee located in the | | | | e-books and other required course reading materials.o |
| United States can register for classes taught half | | | | Maintain a list of more than one bookstore in the |
| way around the world. Non-traditional venues outside | | | | event that a required textbook is sold out. It's |
| of the more traditional classroom offer viable | | | | always a good idea to obtain a list of the required |
| opportunities for continuing one's education. | | | | textbooks midway through the term and order in |
| Adult learners make up the largest demographic of | | | | advance for the following term.o Do not be shy |
| post-secondary institutions in the United States. For | | | | about asking for help if needed. I cannot stress |
| this student group, the benefits of online academic | | | | enough the importance of communicating openly with |
| programs are:o To update current skill setso To learn | | | | your professor or instructor about course material |
| new skill setso To earn an undergraduate or | | | | that you may not understand. Online academic |
| graduate level degreeo The fulfillment of academic | | | | programs tend to move rapidly and course content |
| requirements necessary for a current job or | | | | that you do not understand will most likely cause |
| promotiono To change careerso The satisfaction of | | | | problems down the road resulting in frustration and |
| certification or licensure requirementso Personal and | | | | possibly, lower grades.o Seek out a tutor. If there |
| spiritual growth and development | | | | are areas that you know need strengthening, even |
| Not for the faint of heart, success in distance | | | | before the class begins, have a tutor on stand-by. |
| education academic programs requires high levels of | | | | Also, the telephone number of a computer specialist |
| stamina, discipline, and motivation. A good candidate | | | | should be in your rolodex.o Time management will be |
| must be computer literate, possess the ability to read | | | | critical. Keep a planner. Read your syllabus as soon as |
| massive amounts of material in short-time frames, | | | | it becomes available and plan accordingly.o Uphold |
| have good writing and communication skills, hold high | | | | your responsibilities as a virtual team member. Your |
| expectations for good grades, enjoy applying critical | | | | contributions will directly impact the team grade.o |
| thinking and commit a minimum of 15 hours per week | | | | Exercise. Long hours at the computer can cause |
| per course (be prepared to allocate more, if | | | | strain on the neck, shoulder, arm and back muscles, |
| necessary). | | | | not to mention the hands. Remember to periodically |
| The Internet and the World Wide Web provide the | | | | stretch and tone.o Eat a healthy diet. Keep good |
| critical technology platform for distance education. | | | | healthy recipes handy. Hydrate. Avoid heavy snacking |
| University technological and operational infrastructures | | | | on calorie-laden food and instead eat lots of fruit and |
| (including hardware, software and transmission) | | | | vegetables. Avoid white flour and choose high fiber |
| provide the additional cornerstones to the technology | | | | grains.o See your doctor. A healthy body feeds a |
| platform needed to execute distance education | | | | healthy mind.o Stay in contact with your Academic |
| programs. The delivery of academic content may be | | | | Advisor to be sure that you are satisfying the |
| accomplished in several formats. The more traditional | | | | requirements needed to complete your degree. |
| venues are correspondence courses, videos, | | | | In the Fall term of 2006, 3.5 million students |
| audio-cassettes, CD-ROMS, and broadcasts via | | | | representing 20% of all U.S. higher education |
| television and radio. Modern formats include | | | | students, took at least one online course (2007. The |
| synchronous and/or asynchronous education content | | | | Sloan Consortium). It is projected that distance |
| distribution channels. Synchronous delivery refers to | | | | education will continue to grow in popularity |
| real-time interaction between instructor and student | | | | domestically and internationally. The most commonly |
| i.e., two-way video-conferences, whiteboards, chat | | | | offered online academic programs are Business, |
| rooms, telephone software (ex. Skype), and mobile | | | | Computer Science and Engineering, Education, |
| technology devices. Asynchronous interaction does | | | | Engineering, Library Science, Nursing, and Public Health. |
| not involve real time communication. Instead, | | | | Whether you select a community college, public |
| interaction between instructor and student is | | | | institution, private institution or Ivy League university, |
| accomplished through the use of e-mail, DVDs, and | | | | enjoy the learning experience. |