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Online Education – What To Look For
Technology and education Technology is the greatest tool by which the importance and true implications of distance learning have come to the forefront. The use of computer ever improving and miniaturizing computer technologies, high bandwidth internet and lately the introduction of powerful pod devices like PDA's, iPhones and blackberries, have changed how people work, socialize and even how students study. Being online, a novelty experience a few years ago, has become the lifeblood of the social and economic bodies of society today. People are at work, in the classroom and even in the museum, zoo or local hang-out, all using small compact devices from anywhere in the world. Waiting on a platform for a train, a person can now share any kind of information and even play videogames with people on the other of the world. Online education has become a big part or even traditional education in recent years. Assignments are submitted and lectures are attended in part or fully through the use of the aforementioned types of technologies and interaction between instructors and students and amongst students themselves, even in a physical and campus environment, can take place over video, voice or text chat in an orderly and convenient way. The only remaining difference between online education and the campus based classroom is the extent to which technology is used to assist teaching. Blended education Blended education is the combination of remotely imparted education and educational activity with some forms of face-to face interaction and other internet based interaction. Blended education is also the combination of the following methods; Symmetric online learning Lectures and training are conducted at a pre-arranged time thorough the use of live-webcasts and chartrooms with the assistance of audiovisual material and use of remote access methods to interact with instructors and other students. Asymmetric online learning Lectures and course material is loaded onto web pages and portals or sent through e-mail so that students can access this material anywhere and at any time convenient to them. Classroom and direct interaction This form of education is the traditional form. With training and lectures conducted in classrooms amongst other students. Accreditation Look for online programs, degrees, courses or vocational training courses which have been accredited by reliable and recognized sources, so that the certification holds a value of merit and is accepted by other institutions and employers alike. New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the Middle states, Southern, Western, North-west and North-central Associations of Schools and Colleges are some of the recognized bodies which accredit online courses and also maintain lists of accredited institutions in their domains for public reference. References: Wikipedia Trends in e-learning - Paper: www[dot]codewitz[dot]net/papers/MMT_106-111_Trends_in_E-Learning.pdf www[dot]linezine[dot]com/2.1/features/ewette.htm Resource Area: 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 2009 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc. Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com About Author: Frank Johnson is a staff writer for SchoolsGalore.com. Find online schools, colleges and universities as well as courses or degrees and a lot more distance learning schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your resource for higher education. |
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