Online Education

A long time back, online education was an idea that was ridiculed by many. But now it has become universally common amongst educationalists and up coming students.

It was first time in the 1990’s, when a number of universities ascribed online degrees. For obvious reasons, these inventive schools were looked down upon by the “academic rulers,” and considered to be somehow “sleazy” or ill-famed. During a passage of time opinions changed, and many impressive universities integrated online degree programs in their course outline, in order to assist distant learners, who for some reason or the other could not attend regular classes. Speculative about how online education works? Or if it would be a good substitute for you? Examine the facts and experience what it is to be an “implicit student.”

The first and foremost difference between online education and attending a traditional university is that it is not obligatory to be present at a particular location to study. This means that one would be saving a lot of time and energy from traveling and that there is no need to go through all the cross-examination that is carried out in many educational institutes. An older student of 24 years and above finds it a bit niggling at times even impossible to go back to college to earn a degree in order to achieve a pay raise or get promoted. Online education can be a great option for such students and for those who are a little more mature.

The prime question all approaching students have about eLearning is how the virtual classroom actually works. While there are many similarities between the virtual classrooms used in online education, and the class rooms of a traditional university, there are prominent differences as well. For instance, if one attends a conventional university or college grounds, firstly he has to be there on the given time. Give ear to the certain course within a limited time period that will be surely to last between one to three hours on average. The instructor of the course will likely harangue for the majority of this time, but there may also be some student involvement. At the end of the session the instructor may assign homework or inform students of upcoming quizzes and tests. Whereas, in a virtual classroom the formation is much more unbolted, and there is a far greater degree of elasticity in the lesson plans. One can log into his virtual class room at any time that suits him and listen, read and watch videos according to his course outline, which means no time limitations. This way, an individual can take as much time as he wants to go through the material over and over again. However, in a traditional university instructors are available to point out ones misapprehensions. But in online studies, though, instructors will reply via e-mail, message or chat, the interaction that occurs face-to-face would just not be there. This means that while working for an online degree, a student has far greater responsibility for his own learning. No one will watch out or keep an eye on him, or ascertain whether he is doing the necessitated work or not; it will simply be handed out and then expected to be executed accordingly.

Usually this kind of exemption and flexibility fits many people perfectly, but others, especially more vernal or immature students, crave for structural and traditional campus learning. If one finds himself responsible enough to take charge of his studies by himself, online education is the most apposite way of learning for him.

Statistics and facts for this article were found in “The Web’s Aspect on Student Learning” by Katrina Meyer, written for Technological Horizons in Education.

Online education is different from traditional education. When online education courses first evolved, they were close copies of traditional courses, delivered in much the same way, i.e.; via the reading of text. Now, however, online course designers have realized that online education is primarily a visual learning medium and are delivering course content through highly visual media, including pictures and video, which fits a visual learning style.

What Are The Types of Learning Styles? (Source: http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm#Visual%20Learners:)

Visual learners learn through sight. They need to see the teacher’s body language and facial expression to fully understand a lesson. They prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people’s heads). They think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or discussion, visual learners take detailed notes on the information.

New scientific studies have shown that if you learn through a visual learning style, online education courses may fit you better than a traditional program in a campus-based school. A typical online student will do well if he or she has certain skills and personality traits, such as:

* Learns visually,

* Is independent,

* Self-motivates,

* Has computer skills.

1. If you learn best by reading, studying diagrams, watching animations, pictures, and videos, or observing charts, you are a visual learner. Much of the information presented on the internet is presented visually, which is why it may be the ideal medium for you. In addition, your assignments and tests will be, for the most part, written, so that your visual learning style is the best for completing projects you will be assigned.

In recent years, the visual learning style classification has been modified somewhat and renamed the visual/verbal learning style. At www.metamath.com, it is explained. “The Visual/ Verbal Learning Style” You learn best when information is presented visually and in written format. In a classroom setting, you benefit from instructors who use a chalkboard (or overhead projector) to list the points of a lecture, or who give you an outline of a lecture. You benefit from information in textbooks and class notes. You like to study by yourself in a quiet room. You see information “in your mind’s eye” when you are trying to memorize. Learning Strategies for the Visual/ Verbal Learner (Source: www.metamath.com)

To aid recall, use “color coding” when studying new information in your textbook or notes. Use highlighter pens to highlight information in contrasting colors. Write down sentences and phrases that summarize key information obtained from textbooks and lectures. Make flashcards of vocabulary words and concepts that need to be memorized. Use highlighter pens to emphasize key points on the cards. The amount of information per card is limited so you can easily recall it and create a “mental image” of it. You can learn from material offered in illustrations or diagrams by writing out explanations of it. When learning mathematical or technical information, write out summaries in sentences and key phrases that are simplified. When a problem requires a sequence of steps, write out in detail how to do each step. Make use of computer word processing to speed up taking notes. Copy key information from your notes and textbook into a word-processed document. Use the print-outs for review. Before an exam, create visual reminders of information that must be memorized. Make sticky notes containing key words and concepts and place them in highly visible places –on your mirror, notebook, car dashboard, etc.

2. The independent learner is happy to work alone on projects and assignments. Most of your assignments will be done without input from other students, so it is imperative that you act independent and confident when it comes to completing projects on your own, without support from others. In fact, independent learners prefer working on their own rather than having to give support to other students and share grades with them.

3. The online education student will have limited contact with other classmates. In this situation, you must be self-motivated and have less need to rely on others for assistance. An important aspect of online success is the ability to encourage yourself to complete assignments and solve problems. 4. An independent learner is most likely to learn the computer skills needed to succeed in online education courses. The independent student has enough confidence to deal with occasional computer technical problems, as well. “With online education, we just turn the technology over to them {the students} and let them use it express themselves in their own unique ways.” Quote may be found at: http://www.netc.org/digitalbridges/online/symposium/quotes.php. If you are the type of person who hesitates to solve problems on your own, needs constant assistance from others, prefers to learn by doing hands-on projects or listening, or the use of manipulatives, then campus-based courses would be a better way to go. At a traditional campus, you will find others who have auditory and/or tactile learning styles similar to yours, with whom you can interact.

The key to success in online education courses is to make sure that your learning style fits the visual/verbal learning style needed for online education. You must be able to work at your own pace, independently, using visual media as your input. You must also be self- motivated and have enough confidence to solve problems as they occur. If you fit those criteria, online education courses are for you!