Online Education

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!

Online nursing schools are in vogue. Especially in the field of online nursing continuing education a large acceptance of the degree and recognition by the professionals is being observed. More and more students are enrolling to online nursing courses and getting trained to make their own niche in the professional domain. This is a good sign as well as a remarkable success of the online education system. Online nursing courses don’t provide you with fake degrees and make tall claims of job opportunities.

Rising level of importance Online continuing nursing education and the qualification being given have already received professional acceptance. The significance of online nursing education has been recognized at a higher level. Nursing is not just looking after patients. If you are aware then you will find that this is one of the most demanded courses because of its accreditation from renowned institutions. Impetus for nursing profession Nursing degree has much to do with practical things. Therefore online nursing continuing education is the bridge that prepares you for further higher degrees in the subject. You can attend the online classes to understand the basic level of nursing profession and after passing successfully in the course you can join the higher-level degree in regular sessions.

The professional world has understood that these features in the nursing qualification are must and thus online degrees are being looked with appreciation day by day. Biggest advantage of online learning You are the key controller of the learning process and not your guide. This opportunity has widened the space of this particular profession and more students are taking interest in this subject. In fact there has been a scarcity of good nurses but with the advent of the online nursing education it is being thought that the consequences will surely take a better turn. Rising level of importance Online continuing nursing education and the qualification being given have already received professional acceptance. The significance of online nursing education has been recognized at a higher level. Nursing is not just looking after patients.

This idea has been truly made clear in the online education system and has been given a new dimension of thought. Nursing has more to do with management and administration apart from patient care. Such advancements in the learning have been introduced by the online nursing degrees. The professional world has understood that these features in the nursing qualification are must and thus online degrees are being looked with appreciation day by day. Biggest advantage of online learning You are the key controller of the learning process and not your guide.

In a traditional system of practical education for nursing it entirely depends on the professor to give you lessons whether you can follow or not. In the online scheme this hurdle is fully resolved because you are the master of the program and you can learn according to your speed and capability. If you find a difficult area you can repeatedly go through the topic, which is not feasible in the regular course because the guide will not accept to do it. Isn’t this the better way?

An online degree ensures that you are not limited to location because it can be accessed anywhere and at any time. A person in the remote part of Australia can earn a university degree from the University of London by just enrolling for their online education program. An online degree program is in essence, mobile education. There are lots of online universities offer different types of education programs including bachelors’, master’s degree.

Online education can be found on virtually any course or program of study. You can find online degrees on arts, sciences, physics, mathematics, or even literature and languages. Online degrees also span across time to encompass studies such as cultural studies, languages; and environmental issues.

In choosing an online education, you should be able to recognize the type of degree you want. Undergraduate online degrees vary in cost from graduate online degrees or masters degree. The cost of any online degree is usually a main determinant for online education program selection.

If you are not certain whether online universities is accredited or not, go to the relevant accreditation authorities and inquire. Accredited online universities online are vast and numerous. However, some universities online are the products of a scammer’s wild imagination so, be careful in your search and enrollment.

As an additional information, lots of individuals are benefiting from online education programs like those people that are just at home– home buddies. For instance, some full time housewives have found solace in online degree programs. If you can not bear to be away from your family, an online degree program will ensure that you get the best of both worlds; education and at the same time family.

There are numbers of problems that can be solved with online educational programs such as peer pressure. As we all know, peer pressure, bullying are some problems that is more prone with formal educational setting.

When attempting to get started with acquiring an online education program, a lot of caution must always be employed because there are a variety of fake online degree websites on the Internet; you can be their victim. In your search for online education programs, you need to be really cautious about any offer that seems a little bit too good to be true– this usually end up to nothing. To avoid being scammed in your search for an online degree program, enroll only on accredited universities.

An online degree program ensures the exchange of training material via the internet. The developing features of the internet have made the relationship between the instructor and the student more strong than it used to be. Online degree programs are a way to get an education without compromising your family or work.