| Many working adults are discovering the need to | | | | as in a traditional classroom, there may be a |
| further their education to compete in today's | | | | significant reduction of expenses in other areas |
| uncertain and constantly changing job market. | | | | such as travel expense, housing costs, child-care, |
| However, going to school while trying to balance | | | | and loss of earnings. |
| work, family, and social obligations can be a | | | | - Improved communication with classmates and |
| daunting task for even the heartiest of students. | | | | instructors through instant messaging, email, chat |
| Fortunately, with the advent of the internet and | | | | rooms, newsgroup threaded discussions, phone or |
| computer technology, there is now an alternative | | | | fax. |
| to the traditional college classroom. Thousands of | | | | - Accredited courses. Many online courses are |
| adult learners are finding that online courses | | | | accredited by regional and/or national accrediting |
| provide an e-learning solution that fits their busy | | | | agencies. |
| lifestyles. If you are thinking about going back to | | | | - Improve technical knowledge of computers, |
| school to further your education, internet courses | | | | software, and the internet. |
| may be just what you're looking for. | | | | - Working in virtual teams provide the student |
| Before enrolling in any online courses, it's a good | | | | with valuable skills in the global economy. |
| idea to weigh the advantages against the | | | | Disadvantages include: |
| disadvantages and then determine if going to | | | | - A feeling of isolation caused by lack of live |
| school online is right for you. Online courses | | | | contact with instructors and classmates. |
| provide a number of advantages for adult | | | | - Absence of a traditional classroom structure |
| students including: | | | | may cause students lacking self-discipline and good |
| - Accelerated Learning modules that focus on | | | | study habits to fall behind in class. |
| core content. | | | | - Requires a good working knowledge of |
| - Rolling admissions that allow students to begin | | | | computer hardware and software, file |
| class throughout the year. | | | | management, and the internet. |
| - Attend classes at anytime. You can work full or | | | | - Technical issues. Obsolete or malfunctioning |
| part time, spend time with family and friends, and | | | | computers, sluggish internet connections, or |
| still be able to study at a time that is convenient | | | | incompatible software may cause problems |
| and fits into your schedule. | | | | logging into class, and completing course |
| - Attend classes from anywhere. All you need is a | | | | assignments. |
| computer and internet access. | | | | - Requires high level of commitment and |
| - Work at your own pace. If you need extra time | | | | motivation. |
| to absorb the course content, you can read and | | | | - Students have little opportunity to improve oral |
| re-read the material until you "get it." | | | | communication skills, due to course work being in |
| - Equal learning environment for students, | | | | an electronic format. |
| regardless of age, physical appearance, | | | | - Classes with lab or hands-on requirements may |
| personality, health, gender, social standing or | | | | by unavailable online. |
| economic status. | | | | While online courses offer many advantages for |
| - More time to make a response to the | | | | the adult student there are clearly some |
| instructor's lectures and questions. No need to feel | | | | disadvantages as well. However, for thousands of |
| pressured or out-matched by more talkative | | | | students worldwide, the advantages far outweigh |
| students-online everyone has a chance to be | | | | the disadvantages. For these students, attending |
| heard-even the most shy student who might | | | | school online is an effective way to attain their |
| never speak out in a traditional classroom. | | | | educational goals and advance in their career. If |
| - Reduced expense. While the actual class, | | | | you need to further your education, you might |
| textbooks, and other material may cost as much | | | | just discover that it's also the right choice for you! |