Online Learning Continues to Gain Popularity in 2010

Over the past decade, learning online has become immensely popular amongst individuals across the globe. Individuals that are hoping to advance their careers are able to do so with online classes and don't have to put their current career on hold. By removing the restrictions on when students have to attend class, a whole new crop of students has jumped on board. Thanks to the ease and convenience online learning offers, web classes have grown in popularity ever year since the late 90's. Plus, the unique asset of online learning is that it's specifically tailored and suited to each student's individual preferences. Most schools allow students to view webinars and live webcasts, chat with students, use forums to discuss class topics, and utilize online social networks. Plus, students can easily learn without being distracted by others, and can enjoy the comforts of home (yet they must have strong self-control and discipline to stay focused). During the year 2010, the amount of online learners has increased significantly. In fact, about 60 percent of the world's leading companies utilize this method of learning more in 2010 than in 2009. Additionally, online learning is being used more and more within the office environment in the modern era, and many companies now use online classes to train their employees and managers. Plus, company employees that would like to up the ante and achieve a new position or pursue a new career path can easily do so by earning a graduate degree online. As the availability of wireless devices and networks continues to grow year upon year, it's clear that online learning has an opportunity to reach more and more new students and employees. Yet, not every online school may be all it appears to be. Thus, it's important to research each online learning opportunity thoroughly via online social networks, forums, and respected educational publications. While online learning can certainly be an excellent method of learning new skills, the competition among online schools is very high, and a little research into your potential online school can go a long way!

Is Online Education the Best Choice for You?

We live in a world that's constantly changing. Our parents and grandparents could expect to get a good job with a high school diploma or bachelor's degree, and stay with that employer for life. Now, we find ourselves switching jobs or careers, returning to the workforce, or needing more and more education to advance or keep the jobs we have. Yet how are we supposed to obtain this education when we have jobs, families, and obligations? Online education is the answer. Flexibility Perhaps online education's greatest advantage is its flexibility. It may be that you live in an area where the nearest college is miles away. You may not have reliable transportation, or you may be disabled or have another situation which makes it difficult or impossible for you to travel. With online education, your professors and classmates come to you, via computer. All you need is a good computer system and a fast, reliable internet connection. For others, time is the issue. If you're working full-time, or a second job, your schedule may not accommodate traditional or night classes. When earning your degree online, however, you can call up your philosophy class at 2 a.m. wearing your pajamas. If you are a single parent, or lack reliable or affordable child care, distance learning enables you to earn a degree even if the kids are fighting over blocks in the background. You can discuss comparative literature with online classmates and no one will hear a thing. Access You may be concerned that online schools are diploma mills, out to take your money but offering little in the way of educational or career value. Don't worry! Many accredited colleges and universities now offer online degrees. Research your preferred school to see what options it features, or search by subject. If you have doubts about a program, look for it on the US Department of Education's lists of accredited schools and recognized accrediting agencies, or contact your state attorney general's office or the Better Business Bureau to check for complaints. You can be assured that an online degree from an accredited institution will be an asset to your career. Variety The number of degrees available to distance learners has skyrocketed; you'll have many courses of study to choose from. If you're already an RN, you can earn your BS in nursing. If you want to move from clerical to management, you can earn your Associate's in business administration. Many Master's degrees are available, including public relations, educational administration, and urban design. You can also earn certification in web applications, business essentials, gerontology and other subjects. Professionals can earn their Ph.D.'s in education or nursing practice. If you simply want the university degree you had to forgo, you can earn your Associate's or Bachelor's in general studies and study US history, astronomy, Spanish... a little bit of everything! Don't let your situation keep you from an education! Login to see if an online degree is for you!

Getting an Online Degree is Not That Difficult

Deciding to get a web-based bachelor degree was some of the tough situations I've ever faced. You see, I was in a uniquely precarious position. On the one hand, I had plenty of opportunity. I was beginning a business with a friend, and it had loads of potential. Alternatively, I used to be broke or nearly so. If things didn't work - and I wasn't certain they would - I'd be in the gutter fairly soon. I needed to get an training just in case, but I didn't know the right way to go about it. I simply didn't have enough time. That is why I made a decision to get a bachelor degree online. Up till the last minute, I did not even know that you would get an accredited on-line degree. You have to beware if you get a bachelors diploma online: lots of the programs should not accredited, and the levels that they offer you will not get you anywhere. Nonetheless, if you select properly, you will get a degree that's as useful as every other undergraduate degree. Make no mistake about it: a bachelor degree on-line is every bit as much work as it's important to go through going to the university. The difference, after all, is that you simply get to do it from home. Because of this you do your schoolwork if you wish to, you watch your professors lectures while you wish to, and you don't have to schedule your life round your education. As long as you may put aside sufficient time each week, you are able to do it! Anyway, in my case the bachelor diploma online proved to be instrumental in my success. I had believed that I was either heading for success or failure, but a 3rd chance did not happen to me. In reality, the enterprise continued to struggle for fairly a while. It appeared prefer it was going to take off, but I undoubtedly wanted to get a second job. It could help itself, however it couldn't instantly pay all the bills. I didn't have quite a lot of time, however the bachelor degree online allowed me to get a relatively nicely-paying job. That meant that I didn't should work many hours at my second job, and could commit more time to the enterprise that I used to be starting. Trying back, I'm so glad that I made the precise decision. It was positively value it to take those courses online. If I hadn't, things might not have turned out as well as they did.

Online University Degree Program - The Very Basics You Need to Know

If you are thinking of improving your career, but don't have the time or even the money to pay for a traditional college or university training, there is hope for you. As online university degree program can resolve your troubles with ease. The reason being that online mode of education permits you to study at your own speed and is much cheaper compared to attending conventional higher institutions. The reality is that when it comes to online university degree course, the program comes at affordable cost and can always be within your means depending on the course you have interest in. One thing that makes online degree programs cheap is the fact that students don't have to spend on accommodation, transportation as well as the purchase of books is certain instances. This is account for the reason why Internet based education is gaining grounds, especially among those who seek a better career while earning and learning simultaneously. With the help of college degree online program you can earn a degree in professions like accounting, business administration, criminal justice, nursing, education, engineering and a whole lot of other qualifications in any career you are interested in. Chances are you have been expressing some doubts about registering for an online degree program; you don't have to bother any more as internet based programs are now accredited safe for every one wishing to earn a degree. Hence, it is not late to register an online college degree program now. All you need do is to follow any of the links on this page to apply and complete your registration with ease. What's more, there are online institutions that provide certificate and advanced degrees in various programs in case you are interested in any of them. In conclusion, it is important to know that online university degree program is presents the students with all the advantages they can think of. From the commencement to the finishing of the course learning is done online. That is from the registration process to writing assignments and examination; every thing is done without the student leaving his or her home. This explains why this learning option is the affordable for people who cannot pay the high costs associated with normal colleges and universities.

Job Tips for Distance Learning Students

Trying to maintain a career and distance learning program at the same time can be a bit overwhelming but not impossible. Online education as we all know, is very different from traditional learning, however the same applies to both styles of learning. The only main difference is being able to complete your studies online instead of in a physical classroom. Successful Online Learning traits for Working Professionals The characteristics needed to succeed in an online learning environment, which are also job tips for distance learning students, will give you success at work and in your online classroom. They are listed below: Dedicated - the same amount of time and effort is required for distance education that is required for traditional learning. Motivated - just keep in mind the reasons for pursing a degree and in an online format, and that should keep you motivated. Self-directed - as a distance learner, there is no one looking over your shoulders so you will need to have the get-up-and-go attitude or you will tend to slack off. Assertive - because this is an online learning environment, constant interaction and collaboration with instructors and classmates is required to succeed. Excellent writing skills - most of your classroom time will be spent online which means that you will need to communicate via email, chat room, discussion board, etc. Procrastinate - Stay with the classroom, don't put off doing your work. Stay current with your assignments, projects, lectures etc. falling behind and trying to catch up by doing everything all at the same time is stressful and can affect your online education. However, anyone can master distance learning while maintaining a full-time job by making a few simple adjustments. So even if you don't have these characteristics, you can work on them one at a time until you are at a point where you feel comfortable. Applying these characteristics and traits listed above to distance education will help you in your career as well. These characteristics are some of the best job tips for distance learning students to succeed both online and at work. It can be done as long as you are willing to put in the time and do whatever it takes to make it work.

What Are ITIL Courses?

ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library. It is a registered trademark of the United Kingdom's Office of Government Commerce (OGC). It is a system of concepts and practices for Information Technology Services Management (ITSM), Information Technology (IT) development and IT operations. It has been drawn from both public and private sectors internationally and explains how resources typical for the IT sphere should be used to deliver business value. This approach to IT service management originated in the 1980's as a collection of books, covering specific areas within IT Service Management. The number of v1 books reached 30 volumes. V2 appeared in 2000/2001 with a view to make ITIL more accessible. It comprised 8 logical 'sets' with focus on Service Support and Service Delivery. In May 2007, OGC issued the 3rd version, known as the ITIL Refresh Project. It consists of 26 processes and functions, grouped into 5 volumes gravitating around the concept of Service lifecycle structure. Together with the launch of v3 a new qualification path appeared. Thus, there are four levels available, each certificate containing a number of credits towards the advanced level positions. Credits are also awarded for qualifications in previous versions. The four levels are the following: Foundation, Intermediate, Expert and Master. Individuals who need only basic ITIL knowledge and IT professionals working for companies which have adopted ITIL are the main audience targeted for the Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management. The ones who need a deeper understanding of Service Lifecycle elements in order to enhance the quality of IT service management represent the audience targeted for the Intermediate Certificate. The Expert level can be achieved by collecting credits through the first two above mentioned levels. A minimum of 22 credits are required instead of examination. In order to apply for the Master level, the Expert certification is requested. Moreover, you need to prove practical application experience through a peer evaluation scheme. What about the ones who have already obtained v2 qualifications? They can either use those certifications as credits towards the Expert, or benefit from current v3 bridging routes. Even those who hold earlier qualifications than v2 can update their knowledge and certification through a series of "bridging" courses.

Adobe CS3 Design Courses Around the UK - Options

If you'd like to get involved in the web design industry, Adobe Dreamweaver is vital for attaining in-demand qualifications recognised globally. It's also recommended that you become fully conversant with the full Adobe Web Creative Suite, including Flash and Action Script, to be able to take advantage of Dreamweaver as a commercial web-designer. These skills can take you on to becoming an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or Adobe Certified Professional (ACP). To establish yourself as a full web professional however, there's a lot more to learn. You'll need to bolt on programming skills like HTML, PHP and database engines like MySQL. An excellent grasp of E-Commerce and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) will help when talking to employers. Many trainers provide a shelf full of reference manuals. This can be very boring and not ideal for remembering. Where possible, if we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, our results will often be quite spectacular. The latest home-based training features easy-to-use DVD or CD ROM's. Real-world classes from the instructors will mean you'll learn your subject by way of their teaching and demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by interacting with the software and practicing yourself. Always insist on a look at some courseware examples from any training college. The materials should incorporate demo's from instructors, slideshows and interactive labs where you get to practice. Plump for CD and DVD ROM based physical training media where possible. You can then avoid all the difficulties of broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc. Accredited exam simulation and preparation packages are essential - and must be obtained from your training company. Avoid depending on unofficial exam preparation questions. The type of questions asked can be quite different - and this leads to huge confusion when it comes to taking the real exam. Why don't you check your knowledge by doing tests and practice in simulated exam environments to get you ready for the real thing. One area often overlooked by those thinking about a course is that of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the method used to break up the program to be delivered to you, which completely controls how you end up. Usually, you'll enrol on a course staged over 2 or 3 years and receive one element at a time until graduation. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues: Many students find that the trainer's typical path to completion isn't ideal for them. It's often the case that a slightly different order suits them better. Could it cause problems if you don't get everything done within their exact timetable? For future safety and flexibility, many trainees now want to insist that all study materials are couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. It's then up to you in which order and at what speed you'd like to work. Now, why might we choose commercial qualifications as opposed to more traditional academic qualifications obtained from tech' colleges and universities? With the costs of academic degree's increasing year on year, along with the industry's increasing awareness that accreditation-based training is closer to the mark commercially, there has been a large rise in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA accredited training routes that provide key skills to an employee at a fraction of the cost and time involved. Patently, a reasonable amount of closely linked knowledge has to be taught, but essential specialised knowledge in the required areas gives a vendor educated person a distinct advantage. Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the tin'. All an employer has to do is know where they have gaps, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. They'll know then that all applicants can do what they need.

Are Online Degrees Worth It?

If you've been thinking about getting your degree online you may be wondering if online degrees are worth it. You may have heard various viewpoints and wonder if this is the way you should go. Depending on whether you want an associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, MBA or doctorate or a certificate, the career choice you make or job market you plan to enter, there are some areas in which you won't be able to get a degree solely with online courses. The nursing profession for example will require learning to give injections and performing various treatments, all which will take a hands-on experience to learn the techniques. There are other professions as well that will require on-campus classes or labs too. But it's possible to take many of your online classes through online courses or distance learning and combine them with on-campus learning. And in many cases you can get your entire education online and earn an online degree. This is especially true in vocational fields. When employers have job openings they're mostly interested in getting someone who can do the job and do it well. They may find that someone with a lot of experience in a field will fit into the job better than someone with a lot of education in that field but little or no experience. But they're mostly interested in getting the best person for the job and that doesn't always require massive education. Sometimes just a few courses online can give one the knowledge they need to enter a field without getting a degree. As a former employer myself I would get a lot of resumes from people with degrees in related fields but with little experience. It was more important to hire people with direct experience in the field and some classes or courses or a degree in the field with some experience. If you're thinking about getting a degree in certain field, contact companies that hire in that field. Talk to the human resources department people and ask what is required to join the company. Ask about salary ranges. There are many fields that have opened up today with online degrees including criminal justice, criminology and computer forensics. You'll find many culinary arts programs, medical billing courses and medical coding courses. You'll find education, teaching, accounting, psychology, nursing (RN - registered nurse, LPN - licensed practical nurse), paralegal, graphic design, theology, game design and so on. Just about every area is covered today. All the major universities and colleges offer online classes. There are any trade and vocational schools that offer online courses and online degrees and many offer complete training online. So are online degrees worth it? The answer is yes; especially if you know the job market you plan to enter. You want to make sure you do your job research first especially for the area you live in. You want to make sure you're going to have good prospects for a job when you're done. Employers are used to getting resumes from people with online degrees and it no longer has any stigma attached to it. But make sure to do your research about online schools, courses, training, trade schools vocational schools, colleges and universities first and make sure the school is accredited-- some claim to be that are not. Make sure to check this out. There are many other tips but too many to list in this short article, including how to go cheap.

Elearning - Communication and Relevant Content

Just like in any traditional learning experience, students in elearning need effective communication and relevant, attention-grabbing content in order to learn successfully. Instructional designers are faced with the challenge of designing courses that would satisfy these requirements. Clear communication is incredibly important in the designing an electronic learning course because the content presented is not always received by students the way the designer intended it. If a learner does not get what he is intended to receive, then it is highly possible that learning objectives would not be met. There are a lot of reasons why learners can perceive information in various ways. Levels in experience, expertise and knowledge contribute greatly. Sometimes cultural and even environmental differences affect learning experiences. However, a big factor in the equation is the learner's commitment to the course. A designer must first understand that he cannot control the perception of students. However, there are ways to ease some of the confusion, and they're usually based on the communication process and relevant content. Effective Communication Compared to the established communication process, the one involved in elearning is a little bit different because there is no way to alter the course content to enable better communication for it-it is a closed loop process. In an environment such as this, the learner's processing is dependent on the content delivered. Unfortunately, in a technology-enhanced learning setup, it is likely that the learner has no way of expressing his confusion and whether or not he or she understands what is being presented. It is for this reason that designers must find a way to build something that assesses understanding and at the same time provide feedback. To do this, one must first determine how the material will be prepared so that learners can make sense of it. Remember that it has to be expressed in a way that they can understand. Second is to determine the obstacles that may hinder proper comprehension. Knowing the profile of the learners is a useful way to avoid problems. And third is to find the best ways to engage them. Relevant content is the key to a learning experience. The course content must provide motivation, ensure effectiveness and hold interest. Relevant Content In elearning, impact is critical. And the only way a course can make an impact is if its content has value to the learner. There are three ways to make course content relevant. First is to get to know the learners in their environment. Spending time with them is a great way to identify what their needs and preferences are. This way, the course can be modified according to those needs and preferences to ensure quality content. Second is to be the liaison between the learner and the content owner. Sometimes, organizations build the course around their needs and objectives, and not their learners or trainees. The role of an instructional designer is to merge both the organization's and learner's needs in order to come up with a course content that satisfies both parties. And third is to put the content into context. Creating scenarios where learners can be challenged to analyze problems or scenarios is a great way to apply this.

Online Colleges And The Time And Monetary Benefits

Thanks to the Online world, numerous advances in education have occurred. One development, which happens to be fairly unknown, has been the emergence of online universities and colleges. Web based educational institutions provide college subjects and programs through distance education, without ever calling for the individual to attend an actual physical campus. You'll find many great positive elements with this learning approach. Online colleges enable men and women who couldn't look into attending an actual college, the opportunity to acquire professional abilities and accrue diplomas and degrees. Folks who're in the workforce, who want to get extra qualifications, but cannot achieve this, seeing as they need to work full time, can sign up for an online study course. By doing this they can stay employed and study concurrently. With conventional education and learning, an individual has to shape their lifestyles around classes. Online colleges get rid of this inconvenience. Men and women who're elderly people, or retired people, for whom commuting to school each day would not be very possible, may also take part in lessons from the privacy of their houses. Retirees, who want to fill their hours with interesting subject areas, can potentially enroll in an online study course in a niche that is intriguing to them. If there was a topic that they often hoped to study, they could do so conveniently with an online college. Attending a typical college or university involves a prescribed lifestyle since you are fully committed to being present for classes. This indicates either needing to stay on college or university residences, or squandering a large percentage of your day going to and from your school. Going to classes 5 days a week can necessitate several hours used up commuting, which could otherwise be invested in reading and studying and other useful things. Driving is also an expensive task, specially with the cost of fuel and public transport being on the rise as a result of elevating gas premiums. But, with online education colleges these particular challenges are absolutely not applicable. You do not have to expend cash on travelling, or residing on college dorms so as to gain certification. The tuition fees for college schooling can be hefty. Certain online colleges provide more affordable prices for their courses. For many students, any discount can make charges easier to deal with. In addition to the possible financial savings that you may gain as a result of choosing an online course, rather than typical courses, numerous online colleges impart course readings through the online portals. Therefore the requirement of getting pricey textbooks is considerably less. It really is rather important to take into account all the relevant details in advance of signing up with any online university or college. While there are fundamental positive factors that you can gain by selecting an online college for accomplishing your certification, instead of a traditional university, you should examine your choices first. It is sensible to talk with the governments Department of Education regarding any online colleges that you are keen on, to verify their official certification before registering in any program.