by Anne Thrasher

Created on: May 23, 2009

Getting a degree online is not something that is not right for everyone. Self-motivation is the key to successfully completing college online. The curriculum is very student-centered and assignments are real world based. This allows students to obtain experience in their chosen field of study before graduation. Most online colleges offer certifications which students can obtain along the way to getting their degree. These certifications make it possible for a student to get better, higher paying jobs before they graduate. It also allows them to gain work experience that could lead to more career opportunities in the future. If a person is willing to work hard and is career minded, distance learning is a great choice for him or her.

There are many advantages to getting your degree online. In the fast-paced world of today, scheduling is a problem for everyone. Attending college online offers a flexibility of scheduling that you cannot get from traditional brick and mortar colleges. The virtual campus of an online school puts everything a student needs in one place. Traditional schools have many buildings, and classrooms can be located far apart. The length of time it takes to get from one classroom to another could make taking certain classes together in the same semester problematic. In the online environment, classes are archived for students who cannot make it to the live sessions. Therefore, a student never has to worry about any conflicts that may arise within their schedule. These are only a few examples of the ways distance learning can make it easier to get a degree.

Online schools offer many of the same benefits as their traditional brick and mortar counter-parts. Financial aid is available for students who attend accredited online colleges. Students have access to an online library (usually called an ebrary). Librarians are available for anyone who needs help with the libraries research resources. An advisor is assigned to each student when he or she begins the program. These advisers can help students to familiarize themselves with the virtual campus. One of the most popular similarities is the virtual commons. Within the virtual commons a student can summit a profile, make friends list, join clubs, and attend club meetings. Once a student enters the virtual campus, they will find that an online campus can be just as challenging and engaging as a traditional college.

Classrooms in a virtual setting are, by necessity, the major difference between the two programs. PowerPoint and chat are two tools used by instructors in a virtual campus. These instructors are specialized in the field in which they teach. Students and instructors communicate by using chat, e-mail, and telephone. Instructors also have regular office hours in which students can contact them if there is a problem. The instructors usually have another job and they schedule their classes accordingly. The diversity of the students in each class adds to positive aspects of online learning. Although taking college courses online is not at this time considered a traditional learning method, more and more students are finding that this method more closely meets their needs.

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