DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME-SCHOOLING

1) What is Distance Learning?

Distance learning refers education conducted from afar. Students apply to actual educational institutions, but they complete their schooling requirements from their own homes or offices. In some cases, students may graduate without ever setting foot on campus.

In some cases, classes meet once for ground rules before turning students loose to accomplish assignments on their own.

Although students have completed coursework remotely for decades, through correspondence schools and other programs, distance learning has exploded in popularity in recent days. It really is the ultimate independent study program.

2) How Distance Learning Work?

Today, most Distance Learning programs employ e-mail and internet interaction. Even educational lectures may be posted on a web-site, either live or videotaped, for students to view. Class participation may be exercised in live chatrooms or through online bulletin boards. Students post term papers, written exams and other assignments to the teacher's web-site or e-mail address.

A fair number of universities actually air teaching on cable television, so students may view classes from their own locations. Others may provide a CD-rom containing lectures, educational exercises, and assignments.

Classes may be also completed through postal correspondence.

3) How Can I Find a Distance Learning Program?

Use the internet to find programs in your field of interest. Be sure to identify accredited programs only. Accreditation is a licensing of educational programs and organizations. Without it, your degree will be worth very little. Financial aid, tuition assistance, grants, and even tax deductibility depend upon accreditation.

In the US alone, nearly 6,500 academic institutions of higher learning hold accreditation. Visit The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (http://www.chea.org) to determine your proposed school's status before you apply.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
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