Published : May 21, 2006 | Author : Annica Sundstrom
In recent years, online education has become extremely popular. One obvious reason for the online education boom is the fact that people from all walks of life now have the opportunity to earn a college degree, without having to rearrange their entire lives or quit their daytime jobs. However, another important reason for the increase pertaining to online higher education is that Congress finally has lifted the so called 50 percent rule, which ever since it was enacted in 1992 required colleges to hold at least 50 percent of their courses on campus in order to qualify for federal student aid.
According to The New York Times, the Bush administration wanted to lift this restriction on online education in order to reach what they call nontraditional students. Nevertheless, some nonprofit colleges and universities opposed the removal of the 50 percent rule, saying that some schools might become nothing more than “diploma mills.” Most of the for-profit colleges, however, welcomed the change and approximately 2,500 of them are actually accredited to offer federal student aid.
Even though many colleges have increased their online course offerings during the last couple of years, there are still relatively few universities that are totally Internet-based. But with the 50 percent rule gone, huge changes are now anticipated - at least in the for-profit online education business.
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Published : May 19, 2006 | Author : Annica Sundstrom
Today, a high school diploma won’t get you very far - unless you have your mind set on serving pasta at your local food court. As a matter of fact, most serious employers want their employees to have at least a Bachelor degree.
To get a great education is one of the most important investments you will make in your entire life. And the doors it opens are basically endless.
A few years ago, earning a college degree meant that you had to quit your daytime job, make the commute to school, park your car and attend the classes you had enrolled in. Well, times have changed. And for the better, most might add, thanks to the opportunity to earn your degree from the comfort of your own home.
Regardless of what career you want to pursue, online classes and degrees can get you there. Time, or rather the lack of it, is no longer an excuse. The only thing you need is a computer, an Internet connection and of course the motivation to succeed.
As an online student, you are in no way alone. In most cases, you have an instructor who guides you through the material and who gives you advice and feedback. More often than not, you can also exchange information and opinions with your fellow classmates through emails or chats. And even though coursework usually are due on a certain day, it is you who decide when you want to “attend class” and do your homework!
Online higher education does not only give you the freedom to combine your schoolwork with the rest of your life. The anonymity the online environment offers also tends to eliminate teacher-student discrimination, based on for instance physical appearance, age, race and gender. Instead, the focus is always on your work, your progress and your results!
When taking an online class, it is not uncommon that your classmates come from all over the country, or the world for that matter. As a result, you might soon find that exchanging information and ideas with folks from different places, with different backgrounds and cultures is an enlightening experience in itself.
If you want to change your life, pursue a new career, finally get that university diploma you dreamed of, or just learn new things, the only question is: What are you waiting for?
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