Posts Tagged distance education
Strategies for Sustainable Open and Distance Learning: World Review of Distance Education and Open Learning: Volume 6
The pioneers who started the world’s first open universities flew by the seat of their pants. Their successors, now launching and reshaping open-learning programmes in the internet age, no longer need to. Drawing on forty years’ experience of implementing open and distance learning, this book will guide decision makers – in the private and public sectors – about how they can teach and train more students, more effectively, learning from the successes and avoiding… More >>
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Online High School – The Right Choice For You?
Traditional high school can be problematic. There are distractions in the classroom, numerous drawbacks to learning in such an environment and rigid attendance. Many students find finishing high school to be a less than exciting experience. Many other students find that they are unable to finish high school due to family concerns. Sickness, death and even a need for additional income can make it nearly impossible for some students to complete high school.
Thankfully, the Internet has made distance education a very real possibility for many students. Current students will find that they can take advantage of online high school and attain the diploma they need. Returning students will also find numerous advantages to attending high school online.
What are the largest advantages to online high school programs? There are quite a few benefits to attending virtual high school. For instance, your school schedule can be customized to fit your lifestyle and your needs. Thus, if you must work during the day, or simply find that evening hours are more beneficial, you can take your classes then. You can work at your own pace, as well. Rather than being held back to the pace of the slowest student in the class, you can work ahead as far as you wish.
The combination of learning at your own pace and a flexible schedule means that you can easily get your diploma through an online high school program. That diploma is vitally important to your future success; ensuring that you have it is important. An accredited online high school program will give you a recognized diploma accepted by colleges and universities, ensuring that you can continue your education.
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Distance Learning – Advantages and Disadvantages
There are advantages and disadvantages to distance learning. The advantages are making this online alternative very popular. But, before you decide to choose distance education over traditional learning, you should be aware of the disadvantages, too.
Advantages of Distance Learning:
Convenience: In this economy, it is difficult to take time away from work to further an education towards a more secure future. An advantage of distance education is that it makes it possible for you to maintain employment without a conflict in schedule. Distance learning allows students to attend class anytime day or night.
Availability: Another advantage of distance learning is that you are not limited to only courses offered by local colleges. With personal responsibilities already in place, attending schools at a greater distance away from home is not always an option. Distance education makes it possible to take almost any course from any higher learning institution.
Increased Resources: Distance learning not only provides advantages of broadening the courses and programs available at your convenience, it also provides more opportunities for feedback and interaction with instructors and fellow students. Since email and forums are integral components of distance learning, interaction can all be done as needed – not limited to class or campus time or playing phone tag and voice mail.
Disadvantages of Distance Learning
Deadlines: As with any course, there are deadlines to be met. Because you aren’t attending a scheduled class, deadlines may get away from you. This can be a disadvantage of distance learning if you aren’t good with time management.
Studying: It may be difficult to find enough online time without interruption since you’ll be attending class at home. Instructors provide a syllabus so you should be able to create a schedule around the course schedule. You may need to make arrangements with a sitter or spouse to watch the kids plus remember to turn off the TV and the phone.
Testing: Testing may need to be supervised or timed online to keep you honest, especially for the final exam. Your instructor will make arrangements with local educators or provide you with timed online tests so you can’t rely on using your text book to pass. If you live close to the school, you may be required to take the exam at the testing center. You’ll need to be sure to spend as much time studying as you would learning in the traditional way, but there may be more distractions.
Interaction: Discussion board posts and replies are usually included in the course requirements. Sometimes, you must interact in a forum discussion during a set time so you may interact with your instructor in real time. Again, you need to be able to manage your time to be available without distractions.
Learning Style: Another disadvantage to distance learning is that the course may not include instruction for the auditory or visual learner. If there are lecture and supplemental videos included, then it may work for your learning style. Be sure to check the instructor’s style to teaching before you decide on the course. The course may be offered by more than one instructor – each of whom may have different teaching styles.
Successful Distance Learning
To be successful as a distance learner, you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. For your first time as a distance learner, enroll in just one course that you will enjoy and see how it goes.
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A Special Education with Special Education Online Courses
In one community alone, the superintendent of schools anticipates hiring 50-100 new teachers with the next five years. Because of increasing needs, many positions will be available for special education teachers. Unfortunately, special ed teachers are in short supply. Therefore, special education online courses can help potential teachers become exceptional children specialists, and current teachers can take the necessary online courses to obtain a special education endorsement or obtain a graduate degree in special education.
First, school districts around the country are desperate for qualified exceptional children specialists. (A glorified term for special education teachers) Understandably, special education teachers have additional challenges and concerns beyond those of a regular classroom teacher. Teaching physically, mentally, emotionally, and learning disabled students takes a very special educator. However, with the added convenience of special education online courses, the call for special teachers can reach the individuals wanting to enroll in a special education program and make the difference in the lives of exceptional children, who cannot afford to relocate or give up a current job in the interim.
Current teachers may also want to consider enrolling in a special education program. With distance education, teachers can acquire the credits necessary to retain accreditation, while gain a valuable endorsement in special education. For instance, whether a teacher currently teaches at the grade school, middle school, or high school level, all states require teachers to continue learning to earn a certain number of credits in a specific period of time. Therefore, special education online courses can provide the schools with quality special education teachers, and answer the educational requirements for continued certification.
Finally, current exceptional children specialists should always want to learn more, in answer to the growing needs of special students. While a bachelor’s degree is an excellent step in the right direction, many teachers can also strive for graduate degrees. Thus, teachers can even earn a distance doctorate in special education online courses. Colleges understand the need to continue guiding exceptionally challenged children, while furthering personal knowledge and educational goals. Even teachers currently holding a Master’s degree receive a specialized curriculum with special education online courses.
In summary, administrators and students need more exceptionally qualified teachers in the area of special education. In addition, current teachers are considering additional career options by seeking a special education endorsement. Finally, exceptional children specialists are taking the proactive approach and returning for graduate degrees and an increased knowledge base. Whatever the need, special education online course are available to circumvent the difficulties related to continued college education.
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