Online Degrees - A question of Choice

Hi everyone, I'm not quite sure if this issue has already been discussed.

Generally, most of us associate Traditional degrees with Hard-work which is not neccesarily the case. However, due to the increasing popularity of Online learning/Degrees (another form of long-distance learning),  I think it would be helpful to create some awareness about it on here and discuss the pros and cons.

Bits Culled from howstuffworks.com

Thanks to Online Degree programs, earning a degree if you're working (or simply busy) isn't as hard as it used to be. The time, distance and financial constraints of higher education have all but disappeared with the arrival of distance learning via telecommunications and online technology. If you're already in the workforce or you just can't be bothered about going about your degree the traditional way, but would like to earn a degree, then the opportunity is there. It may require some technological know-how, current computer equipment, and a lot of self-discipline, but it is definitely easier and more effective than it used to be.

Basically, with a computer, an Internet connection and a little self-discipline, you can earn a degree from home, work, or anywhere else for that matter. Online degree programs follow much the same routines as traditional learning, with a few twists. There are lectures, but they won't be in person. There are assignments, but you won't hand them to your instructor. There are exams, but you won't be able to look at your neighbor's paper. There may be a set time that "class" begins, but you don't have to be there then. In most situations, you are free to "go to class" when it fits your schedule. If you get a phone call during class, you don't have to miss anything. If you get sick, you don't have to ask for someone's notes, you just visit the lecture later.

You'll communicate with your instructor by e-mail, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and instant messaging. Your classroom will live in a special software program that uses text chat and bulletin boards, as well as streaming audio or recorded lectures. You may be put into a virtual workgroup with other students and be required to solve a problem. You may have to work through interactive puzzles and quizzes. Contrary to popular belief, you will have contact with other students and the instructor.

Depending on the program and institution, distance learning may consist of synchronous (live) sessions or asynchronous (non-live) sessions. Transcripts and notes from lectures are archived, so you can always go back if you missed something. If there are live sessions with discussions among students, you can go back to those as well. Assignments may even be returned with audio clips so your instructors can convey their tone of voice along with their comments.

Things to look out for before taking the Long-distance/Online Route

1.  The most important thing to check out before you begin any kind of distance learning program is the accreditation the school
has, or claims to have. Simply having a statement about being "licensed by the state" isn't an accreditation and may not                mean anything at all. There have been many violators that claim accreditation from agencies that either don't exist, have been created by the school itself, or are legitimate agencies but have no record of accreditation for the school. Students who are enrolled or have completed degrees from schools that are not accredited have wasted a lot of time, money, and effort on a degree that may be rejected by potential employers. Please note that Credits from schools that are not accredited cannot be transferred to other universities.
A good way to find out for yourself would be to inquire from the relevant agencies/State Department of Higher Education. Or if you know someone who happens to have passed through the same program, it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get answers from them.
The best bet is to stick with a known, reputable university or college that is offering online/distance learning. That school's reputation will be at stake so it is more likely to have the same quality online as offline.

2. How is the course presented?

3. How do students interact with each other?

4. Are the instructors qualified?

5. How are students evaluated?

6. What kinds of library facilities are available?

From the Employer's view - A question of Credibility

The big question in everyone's mind is, "Is an online degree from an accredited college or university seen by potential employers as a lesser degree?" The jury still seems to be out on this. On the plus side, the IT fields appear to place more value on online degrees because of the nature of the work itself. As would be expected, human resources (HR) professionals tend to place more value on degrees from established universities rather than virtual universities they've never heard of. Vault.com, a career network Web site, did a survey of 239 HR professionals and found just that.

According to results of a Survey published in February 2001, 77 percent of respondents believe that an online degree earned at an accredited institution like Duke or Stanford is more credible than one earned at an Internet-only institution.

** Twenty-six percent believed that online bachelor's degrees were as credible as traditionally earned bachelor's degrees, while 37 percent believed that online graduate degrees were as credible as traditionally earned graduate degrees.

** The three industries most likely to embrace online degrees were Internet/New Media (70 percent), Technology (46 percent), and High Tech (44 percent). Media and Marketing (29 percent), Telecommunications (29 percent), and Consulting (22 percent) followed.

** The three industries least likely to embrace online degrees were Medicine (68 percent), Law (56 percent), and Health Care/Bio Tech (52 percent). Academia (44 percent), Government (22 percent) and Finance (18 percent) followed.

For Online Degree holders and Prospective Online degree seekers, results and recommendations from this survey could help you land a job even if the interviewer is hesitant about the value of the degree. Some of the those recommendations included:

    * Tell employers and potential employers that your degree was earned online. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said this should be a requirement.
    * Bring along transcripts and course study examples, as well as letters of recommendation or authenticity about the program and its accreditation.
    * Have industry experience to back the degree.
    * Traditional courses like public speaking, debate, public forum and group dynamics might be helpful to show that you have people skills. (This is probably more helpful if you don't have a long work history behind you.)

Further information on Long-Distance Learning can be found at

HowStuffworks
Learn Direct
Google

Online Learning/degrees obviously enjoy better credibility than a few years ago as more and more employers embrace such degree holders. It is definitely not less effective or efficient than traditional learning. However if you have chosen to go the Online route, it is important that you actually EARN your degree. There are loads of "Virtual Universities" selling degrees nowadays. Of course if you need a "Honours", you'll have to pay higher. And they typically promise to deliver your degree in 10 days or less. Be aware of such scams and FLEE from them.
It will save you time and your hard-earned Money.


Wow, I didn't realise I'd taken up this much space.

PS: Feel free to post your contributions. Share your experiences if you have undertaken a Long-distance learning program or Online learning Program.