Jan
11
Do Potential Employers Value Distance Learning Degrees?
Filed Under Distance Education | Comments Off
Mary Jackson asked:
With the ability to keep working, take care of a family, and receive a quality education without relocating, distance learning degrees have continued to increase in popularity. Unfortunately, the Internet also provides a venue for bogus diploma mills sprouting up to make money on the sale of fake degrees. In a report published in 2003, USA Today says 400 such businesses are currently in operation, and the numbers are increasing as these dubious businesses continue to make approximately $500 million annually.
However, despite all the unpleasant information going around about distance learning degrees, the fact is there are plenty of legitimate universities and colleges offering online degree programs. These colleges are legitimate and not involved in any way in offering dubious and fake diplomas. Instead, these colleges are going the extra mile to provide quality education online by taking advantage of all available instructional resources such as quality instructional design coupled with video lectures, online digital libraries and proctored exams to ensure their students get quality education and a valid, qualified diploma. Unfortunately, numerous employers have not yet been sold into this alternative way of acquiring education, thus they still regard such degrees as invalid or dubious.
To avert the confusion, 6 accrediting agencies were set up by the National Education Board of the U.S government with the role of providing accreditation to colleges and universities who meet a set educational standard. This ultimately differentiates the legitimate colleges from the fake ones. Students enrolling in these accredited colleges can rest assured they are receiving quality and qualified education. Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is an additional accrediting body which solely exists for the purpose of providing accreditation to colleges that offer distance learning degrees. DETC is a legit body that falls under the umbrella of the US Department of Education and CHEA.
In addition, specific programs in specialized areas can obtain accreditation through the agencies associated with the subject matter. For example, the American Health Information Management Association provides accreditation for qualifying health programs; accounting programs are assessed by the International Association for Management Education. However, it only counts if the agencies are endorsed by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Why does accreditation matter to a student? A college accreditation agency evaluates the different aspects of colleges or universities against minimum standard criteria to determine if the particular institution meets set basic requirements that determine the quality of education it should offer. College accreditation is important to ensure that the quality of education, facilities in a college and support given by that college meets certain standards while specialized accreditation checks the excellence of specific programs regardless of the institution offering that program. Likewise it means specialized accreditation check on course content and the curriculum of the program against pre-determined standards of the distance learning college or university.
Accreditation assures employers, parents and students that a respective college awarding degrees has undergone and passed a stringent test of excellence in offering quality education in the respective areas of training. On the other hand, diploma mills and fake colleges don’t meet the same standards of education imposed by the agencies since they don’t possess any legitimate accreditation. Thus courses taken by prospective employees that are accredited by the respective agencies would have met standards imposed on the respective specialized areas.
Nevertheless, in the end, it all comes down to the discretion of the employer. He or she must decide whether potential employees have satisfactorily completed an online degree program. Hopefully, with accreditation through a well recognized agency, the confusion can be eliminated, and a valid resume will make it to the short list of excellent candidates with their distance learning degrees as an impressive symbol of fortitude and dedication to personal achievement.
With the ability to keep working, take care of a family, and receive a quality education without relocating, distance learning degrees have continued to increase in popularity. Unfortunately, the Internet also provides a venue for bogus diploma mills sprouting up to make money on the sale of fake degrees. In a report published in 2003, USA Today says 400 such businesses are currently in operation, and the numbers are increasing as these dubious businesses continue to make approximately $500 million annually.
However, despite all the unpleasant information going around about distance learning degrees, the fact is there are plenty of legitimate universities and colleges offering online degree programs. These colleges are legitimate and not involved in any way in offering dubious and fake diplomas. Instead, these colleges are going the extra mile to provide quality education online by taking advantage of all available instructional resources such as quality instructional design coupled with video lectures, online digital libraries and proctored exams to ensure their students get quality education and a valid, qualified diploma. Unfortunately, numerous employers have not yet been sold into this alternative way of acquiring education, thus they still regard such degrees as invalid or dubious.
To avert the confusion, 6 accrediting agencies were set up by the National Education Board of the U.S government with the role of providing accreditation to colleges and universities who meet a set educational standard. This ultimately differentiates the legitimate colleges from the fake ones. Students enrolling in these accredited colleges can rest assured they are receiving quality and qualified education. Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is an additional accrediting body which solely exists for the purpose of providing accreditation to colleges that offer distance learning degrees. DETC is a legit body that falls under the umbrella of the US Department of Education and CHEA.
In addition, specific programs in specialized areas can obtain accreditation through the agencies associated with the subject matter. For example, the American Health Information Management Association provides accreditation for qualifying health programs; accounting programs are assessed by the International Association for Management Education. However, it only counts if the agencies are endorsed by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Why does accreditation matter to a student? A college accreditation agency evaluates the different aspects of colleges or universities against minimum standard criteria to determine if the particular institution meets set basic requirements that determine the quality of education it should offer. College accreditation is important to ensure that the quality of education, facilities in a college and support given by that college meets certain standards while specialized accreditation checks the excellence of specific programs regardless of the institution offering that program. Likewise it means specialized accreditation check on course content and the curriculum of the program against pre-determined standards of the distance learning college or university.
Accreditation assures employers, parents and students that a respective college awarding degrees has undergone and passed a stringent test of excellence in offering quality education in the respective areas of training. On the other hand, diploma mills and fake colleges don’t meet the same standards of education imposed by the agencies since they don’t possess any legitimate accreditation. Thus courses taken by prospective employees that are accredited by the respective agencies would have met standards imposed on the respective specialized areas.
Nevertheless, in the end, it all comes down to the discretion of the employer. He or she must decide whether potential employees have satisfactorily completed an online degree program. Hopefully, with accreditation through a well recognized agency, the confusion can be eliminated, and a valid resume will make it to the short list of excellent candidates with their distance learning degrees as an impressive symbol of fortitude and dedication to personal achievement.
Jan
11
Ways to Take Distance Learning Courses
Filed Under Distance Education | Comments Off
Steven Magill asked:
Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill
Distance learning gives people an educational opportunity without them attending traditional classes. Many people know about distance learning courses online, but there are various ways for taking the course.
Some courses use a number of methods to provide the students their materials, while others will only do one method. Some of the more common methods are videos, web based instruction telecourses and programs through mail in.
The most known method of distance learning is online courses. People can get certificates, degrees, diplomas or some credits by using distance learning courses online. Many of the classes are done through web based classes and they use computer applications to transmit information. The courses require an email address, internet connection, and word processing programs. A great advantage of distance learning courses online is that you can access the course from any computer that has internet access. This means that classes can be accessed from a friend’s house, internet caf? a library. If they are not home and remember that they had to do something to an assignment, they can find a computer to access the net and edit or add to it.
Video is sometimes a medium used to offer distance learning courses by universities and colleges. The courses have instructions on video, textbooks and home work assignments. The library can be used by students to look at the video and do the assignments. To send and receive assignments to students, a professor would normally use email. If email is not used then students may be given an appointment for occasional office visits. Your progress will be discussed and your questions answered. Video courses works well for students who go to a university or college, but want some freedom for a semester or two.
Courses taught with the use of television programs are called telecourses. The programs are provided at times scheduled and integrate with assignments or course textbooks. Similar to video course teachers, telecourse teachers use email for sending and receiving assignments. If your TV has the station then the telecourse can be viewed at home. A good advantage is that it can be found at the library, if a class is missed.
Mail based programs are one method that is hardly used. Your coursework that is required is sent through the mail. You then go online to take quizzes and tests. There is some times as well where the quizzes and tests can be mailed to the distance learning program.
A clear disadvantage is that it can take a long time to mail the information back and forth. Some programs combine methods where students get studying material printed but finish all their work online. Choose a method and you will be able to free some time on your schedule and you would not have to pause your education if life gets very busy.
Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill
Distance learning gives people an educational opportunity without them attending traditional classes. Many people know about distance learning courses online, but there are various ways for taking the course.
Some courses use a number of methods to provide the students their materials, while others will only do one method. Some of the more common methods are videos, web based instruction telecourses and programs through mail in.
The most known method of distance learning is online courses. People can get certificates, degrees, diplomas or some credits by using distance learning courses online. Many of the classes are done through web based classes and they use computer applications to transmit information. The courses require an email address, internet connection, and word processing programs. A great advantage of distance learning courses online is that you can access the course from any computer that has internet access. This means that classes can be accessed from a friend’s house, internet caf? a library. If they are not home and remember that they had to do something to an assignment, they can find a computer to access the net and edit or add to it.
Video is sometimes a medium used to offer distance learning courses by universities and colleges. The courses have instructions on video, textbooks and home work assignments. The library can be used by students to look at the video and do the assignments. To send and receive assignments to students, a professor would normally use email. If email is not used then students may be given an appointment for occasional office visits. Your progress will be discussed and your questions answered. Video courses works well for students who go to a university or college, but want some freedom for a semester or two.
Courses taught with the use of television programs are called telecourses. The programs are provided at times scheduled and integrate with assignments or course textbooks. Similar to video course teachers, telecourse teachers use email for sending and receiving assignments. If your TV has the station then the telecourse can be viewed at home. A good advantage is that it can be found at the library, if a class is missed.
Mail based programs are one method that is hardly used. Your coursework that is required is sent through the mail. You then go online to take quizzes and tests. There is some times as well where the quizzes and tests can be mailed to the distance learning program.
A clear disadvantage is that it can take a long time to mail the information back and forth. Some programs combine methods where students get studying material printed but finish all their work online. Choose a method and you will be able to free some time on your schedule and you would not have to pause your education if life gets very busy.