Benefits of on-line education

For this first post on the Cassville Democrat blog, I'd like to briefly discuss the advantages of studying for a degree on the Internet and relate some of my own experiences, working towards a degree in general business from Baker College On-line.

Until a few years ago, it was difficult for folks who live in rural areas like Barry County to register at an accredited on-line university because the large amount of class work which had to be accomplished on the Internet, through the Blackboard Academic Suite system.

This system required high-speed Broad-band Internet access. It is not very easy or quick to load on a dial-up connection. However, due to the recent advent of Broad-band, on-line college seems far more practicable than ever before.

Not everyone feels comfortable working through an on-line class. Many people do their best work in a physical classroom environment. Some people like the idea of physically attending a college, on campus, to broaden their horizons and increase their interaction with their instructors and fellow students. However, if one wants to work towards a degree while keeping their day job, the on-line university is an ideal choice.

Many on-line colleges offer flexible degree program step-plans, which allow working students to register for the classes which best fit their busy schedules. While the overall course is rigorous, if followed, it will help enterprising students get their degree more rapidly. This is important because while balancing courses and work, one learns to focus and expend one's time wisely. Also, a well chosen degree can almost immediately generate more income for you, as newly learned skills like web-design and accounting will always be useful, despite our current economic situation.

There are some downsides to on-line study, of course. Students have only limited means of communication with their instructors. Some instructors are more accessible than others, but many are students themselves, and only available through e-mail. The midnight deadlines sometime lull you into thinking that you can wait till the last minute to complete and submit your assignments. One must go through textbooks very quickly, and the assignments are hands on to make the text stick in one's mind.

There is any number of safely accredited on-line universities these days. Many people have been familiar with the University of Phoenix through its advertisements. Founded in 1976, it is known as one of the first accredited universities to offer on-line college education. The problem with the University of Phoenix's degree program is that it requires one to take some classes on the campus of the nearest university. If you must take time to travel to attend some classes on campus, you might just as well take all the classes there.

The point of on-line classes is they offer one the ability to take work out of one's home or office at any hour of the day. Back in 2006, I chose Baker College, Michigan, partly because it was in my price range but also because of the flexible hours it offered. As a first-time student, I was working towards an associate's degree in general business. I was also able to borrow books through the mail from the extensive Baker College library, which offered a wide variety of books and papers to supplement my education and help me with references for my papers and reports.

The on-line forum set-up allowed me to interact and work on projects with my fellow students. All the lectures were written out, so taking notes was unnecessary, because they could always be referred back to.

As on-line education is becoming more and more prevalent, more folks, especially those involved in agriculture, like myself, are considering as a serious alternative. If one wants to get a higher education, or a start a second career while staying in the area, community colleges like Crowder are an excellent alternative. However it offers a limited number of degrees, and the problem (to some) of how to balance work and school.

A lot of young persons of my generation like the idea of attending college in a different area and living on campus to broaden their horizions. This is commendable, but for those individuals who like the idea of staying in Barry County but want still want to pursue a high education, the option of on-line college, remains.