Online Degree Programs

By Author: Eugene Kristiansen
Total Articles: 1
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With Internet being easily available and new technologies like e-learning and m-learning, online degree programs have become a big success. It is also aided with gadgets which are learning centric like iPads, Tablets and smart mobile phones. Learning and seeking knowledge is part of everybody’s normal life. It is necessary both for awareness sake and to build a career. Thus online learning programs provide a good opportunity for learning.
Many of the Universities today offer this facility and it is working out to be more practical for students to take it up.
Advantages
Since the courses offered under Online degree programs are flexible, students can study at their pace and hence they are not bound by any time line.
Students can get access to Universities anywhere in the World and can choose lectures based on specific lecturers too. Thus students can gain access to some specific courses that are offered only by some Universities.
Online courses are cheaper than classroom courses. Since the resources involved are not much it becomes affordable for most of the people.
Students can concentrate ...
... 100% in their preferred environment while doing the course. All they need is an Internet connection.
Students who are shy of asking doubts and questions can easily benefit with such a program. They can interact in their own way with the tutor without feeling embarrassed.
Students could multiplex and do 2 to 3 courses simultaneously if they can manage it. Thus the liberty is fully left to the students and their confidence levels.
Disadvantages
Since the Online course is very individual centric. It depends a lot on the student taking the course. The student can do very well if motivated by studying alone. If the student happens to be lazy, it can prove disastrous and the student could easily get demotivated. Hence the student should be disciplined to exploit the benefits from the online course programs.
Since there are no fellow students participating there will be zero live instant interactions. Thus the student will not be able to share ideas and views. Common thoughts and live discussions do help to get different perspectives and would surely help students in the long run.
The program depends on technology 100%. In case Internet fails for some reason or if the end user equipment starts malfunctioning for some reason, the program cannot be scheduled.
Students have also to ensure that they have latest software updates to keep abreast with the University’s online programs software expectations.
Degrees offered by online learning programs
Under graduate, Graduate and Doctorate degrees are offered online. Most of the requirements are similar to that of classroom sessions. Some of the courses that are offered online are listed below.
• Arts and Humanities
• Media and Communications
• Journalism
• Social Services
• Public Administration
• Legal Services
• Psychology
• Sciences
• Engineering technology etc.
Methods used for online learning programs
The technology and methods of instruction and learning could be of varied types. Some of them are listed below.
• Web conferencing
• Teleconferences
• Pre-recorded tutorials
• Videos
• Virtual simulations and animations
• Video conferencing
Technology to be used depends upon whether it is for learning by oneself that is offline, live one to one sessions or one to many interactive sessions.
The world is shrinking today with the development of communications and technology. Online learning program is one greatest byproduct of it.