Archive for April, 2009
At age 54 I am not in the market for an online degree. I am more interested in updating my skills, even as I edge toward age 55, the first year I am eligible to retire from Wisconsin public education. In the spirit of keeping up to date I have enrolled in a five-course program to become certified as an e-learning educator. The courses are all available online from the University of Wisconsin—Stout, located in Menominee Wisconsin. I have looked nationally for a program, which would teach me how to teach online, and I found it in my own backyard. I pass by Menominee Wisconsin once or twice a year when I travel north to see my relatives. The first course is this summer.
I will take the courses one at a time as not to overwhelm myself, while teaching full time and tutoring students after school. Hopefully when I finish the sequence I can retire and make a living online. Online education has not quite evolved for students at the middle school level, but I want to be ready as the opportunity will be here soon.
The only thing I am concerned about now is paying for the courses while I finish paying for my daughter’s degree. She says she is going to be finished in December and I reminded her that after five years (this is 41/2 for her) I will not be contributing to her college education. It is a subtle form of “dangling the carrot” so hopefully she will finish and graduate debt free from college.
I have so enjoyed my online course work I can’t imagine anything should be changed. I blossom in the online environment. This is because the written discussion format gives me time to read, ponder, and formulate an intelligent and more complete response. Vocal discussions in on site classes do not offer the time to really research an answer.
Posted by Jeff Davis on April 9th, 2009
I think we all would agree that a college education is one of the most valuable tools that anyone can ever have. In fact, I would say that it is actually invaluable. With a college education, you are only helping to make your future that much more desirable by increasing job opportunities, making more money, gaining important skills and knowledge, and having an overall healthier life.
One of the values of an online education versus a more traditional college is that you can gain significant technical knowledge which can increase your individual value in any workplace. It has been my experience through attending the University of Phoenix that I was able to obtain the critical skills and knowledge necessary to make me a valuable asset to my employer. During my online program, I was able to quickly apply any new skills almost instantly into my job and because of this it opened up a lot of doors for advancing in my career. Another valuable benefit of an online education is that you get to work with such a diverse group of students and instructors who are located all over the world. This is not only a great networking opportunity, but can also increase your employment opportunities after graduating with your degree.
Overall, I believe that degrees earned online are just as valuable as degrees earned from traditional programs and especially now as technology continues to advance and is utilized in almost every company in the world today. It is just a matter of choosing the right online program from a well respected and accredited school and one that meets your personal and professional goals.
Posted by admin on April 8th, 2009
When most of us hear the term “part-time job,” we think of teenagers working at fast-food chains for minimum wage. However, perceptions like this are quickly changing as more Americans seek out part-time work and find real benefits, financially and otherwise.
Part-time is defined as anywhere between one and thirty-four hours per week. The average is twenty-one hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While many people work at the following careers full-time, it is not uncommon for part-time employees to enter these fields, too.
Your part-time job can offer full-time rewards. Continuing education can be helpful for employment in some sectors, especially if you don’t have previous experience. Online education can make it even easier to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, certificate, or extra training needed to jump into one of these careers.
Dental hygienist
This is one of the fastest-growing occupations today, according to the BLS, with thirty percent growth expected between now and 2016. Part-time work is very common for dental hygienists, and flexible hours are another attractive feature of the job.
Career Training: An associate’s degree in dental hygiene plus state licensure is often enough to seek employment in a private dental practice.
Mean Hourly Wage: $31.12
Paralegal
Paralegal employment is on the rise as companies and law firms try to curb spending by delegating legal tasks to paralegals. While they aren’t permitted to set legal fees, give legal advice, or present cases in court, paralegals are able to perform most other legal tasks.
Career Training: An associate’s degree in paralegal studies is the most common route to becoming a paralegal. If you already have a college degree, you may be able to join an intensive program to get your degree and certification more quickly. Some programs take just a few months to complete.
Mean Hourly Wage: $22.88
Computer Support Specialist
Use your tech savvy to earn some extra income. Computer support specialists, including help-desk technicians and technical support, help people troubleshoot their technology foibles by phone, e-mail, or in person.
Career Training: While there are many different ways to train for a job as a computer support specialist, most employers prefer some computer-related training or a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a computer-related field such as information technology.
Mean Hourly Wage: $21.78
Pharmacy Technician
This can be an ideal part-time job for those who have an interest in medicine and enjoy working with people. Many pharmacy technicians work nights and weekends, which is a good arrangement for those who need hours outside of the nine to five work day.
Career Training: Pharmacy technician certification offers an added advantage, especially for those without prior experience.
Mean Hourly Wage: $13.25
Bank Teller
One out of four tellers work part-time, reports the BLS. Because many tellers use the job as temporary employment, there are frequent job openings. This is a great choice for detail-oriented job seekers looking for more traditional daytime hours.
Career Training: Although there are no formal requirements for becoming a bank teller, it may be helpful to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or coursework in accounting, business, or finance.
Mean Hourly Wage: $11.36
Massage Therapist
The BLS cites massage therapist as a particularly good job for those seeking part-time work. As more people learn about the advantages of massage therapy, employment opportunities are on the rise, with 20 percent growth anticipated between now and 2016.
Career Training: Most states require massage therapy certification in addition to a formal training program. You can earn certification in massage therapy in anywhere from several weeks to two years, and can even do part of your studies through online education.
Mean Hourly Wage: $19.39
Tax Preparer
Tax preparers must have a detailed and up-to-date knowledge of tax codes and regulations, but they don’t have the same educational requirements as a certified public accountant or an auditor. This is a great part-time career, especially around tax season.
Career Training: Tax preparers can often pursue an associate’s in accounting in order to train for this career.
Mean Hourly Wage: $16.78
Provided by Yahoo.com
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 8th, 2009
I believe that the by-product of every experience has value. This is especially true in regard to academics–an education is an experience of increasing knowledge that often leads to a degree. Naturally, my degree has instrumental value from an economic standpoint, since I can earn more money and further my career, but also has intrinsic value from a personal sense of pride and accomplishment.
There are aspects of a traditional college education that are equally, if not as recognizably, valuable–such as living on your own as a student for the first time and the glorious feeling of total independence, participating and creating impact as a member of the college milieu, and interacting with others who have a wide spectrum of opinions and ideas to share. Even mundane endeavors add to a student’s experiential resume: standing in line at the registrar’s office, attending meetings with advisors, or handing out pamphlets at a student union booth; these all add up to equal the total university “experience”.
The internet has added a innovative dimension to almost every aspect of living and in particular, to education. Like traditional students, most students matriculating online do so to garner enough credits to obtain a degree and also to increase the mind’s intellectual capability in order to add impressively to one’s repertoire of knowledge. Next to education and intellect, then, a student might simply value the online learning “experience”; that is, learning how to navigate through electronic hallways, studying with and writing to other students from all over the world, even participating in the unique configuration of something brand new from a familiar environment such as your home or office. If you read the posts in this Student Voices feature, you will get some idea of what they have gleaned from their individual online experiences, both from an educational and a personal viewpoint. It’s this sum of the experience they value, and what they in turn offer back to the online world through their words. You can appreciate their enthusiasm as they engage in a facet of education that is distinct and atypical from traditional academics. It’s different, it’s fun, it’s technical, it’s flexible–it’s what life today is all about.
There is one aspect of online learning I consider to be an unexpected, yet no less significant, benefit. While studying and taking courses online I often engaged my children in my studies and links and felt they became part of the learning “experience“. Had I attended a traditional university as a parent I likely would not have involved them as much as while learning and studying from home. My children watched me pour over lessons directly from my e-classes, watched me participating and communicating, watched me getting frustrated and overwhelmed (but that’s all part of the experience and hence, has value). Most importantly, they watched me graduate; somehow I believe they understood a bit better, through all their watching, how much work and sacrifice–and gratification–went into that moment. For weeks afterward, my youngest son said excitedly, “Mom, I took pictures of you graduating!”, as though recording my moment, and walking that educational road with me, had intrinsic value to him as well.
Posted by Dan on April 7th, 2009
AchieveYourCareer.com, a leading website featuring news and information on accredited online schools responds to the recent BusinessWeek article For-Profit Colleges: Scooping Up the Stimulus.
AchieveYourCareer.com is dedicated to combating the stigmatism that an online education is less than adequate. In a recent article published by Business Week, the magazine criticizes “For-Profit” online colleges such as the University of Phoenix and DeVry University for questionable recruiting tactics and below standard graduation rates. AchieveYourCareer.com feels the article attacks not only the colleges themselves but the actual online college students working towards their degree. “Our web presence reaches one million users a month interested in pursuing a college degree. Our audience includes working parents struggling to juggle careers and family, recently laid off employees looking to add credentials to their resumes and potential students unable to incur the large debt that traditional college degrees currently carry. Is it wrong for them to want to earn an online college degree that fits their lifestyle? From online schools accredited by state boards across the county?” stated AchieveYourCareer.com President, Michael Speicher. “Furthermore, the BusinessWeek article completely failed to directly compare graduation rates of online schools versus other colleges and universities, or career institutes, and segment those findings by the same demographic or life stage segments across the institutes.”
Across the nation, millions of Americans share a common goal; a college education. For so many, a college education represents the key to a better life, a better career and unlimited potential. While traditional colleges and universities continue to raise admission costs that are out of reach for so many, online schools have created an affordable opportunity for those who wish to earn a college degree. “No one should be denied the opportunity to go to college and pursue an education.” Speicher added. “Whether you are learning in a classroom, or at home on your personal computer, you are earning your college degree. You’re bettering yourself with an education. That’s what matters.”
Traditional colleges such as Harvard and Boston University currently offer online classes and the trend is set to continue. As more and more online programs become available it will create a fantastic opportunity to reach new students, reduce costs, and help educate more Americans to foster our country’s growth. In addition, with the new White House Administration’s focus on improving our education system, AchieveYourCareer.com believes that online schools will become a major element of the American higher education system and will finally be viewed as a viable and respected option for a college education – as it should be.
Posted by Jen Zeman on April 7th, 2009
The value of today’s online education is comparable to a traditional college or university, since nearly all traditional universities offering online degrees/courses. The quality of an online degree is no less than that earned by students going to a physical classroom to earn a degree. The difference between the two is only in delivery of the course. I believe the value and quality of online degrees was initially questioned when this type of delivery was first introduced, with some comparing online delivery to the type of correspondence courses Sally Struthers use to advertise. Correspondence courses and online courses from accredited universities are not the same! The key word is “accredited”; when researching online degrees, especially at institutions you may not be familiar with, make sure they are accredited by its regional accreditation group. An example is UMUC, who is a sister university within the University of Maryland system and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (http://www.umuc.edu/middlestates/index.shtml). I had no doubt I was receiving a high-quality, legitimate education.
Financially, online courses offer the same value dollar for dollar with traditional courses except most institutions charge some sort of “technology fee” for the online course. It varies with different institutions – some charge per course while others charge a lump sum per semester. The technology fee usually goes towards the upkeep of online classrooms (e.g. software, technical staff, etc.). Always double check the tuition and fee schedule for online courses to decipher any extra fees. For me, the extra technology fees were not an issue since I was just happy to be able to earn a bachelor’s degree from the comfort of my own home!
When I assess the value of any of my classes I think of two things. The financial value and the value of the skills I obtained from the class.
The financial value has been tremendous. For each set of credits, beyond my bachelor’s degree I earned significant pay raises. These raises were cumulative and I was able to support my family.
Eventually, I did reach the top of the salary schedule, but did not lose interest in graduate classes. I started taking classes to improve my teaching skills or to stay up to date. As education goes more digital I am glad I have taken classes on the use of computers, or online classes using computers. Next year I will be required to use an online grade book, and I am not threatened or upset as some of my colleagues. I have prepared myself for the change and was ready long before my employer required me to use digital tools.
The online graduate classes offered a way for me to take classes, without having to juggle my time. I tend to take more classes because of the flexibility the online environment offers. The added bonus is I have learned to use more digital tools, as a result of these online classes. Whenever I take an online class I am always analyzing the tools and methods the professors use, to see if I can adapt them for my middle schools students. The value of online classes for me is greater than the on site classes. There is so much more practical application, as I turn to teaching in an online environment after being a student in the online environment.
Old dogs can and should learn new tricks. I have seen public school teachers retire or quit because they don’t want to change what they do, even if that change is better for the students, helps to communicate with parents, or is just more efficient. It is ironic that people, who are charged with educating today’s youth, don’t embrace learning something they need to learn to improve their job skills. Computers and the online environment are not a passing fad, which will go away. I am one dog who is invigorated by the online environment and its use in education.
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 3rd, 2009
My favorite professor was Constance Strucko, who taught Creative Writing at County College of Morris in New Jersey. The truth is, she’s the only professor’s name I still remember. Perhaps it was because I was exempt from the final–the first and only time–or maybe because I simply loved creative writing. I was nineteen when I took her course, and after all these years I still remember her name.
I enjoyed my online courses also, courses such as Population, Social Theory, and Supreme Courts & Civil Rights. Still, I cannot remember the names of the professors (even after a plateful of shrimp, the incredible edible brain-food).
Online lectures. Online teaching. Doesn’t have that touchy-feely ring to it, does it. Of course, college isn’t necessarily meant to be touchy-feely; however, our interactions with faculty and administration is truly special when we feel that personal connection, when those interactions sink in on a deeper level, such as my fond recollections of Professor Strucko. I still remember how eagerly I walked to her class, can recall her enthusiasm for guiding our writing and unearthing those “a-ha” moments, remembered my elation when my literary efforts were met with her encouraging and appreciative nods.
It is what you miss when matriculating online–the personal gestures and interactions with professors and lecturers. You often don’t know what your online faculty looks like, rarely meet them face-to-face. Oh, their personalities and nuances do come through while they are teaching online. Some you thoroughly enjoy and relate to, some you could well do without, some you develop a personal rapport with, some you never really get to know.
I remember, as I am writing this, an email from one of my first online professors who taught Social Psychology. It was very heartfelt and complimentary, and greatly appreciated. College can be daunting, online college at times even more so, and written interactions can be significant in their own right.
And, even though online college isn’t always touchy-feely, there can be satisfying connections between student and online faculty. For two years I worked with a stellar online advisor at FSU and just prior to graduation we exchanged a flurry of emails anticipating and planning my commencement, which served to hasten my excitment. When I arrived in Tallahassee the morning of ceremonies and walked into the Civic Center to check in, standing there at the booth was the stellar advisor I had worked with and written to all those semesters. It was a special moment to finally meet her face-to-face, made even more memorable since we had not had a chance to meet prior to my graduation day.
Posted by Jeff Davis on April 1st, 2009
I believe that the overall communication and interaction between faculty and students in an online environment is necessary in order for the online education to be successful. While at the University of Phoenix, interaction with the faculty members was actually quite easy for me outside of the classroom. Since the student-faculty ratio was so low, I had no problems in understanding the course work and in reaching the faculty if necessary…especially after class. This is typically not the case in a more traditional classroom setting where the student-faculty ratio is normally quite high.
The interaction experience with faculty members was much different in an online school than in a traditional one and partially due to the fact that you just cannot simply walk in to a faculty member’s classroom or office when you are attending school in a virtual environment. Based on my experience at the University of Phoenix, I have found that the online faculty members seem to be much easier to contact outside of the classroom. Not only does the student-faculty ratio play a factor, but it could also have something to do with the number of contact methods available as compared to those in a traditional school. In my online learning experience, I always had the faculty member’s home phone number and multiple email addresses along with the best times they could be reached. I found their response times and availability to be excellent. They really did make it quite simple to interact with them outside of the classroom.
This was not the case when I attended a traditional school. Most of the faculty there were difficult to get in touch with outside of the classroom. For example, an email to a faculty member might go unnoticed for days, the faculty member might not be in the classroom or office, and often the only phone number that students had was their school office line. Not to mention that if you tried to interact with them on a weekend, you might as well forget about it because they just did not make themselves available for you and that is really the biggest difference. The online faculty members make themselves readily available for the students. The interaction between students and faculty members in the online environment was far superior in my opinion.
