Posts Tagged ‘Online Education’
Posted by Jeff Davis on January 21st, 2009
Since I was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, I truly enjoyed beginning my online education. Overall, it was a great experience. In my career field, there could have been nothing better or that would have made me happier than to take classes online versus the more traditional method. There was a slight learning curve however, just as there is with learning almost anything. It took some time to familiarize myself with the online process and procedures. What I have noticed most about using the internet to attend class is that it teaches us skills in using technologies such as researching information and communicating with other students. These skills are critical as we become more and more of a global community where our coworkers can be located just about anywhere worldwide and across many different time zones.
Being able to attend class at anytime and from anywhere is simply an incredible feeling. It allows you total flexibility to help you juggle between family, work, and school. I like the fact that course materials are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You have the ability to read and re-read lectures, discussions, comments, etc. and without any of the normal distractions that you might encounter in a regular classroom setting. To me, this is a great advantage over a brick-and-mortar school.
Even though all you really need to get your online education started is a computer with Internet access and the determination to follow through and complete your goal, my best advice for incoming “online freshmen” is to use your time wisely in order to maintain a healthy balance in your life.
Posted by Jen Zeman on December 1st, 2008
I was a late bloomer to college – I didn’t start my associate’s degree until I was 24. When I was half-way through my associate’s degree I made the decision that immediately after graduation I would continue on for my bachelor’s degree, even though it meant tacking on another two-years of school work. I would be 33 when I finally received my B.S. Working for a community college at the time, my employer was very enthusiastic about me obtaining higher education. Friends were supportive, as was family, including my husband. However, that’s not to say I didn’t suffer through some minor road bumps (i.e. stress) over the decision to pursue three classes a semester and work full time.
While friends were supportive, it took time for them to get used to the fact that I wouldn’t be available to socialize with them anymore or even have the time to gossip on the phone for hours on end. They were lucky if I could call them once a month. My husband expressed his support but would be visibly annoyed when I told him I didn’t have time to help him around the house or to socialize with our friends. I was determined to complete my bachelor’s degree in two and a half years and I expressed to everyone, husband included, that this was my goal. I knew going in I would be making sacrifices and I was comfortable with doing so. I also explained to my husband that this sacrifice was only temporary – it wasn’t as if I would be going to school for the next ten years. He finally empathized with me when he started his online bachelor’s degree this summer. After two five-week courses while working full-time he said: “I now know what you had to go through when you were in school. I’m sorry for being such a pain in the butt during those years!”
Tips to make the transition to school easier on everyone:
- Be upfront to everyone about your time constraints. You will have a few people who try to invade your time for school. Be consistent with your firmness and eventually they will understand your dedication.
- Schedule time with friends and loved ones. Look at the month ahead and when major projects are due. Decide to spend an evening out with friends or your significant other as a celebration once the project is completed.
- Stay connected. Even if you are not able to go out with friends, allow yourself time once a month to reconnect over the phone.
Posted by Sharon Cece on November 28th, 2008
I had a number of fears prior to enrolling online, some relating specifically to online mechanisms and format, and others that dealt with the more with typical fears of a returning college student.
In regard to the first, though I had a general knowledge of computer applications, I certainly was no tech whiz. At first glance, being hit with the numerous course websites and academic pages as well as ”blackboard”, the online education platform, gave one the impression a new student might require a preliminary degree in “learning how to be an online student” before becoming an online student! Thankfully, this is not the case. There are numerous support vehicles in place to assist distance learning and online students, and after a few days of trial and error you soon become quite adept at maneuvering the various course sites, finding out where you need to be and gaining the information you need to have. Advisors, professors, mentors, and TA’s are very helpful; moreso, my fellow students were invaluable in pacifying e-course apprehensions.
I also was concerned that learning online would sequester me socially compared to attending a brick-and-mortar classes, where social interaction is a virtual inevitability (no pun intended). However, I found that online learning can offer similar social benefits, and soon “clicked” with a number of students with shared ideas and similar family circumstances. One student, who happens to be from Tallahassee where Florida State is located, was following the same course schedule as I and we became fast friends as well as study partners. When I drove from North Carolina to Tallahassee to walk for graduation, she was right there in the bleachers cheering me on. Our friendship continues, and I hope to do the same for her when she graduates.
Another fear I entertained was, quite frankly, that I would not be able to test well after so many years of being away from school, or find time to study with two small children to care for, or devote myself to coursework the way I did when I was the quintessential 18-21 year-old college student. My fears were unfounded. As an older student, I found I was more disciplined, more determined and–well–smarter than I used to be. My grades as a young, fresh-from-high-school student were varied, A’s to C’s (okay, a couple of D’s too). When I returned to FSU as an online student, I received straight A’s from my first class straight through to graduation. I mention this not as a bragging point or to minimize the scope of difficulty regarding online classes; on the contrary, some online courses were the most challenging I have ever had. Rather, I hope to highlight the possibility that our fears can in fact drive us to be more successful. That you have a fear at all means that you care, and to care makes you work harder to succeed.
Posted by Pamela Gustafson on November 26th, 2008
In 2002 I considered myself a pioneer in online education. Shortly before my 50th birthday, I took a leave of absence from my teaching job and signed up for three online classes. To help support myself, I was a substitute teacher. I wanted to be a technology integration specialist before the job actually existed in our elementary schools.
Two classes used Yahoo groups and emails to teach the class; the other was from a university, using a platform called Blackboard. I was confident going into this, but the fear factor increased as I moved forward. The volume of emails I received was far beyond expected. The excitement at the outset evaporated into a cloud of fear and drudgery!
I dreaded going to the computer to check my email and quickly learned how to sort it with folders. Even with the sorting system, it was still overwhelming. I told one instructor I was involved in three classes — she said I should drop one. What I was attempting was nearly impossible. I asked why she didn’t use Blackboard (so you can keep messages online and never download them to your computer). She said the platform was cost prohibitive. Too bad!
For the first time ever, after a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and many other credits; I took an incomplete in one class.
Posted by Dan on October 8th, 2008
As the nation continues to keep a strong eye on the Wall Street Market and its affect on the American Job Market, we will spotlight the top 2009 Hot Careers and Jobs that will continue to grow as we enter into the new year and beyond. Today we focus on a career and industry that despite economic hard times keeps increasing its overall profits and revenue year over year; the video game industry and a coveted position as a video game designer.
Job Description:
There are two main elements to the development of video games. One key division involves the development of the actual game from concept art, game design, and artificial intellegence programming. The other division involves marketing and publishing the title to the main stream audience. The role of Video game Designer is a key position in the overall development and success of a video game title. The game designer must work with all aspects of the development team to help realize the overall concept of the game. Game Designers work at effectively balancing all elements of the design from artwork to online programming. It is regarded as a leadership role which depends on strategic thinking and strong creative skills to create a successful product.
Job Salary:
A career in Video Game Design can be very rewarding from both a creative and monetary aspect. According to Indeed.com’s salary report, the average salary for a Video Game Designer in California is $84,000. This is almost double most salary averages in the gaming industry. Some of the top game designers continue to earn salaries in the six figure range and receive significant bonuses for the overall retail success of the game.
Education Requirements
Ok, so you beat Halo on Legendary, and you think, “I can make a game like this!” The road to becoming a leading video game designer is not for the weak minded. Almost 99% of any video game design jobs available require the individual to earn their Bachelors Degree. Over the past few years several higher education institutions have begun offering degree completion programs in targeted studies such as Game Development and Game Art and Design. In addition to earning a degree, several developers will seek individuals who have worked within the game industry for a period of time before elevating them to a Game Designer status. So how can one afford to work and earn a degree? Just as Xbox Live let gamers go online and play against anyone in the world, an online education now allows several working adults to continue their pursuit of a degree and keep working full time. Schools such as Westwood College Online and the The Art Institute of Pittsburgh are well known for their demanding online programs dedicated to learning the necessary skills to become a game designer.
With expected sales of over 10 billion dollars in the US alone for 2008, the video game industry continues to grow with rapid rate and despite economic hard times. As the success of video games continues, more projects and developers will look to expand their teams. The future is bright for those individuals who decide that video game design is their career of choice.
Posted by glen on September 12th, 2008
Everyone knows that college is expensive. Commuting to college has traditionally been a way to decrease education-related costs. Given the rising gas prices, online education is becoming a viable alternative that allows students to save money while furthering their education.
Over the past few years, the amount of financial assistance provided by federal student aid has tripled for those attending online schools. In addition, Congress has created legislation that makes it easier for students of online education to receive federal loans.
Online education is quickly becoming the method of choice for those who do not have the time to attend a traditional campus based program. It is possible to complete your education or further career without putting your life on hold.
With the job market getting more competitive, the best way to differentiate yourself from others is an online degree. Many schools offer the same course content as campus programs for a much lower cost per credit-hour. For individuals without excess time and/or money, online education is the best way to get ahead without breaking the bank.
Posted by glen on August 18th, 2008
The family of schools on AchieveYourCareer.com continues to grow with the addition of Sullivan University, an online school offering courses in Medical Coding, Human Resource Leadership, Accounting, Marketing, Management, Hospitality Studies. These courses and other, which are predominantly focused in the areas of business degrees, HR degrees, and management degrees, are offered at the levels of Certificate, Associates, Bachelors, and Masters — in other words, Sullivan has the program you need to land the job you want.
A school that has taken the education of its students personally since 1962, Sullivan University offers the courses listed above through its Global e-Learning division. Academics are taken very seriously at Sullivan University online; to take online classes, Sullivan administrators recommend that you be highly self-motivated, comfortable with computers, serious about academics, focused on your coursework, confident in your reading, writing, and critical skills, and comfortable requesting help when you’re in a jam. Though the school possesses an extremely high success rate already, Sullivan University is still not satisfied: it wants to continue innovating and continue to offer the best career-oriented online courses possible.
We at AchieveYourCareer.com are proud to add Sullivan University as an online education partner.
Posted by J.M. Striegel on August 15th, 2008
School is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to make sure you have your greatest online tool, your computer, ready to assist you in all your online educational needs.
Let’s be realistic, if you computer isn’t running with enough memory, at least 1 gig, you might run into some issues with saving documents, running programs, using collaborative software, and general memory swapping issues. Shop around, make certain your new components will work with your current system and make the changes you know you’ve needed to address. A computer crash in the middle of working to meet a deadline is not a productive educational challenge you need to face.
Take a day to remove any old programs you no longer need, clear your cache, clean out the recycle bin, and tidy up your on-screen desktop. Get ahead of the game and start labeling your online folders and begin to organize where your new semester items will be contained. A little organization and tidiness now will pay off later.
Are your programs current? Are you running the latest version of Adobe Acrobat, iTunes, and RealPlayer? These are just a few programs you may need for your online classes. Others include online communication tools like Yahoo Instant Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger. Having the latest updates will make sure your communication gets through accordingly. What about the latest version of your internet browser? Email program? Adobe Flash? Virus protection? Windows updates? Deal with these issues now before they prohibit you from getting your work done. Don’t forget to check if your school offers educational discounts or free programs!
When I see kids shopping for new school supplies, I’m always a little envious. I loved shopping for new notebooks, folders, boxes of crayons, and new pens and pencils. While you may not need all of the items in the “back to school” aisle, don’t forget you need printer paper, printer ink or toner, maybe a flash drive (for both portability and backing up your work), and any new software/hardware you need to help you get the most out of your educational experience. It’s okay if you can’t stop yourself from picking up a few highlighters, sticky notes, and pens.
While you’re at, just like in the days of old, why not get your eyes checked? You’ll be looking at a computer screen a lot this semester, and it never hurts to make sure your eyes are ready for the computer hours you are about to log.
J.M. Striegel
Posted by alex on August 15th, 2008
Becoming a certified Teacher is an incredibly difficult task that requires not only a top-notch education, but also the know-how to earn the proper certification and specialized skills that being a teacher require. Almost all traditional online schools offer teaching degrees including Masters and PhD programs, but oftentimes it’s difficult to balance the specific courses needed in becoming a teacher with the requirements that a typical Degree program demand.
This is why Achieveyourcareer.com has launched a partnership with Marygrove College. Marygrove’s Teachscape Degree program is designed for people working towards their teaching degree who have the time constraints of a full time member of the workforce, rather than a full time student. You will take 10 courses towards your Master’s and will be able to finish the degree in less than 2 years, taking only 2 courses per semester. The curriculum is designed for teachers who need to earn their Master’s degree without putting their jobs on hold. And Marygrove College’s track record speaks for itself as far as the success of its graduates.
Earning an Accredited Masters in Teaching is essential to anyone who wants to become a teacher, but most prospective students don’t even realize how many options they have when it comes to getting an education. Getting the right education is about options, and making sure that you make the right decisions could make all the difference when it comes to the success of your career.
Posted by J.M. Striegel on August 9th, 2008
1. “It’s All About Me” - Every student, the traditional or online variety, works hard to balance the responsibilities of family, school, and work while squeezing in some leisure time. The balance you strike between each of those responsibilities is up to you. Some online students erroneously believe that because the work is online they can either make excuses for submitting the work late, or they can decide to blow off class entirely while they pursue other tasks.
The consequences and rewards you endure and reap will be direct reflections of the successful balance you’ve struck. Don’t expect to be treated differently because you are older/younger, have a family/are single, like to go to concerts/are a homebody, are hung over/tired, or are unable to study on Thursdays because you like to watch television…. You may encounter some serious setbacks or experiences like a sickness or death in the family. Save your “get out of jail card” for those moments that require it.
2. “They Don’t Really Mean That…” - When your instructor states that they expect you to comment on three other student’s work, they mean it. They don’t want to hear excuses and won’t accept that you made two great comments but couldn’t squeeze a third out. Follow the syllabus and the guidelines for grading.
3. “Tardiness Doesn’t Exist Online”-You can’t disguise the time you turn in your work. If you are required to respond on a discussion board, your post time is noted. If you are required to turn in work via email, the time you sent it is documented. Keep up on your due dates and you won’t try imaginative methods of scamming the system or lying about a computer crash. Those headaches happen all too often, and you don’t need to invite more by creating bad karma for yourself.
4. “No One Will Notice…”-Schools are cracking down on students who plagiarize. The penalties range from receiving a failing grade on the assignment, for the term, the class, and possible dismissal from the program/school. Instructors utilize programs like Turnitin to sniff out a student who plagiarizes. If you commit plagiarism, you must ask yourself why are you even in school?
5. “Surely This Is Enough” -Responding to your classmates in the discussion forums with a simple, “That’s a good point!” and “I agree” does not constitute participation. It’s great that you are active on the boards, but unless you are contributing with well researched information and facts (cleverly disguised as your opinion), you are missing the point of the exercise and your role as a student. Your instructor may or may not point out your deficient posts until you receive your grades.
J.M. Striegel
