Distance Learning & Online Graduate Programs

By Hannah Roberts

Distance learning׀or correspondence education, as it was more appropriately called in its early incarnations׀has been around since the 19th century in the universities of London, but only in recent years has the concept earned real popularity and credibility with students pursuing degrees in the United States. Today nearly all major U.S. schools offer elements of distance learning in their various curricula, and graduate students in record numbers are taking advantage of the convenient option to earn a master's degree from home. What is distance learning?
The term distance learning refers to the attainment of knowledge from outside the normal classroom setting. In today's modern world, instructors can communicate with students through a variety of media: telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, and video conference, to name a few. In one recent case a professor actually conducted an entire course using the popular virtual reality and social networking Web site, Second Life. For thousands of busy professionals who are unable to fit even night classes into their schedules, online learning is the only option that their hectic lives can accommodate.
Is distance learning right for you?
One of the most common concerns students have when considering a distance education is whether they have the self-discipline required to complete a curriculum delivered outside classroom parameters. For some students, actual textbooks and face-to-face interaction are not only comfortable habits, but essential tools for academic success. For others who are used to conducting daily business on the go, learning and communicating electronically is second nature. Analyze your own unique learning process carefully before committing to a distance learning program that will undoubtedly demand more dedicated autonomy.
Research the online learning program
Another major concern for graduate students contemplating online education is whether the resulting certificate will carry as much weight as a"traditional" degree. Many online programs issue standard certification that is regarded equally to those degrees earned in class, but it is important to research the quality and accreditation of any graduate distance learning program you are considering. Employers will rarely honor a degree that is not sufficiently accredited. Be sure that your program is accredited by one of the six following organizations:

• North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA)
• Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA)
• Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Article Source: http://www.gradview.com/articles/graduatestudies/distance-learning-programs.html

Online Graduate Degrees: Better or Worse than the Real Deal?

By Natalie Pezzenti

Millions of students are logging on and booting up around the world to earn their graduate degrees in a somewhat nontraditional manner: online. While they believe the degree boosts their marketability in the career world, some might wonder whether online degrees hold the same level of credibility as the traditional degree does. It's easy to see why online degrees have grown in popularity. Online learning eliminates many scheduling conflicts and geographic limitations׀and not to mention we are living in an ever-growing technological society. But despite the increase in the number of students taking online classes and enrolling for graduate degrees, seeing online credentials on r退sum退s is still a new notion for many. Many human resources representatives are questioning why applicants have chosen to study from the comfort of their home instead of in a classroom and earn what some call an ӀemptyԀ education. According to a 2005 Vault Inc. survey, 85 percent of employers believe online degrees are more acceptable today than they were five years ago. But still, the debate continues.
In short, yes, there are plenty of legitimate online programs that offer undergraduate degrees, MBAs, and PhDs. But the unfortunate perception is that obtaining an online degree is simple because of the popularity of fake degrees, also known as diploma mills. Customers can simply pay a fee and receive their diploma׀not legit of course.
But just like any traditional university or college, not all online programs are created equal. Before enrolling, do your research so you don't waste time, money, and brainpower. Perhaps the most important quality to look for is accreditation׀and verify it with an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The CHEA says that it examines a school's performance in a variety of areas, including Ӏexpected student achievement, curriculum, faculty, services, and academic support for students.Ԁ Therefore, whether the school is online or traditional, it must meet a high level of educational standards to determine if it provides quality education worthy of the CHEA's stamp of approval.
Many students say there is a stigma associated with online learning, but others enjoy the technological aspect of a virtual classroom experience. Students become Ӏtech savvyԀ and stay up-to-date with new software.
But, while many students enjoy earning their graduate degrees solo, a big disadvantage to students is the lack of social interaction and learning from their classmates׀often a critical part of the learning process. To combat this, many online schools require online interaction with students and instructors several times a week.
The bottom line employers seem to agree on is this: if you're a resourceful and disciplined enough person to earn a degree׀whether listening to a lecture on a computer or in person׀potential employers will see your dedication and give you a fair shot at the job. In the end, a degree is a degree.

Article Source: http://www.gradview.com/articles/graduatestudies/online_degrees.html

Getting The Basics On Practical Home Schooling And The Law

One of the common concerns that parents will contemplate with practical home schooling is the aspect of legal restrictions. They fear that home schooling is either illegal, or that parents need to jump through various hoops to comply with the governments demands. This fear is somewhat justified, dependent on where the family is situated, but is often larger than necessary.

Home schooling is actually legal in all 50 states; however regulations and laws will vary from state to state. Texas and Idaho, for instance place few restrictions on those parents that opt to home educate their child. Others, such as New York and Massachusetts are heavier handed. They ask that the student's programme of study is approved by the state, parents intend on submitting their children's achievement test results, and might even expect to receive a home visit.

Legal attempts are ongoing to observe and defeat bills that would extend the power of the state to compel the attendance at a public school or to enter the home. In 2006, various such attempts were defeated. Nonetheless the overwhelming majority of families will never have to be concerned about their rights being taken from them.

In 1983, an organization was founded to defend for the rights of parents that wish to home school. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) aims to track legal issues that relate to this and has with success fought numerous legal cases on behalf of parents.

Although rare, there have been instances of over zealous social workers that see it as their responsibility to protect a child from their parents. Sadly, they might do so even when there's no ground for parental abuse. That possible action and the legal / social issues occasionally make its way into the home schooling field. The HSLDA and others can offer resources to parents to make certain that they never need to deal with this situation in the first occasion.

Parents that are debating the option of home schooling would do best, though, to enquire about the supervision, paperwork, and other legal demands of their particular state. The first instruction required in this is that of the actual parents.

Practical Home Schooling Tips To Hiring A Tutor

Some parents simply aren't suited to offer a practical home schooling curriculum for their child. Yet they still intend on offering the finest education possible for their children and recognize that a public school just can't offer that. Private schooling is often cost-wise out of reach, and even then, not offering the best in terms of quality. The answer is to take on a tutor.

The initial stage of hiring a tutor is to explore the availability of the type of tutor you desire. That signifies, determining the style of home schooling approach you require to take. Matching child to tutor is the key element to avoiding those initial hurdles that can't be seen. Tutor or no, this is essential to the overall long-term success of any practical home schooling program.

Taking on the search for a new tutor can often be as simple as typing 'homeschooling tutor' into your preferred search engine and if necessary completing a few online forms. When it comes to accepting a tutor, parents will need to take great care when choosing a stranger to offer home education for their child. However, with the rapid emergence of forums, social networks, and other online avenues, acquiring trustworthy testimonials has become so much easier.

Some tutors will now work solely online, as they have the assistance of interactive video software, email, and other such tools. This method can function well in a practical home schooling situation, as most home schooled students are eager and motivated to learn. All they require is the resources and some guidance that an effective tutor can offer.

It is also significant that parents take into consideration the cost of hiring a tutor. Affording a private tutor is a concern that many parents will have that is hoping for a practical home schooling program for their child. Yet, once all the actual costs are calculated, parents often discover that taking on a tutor is actually quite a modest cost option.

Things to know before Hiring Educational Consultants for your Child

There are several things that every parent should check before hiring an education consultant to ensure only the best service provider is hired. An enlightened education consultant would be able to identify the learning needs of a child and strategically plans the way forward. This will not only make the learning process easier but will also ensure that the child achieves remarkable grades at the end of a given time frame. The moment, the learning needs of a child has been identified, it is possible to interact with the child and guide him to overcome difficulties in learning. This is because the learning needs of children are different from one to another and it would not suffice to handle each child's need the same. Education consultants are trained to look for ways to interact with each child to enable him to cope with difficulties in learning. This becomes an opportunity for the child to interact with the consultant as they both work out an acceptable strategy to suit the child and builds confidence. Once this has been achieved the child is set on a take off to achieve his ambitions. Every ordinary child has the ability to acquire knowledge and acquire achievements in his area of specialisation. The moment he has been assisted to overcome learning difficulties, he will be in a position to undertake the learning challenges provided by the consultant, all while maintaining close interaction with the child.

Education consultancy is an important instrument for your child education, and every parent should ensure that he maintains links with it. This is because, if your child has learning difficulties which have not been unravelled by his education consultant, the consultancy will be able to provide helpful hints to set the ball rolling. They have elaborate connections with education consultants which makes them an appropriate choice for children with persistent learning difficulties. They have the means and ways to tackle children needs provided that one has enlisted his child with recognised education consultant. The education consultant assigned to the child should make sure that he has exhausted the available means before presenting the case to an education consultancy. Once the case has been reviewed, the education consultancy will provide guidelines for the best way forward. They might opt to have the child attended by special education consultant who has in depth knowledge on a wide range of learning difficulties. The moment a special education consultant has been assigned, he has to ensure that he gives an appropriate solution to the problems and put the child on the uptrend.

Author Bio:

Harness education consultant for best identifying needs of kids. Parents can look for reputed education consultancy for children ensuring good education. The consultancies have several professionals that are dedicated to offer best learning practices to students.

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Do Civility Policies Work?

Civility polices are often used as a tool to respond to incivility. Colleges and universities were early adopters of civility policies. Today, civility-based policies are emerging everywhere. These policies run the continuum of simple and aspirational to complex and legalistic. For example, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has adopted a list of Ӏrules and mannersԀ for patrons, which include among others: be courteous, put trash in bins, and give your seat to someone who needs it more than you. 

On the other end of the continuum is the NFL. The NFL and 32 NFL teams have adopted an official code of conduct for fans. According to the NFL, the code of conduct is designed to Ӏset clear expectations and encourage a stadium environment that is enjoyable for all fans.Ԁ The code restricts conduct such as foul or abusive language, obscene gestures, intoxication, and verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans. Fans that violate the code of conduct will be subject to ejection and loss of ticket privileges for future games. In addition, several NFL teams require ejected fans to pass a four-hour online class that costs $75 before they can purchase tickets again. 

Many critics see civility policies as a threat to free speech. Over the years, students and civil liberties groups have challenged the constitutionality of civility policies that restrict speech. For example, in 2006, a Republican student group at San Francisco State University stepped on flags representing the militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah during an anti-terrorism rally. Each flag had the word ӀAllahԀ written on them in Arabic. Others on campus complained that the conduct at the rally violated the institutionҀs civility policy, which was a system-wide policy adopted by all of the 28 institutions in the California State University system.

An investigation found the student groupҀs conduct during the anti-terrorism rally did not violate the civility policy, which prohibits Ӏactions of incivility.Ԁ However, the group filed a lawsuit alleging that the civility policy was too broad and vague and could be used to chill freedom of expression. A federal district court agreed with the students and entered a preliminary injunction preventing disciplinary action based on a violation of the civility policy. The case ultimately settled with the college essentially keeping its civility policy in place, but amending it by adding a disclaimer that the policy could not be used as grounds for disciplinary actions against students.

With the proliferation of civility policies, one has to wonder what affect, if any, they have on the conduct of others. Are metro riders now more likely to give up their seats to pregnant women? Will NFL spectators refrain from using foul or abusive language during games? Can colleges and universities use civility policies to punish acts of incivility? ItҀs hard to say. Perhaps the more important purpose behind civility policies is to put the community on notice regarding expected standards of conduct. Clearly, civility policies cannot be seen as a silver bullet to eradicate bad conduct, but they certainly are a step in the right direction. Civility policies represent community values; however, real change requires cultural changes.

Kent M. Weeks