Online undergraduate education
provides career opportunities.
Online undergraduate education provides a convenient platform for students to earn a bachelor's degree. More than 75 percent of colleges and universities in the United States have online degree programs. According to WorldWideLearn.com, the majority of online undergraduate degrees are acknowledged and respected in the job market.
Convenience
Classes can be accessed at anytime from anywhere, according to worldwidelearn.com. Online undergraduate education makes college more accessible for those with disabilities or people who live far from college campuses. Online classes also remove the stress of attending an actual classroom at a specific time of day. The coursework for online courses is presented at the beginning of class and student can work through it at a fast or slow pace.
Student-centered Teaching
An online undergraduate education allows students to learn at their own pace. Slow learners can take their time to get through difficult lessons, while faster learners can complete coursework at their desired pace. Online learning is student-centered, which means knowledge is constructed by the student without the use of an interpreter, the professor, to pass the information on to students, according to aishe.org. In a traditional classroom, the instructor is present in the classroom to answer questions and explain coursework to students. Online undergraduate education relies heavily on students' ability to understand the coursework the access online. Communication with instructors is possible but because it is done through email there is a short time delay.
Technological Knowledge
Online undergraduate education programs require that student have a certain amount of knowledge about technology. Some classes may require the use of web cameras, headsets and advanced software, while other may require you to upload information using file transfer protocol, scan documents or attend virtual meetings.
While exposure to different technologies is a bonus in most cases, online undergraduate education may require you to buy expensive technical equipment. Cameras, headsets, microphones and scanners can be costly additions if you do not already have them and having access to a campus equipped with those items is not an option if you attend an online college that has no campus or is far away.
Accreditation
Higher education institutions are evaluated and measured against a high level of educational quality during the accreditation process, according to eLearners.com. Accreditation is given only after a thorough review of the institution's goals, objectives, resources, student admission requirements, the quality of the faculty and the programs offered, according to eLeanrers.com. Accreditation is important because some employers do not recognize degrees from non-accredited institutions, according to eLearners.com. Unaccredited institutions give degrees to students without making sure that they have met all requirements necessary to obtain a job in their career fields.
The U.S. Department of Education has a list of national and regional accrediting agencies that ensure that institutions are providing students with quality education. Before signing up for online education check the list to see if the school you plan on attending is accredited.
Blended Learning
Some undergraduate programs offer blended course options. Blended classes may meet once a month or twice a semester in a classroom while the rest of the course is delivered online. The class meeting may be structured as a session where the instructor lectures or it may be a session where students are allowed to ask questions about coursework or what they need to review for tests. According to eLearners.com, students are able to build a community with other students by meeting in a classroom for some coursework, but the virtual component enables them to work independently, as well.
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