Tim Henry

There are many advantages of distance learning and most of those include the ability to choose your own time, space, environment, course of study and even school, university or college. The possibilities are endless, and so too are the freedoms of distance learning.

First of all you have the freedom to choose your own time to learn and your own time to study. If you are a stay-at-home mom you can study when the baby is having their nap. If you are an early riser you can learn in the early morning before anyone else is up. Even if you are working full-time you can enroll in an evening or weekend distance learning program to finally get your college degree, and maybe the promotion that comes with it.

You also have the freedom to choose your learning space and environment. If you kitchen table works for you, that’s great. Or you can organize your spare room with a computer, a desk, a filing cabinet and all your supplies set out just the way you want it. You can build a room in your garage or set up in the basement. As long as you are comfortable you can begin your distance learning program and move up the ladder of success.

You have the freedom to choose whatever course or degree program you have always dreamed of. Except for some highly technical or specialized training that require supervision, lab materials, or have specific on-site requirements, the freedom is yours and the possibilities in distance learning are endless. Courses and programs offered range from improving basic literacy skills all the way to graduate and doctoral degree granting programs.

Finally, you have the freedom of attending any one of thousands of fabulous schools, colleges and universities in the United States and even around the world. Find out which schools or institutions offer the distance learning program of your choice, meet their basic requirements and you may be on your way to a degree from one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country.

Whatever way you choose to approach your distance learning program you will have all of these freedoms to enjoy. Getting a college degree is no longer for just the young or well-off. Through distance learning it is now accessible and affordable for almost every American. Start your distance learning program today to build a brighter future for tomorrow. You will not only get an education but you will also get to enjoy the many freedoms that distance learning has to offer

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Tim Henry

Distance learning has been defined by the United States District Learning Association as the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction. Distance learning encompasses all technologies and supports the pursuit of life long learning for all. Today distance learning is being used in al most every area of education including primary, elementary, and high school.

Distance learning is also being utilized for college, university, and technical training as well as home school education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, and telemedicine.

Distance learning has undergone a phenomenal growth in the last ten years, primarily because of the technology of high-speed Internet combined with the upswing in home computer ownership. Both technological advances have allowed Americans to access distance learning programs and as we all know the laws of supply and demand mean that where there is a need or an interest, business will respond by making more of the needed product available.

But the other main factor in the growth of distance learning is the continuing and seemingly insatiable human quest for knowledge. It’s not just young people fresh out of high school that are looking at distance learning to complete their education through an online degree, but homemakers, veterans, and even seniors as well. There is a desire of many Americans to have the full American dream, live in peace and comfort, own your own home, and get a college education.

Distance learning has grown as well because it works in both helping people of all ages learn and comprehend even the most technical subjects. Research has shown that distance learning programs report similar effectiveness results as reported under traditional instruction methods. In addition, research studies have also pointed out that not only do students learn in distance learning but that they are quite positive about the experience itself.

Distance learning can be the sole training experience but many teachers are using it as a support to their regular teaching programs. They offer special courses and electronic field trips for students to enhance their regular programs and to break the monotony of sitting in a classroom every day of the week. They also use distance learning to assist both rural and inner city classes with student through enrichment, student courses, staff development and in-service training for teachers and administrators. In the field of higher education you can now earn both undergraduate and advanced online degrees through distance learning.

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Jeff Slokum

If you are thinking about utilizing a distance learning program then you need to familiarize yourself with a whole new set of terms and definitions that help to make up this new way of learning. Here are a few to get you started, the ABC’s of distance learning.

Under A you may find the following terms:

Academic Advisor. An academic advisor is a person appointed by the college or university representative who provides guidance to students in to help them select courses and an academic program that will meet the requirements to complete an online degree program.

Accreditation. This is the process by which online degree programs are monitored to ensure that they meet certain standards or requirements. There are special accrediting agencies at the national and regional level that ensure that the distance learning program meets all of the specific curricular standards in order to grant online degrees Associate Degree. An associate online degree is usually granted after completion of a two-year post secondary program. It also is sometimes known as a transfer degree.

Under B you may find:

Baccalaureate. This is more commonly known as a bachelor’s degree and is usually granted after four years of study at an online degree granting college or university.

Baud. A baud is a technical measurement of digital transmission that is used to describe the rate at which information flows between two electronic devices such as modems. The higher the baud rate means the faster information is processed and transferred between two computers.

Under C you will find:

Case Study. A case study is a common presentation style to help distance learning students see the application of a theoretical principle to a simulated or real-life situation. It helps students practice applying their analytical and presentation skills to the theories that are learning in their online classroom.

College. A college is an institution that normally offers associate and bachelor’s degrees. The focus at colleges is on education rather than research.

Conditional Acceptance or Admission. This is an offer to participate in a university or college online degree program to a student who meets the basic academic requirements, but might need to improve some other aspect of themselves such as passing an English proficiency exam in order to begin their distance learning program.

Cooperative or Co-op Program. These are distance learning programs that combine online classroom time with alternating work placements.

Course load. Course load refers to the number of courses taken or credits earned within a period of study that may be defined as a semester, term or quarter.

Credit. A credit is granted for each course completed and in order to get an online degree most academic programs require students to complete a certain number of credits or courses.

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