What Can I Learn Online?
With the birth of the Internet, online education became more and more prevalent. With the growth came a tremendous breadth of what can be studied online. And with that growth came more advanced education and therefore, advanced degrees such as Masters in Business Administration. The future of what might soon be offered seems almost limitless.
Fields of Study
As of 2009, the list of degrees available online is staggering. And the number of sources for degrees and the like are also exploding. From primary education teaching certificates to law degrees, it seems only technology and time can limit what will come next. But for now, degrees such as these are available through online education:
- Accounting
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Biology
- Business Management
- Computer Programming & Repair
- Graphic Design
- Engineering
- English Language
- Finance
- Healthcare
- IT Certification
- Languages
- Law Degree
- Library & Information Science
- Marketing & Advertising
- Mathmatics
- MBA
- Mental Health Care
- Music
- Nursing
- Preparatory
- Religion
- Secretarial Degree
- Teaching Certificates
- Web Design and Development
Approaches to Online Learning
Whatever the subject studied, there are basically two approaches to online education:
- Independent Study - The Independent Study Option, or ISO, provides the opportunity with maximum flexibility. Just as the name implies, the enrolled student has access to teaching materials online, including video lectures, which can be accessed at the student's discretion. This is of particular interest to those who have day jobs and may not be available for the next approach.
For example, let's say that you are employed as an accountant. You're working 45 hours a week and you have a growing family. Your daylight hours and a part of your evening are already taken up. Quitting to participate in a traditional classroom or even an online course during the day is out of the question. Independent study would be just the ticket. You could set your own hours at night and on weekends. - Teacher Mediated Option -The Teacher Mediated Option, or TMO, also known as Instructor Mediated, offers an experience as close to on-site education as is available through online education. Courses are offered during a traditional school day with online streaming video or audio, and in some cases student/teacher interaction. This interaction can be via Internet audio communication or by way or instant messaging or IM.
This approach might be of particular interest to those who really are not the best at self-motivation or self-governed learning. For younger college-aged student who might otherwise enroll in a traditional universities but can't afford the tuition and housing, this is a perfect stand-in. Many universities offer this approach as it can be piggybacked through technology to a professor's regular in-class duties. Just hook up a web streaming camera with an Internet link, and voila! The professor has opened his classroom to students across the globe. Stay-at-home moms or dads who have free time during daylight hours might find this approach particularly stimulating as well.
With online education leveling the playing field, more and more people are considering gaining their education edge online. You could say that they are wisely putting their futures on line! Before you sign up, make sure to ask these key questions.
