Do Distance Learning Degrees Impress Employers?

With the ability to keep working, take care of a family, and receive a quality education without relocating, distance learning degrees have continued to increase in popularity. Unfortunately, the Internet also provides a venue for bogus diploma mills sprouting up to make money on the sale of fake degrees. In a report published in 2003, USA Today says 400 such businesses are currently in operation, and the numbers are increasing as these dubious businesses continue to make approximately $500 million annually.

Nevertheless, many colleges and universities are now offering legitimate degrees and diplomas. Unlike the mills, institutions of higher learning are doing everything possible to provide the same quality of education offered to students in the traditional learning environment. With access to video lectures, online courses, innovative online testing methods, and virtual library facilities, those seeking distance learning degrees can rest assured their diplomas have been justly earned. Unfortunately, many employers’ views have been tainted because of the influx of fake degrees.

In an effort to change the negative perception, the U.S. National Education Board has established 6 accreditation agencies to evaluate and provide accreditation to the higher learning institutions meeting the minimum criteria for a quality education, thus differentiating between the bogus degree programs. For example, the Distance education and training council provides accreditation for those institutes solely dedicated to online degree programs. The agency is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

For the students looking for specific programs of specialization, various associations are available to assess the excellence of these distance learning degrees and grant the necessary accreditation to qualifying schools. For example, accounting programs are scrutinized and accredited by the International Association for Management Education, and health programs answer to the evaluations of the American Health Management Association. Only the agencies recognized by CHEA or the Department of Education have the authority to grant institutional accreditation.

So, to verify the educational quality of any institution, students, parents, and potential employers should be concerned about accreditation status. If any college or university has that coveted seal of approval, it means distance learning degrees have met the same basic standards of excellence with the support and facilities necessary to adequately offer online degree programs. Conversely, specialized accreditation concentrates on evaluating the course curriculum based upon the established standards of the university or college.

Distance learning degrees from accredited institutions assure graduates, parents and prospective employers any degree earned is well deserved. The work completed has met the standards of adequately preparing people in their major area of study. Conversely, it also means colleges and universities not granted accreditation do not meet the standards of excellence required. Nevertheless, for the student who is only taking classes necessary to an area of specialization, only the courses need that all important stamp of approval.

In the end, it is totally up to potential employers to decide whether to hire an individual with a distance learning degree. With skepticism influenced by all the bogus diploma mills, no wonder they are being more cautious. Therefore, if the accreditation is supplied by a trusted and recognized source, the application for a job is less likely to be set aside. Instead, it has a better chance to be found in the stack for a second interview or final selection for a job position.

Why are Record Numbers of Adults Enrolling in College?

More adults are now enrolled in colleges and universities than ever.

There are several reasons for this trend. One is that online education offers adults the opportunity to continue their education without neglecting their career or other obligations.

While it used to be difficult, if not impossible, for adults to be eligible for financial aid, that has changed. And, in many instances, online colleges and universities now offer as much financial aid as their traditional counterparts.

The fact that employers are far more willing than ever to hire and/or promote professionals who have earned one or more degrees online has brought hundreds of thousands of adults to the world of online education.

CLEP…the College Life Experience Program has also been an important factor in getting adults back to school. And, why not? Experience-based credits reduce the cost of earning a degree and may also reduce the time required by a full year.

While most of the growth in adult higher education has taken place in online degree and certificate programs, campuses are also attracting more adults by offering evening and weekend classes, and improving academic advising for their adult degree-seekers.

All the afforementioned factors have helped lead to unparalleled growth in on-campus and online adult education. The single most important reason for the record number of adults now seeking a college or undergraduate degree, however, is the increased realization by working adults that continuing their educations will substantially improve their career options and earning potential.

Whatever your goals, the unprecedented educational options now available to you make them more attainable than at any other time in history.

Choosing a College; How to Start

College admission is, in its simplest form, a numbers game. In fact, while some would call it a kind of lottery, lotteries offer almost no chance of success to those who participate in them, while quite the opposite is true of college admission. There are nearly 3,500 colleges and universities in the United States (counting two and four year institutions) so students have no shortage of options. So, students who do a little research and a bit of thinking about what kind of educational environment best suits them should not have a problem landing at a college or university in which he or she is likely to be happy and academically successful. Believe it or not, students who start their college search early, make good use of the college and financial aid information available in college guides and websites, and ultimately apply to at least four or five carefully chosen colleges can sail through the process with little or no anxiety or hassle. Despite the media’s preoccupation with how tough it is to get admitted to the Harvard’s, Yale’s, and Princeton’s of the world, a very small number of colleges deny admission to nearly as many students as they admit. Thus, if you do not have the grades, SAT scores and desire to attend a very highly selective college and you have applied to a realistic set of colleges your chances at each are high. On the other hand, if your grades and test scores put you in the top five percent and you are applying to the highly selective few, just be sure to also apply to a few of the hundreds of great schools that are not quite as selective.

Generally speaking, the stronger the reputation of a college, the more selective it can afford to be. But, luckily for students, many excellent colleges and universities do not receive enough applications from top tier students to be highly selective.

Once you realize these things, you are prepared to begin the college admission process. Step number one is to identify no fewer than six colleges with the academic programs which interest you, campus environments in which you think you’d be comfortable, and admissions criteria which you appear to meet. Begin by sitting down with your counselor to:

1. ask for his/her college recommendations.

2. discuss the courses you plan to take in future years.

3. sign up for the SAT and ACT.

4. learn which college representatives will be visiting your school.

5. sign up for the college fairs being held in your area.

Don’t forget that the web is a great source of information. Do a few searches for terms like “colleges”, “college scholarships”, “financial aid” and “college admissions” to identify some good online resources.

Once you’ve done all that you’re in great shape. Start early, pay attention to details and deadlines, and do your research and you’ll find the college admission process far easier than you’ve imagined.

The Best Standardized Test

When I was growing up, I never realized how lucky I was to do well on standardized tests. It was something that I just took for granted. I had never had any trouble with assessment testing. My standardized math test scores were always excellent, and my reading exam scores were not far behind. I was a national merit semifinalist on the PSAT, and got into college of my choice despite having mediocre grades. So when I had a daughter with standardized testing problems, I didn’t know what to do about it. I had always thought that a standardized test was a simple matter. I figured that it measured your real knowledge. After all, I knew math well, and always got high scores on my math exams. Why should it be any different for her?

The reality, however, is that it can be much different for people with testing problems. Standardized tests are a source of great anxiety and frustration for millions of Americans. The strange thing about it was that my daughter was actually a fine student. She always did well in her homework and, when given sufficient time, would get great test scores. There was something about the format of a standardized test, however, that always tripped her up.

We had her take a Princeton Review course. Although I had heard mixed things about those classes, I knew that they work for some people and was willing to try anything. It brought her marks up a few points, but her standardized tests still showed scores well below her ability. Finally, we took a common sense approach: we had her practice standardized tests at home.

She would have to practice a standardized test every single day. This was incredibly frustrating for her at first, but after a while she got used to the routine. Soon, it was actually something she did not even think about anymore. It had become so much a part of her everyday routine that she didn’t stress over it.

Because of this, when she went to take her SATs, she got a good score. It was something that she could sit down and do without thinking about it, you see. She had conquered the standardized test through hard work and diligence study. Now she is in a good college, getting good grades, and making her parents happy. I couldn’t be more proud of all she has accomplished!

Online Degrees: Technology Meets Education

You see advertisements for them every day: “Get your online associates degree at your convenience and get a better job.” And in fact, if done right, an online degree program can provide you just the education you need, without having to significantly adjust your life to make room for a class schedule. This is because you can take classes online at your convenience, at night, or whenever you can schedule some free time. This makes it much more simple to hold down a full-time career, take care of your children, or any other number of things you would have to juggle if you were to go back to school full time on a traditional campus.

However, there are some drawbacks to an online training. First of all, you have to make sure that your class is accredited. Most employers will not honor degrees that have been gotten from colleges (online or traditional) without accreditation. Because online education (also called “distance learning”) is gaining in acceptance and in recognition as a permissible education means, more and more organizations are now giving online institutions accreditation, so that a degree you earn from an online college is every bit as good as one you earn in a traditional campus.

However, this isn’t always so, and you have to make sure that it is true before you waste your hard-earned assets on an online education. How do you determine whether or not a university is accredited? Check the regional accreditation board in the area where your particular university is physically located. If it has not been recognized by this accreditation board, it’s not legitimate at least in regard to what sort of certification or degree it will offer you, and you should look elsewhere.

Once you do find an accredited degree program that has the degree you want, you can apply for financial assistance to actually “attend” classes there. It used to be true that for students to qualify for financial assistance, you had to complete at least 50% of your education on a traditional campus. This is no longer true, however, and the school itself should be able to help you apply for financial aid much in the way a traditional university can.

Finally, online colleges have one step backward over traditional schools, and that is that you do not have to physically show up for classes. Yes, this is an advantage in terms of your scheduling, but it also means that you have to be completely disciplined for your own “attendance” and completion of assignments. Therefore, if you’re not self-motivated enough to make sure you complete your assignments on time and follow the syllabus ver batim, an online college is probably not for you.

If you are disciplined and have no problem with self-motivation, then an online university may be just the ticket. You should be able to complete your education with much less inconvenience, and without having to significantly disrupt your life. This, in turn, can help you find that dream career you’ve been looking for all your life.

Educating about Peter and The Wolf

The first time I ever heard Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, I was a little kid. I was, of course, watching the Disney cartoon about it. It was one of those brilliant old cartoons they don’t make anymore. All the animation was done by hand and the characters were beautiful and well-developed.

The voice over narration was humorous and rich, and the entire effect was exhilarating. I could really feel myself falling for the characters. They all seemed so well drawn by the music. I had never heard anything like it.

When my parents made me listen to the Peter and the Wolf record they have, at first I was a little bit disappointed. I had expected not to like it as much because there wasn’t a cartoon there. It took me a few minutes to get into it, but to my surprise it was even richer in some ways. Without the aid of the visuals, you could really delve into the sound of everything more. I really came to understand Prokofiev’s brilliance very quickly. The wolf still sounded sinister, the grandfather still sounded old and crotchety, the bird still sounded flighty. The music alone was enough to draw out the characters in vivid details.

When I watched the Peter and the Wolf cartoon again, I was able to see it with even more vivid clarity. It was somehow more brilliant now that I had heard the music by itself. Rather than simply having music to accompany the cartoon, I now had a cartoon that paralleled the brilliant work of music. At the time, I wasn’t sure what was better ” the animation or the music. As I have grown older, of course, my tastes have turned more towards the music than the animation, but I can still appreciate the way that cartoon looks with the same childish sense of wonder.

Recently, I got to play Peter & the Wolf for my own kids. It was great to watch their reactions. They were raised on Pixar movies ” the new style animation with the bubbly, computer generated characters. Although this animation has its own advantages, it misses out on some of the depth of character typical of the old style of animating. I was glad to see them wowed by the same cartoon that had wowed me as a child. It is always nice to be able to relive the childish wonder that you had in the eyes of your own children.

8 top Careers with an Online Information Technology Degree

Why not have an awesome career doing something you already love? For example, do you enjoy testing the newest software products on the market? Do you like to work with computers and learn new programs? Then, you need an online IT degree. After graduation, here are some of the fantastic jobs needing talented people like you: Interface designer, Systems analyst, Database administrator, Software Support Software engineer, Computer engineer, Computer programmer,Network Administrator.

Each of these careers is rewarding and necessary as more and more companies are in need of those who can use this technology to further their businesses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, over half of all computer programmers have at least a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field. This means that earning a computer science degree online will increase your chances of finding your dream job.

What will you learn through an Online Computer Degree Program?

A career in Computer Security, informational technology, or any of the other dream careers mentioned, can be attained with an online degree. The quality of education is exactly the same. However, you can still be gainfully employed and maintain a family life. Forget going to class, study when most convenient, and do not fight for a parking space. Attend classes online from the comforts of home. While you are earning an online IT degree, expect to learn the following and more: Hardware and software design, Software development, Troubleshooting, Networking, Data Security, Database management, Web design, Develop security plans.

Because most companies use technology systems to carry out business processes and communicate with employees, customers, vendors and others, more and more companies are creating IT departments that employ those who understand how networks function and how to keep them secure. Computer systems and manufacturing companies are also looking for talented individuals to create new software and hardware for consumers. While you earn your degree, you will be able to explore different fields to find one that suits your personality and interests.

Choosing the right online IT degree

First, where do you see yourself five years from now; what information technology degree will get you there? When making the determination, bear in mind the job market. Some computer related occupations like information security and support are on the rise, while the need for programmers is decreasing.

Once again referring to the most recent edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the coming years should continue to see a rise in the need for support personnel by approximately 13%. When deciding on the best career options, make certain the online college of choice is accredited, determine your technological strengths and interests, decide whether to get a degree encompassing many areas of technology or hone in on one area of expertise. Finally, make sure to select a program most likely to ensure employment right out of college.

An online IT degree can help establish a career in one of the most vital areas in the job market today. Generally, good students will have many employment options and offers following graduation. Even if you choose an occupation less popular than some, the chances o landing that dream job will increase greatly, if you have a degree in Computer Science.