About Online Learning
Do you want to know more about about online learning? Or to know more about how you learn? Are you a teacher wanting to know how ICT is changing classroom education? Or are you a student wanting to find an online program or school?
These pages should help you find the answers.
What do you want to know about online learning?
Are you wanting to find a school near you for an online program? If you know the subject area you want, use the search form below to find the school or program most suitable for you.
Find a school near you
Or are you wanting to find out about online learning programs in a particular discipline, or about college admission, or financing for your studies, or free education? Are you a student wanting to know more about what distance learning is all about? Or how new ICTs are changing classroom education? This section of the web site tries to help you find some answers.
Why is everybody asking about online learning?
In these difficult financial times, there has been a massive increase in the number of learners wanting to know more about online learning & distance learning (or elearning - also written as e learning or e-learning). Not only is learning online usually more affordable, it is also more convenient for these distance education learners.
But one of the good things about online learning is that it is not only used in distance education programs - it is also used for campus-based programs.
What is the difference between online learning and distance education?
Distance education has been a method of learning for individuals wanting to study at home for at least one hundred years, starting with correspondence learning (home study) via postal mail. With the greater use of computers and the Internet, it is now possible to offer distance education programs using only the online modality. In fact, distance education programs in the US and Canada use online learning so much, that for many people distance education is thought to be only about online learning.
But in reality, not all distance education programs are offered offered totally online. In fact, many distance education programs use a mix of modalities in that they also refer the learner to physical books. However, even these are increasingly available online.
In many developing countries where the availability of computers and access to the Internet cannot be assumed, distance education very often still uses a mix of hard-copy study guides, books and attendance at weekend classes. There are many initiatives to try to change the problems of access to ICT, e.g., "One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)", so that those countries can also reap the benefits of using ICT in learning.
So why all the fuss about online learning?
New information and communication technology (ICT) has made online learning or elearning possible, in which learners can participate in interactive learning using audio and video-conferencing, email, chat and computer-conferencing. The distance learner can now have almost the same instructional contact and interaction as the student on campus. This is why distance learners want to know more about online learning programs.
But online learning is not just the province of distance education. It is also used in campus-based education. The on-campus student can now have another modality to use in addition to the lecture and tutorial. So on-campus students and teachers also need to know more about online learning.
Campus Programs
For those students who feel that distance education by online learning is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs.
Online Learning vs Campus Study
Which should you choose - online learning or campus study?
Although online study does provide flexibility for working adults and others not able to attend campus universities or colleges, for those who are able to attend, there is stlll a lot to be said for the "campus" experience. This "campus" experience is particularly valuable for younger students, providing opportunities for socialising and making new friends and useful contacts for the future.
Online programs often appear to be the more economical alternative. However, campus schools may offer scholarships, internships and work opportunities. Also, in-state tuition may be available for campus schools. All these can make campus study a financially viable alternative to online study.
Online learning does not suit everyone. It depends on your learning style. The ability to think independently, self-discipline, motivation and good time management are all required for online learning to be effective. If you have a problem with these, then a teacher driven, on-campus degree may be the best for you.
Not all programs convert easily to the online study mode. Those programs that require laboratory work (e.g., some of the sciences) or the use of equipment (e.g., engineering) are better taken as campus programs. Some schools make special arrangements for these courses to be taken face-to-face whilst the rest of the courses are taken online. The use of ICT is now very much a part of campus courses, which are sometimes offered in a flexible, "blended learning" mode, i.e., some elearning and some face-to-face. So campus students still get some of the benefits of online learning.
So which should you choose - an online school or a campus school? There is no right or wrong answer - it all depends on your life-style, your learning style and the program you wish to take.
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