| Distance education has been getting a lot of | | | | start of every semester. After this initial meeting, |
| attention lately, but it isn't new. Correspondence | | | | you complete the coursework on your own. In some |
| courses have been around for over a century, | | | | programs, all courses are offered online. In other |
| allowing students to complete assignments and mail | | | | programs, you may have to take some of the |
| them to an instructor for feedback. Advances in | | | | courses on campus. |
| technology have presented more opportunities in | | | | Programs are structured to give students the same |
| distance education. Classes can be taken through | | | | information and quality education they would receive |
| telecourses and the internet. | | | | in a traditional college program. In some cases, the |
| Family and job related responsibilities make it difficult | | | | textbook and assignments are the same. |
| for many people to attend traditional college classes. | | | | Opportunities for community involvement and |
| Distance education makes it possible to complete | | | | exposure to a diverse student body are found in |
| degree requirements, while attending to other | | | | many programs. Several years ago, few schools |
| responsibilities. Online programs eliminate the need for | | | | offered degrees through distance education. More |
| long commutes and allow work to be completed | | | | schools are now offering this choice in response to |
| according to your schedule. You will still have the | | | | student needs. The availability of online degree |
| opportunity to interact with the instructor and other | | | | programs continues to increase. |
| classmates. | | | | Older students often return to school to fulfill job |
| Distance education is available in a variety of forms. | | | | requirements or to secure a promotion. These |
| Telecourses come with video taped lessons and | | | | students like the flexibility distance education offers. |
| lectures, which you watch on you home television. | | | | You can work independently and gain skills valuable |
| Assignments are then completed and mailed to the | | | | on the job market. You have the flexibility to study |
| instructor. Online courses allow you to complete | | | | during your lunch hour, in the early morning or at |
| coursework on the computer and email assignments | | | | night, according to your schedule. If your job involves |
| to your instructor. Message boards and chats with | | | | travel, you won't have to worry about missing |
| other students add to the experience. Video | | | | classes. |
| conference classes are held at one site with the | | | | Distance education offers flexibility in the amount of |
| instructor at another location. Students and the | | | | time you spend on each class or assignment. You can |
| instructor interact through two way television. | | | | spend more time on difficult concepts and less time |
| Some colleges offer programs that don't require you | | | | on those you find easy. If you are taking more than |
| to travel to the campus at all. Other programs require | | | | one course, you can schedule your study time |
| you to attend an orientation at the beginning of the | | | | according to assignment due dates. You may have a |
| semester and may meet once or twice throughout | | | | paper due in one class this week and another project |
| the semester. Brief residency programs require | | | | due next week in another class. You can tailor your |
| students to attend a weekend long session at the | | | | schedule to meet the changing course requirements. |