| Going back to school can be an investment in the | | | | The Institute in 1999 released a "What's the |
| future, a way to make yourself more marketable, | | | | Difference?" study revealing that students who |
| particularly in a tight job market. Internet-based | | | | succeeded in computer-mediated education were |
| classes and online degree programs make this | | | | often married, women and those with high literacy |
| endeavor convenient, accessible from virtually | | | | skills. Students who considered themselves persistent |
| anywhere students happen to be and at times that | | | | in taking on new projects and organized with regard |
| don't interfere with responsibilities such as work and | | | | to management skills had characteristics associated |
| child-rearing. | | | | with online college success. So did individuals who |
| An array of Internet schools have cropped up, and | | | | work well independently, according to the study. |
| "colleges with walls" have, through the Internet, | | | | When taking classes on line or in person, it's |
| broken barriers to reach a wide array of men and | | | | important for students to select a college, university |
| women who otherwise might not be able to | | | | or trade school that suits their needs and goals and |
| physically attend school. But while studies show that | | | | to compare costs, after tuition fees and any and all |
| students enrolled in online classes performed as well | | | | financial aid is taken into account. Individuals |
| or better than those in conventional classrooms, | | | | interested pursuing distance learning classes and online |
| some research has suggested that the dropout rate | | | | degree programs particularly should also: |
| among virtual learners tends to be slightly higher. | | | | Make sure the institution is accredited by one of the |
| Students enrolled in online classes and online degree | | | | six regional boards and/or the Distance Education and |
| programs have to be "very self-motivated and very | | | | Training Council. Accreditation means that the |
| self-disciplined," Ladies' Home Journal Editor-in-Chief | | | | institution provides an education that meets minimum |
| Sally Lee last year told Today Show co-host Ann | | | | standards, and this makes a difference to many |
| Curry. | | | | employers, transfer credit recipients and career |
| Nurses, particularly, have turned to distance learning | | | | endeavors such as taking the bar exam. Also, |
| to pursue bachelor of science degrees in their field. | | | | beware of "degree mills" -- virtual entities go so far |
| And many businessmen and women are said to opt | | | | as to offer degrees in as few as five days or based |
| for online colleges for obtaining masters degrees in | | | | exclusively on life experience, according to the |
| business administration, Lee said. She advised against | | | | Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which |
| passive learning and noted that many "virtual" schools | | | | provides a list of accredited colleges on its Web site. |
| now offer online communities that allow for meeting | | | | Make sure online classes offer the level of support |
| diverse groups of people. Some virtual classes and | | | | and interaction they need. |
| online degree programs also offer two-way | | | | Set aside the time needed to take online classes, and |
| interactive video and audio-and the Institute for | | | | take studies seriously. Successful online students |
| Higher Education Policy has recommended that the | | | | surveyed for "What's the Difference?" said they had |
| development of interactive programs like these | | | | the time to do what they intended to do and |
| continue. | | | | considered the consequences of failure to be serious. |