| Many people consider taking a college course online, | | | | of an online degree requires a high level of intrinsic |
| but admittedly, online schools are not for everyone | | | | – that is to say, internal – motivation, or locus |
| – even though online education is where the | | | | of control. |
| future of education is taking us. | | | | That said, the fact that you are reading this indicates |
| On one hand, it is possible – and even probable | | | | that you are already have the intrinsic motivation to |
| – that a form of “brick-and-mortar” | | | | pursue studies online, on your own. |
| public school will always exist. Social skills and learning | | | | In fact, if you are a working adult with a family, |
| to interact with others are important, and will | | | | studying at an online college makes a great deal of |
| become ever more vital as society (hopefully) moves | | | | sense. Not only do you set your own schedule, you |
| from the destructive, greed-driven, self-centered | | | | set your own pace as well. Most online courses allow |
| “winner-take-all-you’re-on-your-own” | | | | a student up to an entire year to complete class |
| mentality of mindless globalization and predatory free | | | | requirements – which are pretty much the same |
| market hypercapitalism toward a more cooperative, | | | | as they are in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting; |
| localized, community-based model focused on human | | | | you’ll be expected to read text assignments, |
| needs rather than those of the market. | | | | hear lectures (either in some type of audio/video |
| However, these public schools of the future are likely | | | | format or via podcast), complete written |
| to focus on traditional group activities, such as | | | | assignments (yes, term papers) and take exams. |
| ensemble music, team sports, theatre and industrial | | | | Of course, online education isn’t just for older, |
| skills – endeavors which require co-operation and | | | | “non-traditional” students. High schoolers can |
| live interactions. | | | | get a “running start” on their college degrees |
| On the other hand, there are many academic | | | | online. In fact, increasing numbers of high schools |
| subjects that can be studied more effectively | | | | around the nation are coördinating just these sorts |
| without the usual distractions. This is one reason that | | | | of programs. Young people of high-school age should |
| college degrees online are becoming increasingly | | | | check with their counselors about such opportunities |
| popular (and high school degrees are following suit). | | | | at their schools. |
| Many people find it easier to focus on their studies in | | | | Completing college coursework online can also save a |
| the peace, quiet and privacy of their own homes. | | | | great deal of money. Up to the first two years can |
| This is one major advantage of online college degree | | | | even be completed by examination through the |
| programs. | | | | College Level Examination Program, or CLEP. |
| The challenge lies in the fact that there is nothing to | | | | Successful completion of these exams enable one to |
| force one to study – no bells, schedules, live | | | | earn from 6 to 12 credits for a small fraction of the |
| professors, senior classmates, nor any of the other | | | | cost of a traditional college course. |
| people and things that normally motivate us. Pursuit | | | | |