Funding Your Online Education – 5 Basic Rules for Success

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

If you are searching for ways to fund your online education, all the details and fine print can be a bit overwhelming. It is all facts and figures, which add up to lots of calculations. If, while making these calculation, you find out there is a short coming in funding your online education here are 5 basic rules for success;

1. Funding Online Education is Just like Funding Traditional Education

When searching for ways to fund an online education, all the same factors apply as long as the online degree program is offered by an accredited online college or university and it is properly registered with the right authority. This is crucial so do diligent research before when choosing an online degree program.

2. Scholarships and Grants are the Best Way to Fund Your Online Education

The best way to fund your online education is with scholarships and grants. They are both very similar however they vary in purpose. Typically, scholarships are given based on academic achievement and merit. Grants, most of the time, are based on different qualifications, like; financial need, ethnicity, or geographic location. Many places specialize in helping students find grants and scholarships. A very useful source is the website Fastweb, which is an online database of scholarships and grants.

3. Make Use of Federal Loans and Grants

Federal loans can be used for online education. Federal loans like the Stafford Loans are often packaged with grants and scholarships. Payments for these loans will not start until 6 months after a student finishes or leaves college.

4. Apply to FAFSA as soon as possible

The easiest way to get funding for your online education is apply for financial aid with www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is vital for a student to fill out this application out as soon as possible before the deadlines. The longer an online student waits the less assistance they will receive from financial aid. So, do not wait until the last minute.

5. Be Sure to Check with Your School’s Financial Aid Office

Make sure you contact the college or university’s financial aid office when you are seeking funding for online education. Most schools will assign a specific financial aid counselor to assist students with finding resources to finance their college education and online education is no different.

When you are seeking funding for your online education keep these 5 rules in mind and you would be successful in obtaining financial assistance.

Tags: College Education, Grants, Online Students, Scholarships
Posted in Financial Aid, Online Students | 2 Comments »

Online Examination – Not an easy job for Cheaters

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Are online examinations easier or harder for cheaters? It is actually much easier for students to cheat online than on-campus. Why? Well the answers are many. However, cheating is common both in an online environment and offline. Cheating on exams is nothing new and students will cheat. Students are always one step ahead of the game and will find a way to cheat if they have to even if it is difficult to do.

Creativity can Prevent Cheating in Online Exams

Students are very creative when it comes to cheating. Online teachers are still behind in some of the strategies used to cheat in their classrooms. This is what makes cheating so easy. In order for online instructors to beat students at their own game they will have to be just as creative.

Preventing Cheating in an Online Classroom

A good online exam is one that is created to test students’ knowledge and to prevent students from cheating. When exams are designed in such a way, it is extremely difficult for students to cheat whether online or on campus. So online teachers need to be just as creative when designing exams and always keep students guessing which test taking strategy they will be using for each test. Staying one step ahead of students is the key to eliminating cheating online.

Here is why online examinations may not be an easy job for cheaters:

Each exam may have questions place in different orders.
Exams and quizzes may have set time limits.
Online exams are designed in such a way that it is difficult for others to have access to.
Each question may be different.
Test taking location is assigned to each student in their hometown.
Each student may have different test taking schedules.

Cheating in online examinations may not be an easy job for Cheaters, but it is definitely not Impossible to do so.

Tags: Cheaters, Online Exams, Online Students, Online Teachers
Posted in Online Students, Online Teaching | 4 Comments »

The Best and Worst of Online Education

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Despite concerns, acceptance of online education is continuing to grow and at a fast pace. The increase in demand for distance learning shows that there is a need for online education and more and more people will continue to get their education online. Although getting a degree online has many advantages, there may be a few drawbacks to online learning. This article will help you to see the best and worst of online education and give you a more realistic view of both sides.

The Best of Online Education

Flexibility: You choose when and where you want to study – It’s that simple. And you can continue working while reaching your educational goals at the same time.

Attractiveness: Online degree programs are an attractive alternative as they help busy adults balance work, family and other activities.

Reduced overall expenses: There are no travel expenses; no time spent commuting to and from school and overall lower tuition than traditional courses.

Efficiency: Minimizing time-as an online student you are able to register, access the learning and support materials, engage in discussions, give feedback, interact and collaborate with your instructor and fellow online classmates via chat room, email and discussion board.

Designed with the students in mind: Students can continue working while reaching their educational goals at the same time

24/7 accessibility: Round the clock access to support staff, instructors, course work, assignments, and much more.

Increased retention: According to research, most online students have a stronger grasp on the subject matter than their on-campus counterparts.

Reusability: Utilizing the information for multiple purposes such as documentation stored in a single repository can be made available to all.

The Worst of Online Education

Computer problems: Some of the biggest problems with online learning are when the technology just does not function correctly. This can be a major problem and learners can get quite frustrated and discouraged.

Not marketing your Online Education: One of the biggest problems with online degrees is most online degree holders do not know how to market their online degree to its fullest potential and make their online degree work for them.

Employer’s Acceptance: Not all employers may view online degrees as credible, but do not let this prevent you from pursuing your online degree. There are many employers today who are beginning to jump on board – hiring candidates from reputable accredited online institutions.

Accreditation: Some online colleges and institutions may lack the appropriate accreditation so students interested in online programs need to do their research before selecting an online program.

Degree Mills: There are many degree mills operating online. Their diplomas are not worth much more than the paper they are printed on, avoid them. You need to do proper research and make sure the school is legit.

Overall the numerous benefits to online learning far outweigh the bad. If you are considering an online education or if you are already in an online degree program, do not let the bad turn you off from pursuing your online education and accomplishing your academic goals.

If you have anything to add to the best and worst of online education we would like to hear it. It is always a pleasure to hear what your experiences are as an online student.

Tags: Online Education, Online Students
Posted in Online Degree, Online Education, Online Students | 1 Comment »

My favorite waste of time while studying online

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Studying online requires great dedication, planning and the ability to block out external influences. Unfortunately, many students misunderstand the whole principle of online studies where students are expected to develop their independence and capitalize on their ability to study in an environment that they think is most conducive to their learning. As a result, many students fall by the wayside because of them not sticking to these principles.

Several studies have been conducted by various online education and student bodies to ascertain the reasons behind the failure of some students during their online studies. The studies all point to one common factor of distraction: the wasting of time while studying online. Now, these modes of time wasting vary from one student to another and include:

Excessive time in chat rooms:

Spending time in chat rooms is one of my favorite waste of time while studying online

While doing an online course, students will spend a lot of time on the internet. Some networking programs such as Windows LIVE Messenger, SKYPE or Yahoo Messenger only require your computer to be logged unto the internet for them to be automatically signed in. Even if you do not sign to a page such as Facebook, your friends can still know you are online. Now many online students do not like to be impolite to their friends and, when contacted, spend hours chatting online instead of studying.

Playing video games:

The internet is buzzing with both free and for-profit video game sites that allow users to either play alone or compete remotely with each other. Some online students easily get caught up in video gaming and before they know it, 3 hours have elapsed that could have been better spent studying.

News addiction:

Checking News is another of my favorite waste of time while studying online

This affects many adult online students who believe they must catch up on all the latest news from all over the world before they can settle down to study. Therefore, in the first hour and a half, they must surf through the web pages of BBC, CNN, NBC, etc. If this is done two or three times per day, they have already lost almost five hours per day that could have been spent studying.

Computer tweaking:

Now, we all want our computers to perform at their best, but it still does not justify spending hours on the internet searching torrent websites for the latest application that increases your speed or gives you access to some program crack. Some online students also search these sites for books that they think they need but really do not and end up losing a lot of precious time that could have been spent studying.

Talking on the phone:

Talking nonstop on phone is one of my favorite waste of time while studying online

Some online students have not been able to separate their study time from their leisure time. As a result, they broadcast to their friends “hit me up on the phone, I am home all day studying.” Getting this invitation, their friends will call and they spend hours chatting away about everything but schoolwork. Before they know it, the day has elapsed and that is another valuable day lost from their studies.

Tags: Online Students, Online Studies
Posted in Online Students | 1 Comment »

Top 8 Signs you are addicted to Online Degree Program

Monday, June 14th, 2010

In our quest to be the best in our line of profession, many of us become lost in our own drive for education. Often we over shoot our goal and become over educated or too qualified for the jobs that are available around us. This has left many students in a precarious position as many employers become intimidated after seeing the entire alphabet rolled out behind the names of some applicants.

Many students opt for online versions of degree programs due to the many benefits they offer. As a result, they can continue their studies without interrupting their daily routine. Other use online degree programs to keep their minds occupied. However, on close examination, one may just realize that their drive for academic excellence was propelled by a mere addiction to online degree programs.

Top Signs you are addicted to Online Degree Program

There are many signs that will indicate to students if they are addicted to Online Degree Programs. These include:

1. As an employer, you display a preference to online students:

Even after graduation, you carry your addiction to online degree programs into your professional life. As a result, you show a direct preference to students who have been educated under the same online educational module.

2. Always looking out for course updates:

Although you have already received a degree in a particular area, you are always insistent of having your degree in the latest version. This will allow you to gain knowledge about the latest trends and concepts being promoted within your field.

Always looking out for online course updates

3. Always promoting the concept of online education:

Although you have not been appointed an official ambassador of online education, you keep bragging about the benefits of online education at every opportunity.

4. You receive emails from various online colleges:

Wait endlessly for emails from Online Colleges

Even though you have no intention of attending a particular online college, you still fill out their online application form just to receive emails about their latest offer. You become satisfied by just being aware what courses are offered by online colleges.

5. You fail deliberately just not to graduate:

For some unexplainable reason, some students want to remain associated with some online college. As a result, the deliberately scupper exams just to get a failing grade. They do this on the premise that they will remain in in their online school.

6. All of you friends are from your online class:

when your entire social life is built upon your online college community, you become so dependent of your online college to the extent of becoming addicted. As a result, just to communicate you must be in a forum governed by your online college.

7. Always searching for an internet connection:

Online degree programs are delivered through the internet. As a result, addicted online degree students are always searching for Wi-Fi or hard wire connections anywhere they go to log online to see if there have been any announcements from their online college.

8. Offer scholarships only to online students:

Although you have the means to offer scholarships to student right across both form of education, you stipulate that only online students should benefit.

Friends, can you think of other signs to tell someone is addicted to online degrees by simply following their daily regime? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Tags: Online Colleges, Online Degree Programs, Online Students
Posted in Online College, Online Degree Programs, Online Students | 1 Comment »

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