Will Online Education Make Us Smarter?

Will Online Education Make Us Smarter? - Predictions are 1/2 of higher Ed will be online in the next 10 years. K-12 will follow by 2019.  How do we assess quality with all of the online education providers that are out there? Small start ups and giant MOOCS. Think a lot about how to get personalized support to individuals. Think about scaling content while not losing the focus on the individual.

Adult learning space, higher Ed, and K-12 all have different needs so they create different markets. All of the panelists are from companies that connect teachers directly to students. InstaEdu - even split between high school and college with about 10% adult learners. Students come at first for immediate need and then wind up staying because they build a relationship with the tutor. Teachers are students at high end universities.

Course Hero - 80% higher Ed students. Building learning content that students can access on their own. Building quality content from students and teachers takers time. Requires feedback from students.

Udemy - 80% male because focuses on tech space. Adult learners adding to skill sets or learning about hobbies. Students like the on demand aspects of the learning. Teachers are industry experts, half of whom have some sort of previous education experience. Motivated by reach they have and ability to share their passion. A few instructors have earned $100,000.

Important to get feedback from students through surveys to assess quality of teaching and content. Make sure reviews are available to future students. Can base revenue sharing on popularity/effectiveness of teacher.

Also important to support course developers/teachers with instructional design training since many may not come from education backgrounds.

Certification: In some cases, must have gone to a particular school (top colleges) and have prior experience in tutoring. See very few problems after getting through the initial screening process for tutors.

How do you know it is working? Re-engagement is huge. If students are willing to pay more for more tutoring, that's a good sign. Comments and reviews from students are also important. Survey students to see if they feel they have improved in their understanding or have gotten other benefits such as job advancement or career change.

What is the motivation for online learners? Often it's increasing a grade or obtaining a certification.

What is on the horizon for building the online learning space? We are still in the early days - 1st or 2nd inning. To get more mainstream: build quality content in multiple languages, bring down costs, provide more certificates/certifications. Mobile devices will help integrate online learning into people's busy lives. Need to watch for over-regulation and under-regulation.

Q From audience: How do you scale giving rich feedback to thousands of students with budget constraints for hiring staff?

A: Peer to peer tutors or peer grading can help. One to one teaching will never be free. It is a tough problem.

Q: Any unexpected gains from online tutoring?

A: Learning is on demand any time you need it. Can take courses in subjects not available locally. Badges make it fun for students to learn beyond basic requirements.

Q: How can online learning help students that traditional schooling fails?

A: More diverse set of teachers to choose from so more chance of connecting. Online learning in conjunction with in person can help support students. Finding niche content that engages students in ways that in-person only schools with more limited offerings can't. Offer practical, job-focused and passion focused content to students.

Q: Are any courses accepted by colleges?

A: Udemy has a few professors who use their online courses as part of blended learning. Not transferable to just any institution though. People are willing to pay for high quality content even without a degree plan.

Q: What about copyright?

A: Instructor is responsible for content copyright. If company receives a DMCA notice they remove the content. Course Hero runs a filter to detect content that might be a copyright violation and works with instructor to verify.

Q: How do you avoid mistakes in growing your company?

A: There will be mistakes. And it takes time to build success. You can't do everything overnight but you can do a lot over a longer period of time.

Q: How do you deal with communication problems from students?

A: Try having visual elements with text. And don't forget in person tutoring might be the best if there are communication/language barriers.

Online Education May Make Top Colleges More Elite

Online Education May Make Top Colleges More Elite - Online education may have arrived at the upper echelons of higher education, but it's not going to make elite colleges any cheaper to attend. Massive open online courses and other online tools, however, may change many aspects of top undergraduate campuses. That was the conclusion of a private summit, held here on Monday and sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, at which many of online education's heaviest hitters discussed the future of residential higher education, particularly at elite institutions, in a digital age.

After years of standing by while the online wave gathered momentum at lower-tier institutions, MIT and Harvard last year gave online education a $60-million bear hug by collaborating to found edX, a nonprofit MOOC provider that could also serve as a laboratory for studying the dynamics of virtual classrooms.
The universities made it clear then that they intended to use their MOOCs to improve, not supplant, traditional courses.

Monday's daylong conference, which was largely off the record except when permission was granted, featured many of the voices commonly associated with the current upheaval in higher education. They included Clayton M. Christensen, the Harvard Business School professor, who gave a crash course in his influential theory of "disruptive innovation"; and Salman Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, an online-lecture repository, who appeared, Oz-like, as a 12-foot-tall talking head projected on the wall above the stage.

Online tools that track how much students use certain course materials could give professors insight into how they should design their traditional courses, several panelists said. Professors might be surprised by what the data tell them. Eric Mazur, a professor of physics at Harvard, drew murmurs from the crowd—which mostly consisted of Harvard and MIT faculty members—when he showed research indicating that students at a lecture have brain activity roughly equivalent to when they watch television.

Eric S. Rabkin, a professor of English at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, suggested that professors could direct students to learn the most basic material in a course at their own pace, via online modules. Professors could then use the time saved, he said, on the parts of the course that require more thoughtful, individual attention, such as giving feedback on long essays. "Maybe we could have 100 people register for a seminar," Mr. Rabkin said. The students could work through the first 12 weeks independently and online, "and that teacher can finish the seminar five different times in the course of a 15-week semester, spending the last three weeks with each of those groups of 20."

Getting Their Money's Worth

Some attempts to use MOOCs to improve the experience of traditional students have not panned out. One panelist said early attempts at his university to foster interaction between learners in the traditional and MOOC versions of a course met with resistance from the tuition-paying students, who wanted a distinct experience for their money.

Those students may eventually come around, but the amount they are paying for a traditional college experience probably will not—at least not at top colleges. None of the institutions represented at the summit is likely to use any revenue or savings from the use of online tools to lower tuition, said one provost. No one at the session disagreed.

It's more likely that online tools will be used to increase value at the same price, said another provost. That means more seminars, more project-based courses, and more mentorship opportunities, he said. That is a privileged position. William G. Bowen, the former president of Princeton University who has studied the efficiency of online tools, reminded the audience that they occupied "really rarefied air" in deciding how they might want to use online education.

But professors who are serious about reaching the masses online, he said, will have to think about innovation and design with a broader, more diverse audience in mind. I would humbly suggest that the kinds of assessment and standards and all the rest that I'm sure are appropriate at MIT and Harvard and so forth," Mr. Bowen said, "have very little relevance for the large parts of American higher education, particularly in the state systems, that are under genuine siege."

Best Distance Learning Mathematics Degree 2013

Best Distance Learning Mathematics Degree 2013 - The following universities are offering distance learning programs in the field of Mathematics/Statistics:

The Open University (UK)

• It offers a number of Maths degrees including the BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics; BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics; BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Mathematical Sciences; BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences; etc.
• It also offers the MSc in Mathematics for mathematicians, scientists and engineers. Options include calculus of variations, functional analysis, number theory, fractal geometry, and coding and approximation theory.
• The University achieved the second largest climb in UK research rankings in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

Sheffield Hallam University

• It offers the MSc/PgDip/PgCert in Applied Statistics for statisticians or those employed in related areas such as planning, operational research, business intelligence, marketing.
• The course is delivered by distance learning, with tutorial support.
• It is one of the UK's most progressive universities, ranked top among all new universities in the RAE 2001.

University of London

• The BSc in Mathematics and Economics degree programme has been developed by academics at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
• The programme is designed for those who want to pursue a career in economics and need a firm foundation in mathematics.

University of Southern Queensland (Australia)

• It offers the Graduate Diploma of Mathematics by distance education.
• This program gives graduates from a non-mathematical area the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in areas of mathematics. Applicants whose degree or equivalent qualifications includes a major in mathematics or statistics will not normally be eligible for admission.

Texas A&M University (USA)

• It offers the Masters of Mathematics with a Teaching or Computational Math Option.
• The degree program is fully online. All courses will be taught over the Internet. M.S. students will be quired to complete a final examination after completing all program requirements.
• The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Some of The Most Common Myths of Online Education

Some of The Most Common Myths of Education - Despite profound popularity, the concept of online education has not been able to gain complete acceptance. This is because of the myths regarding the concept education. 

Some of the most common myths of education are:

• courses are identical: It is generally assumed that the content and the results of all online courses is the same but this is not true. While some courses deliver only the crest of a particular concept, others provide an in-depth knowledge about the course. Some recognized courses offer a lot of dynamism and versatility.
• It doesn't require faculty: It is sometimes believed that online education will reduce the need for faculty and qualified instructors. But, this is not the truth. It has been observed that the greatest reason for a student's success is a motivating instructor. In an online class, the size of the class might be small or large, but there always faculty members to support all the students. Qualified faculty is also required for writing and creating new courses.
• Online courses are less worthy: Many a times it is believed that courses don't hold the same worth in the eyes of the employers as a regular course. But this is not so. The correct blend of online and offline education and appropriate professional experience can do wonders to your career.
• You have to be tech savvy: Many people think that an e-learning class requires one to be highly tech-savvy and requires you to possess high level of technical know-how. But in reality, online courses are designed in a very user friendly manner. They are especially designed to cater to the needs of the common man.

It takes lesser efforts: People believe that online learning takes less time and is an easy way to take a degree. If you are taking up an online course just because you want to take a short cut in your career, then online education isn't certainly the right option.

These are the most common myths that are associated with online learning. Students are sometimes skeptical about adopting online education because of these myths. There is a need to realize that online education is much more than what it is thought to be. It isn't a shortcut route but a catalytic factor which will help you to enhance your career.
One such measure to promote online mode of education has been taken by EduKart. EduKart provides certificate courses in Digital Marketing certified courses, Retail Management (certified by RAI), Financial Management (Wealth Management certified by AIWMI), Programming Language (certified by CSI), Project management and in Skill Development. It also provides some UGC-DEC-AICTE UG and PG degree courses like BBA, B.Sc.IT, MBA and M.Sc. IT.

What Are Accredited Online Degrees?

Everyone has a dream of attaining a degree, but this dream is definitely not easy to achieve. This is because of the fact that often you have to deal with other factors as well. For example, you may be working somewhere and you don't have time for studying and attending college classes on regular basis. The acquisition of online degrees can come in real handy in these types of situations, where you never have to set a foot on campus!

Accredited online degrees are programs designed by online colleges and universities taking into account the needs of students who do not have time to attend classes on a regular basis. The best part about acquiring accredited online degrees is that they satisfy the States guidelines and are as authentic as a brick-and-mortar earned degree.

Getting the Most Out Of Accredited Online Degrees

To get the most benefit from accredited online degrees, make sure that you do your homework and learn about the basics of online courses. You increase your chances of earning a comprehensive degree if you know everything well in advance regarding your course. With so many online courses available, the task of choosing the right course is not that easy. Any mistake in this regard can have a negative impact on your entire career. Generally speaking, there are four levels of accredited online degrees available for distance learners across the world. The degree levels include: Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and Doctorate degrees.

Advantages of Acquiring Accredited Online Degrees

o You do not need to attend regular classes if you pursue your degree through online education. 
o In an accredited online degree program, you do not need to modify your work schedule, as you can study whenever you are free. 
o As compared to traditional degree programs, the fees structure of online degree programs is not too high. 
o There is no preset time attached with regard to earning a degree in an accredited eLearning program. 
o You can contact your faculty members anytime you want in your online program through e-mail, live chat or phone. This is not the case with traditional degree program, where you can only contact your faculty members during college time.

Earning Accredited Online Degrees

In order to earn an accredited online degree, you need to show some self- discipline. As there is not going to be any pressure on you from the faculty members, it is vital that you set targets by yourself and work hard to achieve them. To start with, make sure that you study for at least 1 hour a day.

You can study a lot more over the weekend when you have no work to do. With no preset limit attached with in an accredited online degree program, a lot of students take it for granted. Make sure you do not make this mistake; set the target of earning a degree in three to five years rather than eight to ten years. When you earn an accredited online degree in three or four years, you not only increase your chances of promotion in the workplace and job market, but also give yourself sufficient time to go for higher studies.

How to Succeed in Your Online Degree Program

Earning a degree through an online degree program has become a trend for many students. Online education provides you with flexible and convenient leaning environment where you can attend classes from your computer at home wearing your pajamas. The online degree program can provides the same learning quality and degrees that are mostly acceptable in the job market.

The bad news is there are many online students fail to complete their online degree program. Online degrees are not for every student, unless you can adapt to the online environment and create regular study habits, you may be dropped off half way through your online study and waste your time and money. If online education is your option, here are the 4 tips for you to success in your online degree program.

Tip #1: Degree Program That In Line With Your Career Goal

Most of students choose to earn a degree are for their career planning to a brighter future. Hence, you need to choose an online degree program that can help in your career path. For example, if you want to become a marketing manager, you should choose online marketing degree or online business degree with marketing as specialization instead of online music degree. There are many online degree programs with the same degree title but there are difference courses offered in the program from one school to another. Hence, you should request the program details from the online schools and carefully review their courses to ensure the courses are in line with the requirement to achieve your career goal.

Tip #2: Choose a Properly Accredited Online Degree Program

The online degree program offered by your selected online school should be property accredited by an accreditation agency that is recognized by US Department of Education. Always double to check the accreditation mentioned by the school with CHEA.org to ensure that the online degree program of your choice is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency.

Tip #3: Make sure Your Love Online Study

If you plan to take you degree online, you must be good in learning in text format because most of learning materials are in text format. You should also like to search for information from internet, attend online chat sessions, able communicate through discussion forums and love to stay online; these are the key factors of a success online student. People who like to learn by listen to lecture in a class room should follow traditional way of education.

Tip #4: You Must Be Able To Self Motivated

Although you still have peers in an online class, physically you are alone accessing online material from home or any locations away from your other online peers. Hence, you must be able to motivate yourself to move along your online study progress. An online degree program gives you the flexibility of plan your own schedule for self pace study; the flexibility may cause you to stay out of focus if you do not have self-motivated and discipline to fix and fit your study into your schedule.

Summary

Earning a degree online is a good option because it gives you the flexibility and convenient learning environment. If you choose this online education option, you must adapt to the online environment and create regular study habits to ensure you will success in your online degree program.

Accredited Online Degree and Programs

The word 'student' is often associated with children and young adults, with after school activities and science projects, backpacks and school lunches. But these narrow associations no longer accurately describe the word 'student' in our world. Students come in all shapes and sizes. The mother of two who wants to finish her nursing degree. The working professional who is looking for a career change. The recent graduate who wants to earn his MBA.

There are many different types of students looking for many different types of courses and Online College Degree. And there are literally thousands of online degree programs for these prospective students. It may be helpful to organize the many options into several pertinent categories. Each student should ask themselves the following questions: What degree type or level am I pursuing? In what field or area of study will my online degree be focused on?

By Degree Type or Level: Online colleges and universities offer a wide range of degrees and programs. They include associates degree, bachelors degrees, masters degree, doctorate degree, and certificate programs.

By Subject: There are an almost endless offering of classes and degree concentrations that are offered by online college programs. Some of the more popular concentrations and online degree programs include: Business or MBA programs, Education & Teaching programs, Health & Nursing Programs, Computers & IT Programs.

By Program Type: There are several different types of online college and university programs available. There are online courses(credit or non-credit) - individual classes where students learn specific skills and knowledge. There are blended courses - individual classes that combine a traditional classroom learning environment with new online learning elements. There are online certificate programs - programs focused on one area of study with a less stringent course requirement. There are online programs - programs that offer fully Accredited Online Degrees ranging from associates to doctorate degrees online.

Your Best Guide to Online Degree Programs

Are Online Business Degrees Suitable for You?

Deciding if an online business degree is right for you is an easy task. With the wide selection of programs, flexibility and personalized formatting, an online business degree is a great choice for any one new to the business world or those that are very experienced but looking to learn more.

These degrees can be obtained in many fields of business, for examples, accounting, general business, leadership and marketing. Many colleges offer these business degree, but three well know, accredited online colleges are Ashworth College, Kaplan University and Walden University.

To decide which online business degree is right for you, it is best to decide what your career goals are or what your current job calls for. For instance, if you want to start your own small business, then a degree in marketing may be your best bet. But, if you are currently a manager at your place of business then a leadership degree may get you the skills you need to get a promotion and a raise in your current career.

Other individuals may pursue an online business degree in order to change careers. Many nurses, teachers and other non-business career holders seek online degrees while working at their regular job.

Applying is easy. All you need is a high school diploma or G.E.D and a wilingness to learn. Depending on your previous college experience and work history, you may be able to obtain your business degree in as little as six months.

Before deciding on a university that you are interested in, make sure that they are accredited and the staff has extensive experience in the field that you are interested in.

Once you have decided to enroll, getting started is easy. Most colleges offer year round enrollment so that individuals can get started on their studies right away. After enrolling, most online programs make the coursework available for immediate download so that you can start that very day itself.

What are the Advantages to Completing an Online Bachelors Degree?
An online bachelors degree is a four-year college degree that an individual completes and earns through the Internet. The biggest benefit of an online bachelors degree is that it usually takes less time to complete.

Most individuals can complete their online bachelors degree in as little as three years. If you have prior college credits to transfer or relevant work history to consider, then you can complete your degree in as little as six months.

Another benefit to completing an online bachelors degree is that the course work is extremely flexible. Classes can be taken any time throughout the day and you never have to leave your house. All course work is completed via the Internet either through downloadable lessons or virtual class times.

The average online bachelors degree program requires at least twenty hours of course work a week. But since the course are completed online, individuals can work faster or slower, depending on their schedule, as long as the course is completed within the allowed time frame.

The standard time frame for the course work of an online bachelors degree is one class every five weeks. This schedule allows a student to concentrate solely on one class or module at a time ensuring that they learn all of the information presented in that session. This is an advantage over traditional four year colleges because with an online program you can devote your time to each session without being distracted by other classes and information.

Tuition payment is also easier with an online program. Online degree programs qualify for the same tuition assistance that on-site programs do. Therefore, individuals can apply for student loans, payment plans and employer reimbursement programs. Plus, some online colleges allow the student to pay as they go, cutting down on upfront college costs.

Earning an online bachelors degree is a perfect way for individuals that are currently employed full time to further their careers. By studying online, individuals can keep their regular job and still earn a degree in record time.

To qualify for enrollment, you are only required to have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Since no prior college education is required, online degrees are also the perfect choice for someone that must work full time to pay for.

program is definitely worth researching.

Why You Should Choose an Accredited Online Degree

An accredited online degree is a college degree that is received through Internet studies offered by an accredited college. This means that the school or university that is offering the degree has been approved by a national or state board of education.

In order to offer an accredited online degree a college must offer its course work and lesson requirements to the board of education for approval. The board will then go through that course work and make sure that it adheres to the industry standards for completion.

When contemplating completing any type of degree over the Internet it is best to do so with an accredited online degree provider. Accredited degrees are more reputable and the credits transfer to other schools should you ever decide to further your education again.

Online degrees can come in many forms. You can earn an associate's degree, bachelors or masters degree or even a course completion certification diploma.

To earn a masters accredited degree online, you must first possess a bachelors degree from a regular or online college.

To earn a bachelors accredited online degree, you need to have at least a high school diploma or G.E.D.

With both degrees, you can shorten the amount of time it takes to complete by having prior college credits or related work experience.

It usually takes about three years to complete an accredited online degree. This time frame is based on a curriculum of at least twenty hours of course work a week. Some degrees, like a specialized law degree, can take up to four years to complete.

By choosing an accredited online degree program as opposed to a regular degree program, you are choosing a degree of a higher standard. With an accredited degree, there will be more choices opened up to you and more occasions for advancement.

What are Accredited Online Degree Programs?

Accredited online degree programs are college programs that are offered over the Internet by certified schools and universities. Accredited online degree programs are tested and approved by state or national education review boards.

There are many different types being offered on the Internet. These programs include degrees in many different fields such as accounting, law, business management and healthcare.

A few well-known schools that offer accredited online degree programs are Phoenix University, Concord Law School and Pierce University. Accredited online degree programs usually offer a completely off-site program, meaning that the student can access everything they will need to earn a degree from the comfort of their own home.

Also, these online degree programs usually offer downloadable lessons that can be accessed and completed at any time during the day or night. However, some programs do require the attendance of virtual meetings or classes that are put on at certain times throughout the day via the Internet.

To find out which degree program is right for you, you first need to choose a field of education that interests you. After defining your field of interest, seek out a school that specializes in that field.

Accredited online degree programs are very useful for those individuals seeking to further their education while continuing full-time at their present job. Some even offer credits for work already completed in the same field as the sought after degree. These credits are usually based on work or life experience. Also, some programs accept credits from other colleges.

Applying prior credits toward accredited online degree programs will help to shorten the length of time required to receive your new bachelor's or master's degree. While some programs can take up to four years to complete, prior credits can reduce your education time by up to two years.

How to Get Your Bachelors Degree Online

Getting a bachelors degree online can be a fast and easy way to further your career. But before you enroll, there are a few important things you need to know.

First, you'll want to make sure that the college that offers the online degree is accredited. School and universities are accredited on a state or national level. This accreditation means that a board of education has researched and approved the schools curriculum and course work.

Next, you will want to make sure that the school is highly recognized and that the bachelors degree is transferable. This helps because someday you may want to further your education by completing your masters degree and you will need to be able to transfer your bachelors credits.

Prerequisite to getting a bachelors degree from any university, you must first have at least a high school diploma or a G.E.D. It also helps to have some college or previous work experience under your belt. If you have previous college credits, then they can be applied toward your bachelors degree program and shorten the length of time that you will need to be enrolled in school.

Without previous college credits, most bachelors degree online programs take up to three years to complete. This time frame is based on an individual that takes at least twenty hours of course work a week. With prior college credits, or by spending more time on course work each week, some individuals can complete their bachelors degree online program in as little as one year.

To decide which college or university to enroll with, it is best to decide what type of degree program you need. Many colleges offer these programs but some specialize in different fields. For example, a person who wants a bachelors degree in business night want to go with Ashworth College, while a person that wants an education degree would want to go with Penn State University.

Once you have chosen a bachelors degree online program, you need to research its class schedule. Many online programs allow you to download the course work and complete it on your own schedule, but some programs require that you log on to the Internet for virtual class sessions a few times a week at a designated time.

What are the Advantages of Online Law Degrees

If you have dreams of being the next Perry Mason then you will need a law degree from an accredited college or university. The problem with most people is that earning a degree in law requires a lot of time that your family may get in the way of. Besides the time requirements that may get in your way, there is also a massive financial requirement from you to just take the courses needed. There is however a silver lining to this rather dark cloud, it is called an online law degree. There are many advantages to getting your law degrees online.

The first obvious advantage to having a degree from an online school, is the fact of having more at home time with your family. For anyone who has made the attempt to do any kind of degree program at a college they know the amount of time that can be taken away from their keeping up a household. Now there are a couple of paths that you can take in obtaining credits for a law degree. The first is what is called the "bar track," this is where you will enroll in a four program that on completion will enable you to take your states bar exam. If on the other hand you do not plan of becoming a lawyer then you can take the other track that will still give you all the knowledge only in three years and you will not be able to take the bar exam in your state or any others as well.

The next thing that needs to be looked at when getting an online law degree is the cost. Law school is never cheap, however with an online law degree you can save some money because you won't have to pay for such things as room and board or buy into a meal plan. Obtaining your law degree from a distance just makes good financial sense, as in these troubled times people are looking for any way to save money that they can find.

One of the most important things that you need to ensure is that the online law degree program that you are going after needs to be accredited by the American Bar Association, without this accreditation you may find yourself after spending four years of your time and money that you have a law degree that is completely useless to you if you want to practice law.

In the end you just need to weigh the pros and cons of distance learning, I for one am a big supporter of these distance learning classes as they most times fit into you hectic schedule. You will need to determine if you want to pursue your degree on campus or if you would prefer an online law degree. I hope this article has been of some use in helping you decide which method is right for you, who knows I might one day need your legal advice to get out of a speeding ticket.

What are Distance Learning And Online Degree

Distance Learning and Online Degree:

With the advent of the Internet the mode of education has changed drastically. From distance education the word has changed to Online Education where the method of teaching has become virtual.
Additionally, course materials will be sent by post, which they can finish at home An online business degree is best suited to working executives who can finish their course at their own pace and do not need to lose work to attend classes.

2. How will an online business degree help your career?

An online business degree is one of the best possible ways to enhance one's academic qualifications. Many fortune 700 companies appreciate employees who have a higher academic degree and consider such degrees as a criterion for promotion. This means that even if you work hard and exhibit good professional ethics, you may be sidelined when it comes to promotions and pay hikes.

3. Getting qualified through an online course serves three purposes:

1. It enhances your academic standing

2. It does not require you to lose your job in order to make time for learning.

3. You can learn in your leisure time and use it productively to enhance your career.

Online Degrees are available all over the Internet from valid accepted Universities to fake Diploma Mills that churn out diplomas without need for anything other than cold hard cash.
While the advantages of the Online Degree providing colleges are many the fact remains that the fake diploma mills are adversely affecting the reputation of the legitimate degree providing colleges.

Legitimate Online Degree College vs. Fake Diploma Mills

Universities and colleges online have to be accredited and the best ones like Phoenix University are, but there are again, the 'life experience' degree providers like the Belford University that create fake accreditation agencies and then accredit themselves, causing students looking for shortcuts to believe that these are legit institutes and are merely showing them the way out.

However, when all online degree holders enter the practical world looking for a job carrying their 'online diplomas' these fake diploma holders cause the legit degree holders to lose out as potential employers lose faith in the 'online degrees' so many of which are useless.

The latest trend in education is distance education where you can attain an undergraduate and graduate, certification or professional degree with the help of advanced technology of Internet.

It is gaining popularity owing to the fact that it can be obtained without leaving your job and can be done at your own pace. Owing to this sudden popularity in distance education, more and more universities are introducing online degree education.

With the wave of intensive growth in distance education comes another problem which is that of fraudulent online degrees.

Universities need to make a profit in order to sustain in the growing competition. The statistics behind online universities indicate that online universities are growing by 33% annually [International Data Corporation Online].

The benefit that the universities offering online courses are that they need not worry about infrastructural expenditure and they can reach out to people across the globe.

The difference between a fake degree online and a valid one is that fraudulent online degree universities are called 'degree mills' as their main focus is in fast production and distribution of fake diplomas. They just offer credit for life experience and if you pay your fees you get your diploma. You don't have to worry about practical experience. If you pay a little extra, you can even graduate with honors!

The problem arises when this life experience is not accepted by state and federal laws and you face the problem of looking for a suitable job.
A legitimate online college can be recognized against a fake one by checking out the actual web address which is usually offered by The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the international organization that dispenses domain names (web addresses).

Accredited schools will receive the .edu designation. For example, Stanford University's web address is Stanford.edu which authenticates that they are genuine online universities. Next you can also check from the list of accredited schools provided by US Department of Education.

What is the 'The Diploma Mill Police'?

Diploma Mill Police is an online resource to identify if the diploma you have received from an online university is a valid one and is from a fully accredited institution.

To authenticate your degree, GetEducated.com, has launched a free online service, The Diploma Mill Police (TM). This is a free service offered by the website and helps students as well as employer to put forth their grievances regarding the accreditation of their online certifications.

All you need to do is to submit a query to check on the accreditation status of any online college operating in the USA. A Consumer Seal of Approval is also provided by GetEducated.com which genuine accredited colleges can use on their site after being screened by an authorized deputy of the Diploma Mill Police.

Is getting a fake degree worth the effort. Will it get you a job in a Fortune 700 company?

Getting a fake degree may cause lot more problems than benefits. It is a very big risk to buy a fake degree from a diploma mill as well as to claim that you have a degree which rightfully you are not worthy of.

You are shelling out enormous money and the people who are scam artists can get away with it but you can be victimized. The problem arises when this life experience is not acceptable by state and federal laws and you face a problem which acquiring a suitable job.

Students might be thinking that getting a diploma from an unaccredited university will save them the drudgery of studying and they want to out for an easy way out by just paying some money and buying a diploma.

The Diploma itself typically looks impressive and is indistinguishable from a real college or university diploma. Clearly the diploma mills have no integrity and are not worried about the injustice to the students like you who have worked hard for your degrees.

The fake degree may even lead to your prosecution as in the case of a dozen teachers in Georgia who claimed to have Doctoral degrees from the bogus Saint Regis University were caught in 2003. Similarly in May 2004, nearly 500 government employees lost their jobs when their degrees were checked.

It would be sheer luck if you acquire a job in a Fortune 700 company with the help of a fake degree as these companies undertake rigorous investigation to check the authenticity of the degrees.

If by chance you manage to get a job, you are always under pressure on when you might be fired, if they get to know about the fact that your degree is a fake.

Fake online degrees are a meaningless, waste of money because wherever, you use the degree; it will be validated as 'fake'. Is that true?

Getting a fake online degrees is a meaningless, waste of money because wherever, you use the degree; it will be validated as `fake'; this is true to a certain extent.

There are chances that you will acquire a job in smaller companies who do not undertake rigorous screening of certificates of their employees. You might get away with it for sometime.

However, as you go up the ladder or look for a job in established companies you might come across the ground reality that your degree is just of piece of paper. A fake online degree has more problems than benefits. You will always be under the pressure that you would be caught for your fake certificate.

Students might be thinking that getting a diploma from an unaccredited university will save them the drudgery of studying and they want to out for an easy way out by just paying some money and buying a diploma.

The diploma itself typically looks impressive and is indistinguishable from a real college or university diploma. But the truth is employers know which degrees are worth it and which have been bought.

Some FAQs Accreditation and College Degrees

1. What is accreditation?

Accreditation is an assurance. It is a type of authorization given by an authorized government institute. The reason for accreditation is to give online degrees required recognition. In addition to this, it is also to ensure the quality of the program being offered.

2. What are the types of accreditation?

Regional accreditation boards provide the most recognized form of accreditation. For instance, Harvard and Ohio universities are regionally accredited. Stanford is also regionally accredited.
Whenever you come across people asking you whether you have attended an accredited university or not, they generally refer to regionally accredited universities. Hence, regional accreditation is the most preferred form of accreditation.

3. What is the significance of accreditation?

Accreditation provides a public record of your degree. A degree from an accredited institute is recognized by employers and companies all over the world.

4. What are the six regional institutes for accreditation?

There are about six authorized units responsible for accrediting online degrees. Namely they are:

NASC - Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

NCA - North Central Association of Schools and Colleges

NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges

SACS - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

WASC - Western Association of Schools and Colleges

MSA - Middle States Association

What is programmatic accreditation?

At times, the special departments in accredited universities require special accreditation. The teachers licensing board requires a degree from accredited universities. Also, to accredit certain programs, the government requires a college to be accredited.

What do I need to know about State approved Universities?

Presently, there has been an enormous increase in State approved Universities. Many states have a test which a university has to pass, in order to be approved.

This process however is not equivalent to accreditation. It simply means that the college is approved to do business. The standard and quality of the degree is not ensured.

The above given FAQs comprise of basic information regarding distance learning. If you choose for an online degree, you should keep in mind the above points.

How to Earn Your Online Degree to Expand Your Income

Did you know if you earn your online degree it can substantially increase your earning potential? It doesn't matter what line of work you are in, it can raise the current amount of yearly income you bring in almost instantly, as well as increase your earning potential in the coming years. It is an investment in your future that always pays off. This is only one of the many advantages to making the choice to earn your college degree. But, alas, there may be some disadvantages for you as well. Earn your online degree to make big changes in your life at many levels, but be aware of what you are getting into.

There are many advantages for you if you do choose to earn your college degree. It helps to enrich many parts of your life, but it also has its disadvantages as well. A big part of being able to earn an online college degree is being well aware of all the advantages and disadvantages and how they affect you and your situation before you begin.

Advantages For You When You Earn Your Online Degree

The advantages for anyone willing to earn your degree reach into your life farther than you would expect. The obvious advantages are to your income earning potential. Almost immediately upon registering to earn your degree you have a certain prestige. You have taken the steps toward beginning to earn your associate degree online, online bachelor degree or online master degree. You are officially a student in the program of study you have chosen. Making sure that your boss and administration is aware of this gains you an upper hand in many positions and workplaces. Each year you gain knowledge from your choice to participate in higher education and gain the earning potential that you have dreamed of having at your disposal.

Another advantage is entirely personal. When you make that choice to earn your online degree you give yourself a pat on the back. You are helping yourself to a better life and this sinks in your subconscious after a while. You begin to expand your mental and educational horizons and you see yourself learning as you earn your online degree. It is a boost of self esteem that goes a long way in changing your life.

Yet another advantage is the ability you gain to move up the ranks at work and even go into a private practice. There are many more opportunities for you when you get a degree online, in business and career venues. Many online degree holders go into consulting positions in addition to their job or after retirement.

Disadvantages For You When You Earn Your Online Degree

The most important and most notable disadvantage of the choice to acquire an academic degree may be the time factor. This is especially true when you have been out of school or any learning environment for a length of time. It is not always an easy task to get back into a routine where you make specific time for study and class time. It is often the hardest part of your choice to attend college.

Make sure the school you choose to earn your online degree from is accredited and recognized. This can also be a huge disadvantage. Some colleges and universities do not transfer credits from online schools. Make sure you are aware of any other schools you may choose to go to. Earn your online degree to further your career, but do not forget to choose one that is going to help you and not harm you. Ask the administrative office about the schools accreditation and make sure you understand what you are being told.

One final disadvantage that may occur when you choose to go to college online is the money factor. Education does not come cheap. It takes a toll physically, mentally and economically. It can take time away from work and family as well. Fortunately, financial aid is a big help for those that qualify. It is also not as hard as you might think to qualify. There are many programs to help students of all ages earn an online degree.

The advantages and disadvantages for you if you choose to attend online college courses are wide and varied. Make sure to consider it from all angles. It may be a good idea but not the right time to earn your online degree. Take the time to research your choices and actually consider what life will be like when you make that step to earn your online degree.

What Are Online Masters Degrees?

Online masters degrees are higher education college degrees that are earned over the Internet. In order to apply, individuals must first have a bachelor's degree in the same field of study as the masters degree they wish to obtain. Masters degrees are offered in many different fields of education. Individuals can receive a degree in accounting, business, management, education and even healthcare.

In recent years the reputation of online masters degrees has grown, making them more attractive and affordable than ever before.

The biggest benefit is the convenience. Individuals that hold a full time job can still complete their degree in record time because the classes and studies are all offered online on a schedule that can be laid out to fit your individual needs.

Another benefit to earning online masters degrees is the increase in income afforded by the degree. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, individuals with a masters degree earn over 170 percent more than their co-workers who only possess a bachelor's degree or associates degree.

The main drawback to online masters degrees programs is that they are done entirely online. This can be a problem if a student needs extra help with a particular lesson. It can also be hard for a student to get the appropriate personal attention they sometimes need.

To address this problem many online masters degrees programs now offer student tutors or mentor that are available through email to address a student's personal needs.

For individuals interested in furthering an already established career, an online msters degree offer the best education at the best price and level of convenience.

Different Kinds of Online Degree Programs

Distance learning includes a range of lessons for diplomas, certificates, degrees and college credit. A university that provides learning online will not always give you a full degree online. Much more educational facilities are embracing online degree programs and boosting the amount of classes offered toward a degree, nevertheless some degrees can be found in great quantity through online degree programs although some take a bit of exploration to locate.

Business, management, marketing and associated business study fields might possibly be the quickest online degree programs to find when doing research. Numerous colleges and universities make available associate, bachelor and master degrees in business administration totally online. The appeal of this method is the capability to walk away with a degree without ever requiring you to step foot in a school room. Another plus is to be able to continue working to build job experience and longevity with a firm even while continuing your education. There are numerous MBA online degree programs readily available for pupils who wish to continue their training and work at the same time.

A few areas of study for example nursing and education offer you courses towards a degree online. These kinds of fields need lots of in-service work and are impractical fields of study to provide completely online. These degrees usually deliver a number of courses which happen in the degree program. Using this method you're not stuck with classes on the web that simply take place the first couple of years of the course. Master degrees are a lot easier to locate in these fields than bachelor degrees. The masters degree courses are almost always just for registered or certified nurses and teachers. For example, you can not hold a bachelor degree in mathematics and then anticipate to obtain a masters in education online to teach math. The best benefit to these kinds of courses is that often a number of teachers and nurses continue their education through online degree or certificate courses and not having to go to classes.

Liberal arts is a field with a variety of online degree programs. Quite a few colleges and universities offer a liberal studies degree entirely online. Several other universities and colleges provide what they label a general studies degree. This particular online degree program is designed to provide you with a well-rounded education that prepares you for many different jobs or higher degrees. These web based degree courses are perfect pupils who've not necessarily decided out a specific major or college students who require to work full-time and need a degree they're able to complete on-line. If your main plan is to attend law school or another professional degree course, the online general studies degrees enable you to work full-time to aid you to cut costs for advanced education.

Additional online degree programs available are psychology, sociology, English and criminal justice. You will discover a lot more masters degree programs obtainable as being a total online degree course than there are bachelors degree programs, however, if you explore hard enough you will find full on-line bachelor degree courses.

Additionally, there are a small number of online PH.D packages for fast paced professionals for busy professionals. Seeing as distance learning and online programs grow to be widely used and wanted by learners, the selection of on-line degree courses ought to multiply.

Difference Between On-Campus Education and Online Education

On-campus education and studying vs. on the internet education! Is one better than the other? Can one absolutely substitute the other? Indeed it seems that on the internet education and studying is the way of the future. Companies, organizations and govt organizations as well already provide various types of digital exercising. However, can a pc truly substitute a instructor and a blackboard?

How people learn

Each personal has a way of studying that meets them best. Some people achieve fantastic outcomes in programs trained on the internet, however most people drop out of 100% computer-led programs. Companies, as well as companies in carrying out staff exercising, must recognize that there is no perfect way to carry out the exercising of a large list of people, and so must design programs that best matches the needs of the team as a whole.

People understand using multiple feelings. This involves studying through both theoretical elements of a course, as well as public connections with both trainers and other learners. Students understand from each other people's mistakes and achievements, not just from what they are told by trainers.

Each personal university student has an perfect studying speed. Instructors are therefore faced with the challenge of developing programs that move ahead such that those learners with a more slowly studying speed do not get left behind, while not moving so slowly that learners with faster studying steps get bored.

Online education

In the age of high-speed details transfer, on the internet education and studying is becoming a popular and cheap way for providing exercising to people outside the academic setting, and in some situations all over the globe. Teaching can be via CD, sites, or through real-time on the internet facilities such as webinars, online seminars and exclusive classes. However, different methods of on the internet education and studying each have their own pros and cons.

Online education and studying is still a relatively new concept, and in many aspects still in the teething stages. As such, various problems arrive across different on the internet education and studying surroundings. For example:

1. Lack of immediate reviews in asynchronous studying environments: While some on the internet education and studying surroundings such as webinars, online seminars and exclusive classes function stay with the inclusion of an trainer, most do not. Teaching that is provided through a CD or web page, although having the benefits of being self-paced, provides no immediate reviews from a stay trainer.

2. More preparation needed on the part of the instructor: In an on the internet education and studying atmosphere, an trainer can not simply stand in front of a white board and provide a class. Training in on the internet education and studying surroundings must be prepared in advance, along with any notes and guidelines that may go along with the exercising.

In many situations it would also be necessary that the trainer not only understands the concepts being trained, but the technological innovation used to provide that exercising. This therefore increases the skill-levels needed of on the internet education and studying trainers, placing greater need on educational institutions.

Staffing stages may also be greater for programs run in an on the internet education and studying atmosphere, demanding for example:

The Instructor - able to teach both course material and be experienced in the use of technologies involved

The Company - to assist the trainer in providing material, but may do so remotely

Help Desk - to provide assistance to trainers, companiens and learners in the use of both application and hardware used to provide the course.

3. Not all people are relaxed with on the internet education: Education is no longer only sought by the youth. With an improved trend towards adult and exercising, there is a need to design programs appropriate for learners over a larger age-range, as well as learners from different and varied qualification. It is difficult, however, to design on the internet education and studying surroundings appropriate for everyone.

4. Increased potential for disappointment, anxiety and confusion: In an on the internet education and studying atmosphere, there are more parts creating up the system that can fail. Server breakdowns may prevent web based programs from operating. Software based exercising applications may require other specific elements to function. Computer viruses may contaminate application necessary to run on the internet education and studying surroundings. If these techniques are complicated, learners may choose the ease of On-campus education and studying rather than taking the additional persistence necessary to master the use of on the internet education and studying techniques.

5. The Digital Divide: Many people who reside in remote areas and developing countries do not have entry to computers, creating any way of on the internet education and studying virtually impossible. For this reason, on the internet education and studying is only able to be targeted at the people lucky enough to be able to take benefits of the technological innovation engaged. In the same way, offering stay exercising across the globe indicates that different timezones and countries increase the need for multi-skilled trainers.

In inclusion to these, there are also several legalities associated with keeping an on the internet education and studying atmosphere. For example, ip laws, particularly those with regards to trademark, may or may not fully cover digitally created ip. For example, details on a web page is not necessarily considered to be public domain, despite being available to everyone. However, the Australia Copyright Act was revised in 2001 to make sure that trademark owners of digital components, including on the internet education and studying surroundings, could keep provide their works commercially.

On-Campus Education

Still the most typical way of exercising is conventional classroom-style studying. These instructor-led surroundings are more personal than on the internet education and studying surroundings, and also have the benefits of allowing for immediate reviews both to and from university student and instructors as well. However, the academic setting allows for less flexibility than programs run in on the internet education and studying surroundings.

Instructors in modern academic setting surroundings are still able to take benefits of several types of digital exercising tools while still keeping the atmosphere associated with the conventional academic setting atmosphere. For example, PowerPoint glides can be utilized instead of a white board or blackboard. Giveaways can be distributed via course sites prior to the event. However, on the day, learners are still able to definitely participate in the class.

Like on the internet education and studying surroundings, On-campus education and studying comes with certain disadvantages, the most typical of which is the academic setting itself. This needs a people which, in a university for example, could reach a few hundred people in dimension, to collect in the same place simultaneously. This needs enormous some time to financial commitment on part of both the learners and the academic institution.

However, it is this sort of atmosphere that is most familiar to learners across the globe. People of all ages can accessibility a academic setting atmosphere feeling relaxed with the way that a classroom-run course is carried out. Older learners who may not be relaxed with the use of it are not needed to get around their way through possibly complicated on the internet education and studying surroundings, creating On-campus education and studying the most accessible way of exercising.

On-campus education and studying has one benefits that 100% digitally provided programs can not provide - public connections. Learning comes from monitoring, not only what is written on a page or presented in a slide show, but what is observed in others. Most learners are naturally curious, and so will want to ask questions of their trainers. The academic setting atmosphere allows learners to explain what is being trained not only with their trainers, but with other learners.

So, Which is Better?

There is no design of exercising that will best suit every university student. Research (Can on the internet education and studying substitute On-campus education) that programs where on the internet education and studying is used to supplement On-campus education and studying have proved more efficient than programs provided entirely using only one technique. These programs take benefits of both on the internet education and studying components and a stay trainer, and have produced outcomes greater than those of learners in either 100% on the internet education and studying or academic setting atmosphere programs. Students have the benefits of the immediate reviews and public connections that comes with the academic setting atmosphere, as well as the convenience of self-paced on the internet education and studying segments that can be performed when it best matches the university student.

It would seem that on the internet education and studying surroundings will never absolutely substitute On-campus education and studying. There is no "one dimension suits all" technique of exercising. Teaching styles will keep adjust to find the technique that best suits the studying team. Using a mix of on the internet education and studying surroundings and academic setting classes, educational institutions, organizations and govt organizations can make sure that exercising is provided that is convenient and efficient for both trainers and learners as well.