Archive for the ‘online degree’ Category
Handling Distance Learning Education
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Worried about being a newbie? There’s no need to worry if you follow these simple tips to ease your transition into online education.
Make sure you have everything you need to start. Locate the computer requirements document on the school Web site. Make sure your computer fits the requirements and you have the right peripherals (printer, speakers, microphone, etc) and software (Adobe Acrobat to read .PDF files, Microsoft Word for writing papers, etc). Once you have those things in place, make sure they all work!! (Hint: most schools provide the software as downloads from their technical support page, so check that out before you buy software).
Set aside an area in your room for your books and other class requirements and important school documents. It is important to have some organization, even if it’s just two folders — a physical one for important papers and a folder on your computer where you put all your final written papers. Put your books, some blank paper, a pen, and a highlighter all in one place. (Hint: if you are planning to use multiple computers like one at home and one at work, buy a backpack to keep all you stuff in so it is portable and handy).
Know the school landscape. Just as if you were walking around a new campus, you will need to “walk” around your virtual campus to learn where things are. Log into the school Web site with your assigned login and password as soon as possible. Click on different links to see what is available and get a real feel for your school. (Hint: Most schools hide important student information behind a firewall to protect you, so you will need to have a login and password to access it.)
Tags: distance learning, online degrees, online educationPosted in College Tips, distance learning, online degree, online education | No Comments »
Maintaining Your Study Space at Home for Online Classes
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Maintaining your study space for online classes can be a lot of work. A messy area can lead to coffee-stained papers, damaged textbooks, and misplaced notes. Give everything a designated area on your desk and shelves. Use an old coffee mug to hold your pens, pencils, and highlighters. Use bookends to keep your books stacked nicely on your desk. It is essential that you keep your notes up-to-date. Have a filing system, so that you can file away new papers, graded assignments, and exams. This will prevent lose papers and keep your desk tidy.
If you enjoy a cup of coffee with your daily textbook reading, be sure to take the empty mug back to the kitchen sink when you are done. Remove all dirty dishes after use so that they don’t pile up and consume precious space on your desk. Another consequence of leaving old dishes around? They might begin to attract bugs and other unwanted critters, as well as dishes getting smelly or moldy! By taking a few minutes every day to keep your work area neat and tidy, you can come home and start your work right away without searching for items or getting distracted by useless clutter.
For effective studying concentration, use your room for studying or your home’s quiet area - away from any distractions. Avoid the temptation to your home office for other projects. If you enjoy crafting, building models, knitting or anything else, do not bring them into your work area. Though these activities are great hobbies and smart stress-relievers, they will lure you away from your academic goals. Also, if you’re a parent taking online classes, try to dissuade your children from using the space. It is okay to have a place you can call your own!
Studying in a shared space? Not everyone has space or an extra room in their home just for their studies. If you are studying in your living room, den or another shared space, be sure to communicate your needs to others. Maybe put up a sign that reads, “Quiet, please – Working,” or “Reserving the Living Room from 8 – 10 Tonight.” If you are trying to write a paper in the kitchen, but you can hear the television in the next room, you may want to purchase noise-cancelling or noise-reduction headphones or ear plugs.
Posted in College Tips, distance learning, online degree, online education, study habits | No Comments »
Apprehensions of an Online Student
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
You are now admitted and enrolled in an online college, problem now is, you have some concerns and hesitations and you do not know what to do. This is common for first timers. But, don’t worry, there are solutions to your uneasiness.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an online student there are several ways to get the answers you are seeking. If your course offers instructor support (and I would recommend courses that do), you can always direct inquiries to your teacher. Top-notch courses tend to provide first-class support so that students never feel lost or alone during the e-learning process. However, online chat rooms, if provided, are another great resource for students seeking answers. Online chat rooms give students a forum to meet other students taking the same course and ask questions or discuss assignments. More than likely another student taking the course has had or will have the same question. If you need an immediate answer – do your best to find the answer yourself. You’ll likely satisfy other lingering questions in the process and often times the journey to the answer teaches you more than the answer itself.
Get What You Give
Remember that noncredit, continuing education and certificate courses are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for in-demand occupations. The more effort you put forth in these online courses to comprehend the lessons taught the more likely you are to succeed after the course is finished. Extra effort during the course will lead to an easier transition in your new positions or with your new responsibilities. E-learning has a lot to offer students who dedicate the time and focus to extracting everything the course has to offer.
Tags: College Tips, education, online collegePosted in College Tips, distance learning, online courses, online degree | No Comments »
Making a Stellar Online Essay
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Writing an entrance essay is one of the most important things that applicants must do in order to be admitted to the online college of their choice. Writing a stellar college admissions essay takes time. By following these basic steps, you’ll be able to craft a piece to be proud of.
Emphasize your strengths. The application essay is the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your strengths and explain any blemishes on your record. Many colleges ask students to write a separate essay that explains what sets them apart from the crowd. If you have an assignment like that, don’t be shy. Describe your many talents in a confident, non-boastful manner. If you have blemishes on your academic record such as poor grades or an expulsion, now is the time to own up to these issues. Explain any extenuating circumstances (such as dropping out due to a family tragedy). If there is no good excuse, explain what you’ve learned from your mistakes and why you’ll never make them again. Even if you are not assigned an essay about your strengths, you can demonstrate your talents in just about any assignment. “Show” the reader what your strengths are by setting up a scene. For example: In an essay about a defining moment in your life, you may want to “show” the reader how you’ve demonstrated leadership under stress. Don’t brag about it, just set the scene.
Edit your work. Once you’ve completed the application essay, let it set for a few days. Then, go back and edit your work. Taking a break will help you look at it with fresh eyes. Ask yourself: “Is there is anything I can change to make the essay more powerful?” Be sure to run spell check and analyze every sentence for grammatical mistakes. If your online school does not prohibit second party help, ask a former teacher or essay editing service for additional assistance.
Posted in Online College and University, online courses, online degree, online education | No Comments »
Getting Good Recommendation for Online College
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Online colleges rely heavily on the recommendation letters that they get from the applicants. This is due to the fact that if not most, all of online schools do not entail having to do face-to-face interviews. That is why it is very important that an applicant passes top-notch recommendation letters. If you come and think about it, the recommendations can either make or break your application. To ensure that you get good recommendations, follow these tips.
Draw a list of possible recommendation writers. You should sit down and think about who could be good sources of fine recommendations. You might want to consider the following people:
· former teachers
· current teachers
· counselors
· employers
Make the best choice. Make sure that the person/persons you will choose will write positive things about you. It is also important that the recommender is reliable with deadlines and a capable writer. Avoid people you have a more casual relationship with, as well as those who only know you on a superficial level. Remember: the most obvious choice isn’t always the best.
Observe measures established by the admission office. Before talking to your chosen recommender, find out what your school requires. If your school has strict procedures, make sure to communicate those with the recommender and make is as easy as possible to follow. For example, if the recommender must mail the letter, you will want to provide an addressed, stamped envelope.
Talk to the recommender directly. Don’t tell the writer your deadline for turning in the college recommendation letter. Instead, say: “I need the letter (or the letter must be mailed) by this date.” Set your must-have date at least three weeks before the school’s application deadline.
Give background information to the recommender. Include the following documents in the information: your college application essay, your personal statement, your resume, and a list of ways you are connected to the recommender (i.e. you were in the top 10% of his Calculus course). Highlight any information that is particularly important.
Send your thanks. Let him know how much you appreciate the time and effort that was spent on your behalf.
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