Archive for February, 2012

Top ten things to consider for distance learning

Top ten things to consider for distance learning

The first and most critical consideration for distance learning is to do a self-assessment of your educational goals.

  • What do you want to accomplish?
  • Are you just beginning your education or are you adding on to your present degree?
  • Are you seeking an advanced degree?
  • Are you just trying a course or two to see if you can do distance learning with the idea that you might continue toward a degree?

 

The next part of your self-assessment should include your strengths and weaknesses. Distance learning is much different from attending on campus college classes. You must be a self-starter.

Ask yourself:

  • Do I have the discipline to set my own time and focus on my course work without letting other distractions crowd out my time?
  • How computer literate am I?
  • How social am I on the Internet?
  • Do I use emails, chat rooms and discussion groups because this is how I will interact with other class members and my teacher?

The next step is to search for an accredited, reputable school. You don’t want to spend years on a degree only to find that employers consider it worthless. One place to start is with the SOCCOAST website. It was set up for military returnees but it offers good information for anyone interested in distance learning. This is a consortium of colleges and universities that have agreed on specific guidelines for degree programs. Here are two of the important points. They will evaluate you after completion of six hours of course work (two courses) and set out a specific degree program for you to follow. They will accept transfer credits without reevaluation. The site lists participating two year and four-year colleges. You can match this list with any list you may have for distance learning.

If you are seeking a degree, the next step is to be specific about your major course of study. Your major will determine how many core credits you will take in your major field. Often students fail to check their major courses carefully and end up taking unnecessary and costly courses. On this same topic you should research the course requirements for any state or federal licenses you are seeking. For example, if you’re looking to become a CPA, you should check those requirements for your state and national certification. The course requirements may vary from your degree program courses. Be sure to take these courses as electives.

There are several different kinds of distance learning. Some are print based and you do most of the work via email. Others offer audio and still others offer audio and video. Here you would interact via teleconference, one-way video and two-way audio/video tapes. When choosing a college, be sure to find out answers to which mode of learning you will receive.

Another set of questions would include the degree of flexibility for completing courses. Some set deadlines for completion as the normal 16- week time span. Others give you several months, even up to two years to finish. Some give you unlimited time.

Finally, find out the fee schedule, including special charges for registering. Some colleges require that you spend some time on campus to compete your degree. Find out if you will have any such requirements and what that percentage that will be.

imagecredit: © lightpoet – Fotolia.com

New Jersey: the Garden State

New Jersey: the Garden State

New Jersey was one of the original thirteen colonies. Today, it is known for providing easy access to the ocean for the people who live in the almost entirely landlocked state of Pennsylvania. Atlantic City offers visitors to the state the excitement of Las Vegas. The climate around Atlantic City is the same as the climate in the rest of the Mid-Atlantic. Visitors can expect to experience muggy weather in the summer and cool weather in the Winter. The weather during the Spring and Fall can change rapidly.

Because the garden state is located in the Mid-Atlantic states, a visitor can expect to see pleasant foliage in the fall. The leaves will change many different colors. Apple orchards and farms may offer haunted hayrides during Halloween. A user can expect to find this throughout most of the United States. Vacations do not focus on the aspects a person can find anywhere or even near a tourist’s home. The best vacations give the user something unique. An experience the visitor cannot get somewhere else. New Jersey is not far from the Poconos or New York. If a person plans an extended trip he can go hiking, skiing or even take on a Broadway show.

New Jersey also played a key role in the American revolution. Few battles took place in the state, although when Washington crossed the Delaware River, he was preparing to face the British troops. Great Britain controlled the state for most of th war, by crossing the Delaware river and heading to Trenton he freed the colony that would become the third state to enter the Union from British influence.

Natural beauty fans will find plenty to do in New Jersey. They can walk along the beach, go hiking in the woods or go camping in one of the many state parks. People who hunt may find that the state offers plenty of game.

If a person planning at trip to New Jersey wants to know what the state has to offer, he can request a brochure from the state\’s department of tourism. The brochure will tell the reader everything there is to know about the state as a vacation spot.

imagecredit: © Samuel Borges – Fotolia.com