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Grab the Online Advantage

By Wendy Croix
Learning & Life Columnist

Grab the online advantage, and you'll be glad you did. Online education has never been so accessible; whether you're only ready for an online class in a subject you love, or you're prepared to plunge into a full scale degree program. Either way, here are the top five reasons why sooner is better than later.

1. You can access an amazing range of programs online. From certification to 2-year, 4-year, and graduate degrees, the variety of degree options today will surprise you. If you can't choose, online advisors will help you find the perfect career fit.



2. You'll work with today's technology. What could be better than training with the virtual and computer technologies you'll eventually use?
3. You can work on your own schedule. You'll be able to use your time efficiently and flexibly, studying after work or when your kids are asleep. Fully 95% of today's online courses are self-paced, so you can progress at your own rate, even if it's warp speed.
4. You'll find a new social life. You won't work in isolation, even if you're home alone when you take online courses. E-mail and chat rooms, along with conferencing and collaboration, will help you get to know your classmates. Another plus you'll discover is that online students help each other learn.
5. You won't have to give up your day job. Until you're ready for your new one, that is. Most students who prefer online degrees say they can't sacrifice their jobs for full-time campus study. You won't waste money and time commuting either. In fact, online education may be the cost effective option for many students.

Online education is rapidly gaining acceptance with educators, employers, and the public. As a result, existing programs are growing, while new programs are offered all the time. Since you can enroll in an online course whenever you want to, what are you waiting for?

Sources

• "The Degree's in the E-mail," by Margaret O. Kirk. Philadelphia Daily News (Nov 07, 2005).
• "Going the Distance," by Sherry Reuter and Rosalind E. Schwartzberg. Applied Clinical Trials. Oct 2004
• "Online-Education Survey Finds Unexpectedly High Enrollment Growth," by Scott Carlson. Chronicle of Higher Education (26 Nov 05).
• "Secrets of Online Success: Lessons from the Community Colleges," by Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti. Distance Education Report (1 Jun 2005).

About the Author
Wendy Croix, Ph.D. is a freelance writer, cultural critic and university professor. In her twenty years as a professional educator, Wendy has guided hundreds of students toward the careers of their dreams.

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