Going to school online? (Full Version)

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SuperSandyB -> Going to school online? (6/22/2009 12:43:55 AM)

Hi all. Well most of my schooling for the past few years has been online. I have been taking classes here and there and right now I'm studying to be a medical biller and coder, and in the fall I am taking more classes toward my A.A in web design. Does anyone else take online classes? I am excited about my studies but it poses its own challenges, like having the discipline to complete your work and sometimes your family can be distracting when you're trying to study for a final. [X(]



fiery -> RE: Going to school online? (6/22/2009 9:28:54 PM)

Hi Sandy! I've learned online but not through formal training, more like via small tutorials and such, rather than work related. I can sympathize about trying to get work done when you have to motivate yourself and keep family at bay, since I work from home. Just tell them to leave you alone and scowl a lot. Or get a lock for your door or study in the library instead.  :D



ChristineB -> RE: Going to school online? (6/23/2009 9:45:07 AM)

Thats' what I do, lock the office door.  I am lucky though because the little guy doesn't do stairs and my office is on the 2nd floor, lol.  Those days will end soon but for now it's helpful.



SuperSandyB -> RE: Going to school online? (6/24/2009 2:44:48 AM)

Christine it's good that you can quarantine yourself off for the time being. [:(] My apartment is super small...my mom said that my apartment is a "straight shot." Literally 10 steps from the front door to the kitchen to the bedroom and back. lol. So sometimes I just have to give lil' one a bunch of toys and cartoons and coloring to distract her. I just keep my eyes on the prize...I won't be in school forever afterall. :)



ChristineB -> RE: Going to school online? (6/24/2009 12:10:51 PM)

Eye on the prize is key!  And they probably go to bed fairly early too so you must have that time.  I know though, easier said than done to get motivated at a late hour...hang in there!



fiery -> RE: Going to school online? (6/27/2009 12:52:51 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SuperSandyB

Christine it's good that you can quarantine yourself off for the time being. [:(] My apartment is super small...my mom said that my apartment is a "straight shot." Literally 10 steps from the front door to the kitchen to the bedroom and back. lol. So sometimes I just have to give lil' one a bunch of toys and cartoons and coloring to distract her. I just keep my eyes on the prize...I won't be in school forever afterall. :)


Good for you, Sandy. You have a great attitude there! I'm sure you'll do wonderfully. :) When mine was small I was fond of working on things when he slept. Nowadays I work better and get more done in the late evening and the wee hours of the morning than I do all day sometimes, simply because the house is totally quiet. I've never been a morning person at all, mind you, even as a kid.

Do you work outside the home too and need to fit that in? A lot of what I'd suggest on what you can do to make it work depends on how much flexibility you have in your schedule . Even getting a family member or trusted friend babysit a few hours and take the wee one to their place would help. With kids in the house, you always have one ear open for what they're doing  as well and can never be as fully focused or productive as you can be when you're alone.



fiery -> RE: Going to school online? (6/27/2009 1:02:03 PM)

As an aside, anyone interested in expanding their mind some more and doing it for free can check out the free online courses available at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). These are in depth and don't cost a penny. You don't even need to register. There are dozens there I would love to try! At last count there were 1900 courses available.

http://www.frugalcottage.com/free-online-courses-from-mit





Marlon Jewel -> RE: Going to school online? (7/2/2009 5:00:48 AM)

Tech or AA degrees, online is perfectly fine. Bachelors and up, then no. There are some real schools out there that have online programs, but they're not exactly the same. They either make you get admitted the normal way and then choose to take online courses, or they're designed for a crowd that's not of the same caliber as their regular day students.


Tail Coats



fiery -> RE: Going to school online? (7/2/2009 9:58:25 PM)

Strange choice of words there, Marlon. "A crowd that's not of the same caliber as their regular day students." Sounds like you're saying unless you go to college full time you're not of the same caliber as day students and if you study online your qualification isn't any good? Sorry but I disagree.

Let's look at some facts. NorthEastern University for example offers online and campus based degrees.

quote:

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston, and a leader in interdisciplinary research, urban engagement, and the integration of classroom learning with real-world experience. Our signature cooperative education program, one of the largest and most innovative in the world, is ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. We offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in six undergraduate colleges, eight graduate schools, and two part-time divisions.


http://www.northeastern.edu/neuhome/aboutnortheastern/index.html

Sound pretty impressive to me. Not like somewhere that would offer substandard online degrees that are inferior to campus attained ones. And they don't.

quote:
Are Northeastern University Online courses accredited? 
All Northeastern University Online programs and courses are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.  
Is the quality of online courses the same as campus-based courses?
Online courses are held to the same high standard as our campus-based courses, and are taught by experienced instructors who are scholars and industry leaders. All of our online discussions are designed so students feel connected with the instructor and with other students. Discussion boards and interactive tools help students feel they are a part of a dynamic learning experience, just as in a traditional campus-based course.

Does a degree earned online differ from a degree earned in campus-based courses from the Northeastern University?

A degree earned by taking online courses is a Northeastern University degree - there is no difference. Your diploma is exactly the same as that of a campus-based student.

Are the policies and procedures for online courses the same as for campus-based courses?
The policies and procedures for online courses are the same as for campus-based courses (i.e. registering, withdrawing, prerequisites, course requirements, etc.).


http://www.northeastern.edu/online/about-us-faqs.asp

No difference. None. Each has equal value and there are no lesser entry requirements for online students.

In fact if anything I'd say achieving an online one should carry more weight with an employer because most people who study online are also trying to care for a family and/or work full time, not goofing off in a uni bar. Employers should be scrambling to get staff who can juggle all that!




ChristineB -> RE: Going to school online? (7/3/2009 8:11:38 AM)

I think you're right Kay.  Maybe a few years back the online classes weren't equal, but I think they have more than proved that they are equal these days.  Lots of colleges, even big colleges like UMass offer courses and degrees, like Umass without walls, where people that are not able to attend the "traditional" way can still persue higher education.



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