Online Education: A Technological Advance On An Ancient Practice

8 Pages 1997 Words

Online Education

“The next big killer application for the internet is going to be education. Education over the internet is going to be so big it is going to make e-mail usage look like a rounding error.” John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, stated this about online education as it has been making its way up the learning scale. (Larson 265) Many people are taking the “cyber plunge” and exploring what virtual education has to offer. The benefits and financing of online education are very appealing to prospective students as well as the interaction gained from these courses. The instructors are also finding the e-learning experience an easy and fun way to educate. This new wave of technology is the blockbuster of education.
How might one search for finding the perfect online course for them? Researching about the online course offered at a specific university is recommended first. One needs to check if an accrediting association has accredited the course and if it meets the typical standards of a regular classroom. Once the research has been made and approved by the student, one can go to the university’s website and select information on the courses offered. Many universities dedicate an area of their website to online courses and information about them. (Siegle 30) Now that the easy part has passed, it’s time to prepare for the class. Many classes have syllabuses and guidelines for the student to refer to so that he or she can get acquainted with the unfamiliar way of learning. Jumping into an online course is scary, but once the water has been tested, it’s easy to learn how to paddle someone’s way through. “[Online education] requires a lot of motivation,” says Vicky Phillips, CEO of GetEducated.com. “Students think that online education is easy because you can study anytime anyplace…but it often becomes no time no place.” (Pena 76) This quote is relevant to the amount of time and self-motivation the s...