How Online Learning WorksA Brief History of Online LearningOnline education, also known as distance learning or web-based learning, is not as new as you might think. The origins of distance learning can be traced back to a British man by the name of Sir Isaac Pitman. In 1840, Pitman advertised a correspondence course in the penny press and within five years had 10,000 customers across the British Empire taking shorthand lessons by mail. By 1926, there was an established market for mail-order education in the United States, with some 300 private correspondence schools in operation. Late in the century, distance education really took off as a result of emerging video and CD-ROM technologies. But it was the development of the Internet, a new universal medium of interaction, which really fueled the evolution of online education. E-learning is clearly here to stay - according to IDC, the U.S. corporate market for online learning is projected to grow from $2.2 billion in 2000 to $11 billion by 2003. The Demand for Online LearningThe main drive behind the growth of online education is its nontraditional student body. The Internet is making it possible for students with families, full-time jobs or other responsibilities to earn a college degree without sacrificing the amount of time or money needed for a traditional brick-and-mortar degree. Online education allows working adults to enhance their professional skills sets without giving up their current jobs. Increasing numbers of corporations are also looking to the Web to meet basic employee-training needs. It used to be that education was something you pursued before you took your first full-time job, but in the new economy, learning is a lifelong enterprise. Online Learning FormatsOnline education programs are generally offered in one of two main formats - synchronous or asynchronous. During a Synchronous class, all students "meet" at a predetermined time and are led through the lesson by a live instructor. In this environment students have the ability to collaborate in real-time, while the class takes place. They can interact with each other and privately with the teacher via online chat sessions and, in some cases, live video or audio conferencing. Pros of Synchronous learning:
Cons of Synchronous learning:
Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, does not require attendance of a scheduled class. Students learn at their own pace and do not meet with other students on a scheduled basis. Students can interact, however, by using email and online discussion boards. Pros of Asynchronous learning:
Cons of Asynchronous learning:
Online classes compensate for a lack of face-to-face classroom discussion by using an array of technical tools. Students communicate using e-mail, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and instant massaging. Depending on the university you choose, you'll be attending class in some type of virtual classroom derived from special e-learning software. These software programs integrate text chat and bulletin boards so that students and teachers all use the same methods of communication. Some may also include streaming audio and video. Just as in a traditional class, students will be encouraged and often required to work in groups to solve problems. Teachers must also translate their traditional activities into web-based equivalents - internet office hours, checking on student progress by visiting bulletin boards and responding to student inquiries via email and online chat. The Technology of Online EducationAll of the online universities require that their students have a suitable computer, web browser and Internet connection in order to participate in their online degree programs. Please note that the specific requirements for these three components vary from school to school. However, in general we would recommend:
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