More Students Are Taking Online Courses For Online Degrees
Numbers of Online Degree Students Are On The Rise.
According to a report by The Sloan Consortium, the number of college students who are taking at least one course online is quickly rising in the United States. Annual totals were tallied in the fall of each year and the numbers show steady growth.
In the Fall of 2002, there were 1.6 million students registered taking online courses. In the Fall of 2003, the number of students registered taking online courses rose to 1.97 million. And the numbers rose again in the Fall of 2004 to 2.33 million students registered and taking online courses here in the US.
With these numbers we can project that there is an estimated 370,000 new students every year since 2002 taking college courses online. Bringing those numbers up to date, we find that come the Fall of 2008, there will be an estimated 3.44 million college students attending online courses, in virtual and online classes, getting online degrees.
One of the nation’s very best online education institutions is The University of Phoenix. In fact, University of Phoenix happens to be the nation’s largest private, accredited university. UOP was founded in 1976. The school has been in operation for over thirty years now! University of Phoenix is known for providing relevant, real-world education to working adults.
If you have serious interest in getting your online degree, it is well worth looking into University of Phoenix. There are campus locations and learning centers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Alberta and British Columbia, for those interested in supplementing the classroom for online courses. And, the internet courses are available across North America. University of Phoenix is for serious degree-seeking students.
Skype and Online Courses: The Evolution of the Online Education Experience
The really cool thing in online education now is that we are finding the introduction of audio and video into the course work.
What we are not discussing here are audio files that are shared and downloaded or streamed to the student, or video files which can be viewed online as part of online coursework. These technologies are certainly available and are a part of the online education coursework. But that is not what we are talking about…
We are talking about Skype! We are talking about live, real time video and audio conferencing during class time in an online course. Today, we are able to skype and be there either by voice, or by both voice and video, brought into the virtual classroom in real time, online. Now, it is actually just like being there, in the moment, in the virtual classroom, and in deed we are…
Though we may be thousands of miles apart at class time, at the same time we are online and in the presence of one another and able to react to the discussion together and share ideas, debate, and have greater impact and absorption of the lecture from the instructor.
Today, the classroom is really happening wherever “you” need it to take place; and we, as students, are able to interact with the instructor and all the other students in our online classes, just like we would in the traditional classroom. As this technology revolutionizes the way we attend classes online, we are evolving the very foundations of education. Skype is the next movement in bringing the video conference into the online class experience.
Individually, classmates are now able to use the video conference as the way to have study groups and individual study sessions outside of class time. The computer video camera is nothing new, but the technology of Skype has taken the video conference or video call to the next level. Skype is software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service are free of charge. Skype is not just freeware for the masses; it does have a profit component. The other services of Skype are that calls to landlines and cell phones can be made for a fee, a smaller fee than traditional telephone companies. Additional features in Skype include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.
So, the Skype technology is not necessarily brand new… video conferencing has been around for many years now. But, the difference between previous versions of video conferencing available through private business including Microsoft and Apple and other companies is that the main difference between Skype and standard VoIP and video is that Skype operates on a peer-to-peer model rather than the more usual client-server model. The Skype user directory is entirely decentralized and distributed among the nodes of the network —i.e., users’ computers— which allows the network to scale very easily to large sizes (currently about 240 million users) without a complex centralized infrastructure costly to the Skype Group.
With Skype, the user does not have to join MSN or Apple in any way. You don’t have to become a member of any network. You don’t have to subscribe or be forced to share your personal information in any way. All you have to do is download the software, get a video camera and headset for your computer and you are up and running.
This means, students can get the software for free with an online download, and get the hardware from any WalMart, Target, or Best Buy at a nominal cost, and then may be able to experience class and study sessions that are more convenient than going to college has ever been! The technology is truly svelte and sleek and easy to use. It is peer to peer and does not require a great deal of set-up. It is easy and affordable and it has revolutionized online education!
With Soaring Gas Prices and the Need to Compete, Students are Opting for Online Degrees!
More and more students are going to school online.
Now that the economy is in such dire straits, and the gas prices are soaring to record highs, the workforce is still looking to improve their resumes and skills sets but needs to find the way that makes the most sense and saves them the most money!! So, current students, and those going back to school, are getting online degrees. They are choosing to go to school via online programs and online classes. Students are getting their degrees online!
The most popular courses in online degree programs right now are:
- AAHCA - Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration
- AACJ - Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
- AAPSY - Associate of Arts in Psychology
- AAB - Associate of Arts in Business
- BSCJA - Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
- AAHCA/MR - Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration-Medical Records
- CONT-ED - Continuing Teacher Education
- AAEE - Associate of Arts in Elementary Education
- BSED/E - Bachelor of Science in Education / Elementary Education**
- AAACC - Associate of Arts in Accounting
So, what is apparent, right now, is that as a workforce we still need to develop our skill sets and resumes with new degrees, especially in today’s detracted economy where competition for jobs is intense. When this fact is combined with higher and higher gas prices, we find the solutions in the form of staying local and staying home. Everyone in America is traveling less now, and any ways in which we can save money are being embraced.
Online degrees are a sensible choice in today’s economic climate. The workforce is able to increase the value of the individual as a skilled employee; and the individual is able to better his or her position by getting a new degree, by being in control of their busy schedules through the attendance of courses online, conveniently from home, and moreover by being able to save money from travel and gas expenses.
The Next New Class… CCSI-360 Computer Ethics
I started a new online class with DeVry University. This time, I am taking an Ethics course.
As with most of DeVry’s programs, all of my courses have been offered as online classes, meaning I can take my courses anywhere, anytime. I’ve been able to get the same great education online, taught by the same great faculty as in the classroom. What’s been the difference? Classes starts whenever I’m ready. And I never have to leave home to be there.
This online ethics course is great. CCSI-360 Computer Ethics. What is this course all about? Computer Ethics explores the nature and social impact of computer technology. This course explores the corresponding formulation and justification of governmental and organizational policies for ethical uses of such technology.
The DeVry Computer Ethics Online Course addresses the legal, ethical and sociological concerns about the ubiquity of computer software and hardware, as well as concerns about the proliferation and pervasive nature of computer networks.
It is proving to me that I can study the high brow ideals, as well as the down to earth real world philosophical impacts, of what ethics is all about in life and the workplace. I see how ethics applies to my job and I am taking it into consideration every day. I like that I am able to bounce Ideas off of the other students, have real and significant conversation, without having to sit in a class room. I truly love that I am able to take challenging classes at my own pace, on my own time, and right from my virtual classroom at home!
After I finish this class, I have just a few more courses to finish this online degree. When I am finished with this… I plan to go on to University of Phoenix for the University of Phoenix Project Management Certificate Degree online.
