When searching for distance learning programs, you might think your choices boil down Google, Google, Google. However, youd be wrong: you have more choices than you think. In fact, depending on what you want, the search engine of your choice could be exactly the wrong method to use.
First of all, it helps if you know what you want to study. That covers what subject, to what level, and for what purpose.
Is it for pleasure, or better job prospects?
Is it an academic subject like math or English, or is it hobby-related, such as journaling, creative writing, or scrap booking?
Offline sources:Magazines and Newspapers
Once you have those questions covered (and 'Im not sure' is a perfectly good answer, because you dont know whats available at this stage), a very good offline source of answers is your magazine store. Head for the section covering the subject youre interested in, and go to the classifieds. There's likely to be details of online courses offered. A quick survey in my local store revealed courses in languages, interior design, memory improvement and chiropody, for example.
Online sources (1): Search engines and indexes
You know this one: you navigate to the entry window of your favorite search engine or index, and type in something like 'distance learning programs', 'online courses', or 'online classes' followed by the word or phrase that sums up your subject. You get the first ten results from millions of pages which contain those words somewhere (usually not together!). You need to do a thorough research job, because you will get blog entries, news items and other paraphernalia touching upon but not directly relevant to what you want. The pages containing details of courses (and where you can enroll for them) are mingling in there somewhere -- you just have to be patient and search. If you want an example, just try entering the letters TEFL, and see how many entries you get for teaching English as a foreign language.
Online sources (2): Newsletters, ezines and specialist sites
These are good for hobbies and interests, but also sometimes for more academic or work-related themes. Many are also affiliated to distance learning programs, or are occasionally sponsored by them. (This does mean that the site makes a small profit when you buy following their link, but the money helps keep the newsletter going. You might feel there may be more courses to choose from though, so don't necessarily stop your search here.) The way to find them is to type 'newsletter' or 'ezine' plus the word or phrase that best sums up your subject. Once you find a few, visit their sites, and follow not only the links to the courses, but also links to related sites, because there might be details of different courses there.
Online sources (3): The establishment itself.
This one applies when youre perhaps more interested in the prestige of a degree from a particular establishment, such as one of the Ivy League Universities. Or you dont trust the label 'accredited' (though theres no reason not to). Or you find what you want in a general search engine trawl, but you didnt spot the name of certain bricks-and-mortar colleges or universities you know about. So you type a university name followed by 'online classes', 'online courses' or 'distance learning programs' and the subject name, and see what comes back.
You may get nothing reasonable, in which case try deleting the subject name (in case they call it by another name, such s 'Hispanic Studies' instead of 'Spanish'). If you still cant find what you want, you could email the establishment to see if they have any recommendations. (It could be that they act as an accreditation body, effectively guaranteeing the quality of learning of a smaller educational body or college. The online classes will be every bit as good as those offered in the real world by the university or college.)
Online sources (4): Forums
Our final source of information about online courses are online forums. Theyre great places to ask questions of any kind related to the subject youre interested in studying. That includes questions about recommended courses.
So there you have it: five places to find out where you can take online classes. Happy studying!
Roger White helps you get clear about the hows, wheres, and whys of learning. For more details about choosing online courses and distance learning programs, go to http://www.DistanceLearning4All.com now!
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