Is Open Content Set to Revolutionize Online Courses?

In a report by The Guardian today, Mandy Garner describes how European universities are on the verge of adopting an open content policy. She writes, "the Joint Information Systems Committee (Jisc) and the Higher Education Academy are launching a £5.7m pilot scheme to investigate the impact of open content and to look at issues of how to contextualise existing online material so anyone can make sense of it." So what does this mean for online courses, and higher education in general?

In simple terms, open content for education will mean that lectures and seminars will be available to anybody, instead of being available just to students of the institutions that produce it. As a consequence of this, the notion of online study will become more appealing for institutions and students alike because the best course content will be available to all, and comparable on a global level.

However, this could mean a lot more for higher education in general. Not only will the online content available be of a higher quality due to global competition, but traditional courses may also be inclined to start incorporating digital means into their structure more often. A likelihood that is backed up by the tendency for current traditional degrees to have their own intranets and forums where students can post work for peer assessment etc.

Unsurprisingly, open content for higher education is not a new thing. As Garner explains, "Universities in the Netherlands, for instance, have an open source initiative that is mainly in English. The University of Paris is also using open content and 800 educational resources from around 100 teaching units have been made available by 11 member universities of the ParisTech Open CourseWare Consortium."

However, what is perhaps even less surprising is that the USA has been ahead of the game of online education for years, "where thousands of courses have been made available by university-based projects, including MIT OpenCourseWare." Not only does it seem that the UK is behind in terms of deeming online learning as legitimate (US online courses are advertised on television), but we are also slacking compared to the rest of the world in terms of the accessibility of higher education.

Sarah Maple writes about adult education and home learning.

Online Accredited Degree - How to Apply For an Online Web Development Degree With Ease

Online Accredited Web Development Degrees have made an impact in online education. This is reason why there are many universities and colleges that offer this particular e-learning course for students from all around the world. If you have interest in building websites for personal or formal use, you might be considering to venture in a field of business that you really like. If you have experienced the pleasure of selling websites to other people (also known as website flipping), it is the time to improve your skills in developing new websites for your clients.

Therefore, you need to become a web developer. First you need to set lists of personal goals. It requires self-determination and persistence in order to complete your goals. Then start surveying for universities and colleges that offer this particular online course. The most easiest way to find it is via internet search engine. For instance, start doing a keyword search on "online accredited web development degree" by using Google search engine tool. Take your time on sorting information about the course requirements, tuition fees, schedule and so on and so forth.

Bear in mind that some institutions require candidates to sit for an entrance exam. In some cases, candidates are required to attend an interview. Therefore, you need to have enough preparation about web development basics including basic scripting languages like HTML, PHP, and Javascript. These particular information can be obtained on the internet as you can find many free resources in forums, blogs and social bookmarking sites like Digg and Del.icio.us.

If you want to be a web developer and you want to find top online accredited web development schools, visit WebDevelopmentOnlineCourse.com.

The Pros and Cons of an Online Education

Advantages of an Online Education

The option of getting an online education is a welcomed by many, particularly people who don't have easy access to a nearby college or university, or access to a school which offers the courses necessary to fill their particular needs.

Online educational opportunities are a real boon to students that travel frequently, or are in the military.

Many of us may have missed the opportunity to get our degrees during the traditional college years. Finances and family obligations may have curtailed opportunities.

Thankfully, easy access to online college degrees has given us our "second" chance.

Drawbacks of an Online Education

With all of its benefits, however, you need to be aware of some of the drawbacks to getting an online education.

First, make sure the school you are taking courses through is an accredited school that offers transferable credits. The Internet has opened up vast educational opportunities with many prestigious schools.

However, there are plenty less reputable schools that amount to nothing more than "diploma mills".

"Diploma Mills" give you credit for life experience, which is not recognized by state and federal laws. You can even "buy" a doctorate. So don't let a fancy website fool you.

Employers are well aware of these types of diplomas, and will check the accreditation of your degree.

If you're in doubt as to the school's reputation, check with U.S. Department of Education's Council of Higher Education Accreditation to ensure the courses they offer are accredited.

Time Management Skills

To be successful, make sure you can manage your time well. The flexibility of online courses is great, but if you're easily distracted, this type of schooling may not work for you.

It's all about self-discipline - the ability to work on your college courses and set aside time to study - even though there are a million other seemingly more important things to do.

Set Manageable Goals for Yourself

Goals help us to stay focused on our end goal. Remember if a project seems too big, break it down into more manageable, less intimidating steps. Complete a step, and move on to the next.

Staying organized and focused with the help of daily planners will help you to achieve your goals.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Online Bachelors Degree - Why You Should Get an Online Bachelors Degree

Are you frustrated by your job situation where you are putting in the hours and no tangible returns to talk about. If you do not have a bachelor's degree, be well advised about getting one, as this is now a prerequisite in any professional job without which you are likely to be given a big pass. Online bachelor's degree could be your springboard to a better salary; career and general well being as well as enabling you pursue higher degrees like masters and eventually doctorate degree. So do not be frustrated any more, it's time for an online bachelors degree.

To have a bachelor's degree releases you to reach higher, explore new horizons, enhance your career, and place you in an ideal position for a promotion or better opportunity in another company. A lack of a bachelor's degree obviously takes you the opposite way and leaves you without hope of progressing in your chosen career.

In your pursuit of higher education however, one must be careful about which institution he deals with and which programs he does choose. Choose a relevant course that is marketable and beneficial to you. There are several course offered online at bachelors level and if from well-credited colleges, will put you in good stead for progression. Online bachelors degrees were for many years shunned for being of inferior quality and indeed some states and companies have very strict laws on online degrees but now that is slowly fading as even very reputable colleges have introduced online bachelors degrees in the curriculum.

To get good courses, one should shop around thoroughly and ascertain the accreditation status of the college before joining. Yahoo search engines and many internet sites can help and on the same breath, I recommend this site, http://www.education-degreeonline.com. This website guides you through the process of enrolling for an online degree program. It has details and types of accredited degrees from which you can choose from as well more information about online learning.

I wanted an online bachelors degree. But finding the right place to apply online for a bachelors degree was a tedious job. I spent a lot of time on searching for resources that could help me apply to the right college. Finally I found online education review website that helped me apply to top colleges free of cost.

Real Degrees From Real Colleges on the Web - Really!

A national poll from 2006 revealed that only 60% of Americans believed that young people should be taught the value of hard work and studying. One writer commenting on this statistic tried to spin it positively, by revealing that the figure was less than 40% among Europeans. But there is one group today where just about 100% would support the notion of hard work and study - people who are working for an online college degree.

With the explosion of the "virtual world" of the Internet over the past decade and a half, we have witnessed the construction of a whole parallel world, except instead of brick and mortar and 2-by-4's, the buildings are made of bits, bytes and computer graphics. The grocery store down the street, the movie theater downtown and the bookstore at the mall all have counterparts, as well as competitors, in cyberspace. And now that colleges have made the move, people have a choice of sitting in class for two or four years or studying in a more flexible way, from home, to get an online college degree.

Brave new world, indeed.

Getting a college degree is not an easy thing to do, online or on campus. The research indicates that a person who goes to an online college for a degree is less likely to drop out, gets higher grades and has fewer disciplinary issues. These were the same findings some 30 years ago when an educational research group studied junior college students. Because they were older, more settled and knew what they wanted to do, junior college students, like today's online students, were more motivated, focused and, ultimately, successful in school.

There are economic and practical reasons that getting an online college degree is becoming a more popular option. People who previously could not afford college are finding lower-cost online alternatives. Parents of young children who could not get away even to a nearby campus can now study from home. Workers who had to keep their jobs and support families are scheduling their classes for evenings and weekends.

Online colleges, trade schools and training institutes have actually performed a remarkable public service by making higher education, in the form of an online college degree, available to more people. This in turn increases the talent pool available to American industry and, along with continuing technological advances, raises worker productivity, economic forecasts and, ultimately, the gross national product.

An educated populace is required for the survival of any free, prosperous nation. America is fortunate that, even though some 40% of the population no longer respects the value of hard work and study, there are enough people who do to keep us going and growing. Those are the kind of people who work hard, get an online college degree, get back to work - and then make a difference.

After founding his first security firm in 1990, Scott McQuarrie built several security-related companies into regional and national powerhouses over the ensuing years. Since 2000 he has focused his sales and marketing efforts on the Internet, which opened up a virtually unlimited, international market for his flagship product line, EZWatch Pro.

The EZWatch Pro brand has come to stand for world-class expertise in electronic security, video surveillance and the myriad technologies involved in both fields. From small houses to gigantic international airports, there is an EZWatch Pro solution to meet any and every residential, business, commercial and government security challenge.

Associate Degree Online

Degrees have become one of the most vital elements in personal development as well as career development. This has become quite essential in increasing the general ability of an economy to grow. Those who have these degrees in various fields feel proud to be part of an immensely important economy that helps people to earn and improve on their lives. One of the most prestigious degrees in the academia platform is the associate degree. Nowadays, one can earn this distinctive degree through an online program. As such it is possible to earn an associate degree online.

An associate degree is regarded as an academia based achievement accorded to a relevant body of maybe researchers. Associate degrees revolve around projects and studies in arts, science, political science, applied business and other key faculties. An associated degree is awarded by the University community once a successful completion of a certain course of two years has been successful. This makes associate degrees to be extremely acclaimed since they are an insignia of acknowledged and acclaimed achievement.

Nowadays, one can earn an associate degree online. This is through enrolling for an associate degree through an accredited university. Accredited degrees in these areas have been highly reputed. Ordinarily, the associate degree is an equivalent of the four years of university studies but takes two years. As such, earning an online associate degree would prove quite important, rewarding and a shot in the arm for the learner. One requires only enrolling for the course through these accredited institutions and subsequently learning as instructed and eventually finishing the two years of the associate program. Successful completion guarantees a degree out right. The degree in fact is not different from the traditional one has been used to in the university surroundings.

There are numerous online accredited universities and colleges offering these degree programs. Indeed they are the most convenient of most studies. The online associate degree program has in itself, both detail and all the necessary requirements to make one pass gallantly. Two, it improves his chances of gaining immense potential in the job market since he is highly regarded as a successful academician and one who can get results fast for a possible employer.

Are you looking forward to get an associate degree online, check out our detailed review and recommendation of online degree websites that would make the application process easier for you at http://www.education-degreeonline.com/

Adult Education - Why Should I Study Online?

The increasing variety and accessibility of adult education courses signify its undoubted growth in popularity. But when a student stops to consider whether taking an online degree is right for them, it can seem as easy to focus on the negative aspects of distance learning, such as lack of social interaction and the possibility of having to buy a new PC, as it is to focus on the many positive aspects. Here are some pros for distance learning that are not often discussed.

Although it is a little pessimistic to think so, in traditional university education few students believe that their tutors are judging them solely on the work they hand in. Race, gender and sexuality can all shape the perception and, at least, the initial judgement that teachers make of students, but when it comes to online education the risk of this happening is almost completely eradicated. The work that you submit is far more likely to be the only aspect of yourself you are judged for when undertaking education online.

Similarly, unlike a typical class or lecture scenario, learning online demands equal input from all students. Very often in traditional education, the students who are most assertive, outwardly eager and obviously engaged are the ones who achieve the best. With an online education program, the risk of the quieter or less assertive students being left behind is lessened because class discussions are less likely to be dominated by a loud few.

Studying online can also be seen as a great opportunity to brush up on your IT skills. Even if you choice of subject is not inherently computer related, taking an online education course can be the first steps to becoming proficient at word processing, using spreadsheets, using simple graphic based programs and learning how to get the most of the internet. And in consideration of the importance of IT skills in today's computer-orientated world, this seems a pretty handy side effect.

Online education can also be great for students who might have difficulty in explaining themselves verbally, but who can say exactly what they mean if they are given the time to put their thoughts into writing. Being part of an online virtual class affords you the time to do so.

Finally, it would seem that many prospective students underestimate exactly how much money they can save if they choose to study online and already have a computer at home. Not only will you save money from not having to commute or travel to a campus, but due to the added convenience of being able to study when you like, online learning is very easy to fit around your job.

Sarah Maple writes about home learning and online education