Education Articles from College Matching Service

When you make the decision to go to an online college, it’s not always easy to have a space for yourself, especially if you have a family or a small home. It may be that there’s a work area around there, but then your kids or relatives keep bugging you around and such. Here are some guidelines that will assist you on deciding how to design and set-up a home office area just for online learning!

Find some space. If possible, try to dedicate a whole room to your new library or home office. Otherwise, it may be easier just creating a dual-purpose room like a guest room and home office, or setting up a home office area within an unused portion of the house (like the attic or basement). Make sure your room has a door that closes; this will help cut down on noise and interruptions (like the people passing by behind your back). By identifying a specific area or room as your home office, it sends a clear message: “When I am in here, it is because I am studying.”

Pick a quiet location. Road traffic is noisy, so try to pick a room that does not have a window facing a main thoroughfare. The kitchen is also a hotspot for noise: clanging dishes and pans; cupboards swinging shut; the refrigerator door being opened and shut. You may not notice small or repetitive noises now, but when you are reviewing for an exam or drafting a 15-page paper, these little distractions can have a big impact on your concentration.

About Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a premier technical university offering a broad range of degrees in fields such as computer science, business, information technology, health services, and management.

For convenience, Colorado Technical University offers campuses located throughout the Midwest in the United States and a popular online college that offers a plethora of online degrees for students who are interested in distance learning.

Accreditation

Colorado Technical University or CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This independent corporation was founded in 1895 and is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Is CTU Right For You?

Colorado Technical University structures its programs and degrees around the idea that their students will be going from graduation directly into the industry. They provide valuable mentoring to students graduating from their university to help them achieve success through networking and job placement.

A few facts about CTU:

• Outcome-focused Degree Programs
  The programs and degrees are a direct reflection of the need for career-motivated professionals
• Education From Almost Anywhere
  Campus locations and a robust online campus that offers access to mentors, chat with instructors, join clubs, apply for financial aid, and network with other class members.
• Enhance Your Resume With Academic Certificates
• Commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces
  CTU is a DANTES-affiliated university and member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College.

Paying For Your Education

Finding ways to pay for your education can sometimes determine which college you attend. Colorado Technical University takes financial aid very seriously. They offer a financial advisor dedicated solely to helping their current and prospective students develop an education plan that fits into their budget.

By developing a financial plan from the start of your education to the finish, the financial projections will let you know exactly what you can expect to pay for your education. It will also solve the problem of how you are going to pay for your education by exploring options such as scholarships, federal student loans, private student loans, government assistence, grants, federal grants, and many other opportunities for students to get money for their education.

Most importantly, their financial advisor will help you secure monies for your education.

College,…so many choices? Where to go? What to study? How to apply?

Flashback to 1964, the year that President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. An Act of Congress that would prohibit discrimination of race, religion, national origin or gender. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 gave all citizens the right to enter libraries, parks, public restrooms, theaters and schools.

The prospect of schools being segregated today, seems unconscionable. But segregation of schools was once a commonplace happenstance. The aftermath of the famed lawsuit, Brown v Board Of Education deemed that “segregated public schools were ‘inherently’ unequal and therefore unconstitutional.” The “separate but equal” aspects of life that once applied to so many for almost a century, suddenly became a societal bias many were not prepared to dismiss. With time, the racial playing field would find a better balance. But undoubtedly, the cultural damage created by racial inequality had been recorded in history.
Fast forward to 2009. Where higher education choices available seem endless.

College,…so many choices? Where to go? What to study? How to apply?

When choosing an institution to further our life’s studies, we often forget the historical events and individuals that never had the privilege to choose a specific scholastic environment. The Civil Rights Act, opened up a Pandora’s Box of possibilities to numerous individuals who were previously denied an education of their choice, simply because of their race or ethnicity.

College,…so many choices? Where to go? What to study? How to apply?

It is remarkable to live in a world today, that makes it possible to share thoughts within a sightless, non discriminating universal forum,…the Internet. Surfing the web, has become the new ‘Civil Rights’ foundation for higher education. Scholastic possibilities on the Internet are countless. Dreams can now become realities, simply by clicking “send!”

There are online institutions that can further anyone’s education from the comfort of home. Age, race, religion, gender, and disabilities aside, no one can be discriminated against for seeking a higher education. Scholarships and financial aid are available to online institutions, just like any other university with a campus.

The beauty of online studies, is that working individuals, and parents can accentuate what they do best,…”multi task!” Having a family, and a job often become part of the online educational equation in fulfilling dreams. Reflecting back on history, one can appreciate the struggles that so many endured. But today, in 2009, the Epiphany of the Civil Rights Act reaches a colorless, faceless conclusion in the wondrous ‘surf’ of the web!!!

The Ostrich Pandemic.

Across the globe parents go through the same challenging dilemma of making sacrifices to increase the likelihood that their children will have a good education and future career success. The world wide community of parents wants to feel that the influence they instill in their children will be the underpinnings for which their children will use to make good decisions throughout their lives.

Now we have been hit with the “Ostrich Pandmic!” The world wide trend of Parental Units going through life with their heads in the sand!!! Mothers and fathers who overlook the same “rights of passage“, that we all experienced in our youth. It is the tri-fecta of issues that work the same around the world just to varying degrees, drugs, sex and alcohol moving from generation to generation.

Kids have to learn on their own.

Kids have to move through their own social circles and get exposed to peer pressure. It is important that they make the correct choices. No one is immune to the influences of the tri-fecta when moving from adolescence to adulthood. Parents think that their child is special, innocent, balanced and too smart for these distractions. Those who stay up late to finish their school work and dream about the day they will get to pick a college.

The speed of the internet and our technology driven generation has moved us faster than anyone’s expectations. Kids are in constant contact with each other through text, email, IM, facebook, twitter and even the old fashioned cell phone.

Now we get to my studious, athletic and popular 17 year old daughter. My pride, my dilemma. I have shared with her the dangers from my youth and the “rites of passage” that I once went through. The challenges and values that confront us when we have to make the right choices. Trust is key, and a value that I have instilled as key to integrity.

Trust And Integrity.

I had not foreseen the possibility that I would reach a time when I could no longer trust my own child. A seemingly innocent afternoon of baking brownies with her friends… how could it turn into a night mare of “marijuana infused confections.” Followed by a car ride home, under the influence of one of life’s “rites of passage!” Now what am I supposed to do with her? Having given my child my complete trust, and a long leash of freedom in the past. I must now reign her in and evaluate her choices and her future, just when we both thought that time was coming to an end. With my head now held high above the sand, the consequences of my child’s poor decisions must now be addressed.

As a parent we want to believe that plugging all of the possibilities into life’s equation will produce the wisdom we need to guide our children properly. With college rapidly approaching as the next chapter in my child’s journey, like so many other “head in the sand, parental units,” I want to place my offspring in a safe and productive environment.

So how do I decide?

Choosing a venue of higher education for my daughter will no doubt be a life altering experience. But today, the higher education possibilities, teamed with high tech technology offer a “Pandora’s Box” of opportunities that were not afforded to the “Ostrich Pandemic” Generation. Online Education has taken higher education globally. With the economy taking an economic downward turn for so many, the prospect of an online education and a reduced housing and tuition bill has a new appeal to many. Not to mention, the ability to allow today’s youth some additional ‘home time’ to evolve within the fast pace of the high tech world adds additional food for thought.

In a traditional classroom, you meet your fellow students and faculty and create a real community; even it’s only for the length of the class. You notice when your classmates look upset or even who is there and who is absent. That’s part of the community; it makes you feel connected, and it is one of the more enjoyable aspects of college life. But can you get that feeling as an online student? The answer is yes and here’s how!

Share a little personal information. It can be about your family (Are you married? Do you have children? Any pets?) and your life (Think favorite hobbies, professional interests, top five movies, etc.) in either your bio page or the introduction post. If you are able to post a photo, do so. (Hint: Most course management systems reside behind a firewall so only your classmates, your professor and some of the administrators have access to this information and they are required by law to not share personal information, so it’s a safe environment.)

Remember that your other classmates are in the same situation. You are not the only one who feels some sense of isolation. Just like in a classroom, some people are shy and some are outgoing. It just takes one person to do a little reaching out to create a community and you can be that person. (Hint: Even if you are a little shy, you don’t have to speak to get a community started online.)

Find a buddy. In the beginning of the online class, find someone you’d like to get to know better and start up an email conversation with them. It’s good to have a buddy in the class and it will help reduce your isolation. Keep your initial e-mail short and let the receiver know in the Subject line that you are from the same class. (Hint: If one person does not respond, find another person to e-mail.

Since most online schools do not require in-person interviews, admissions officials pay particular attention to the college recommendation letter. Your college recommendation letter will be used to evaluate your strengths and determine whether or not you’re a good fit for the school. This article will show you how to choose an effective writer and submit a persuasive college recommendation letter.

Make a list of potential recommendation letter writers. Before asking anyone to write your college recommendation letter, take the time to consider all of your choices.

Choose the best. Review your list and choose the person that will write the best college recommendation letter. You should be 100% certain that the person selected will write positively about you.

Follow the admissions office procedures. Each online college sets its own standards for the delivery of admissions letters. Some require recommenders to mail the letters directly to school offices; some require prospective students to mail the letters in sealed envelopes with their applications.

Ask the recommender in-person or over the phone. If you live near the writer, it is best to ask in-person. If not, take the time to ask in a personal phone call.

Send the recommender helpful information. Once the letter writer agrees, give him a small packet of information that he can use when writing the college recommendation. This will help him remember your strengths and give him some material to work with.

Remind your letter writer of the deadline. As the recommender’s deadline nears, send a friendly note reminding him that the letter is needed.

Follow-up with a thank-you note. Once the writer completes your college recommendation letter, follow-up with a formal, hand-written thank-you note.

The first week in an online class can be a little disorienting. New students must learn to navigate a virtual “classroom,” interact with their peers and professors without actually seeing them face-to-face, and balance their assignments with their everyday lives. These tips can help you succeed in your online class from the moment you begin:

Determine if you’re in over your head. Take a look at the course requirements and your personal schedule – then, decide if you can really handle the workload. Can you balance the course work with your family and career? Are the required assignments at your level? Are you really dedicated to finishing the online course? Too many distance learning students enroll in online courses and drop out after a month or so. Don’t blemish your record with an “F” or a “W.” If you decide to dropout before your online school’s withdrawal deadline, you can usually get a full or partial refund of your tuition, as well as a clean record.

Buy any required texts. If your online course requires textbooks or other materials, buy them early so you won’t fall behind on your assignments. Don’t feel that you have to pay full price at the online school’s bookstore. There are plenty of ways to get your required readings at a fraction of the price.

Update your computer. Check the course syllabus to see what software or hardware you will need. You may need to install programs (such as Acrobat Reader or Real Player) in order to access the multimedia components of your course. Using this week to make sure your computer can run the necessary programs will save you from being surprised when you’re under a deadline.

Introduce yourself to the teacher. If you’re in an online course with a lot of students, the teacher may never get to know you unless you take the initiative. Use your online course message board or email your teacher with a brief introduction. A teacher who knows a little bit about you will be more likely to help you through the course (and be a little more lenient when it comes time to dish out grades).

Participate. Sometimes it’s difficult to jump in and participate in online class discussions. But, don’t hesitate. Speaking up early will help you establish yourself as an active member of the course. You’ll start to make new friends and will end up with a better grasp of the material.

In distance education, there are different types of technology being used. One group of available technology can be classified as asynchronous technology. This type of technology is a mode of online delivery where participants access course materials on their own schedule. Students are not required to be together at the same time. The following are examples of asynchronous technology for on-line learning:

Compact Disc – A Compact Disc (also known as a CD) is an optical disc used to store digital data, originally developed for storing digital audio. The CD, available on the market since October 1982, remains the standard physical medium for sale of commercial audio recordings to the present day. The technology was later adapted and expanded to include data storage CD-ROM, write-once audio and data storage CD-R, rewritable media CD-RW, Super Audio CD (SACD), Video Compact Discs (VCD), Super Video Compact Discs (SVCD), PhotoCD, PictureCD, CD-i, and Enhanced CD. CD-ROMs and CD-Rs remain widely used technologies in the computer industry. The CD and its extensions have been extremely successful: in 2004, worldwide sales of CD audio, CD-ROM, and CD-R reached about 30 billion discs. By 2007, 200 billion CDs had been sold worldwide.

Email – Electronic mail, often abbreviated to e-mail, email or originally eMail, is a store-and-forward method of writing, sending, receiving and saving messages over electronic communication systems. The term “e-mail” (as a noun or verb) applies to the Internet e-mail system based on the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, to network systems based on other protocols and to various mainframe, minicomputer, or internet by a particular systems vendor, or on the same protocols used on public networks.

Message board forums – An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site. It is the modern equivalent of a traditional bulletin board, and a technological evolution of the dialup bulletin board system. From a technological standpoint, forums or boards are web applications managing user-generated content. People participating in an Internet forum can build bonds with each other and interest groups will easily form around a topic’s discussion, subjects dealt within or around sections in the forum.

There are certain questions that students ask when looking for a good online program:

How is the course presented?

Investigate the method by which the instructor gives lectures. Does the instructor simply put the lecture online as text? Are there accompanying slides? Is there any interaction? Is there video or audio? Are exams given? How are assignments turned in? The format of the course is sometimes as important as the content. Great content is more easily absorbed if it’s done in a dynamic and innovative manner that involves interaction between the student and instructor as well interaction with the content itself. Online learning technology provides many opportunities for innovation. Find a school that takes advantage of it.

How do students interact with each other?

Is there an established method for interaction and congregating? Online programs can use chat rooms, instant messaging, teleconferencing, and video conferencing to communicate. The key is to find a program that has this interaction built into it and even requires it. How the online community functions should be very important to both the instructor and the educational institution.

Are the instructors qualified?

Check out the credentials and degrees the instructors hold, as well as their knowledge of online learning and its differences from classroom learning. What kind of support do the instructors get for their online courses? If technical problems arise, is there someone to turn to? A school that is dedicated to its online programs will have the development staff and the support staff to make it successful. Instructors (and students) have to be able to adapt to changing technology.

These opportunities are available within educational organizations that perform training and research, provide materials, and other services to educators. While a bachelor’s degree is required to work in education in most states, graduates from master’s degree programs will have the best job opportunities in education.

Working for a master degrees online takes hard work and excellent time management skills that can be used after graduation. You may also need to obtain teacher recommendations before being accepted into the latest way of having a good education, which is having a master degrees online program. Just because a distance education school provides you with a great deal of flexibility, you shouldn’t expect earning an online masters degree to be a simple walk in the park. In order to be accepted into a master degrees online program, you usually need to take an advanced test such as the GRE, the GMAT, or the MAT. Master’s degree programs, often two-year commitments, are specialized graduate programs offered after earning a bachelors degree.

Masters degree programs provide you with specific knowledge and vocational expertise necessary to advance in your career. Additionally, schools offer more specific Master degrees, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA Degree). An online degree is the same as an equivalent degree from a campus program. All classes are taken entirely online from the comfort of your home using the latest distance learning technologies. These are just simple facts with regards of online education so be sure to make more research for your own benefit.