Certification - June 2008 - (Page 23)

Matching a Program With Your Life With the wide array of options that students have to pick from in online study programs, they should take the time to choose the program and university that works best for them. Each of the available types of programs places different demands on the student, and institutions have different ways of implementing the programs within each category. Students interested in self-study programs should be aware that a balance exists in most programs between flexibility for the student and the amount of support resources available for each class. When considering an online program, it is important to take the time to find out about the program and the institution offering it. It is important that a student understands the time and commitment involved in enrolling in an online degree program. “Do the research,” Jayaraman said. “Talk to people who have had experience in online learning to ensure that you not only understand what the learning responsibilities entail, but that you are prepared for them.” Some students may choose to give up some of the flexibility in a fully self-paced asynchronous online program in order to obtain some of the advanced support from professors that a synchronous or hybrid program may make available. For self-study programs, it is critical that each student is prepared to put in the time to complete course material every week. “Students will need to have the discipline to commit themselves to 20 to 30 hours a week for learning and preparation,” Jayaraman said. “Unlike a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, where students have structure and a schedule for attending classes, students can sometimes get lost in an online world, where they lose the connection with oth- ers in their cohort group and, sometimes, the motivation for learning. They must have the discipline necessary to stay focused.” Making the Decision In the end, students will have to make the decision about which program type and institution most closely matches their schedules, abilities and career aspirations. Each program has differences in learning format, mentoring resources, exams and assessments, access to professors and resources required for completion. Taking the time to examine the available programs, find out how the university works, how certifications are integrated and the total costs will help you determine if an online degree program is right for you. 8 Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. He can be reached at editor@certmag.com. June 2008 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE 23 http://www.thetrainingassociates.com http://www.thetrainingassociates.com

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Certification - June 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Tech Careers Academic Connection Dear Techie Virtual Village Online Degrees: Are They Right for You? Inside Certification New Opportunities and Challenges: Are Application Developers Ready? Interface Where Have All the Help Desks Gone? Ad Index Endtag

Certification - June 2008

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