| Chapter 5: What You Can
Expect
Now that you know a bit about E Degrees, you will next want to know what
you can expect from it. Let’s skip over finding the right school for now
as you should still be trying to decide if the online learning
experience is right for you. Don’t worry, we will do that next.
Here is where you are. You are enrolled in the perfect online school
getting ready to earn your E Degree. What is school going to be like?
What are your classes going to be like? How will you communicate with
your teacher?
You probably have a lot of questions and on top of that, each school is
going to be a bit different then the next one. But, here are some of the
basics of what you will see when it comes to E Degree learning.
Communication
Communication is vital in the world of education. You have to be able to
talk to your teachers, ask questions and get the information that you
need. Some schools have their own software programs in place to allow
this to happen. Others will use various other systems based on what
needs they have.
Some commercial software packages that are quite common are those such
as WebCT as well as Blackboard. Your school is likely to have these
software programs in place and will give you the details of it. Some are
completely designed software packages. Others are just simply websites
that have message boards on them.
When it comes to using these programs, they are a bit different than you
would think. If you went to class in a traditional setting at your local
college, you would come to class at the same times as other students as
well as the teacher. But, this is not what happens in the traditional E
Degree program. Here, you will use an asynchronously systems. That means
that students as well as your teachers will meet at different times.
Let’s say that you have to work 9 to 5 each day. Your perfect time for a
class is at 7pm, when everyone is settled and you have some time to
yourself. No matter what time you plan to do your coursework, you can
log into the software program or even the website, if that is the method
in which it is designed and simply do what needs to be done.
In this system, students as well as teachers will meet at different
times. The lectures and the coursework is completed when it is
convenient for you to do so. You will participate in the study at
different times than your classmates.
How It Works
In a typical class at one of the better E Degree schools, you will
simply start your week with an email from your teacher or instructor.
The instructor will tell you what the week’s topics for discussion and
learning will be as well as send out the assignments that you will need
to complete. The instructor is also likely to provide you with
information in the form of a short lecture. He will also add topics for
your classmates and you to talk about.
You will go through the week doing your assigned work. It can be
anything from reading the lectures to providing papers and even meet for
conference system participation calls. You can read other student’s
questions as well as ask your own. You will participate in discussions,
usually done in forum style so that students can post when it is
convenient for them to do so. And, you will send in your work to your
instructor through email. He sends it back, graded.
But, Technology Is Not Left Behind
Many of the more advanced E Degree schools do not leave your education
to just emails and software. Today, many of them incorporate much more
technologically advanced systems. Yes, this is a bit of fun and it
allows you to communicate with your teacher and students in a more
direct way.
If you enjoy the ability to hold class discussions or are a learner that
does better with hearing and seeing rather than just reading, these are
technological advancements that you will want to look for in the school
that you select.
• Chats. If you have ever been in a chat room, then you know what
we are talking about. Some schools or courses will schedule chats to
keep the class working together. By doing this, your instructor can
bring the entire class together to talk about the various topics set
forth. These may be mandatory or simply additional methods of
communicating.
• Online Video. Today, you see the news on your laptop in
streaming video. Many of the best online schools are now providing this
type of video for their educational abilities. Simply, you can sit down
with your cup of coffee and watch a lecture unfold in front of your
eyes. These classes are ideal for those courses that are just too
detailed to provide through written lectures.
• Video Conferencing. Some of the most technologically advanced
schools may provide for this service as well. All you do is sit down,
coursework in front of you and listen and watch the live lecture. With
this type of software, you can raise your hand to discuss with the
teacher, answer questions and even ask them. All of this is done in real
time.
As you can see, there are many fun and interesting ways that you will be
able to enjoy your education when it comes to E Degrees. The fact is
that not all schools are the same though. If you see something here that
really makes you smile, make sure that you look for it in the school
that you attend.
In addition, realize that each course will likely have their own methods
of educating you. Some courses need more hands on attention then others
do. Some courses may be simple self studies where others rely heavily on
lectures.
In any case, now you have had a look at what the normal practice is
likely to be for your E Degree. Let’s help you to find the best school
for you to get into now. |