Creating Your Distance Learning Study Area

For the distance learner creating a dedicated study area is an important part of their online education process. The idea is to create an area that provides a physical, visible, and personal location that has everything you need to attend online classes and study effectively. It needs to be the place where when you’re there you switch into study mode and the rest of the world goes away.

The first to do is to decide where to put your study area. This will be largely dependent on your homes size and room layout. There are some areas that really aren’t suitable for such an area. These would include the kitchen table, on your bed, the sofa, the dining room table, or any other room that is used frequently by other members of your family. These areas just aren’t good locations for studying effectively.

What you are ideally looking for is an area where there is little chance for interruption and distractions. The spare bedroom or study would be the ideal space and could easily be converted into a prime study location. If you don’t have such a room consider a loft or an area in the basement. If your bedroom is large enough and there is room for a desk, computer, printer, bookshelf, and books then you could set up in there. Again, you want to be able to study with out distractions, whether from family, roommates, and yes even the television.

Once you have decided on your area it needs to be whipped into study area shape. A desk is the first thing that needs to be found. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy, a second hand desk found at the local thrift store will do fine. If a desk is out of the question a table of some sort will work. You need to have enough room for your computer, printer, a place to write, and storage for paper, pens, and notebooks.

A chair for your desk or table is the next item needed. Ideally a comfortable office style, swivel chair is the best choice but really any normal sized chair will work. If it’s a wooden or plastic chair consider getting a small cushion to sit on to make it more comfortable.

Now for the most important item in the distance learning setting; your computer. Just about any computer will work whether it be a laptop or pc. You will also need internet connectivity in order to participate in the online courses and discussion groups. You will also need an office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. You can either pay for one such as Microsoft Office or download Open Office for free. You will also need a printer to print off assignments and proof read them before submitting them for grading.

Proper lighting is also important when planning your study area. A dimly lit room or work area is not conducive to good study habits. If the overhead lighting is not adequate then add a desk lamp to create a well lit work area.

In addition to a desk a bookshelf is good idea. This can be used to keep your books out of the way when not in use. You can also keep other study supplies and even your printer here, leaving your desk uncluttered for the tasks you need it for.

Once you have your study area set up establish a set of rules for yourself and your family or roommates for when you are studying. Sit down and talk with them, letting them know that when you are studying you are not to be disturbed except in the case of an emergency. Constant distractions and people wandering through your study area will make your learning experience that much harder.

Having a proper study area is one of the most beneficial actions one can take when beginning a distance learning program. It is a place where you can concentrate at the task at hand without distraction. Once you have it in place you will be surprised at how it adds to your learning experience.

Distance Learning PhD Programs Offer Flexibility for Busy Schedules

Advancing one’s education in today’s fast paced world is important for anyone looking for career advancement in the field they have chosen. As our globalized world shrinks and technology advances one of the best ways to protect yourself from becoming obsolete in the work place is returning to school for a higher degree.

For those with busy work schedules and family obligations distance learning PhD programs offer the flexibility needed to accomplish this goal. Being able to schedule classes, school work, and study time around work and family is the primary drawing point for those who undertake an advanced online degree. Online courses allow you to attend classes, download/upload course work, and have access to professors and advisors all over the internet.

The vast majority of online colleges and universities are accredited; meaning the degree you earn is just as valuable as a degree earned attending classes at a “brick and mortar” college. In fact many large colleges and universities are now starting to offer their own distance learning doctoral programs and competing with the online colleges. This gives anyone interested in obtaining an advanced degree a wide variety of options when choosing a program in your field of study.

The flexibility of these online degree programs is what attracts most students. It does require a bit more discipline since you are responsible for ensuring you attend all lectures and completing all course work on your own schedule.

The flexibility of going back to school online includes the following benefits:

• You can attend class anywhere you have internet access at anytime you wish. You can study and do your work from home, at work, or anywhere else you can take your computer and get on the web.
• Online courses are designed in such a way to allow student centered learning. This means you decide the best way for you to learn the material.
• All courses and study materials are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This gives you the flexibility to go over any and all lectures and other materials as many times as you want.
• Even though you do not physically attend classes you can interact with your classmates and teachers through classroom discussions and discussion groups over the web.
• The use of new technology and interactive web resources helps you sharpen skills that will be highly sought after in the workplace, including the ability to network with other users.
• The ability to research and learn is unrestricted as you have the ability to use the internet’s power to access a wide variety of valuable content, not just that provided by the school you have selected.
• Integrated learning and teamwork are a valuable part of the online learning experience.

Advancing your education is one of the best ways to further your career and pay opportunities. For those looking for an advanced degree distance learning PhD programs offer the flexibility to those who might not otherwise get the opportunity to return to school because their life is to busy.

Choose Only Accredited Distance Learning Doctoral Colleges and Universities

As the demand for alternative ways to earn a doctorate degree has grown colleges and universities have altered their approach to advanced educational goals. Many people who wish to earn a higher degree are hard pressed to find the time to return to school under more traditional means. Getting to and from campus, getting stuck in an inflexible class schedule and the other aspects of an on campus program simply do not fit into today’s busy lifestyle with its family and work obligations.

Fortunately in this technology driven age this problem is being worked through as more and more accredited colleges and universities, both online and off, are beginning to offer distance learning doctoral programs.

These programs take advantage of the latest technologies to give each student the flexibility to earn the degree they desire. Classes can be televised or streamed over the internet, online chat and discussion groups give students the flexibility to talk with each other and their professors, and assignments, papers, and thesis’s can be posted to class websites or emailed quickly and easily. The internet has been the primary facilitator for those wishing to continue their education to higher levels.

The problem with any educational opportunities offered via the internet is the potential for scams. They are normally easy to spot, offering a variety of degrees that can be earned in a short amount of time for a rather hefty sum of money. The degrees offered through these scams are worthless and in most cases illegal. Using such a degree on a resume or on job applications is deceitful and misleading and if found out can lead to getting fired along with serious legal ramifications. There are around 300 un-accredited colleges looking to take your money and give you a worthless degree on the web today.

To avoid these online degree scams make sure the program you are considering is from an accredited college or university. An accredited program offers the courses and credits that are recognized and respected once a degree is earned. Even though distance learning offers busy adults a certain amount of flexibility when advancing their education the work required to graduate is just as difficult if not more so then a more traditional on campus program.

The nice thing about using the internet to find a distance learning college is the power it gives you to find accredited programs while avoiding those programs that are nothing more then scams.  It is easy to pull together a list of universities that fit your educational goals and then do further research to determine which one is the best fit for your individual learning needs and styles. You can get an overall feel for the teaching philosophies, how the classes are structured, and tuition costs, which is an important consideration.

You can also research the history of each school and its different programs. This in itself can give you a good understanding if it is an accredited program with all the benefits such a degree will bring. Going online also gives prospective students the ability to interact with current students and faculty members who can give more detailed information about the schools degree program. Be sure to check around for former students who are willing to give their two cents about the school and the distance learning program. Finding out if the customers have been satisfied with their experience can go a long way towards making a good decision.

A distance learning degree from an accredited college is a great way to advance your career and lifestyle. Be sure to thoroughly research all possible choices to avoid the scams that seem to populate the internet today. Doing so will ensure a positive experience as you make your way towards graduation day.

Distance Learning Doctoral Programs: Facts and Fallacies

In the not to distant past the idea of earning any sort of college degree anywhere but on a college campus was looked down upon. Distance learning programs have been around for quite some time but until recently they just didn’t carry the same weight as a traditionally earned degree. As technology has advanced distance learning doctoral programs have grown in both popularity and acceptance as a viable way to continue ones education.

Back before Al Gore “invented the internet” these type of classes were called correspondence courses that were mainly limited to secretarial courses, medical support roles, and technical subjects. Not anymore, today anyone with a computer and internet connection can take accredited classes from recognized universities and earn that PhD they might not have otherwise attempted to get. Today everyone from nurses to businessmen to teachers are continuing their education and advancing their careers through the internet.

It’s pretty easy to see the advantages of getting a PhD degree using a distance learning program. Not having to attend classes, studying around your schedule, and being able to take extra time with certain subjects and assignments. This is particularly advantageous for people who must work and have family obligations. Taking the time to drive to and from campus and spend time in classes just isn’t in the cards for many people whose lives are filled with other responsibilities. Add in the fact that most on campus programs don’t offer night or weekend classes and it’s easy to see how these types of programs are becoming so popular.

A question many people have is does a distance learning doctoral degree carry the same weight as a degree earned attending a PhD program on campus. Many people seem to want to discredit these online continuing education programs but the fact is that as long as the program one plans to attend is accredited there is no difference between the two types of programs. In fact many well known “brick and mortar” universities and colleges are offering online programs in order to compete for potential students who are interested in advancing their education.

One thing to think about when considering an online education program is what kind of student or learner one is. These types of programs work best for independent learners who have the motivation and skills to do the required assignments and class work without a lot of outside guidance. This doesn’t mean there isn’t help available from professors and advisors but it’s not in a face to face environment. There is a big difference between being on campus and attending classes on the internet. Just something to think about when considering all the options available.

The opportunities to attend a distance learning doctoral program are growing every year as more and more colleges and universities offer online education programs. There really is no better time then now to advance ones education and career choices. These programs give people who might not have thought about continuing their education the opportunity to do so.

Distance Learning PhD

Distance Learning PhD

Continuing one’s education can be an important part of a person’s career advancement plans. Obtaining a higher degree can open work opportunities not previously considered and help increase one’s income. This of course isn’t guaranteed but it does increase one’s chances of success. To help achieve this goal more people then ever before are looking to distance learning PhD programs.

A distance learning doctoral program is not much different then a regular university doctorate program. About the only difference is most of the school work can be done at home via the internet without the need to drive to and from campus. This gives the student more flexible schedule that allows them to tailor their study needs around their current work schedule.

Each universities online PhD program will differ from other institutions. Even classes within one program may have varying requirements depending on the class and the professor. Some classes may have a more stringent schedule, expecting the student to log into class at scheduled times. Other classes may only require that the student interact with the professor via email, chat, or the phone.

Listed below are some of the many benefits to doing a distance learning PhD program:

-More relaxed setting: Taking classes over the internet allows students the flexibility to live and learn as they go.  Morning person or night person it doesn’t matter because the student can do their lecture and course work at a time that works best for them.

-Individual attention: These distance learning programs make interaction with the professors very easy.

-Lower cost: Although this does not apply to all programs in most cases there can be some cost savings in the area of fees. Many of the fees required of on campus students are not applied to distance learners. While not a huge cost savings it can help students who may be on a tight budget.

-Accredited programs: As distance learning has grown more and more universities have been offering online PhD programs. It is an opportunity for these institutions of higher learning to attract more students or students who may have never thought of returning to school. And these programs aren’t just offshoots of their on campus classes; they are being tailored for the online learning environment.

-A Diploma: A degree received through a distance learning program isn’t any different then one received for spending time in class on campus. The diploma will be the same as will accolades that come with it.

A distance leaning PhD program can allow someone who might not otherwise want to go back to school the opportunity to get that most coveted of degrees; a Doctorate in the field of their choice.