When they first began coming up with online college degrees, they included some cost saving ideas, such as Regents colleges that would accept any coursework that someone might have taken elsewhere, as well as life experience credits and other options, applying it toward an accredited degree. These options seem to be gone, replaced by online degree programs that are every bit as expensive as as attending and living on campus, and I believe that has as much to do with preventing online programs from competing with brick and mortar colleges than with anything having to do with reasonable costs.
I have also found that "getting" transcripts form previous colleges is big business, now. I also found that getting transcripts, official or otherwise, from the 1970's nigh impossible. Even from a large school, like the University of Maryland. 30 some credits not accounted for. Most places charge anywhere from a few dollars to $20 to get transcripts sent to a school. I tried an online course a few years back, that was not even close to what the syllabus and course description indicated. It was poorly run, and the rudest peer group of students I have ever encountered. Needless to say I dropped it 3 weeks in. I am in the process of trying my local community college, and we are stuck at the "provide proof of child immunizations"...all of that was lost decades ago. While I have the tell tale scar on my upper arm and I clearly remember the sugar cube, I have no "proof" that I have been vaccinated.
Hey all. Dave, what on earth do you have to prove you had immunization for? That's just weird, do they think you could be contagious or something? Ha. I tend to do one or two online courses each year. The last one I took was "basic accounting", mainly because it's been years since I took accounting in school and also because I needed accounting vocabulary in Spanish (language of the country in which I live and work). I avoid online "universities", mainly because I've already finished those studies. However, for specific added training that will contribute to my efficiency at work, online courses offered by the official governmental agencies or recognized instructional organizations are great. I've also used online platforms for my old job, ESL teaching-- from chat rooms to conversation on Skype, to actual platforms with whiteboards and the capacity to upload videos and PowerPoint presentations. All of my students in those "virtual classrooms" have gone away satisfied, so it would depend a lot on the course work and, of course, the teacher. My first online class was, ironically, on Online course development and practice. peace, revel.
I have not tried to take an online class yet. I do take alot of work related training online. The details for training do differ from one company to another some more involved than others. I often would like to have someone there to aks a question or to hear others thought on the subject. Taking a class online does require self discipline, to log into the class and to do the work in the program.
If you want a piece of paper - then its going to cost. However, if it is just the learning (and a certificate for the wall from a fancy Uni) then most of the top universities (worldwide) offer free courses - see websites like Coursera.org and Edx.org - there are also YouTube channels from Unis such as MIT etc for whole courses where lectures were video
Well of course, younger kids seem to think that us older students are not working as efficiently as those younger ones. Although, it's better for us because they don't have the experience to learn/work as good as us since we've the life experience and know what to do. Ive had that problem before with the younger arrogant students, they don't seem to respect me as a fellow colleague rather just an "old-hag"
I love the way higher learning is coming out to the masses if they put in the effort. You can take the same courses MIT students pay for on-line for free. You can learn higher math and sciences. You can learn programming. All for free. If you're just interested in short learning courses, I like Khan Academy on youtube.
There must be an intrinsic motivational factor in learning, in a way learning must be fun. Online education is great because of the access to almost all information on any given subject. Learning online whether if taken courses or performing research is a calm setting and lets the learner take in more information.
I would suggest Kahn Academy. This is totally free and a fun way to learn. I've watched a few informative videos, and though I haven't completed any courses, it seems like the kind of place to learn in an easy and relaxed way.
I've already got degrees, so I'm less concerned about matriculating into an institution than I am about learning new techniques for fields I have an interest in, so free courses would be great for me. I think iTunes has a lot of free courses/classes as well, although I haven't checked in a while. From what I remember, they had language classes, history, etc., so that's another place to look for non-credit courses, if that's what you want.
Seeing the posts here makes me realise that those of us in the UK can consider ourselves lucky that we have the Open University. In fact, it's even better for those of us in Scotland, because the fees are lower than for people living in England and Wales. I completed my degree with the Open University - I only needed to do two years because of previous academic study - and it cost me no more than £350 for the course fees, though there was a bit of extra cost with text books. I took advantage of a £500 grant for each of my two years. The OU courses are primarily online, though you get the opportunity to go to lectures with your tutor. These are not mandatory, though I always liked to go along. I had to sit an exam as well (oh, the aching hands and head), but most of it was online. I loved every minute of it (well, maybe not the exam).
I took an online course at Ashworthcollege. I would recommend them to ANYONE. They were great, friendly, and easy to work with.
I've finished an online Certificate course with High Distinctions two years ago (Yehey!!). Now I'm waiting for a place with Yale University (Coursera) to do Law and Justice, Moral Foundation of Politics. Looks interesting. I can picture myself deep into study and research, with hopes of carrying through the course.
I've been freelancing. With With Law and Justice, "Moral Foundation of Politics", I want to be wiser, educated, practice my moral obligation in society, help explain truth in writing, speaking and teaching. Perhaps be a lawyer or defender for the defenceless. Any suggestions @Jennifer Graves?