Most online colleges and universities will agree that the online environment is not for everyone, just as attending college on campus is not for everyone. The good news is that some have taken that into account and allow you to test drive a course before you actually enroll.
How it works
Online course test drives give you the opportunity to sample the university interfaces. You can learn how the tests are conducted and graded. You also get an opportunity to experience first-hand how peer collaboration takes place. During the test drive you will be able to post and view sample assignments. One of the most important aspects of doing a demo is that you have the opportunity to investigate the online library access and chat services. In some instances the colleges offer online course tours and demos as a guest, and in others you have to provide your contact information. In a few cases, you are allowed to complete the test course and use it for credit once you register for classes.
Schools that offer test drives
Not all universities allow you to test drive their classes or lectures, but here is a short list of ones that do offer some form of sampling, including virtual tours:
- University of Phoenix
- DeVry University
- Kaplan University
- American Intercontinental University
- Everest University Online
- Liberty University Online
There are also some brick and mortar institutions that offer online course demos for you to compare:
- Cornell University
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Texas
- Oregon State University
- University of Nebraska
- University of Colorado
One student’s experience
One student, who sampled University of Phoenix’s eCampus spoke quite highly of his experiences. His test drive of one of their courses, actually prompted him to enroll in the online university:
The delivery was actually pretty impressive and much more user friendly than I expected. There was clear and continuous interaction between instructors and students in the online classroom, and it was not as disorganized or disjointed as I would have expected. Obviously, the flexibility of class and exam times as well as not having to commute to a local community college were advantages that were already drawing me to the online option, but the fact that the classroom environment was actually decent, let alone impressive, was what really shocked me.
I also like the fact that the school offers two delivery methods for text books, the traditional hard-cover book delivered to your home, or e-books delivered through your computer.
Overall, it has been a good choice for me thus far. I have been enrolled now for almost two terms and classes are going well. The material is not easy simply because it is delivered online. In actuality, it is the same exact course content (same books) you would get at any traditional university, but here the time and effort commitment calls for significant self-motivation. I love that I can avoid the LA traffic and over-crowded public school system here in California. Online education definitely has its perks.
Should you enroll in an online course?
If you think online education might be for you, remember just because the course is online, you can slack off, not attend and not participate. Online education is similar to traditional education in that you will be expected to attend class, complete your assignments, interact with other students and professors and fulfill all course requirements in order to complete the class. It’s not for the lazy or unmotivated. It requires a certain amount of self-motivation and organization. Don’t look at online classes as an “easy” way to get your degree.
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This Father’s Day skip the cookout and bad tie, instead give dad a gift that will be still giving years from now.Encourage Dad to Fulfill His Education Dreams
Every dad wants to do the best he can for his family. However, many dads lack the education necessary to get a good paying job. Or perhaps your dad is not happy with his job and has a dream career that he never had the opportunity to go after. The best gift you can give is your love and support. Encourage your dad to fulfill his education and career dreams by providing him with the tools necessary to succeed. Show dad his earning potential with our infographic of average male income.
Give Dad a Head Start on the Cost of a Higher Education.
There are many types of financial help available to the dad who wants to go back to school including student loans and grants. Visit the Careers and Education grant guide to find out everything dad needs to know about help paying for his college education. Print out the information and give it to your dad in a nice card. Our grant guide is here: collegepellgrant.org
Find Schools That Offer Degrees in Your Dad’s Chosen Field
The school guide on Careers and Education offers information on many different types of careers (everything from business administration to game developing). Find out which schools might work for your dad and request more information. Our school guide offers searches by degree choice, type of classes (campus or online), and by school.
Help Dad Network by Taking Classes on Campus
Campus classes provide opportunities for dads to meet other students with the same career goals. By taking classes on campus, less experienced dads learn to problem solve in group situations. Another benefit of taking classes on campus includes making lasting relationships that may pay off in the future in the form of employment opportunities, career development and friendships.
Busy Dads can get Degrees Online
Online education offers the same degree programs as campus education. Class work is done online but the degrees carry the same weight as traditional ones. The difference is that dads can complete course work when it is most convenient for them, whether it be on the weekends or late at night.
Spruce Up Dad’s Resume with Our Resume Guide
Help dad get that job he wants by sprucing up his resume. Our resume guide will walk you through step by step. ]]>
Enlightening today’s higher education leaders on new technology, GoingOn Network vice president of client strategy Melissa Loble spoke at the EduComm 2011 conference at Walt Disney World Resort Hilton this week.
The university business leadership institute conference, taking place June 13-15, featured various leaders in thought, innovation and expertise to offer their input and collaborate to discuss the hardships affecting today’s world of higher education.
Loble of GoingOn Network was selected to speak on the effective use of social media in higher education and will give a presentation entitled, “Don’t Friend Me: Pragmatic Approaches to the Use of Social Web Technologies in Education.” Specifically, Loble discussed how widespread the use of social media has become in the modern world of technology, and just how universities can put social media effects to their advantage, enhancing the student learning experience.
Loble detailed the Community Commons Project at University of Pennsylvania as an example of how students, administrators and the community can come together for a more enriching experience and to produce greater learning outcomes via social media.
GoingOn Network is a prime candidate for the EduComm conference because of the company is an innovator in what it means to earn a degree in the modern age. Using the latest social web technology, GoingOn breaks down the traditional course structure and allows students, faculty and the general public to connect, collaborate and engage in gain knowledge.
Along with GoingOn Network’s main goal, the theme for the EduComm conference this year was “Shaping the Future of Higher Education.” The conference brought together more than 300 companies and representatives that will be housed in booths to provide information on the advantages of their specific field of expertise.
Other speakers at the conference included Phil Ice, director of course design, research and development at American Public University System, who spoke on the impact of emerging technologies on cognition in online learning environments, Thomas Sewell, the dean of technical education at Walters State Community College, who spoke on “why disruptive technologies fail to disrupt education,” and Karl Burgher, professor and administrator at multiple institutions, who gave a speech entitled “Making Your Strategic Plan Work: A Case Analysis of Indiana State University.”
The conference speeches were broken up into a number of categories, including leadership, education technology, 21st century learning spaces, virtual and online environments and recruitment and retention.
Meals, a reception, exhibits and prizes were also included as part of the conference.
The conference was close by the final speaker answering an appropriate question: Forbes columnist, economist and technology analyst Bret Swanson spoke addressing a question sure to be on the minds of all conference attendees: “Is this the end of higher education as we know it?”
Attendees learned that the answer to this question may be a mix of “yes” and “no.”
All keynote speakers and EduComm sessions from this year will be streamed and available on-demand for one year. Interested parties can purchase access to the speeches for $249 by registering online and choosing from the schedule.
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