Online education stemmed from the concept of *distance learning*. The main concern that distance learning tried to address was the incapability of adult learners, mostly professionals and in need of higher degrees, to attend regular school on a day schedule (or even night or weekend schedules) because of their works, families, and other commitments. This trend then further evolved and nowadays, even bachelor degrees, diplomas or certificates, and training programs are available. Recognizing the increasingly stiffer competition in the labor market and its direct correlation to the need for college education (vis-a-vis the constraints in getting one), universities and colleges in America pioneered the online education. Soon enough, learning institutions in Europe and other parts of the world followed.

Choices in having a college course online is not limited on certain courses; neither are the Masteral or Doctorate degrees available online. In the US alone, about a thousand of universities and colleges have made their degree programs available for online education. The courses being offered covers a very extensive array of fields, interests, and specializations. For the bachelors level, a lot of arts or science courses are offered. Most commonly taken up are courses in Accounting, Marketing and Sales, Advertising, and Business and Commerce. A computer course specializing in web development and systems management is among the most availed online course. Others are real estate course, language course, and English course (mostly enrolled are Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans). Other popular choices are associate degrees in arts and humanities, telecommunications, human resources, hospitality management, education, veterinary, etc. Vocational and diploma courses such as clothing design and interior design are also available. For the Masteral level, most students enroll in business and trade related degrees. A lot is also in technology management, information systems, aviation science, international relations, industrial and manufacturing, etc. Other universities even offer a free online course on areas like foreign language and stenography.

In online education, instructors of universities and colleges create websites where they post the course outline, course requirements, lectures, assignments, and exams. The connection between a student and his/her teacher or professor is made possible through real time sharing like email or internet relay chat. Web cameras are also being used by some professors in delivering on time or pre-recorded video instructions and lectures. Message boards are also used for posting announcements. Since students are basically studying in the internet, they are allowed to use web sources for most of their assignments.

Albeit a celebrated innovation, a number of issues and concern surround online education. For those planning to get an online degree, make sure that the institution offering an online course is duly accredited by the state. Accreditation is a formal recognition that a certain institution and the programs it offers meet the standard of quality education prescribed by the government. In the US, accreditation from the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a legal requirement. In Canada, the government regulates all schools and programs offered. Other concerns like cost, return of investments, and competence of offered online courses must also be given utmost scrutiny and attention.

Stronger economic competition makes it imperative to be equipped with a college education or even post-graduate degrees. Now that modernity is unstoppable, restraints like distance and access should no longer be a wall deterring one from a good future. It is a good thing that technology and man’s quest for greater advancement has benefited education by making it more accessible for many people anywhere in the globe.

Business, along with technology, is one of the most popular topics among e-learning courses. Found online at business resource sites such as Amanet or Thomson Gale’s Goliath, these can be used to jump start a business with information on how to run businesses and the latest trends in the business world. New employees can be trained easily through these courses, eliminating the need to use training teams on such activities. If a business is already up and running, e-learning courses can be used to improve it by sharpening old skills and adding new ones. Business courses can also be utilized to bring together different areas of a company and make sure that all divisions are on the same page.

Due to the growth of e-learning courses, many online e-learning magazines have been set up. On these sites one can find columns on e-learning products, current e-learning trends, interviews with big names in the e-learning industry, and analysis of current products and services. Also, users are kept up to date on conferences and seminars focusing on e-learning. Users may be provided with material to research different e-learning courses in order to assess what would be best suited for them. Discussion boards and newsletters also provide a place for user feedback.

Each site may be specific to a certain type of e-learning course, but most are open to all genres. Product demos are available on some to give users a chance to test out products before they buy them. Also, tutorials may be made available so that users can know how to use a program before they receive it. Sites offer tips on where problem areas occur in e-learning programs and how to fix them, as well as links to different program providers. A final helpful part of these e-learning sites are blogs devoted to explaining e-learning products. These blogs provide editorial comments on e-learning products and answer blogger’s questions concerning products and usage. Using these sites in conjuncture with the e-learning programs will allow for a fulfilling experience from student who can now gain new knowledge in a quick, easy way.

These distance education programs usually pertain to subjects such as literacy, English verbal communication skills, and curriculums such as occupational training or GED training. The syllabus has been composed so that is directed towards mature learners, specifically students who are already past the usual undergraduate college or university age.

Usually, a continuing education student has completed basic schooling or some form of formal education. Continuing education is designed primarily for those wishing to pursue further studies relevant to their professions. It enables professionals to procure a new license, as well as continue to uphold it, as required by their profession. People who may have discontinued their education are able to pursue their studies through various continuing education programs.

The objective of continuing education courses is to encourage professionals to further their education and keep abreast of latest developments in their field. Apart from institutes, a few standard colleges also offer some of these courses. The need for a licensed education arises because governing bodies in numerous fields, such as law and medicine, have made it compulsory for professionals to hold licenses.

While distance education is not for everyone, it has certainly stood the test of time. The following is a brief timeline of events related to distance education.

• 1840 – Isaac Pitman begins teaching shorthand by correspondence in the UK.
• 1858 – The University of London creates its External Program.
• 1883 – New York State authorizes the Chautauqua Institute to award degrees earned via correspondence.
• 1891 – The Colliery Engineer School of Mines renames itself International Correspondence Schools.
• 1892 – The University of Chicago starts administering the first university courses by mail.
• 1906 – The Calvert School of Baltimore becomes the first primary school in the United States to offer correspondence courses.
• 1916 – The National University Continuing Education Association is created in the United States.
• 1921 – Pennsylvania State College begins broadcasting courses on the radio.
• 1933 – The University of Iowa begins broadcasting courses on television.
• 1950 – The Ford Foundation begins offering grants to create and develop educational programs for television broadcasting.
• 1967 – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is created.
• 1970 – Walden University is established.
• 1974 – California State University offers a Masters degree via correspondence.
• 1982 – The National University Teleconferencing Network is established.
• 1984 – The personal computer is named “man of the year” by Time Magazine.

With the advent of the personal computer and the development of the internet, distance education has evolved into an extremely important element of modern education. Most every university in North America offers courses online, while an entire cottage industry has formed around the concept of online education. There are countless online courses available to members of the general public. The wonderful thing about online education is that there are no borders, and prospective students worldwide now have access to the same opportunities. Online learning has the ability to make the world a better place. In some ways, it already has.

Whether you’re interested in simply getting your GED or receiving your MBA from an accredited university, your options in adult education have doubled in the past five years with the advent of online education and will likely continue to grow as more colleges, universities, graduate schools, and trade schools begin offering distance learning classes online.

How Does Online Education Work?

In most cases, it is not the specific college or university that runs the online education portion of their program. Most schools outsource their internet education duties to companies that specialize in hosting distance learning classes. These companies (who have names like eCollege, SkillSoft and such) perform the actual tasks of running the online classes, assigning work, and conducting exams, all according to the curriculum provided by the specific school. Students that enroll in online education courses are typically required to provide their own computer and any necessary software needed to participate in the online classes and take the exams. In the world of online education your books, binders, and number two pencils are replaced by a PC (or MAC – but compatibility may vary), a word processor, and some form of multimedia player. Broadband internet access is advisable as well. It may be hard to get your masters with low baud.

Things to Look Out For

Online education is a very worthwhile trend in the evolution of education in our world and it is conceivable that sometime in the future nearly all official education will take place online. The internet, however, is the real-world equivalent of George Lucas’ Mos Eisley Spaceport; a wretched hive of scum and villainy. As online education becomes more prominent, there will be more companies looking to take advantage of the trend by offering sub par classes and fly-by-night degrees from non-accredited schools. Before you commit to any online education program, do your homework and make sure that the school is accredited. The last thing you want to do is spend your time and money earning a degree online that isn’t worth a byte in the job market or to other educational institutions.

U.S. News University Directory provides everything you need to increase your earning potential with a online education, online degree program, or traditional on-campus degree. Search Associate’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s and MBA degrees, Doctoral and PhD degrees, and even certificate programs well. And because U.S. News & World Report is the leading ranking resource for anyone seeking a on-campus or online degree, you know you’re getting the best advice and information available for your on-campus or online education. When reviewing the campus-based programs, accredited online colleges, and online degree programs offered here you will be able to select from the largest database of online schools and universities, including many ranked among the best in the nation.

USNewsUniversityDirectory.com is the centerpiece of U.S. News University Connection, an innovative venture established by U.S. News & World Report and Bisk Education to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Combining the nation’s most respected college rankings with the proven technology solutions of an industry leader in higher education, U.S. News University Connection offers powerful new ways for working adults and college-bound students to connect with universities.

Their comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions comes directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983. They know your time is valuable. That’s why their website is specifically designed to streamline your research and empower you to act. In a few clicks you can go from learning about a particular program to registering for classes. It’s the most convenient way to access all the information you need – right here, right now.

There are many schools out there offering one form of adult education program or the other. Nevertheless, it is advisable for you to be very careful when applying. Make sure the school is accredited by the relevant authority. Accreditation is one of the many factors you should look for when searching for schools offering adult education. Accreditation means that the school has satisfied all requirements of the relevant authority to offer the program. If a school is not accredited, it is advisable to continue looking for another school.

It is not often easy to go back to school via adult education programs. You have to contend with your work and family. Hence, there is need to strike a balance in all your schedules so that you can be successful. It is highly advisable to get the support of your family when going through adult education. You must let them understand what you are going through. Let them help you with household chores and also allow you do your studying without disruptions.

The cost of adult education is not often high. If you cannot find a cheap program around you, it is advisable to go for online adult education programs. Thanks to the internet, every adult out there can now head back to school. All that is required is a computer with an internet access. Many schools out there offering adult education don’t have stringent requirements for adults like you. Many of these schools often consider age and experience when all other requirements are not met.