How To Choose An Online College Course

Many children, for many reasons, are unable or unwilling to attend a traditional bricks and mortar high school, college or University. They cannot attend for reasons including poor health, financial reasons or even bullying. An inability to attend school or college in the past has frequently meant that our children have lost out in their education.

Online education was pioneered in the UK by The Open University (http://www.open.ac.uk/) but is now offered by many colleges and universities around the world. Online education or distance learning was initially seen by many as just a supplement to the brick-and-mortar classroom with traditional teaching and learning methods and materials. Over the last few years however, improved technology and educational techniques have made online high school classes and online college courses viable alternatives to traditional methods of learning. Today the student does not have to set foot in a classroom to obtain good academic qualifications up to Masters Degree level.

Today's students, can benefit in a number of ways that previously they could not. They can get their qualifications despite having no way to get to the school of their choice, or they may have children, a home, and one or more jobs that keeps them from physically attending classes at a campus that might be too far away.

These students can make use of online college courses that feature lectures via Internet meetings, video, audio, email, instant messages, bulletin boards and chat rooms, and online study and research sources.

For the home-schooled, or the advanced high school student, the benefits of access and choice are great. For students, who for religious or personal reasons, do not wish to mix at school segregation or integration are available. Equally those who prefer a religiously oriented curriculum can also be accomodated.

Online college courses are equal opportunity courses. Students of any age, race, creed, color, religion, location, learning ability, disability, or mindset can find the materials, sources, and lessons he or she needs or wants from fully accredited courses.

If you choose an online course you need to be aware of a few caveats. Before applying check that the online college courses is genuine and the accreditation is in place. There are some online college courses that are not qualified offer the qualifications quoted in that they are not "accredited". If you are looking to use the online learning experience as credited coursework (to transfer, to get a job or a degree), be sure that the online college is one which meets the standards set by the state