[...] Online colleges have increased in popularity and ease of use over the past decade. A lot of that probably has to do with the convenience factor of online courses—no travel time, no sitting in class, no moving to another city, etc. In addition, the fact that the technology has improved on both endsthe […]Read More… [Source: Educated Nation | Higher Education Blog] [...]

I am actually doing an internship at an online university (Western Governors University) this summer and never knew how popular online learning had become. They just hit a milestone of their own: their enrollment has reached 10,000 students. WGU is fairly new (started in 1997) but it is growing rapidly and has a lot to offer. Online learning is a great alternative to a traditional education.

They just distributed a press release about the 10,000 enrollment. If you are interested in reading it you can visit this link http://www.wgu.edu/milestones

I think there is something to be said for blended education – providing a hybrid of online and bricks and mortar education. I maintain a simple online resource for my students that supplements what they learn on weekly basis in my lecture and labs. It is not a course management system like Blackboard, but it offers and easy supplement for students while they are away from school. I find it really helps students who may have had an off day in the classroom. If you are interested, it’s here http://aii.lgrace.com

Online education is unique in that it totally depends on the individual. It can be very rewarding if you accept the challenge, and realize what you do. In an online environment, faculty plays a significant role in making sure that you complete your education without any hassle. Only enroll in a school where teaching is conducted by experienced faculty.