Join me, as we explore these 7 Myth Busters of Distance Learning and open the doors of opportunity and empowerment that are waiting as close as your laptop, cell phone, and iPod.

1. You need to be connected at the same time in order to participate in distance learning. Many people have this idea because they may have participated in workplace webinars: lectures or seminars delivered live over the web. However, webinars are only one of many ways to provide distance learning. A more popular format is to use non-simultaneous deliver (or asynchronous as we call it). This format enables participants to sign in over the Internet to do their work whenever it fits it into their day. Wouldn’t you like to pick the time when you learn? Another great benefit of non-simultaneous learning is that it overcomes time-zone conflicts when you worldwide groups.

2. Distance learning is boring and usually canned. This statement might be the case if you are only reading test, or watching video, but haven’t you been to a boring lecture? Too much of any one instructional mode can make it hard to keep people’s interest. Today well-designed distance learning courses include not only video, text, graphics, audio, and pictures, but also user created materials in all the same formats. A great course will not only provide learning in a varied format addressing multiple learning styles and learning intelligences, but it will also engage learners in active participation! Student podcasts, videos and online role playing are just a few examples. Learners also post or lead subject focused discussion boards and solve group simulations. Distance learning can provide a dimension of making learning meaningful and active.

3. I don’t like this “at your own pace stuff” of distance learning. Again, distance learning comes in so many modes now that you can have a completely instructor-led course, or one that includes partial independence combined with direct oversight. In some content areas, participants might also be in private learning sessions, just you and the teacher, or with groups. Although usually more expensive, if private learning or tutoring or a specific time frames fits you best, a private vs. group class might be a real perk and incentive.

4. Distance learning is much easier than traditional classes. This concern is raised mostly in relation to academic degrees and cannot be more wrong. In fact, students need to work harder, especially at first, with online courses. They need to shift to being responsible for their learning and invest more time in being self-disciplined, scheduling their outside classroom study (there is no IN classroom time!), and tracking their deadlines. For certain people it is a breeze to adjust, for other people they have to focus on developing strategies for online learning success. But once they do make the effort, learners taking responsibility may begin to soar with the possibilities ahead. Now, doesn’t that lesson have a lot of good cross-benefits to it? Hmmmmm.

5. Distance learning creates greater social isolation. I think most people who state this myth, do not use social media. Otherwise they would have a better idea of the extensive interactions in distance classes. The discussion boards, peer emailing and dialogue, and group projects stampede over the amount of interaction in a traditional classroom. I always say face to face classes by necessity are required to play “Beat the Clock”; therefore, time for student interaction is limited. In contrast, distance classes can expand as much as the students want to invest in them. Isolating? Not in our experience- we have to sometimes hold them back!

6. Teachers do not need new class preparation: Teaching distance learning is just like teaching traditional classes. This is a very dangerous myth, because teachers and learners will be disappointed with the results if it is followed. While distance learning will build upon principles of great teaching practice, many specific issues have to be addressed that are different or new. For instance, because of being part of a global classroom, cross-cultural communication may be prominently required than usual. Also whether classes are delivered in same time or not, a distance audience means different dynamics. It can be powerful and lively, or fraught with problems, but don’t try to head into this format without preparation.

7. No student orientation is needed. Students use the same skills as a traditional class, just plug n play! Many organizations have struggled by following this approach, and so have their participants! From technical support, to study skills, time management to registration, needs to processes, people need to break away from their assumptions and rethink the needs of the distance learner. When they are addressed, the approach unleashes a vibrant, global classroom.

Next Steps. Hopefully, this brief article has raised some new questions for you and challenged some of your assumptions or prior opinions. Consider signing up for a distance learning course which has developed a good reputation. Give virtual learning a try for yourself and reflect on how this experience can be helpful for you, your family and colleagues to meet personal and professional learning needs. From academic degree completion, to language learning to prepare for your next trip to Spain, or strategies to restart your dream career, the opportunities may be as close as that computer, iPod or cell phone, if you give it a chance and follow the tips above.

A PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is a 4-year professional degree. Prior to acceptance into a PharmD school, you are usually required to complete two years of pre-pharmacy classes. There are also transition programs that allow a pharmacist with an older BS in pharmacy to advance to a PharmD level.

The American Council on Pharmaceutical Education does the accreditation of colleges and universities that offer online pharmacy degree education programs. Make sure that the school you select carries this seal of approval.

The job market for a pharmacist is wide open. You can work in a clinical setting, pharmacy management, pharmaceutical sales, in a hospital or retail pharmacy, mail-in pharmacy or participate in research.

With a potential annual salary of $88,000, a career in pharmacy is definitely an area you should explore if you like science. You will need to complete your degree and internship, and then pass the state exam (NAPLEX) in order to obtain your license to practice as a pharmacist.

Family obligations or work related obligations do not need to prevent you from entering into this robust job market. Online college degree programs allow you to complete your course work at your own schedule in your own home. Internships can be arranged in your geographical location. There is no need to move across the country to obtain your degree.

An online college degree education website will provide you with the information you need to decide what school to attend. You can apply to the schools of your choice right at the online website. You can even find out about financial aid, and talk to a counselor if you need to.

Online Education Courses are Just as ‘Real’ as ‘Real’ College

For some reason, many students that are beginning a distance learning education get the idea that it’s not “real” college, so it doesn’t matter if they do the coursework on time, pass the exams, etc. This is just as common in adults who are returning to school after a lapse in education as it is in young students who are fresh out of high school. This type of attitude is a recipe for failure in any educational program. Remember that it is your time and your money that is going into this; you want to be sure that you get everything you can out of it.

School Supplies are Your Responsibility

If you were attending a traditional university you’d expect to pay for your books, pens, paper, and other products necessary for your education. It is no different when attending online education courses. The supplies are different; you’ll need a computer, internet access (preferably broadband), email, and specific software to complete your online courses. In most cases these are all things that you’ll be required to supply yourself. If you do find a college that is offering to give you a PC, you’ll probably want to double check their accreditation or start having your email sent to sucker@borneveryminute.com because you’ve found yourself a fly-by-night university.

Financial Aid is Available for Those Who Qualify

Many students miss out on college because they believe they can’t afford it. Perhaps their parents were unwilling or unable to pay for college yet they made too much money for the student to qualify for aid. Then, as older adults, they do not continue their education because they still believe they can’t afford it. Remember that students in online education programs from accredited schools can qualify for many of the same grants that they would in on-campus programs. Don’t miss your opportunity because you think you can’t afford to pay for your online education.

As the number of people who look for ways to complete their education or improve their skills becomes too large, it is inevitable that a large number of colleges and universities take the necessary steps towards filling that need. But jobs, childcare and other family obligations limit the amount of time people can devote to their education, and thus, alternative arrangements are created. Online education has started gaining popularity and has now completely changed the way we approach education today.

Online degrees are now widely accepted and recognized as authentic educational qualifications. As long as the institution offering the degree is accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, there should be no problem in the degree being accepted and acknowledged anywhere. Fully accredited online degree programs are now available in nearly every field. From management to medicine, law to accounting, there is a wide variety of choices on offer. Even obscure subjects and fields of study have found their place on the Internet. With degrees such as healthcare, students are even given the option of combining the practical aspect of their training at local hospitals or clinics along with virtual classes and studying online.

The flexibility of online education has opened up the doors of education to people from all walks of life. Stay at home moms and dads can now study from their own houses and employees can complete their assignments around their work schedules. There is 24 hour accessibility to the study material allowing for all night study sessions as well as the possibility of returning to subject matter again and again if necessary. And as universities continue to expand their options, the flexibility of online education will only increase. Students will be offered more options with the possibility of a custom created curriculum that suits their individual requirements and interests.

Distance learning also allows people hundreds of miles away to graduate with degrees from the college of their choice. Without spending a penny on gas or transport, students can make the most of a world class education with resources and faculty from all over the world. Through pre-recorded lectures, worksheets, assignments, e-classes, online forums, and tests, students can view, interact, and study from the comfort of their own space.

With a more flexible attendance policy, students can choose to tackle their workload as quickly or as slowly as they need to (all within a larger pre-determined schedule, of program). While this freedom may prove to be a little daunting to a new student, after completing a few programs, it becomes easier to get used to this new way of studying. To be successful in an online program, a large amount of self discipline and motivation is imperative. Without which it is all too easy to take advantage of the flexibility of the program and not achieve much. And while online education is definitely less expensive than a traditional degree program, to spend time, money and effort on something that is not taken seriously will not accomplish anything in the long run.

Online education in short offers every individual the right information in the right format at the right time for the best chances of success. Once upon a time online schools were considered the next wave of education and that future is finally here – ready to change the way we look at education way beyond the boundaries of any classroom.

Many online degree programs at the graduate level are focused on furthering business or information technology skills. Both disciplines lend themselves quite well to distance learning methodologies, and provide adequate learning vehicles for the motivated student. As with any graduate degree-program, the challenges facing the student are significantly greater than those facing undergraduate students. Some schools have expanded program offerings to include nursing, educational, and even law-enforcement disciplines. One California law school allows students to pursue a law degree completely through online technology.

Acceptance into graduate-level online degree programs is on par with the entrance requirements of traditional schools, at least for the most part. Some schools have waived the requirement to submit results from a graduate entrance exam (the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is the most widely used), and this may diminish the reputability of the school and program. Still, the relaxed entrance requirements can provide more students with the opportunity to pursue graduate-level studies, many of whom might not have such an opportunity in the past.

Regardless of which program and venue is selected, a graduate student can expect to face a tremendous workload and extreme strains on time and effort, certainly far more than those found in undergraduate coursework. Most graduate programs are designed to teach theory versus tangible skills, development of research techniques, critical thinking and problem solving abilities, and mastery of discipline-related literature. The difference between online and traditional degree programs at the graduate level diminishes greatly because of these goals, and a typical student can expect to spend a great amount of time reading, researching, and preparation of advanced written assignments.

Graduate level programs rarely allow for the transfer of outside credits or substitution of classes with comparable coursework or student experience. Most schools, online or traditional, require that a specific amount of graduate credits are earned at the degree-issuing school. By most accounts, this requirement varies from 60-80%, depending on the specific school.

Online students face a greater challenge in the pursuit of their graduate degree in that they lose the live interaction and debate (to some degree) found in traditional classroom environments. Many schools offering online degree programs have met this deficiency by creating more interactive forums and establishing online learning teams that are essential to the completion of complex projects. If you are seeking a graduate degree

The origin of distance education can be traced back to the 19th century (1840) when Sir Issac Pitman, the inventor of shorthand, came up with an idea of offering courses through mail. In the 1900s, a department for correspondence courses was started at the University of Chicago. In the later years, a number of universities also started such departments. Until 1969, distance education remained an important means of education in only a few countries. In 1969, the establishment of the United Kingdom’s Open University brought about a significant change in the field of distance education. A number of other open universities followed suit.

In modern distance education, educational materials are given to the students through various means such as tutorials, audiotapes, videos, satellite broadcasts and CD-ROMs. Remote databases, e-mail, and video conferencing using broadband network are also used. Interactive videoconferencing helps a teacher deliver lectures to different groups in other classrooms, known as a virtual classroom. The various facilities and services available through the network include online registration, availability of online video materials, dissemination of course materials and constant communication with tutors, instructors and fellow students through e-mail

A majority of universities in the United States have distance-learning programs. There are a number of non-profit and profit institutions both in private and public sectors offering them. One of the disadvantages of these programs is their high cost. In spite of this, the possibilities of distance education are increasing day by day. Beyond doubt, in the near future, distance education will make a tremendous impact on the institutions of higher education.

Broad Horizons

Thanks to distance learning, one can now broaden one’s horizons and the doors to greater success have also opened, mainly because a distance learning college allows you to achieve degrees that are as good or better than the traditional institutions of learning. You also don’t need to find time from your other duties to pursue your education further. You get to acquire the same skills as you would with a traditional college and there is also no shortage of subjects to choose from with an accredited distance learning college.

Thanks to distance learning colleges there is no need for you to go and spend your evenings at an night school. There is also no need to compromise your family or work responsibilities and they allow you to learn at a pace of your own choosing. However, before you choose an accredited distance learning college, you should try and choose one that is located in your own neighborhood since it will give you a better chance of getting personalized attention. Though, there is no disadvantage to choosing a college that lies far away from your home.

You will give a boost to your chances of landing a better job by enrolling at an accredited distance learning college. You also may improve your current employment status since your resume will look better when you mention the name of an accredited college on it.

There are in fact a number of advantages that enrolling in an accredited distance learning college will give to you since a degree enhances your skill levels considerably, even more than is the case after attending regular colleges.

In addition, an accredited distance learning college degree also imparts necessary skills which can then be put to use at your workplace. Learning new ways of communicating online with programs like Excel, PowerPoint and other similar programs is a good example of such skills.

In fact, online accredited distance learning degrees are also wonderful because you get an introduction to new industries and so you can pursue your career along a given path. You may even be asked to pursue research as well as learn how to find pertinent information for yourself and this in turn, will lead to making new findings and coming into contact with more interesting ideas that will stand you in good stead further down the line.