Distance Education: An Alternative to Traditional College

Why distance education is a great way for homeschoolers to earn a college degree.

1. Distance Education An Alternative to Traditional College August 16, 2008
2. Introduction • Home schooled K-12 • First year at community college • Finished up via distance education • While working at RMS and SAS
3. Covering today • What is distance education? • Focus on college, but elementary applies • How is it done? • Potential gotchas • Books, sites, other resources • Q&A
4. Two young men • Mike the mechanic • Bob the businessman
5. Mike • Enjoys working with his hands • Wants to be a car mechanic • Enters vocational school
6. Bob • Enjoys business • Started a lemonade stand • Enters Duke University
7. One year passes • Mike • Too much theory • Wants hands on experience • Enters a distance ed program • Has extra time, so apprentices locally
8. One year passes • Bob • Enjoying the theory • Debt is building up • Job at coffee shop • Little time left over for church / family
9. 3 years pass • Mike • Graduates with degree • Hired by the company he apprenticed at • No debt
10. 3 years pass • Bob • Graduates with degree • $60k in debt • Can’t land an immediate job
11. Tell me... • Who would you rather be? • What was different about Mike? • NOT that he chose distance ed... • ...but that he kept an open mind about his options
12. Let’s talk about... • What is distance education? • See handout • Please ask questions
13. What is dist ed? • Who has heard of it or is familiar with it? • Basic premise... • Attending classes on campus is NOT necessary to earning a fully accredited college degree!
14. How is it done? • Instructor and student separated • Mail, phone, video, Internet • Major exams at library under proctor • Same materials as actual class
15. Many benefits! • Time flexibility • Location flexibility • Control over course content • More economical in some situations • Study at your own pace
16. Avoid problems... • Traditional college... • is a contrived atmosphere • things that aren’t important are stressed • It’s NOT the real world
17. “A good school” • Clark Howard • “It’s great to have a son or daughter go to Harvard or Stanford, but in the big scheme of things, what you do with your life and how you treat others is more important than where you go to school.”
18. Not economical • One year at Harvard: $40k • Student loan debt is at an all time high • Loans are taken by 70% of students • Average debt on grad day: $17,400
19. Vox Day • “If you’re going to blow $100k, you’d do better to buy your student a Ferrari and let him drive that to his next job interview.” • “Chances are he’ll get a better job armed with an automotive marker of success than with a degree.”
20. Academic freedom • ADF Senior Legal Counsel David French, head of Center for Academic Freedom: • “Universities are one of the most hostile places for Christians and conservatives in America.” • Learning from home gives you time to continue participating in church outreach.
21. More benefits Enrollment • Enrollment is as easy or easier than most large universities • No long lines • No parking permits • No travel time
22. More benefits Apprenticeship • Works well in combo with apprenticeship • Put what you’re learning to use immediately • Offset the cost of college • Gain practical experience • 40% of college students doing apprenticeships end up working full time
23. Is it right for everyone? • Must be a self-starter • Less face-to-face interaction • Some majors are harder to do • These problems can be mitigated
24. Potential gotchas • Verify regional accreditation • Verify course transfers • Be proactive with your proctor • Be proactive with your college
25. Who offers dist ed? • Most schools offer courses • Some offer a full degree: • University of Phoenix • Largest private university in the U.S. • Thomas Edison State College • City University
26. Application process • Typically similar to traditional college • Many offer registration solely online • Some require you to come to campus
27. What do I need? • Computer is vital • Word processing software • Internet connection • Wireless broadband card? • Local library with proctor
28. Books • Talk about each book • No, I’m not selling them
29. Web sites • TheDistanceLearner.com • Handout will be posted here • MatthewBass.com • Software development topics • Teascript.com
30. Conclusion • Traditional college is no longer a requirement for earning a degree • Keep an open mind, society is not right • Learn more, pray about it... • ...and make an educated decision • Any questions?