Higher Learning | Development Ventures

Choosing Between Online Learning and a Traditional Classroom

Some students live too far from a college campus or have hectic work schedules preventing them from attending classes on campus. For this group of learners, an online learning environment makes sense. However, if you have a choice between a traditional classroom and an online learning program, here are a few things to consider before choosing an education path.

1. Examine your learning style. Do you prefer to be alone when you study? Or do you enjoy discussing topics in person with a group of people? Think back to your study habits in high school and college courses you have completed. If you prefer a quiet environment to constant human interaction, online learning may be the better choice for you.

2. Evaluate your comfort level with technology. Online learning programs require that you log in to download program materials. You must be comfortable using email to communicate with professors and there may be discussion forums on which to post comments. Your homework assignments may require use of productivity software.

If you aren’t comfortable with computers or would rather not sit in front of them, a traditional classroom may be a better option. You will still have to use the computer to complete homework, but you’ll have access to people who can assist you in person.

3. Assess the quality of the educational program. Some high-quality programs, law schools for example, require on-campus attendance and, in some localities, completion of online law school does not qualify you for the bar exam. Be sure that by choosing an online learning option, you are not limiting your future prospects in your career of choice.

Filed Under: Higher Learning, Online Education Tagged With: Classroom, E-learning, Education

Choosing a Career in the Education Field

Image via Wikipedia

The education field is vast. Most people picture a teacher instructing learners when they think of the education field. However, there are a multitude of choices in the types of jobs, salaries and tasks involved in this field. Here is an overview.

Teachers and Teachers Assistants

Teachers are needed to teach people of all ages. From preschool teachers to graduate school professors, teachers and teacher’s assistants have many choices. When deciding whether to teach children, teens or adults, examine your preferences and topic interests. If you enjoy guiding the development of young children and have the patience to repeat information, teaching preschool or elementary school may be a good fit. On the other end of the spectrum, if your goal is to pass on your knowledge of an extensive amount of information on a particular topic, then high school or college teaching may appeal to you.

Educational Administrators

School principals, university deans and other administrators are needed to make sure that schools run properly. If your strengths are in leading others and bringing an educational vision to fruition, then academic administration may be for you.

School Counselors

Students often need counseling in regards to academic challenges, emotional issues and behavioral problems. If you have the desire to assist learners and guide them in an educational setting, then consider becoming a school counselor.

Education Writers

Learners need books, journals, articles and other publications from which to learn. Education writers research academic topics and write these documents to guide students. Education writers must have strong research and writing skills and enjoy working alone with information and the written word.

Filed Under: Education, Higher Learning Tagged With: Education, School counselor, Student

Is Law School the Right Path for You?

Image by Jesse Michael Nix via Flickr

When people think of law school, a variety of images come to mind. An exciting career in which you fight for truth and justice is one image. The unfortunate potential of defending someone you think is guilty is another. Working long hours and making a large salary is yet another. All of these images contain validity to some extent. Here are other things to consider before pursuing law school.

Academic Preparation for Law School

Some students end up in law school because they don’t know where to turn after finishing their undergraduate degrees. In contrast to medical school where a student must prepare by completing a specific set of science and math courses, law schools accept students with a variety of undergraduate majors. From sociology to English to science to theater, graduates can consider law school an option.

Understanding the Legal Field

Some students who finish law school pursue other professions. This is because they enter the field to find that it’s different from what they expected. Spending long hours researching, writing and meeting with clients is a far cry from the exciting vision of arguing in court and bringing justice to each and every situation.

Before Going to Law School

The best way to determine if law school is for you is to ask yourself and others a few questions. Conduct interviews with longtime lawyers to learn about their typical workday. Ask yourself if you can sit for long hours studying information, pulling pieces of a puzzle together and writing brief after brief.

If the answers to these questions are yes, then law school could very well be the right education path for you.

Filed Under: Financial Aid, Higher Learning Tagged With: Education, Law, Law school