How an online program may be your answer to finally fitting in your degree
Think you can't fit school into your busy schedule? An online program may be your answer. In fact, according to National Center for Educational Statistics, there were over 7,300,000 students enrolled in distance education courses at degree-granting postsecondary institutions in 2019. These students enrolled in both online undergraduate and graduate academic programs from a range of private and public postsecondary schools. Online programs attract many different kinds of students.
While technology can a hindrance to enrolling in an online program, technological advances and teaching methods have become more advanced and accessible. The pandemic has also shifted the workforce and may require people to upskill or reskill for their careers. Online programs could grant busy adults with an alternative learning format. According to a DeBruce Group report, postsecondary institutions are improving their online teaching formats to accommodate students and staff for online learning, including:
- Training for faculty and staff to help move classroom courses to an online format.
- Establishing clear communication paths to help engage with adult learners
- Being mindful of mental health and wellbeing of adult learners
With these improvements and advancements for online programs, one of the hurdles for adult learners is finding the time to take courses – and that’s why online programs can be a good fit for busy adults who don’t have time to take traditional courses in a classroom.
Why online can be ideal for busy adults
- Flexibility – no commute; fits into busy schedules
- More comfortable learning environment - home versus a classroom
- Different options for online learning formats: self-paced, one-on-one zoom and video recordings
- Career advancement
For Sarah Stevens, graduate of the Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction program, completing her doctorate was only possible because she chose an online program.
“I didn’t know how valuable this type of program would be to me,” said Stevens. “At the conclusion of my oral and written comprehensive exams, my family moved to Texas. It was because I had chosen the program at KUEC that I was able to continue working on my dissertation virtually.”
With an online program’s flexibility comes a responsibility to be self-motivated and get your work done. Similar to working from home, you must learn to avoid distractions and set priorities to be successful. Decluttering your workspace has proven to be conducive to productivity, so consider determining your priorities and organizing your workspace according to those needs.
Knowing you’re interested in furthering your education virtually is the first step. Now, how do you choose a program? Download our eBook 6 Considerations When Choosing an Online Program for tips and questions to ask when researching online learning options.
