“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.” --Dalai Lama
As I had mentioned a while back in a previous post, I encouraged and convinced a friend of mine to sign up at Kaplan University. He currently reports directly to me at work, and is one of the hardest workers I’ve known. If there were a management position open at my company, he would be a top candidate. The only problem is that he did not have a degree. Now that he’s a couple of months into his first term at Kaplan, I talked him into doing a two-part interview so that we can discuss his initial observations of the school. This is part 2.
What long-term goals do you expect to achieve through earning a college degree online?
I want my career at Kaplan to be the beginning of several years of college. I want to eventually get my MBA. In order to do that, I need to get my undergraduate degree.
How important is peer interaction (especially early on) in an online course?
Everyone has different points of view and that helps me. It makes college worth the experience when people from different backgrounds can come together and work toward the same goal. I think this is an expectation I had when I started at Kaplan. So far, it has been right on the money.
Now that you are into your first term, has your perspective changed on how online education works?
Not so far. I am still new to this and trying to find my way around. I had a good idea of what it would be like going into this, but you never really get a feel for it until you actually experience it.
What do you like most about Kaplan?
I like the ability to access the site whenever I can. I work late hours at work (and the late shift on top of that). My schedule is hectic. When I get home around midnight, I know I can get online and do some work. That’s very convenient for me. The flexibility is priceless.
What kind of people are in your current classes?
We are a large group of students with very different backgrounds. There are working professionals, single parents looking to advance themselves, etc … It is a very diversified class, and that is what adds value to the learning environment.
I know this is only the start of your undergraduate degree, but what are your long term plans for distance education? Masters degree?
Maybe some day. I would love to get that MBA, but I just started school and it will be a long time before I get to that point. But my goal as of today is to go all out and see how far I can push myself.
You have taken some college courses before at traditional schools. How does distance education compare to classroom education?
Online classes are vastly easier to attend. The flexibility is something that is worth the cost of admission. Having to be at a certain place at a certain time, then having the expense of driving there, making arrangements with the employer, and all the other things that come along with education are a thing of the past. I can do what I need to do when I need to do it for the most part.
What characteristics do you think a distance learner must have in order to succeed?
Self motivation is the biggest one. With all of the freedom that comes with online education, there is the need to keep driving yourself to keep up. You can’t get lazy. It’s just as hard to fall behind in an online class as it is on-campus. You have to remain motivated.
In your short time at Kaplan, if you could suggest one improvement to anything you've experienced, what would that be?
Nothing comes to mind at the moment. I am only in my first term, but I am sure I’ll have some suggestions in the future. Talk to me after I get my Associates degree.