Search Results matching tag 'online studies'

Programming STINKS!

torimitch — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:12:00 GMT

Maybe one of you can comment on how to get the side of my brain that is supposed to be computer literate to function better, because right now, it doesn't seem to be working. Most people have told me that Java is fairly simple, but when you get to the compile stage and your computer beeps every second with error messages, it has taken all my strength not to throw my laptop out of the window. I have a great professor who in one night emailed me NINE times to try and help me. Now that is a great teacher! I apologized profusely and her response was, "Please bother me!"

No luck however. My non-computer brain has shut down from overload and I am headed to campus to work it out. I am really concerned because this is only week three and I am assuming that the projects will incrementally become more difficult. Would that mean a weekly trip to campus? I hope not, I'm not sure I could afford the tolls and gas.

I can understand why programming is a part of my degree program, I just wish it wasn't! I am still trying to make sense of the most basic concepts, such as classes, methods and instances. I am truly hoping for a miracle where one day the light will suddenly turn on and this all will make sense to me. Until that "aha" moment, I will muddle through Java with the constant beeping of error messages ringing through my house.

Life after eclass

uptownchick — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:36:54 GMT

Does anyone have any successful stories after online class. Did you complete the course? What course of study? what did you move on to do? was it in the same field as your study? Would you do it again? What was the most challenging for you?

Recognized Online School with Graduation Perhaps?

NadiaBlue — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:12:35 GMT

Hi,

I'm glad to have found this website after weeks of fruitless surfing of the internet for information and I hope someone can provide me with useful information!

I'm looking to pursue a Bachelors degree in either Communication, Journalisim, or English with an emphasis on creative writing. Basically, I want to become a writer and I believe either of those degrees would prepare me for such a career. I need an online/distance school that is as affordable as possible, recognized, and accredited.

I would also like to add that when I complete this, I will be the first in my family with a University degree, the idea of taking part in a graduation ceremony is one that is very important to me and my parents would travel ANYWHERE to attend it. The University of Southern Queensland offers this but their tuition is too expensive for me. Ideally I'm looking for a maximum of 10-15K (USD) for the entire degree.

If anyone can suggest such a school I would greatly appreciate it, basically, affordable, accredited, recognized and preferably with a graduation ceremony at their actual campus. Also, if you think that I may have overlooked a degree that would prepare me for a career in writing, please suggest it!

Thank you,

Nadia

No financial aide! No fellowships or assistantships either!

torimitch — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:20:00 GMT

During my process of researching graduate schools, I began considering fellowships and assistantships. I spoke to several admission officers and they told me that they ONLY give fellowships and assistantships to on-campus students. Many also stated that they do not offer any type of merit scholarship for their online students.

When I asked why, their reply was, "We don't know? It just is."

So, if I am required to do the same course work and the same thesis work…

Why am I not afforded to the same perks as the on-campus students?
What does this say about an online education?
Are schools saying that online classes are different from the on campus course work?
If this is true, then why do these schools offer online classes at all?

I honestly find it more difficult to be online than it is to be on-campus. There is an never ending amount of time consumed in an online class, while an on-campus course is more defined. A person may come to class approximately three hours a week and maybe complete two hours worth of reading or writing. An online class is usually a daily check on the discussion board to see the responses to posts, then more responses to those responses. Finally, since I think University's are skeptical about the rigor of online programs, they assign about three times more work than the norm. It is the fate of being discriminated against. You have to work ten times as hard just to been seen as equal. My two B+'s came from my toughest online instructors. I received all A's from my on campus classes (even chemistry, I stink in chemistry!)

If institutions truly believe in their online programs, why do they treat them as if they are less? Why did FAFSA decide not to provide financial aid to online programs? Does anyone know?

Everyone should have an "online roommate"

torimitch — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:24:00 GMT

Many times people ask me about my online classes at Drexel University. For the most part, I attribute my success to the professors and the format of the program. Additionally, my cohorts played a significant role in my success.

I started and ended this journey with a group people that I should give much more credit. The first person is my "online roommate," a classmate that was there for me through thick and thin. We frequently e-mailed and called each other to see if the other was still breathing. We also asked each other about the many assignments.

Towards the end of the program we were desperate to graduate. We submitted our request for graduation and found out that there was ONE more class that we both needed to take. It was not offered online that semester, so we made a pact that we would finish this class together.

We had our student teaching during the day, two online classes and one evening class. We were both over our heads, but we were able to support each other all the way to graduation!

The night before graduation our professors took our core group out for dinner. It was one of the best nights ever! We laughed and reminisced like we had known each other forever. I guess in reality we knew each other for about two years of grueling and intensive program.

I'm not sure if I would have made it without my online roommate or my cohorts. Now that I think about it, they were the support I needed when no one else understood what I was experiencing. They were going through the same things and could give me real advice and support. Thank you to all of them!

A College Graduate

torimitch — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:40:00 GMT

I can't believe that I did it! I think after 20 years you begin to doubt whether you will ever be able to finish your degree. But on June 14, 2008, I walked away with my Drexel University diploma. I am still in shock! It all seems like a blur.

The day started early since my school (school of education) was having a reception before the graduation. I had such a great time taking pictures with all my professors. They were all very kind to me and had always given me 100 percent. Throughout my entire Drexel experience I had always felt very well cared for. If I were ever confused my teachers would be sure to e-mail, call, or set up a chat room to discuss any real issues. I am so grateful to all of them.

So then, off to the formal ceremony! I waited in a room underneath the Daskalakis Athletic Center, our main auditorium, with all my "online roommates." As I ascended the staircase, I started to get really excited and overwhelmed with all the cameras, and formality. Our guest speaker was Mayor Michael Nutter, the mayor of Philadelphia. The ceremony was very long and a little boring as the School of Education was the final school to receive their diplomas. I couldn't stop smiling as I walked across the stage and all my professors were beaming at me. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.

As I walked down off the stage, I could see my five children and husband cheering me on and thought that this day could not get any better! I keep thinking to myself, I am finally a college graduate!

Hello Everyone! Welcome to my blog!

torimitch — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:42:00 GMT

I am so excited to finally be able to communicate with you all! My name is Victoria, and I am recent graduate of Drexel University's department of Education's online program. I've had the greatest time at Drexel and hope to share with you all my wonderful experiences. I will be receiving my diploma on Saturday, June 14, so wish me luck. It has been almost 20 years to the day of receiving my high school diploma…so this is a long time coming for me.

I first started my post-secondary experience at Temple University in 1988 and in 1989 Temple University went on strike. I went out to use one of my talents that I had grown up with. I had begun learning sign language at the age of 14 and in 1989 I accepted a position with the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf as an assistant. I love American Sign Language and to this day I am still a freelance interpreter. Since interpreting has afforded me a great living I had put the idea of finishing my bachelor's degree in the back of mind.

I did try to restart my degree several times and if you look at my Temple transcript you will see the birth of three of my children. So after the fifth child I really felt that a degree was out of my reach. My husband had finally encouraged me finish since I was in my junior year at Temple, but the thought of driving and parking on campus was horrid.

So I looked into two programs, one that was an accelerated degree program and the other was Drexel's new online program. I remember the first night logging into an online orientation. That night it just so happened that my youngest child was deathly ill. As he sat in my lap sleeping I enjoyed and interacted the entire night with my soon to be Drexel classmates, while my sleeping baby lay in my lap. At that very moment I knew Drexel was the program for me!

I can't say that it has been easy. Drexel is a challenging program that requires a lot of reading and A LOT of writing! But for those of you who thought that a degree was just no longer feasible. Think about the lady with five children who finally made it, and know that you can do it too!

Get Started To Apply For An Online Education

onlineeducation — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:11:26 GMT

Applying to a college or university is a very lengthy process. You can take the opinion of someone you know. It can in fact take weeks to fill in all the forms, seek out the recommendations that you need and make sure that you have all bases covered before you actually send it off. It can also be extremely complex, and this is then also compounded by the fact that it will take sometime for the admissions department to read through it once it gets there. This whole process can be really excruciating after a long wait, but even more so, if you know that you have got something wrong on the application in the first place.

There are several methods of applying. When applying for an online degree, the way in which you apply completely depends on the university or college. With some, you can apply online but with others you would have to fill in a paper copy but could then enroll online. Sadly, most institutions do not really give you the option of both. If they did, it would be entirely up to you as to how you applied. However, be aware of the logistical problems that you may have with both types of application.

There are also few drawbacks when considering the internet as an option. While an individual is filling an application, you have to fill the entire form at once. You cannot fill in parts of it, save it and then go back to complete the form later. On the other hand, with a paper application, you have the worry that it will get lost in the post, or that you will have missed out a section and yet have no ways to verify either way. Always keep a duplicate of the application form for yourself not considering the method of application.