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Thread summary:

Education: College classes online, it degrees, computer information management, database management, programming.

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Old 02-20-2009, 03:12 PM
 
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I'm thinking of attending classes online, I love computers and want to pursue a degree in the IT field , I haven't pursued classes online before and wonder if it can be beneficial besides the fact that you have extra time from work , had anyone here actually tried classes online and what kind of procedures are given? how are assignments given , are there virtual classrooms with chatrooms? any info regarding this will be appreciated
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Old 02-20-2009, 03:45 PM
 
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The ones I've taken usually had a discussion board where you were graded on the amount and content of your posts, and then assignments and tests that could be done either directly on the class site or as a document you create that you email to the instructor. Some classes post extra documents that are 'class notes' and others do a podcast audio or video lecture discussing the chapters and whatnot. You usually have to buy a textbook too, and where I've gone they charge an extra technology fee with tuition. Usually it's 100% online, but I once took a hybrid class where it was mostly online except I had to go to the campus at scheduled times for tests.

But that's just my experience.
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Old 02-20-2009, 03:52 PM
 
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thanks for your input..... can I ask the allotted time it took you to complete? in other words will it be the same time frame as going to class full time than online?
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Old 02-20-2009, 05:24 PM
 
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Jobs in IT are very hard to come by depending where you live so keep that in mind.

Do you have any experience working in the field? If you don't, that makes your journey a lot more difficult.

An online degree is a great thing. Very convenient for working adults. Many regular brick and mortar schools now have online programs, however, you need a lot of discipline. There are self-paced programs such as Ashworth College (AS in Computer Info Management) or Penn Foster (not sure what the name of their program is), or there are schools in which courses run for 8 or 10 weeks.

The self-paced ones-- you can take as long as you like to finish them. The others need to be finished in the time alloted. You also need to consider what type of accreditation you want the school to have but that's for another thread.

You will need to find somewhere to actually intern or something if you've never worked in IT before. A lot of people "love computers" and are able to troubleshoot mom's computer when she can't get on the Internet but there's a lot more to IT than that and competition is fierce for the jobs that do open up.

What about computers do you love? What field in IT do you want to pursue? Programming? Database management? Network security? Do you want Microsoft certifications like the MCSE? Apple certifications? Other vendors?

Personally, I think that specialization is the better path in today's world and certifications in specific areas are better than a general degree in IT.

You'd be much better off learning Cisco through self-study and getting a CCNA certification or something like that. If you want to do technical support (a GREAT place to start if you can find work) then get an A+ and Network + certification. You can buy materials and study these for yourself instead of committing to a degree program that will require you take many general courses that have nothing to do with computing.

You could work at Best Buy or Staples as a computer tech to get you started but both of those require the A+ certification to be hired.

I have seen people with advanced degrees in IT apply for help desk jobs because they are desperate to stay in the field and jobs are very hard to come by.

I don't want to discourage you. I love IT too and have worked in the field for many years. Your best bet is to pin down exactly what you want to do within IT and pursue vendor certifications in that area.
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Old 02-25-2009, 01:54 AM
 
Location: SF Bay Area
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I'm a big advocate of online education as long as you get into reputable program that is accredited. Check out American Sentinel Online University | Earn Your Online Degree With Us | Information Technology | IT Degrees Online | Game Programming Degree. This is an excellent school where I earned my Masters. It was a program that was tougher than I thought it would be. A lot of hard work, but it paid off for me in my career.

Assignments and lessons are posted on the website and you can download them. You complete the assignment, then submit your answers online to your professor who grades them and gives you feedback. Professors are always available through email and chat. No virtual classroom.
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Old 02-25-2009, 02:11 AM
 
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I've taken both online and in class based classes. The online classes are harder. Since the teacher doesn't have to lecture the teacher now has tons of time to load you up with assignments and busy work. Class based classes are focused on lecturing and then tests. So the only work you have to do is read the book and take the tests. With an occasional project or essay.
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Old 02-25-2009, 10:49 AM
 
Location: SE Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexus View Post
I'm a big advocate of online education as long as you get into reputable program that is accredited. Check out American Sentinel Online University | Earn Your Online Degree With Us | Information Technology | IT Degrees Online | Game Programming Degree. This is an excellent school where I earned my Masters. It was a program that was tougher than I thought it would be. A lot of hard work, but it paid off for me in my career.

Assignments and lessons are posted on the website and you can download them. You complete the assignment, then submit your answers online to your professor who grades them and gives you feedback. Professors are always available through email and chat. No virtual classroom.
I too earned a degree or two from both online and classroom study. Online is a great way to learn and we started each online class by forming groups. I had online group partners who were overseas in the Military or civilians in California, Texas, Virgin Islands, India and most states. We tried to partner up with those in the same time zone for ease of online group chatting...
We were tasked to go online 3 times a week to sign in and discuss our projects. Our login was timed and noted in our school records.
As a group and individuals our projects were composed of 4-5 page papers that were due 12am sharp on a given day every week. I found online difficult at first then it became the "thang" to do.


I suggest all those who have not attended an online course and considering the opportunity to do so first get into a rhythm of doing the projects and submitting papers....I have 2 Master Degrees from accredited schools. Classroom Masters degree I earned a 3.8 GPA. Online Masters was a 3.75GPA...Yeah online is more difficult but reading 20-30 or more pages per night was essential. I did learn more online than I would have expected. Oh...We downloaded our books from the site and I tried to get a hard copy of the same in a bookstore. They were always available but not always available timely due to ordering before class started.

We had to defend our Masters degree as individuals and as a group...Tougher way to learn but I loved sitting in my PJ's writing a paper at 5 or 6am or even 10pm... We sent our papers to a site that checked for Plagiarism and sent the paper and site check to the school. Papers were graded along with feedback. We picked our papers up in our school mailbox. Our projects were non ending because we were had to tell him/her how we could have written a better paper if our grades were anything but 100. All of my papers were in the 90's and required feedback....

I would suggest try both types of study. First classroom then change to Online or vice-versa.

Last edited by Synergy1; 02-25-2009 at 11:22 AM..
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Old 02-26-2009, 01:30 PM
 
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Online learning is being promoted because it is a big money maker for colleges. It takes away the interaction that is so necessary to learn most topics. I like to offer classes with group projects, role playing, case studies and question and answer. This is not possible with on line classes. Stick with the old fashioned system.
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Old 02-27-2009, 01:01 PM
 
Location: SE Florida
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Originally Posted by spring greenery View Post
Online learning is being promoted because it is a big money maker for colleges. It takes away the interaction that is so necessary to learn most topics. I like to offer classes with group projects, role playing, case studies and question and answer. This is not possible with on line classes. Stick with the old fashioned system.
A Masters degree in IT maybe a little tougher to do than lets say an MS or MBA in business. I would first try classroom study at a school that also has online learning so a transfer can be possible.

Online learning is a good way for Professors to remain in the comfort of their home and teach more than one course a day. No parking problems, dress codes or carrying books. There is interaction between students but not usual frequent face-to-face encouters. During an online course the students can elect to meet at Starbucks and hash out any differences if they choose and if they live close to that establishment.

Interaction is graded so are the questions submitted by the professor. I have to admit that the expectations are high and sometimes a student cannot meet those requirements and is quietly dismissed. ALL papers submitted are sent to a site to check for Plagiarism before being graded.

Online courses promote World learning and I found it a great way to learn from nations that we would not ever have the opportunity to question them if we were in a classroom....What about going to class with 2 soldiers in Iraq, a woman in Belize city, a Police Officer in Texas, two nurses in Philadelphia, a 35 year old woman who has 2 children and is a Viagra salesperson from California and a 2nd Grade Teacher's assistant from Ohio, a woman who is build her new dream home on her inherited 25 acres in Texas and myself who was is Analyst in the government.

I believe online learning is a good opportunity to experience and obtain lifelong friends and degree oriented students..

The program courses also give the student the opportunity to meet at any time day or night and communicate through the school email program. Some such as the students in my group preferred IM. Great way to communicate.

I discovered from a friend going to Drexel Univ that all colleges do not require the students to defend their Masters degrees.... I did...

Last edited by Synergy1; 02-27-2009 at 01:53 PM..
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Old 02-27-2009, 03:33 PM
 
139 posts, read 214,641 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spring greenery View Post
Online learning is being promoted because it is a big money maker for colleges. It takes away the interaction that is so necessary to learn most topics. I like to offer classes with group projects, role playing, case studies and question and answer. This is not possible with on line classes. Stick with the old fashioned system.
I could agree with this if applied to very young people (18-mid-20s) who have zero experience in the field they are studying.

As a working adult with many years in a particular field, learning about the topic usually isn't an issue as the student already has a lot of experience. It's typically a lack of available time that it takes to travel to school if one has a family and other responsibilities that makes online programs so attractive.
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