Definition of Online Courses

There are more online education courses today than ever before and because of the growing number, many people have questions about what exactly the online educational experience is.

Significance

It is estimated that over 3.6 million people are enrolled or have taken some type of online courses. This number is expected to grow.

History

Online education began to grow as a field in the middle to late 1990s. By the early part of the new millennium, teachers were being hired to teach solely online courses. Currently, students can take courses all the way up to the doctorate level in all branches of education.

Types

There are two main types of online educational experiences: webcasts and synchronous courses. In the former, students watch presentations by teachers on their browser, while the latter requires students to "attend" a presentation at the same time, like a traditional course.

Considerations

Not all online courses are accredited. Those that are accredited have met with educational standards and are much less likely to be a scam than the degree mills that are unaccredited.

Effects

Online courses are best for shy students, because the participation grades that traditional colleges rely so heavily on are based on different criteria. They are also great for busy moms and working adults who must squeeze in college classes to fit their working schedule.