But finding a quality online program where you earn a college degree is another story, according to John Lavallee, director of Champlain College On-Line. A four-year college located in Burlington, Vt. Students dial in everywhere from Moscow, Vermont, to Moscow, Idaho, to Moscow, Russia, to study in a global classroom through Champlain College On-Line. The rewards can be great, but you need to choose a winning program. The sheer number of online institutions makes it impossible to know all the players.
Potential students have to ask themselves if they are cut out for studying online.
Distance education is a terrific opportunity for self-motivated students and Lavallee says often adults make for better online students than teens. Be sure to ask the institution if you have the computer equipment needed to study online. Lectures, exercises and assignments are presented via specially designed class Web pages. Completed assignments are uploaded to the instructor electronically. Established colleges are a good bet because online education is an extension of their educational mission and they commit the most resources to it.