From A Distance - You Can Get A Degree"Individualized Study" is one way of phrasing the revolution that has taken over higher education. This individual approach lets students work toward their degree on their own time and at their own pace. Individualized study is possible for all students at Mountain State University, but usually, it is used by those students who are not easily able to attend on-campus classes. There are several possible components to an individualized study program, including distance courses (in the form of online course offerings), cohorts (groups of students who meet with no instructor) and other self paced study options. By far and away, the most common format for those who do not want to or who can not attend regular classes are online classes. The range of classes that are available to students these days is practically without end, and may include chances to learn about economics, healthcare, photography, or any other discipline that one can imagine. The two main commercial platforms that are available in the on line environment are WebCT and Blackboard. Though they still exist separately, the two companies have actually merged recently, and soon, there will be only one platform (which, hopefully, will incorporate the best of both products). Some higher education institutions have also built their own online learning management systems that they use exclusively. Most of these systems have the same basic options - assignment pages with submission drop boxes, a chat environment, a discussion thread tool, a testing and grading method, and a system to display grades to students. Additionally, these learning management systems will provide administrative tools such as student activity tracking, registration tools, grading options, and statistical functions. Distance courses are very popular with students for a wide variety of reasons. Many like the convenience of the presentation, which allows the student to work in their own time (so long as deadlines are met). Students also report that they very much like the freedom to work at any time of day, the freedom to not have to "dress up" for school, and the fact that work can be done at any time of day. As fuel prices continue to rise, distance courses are also finding a lot of popularity with those who are trying to save on fuel costs. |