Remote Learning /2021 Options
You must think I’m crazy. Why would I be talking about remote learning as a college option, after all, we’ve been through lately? One simple reason. Money. Most remote learning costs LESS than in-person education. Most programs are a whole lot better than what you’ve just survived, and, most programs work around YOUR schedule. It is an option you MUST consider in your higher education strategy. So what might be stopping you from getting the facts? Myths and rumors are the culprits. Let’s take those apart.
Myth #1- Remote learning is new and hard and bad. Nope. Pandemic remote learning, dropped like a bomb on unsuspecting educators students, and families, is bad for everyone. Kudos and praise to everyone for the commitment to overcome that disaster. However, successful remote learning at the college level has a 15+-year history of well-designed systems and processes. Millions of students across the county have earned quality “online” degrees from top schools like Duke, Purdue, U of Florida, to name drop a few. Even if you decide to go more traditional, check out remote learning in your backyard.
Myth #2- Remote learning is for less talented students, part-timers, or less committed students. No. Literally, millions of students have earned their degrees online. The military offers quality, recognized online programs to qualified personnel. Ask yourself- how easy is it to work full-time in the military and carve out a degree at the same time? Not! But they do it every year by the tens of thousands. Your student may have family obligations, caregiving obligations, or simply too much on their plate to do college full time and live on campus. Remote courses might be a way to get one’s toe in the water very affordably.
Myth #3-Employers will not “respect” an online degree. There may have been a bit of truth to that in the past, but NOT anymore. With so many top universities and colleges offering degrees online, there’s no stigma anymore. In fact, some employers may be more impressed your student completed their studies non-traditionally than if you were on campus full-time. At one point in my early career, I was a corporate recruiter, interviewing on college & university campuses. I found those students who worked 20+ hours a week, had other obligations, and still attended college were extra-special. They interviewed impressively, often beating out their full-time college student counterparts. They were among the hardest workers and best employees we could find. I see the same kinds of stories from remote learning students.
Don’t get me wrong. Remote Learning has its own challenges. Most classes are taught “asynchronistically”, meaning the lectures are contained, or encapsulated. You listen to the lecture, do your assignments, and meet at regularly scheduled times to “discuss” questions/concerns. It requires organization, commitment, and self-starting skills from the student. And, those are all skills every employer is seeking, too.
How do you “know” if doing college remotely is good for your student? Frankly, you don’t. But then, you don’t know if doing college traditionally is going to work out either. According to the statistics, only 40% of college students get out of school in 4 years with a degree. With that low graduation rate, why not consider taking a course or two remotely to test the waters? A couple of online courses at well-recognized schools would run under $2,000. That sure beats borrowing six times that for a semester of a residential college.
Finally- nothing is cut in concrete. Wrong school? Transfer. Wrong major? Change it. Not committed? Go to work instead. But when they are ready, include online learning as a path to check out. Remote Learning needs to be brought out of the closet and put next to all the options for higher education. Don’t let the pandemic remote learning issues color your thoughts on this option. It could be a great path for many of our students!
Chapter 14 in ENOUGH! The College Cost Crisis details the issues involving online learning for you and your student. For less than $20, the whole book can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Next week, learning to trust in the Maine fog.; a true story with hope for a better 2021.
Until next time,
All my best,
Bonnie Burkett
