Community colleges have an undeserved reputation for inferiority when this could not be further from the truth. A good many of the nations nurses are products of community college educations. In many states, the associates degree nursing programs are quite rigorous and provide more clinical experience than most bachelor's degree nursing programs. This means that students graduating nursing school with an associates degree in nursing are often better prepared to deal with patient care than those who have the 'superior degree'. This by no means is meant to disparage B. S. Nursing students at all. In fact, most hospitals will not even consider you a candidate for an administrative nursing position unless you have the Bachelor's degree. This is only meant to point out that associates degree programs can be quite competitive and inclusive despite common misconceptions.
Of course there are other benefits to learning on the community college level, at least for the first two years of your education. One of those benefits that speaks volumes to me is the fact that teachers in community colleges are dedicated to teaching. They are not working on their own research or books. They are there for the purpose of helping you achieve your goals, which means you aren't an interruption in their pursuit of their own goals.
Community colleges also offer an excellent buffer for students who may not have been on top of their game academically in high school or those who are returning to college after a long absence from academia. You won't find the large auditorium classes on the community college level that major universities are famous for offering. You also won't find that teachers do not have time for their students. There is a lower teacher to student ratio in community colleges so that professors will have time to address the needs of students.
Another benefit is that even if you do not go on to get your four year degree after completing your community college education you will find that your earning potential is significantly improved over those who do not have at least a two-year college education. Research also indicates that students who complete a two-year degree program at a community college are more likely to finish and get a four-year degree than those students who begin their educational experience at a four-year university.
There are a few problems that can be associated with a community college education and you should take note of these so that they do not become a problem for you. First of all, some universities do not accept many of the courses that are offered on the community college level as transfer credits. Make sure that you know what courses are required for the university that you are planning to transfer to in order to avoid this. You also may find that you are limited on the courses you can take and the times in which they will be available. Make sure that you have all the limited courses well ahead of time so that you aren't taking another year of classes in order to graduate.
All in all, a community college education can be just as enlightening as a university education if you enter into the process with an open mind and a willingness to learn. I hope you take advantage of this much less expensive option before moving on to university courses if possible.
Computers as a tool for education is not a new concept. Some of the earliest research and application happened in the 1960's at Stanford University. Teachers of elementary students used computers to assist them in instructing their math and reading lessons. An example of e learning in action at this time would be the computer giving voice to a story as the children read along in their books.
As time passed, the idea of computer based learning came into sharper focus. In 1993, electronic mail was used to provide all the elements of a course to students. This project helped researchers to define the ingredients for a successful e learning platform. They determined that such a program should be easy to use, applicable to many disciplines, and affordable to use. The best online colleges of today have found a way to incorporate all of these suggestions into their protocol.
As the past decade or so has passed, more and more students have chosen online learning. Millions are enrolled in various schools and programs. The demand has created the need for traditional schools to provide web based options. It has also created the need for schools committed to distance instruction exclusively.
This option provides convenience. This is a very important quality to many undergraduates and graduate students. They need to continue to work or care for their families yet still want to participate in higher education. Many colleges and universities are working to provide that convenient education for them.
Finding the right school can be a daunting task. Some wonder if a degree from an online school will be as valuable as one from a traditional brick and mortar school. One important thing to focus on during a search for a school is accreditation. The United States Department of Education's Office of Post Secondary Education maintains a database of all accredited schools. You can check to make sure your choice is represented on the list. This assures that a standard has been reached in terms of quality.
An exploration of degrees and programs offered is another important part of the research that should be done prior to enrollment. Not every college or university is alike in terms of their offerings. Schools often specialize in one discipline or another such as education, health related fields or business. Make sure the one you choose offers all you need to have when you have finished your course of study.
The best online colleges are those that provide what a student needs in terms of programs and flexibility. Many who might otherwise have never had the chance to further their education can do so through online education. It has developed over time from a novel way to teach certain subjects into an effective way to take part in higher education.
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