Should Recruiters Take Online Degrees Seriously

Should Recruiters Take Online Degrees Seriously As a result of increasing economic hardship, growing technological empowerment, dynamic lifestyles and the increasing emphasis on knowledge accreditation and credentials, we have seen a surge in demand and provision of zugreifbar university degrees. Many students see online degrees as a practical and mora affordable way to get a degree, and hence employers will increasingly be seeing graduates coming through with accreditation from online institutions or online faculties within traditional classroom-based learning institutions. This presents a new issue for employers as with anything new, there can be fear and uncertainty, and online degrees have certainly suffered from a perception issue. Studies show that many employers frown on online degrees as there are concerns they lack rigor and face-to-face interactions and that there is mora scope for acade mic dishonesty. Online degrees also have an unenviable association with diploma mills, i.e. disreputable institutions that provide fake degrees.So ,with the subject of online degrees now banging at the doors of recruiters, its time to ask the question, Should employers take online degrees seriously? Heres my viewOne of the first big issues to address is whether the quality of online degrees matches that of traditional degrees. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Education, which looked at 99 research studies between 1996 and 2008, classes with online learning, (whether totally online or blended), on average produced stronger learning outcomes than classes with just face-to-face instruction. So, according to academic research, online degrees are, at the very least, as effective a teaching tool as classroom-led learning and arguably more effective.So now we know that online degrees are good quality, how can we be sure that the degree that we are looking at is of good quali ty and not from a diploma mill giving out fake degrees? This is a very easy one to resolve. The U.S. Government has tackled the issue of diploma mills, and now employers can check the authenticity of any online institution by contacting their states Better Business Bureau or state attorney generals office to see if the online degree institution they are concerned with is operating legally and whether it is accredited by a nationally recognized agency.We can now see whether an online degree institution is legitimate, but how do we know if it is any good? This problem of quality is not unique to online institutions and is shared by face-to-face teaching colleges. In the face-to-face world, there are recognized league tables of degree quality by subject, which you can access to ascertain how good an institution/school actually is, and the same goes for online degrees. There are many surveys out there, but the most reputable and comprehensive online degree program league table I could f ind was the Best Online Degrees Program Table by the U.S. News and World Report.This shows how easy it is to authenticate an online degree institution and assess its quality, which means that the last remaining detractor in relation to online degrees is the issue of student authentication, e.g. how can you be sure that the degree holder actually did the work and didnt simply pay someone else to do it. In truth, we can never be totally sure, but we should be clear that this issue ofstudent authenticationand faking are not unique to online institutions it is a problem which afflicts traditional degrees, too.But, steps have been taken to reduce faking in online degrees. The College Opportunity and Affordability Actrequires online colleges that are receiving federal funds to ensure that the person enrolled in the course is actually doing the work. As a result, these online institutions take student authentication very seriously and many operate face-to-face or secure testing, and others use intensive camera surveillance at the student exam site along with third party monitors. Retinal scanning, electronic finger printing and key stroke analysis are all in the pipeline.So, as you can see, the online degree sector is maturing and evolving into a very credible education sector. Provided you can verify the educational institution is both legitimate and of sufficient quality, online degrees should be considered on an equal grund to face-to-face degrees.

4 Ways Online Learning May Benefit Job Seekers

4 Ways verbunden Learning May Benefit Job Seekers4 Ways Online Learning May Benefit Job Seekers1Online courses and degrees are increasingly popular options for todays students. The Online Learning Consortium reports that mora than 6.7 million higher education students take at least one of their courses online.While theres little doubt that online learning is more convenient, how does it stack up to traditional learning when it comes to helping job seekers? As it turns out, earning an education online provides major advantages that can lead to better job offers in nearly any given career path.Check out these four ways online learning may benefit job seekersTake Classes While WorkingAccording to the U.S. Census Bureaus 2011 findings, 20 percent of undergraduate students and nearly half of graduate students worked full-time, year round. For many of these professionals, walking away from a job simply isnt an option. Fortunately, online courses and degrees can give students the scheduling flexibility to pursue their education while they continue to work and earn an income.Working professionals who earn degrees are acquiring more knowledge, which prepares them for the job market. But theres another advantage to studying while working that people often overlook. Rather than removing themselves from the working world, these students continue to gain experience, earn promotions, and receive on-the-job training that positions them to secure higher-level jobs.Learn from AnywhereNot every student lives in or near a city with a top college or university. While relocating is an option for some people, for others it can result in major financial sacrifices, job changes, and strain on family members.There are also certain prospective students who travel frequently for work or for professional growth opportunities, such as language immersion.Online education means students based in another country or traveling around the world arent limited by whats in their immediate area. No matter where theyre currently located, they have access to the fruchtwein competitive colleges and universities, which can give them an advantage over other job candidates.Interact with Students and Educators Around the WorldBecause online courses arent location based, they often attract students from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of nationalities. Whether students are studying healthcare advances or business strategies, theyll receive a broader range of perspectives that contribute to rich learning experiences.These learning experiences provide professionals with greater insights and increased understanding of multiple viewpoints that often prove invaluable in job searches for nearly all industries and career paths.Adopt a Tailored Learning StyleA number of online learning programs give students more flexibility when it comes to how and when they learn. With online materials available 24/7, students can tune into lectures whenever its convenient and when theyre most alert and focused.Many programs also offer self-paced learning, which gives students the option to complete courses within a concentrated time period or to spread out their learning over a longer period of time. With self-paced learning, students can stick with a certain topic until they feel confident that theyve mastered it.That means students are less likely to fall behind, redo a class, or barely pass with a limited grasp of the topic. Flexible online courses empower professionals to attain higher levels of understanding that can translate to more effective job applications and interviews, as well as improved performance on the job.Deciding whether to pursue an online degree or a traditional course of study will depend on each individuals unique situation, preferences, and needs. When making this decision, all students should consider the major ways in which a flexible online education can enhance certain aspects of the learning experience and develop professionals into more sought-af ter job applicants.Readers, have you used online learning to help you succeed in a job search? Tells us your experience with online learning belowJulie Sweet is an editor of healthcare information at 2U. The healthcare kollektiv at 2U strives to provide aspiring healthcare workers the knowledge they need to choose the best healthcare degree for their goals.