How to Choose the Best e-learning Courses

The e-learning industry has seen a significant upswing in past few years. More and more people are substituting e-learning solutions for live classroom sessions. These e-learning courses have various target customers such as students who want to go in for online studies or instruction sessions for employee's training and development. With a plethora of e-learning courses available, it can be very confusing to choose an appropriate training program. A good e-learning course should adhere to certain principles which are mentioned below. Consider these points before you select an e learning course for yourself. Case studies and appropriate examples Make sure that the course contains enough case studies to make the learner understand the real scenarios underlying various concepts. The course content should have enough examples to ensure that the learner gets a fair understanding of all important points. An effective e-learning course should focus on explaining the concept by bringing practical situations in the online classroom. Pre and post testing and feedback system Before choosing an e-learning program, find out whether it provides a pre-course evaluation test to determine the existing level of your knowledge. You should also make sure that all the lessons have an evaluation measure in the end. These tests are necessary to be sure that you are picking up the concepts correctly. The feedback system should also be in place in order to give prompt signals for correct and incorrect answers. In case of wrong answers, correct answer and explanation should be provided. Well framed content and timeframe settings Give a quick look to the way in which the content of the course is arranged before choosing an e-learning course. Make sure that the total content is effectively broken down into multiple lessons to make the learning convenient. The course package should also include guidance manual to help you with timing your studies. A good e-learning course should have well formatted content with correct grammar and should allow the student to learn at his/her own pace. Interactive studies The course should provide you an opportunity to interact with the subject matter experts in order to let you discuss your problems. There should also be a way through which you could interact with other students for online discussions. There should also be prompt feedback on assignments submitted by the students. An interactive approach should be used in presenting the total content.

Enroll For Online Doctoral Programs to Earn the Highest Academic Credential

So you have set your mind to get a high academic credential. Well, it's a good thing. If you are already a bachelor degree holder, you can enroll for a doctorate program in the same field that you gained your bachelor degree in. A doctorate program takes 4 to 6 years of study over and above the 2 years required to complete a master's. One of the best ways to get a doctorate degree is while working after you complete your master's. But how do you work as well as study? With the help of the Internet now you can choose out of the several online doctoral programs available and strive to earn the highest academic credential. Not only will this qualification look good on your resume, but it will also help you pave way to higher success and possibly, fame. Today there are many schools and colleges offering online doctoral degrees. As a matter of fact, the demand for achieving this degree online has gained significant popularity over the last few years. This has prompted more variety and better syllabus being offered by universities to beat competition. A doctoral degree via the Internet will take between 2-4 years of your time. Despite the amount of time it may take for you to achieve this academic pinnacle, you will come to be highly regarded for sure once you receive this honor. With the help of online doctoral programs, you can now achieve your dream of academic excellence and earn a PhD in your chose field. A distance learning doctorate degree is validation of your passion and personal commitment towards your chosen field of study. Once you have completed the course and earned your degree, you will find many different job avenues opening up for you. Some of them could include, research oriented work, guest lectures at colleges, speaking, consulting, and even writing research papers etc. Apart from all this, you'll also be able to enjoy a good salary. As a matter of fact, the US Census Bureau says that individuals with Ph.Ds are liable to earn almost $38,000 more on a yearly basis than individuals who have bachelor degrees. Besides this, as a doctor with a Ph.D. degree, you can even start your consultancy and earn around $90,000p.a. Today the Internet has hundreds of online doctoral programs available. With each passing month, more and more online doctorate programs are being added in different fields by the best known accredited universities. Online Ph.D programs are available in almost every field of study. From Business Administration, to Healthcare, to Physics, History, Chemistry, Math, and other medical fields, a doctorate assure you of a smooth sailing career, with minimal disturbance and long lasting benefits. As a doctorate degree holder, the whole world opens up for you and you just don't create new knowledge, you also get the chance to share it those who matter like your peers and you seniors. You get to create a whole new world you and your loved ones can be proud of!

How to Get an Online Masters Degree

With most people who seek a master's degree working a full-time job, it can be hard to find time for an education. Therefore, the online master's degree is a growing trend that has gained a great deal of momentum in the last 5-10 years. Many schools are now offering the graduate degree in an online format, so students can earn their degree from the comfort of their home computer. So how does one get an online masters degree? The first thing to do is to determine the type of degree program that you want to earn. Perhaps a master's degree in education, a master's in engineering, or even a masters in business administration (MBA). Once you have figured out the degree you want to earn, you can begin to find a school that offers that degree program. Since you will be earning your degree online, the world is your oyster, and there are a number of schools nation-wide that are available to you for that online education. It's important to make sure you choose your online school the same as you choose a traditional brick-and-mortar school. Be sure to look at class size, degree program requirements, tuition, financial aid information, and quality of the degree program itself. Accreditation is important, especially when earning a master's degree. As a bonus, many online colleges allow you to take a sneak peek into what you can expect by taking a "demo" online class. Once a school is determined, complete the application for admission. Be sure to complete all of the requirements of the application including letters of reference, essay, and any other paperwork that may be required of you. Once you have been accepted, be sure to look into whether or not financial aid will be required. If it is required, be sure to complete the FAFSA form to see what scholarships, grants, and loans you can receive to help pay for your education. Once your financial aid is taken care of, you can begin taking your graduate degree courses and earning that masters degree you have wanted.

5 Steps for Choosing Online Visual Arts Schools

The pressure to choose the right college can be paralyzing. There are so many good online visual arts schools out there that making a decision about which one to go to can immobilize you. Move forward with the decision by considering the following five steps for selecting the right program. 1. List Your Expectations The first thing that you want to do is to look at the basics that you should expect of any good visual arts schools. All of the online colleges should have the following key features: A good reputation in the arts industry Faculty with industry experience Access to the latest technology (via software or local campus access) Opportunities to network with visual artists in the field Internship and job placement assistance Look for a school that is going to help you to build up your own portfolio while also helping you network within the art business. 2. Choose a Degree Program After you've narrowed down the options with step one, you're ready to consider some of the finer details. For example, what type of visual arts do you want to pursue? Choose a school that offers your specialty such as fine arts or computer animation. Also consider whether you want a two-year, four-year or advanced degree. Finally, consider whether you are better suited to a free-range, creative program that you direct yourself or to a more structured set of classes. 3. Determine the Cost of Attending Visual Arts School Online Before you choose your online school for visual arts, you want to look at what it's going to cost you. Make sure that you don't just look at the cost of attending classes. An online school for visual arts requires students to pay additional fees for software, books and art materials. Get an approximate total cost to attend for a more accurate comparison between schools. 4. Check Out Your Financial Aid Options Merely knowing the cost of the school isn't all, though. Make sure that you have a budgeted plan in place for paying for school. Keep in mind that the annual median income for a visual arts career (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) was $44,160 in 2009. The International Game Developers Association reports a slightly higher income between $57,000 and $68,000. Your school payment plan should factor in this typical post-graduate salary. How does this relate to choosing a school? You want to make sure that you select a school that provides access to low-interest financial aid loans as well as grant money and scholarships. Remember that the National Endowment for the Arts does offer grants. You may even want to look for an online visual arts school that has part-time online work for you as a student. 5. Check the Accreditation of Your Online Visual Arts School Before you sign on the dotted line, double check that the school is accredited. Accredited schools are typically more credible, making it easier for you to get a job after you graduate.

Online Accredited Theology Degree Programs For Those With A Higher Calling

In the world we live in, there are many faiths and religions that different people from different places in the world believe in. Traditional beliefs, cultures and community set ups highly determine which religion a person follows. Christianity as we all know has the highest number of followers from everywhere around the world. The religion's followers are most of the times headed by pastors, bishops and clergymen who are fully qualified to handle and guide the flock on how to keep their faith strong. These men and women of God have to attend theology school so as to be able to effectively lead the followers of this ever growing religion. All over the world, theology schools exist. Due to the high level of discipline and commitment needed so as to be able to pursue this discipline, these schools do not enroll students simply. Students normally go through a lot of thorough investigation and screening before getting admitted for the program. In this melee, a slight mistake can render a dedicated and willing student unable of pursuing the course. With the advent of online accredited theology degree programs, that is not the case. These programs enable students from any part of the world to enroll and therefore giving them the platform to pursue their passion for theology. Online accredited theology degree programs are tailored in such a manner that anyone with the burning desire to study theology can do so without having to compromise on his/her day to day hustles and activities. In fact, all that one needs is to have a computer with internet access so as to be able to take the classes effectively. These programs (or virtual schools) offer the same syllabus just like the campus situated only that they offer their lectures online. Students undertaking degree programs from these accredited theology degree programs receive their lectures through a combination of internet and multimedia technology. Live web casts and internet based libraries are some of the methods that are used to deliver the teaching. All students who have an intention of pursuing these programs are supposed to look into a number of factors before fully deciding on what program to settle for. Factors like the standards of the program should be carefully looked at. Time should be taken to research and ensure that the program choice meets and exceeds all the required educational requirements. Another very important factor to be carefully looked at is the cost of the course. The student should make sure that the program does not strain his/her budget such that other basic necessities are put at risk. Accredited online theology degree programs have and will continue being a source of refuge and inspiration to students because they enable them to mingle and interact with other like minded people from around the world. The education standards are also of high standards and the student can rest assured that after competing the degree course, he/she will find a suitable church where he/she can passionately and with a lot humility teach the disciplines of Christianity. We can sum it up by saying that accredited online theology degree programs have and will continue blessing multitudes of people everywhere in the world through instilling the needed teachings for the spread of the Holy word.

How to Pursue an Online Education Master's Degree

Distance learning through online education has become more and more popular in recent years with many colleges offering a variety of courses and even degrees across a diverse range of subjects. Short duration programs to online education Master's degrees are now possible with established universities offering students many educational options. Online education is now an accepted part of the mainstream education stream. Here are some quick facts about how online education has developed over the years in the United States:• Over 60% of schools offering undergrad programs in regular classroom courses are also offering the same programs via the online medium.• More than 40% of schools that are offering 'live' classroom-based Masters Programs are also offering online education Masters Degree courses.• The above point holds good even for business schools with more than 40% schools offering business courses online.• Even the Ivy League colleges like Harvard for instance have recognized the importance of online education. Harvard offers more than 100 courses online including certificate courses and even an online education Masters Degree course all of which can be completed via the Internet. Most of these schools, which have a physical presence, offer programs in a 'virtual university' setup. In fact, there are plenty of online universities like Walden University and Jones University, which do not have a physical campus at all. Students who have enrolled themselves in an online education Master's program or other degrees are able to get most of the facilities that regular students attending the university get like financial aid, career advice, academic counseling and a wealth of other educational resources. How to pursue an Online Educational Master's?• The first and foremost thing to do is decide on the subject you wish to do your degree in. Many students surprisingly do not research enough on this and take up any course only to realize halfway through that this is not what they want to do.• If you are working with a company, you might try to talk them into financing your education since a Master's degree is a valuable addition and will prove to be beneficial to the company.• After zeroing in on the course, research the various universities that provide the course and compare them with each other. There are various forums online, which discuss these topics and are a great source of information for the student.• Once you have enrolled into the program, try to prepare yourself by reading through various materials regarding the subject.• Ensure that you are regular with the course study. Attend the virtual classes and complete your assignments on a regular basis, as it is easy to be left behind on your work. Pursuing an online education, Master's is an attractive option for many people because of its sheers convenience. This is more so in the case of people who are pursuing a degree and balancing a job at the same time. It must be kept in mind that the convenience has to be balanced out with a proper study regimen because there is no one behind you making you do it, and therefore it becomes very easy to get slack in such distance education programs.

Continuing Education Improves Your Employment Marketability

With the current employment environment being so stressed, it is imperative that you take action to improve your marketability. For most people, times are tough and money may be tight. However there are some relatively inexpensive continuing education options available for enhancing or improving your skills and knowledge. Local community colleges are one way I have found of enhancing my skills. Many local colleges offer many different educational opportunities, however a favorite of mine is online education. Classes offered online allow you to complete the course at home on your own computer, and at your pace. I have found that the choice of courses is quite varied as well. You could take classes on career development, computer technology, various software packages and even personal development. Some of the classes I have taken had a six-week format, with two lessons each week. The lessons were well laid out and the instructors were available in an online discussion area for questions that arose. I have completed various courses on project management and most recently introductory courses in using various software packages. The format of the software lessons allowed me to get a comfortable feel of how the software worked. It also provided a feeling of confidence that I would be able to successfully use it in a real-world work environment. Online continuing education courses are relatively inexpensive for the value received. In my area, the cost of one particular program is around $100 per course. It is possible there will be minimal additional costs associated, depending upon the courses taken. If you are looking into classes on software usage, I would suggest researching the availability of trial version downloads prior to signing up for courses, paying particular attention to the length of the trial period. You want to make sure that the software will be functional for the length of the course. Of course, you could also do what I did and purchase the software. This will allow you to continue to use the program after the class and to become more proficient with it. If you are the type of person that learns best in a classroom environment, this option is also available. The classes are more structured and allow immediate interaction with the instructor. There is also the possibility of making networking contacts, which is definitely a positive in today's job market. However, there are additional time commitments and the cost may be higher with this method. You are the only one that can decide if continuing education is right for you, and if so, which method is best. Just make sure and take classes that interest you and are relevant with your career path. I personally believe that you get more than enhanced skills out of taking classes. You get a sense of personal fulfillment, they keep you active, and best of all - it gives you a positive attitude.

How Far One Can Go With Game and Simulation Programming Degree

Game and simulation programming degree will really help you to change your love for video games into a lucrative career. You will be learning how to design and program video games and various complex simulation programs. You will be gaining knowledge and develop proficiency in computer programming, 2D and 3D animation, web application development, database scripting, game engine design, and other fields. If you are having a Game and simulation programming degree, then you are eligible for positions in product design, computer programming, electronic gaming, corporate training, and educational software design. If you like the challenges of video games and other stimulation games and also have interest in designing and testing software, then you should pursue a bachelor degree in Game and simulation programming. The game designers also make training software for hospitals, schools, companies, and various other agencies. Law enforcement makes use of the simulations to rebuild the different crime scenes and the defense forces make use of the simulations to offer training to their soldiers. With the help of this degree you will be learning how to make computer software for the people who will be teaching and learning. If you are pursuing Game and simulation programming degree then you will be gaining the understanding which is required for game and simulation design through different courses. Following are some of these courses- Introduction to Game and Simulation Development - This provides an extensive knowledge of the gaming industry, the game development, and designing process. This course mainly covers history of games, platform assessment, game terminology, genre evaluation, and psychological concepts of interactivity. Simulation Design - This course establishes different learning theories, modeling basics for making interactive applications which are put into use for training and educational reasons, and instructional design basics. You will be discovering the design of competitive games and simulations by using gaming design aspects along with instructional plan, and learning theory. Practical Game Design - This course focuses on basic points which are used to change the vision of the designer. It also covers design incorporation, task design, game balance, control methods, player communication, various types of evaluation and testing. Visual and Audio Design Fundamentals - This course will let you to look at the viewpoint of the game artist to build up comprehension of the creative and hearing features of the game play. The different lab activities concentrate on using basic concepts through a collection of digital resources. When you have completed Game and simulation programming degree, you have gained significant proficiencies which are required to be successful in the industry. Some of these proficiencies include- - Advanced math and science proficiencies - Programming proficiencies - Comprehending the coding language - Web applications - Writing proficiencies There are great chances in gaming and simulation industry. Every year, the gaming and simulation industry generates more than 12 billion dollars. The simulation industry is quite broad with American defense forces ready to invest hundred million dollars in it.

Online Law School - A Great Option for a More Affordable Law Degree

Many people these days are trying to figure out what their next career move will be given the current state of the economy. While this question has always been a tough one in the past, the decision would usually present itself in a short period of time. For some the answer was graduate school, even with the high expense, and for others the answer was to start a job that might turn into a career. Today, however, with many family support networks also feeling the pinch of hard economic times, and fewer job openings to choose from, the decision seems more like a nightmare. To further complicate matters, an undergraduate degree that is limited in scope and applicability may even make finding a position incredibly difficult. For example, a person with a degree in environmental science who wanted and expected to find employment in an engineering or environmental science field is now learning that the construction and building sector has still not recovered from the housing crash. A sad analogy could be made to the classic story of the three little pigs. In the case of the recently graduated college student their education has prepared them but only to build a house made of straw, not wood or bricks. In other words, their skills are not transferable to other job positions and when the proverbial wind blows, as we have all seen and experienced with the current economic climate, their house is blown down. One way to avoid that situation is to receive the type of education that is well rounded and is applicable to many different positions and careers and that allows a person to be flexible and have options to choose from given the current economic situation. One option is to attend law school. While this might not seem obvious at first glance, upon further examination, law school is one of the only choices that provides a well rounded educational experience that can help make an individual truly capable and prepared to take on a number of career paths. In our society law school is the only option to best become a sort of renaissance individual, and capable of choosing what they will do for a living. Such an education can give a person the breath of knowledge and the educational training to succeed in a variety of careers and positions. An education in the law requires a person to understand and become competent in a variety of areas that may not be evident at first glance. In addition to the multitude of areas of law that range from Torts to Real Estate to Immigration and Divorce to the less obvious skills required in understanding legal matters such as knowledge of history and politics and the ability to write and think in a critical manner. In other words, by attending law school you will become a truly well rounded individual with knowledge and skills that are applicable across a wide spectrum of careers which ultimately will make you an excellent candidate for a variety of positions. While the idea of attending law school may seem daunting given the time and expense involved there does exist at least one realistic and achievable option that takes full advantage of today's technology to make that goal a reality. Online law school is the only on-line law school that provides the quality education that is required to achieve the goal of preparing one to succeed. Traditional law school is generally too expensive to seriously consider attending. Online law schools are not. Because the school is on-line there is no campus and all of the expense associated with a large facility. The fees are very reasonable, especially compared to traditional existing law schools. Online law schools offer real time classes that make the most of existing technology. The classes at Online law schools are offered in what is called "real time". That means that each class has an instructor who is conducting that class in person utilizing video conferencing technology with every person in the class at the same time. Whether the professor is lecturing to the students as a group or engaging in the Socratic method and calling on one student at a time, the entire process takes place in a manner not unlike a traditional law school classroom. Each student can engage the professor as well as watch and learn from others as they ask and answer questions. And of course, like in a traditional classroom, students can engage with one another to speak and to share insights. It does not happen that often a person has the opportunity to experience and fully utilize the advancements in technology that have occurred in our society. The technology that Online law schools are utilizing, just of few short years ago the notion of speaking to another person while viewing them simultaneously was unheard of by the average person. The technology existed but was only used by large and wealthy corporations or found in science fiction movies depicting some future society. For the students at Online law schools that future reality is now.

5 Reasons For Using Professional Voice Over in Your Next E-Learning Project

Whether developed by an established company or by a smaller, freelance operation, a professional voice talent can add the perfect finishing touch to even the best educational material. After all, the audio portion of the e-learning module will be just as noticeable as the video portion. Once the script and video presentation have been perfected, it doesn't make sense to cut corners on the most noticeable portion of a new e-learning module. 1. More Professional Nothing will scream cheap amateur production more than shoddy audio quality. While many laymen may have good speaking voices, they don't always provide professional sound quality when recorded. Sensitive electronic recording equipment will often pick up small speech problems that were never noticed before. With professional voice talent, the speaker offers proven audio quality. There's a reason that professional commercial and documentary producers pay premium prices for popular actors with recognizable voices to narrate their films. Without professional audio quality, even the well-produced and directed video will appear to be the work of an amateur. 2. Attention Grabbing Material Does the educational content really matter if no one is paying attention? Everyone remembers having a teacher that they simply tuned out most of the time. If the audience is bored or irritated by the audio portion of an e-learning package, it won't matter if it contains the secrets of the universe. The student will soon stop listening or turn the recording off completely. While no one can guarantee that the educational material is exciting to everyone, professional voice over can decrease the chances that the audio portion will lull the listener to sleep. 3. More Effective Learning Environment A professional narrator can help ensure that the student not only hears the information, but that they thoroughly understand the material that is presented. Voice quality will help the audience recognize key points and increase the percentage of information that is retained. An experienced narrator will know how use just the right emphasis on key words to engage the student. They will make sure that their voice matches the visual presentation perfectly without jumping ahead or falling behind. The information will flow naturally and will more closely simulate a live classroom experience. While a real-life professor can gauge their student's level of understand and adjust their lecture accordingly, an e-learning course will need to rely on the best voice quality available to provide an effective learning experience. 4. Faster Production Time Although professional voice talent may cost more than using someone who's already on staff, it can actually save money by cutting down on the production time. An experienced narrator will require less direction and will be more likely to provide the desired effect with only one or two takes. 5. Increased Sales When potential customers are comparing e-learning options, they will usually read reviews written by students who have used the modules. If they find that others found the material to be boring or contain poor audio quality, they will quickly move on to the next option. On the other hand, when they find that others found the e-learning process to be fun and easy to use, they will be more likely to choose your product. Students will typically select their next e-learning product from the same company that provided a positive learning experience in the past.