Distance learning is popularly known as open education and is defined as a way of learning from remote location and flexible time. This kind of learning is attributed with various features like electronic classrooms, computer aided instructions and audio-visual communications.

Distance Education is an age old concept of learning that is believed to have started in the western world. The advent of this concept came into picture with the need to create effectual human capital by abolishing the obstacles of physical accessibility, geographical location and time barriers. This need was further driven by population explosion, science and innovative technology.

Today, many distance learning programs have come into the educational arena including MBA, MMA, BBA, BBM, Advertising, Public Relation and Teacher Training. Many colleges and universities round the world have paved way for this kind of learning and education. In India, distance learning program became viable when Kothari D.S in 1964 suggested for the establishing Directorate of Distance Education in Delhi University. This establishment brought a major breakthrough in the educational system of India.

Thereafter, many colleges and universities in and around India started various correspondence courses for betterment of human capital. Open universities and institutes offering these courses have led to a paradigm shift from time-honored full time courses to flexible self learning courses. This system of learning also helps an individual to fight and win the real world competition.
Many of these curses are now available online. On line availability of various courses gives ability to students to learn and grasp at their own pace and time. They also provide opportunity to discuss and solve various study related problems through online tutorials.
The flexibility in course choices is also expanded for having broader range of qualifications. You will be amazed to hear that these days online foreign language classes are also conducted. These languages help an individual to raise his or her potential in the job market. French, being the international language of business, has wide range of online sources. Every street, area, country and various online sources are conducting French classes today.

However there are some drawbacks also. You cannot have face to face interactions or virtual communication with peers and tutors. You will have restricted social circle as you are not moving out and meeting new people belonging to different sections of the society. You also have limited access for tutor discussion as they are not available every time you want them.
Home learning can also be associated with distractions that can hamper the learning process. Quality of course materials and video conferences varies considerably from course to course.
There are disadvantages but none of advantages can be overlooked. So, if you are self motivated and eager to learn, then nothing can stop you gaining a degree or certification through distance learning program. Learn to face challenges and this concept of learning can be very rewarding and fruitful for your successful career.

Finances are an issue now adding a tuition check to each month’s budget does not seem like an option. What do you do? The US Census Bureau reports that about 20% of American families are single-parent households, and in most case the breadwinner is a mother. In addition 95% of the single parents make less than $75,000 a year in income. So, for many going back to school without some form of financial aid is not an option.

The US Department of Labor reports that most mother who work have full time jobs. When they get home they spend another ten hours cooking, cleaning, running errands, running car poolings, playing with the kids, washing and doing laundry in addition to their other responsibilities.

There is good news for working parents! There are many programs available to both working moms and dads to support their financial efforts in returning to school. Accredited distance learning universities offer flexible learning options for working parents. Financial resources are also available specifically for this group of parents. There are many government and private programs that have funds for working mothers and single parents.

The first step is to figure what you want to go back to school for. Then, find out the available financial options from the prospective college. This information can be obtained from the college’s financial aid office. In-depth Internet research will also yield you various results. In addition, going to the local library and looking through the annual scholarship books is always a good recommendation. One thing to remember though – watch for the deadlines and make sure you submit your application on time. Also determine the application materials that should be submitted such as letters of recommendation or essays and prepare those ahead of time. In addition, be sure to apply for the right scholarships. Some are quite specific in their criteria. For example some scholarships are only available for student in certain areas such as engineering or science.

The next step has to do with time management. Given all your responsibilities, adding classes to your list can sound quite daunting. Develop a routine and stick to it. Make your family stick to it as well. For example ensure that the children’s bedtime is well established so that you can study without interruptions after putting them to bed. Also, you can prepare lunches the evening before to save you time in the morning. Delegate responsibilities to the family so that you don’t have to try and do it all alone. This will help you feel less stressed and help you focus more on your school work. Keeping a daily planner and using it regularly will also help you have an idea of your home, class, and work activities without making you feel flustered.

To succeed in your classes you could apply several strategies throughout the semester. For each of your classes read the syllabus in depth and ask your instructor to clarify what will be expected from you during the semester. Next, note the deadlines, milestones, due dates, exam dates and add them to your calendar.

Don’t wait until the last minute to start working on your big class project or term paper. Creating self-deadlines is a good strategy get this going. Be sure to prioritize your assignments and your work or home activities ensuring nothing gets pushed back. Pace yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help. It is also very important to be self confident and to tell yourself you can do it.

In a nutshell, dozens of accredited colleges and universities now offer online bachelor degree programs that require students to spend little or no time on campus. The nation’s largest accredited private university, the University of Phoenix, offers online bachelor degree programs in business, technology, health care, education, and social and behavioral science. According to the
latest figures (2002) from the Department of Education website, the University of Phoenix had more than 107,000 students enrolled in a variety of classroom and online programs.

Getting a degree from an accredited online university can significantly impact your earning profile and reduce your chances of becoming unemployed. When the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Fall 2004) compared the median weekly earnings and unemployment rate for full-time workers aged 25 or over, degree holders clearly fared better. While a high school grad earned $554 weekly and faced a national unemployment rate of 5.5%, the holder of a bachelor degree made $900 a week with an unemployment rate of only 3.3 percent.

If figures like these make you eager to explore an online bachelor degree, you’ll find links in the resource box at the bottom of this article than can help advance your career. But before you start clicking, here’s a three-question checklist that will help you decide if an online bachelor degree is right for you:

1. Do you meet the academic requirements?
Online universities have admission requirements that you’ll need to meet before you begin your studies. Certificate and online bachelor degree programs require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

2. What are your goals?
Write down your goals and then research your options with these goals in mind. List the criteria you’re looking for in an online college or university and then determine which school is the best match for your goals. All online universities provide free, detailed information about their degree programs. There’s also free online access to enrolment counsellors, so take advantage of these no-cost services.

3. Can you afford an online degree?
While the cost of an online bachelor degree is often just half that of attending a brick-and-mortar university, it still pays to make sure you can afford tuition, books and other fees. You may find that you don’t have to cover the entire cost of your online education alone. At many online universities, students receive all or part of their tuition from their employer. There are still other financial options available, too, including federal grant and loan programs with low interest rates.

Remember, data show that unemployment rates fall and earnings rise for people who have more education. So, get learning to start earning and investigate whether an online bachelor degree is right for you!