Virtual Universities: The World is Your Lecture Hall
Copyright © 1997 Donna Thompson-Walsh. All rights reserved.
Nice thought. But honestly, who has the time?
You do! Especially with the recent proliferation of online universities. Through technological innovations, many colleges and universities have extended their educational sphere of influence to include your living room, bedroom, or den. That's right, online universities allow you to find the time. No need to worry about being the oldest college student in your class, or about commuting time or parking charges. You can study-and get credit for-almost any subject at home, on your computer, in your bunny slippers!
Some of the institutions in this article are traditional accredited colleges and universities that have broadened their on-site and correspondence courses to make use of the World Wide Web. Others are profit or nonprofit companies that have recognized a need and created educational offerings that may draw from hundreds of different sources and institutions. Registration fees and system requirements vary for these online universities. All you need to get started is a powerful computer, a speedy modem and the willingness to learn.
The University of California Extension has made more accessible its wide-ranging continuing education curricula by offering dozens of courses through America Online. UC Extension Online is a collaboration between UC Berkeley Extension and the Center for Media and Independent Learning (CMIL), UC Extension's statewide independent and distance learning program. Online courses available include classes in six categories: Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Hazardous Materials, and Social Sciences.
In addition to 29 online courses, UCLA Extension offers students software and simple instructions on setting up their virtual learning environment. Students collect their course work, lectures, and submit their assignments electronically. They also have the opportunity to visit UCLA's online "student lounge" where fellow online UCLA Extension students from across the nation and around the world meet, share online experiences, and socialize. Class offerings range from "Business Economics: Online" to "Writing the First Novel: An Online Workshop."
The Home Education Network (THEN) is one of the leading global suppliers of online continuing higher education. THEN provides flexible delivery of high-quality, engaging educational content from well-known institutions. THEN's courses are primarily targeted at busy professionals who have continuing education requirements in the teaching, general business, and legal professions. Courses include classes in Architecture, Business Studies, Computers and Information Systems, Education, Science and Writing.
The University of Phoenix, one of the largest private universities in the United States, offers two distinct online education choices. CPEInternet delivers Continuing Professional Education to busy professionals, while its sister institution, Online Campus, provides an opportunity for more than 2,500 men and women to earn their degrees in Internet classes of eight to thirteen students each.
Virtual Online University, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that offers programs and courses that lead to undergraduate and advanced degrees through Athena University, a classically oriented, but not yet accredited, VEE (Virtual Educational Environment).
If you and your modem have decided that distance learning is for you, why not go the distance? How about the University of South Africa, the largest university in South Africa and one of the largest distance education institutions in the world? Unisa offers internationally recognized certificate, diploma, and degree courses up to the doctoral level.
Want to stay a little (philosophically) closer to home? The Graduate School of America's home page announces that it is bringing higher education to the desktop: M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in management, education, human services and interdisciplinary studies. In addition to its graduate degree programs, the Graduate School of America offers many online courses that are available to those who wish to take an individual course without enrolling in a full-time program. Courses offered change quarterly, and enrollment is limited. The next session of online courses begins October 6, 1997.
Greenleaf University offers an online Ph.D. program in leadership and administration, with a focus on the 21st Century.
CASO's Internet University boasts that it is the Internet's largest index of college courses by computer with more than 700 online courses from more than 30 institutions.
Technical Colleges
There is also a healthy selection of online institutions that offer courses on networking, internetworking and areas of technical support. These include the following:
Microsoft's MOLI-Microsoft's Online University
It would be a shame not to take advantage of all of this education literally at your fingertips, so get online and...happy matriculating!
Donna Thompson-Walsh
is a Los Angeles-based technical editor.
Other Online Educational Resources:
An excellent resource for all things academic; it offers a lot of terrific links.
Free online courses for teens. Topics include math, writing, current events, digital art, astronomy, and the Internet.
Distance Education Resource Page
Oberlin College's links to technology resources and schools offering distance learning programs.
Global Distance Learning Channel
A rich compendium including technology resources and Internet courses.
Helping distance learners find what they're looking for.
Roane State Community College's compendium of writer's resources and online courses.
Resources for Distance Education
Professor Charles Darling's list of distance education links.