Leaning Online Gains A Big Boost From Recent Improvements To Online Media Technology

By John Maxted

One of the concerns which has prevented a large number of students from enrolling into an online program in the past was that these courses were known to provide a substandard substitute for learning in a traditional classroom environment. However, a lot of improvements have been made in the technology used to offer online bachelor degree programs and now students can enjoy learning in a setting which works much like a traditional classroom. Truly interactive education is now available online.

The first major improvement came from the prevalence of high speed internet connections. Broadband connections have allowed people to quickly download files and gain access to websites. Now instructors can place large media files onto the web and students can instantly view or download them without being held back by a slow connection and hours of waiting or downloading.

Much of the learning from online classes is done through recorded presentations. These are now better than they ever have been before. Technology enables teachers to record full, continuous audio over a PowerPoint presentation that they control. This is just like being in front of a live lecture and you get the complete audio and visual experience.

Other instructors may choose to actually videotape their classroom lectures. This provides an even more realistic experience as you can really watch the professor speak and see what they emphasize. It also helps to reinforce a name with a face so you can connect and trust that person more.

There are now also discussion boards - these allow students to interact with each other, discuss coursework and generally act as a virtual classroom for students. Many online courses also include live chat rooms to make interaction between students even easier.

Live audio and video chats are also available, depending if your computer meets the necessary system requirements. This makes collaborating on projects with other students a snap - you can also communicate with other students via Skype and other VOIP services.

You can also use the methods that your professors use. Your instructors will often use a recorded lecture or PowerPoint presentation with voiceover narration; and you can do the same with your homework! Instead of simply turning in a report in plain text, you can create your own multimedia reports - now that's sure to fetch a good grade!

Don't think that since you're taking online bachelor degree courses you won't have to take tests either! Technology advancements have allowed intricate testing systems to be created that are meant to accurately gauge an online student's knowledge. Tests can be timed and can only be started or opened once, and there are all formats of questions including essays, multiple choice and true or false. What would be the point of spending money on an online education if you couldn't even prove to yourself that you know the material?

Know more than ever, online courses offer a complete classroom experience. From detailed presentations that make you feel like you're in the lecture hall, to comprehensive testing services and student interaction, getting an online education has been made better through technology.

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