Online Degrees Gain A Massive Boost From Brand New Technology

By John B Maxted

A lot of people have previously shied away from online learning because they were worried that in the absence of a classroom setting and an academic environment that the quality of their education would suffer. All this has since changed with the increasing sophistication in the technologies used to provide online bachelor degree programs. These online courses now offer an interactive setting which allows for students to learn much as they would in a classroom.

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.

A large part of modern online classes is conducted with recorded class presentations. These have also been greatly improved, with instructors narrating a PowerPoint presentation. The end result is an experience much like that of being present in the lecture hall for the presentation.

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.

Students can interact more easily than ever before with discussion board which permit students to ask questions, talk about the coursework or discuss lectures. There are also live chat rooms which are part of many online courses, which lets students communicate in real time.

For those whose computers meet the system requirements, video and audio chats are also a possibility. Using VOIP services like Skype or webcams, students can easily meet each other and collaborate on class projects with ease - no matter how far away they may live from one another!

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!

Testing is another critical element of online bachelor degree courses which has made great progress. There are now timed online tests which you can take online. There are multiple choice questions as well as essay questions. You'll want to make sure that you understand the material you've been studying, after all - and so will your instructors; there's just no substitute for testing. Online testing is convenient since you can take your tests when you have the free time for them.

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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