Getting Your Bachelor Degree Online

Just thinking of trying to fit going back to school into your already full life is enough to make you turn off the computer and watch the latest reruns of CSI. Part of the problem is that you have an adult life and adult responsibilities. Most of us are busy with work, family and community activities. We have financial responsibilities, and it is harder to afford to go back to school. In addition to all of that, we also learn differently than young people do, and traditional college education is based on a pedagogical (child centered) learning model. 

Getting a bachelor degree online is more realistic for many adults than going to a traditional “brick and mortar” school. Online schools usually offer “asynchronous” learning, which means you don’t have to show up at a specific place at a specific time. You go to class when your schedule allows for it. Most programs that offer a bachelor degree online have accelerated programs, which can usually be completed in two years. This drastically decreases the cost of education, and minimizes the time school will disrupt your life.Accelerated online degree programs are challenging, and might be too challenging for someone who has no college experience at all.

The Internet Brings Adult Learners Together

Perhaps the most important advantage of getting a bachelor degree online is that most online programs are designed around adult learning principles. Adults who go back to school are more motivated and disciplined. Adults are there because they want to be, they have specific goals they want to meet, and they don’t want to waste their time or money. You are less likely to encounter young students that are there only because their parents sent them.

Life experiences and expertise of adult learners make the classes more interesting. They regard instructors as peers who have expertise in a particular area .Adult learners enrolled in a bachelor degree online program are not likely to be intimidated by instructors and are likely to want a collaborative learning environment.

Adults know how to learn independently. They are skilled in finding and assimilating what they want and need to know and are not, however, very patient with learning for learning’s sake. They prefer practical, applicable learning experiences.

Adults learn well in groups or teams. This is the biggest challenge for online education, but most programs are designed to include group-learning opportunities. The programs are creative with technology, and use forums, chats and teleconferences to simulate face-to-face groups. Some programs will have groups of students get together face-to-face occasionally to reinforce group learning.

For many adults, getting a bachelor degree online program is a better option than getting the same degree at a brick and mortar school. By applying principles of adult learning, online educational programs have created a user-friendly way for many adults to complete a college education.