Online Courses: Your Education Is Just a Click Away!

The Corporate College at Polk State College collaborates with several universities to provide high quality online training in many areas of business management and methodology. Additionally, the Corporate College utilizes numerous leading online programs to provide a broad range of courses and services to its students.

University Alliance Online Certificate Programs:

• Villanova University – Villanova provides content for online professional development programs in Project Management, Six Sigma Methodology, Contract Management, Information Systems (IS) Security Training, Business Analysis, Software Testing, Human Resource Management, and Return on Investment (ROI) Methodology.
• University of San Francisco – This institution provides content for online professional development programs in Internet Marketing, Sales and Sales Management, and Supply Chain Management.
• Tulane University – Tulane provides content for online professional development programs in Business Management, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources.

The Corporate College also offers customized programs and certification courses through online learning partners that provide career training for individuals in fields such as teaching and healthcare. These partnerships allow individuals to complete in-service training, gain specific career skills, and fulfill professional development requirements through a flexible format. 

Additional Online Programs and Services: 

• Ed2Go—The industry leader in adult online courses, ed2go, provides high quality distance learning opportunities in continuing education that are affordable and user friendly. Ed2go just merged with Gatlin, a fellow leader in online education. The outcome of this merger has produced specialized courses for the College and customized courses for its business partners. The Corporate College is expanding its offerings and these will be showcased in the summer of 2011. Information about specific programs can be found through the links provided.
  • Online Career Training Programs
  • Instructor-Led Courses
  • Self-Paced Tutorials
•  JER Group, Inc. Online Classes – The JER Group provides self-paced educational opportunities over a broad array of topics from accounting and renewable energy, to computer usage and writing skills. 

Online Classes: Are They A Good Fit For You?
Online classes are often very different than traditional face-to-face classes in terms of the presentation of material, the nature of the interaction among class members, and the necessity for independent learning driven by student resourcefulness. A flexible schedule in which to do assignments from the comfort of home, a decrease in travel time, and a decrease in expense for gas are notable benefits of distance learning environments. Additionally, many students report that they actually learn more in online classes than in face-to-face classes due to the immersion in the subject, and therefore find the experience more rewarding than a traditional learning environment. But online classes are not the best fit for all individuals. Even an excellent student may find that distance learning is not compatible with his or her particular learning styles and preferences. So, before enrolling in an online class, a student should give some thought to whether the distance learning environment is a good fit for his or her educational needs. Answering the following questions may help in this process:

• Do you have self-discipline and motivation?
  Unlike traditional courses in which the students and instructor meet face-to-face once or several times a week, most of the learning activities and communication in an online course are asynchronous, meaning that class members participate and complete their assignments at different times throughout the day and week. This arrangement makes it possible for students to do coursework at all hours of the day and week, whenever it is convenient. Assignments and discussions often follow a schedule in which students have a range of days in which to contribute, but this arrangement, with the increased freedom and flexibility, requires responsibility and self-discipline. Without the structure of regular class meetings, a student must self-regulate and carefully keep track of scheduling for assignments and discussions. 
• Are you able to commit the proper amount of time each day or week to an online course(s)?
  Online courses require at least as much, if not more, time and commitment than traditional courses. Students must complete the work that would normally take place in a traditional classroom while online through discussions and projects; they then must also complete assignments similar to those provided in a traditional course setting. Completing course assignments and other learning activities can take from five to fifteen hours (or more) per week, depending on the number of credits the course is worth, and the nature of the subject matter. With some classes, a student may need to be online almost every day. Before enrolling, a student should ensure that he or she can set aside ample time to work on daily and weekly assignments. 
• Do you have good communication skills and enjoy expressing your ideas in writing?
  In online courses, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that the student feel comfortable with written expression of ideas. Professional writing skills are essential, and this may be an unfamiliar standard for those individuals who are more comfortable writing in the informal tones commonly used in blogging and on social networking sites. This attention to technical accuracy is necessary because the online medium does not provide for non-verbal cues, emotive icons, and body language to assist with clarity. A student should honestly asses his or her formal written communication skills and make sure to strengthen these skills before enrolling. Additionally, a student should be aware of the quantity of writing required before considering an online course. 
• Do you feel comfortable asking instructors for assistance?
  In the online environment, any technological issues that arise should be dealt with as soon as they are noticed. A student must be comfortable approaching an instructor in person or through e-mail with any technological problems or course content issues. In a traditional environment, an instructor can tell when students are confused by raised hands, confused facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues, but in an online environment, a student must be proactive or the instructor will never know there is a problem. 
•  Will you miss the traditional classroom and its social components?
  Online instruction often requires a tremendous quantity of interaction between students, but this interaction is different from the sort provided in a traditional classroom. Some students prefer being able to listen to an instructor’s cadence and watch his or her use of facial expressions and other nonverbal cues when processing information. Additionally, many of the social elements of a college environment are removed, such as the early-arrival chatter and after-class rehash. Some students in distance learning environments miss having the opportunity to see and listen to their instructor and classmates; however, many quieter students find the online environment freeing because there is less pressure to speak amongst a more gregarious and vocal audience. 
• Are you comfortable using computers?
  While students don’t need to be Information Technology majors or programming gurus to take an online course, basic computer skills are absolutely essential, such as such as word processing, typing, and Web browsing abilities. Students also need regular access to a computer and reliable Internet connection. Individuals who are not computer savvy are not necessarily unfit for the online environment as there are opportunities for training at local libraries and community colleges. It is often helpful to brush up on basic computer skills before enrolling in an online course.

While there are many points to consider when making a decision about online learning, ultimately it is the student who is the best person to make the decision about its appropriateness. An individual who has cultivated a good work ethic, strong study skills, and an internal drive to learn will likely find that an online learning environment is an excellent alternative to the traditional classroom environment that provides incredible flexibility and a rewarding learning experience with nearly limitless opportunities.