Why are students flocking to the online learning environment? With over 4 million students are enrolled in online schools (and that number is growing 30% per year). There are many compelling arguments for attending a cyber classroom according to Regina Lewis.

The top 3 reasons are:

1. Participating online is much less intimidating than “in the classroom.” Anonymity provides students a level playing field undisturbed by bias caused by seating arrangement, gender, race and age. Students can also think longer about what they want to say and add their comments when ready. In a traditional classroom, the conversation could have gone way past the point where the student wants to comment.

2. Online learning enables student-centered teaching approaches. Every student has their own way of learning that works best for them. Some learn visually others do better when they “learn by doing.”

3. Course material is accessible 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Students have the ability to read and re watch lectures, discussions, explanations and comments. Often spoken material in the classroom passes students by due to a number of distractions, missed classes, tiredness or boredom.

While “brick and mortar” institutions will never be eliminated, it’s not hard to understand why so many students are attending class in the cyber world. PC ProSchools is excited to announce we are going there too!

Adults Buying into Learning By Sarah Clark
World Wide Learn columnist.

More than 92 million adults participated in adult education in 2001, according to the U.S. Department of Education. What is more, the number of adults going back to school has increased by six percent from 1995 to 2001.

Why are more adults returning to the classroom? One big reason more adults are going back to school is to adjust to shifts in the labor market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the manufacturing sector has been declining sharply in recent years. Average annual employment in manufacturing dropped from 17 million in 2000 to slightly over 14 million in 2004. Meanwhile, employment in service-based sectors, such as leisure and hospitality, education, and health services, have grown at high rates since 1995.

Education is Key to Earning Higher Wages

Adult education can also provide a means to increase a worker’s earning potential. Those with high school diplomas or GEDs earned about 25 percent more than high school dropouts in 2002. Additionally, median weekly earnings of men with degrees or certifications was $1100. Likewise, women with college degrees or certifications earned about a third more than women with only high school diplomas.

People are also changing jobs more than in years’ previous. According to the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans change jobs an average of 10 times during their working life. While the number of career changes people make is difficult to measure, the rise in the number of adults going back to school may be an indicator of increasing numbers of career changes.

Going Back to School is Easier

Education is also becoming more accessible and convenient to adult students. More and more programs are offering classes and professional seminars on nights and weekends to accommodate adult students who work. Increasing numbers of schools are offering popular courses online. The Internet has brought the classroom into the home, providing the opportunity for working people with families to obtain new skills and credentials without having to commute to a college campus.

In short, it appears that millions of adult Americans may be going back to school to learn skills that are in greater demand and which may also lead to greater job security and a more rewarding career.

Does this economy have you feeling like Scrooge. Last month at the recent graduation ceremony of PC ProSchools spirits were high. With over 70% of graduates already working in the IT industry and rest actively interviewing there was little worry as to the outcome of this holiday season. I LOVED what I overheard….

“Last year I couldn’t afford Christmas presents for my kids. I was scrambling around to find whatever I could at the dollar store. I never felt worse. Now in my new IT job I am making $47,000 and when I got my first paycheck I couldn’t believe how much was left over. It is going to be a happy holiday in our house this year,”

‘Tis the season to be jolly!