Reader’s Question:

I would really like to finish my degree but my job requires me to stay here in Phoenix, Arizona, so I’m interested in getting to an online college instead, how do online colleges work? Are there any free college classes available to me?

Snyder
Phoenix, AZ

The structure and delivery of online classes really depends on the institution or university who will be providing the classes. Before, distance learning used to work through regular mail correspondence however, with the great improvements of internet technology, and ever increasing availability of faster internet connections had made distance education a practical and attractive way of earning a college degree.

The classes themselves differ, some universities such as the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona, have classes lasting about five or six weeks which usually starts when an instructor sends an email to the students outlining the week’s topics and assignments. Short lectures can be posted online; students themselves are the one to manage their time in studying for the said topics and completing all related coursework. Some universities will actually have chat and video conferencing sessions, usually scheduled once a week where students get to be in a virtual classroom. Exams can be taken either online as well or more often students will actually have to go to the university on specified dates to take major examinations for their online course. Take note that most online courses are designed to be as flexible as possible for busy, working people however you have to have self-discipline in completing the work on your own.