More than at any other time in recent history, the state of the economy is forcing people to make difficult choices about how and where to spend their money.

And deciding where to attend college is not easy, with most household budgets bursting at the seams with expensive gas prices, mortgage foreclosures, job layoffs and high food costs. 

But fortunately, as the majority of colleges and universities raise their tuition like clockwork each year, one online school stands out as offering a first-class education at a bargain tuition rate – Western Governors University (WGU).

Even in the midst of economic upheaval, Western Governors appears like an oasis in the desert.

Western Governors University is unique in a number of ways:

• WGU is a private university with surprisingly inexpensive tuition, at $2,890 per semester (or $5,780 per year) for undergraduates for the 2008-2009 school year. After keeping the same tuition rate for a number of years, this year the tuition was raised only $100 per semester.
• WGU is the only university to be accredited by four regional accrediting bodies, including the Northwest Commision on Colleges and Universities, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation. 
• WGU offers generous scholarships to military personnel, teachers, healthcare professionals and others. The desire of the school is to expand the opportunity of a college education to all.
• WGU is supported by 20 major corporations and was founded by the governors of 19 western states. This suppport enables WGU to remain on the cutting edge of technology and academic excellence. Google, Microsoft, AT&T and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are just a few of the companies that believe in WGU enough to be a part of their advisory board. 
• WGU is the first accredited online school in the U.S. to utilize a compentency-based approach. Students must demonstrate competency in each academic area; and graduates of WGU are trained to become experts in their fields.
• WGU specializes in helping adult learners fit college into their busy work and family schedules.  Helping students from all walks of life to realize their dreams of a college education and reach their career potential is the driving force of WGU’s mission.

Hopefully WGU’s commitment to distance-learning excellence will positively impact the future course of higher education. In the meantime, Western Governors University shines as an education model among both traditional and online schools.

online school, online schools, colleges and universities, Western Governors, gas prices, college tuition, scholarships, military personnel, military, distance learning, adult learners

Popularity: 18% [?]

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A cheating scandal that impacts prospective and current graduate business students has expanded to as many as 6,000 test-takers of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), those involved cheated by accessing actual live test questions. These questions were taken from the current GMAT and placed illegally on a website called Scoretop.com, which was advertised as a GMAT test preparation business. 

The GMAT is a prerequisite for admission to most graduate business schools, including traditional and online MBA programs.

The website apparently advertised that live questions would be accessible to those who paid additional fees to become VIP members of the website. Legitimate test-preparation companies, like Kaplan Inc., purchase ‘retired’ questions from the GMAC.

A few days ago, the GMAC won a $2.35 million judgement for copyright infringement against the owners of the Scoretop website, along with legal permission to seize both the domain name and a hard drive listing names and payment information about those who purchased VIP status. The FBI was instrumental in helping the GMAC build a case against Scoretop administrators.

Now, GMAC is investigating information on the hard drive in order to determine who will have their scores cancelled. Some test-takers are already enrolled in MBA programs, while others used the scores to apply to their desired colleges and universities.

The cancelling of scores could be devastating to those involved; since cheating is not tolerated in any form by reputable on-campus and online business schools.

The GMAC plans to go after any websites that illegally obtain live GMAT questions; and test-takers who access those sites could also face repercussions down the road.

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page from the GMAC is available to those who have further questions about the Scoretop scandal and how it is being handled.

GMAT, online MBA, MBA, graduate school, business school, Kaplan, colleges and universities, online schools, scoretop.com, FBI  

Popularity: 22% [?]

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As the escalating cost of a barrel of gas is predicted to hit $200 by the year 2010, economists predict that gas prices could also reach $7 a gallon for consumers within the next two years.

Most of us already feel the pain at the gas pump; and decisions about summer activities have already been adversely influenced by the additional expenses involved in traveling away from home.

In this uncertain economic atmosphere, as current gas prices nuzzle uncomfortably close to $5 a gallon, some colleges and universities have noticed a significant increase in online class enrollments for summer school. 

If gas prices continue to escalate, distance learning will be the only viable choice for a large segment of students who entertain college ambitions, yet cannot afford the higher transportation costs of attending on-campus lectures.

The future of online schools is poised to explode as students choose to step into the huge advantages that e-learning has to offer, including:

• not having to drive to a college campus for lectures,
• not having to drive to a campus to register, buy books, or use the library,
• being able to arrange study time around a full-time job,
• being available for important family events, and
• not having to leave work early to attend on-campus classes.

As gas prices appear to be without bounds, adjustments by individuals and families will need to take place in order to aid economic survival.

One obvious adjustment will be to find ways to drive less. But something else is also certain: accredited online schools and distance learning will continue to prosper. 

gas prices, colleges and universities, online class, e-learning, conservation, accredited online school, economy, distance learning, transportation costs

Popularity: 22% [?]

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Quite a large number of adults share the common regret of having dropped out of high school before earning a diploma. Even those who now have well-paying jobs often express remorse at not having graduated with their classmates. 

And for those who desire to enroll in an online school or traditional college, a high school diploma is a prerequisite.

But this ’no diploma’ regret is easily fixed by studying for and passing the GED (General Educational Development) test. It is possible to prepare for the GED test at home, but the test must be taken at an approved GED test location. In other words, it must be take in person, as explained in the blog, “Beware GED Testing Offered Online or By Mail“.

There are several ways to find resources to prepare for the GED test:

• Check out a GED preparation book from the local public library. This is a free option, provided that library materials are returned on time.
• Purchase GED preparation books (or books with cd rom) from a local or online bookstore. This can be a low cost option.
• Purchase GED prep software that covers all subjects for the exam. For example, Merit Software offers a complete GED program for one price; but each part is also sold separately. Online bookstores, office supply stores, and computer stores may be options for locating GED software.
• Sign up for a GED prep class at the junior college, local adult school or a class found through county or community services.

Most preparation materials contain sample questions and exercises designed to improve the chances of success on the test. Potential test-takers should be diligent in studying for each part of the exam — Language Arts: Reading, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts: Writing, and Mathematics. 

There is no reason to delay moving toward earning the equivalent of a high school diploma.

So prepare and take the GED test. Then one more regret can be scratched off the list.

online school, college, high school diploma, high school, GED test

Popularity: 16% [?]

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Nowadays, students go from Sesame Street to video games, and from more television and video games to a high-tech college experience.

But too much television, playing the latest video games for hours, and sitting too long in front of a computer can lead to the same problem – poor health. The key factor is inactivity; and full-time students of online degree programs should be aware of these health risks. 

A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to an increased incidence of diabetes 2 and obesity in children and adults. For example, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), adult males who watched television more than 40 hours a week had three times the risk of diabetes 2 than those who watched less than 1 hour.

It is easy to rack up 40+ hours of inactivity per week as a student if you factor in a full or part-time desk job and either traditional or e-learning classes.  Traditional university classes usually involve a significant number of hours sitting in lectures, as well as numerous hours spent completing assignments in front of a computer. And let’s not forget the time spent reading course textbooks for traditional and online school students.

But it’s not all bad news: there are a few easy steps that can increase health and lead to better physical fitness.

1. Don’t sit too long while studying. Get up and move around at regular intervals – at least once every hour.
2. Rest your eyes from the computer and blink often. The eyestrain of staring at the computer screen and blinking less, like most people do, can lead to vision problems down the road.
3. Become physically active. Add daily exercise to your regimen — including aerobic exercise of 30 minutes or more at least 5-6 days a week. (Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have been inactive for awhile.)
4. Cut your calorie intake. The less active you are, the fewer calories you need. Those excess calories can lead to obesity, heart disease and other problems.
5. Watch what you eat. Avoid the fast foods and donuts; and eat a well-balanced diet.
6. Be sure to get plenty of sleep. This allows your body adequate time to recover and is important for mental health as well.
7. Pay attention to your body. Although symptoms of conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure may be silent, you may notice some symptoms — like blurred vision, a wound that won’t heal, or poor circulation in your hands and feet. These will give you a heads-up that something is wrong.
8. Get regular check-ups and see a doctor right away if you suspect a problem.

Remember to play it safe and take these steps for better health. Then you can long enjoy the fruit of your college labor. 

online degree program, e-learning, online school, health risks, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, eyestrain, college students

Popularity: 18% [?]

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Like ivy quietly spreading throughout a garden, the popularity of online schools is quickly becoming an undeniable force in the education arena. The vines of change extend boldly into the halls of brick-and-mortar schools, shaping the future of higher education. 

Online class choices expand daily; and traditional colleges and universities proudly display their newly-developed online degree programs like trophies. Distance learning has evolved; and its future is bright – not like a copper penny but like the sun.

Students often amble Into this idyllic picture, tightly grasping their preset views on how to study and succeed in an online classroom. They often draw upon high school memories and rumors about college life. Then they enroll in online classes without skipping a beat or changing a tune. So of course, challenges easily arise without fail.

There are five common challenges for e-learning students to overcome:

1. Students are surprised by the rigor of online classes.  Students may think they have a sweeter deal by enrolling in online classes. And just having the flexibility to study when it is convenient makes that somewhat true. But online classes are every bit as challenging as the same class taught on-campus. So students must give the same diligence and effort to their e-learning endeavor.
2. Students overestimate their grasp of technology and software. With all of the techno-gadgets used these days — i.e. cell phones, Blackberrys, iPods, laptops — it is not a stretch for students to assume that they can handle the technology side of an online class. However, depending on the class, the professor may assume that a working knowledge of Word, Excel, Powerpoint or Photoshop is a given. Therefore, students should carefully check the course prerequisites before enrolling; and they should also peruse the class syllabus for information about software knowledge that may be necessary.  
3. Students underestimate the impact of distractions on study time. Of course, it is great to be able to study at home, work or somewhere else; but distractions are everywhere. Studying at the beach may bring out the creative juices; but it is easy for one’s focus to drift away with the surf. At home, the television, snacks in the refrigerator or video game system may become blaring distractions. Online students must develop a strict study discipline for time dedicated to completing assignments. If not, procrastination may become a problem.
4. Students forget to include adequate study time for their online class. Enrolling in online classes may enable students to work a job or take part in extracurricular activities. However, if time management skills are lacking, students may find themselves overscheduled and overwhelmed. Regular study time should be scheduled for the online class, using the class syllabus as a guide. Extra time should be alloted for midterms, final exams and class projects.  Planning ahead insures that the e-learning class will not be neglected. In other words, avoid out of sight, out of mind.
5. Students fail to communicate effectively with their professor. Most college distance-learning classes incorporate a requirement that students communicate with their teachers via e-mail, message boards, or in virtual classrooms to turn in homework or discuss problems. This interaction requirement may be extended to fellow students in the same online class, or for group or colloborative projects. Students should contact their teacher right away when they do not understand course material, when they cannot fix a problem, or when personal circumstances interfere with completing homework assignments.  Students create undue pressures on themselves and on their instructors when they wait too late to simply send off an e-mail with the relevant information. 

By successfully addressing these five challenges, online students open themselves up to a wonderful e-learning experience.

online schools, online degree program, e-learning, distance learning, colleges and universities, college students 

Popularity: 21% [?]

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Western Governors University (WGU) won a 2008 Silver Award for its extraordinary excellence in the use of online technology to deliver higher education through distance learning.

The prestigious award, presented by the U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA) during its annual ceremony, recognizes major accomplishments in the development and delivery of distance-learning programs. 

Western Governors, one of the Top 30 Military-Friendly Colleges compiled by Military Advanced Education, offers some of the least expensive accredited online degree programs of any 4-year school.  Tuition for undergraduate programs is just $2,790 for each 6-month term. 

WGU also offers generous scholarships to military personnel, spouses of military personnel, teachers, information technology students, and a number of additional groups.

Founded by the governors of 19 western states, WGU is also non-profit and is based in Utah.

higher education, online degree, distance learning, USDLA, Western Governor’s, tuition  military personnel, military spouses, teachers

Popularity: 26% [?]

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Why shop twice when you can shop once?

And where do you find an e-learning high school and college that share the same standard of excellence?

One education company stands out in a way that is radical, reputable and reasonable — Kaplan.

Radical

Kaplan Higher Education offers a unique and radical program that allows students to enroll in a distance-learning high school from 8th-12th grade, then in an accredited online degree program to earn a college diploma. 

Students may attend Kaplan College Preparatory School, formerly called the University of Miami Online High School. This is especially perfect for homeschoolers. After graduation, they may enroll in Kaplan University for an online associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree or online vocational certificate.

Reputable

Kaplan Inc. has served students and their families for over 70 years, becoming world-renowned in the area of test preparation.  But they now have over 70 college campuses in the U.S. and overseas and offer a variety of excellent online degree programs that lead to associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Kaplan’s online high school and university are both accredited by organizations that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Under Kaplan Virtual Education, the high school and college are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of the well-respected Washington Post.

Reasonable

The costs of attending Kaplan University are reasonable when you consider that books are included in the price for each course. Books are usually a hefty additional outlay in other schools; so this is a plus. And with Kaplan’s excellent reputation, students can be assured that they are receiving a good value.

All in all, Kaplan Inc. is a great resource for both high schoolers and career-minded adults. So check out the three R’s of Kaplan and make it easy on yourself.

distance learning, higher education, online associate’s degree, online bachelor’s degree, online master’s degree, online schools, e-learning, vocational certificate, online degree, homeschooling

Popularity: 23% [?]

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Along with planning your summer vacation, now is a great time to enroll in online summer classes.

As mailboxes bulge with advertisements for gardening equipment, lawn chairs and barbecue grills, it is easy to overlook the slender summer catalogs from local junior colleges or four-year colleges and universities.  But thankfully, the Internet makes it easy to browse online schools from your home computer.

But why take an e-learning class during the lazy days of summer?  There are several great reasons to take the plunge.

• Take a summer online class to get a head start on fall college classes.
• Take a summer online class for enrichment — i.e. to study history, creative writing or art.
• Take a summer online class to upgrade job skills.
• Take a summer online class to decide whether to begin an online degree program.
• Take a summer online class just for fun. 

Newer technologies continue to enhance the e-learning experience. For example, smaller multimedia devices — like iPhones – enable students to conveniently access the Internet and watch video lectures.  These devices are super-portable; and as surprising as it seems, students are even able to use them to complete some assignments and e-mail homework to their instructors.

The wonderful flexibility of distance learning is a great way to study, access class materials, and communicate with teachers and fellow students no matter where you may spend your summer.  So choose a class and enroll! 

online schools, online degree programs, distance learning, colleges and universities, e-learning, iPhone, summer class

Popularity: 21% [?]

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There may be a perfect job for someone who loves real estate and enjoys walking through homes. And the best part is that training for this vocation only takes about 150 hours of required study that can all be accomplished online through distance learning.

It is the career of a real estate appraiser.  

Although the real estate market is depressed in most of the country, it is interesting that employment for real estate appraisers is expected to increase at a rate faster than the average of all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And average annual salaries range between $32,000 and $64,000; though top appraisers earn more than $86,000.

Once the appropriate courses are taken through a reputable, high-quality online school – like Allied Appraisal School – students are required to obtain a minimum number of on-the-job training hours. And in order to become fully certified, appraisers must pass a state licensing exam.

Prior to 2008, those studying to become appraisers were not required to have a bachelor’s degree. However, that has changed; and beginnng this year, a bachelor’s degree has been added to the requirements.  It is also important for potential students to check the specific requirements for their state; since licensing requirements vary from state to state.

Approximately 70% of appraisers are employed by real estate firms and banks; and about 30% are self-employed. There is a great deal of research and writing that is part of the job; but computers have made this part easier. In fact, documents that once required a drive to city hall or the court house are easily obtained from the comfort of home via the Internet. Also, appraisers may choose to specialize in residential, commercial or other areas of real estate.

The field of real estate appraisal is expected to be among the hottest jobs of the future; and those who plan ahead will be happily prepared to fill the growing demand. 

online school, online schools, appraiser, real estate, distance learning, hot career, real estate appraiser

Popularity: 28% [?]

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