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| Is This Approach Right for You? |
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The online environment is changing continuously and it represents a great opportunity for learning both in your working and personal life. It is very important to discover how to learn using all available methods and choosing the ones that best suit a person’s lifestyle and filtering of information. The concept of online learning could sometimes feel daunting if you are unfamiliar with the environment.
You might ask: Why am I studying in courses that are not college accredited? Will I be learning completely on my own? What is the online environment like? How do I take an exam?
Will this take more or less time than a college campus course would? How do I get college credit for my work? The FAQ is focused on the advantages and disadvatages of the AVL approach to help you make your decision.
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So first the advantages...
If you ask most students what they like most about online learning the most common response you'll hear is, "It's just more convenient." But the benefits are more than just that. For many students the online environment is more conducive to their individual learning style. If they are a self-starter who enjoys interaction through social media, email, and other interactive means they usualy find online learning a good fit. the right fit for you.You can complete any of these courses at your own pace. AVL courses are asynchronous which means you don't have to attend online classes at a specific time. As a student using AVL's site a combination of self-study and peer-to-peer interaction is used over an online learning network to facilitate instruction. You can complete each course module with it's weekly assignments, readings, quizes and other activities designed to enhance your learning at times an at a pace which is most convenient to you.
So in the end you need to decide how important these advantages are to you and weight them against the disadvantages.
The AVL Advantages- You can attend AVL online classes anytime, anywhere you have Web access.
- You can access course materials 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- You'll have access to a broad spectrum of relevant content through your online course Web site.
- You'll benefit from a flexible schedule which can fit with balancing your education with work and family life.
- It's free! The only cost is the fee for taking the CLEP exam at an approved testing center.
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Now for the disadvantages...
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In a classroom environment students learn to interact, be patient and especially to compete. Competition between colleagues can be very stimulating and students will only benefit from it. Online learning is seen as a complement and extension of the classical forms of learning. Not even the best online course can fully replace the personal contact and stimulus of working with a teacher, or the human relationships and personal growth that develop in a group.
The AVL Disadvantages - There are no professors you can contact instead you are limited to online sources and student forums.
- Online course can require more time, you will normally spend more time studying and researching.
- It is easier to procastinate, there is no one to tell you to get to class or reminding you that assignments are due.
- Online courses require you to be responsible for your own learning.
- A sense of isolation and disconnect from the student community can develop.
- AVL gives no college credit, any credit you must get through a college or university based on their CLEP policies.
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