Online Education

• What is my learning style²⁰? Am I an independent, self-motivated, self-starter? That is, with no classes to “attend,” no students or teachers for “direct” support, will I be comfortable? Are you a good self-advocate, so that if issues arise, you are comfortable raising them with the online school?
• Am I comfortable in a learning environment, which relies primarily on independent reading and writing?
• Am I able to organize, stay-on-task and meet deadlines?
• Am I good at managing my time in order to complete required activities?
• Am I more comfortable in a classroom setting or working independently?
• What technology do I have available for daily use? (At a minimum, you will usually need an Internet
• connection.) Does the school being considered deliver their programs via the type of technology to which I have access?
• What software will I need to use for the course/program in which I am interested? Do I have to learn and/or purchase new software? If yes, what is the cost?
• What level are my technology skills – particularly use of the Internet and e-mail?
• Is there adaptive technology that you currently use or need to use? If yes, are these technologies available and compatible with online study?
• Are there supports I will need to be successful in an online environment? For example: Am I
• comfortable reading text online? If not, do I have access to technology, which can read the material to me. Am I comfortable typing in information online? If not, do I have access to a “speak and write” (i.e., speech recognition software) program and am I competent in its use? Further, does this technology interact appropriately with the online course(s) offered? If I am hearing impaired, is oral video or conversation captioned?
• What type of financial aide may be used in this program?
  

• Do they have the program you wish to study? How long will it take to complete?
• Is it possible to take a sample “real” lesson to see if the approach is workable for you? Is there some type of quiz or evaluation you can take to see if you are a good fit for online education?
• What is the cost of the course/program? How does that compare with attending a traditional institution?
• Can I use an online course to supplement on-campus learning? Will the school I am attending accept the course as part of my course completion requirements? In general, are course hours earned in the online program transferable to other schools?
• How does the school create a sense of community?
  
  

• Is the school accredited21? For a more complete discussion of this area, please refer to: The Basics of the Post-secondary Search in this book. In that section, questions on important school statistics such as graduation rates, and methods of reviewing vocational programs and private businesses are discussed.
• If the program is not a “college,” does it have some type of recognized credentials that allows it to train and grant diplomas, certificates, etc.?
• How long has the school been in business? The school should have been in business for several years. You need to be assured that the school will be in business long enough for you to complete your program. In addition, how long has the program you are studying been offered at the school?
• The school should have an actual business address (not a PO Box) and location from which it operates. There should also be a phone number, a fax and email address. Scams in online courses are not uncommon and the “buyer” must be careful that they enroll in a legitimate school22.
• Seek out the opinion of others regarding the program, for example, school personnel, students who have studied there, online reviews, and so forth.
  
  

• What is the schedule? Does it work with your schedule? Are there specific time limits for submission of materials and course completion? Is there a time limit to complete the entire program? Are extensions granted?
• What is the tuition? How is it paid23? Are books, required supplies and/or school/activity fees included in the tuition?
• Can all course/program/school related activities be completed online, for example: admission, placement tests, registration for courses, add/drop courses, payments, books, etc.
• How is privacy of personal and academic information handled?
• What types of job placement programs are in place? What is the job placement rate?
• Is there some type of orientation/introductory program before you begin the program?
• Is counseling and advising done online?
• If there are questions/problems with service issues, who is contacted and through what means?
• If I begin in one program and then wish to switch to a different program can I do so? Are courses transferable between programs? If I decide to leave a program is there any refund of tuition costs?
  
  

• Where can I obtain assistance on course content? Is tutoring available? If tutoring is available: is it online, through chat, by email or some other method; during what hours/days; who provides the tutoring (students, teachers, others)? Is there a cost?
• What type of feedback do I receive while taking a course? Is feedback and responses to questions completed in a timely manner?
• Can I interact with the teachers or other students in any way?
• What are the teachers’/professors’ qualifications?
• Is the entire program offered online or are there requirements for attendance at classes, events, residencies, etc. Also, does the program require that some projects be completed at actual locations? For example, a program may require that a person do an internship or complete a research project, which requires hours spent at an external location. If on-site experiences are required, how does the school facilitate these requirements?
• How am I evaluated? How are tests administered?
• How is the course delivered: All online reading, online submission of papers, online tests, video, online chats, group online chats, live chats, combination of online and face-to-face or some other method(s)?
  
  

• In terms of your specific disability:^24,25
• What experience does the program have with students who have your type of disability? What has been the success rate? What challenges have been encountered?
• What accommodations have been made to support students with your type of disability?
• Does the program furnish any needed assistive technology?  Is there any change?
• What are the testing requirements and/or accommodations?
• Is there a Disability Services Director? What, if any, disability-support services does the school offer? What type(s) of learning support for learning differences is available?