Summary: This document offers answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding distance learning, also known as distance education, or non-traditional education. Distance learning most commonly involves the earning of post-secondary credits via non-traditional means, i.e., correspondence courses, and college courses via the Internet, TV, radio, satellite, etc.
FAQ Maintainers: Rita Laws, rlaws@homes4kids.org and Neil Hynd, penhill@emirates.net.ae
Rita can also be reached at http://www.homes4kids.org
Back to the DL Booklist
DL FAQ Version 6.0 News
Additions and Updates
New to the DL FAQ are some URLs in part IV, and some reader-suggested additions to Questions 5 and 12. Also new is the newsgroup, alt.binaries.education.distance. More information on this group is available in Question 12's answer section.
Neil Hynd can now update the contents of this FAQ without waiting on Rita to find the time to upload changes. Please feel free to send FAQ corrections, additions and deletions to either Neil or Rita.
Among recent DL FAQ reprint requests is one from Hyderabad, India for a publication about overseas educational opportunities. The DL FAQ has been translated into several languages, most recently, Korean, by Yoonjin Yoon.
The URL is http://www.netusers.org/FAQen/education_distance_faq.html
This FAQ improves lives and everyone who has contributed to it should
be proud. Here is one of many emails received: "...I work for an education referral service...Your FAQ is one of the most clear and comprehensive I have found, and I think it would be a great resource for working folks who need to learn more about this educational option."
Caveat Emptor
It bears repeating: Beware phony college degree programs that offer degrees without requiring more than money, i.e., coursework, testing, transfer credits, and when appropriate, life or work experience credits. Recently, Rita received email from a U.S. company offering illegal degree-mill diplomas for as little as $25. Legitimate legal college degrees are always earned, not purchased.
DL FAQ and Booklist URL
The DL FAQ has always been available at the same official FAQ web site but the other URL, Rita's personal page, has been changed, along with her email address. These are The DL Booklist and Official DL FAQ: http://personalpages.tds.net/~rlaws/ and rlaws@homes4kids.org
"Homes for Kids"
For anyone who may be wondering about the email address, Homes For Kids (http://www.homes4kids.org) is a non-profit, volunteer-run clearinghouse for information vital to people adopting U.S. born children who have special needs.
"I went to correspondence school. They threw me out from there. I played hooky... I sent them an empty envelope." --- Jack Pearl
1. What is Distance Learning or Distance Education ?
Definition of DL/DE
Distance Learning (DL), also known as Distance Education (DE), is simply
learning from a distance, usually from home, or from a conveniently located
off-campus site. DL allows adults to earn college credits, even entire
degrees, without ever leaving home. DL makes use of the Internet,
software, modems, TV stations, 2-way television using fiber optics,
microwave, and digital phone lines, satellites, radio, ham radio,
videocassette and audio tape, and the ever-popular mailbox,
to deliver instruction.
DL also refers to on-campus classes where the professor is not physically present, but communicating with students at several sites simultaneously via television, modem, or some other electronic means. DL is part of all degree types, from the A.A. to the Ph.D., and is an option in most majors, and at hundreds of universities worldwide.
A broader definition of DL includes non-credit courses, workshops, seminars, and career credits like CEUs (continuing education credits.) DL is for people who want to learn a new skill, or just pick up a few new ideas for the fun of learning. Additionally, DL is an exciting and growing part of public and private schools from elementary level through high school in many areas such as math, science, and languages. Shared courses offered via satellite, fiber optic cable and videocassette connect schools in the same town, or great distances apart. Courses can be one-way or two-way.
Finally, pre-university distance education, commonly known as homeschooling, is a type of DL. Typically, a homeschooled child is taught by his or her parents, however, sometimes, the child is tutored at home in part or completely via modem or TV course.
College Credits
The definitions of terms like college credit and degree vary around
the world.
In the US, college credits are proportional to semester hours, and how quickly they are earned is usually determined by the number of hours spent in class, i.e., three hours spent in a course each week for one semester equals 3 college credits. Some courses will be worth 1 credit hour, and some, 6, 9, or even 12 credit hours. Three credit hours per course is most common.
Levels of Degrees in the USA
Even though DL degrees do not follow a traditional course of
study in classrooms, they are awarded based on the DL equivalent
of college credits earned.
There are four degree levels in the USA:-
(i) the Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two year degree, traditionally, requiring 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.
(ii) the Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Science (BS) degree is traditionally a 4 year degree of 120 semester hours of credit.
(iii) the Master of Arts (MA), or Science (MS) degree is the first level of graduate study beyond a bachelors. It requires 30 semester hours of credit beyond the bachelors. It is more focused in a subject area than the bachelors and may require original research in the form of a thesis.
(iv) the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is a post-graduate degree encompassing 90 semester hours beyond the bachelors program. The doctorate goes by other names, too, such as Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) The Ph.D. and its equivalents are the highest academic degree that can be earned.
There are also other kinds of degrees that are less well-known but that are important to have in certain occupations. These will be discussed in later FAQ revisions.
The Workings of DL
For most students, DL remains primarily a books and paper
proposition, as well as an independent study effort, but is made
more convenient with the delivery of information via the
Internet, the web, online services, telephone, TV, satellite
courses, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, records, radio, ham radio,
and CD-ROM. Many DL programs are correspondence courses where
books, materials, and coursework are exchanged through the mail.
However, there are courses which are completely electronic, such
as interactive multimedia courses, and group learning in virtual
MOO classrooms. These options are growing in number and scope.
Some DL programs have residency requirements ranging from a
single week-end to 6 weeks in the Summer.
DL also involves finding alternative ways to earn college credits, such as through challenge examinations. Mature students are particularly adept at testing out of courses by demonstrating subject mastery through a single examination. Earning college credit for life and work experience through the creation of a student portfolio is another option common to DL programs. Many people complete long unfinished Bachelor's degrees through the use of portfolios.
"Commuter - one who spends his life
In riding to and from his wife;
A man who shaves and takes a train,
And then rides back to shave again." --- E.B. White
"Commuter - one who leaves her house
Goes back and forth to her spouse;
Balancing home, work, and school,
Trying very hard to keep her cool." --- M.R. Laws
Who needs of DL ?
Adults do. In a hurry up, no time world, what could be more
convenient and appealing than earning college credits on all
degree levels from the comfort of your home (or a more centrally
located place than a distant university)? Parents, caregivers,
working adults, and all busy people find DL to be the perfect
way to combine studies and living.
People who prefer to study solo can do so with DL. People who enjoy group learning can find DL classes online.
People who live in remote areas, places where the weather can be extreme, and people who have disabilities that make commuting difficult, also turn to DL as the only practical way to earn college credits.
Young adults in the US who never finished high school may turn to DL to study and prepare for a GED (General Equivalency Diploma) examination. After earning a GED, they can attend college. Senior citizens who enjoy learning for the sheer joy of doing so may pursue DL courses without any degree in mind.
Scheduling Flexibility
There is scheduling flexibility in DL. Many courses start when the
student is ready, not just in September and January. Students
can learn at any time of the day or night. There is no waiting
for the "even" or "odd" year when a certain course will be
offered at the traditional school. DL students can take any
course anytime, and, sometimes, even help design the course they
want to take.
Most DL students are mature adults over the age of 25. Some DL programs cater exclusively to people over age 30. Others have no age limits, and will admit otherwise qualified teens and gifted children.
"I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career." --- Gloria Steinem
3. What is the history of DL ?
Timeline
The history of DL goes back more than 100 years in Europe,
Africa, and Asia. DL, or "external" degrees from quality
institutions, also called Open universities, are well-accepted,
and not uncommon. The innovative Open University, started in
1971 in the UK, has been copied around the world. Today, the
largest DL student body in the world is part of UNISA, the
University of South Africa, with more than 200,000 people
enrolled worldwide.
In Australia, the University of Queensland offered an external degree program as early as the 1890's. New Zealand, as well, has offered DL options for more than a century. This is due, in part, to the sparse populations in some parts of these countries, and to the wide open expanses in Australia. Today, Australia's higher education system incorporates DL in many programs, and is considered a model for other nations.
American Approaches
In the United States, some schools offered courses through DL
in the late 19th century. Columbia University offered DL options
in the 1920's, and other schools offered courses by radio in the
30's and courses via television in the 60's. However, DL
remained a little known means of earning a college degree
throughout most of the 20th century.
Universities that are exclusively DL began appearing in the US, on both coasts, at about the same time, in the early 1970's. Among the pioneers, the state of New York gave us the "Regents External Degree Program," now called Regents College, an accredited school. The state of California produced California Western University, now called California Coast University, a state-approved institution.
Because DL is not yet well-understood in the US, there is a prejudice against DL degrees, even accredited ones. Some people believe DL is an inferior education. DL degrees are better accepted in some occupations than in others. This prejudice appears to be lessening as the facts of DL become known, and as such degrees grow in number.
"My teacher told me that today was the first day of the rest of my life. That explains why I didn't do yesterday's homework."--Lorne Elliott
4. How do I find the DL program that's best for me ?
Self Assessment
A simple self-assessment is a good place to start. Ask yourself
about your personal, career, and academic needs, what you want
to do, and how you learn best.
There are many ways to study in DL, and to learn. Choose your method or methods and act accordingly. For example, don't rush to buy a high speed modem if your classes are going to be mainly through written correspondence. Don't sign up for classes on cassette tape if you don't enjoy auditory learning. If you hated lab classes when you were younger, make sure you don't feel that way now before signing up for DL lab classes. (Yes, there is such a thing as DL lab classes within several disciplines.)
Reference Sources
Some people consult professional guidance and career counselors,
and others use an educational consulting service where a fee
is paid to a DL expert who then compiles a list of
possible schools custom-tailored to the client's needs
and learning style.
DL do-it-yourselfers often start with a good book or two. The Distance Learning Booklist, a free Internet reference, is designed for people who are "Getting Started" in DL, and is updated about once per month. It can be found at several online services, at alt.education.distance, and at the web page: DL Booklist
The URL is http://personalpages.tds.net/~rlaws/ and can be reached from any web browser anywhere on the web.
A recent version includes information about these titles:-
Bears' Guide To Earning Non-Traditional College Degrees
Colleges With Programs For Students With Learning Disabilities
Finding Money For College
Paying Less For College
The Electronic University
The Independent Study Catalog
The Internet University
USA Today Financial Aid For College
Informative brochures from the Distance Education & Training Council:-
Distance Education, A Systems View
Earn College Credit For What You Know
Education On The Internet
How To Earn A College Degree In Only 4 Months
The Satellite Scholar Catalog
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." --- Mohandas K. Gandhi
5. What is a diploma mill and how do I determine the quality of a school ?
Diploma Mills
A diploma mill is often defined as an illegal institution that
grants phony degrees in exchange for money, and without
requiring the student to show proof of course mastery, or to do
any coursework or testing. An inferior school operating just
inside the law is a poor choice, but is not, by definition, a
diploma mill.
In the US, the proprietor of a legal school may sue someone who calls it a diploma mill in a public forum. Newsgroup users should be careful about using this term and other derogatory statements because the writer is liable for whatever he or she posts. Even if the derogatory statement is true and eventually proven, under current US law, the accused might still have to pay for his or her own defense.
In the US, where DL has yet to gain full acceptance, some Americans who know nothing about DL mistakenly assume that a DL degree must come from a diploma mill. Yet, DL degrees are completely legal, are not bought, but earned, and in some cases, DL programs require more work and study from their students than traditional programs do !
Diploma mills should be reported to the FBI (in the US), or to a local education government agency, and shut down whenever they pop up as they not only do a great deal of harm to the "graduates" and to society, they give legitimate non-traditional education a bad name.
Quality of DL Programs (with an American Emphasis)
Determining the quality of a school or DL degree program is an
important step -- perhaps the most important step -- in the process
of earning a degree.
In Australia, with a strong tradition of DL, there is even a national DL university. Higher education is overseen by the government, so there is no accreditation to speak of, except at the professional level. There are only a few private institutions. Consumers should be skeptical of any DL program that does not come out of one of the recognized institutions of higher education. Check out all claims, to be sure.
In the US, a voluntary process known as regional accreditation provides DL students with the assurance that certain quality standards have been met. However, many high-quality DL universities opt not to go through the complex and expensive accreditation process. How does the potential student determine the quality of such schools?
Some suggestions include:-
* contact the Department of Education in the state where the
school is located.
* if allowed, contact some of the alumni of the school in which you are
interested. You may find some names and numbers in the alumni
publication.
* talk to potential employers and people who work in the field
you hope to work in after you earn your degree. Ask these people
what they think of the university you wish to attend.
* if your job will involve certification or licensure, always
talk to the licensing or certifying agencies before applying to
a particular school, to see if the school meets their
requirements.
* check out the school in Bears' Guide to Earning College
Degrees Nontraditionally, a book by John B. Bear and Mariah P.
Bear.
* contact the Better Business Bureau (see the phone
book) nearest the university in question for a report.
* if possible, visit the school yourself. But remember that totally
DL schools will not have a large physical presence because one is
not needed.
* listen to your own common sense. If the
free information packet is full of misspelled words and
outlandish promises, steer clear.
* check out all accreditation claims (some are phony, or the
accrediting bodies are phony) by calling the US Education
Department of Education, or DOED, Accreditation and State
Liaison Division, at 202-708-7417. The general information
number at the US DOED is 202-401-1576. (Trivia: US DOE is the
abbreviation of the US Department of Energy, not the Dept. of
Education.)
* ask ACE, the American Council on Education, a private organization,
if they have evaluated the coursework of any unaccredited school
about whose quality you are unsure.
American State-Licensed DL Institutions
The following succinct summary was posted on the alt.education.distance newsgroup:-
State Licensing: Be advised that degrees awarded by State-licensed,
non-accredited universities are perfectly legal. Typical State licensing
sets standards regarding qualifications of faculty and the number of
semester hours of work required for a degree.
The actual details regarding program content and qualifications for the
award of degrees are left to the discretion of each institution.
Licensure does not constitute endorsement or approval of an institute by
the particular licensing commission.
Consumer Protection: State licensing authorities have a statutory
duty to provide consumer protection. In the field of degree-granting
bodies, this consists of receiving complaints from students and encouraging
the parties concerned to find a mutually acceptable settlement.
Typical licensing statutes provide for a written response to the
commission concerned within 30 days.
For further information contact the Commission on Higher Education in
your State. As an example of the work of such a commission, visit the
New Mexico Commission on Higher Education site at: http://www.nmche.org/
Accreditation: State-licensed universities described as non-accredited
are so classified since the institute concerned is not accredited by an
agency recognised by the US Department of Education. Accreditation is a
voluntary rather than compulsory process in the United States of America.
If a degree is required for membership of particular professional
associations or for entry into specified work areas, accreditation
requirements should be verified before embarking on any degree course.
In the United States of America, lack of accreditation associated with a
State-licensed non-accredited degree may or may not be a drawback.
(This information has been prepared as a statement in support of State-licensed, non-accredited universities to counter occasional newsgroup accusations of such organisations being "degree mills" --- Neil Hynd March 1997)
"Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can." --- John Wesley, Rules of Conduct
6. What is the difference between US schools that are state approved and regionally accredited ?
Accreditation in the USA
Accreditation is a complex and fast-changing issue. Please see
the DL Booklist in Q&A #4 for books that deal with this subject
in a more in-depth way than this FAQ is able to.
On planet Earth, national governments run universities, or license them. The exception to this is the United States of America. The US has a two-tiered system consisting of state and private universities that are accredited, and universities that are approved by whatever state each school resides in.
(Note: Complicating the issue in the US is an additional type of accreditation called professional accreditation. Examples of professional accrediting bodies are the National League of Nursing (NLN) for Nursing degrees, American Bar Assocation (ABA) for law school accreditation, and the American Psychological Association (APA). All legitimate professional accrediting bodies must be approved by the US DOED. Professional accreditation is not a universal requirement. Whether or not one must have it depends on the occupation, the type of work performed within the occupation, the individual state laws, and other factors, such as a non-profit status. Each individual must check into professional accreditation requirements carefully as they are going to differ a great deal from person to person.)
Accrediting Agencies
University accrediting agencies are approved by either CORPA or CHEA
or the US DOED. Some sincere accrediting groups with genuine
standards are currently seeking US DOED recognition. In the
meantime, they can approve universities according to their
standards, but they cannot claim to be accrediting bodies
recognized by the US government.
Some phony accrediting groups are not trying for this stamp of approval, but may attempt to pass themselves off as recognized by the federal government. It is unethical for a university to claim accreditation by an unrecognized accrediting agency without revealing that the agency is unrecognized by the US DOED.
Some schools have been known to set up their own accrediting agencies and pretend that the agency is independent. Check out all schools yourself if accreditation is important to you. Call the DOED at the phone number in Q&A #5 above to confirm the status.
Voluntary Nature of US Accreditation
Regional accreditation is a voluntary and non-governmental
process, but too many Americans believe it is either mandatory,
or the sole purveyor of quality. State approval is not
voluntary, and can be a rigorous process. For example,
California's Bureau Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational
Education has high uniform standards for the California schools
it oversees. Each state is different, however. You can write to
any state's Department of Education to get a copy of their rules
and regulations.
Many high quality DL schools balk at the accreditation process and refuse to consider submitting to it because it is expensive, lengthy, and complex. Some requirements suffer from a "Catch 22." For example, schools need students to earn accreditation, but it is difficult to attract students, at least in some fields, if you are not accredited ! Requirements that don't take DL into account, such as requiring the on-campus presence of a certain number of library books, seem arbitrary.
The process can be somewhat political, as well. For example, it is widely held in the DL community that conservative accrediting agencies do not care much for non-traditional approaches to learning, especially on the graduate and post-graduate level, and in certain subjects.
It is a mistake to assume that state approved schools cannot be as effective in helping people reach their career goals as regionally accredited schools. In fact, state-approved schools can, depending on the circumstances and the quality of the program, be more effective in a financial sense. This is because they cost as much as 75% less than an accredited degree plan, and do not cripple the learner's future with student loan payback demands. One has only to look at the alumni surveys of some of the quality state approved universities to see that their graduates hold positions in all types of career fields, and are highly satisfied with their degrees.
Understand Your Own Needs
The key in choosing between state-approved and accredited is to know
and understand your own individual needs. A business major, for
instance, should not choose a school because a psychology major
likes it! One must ask, "Do my personal, academic and career
goals require accreditation or not?" In finding the answer,
don't be swayed by opinions and advice, or misled by
assumptions. Seek the answer yourself. Talk to your colleagues,
potential employers, and above all, the people who will
eventually license or certify you. You might be surprised. (See
Q&A #5 for more help in choosing the school best suited to
meeting your individual needs.)
"The educator must above all understand how to wait; to reckon all effects in the light of the future, not of the present." --- Ellen Key
Different Funding Approaches ....
In Australia, many Australian programs are "free" to citizens,
although a program called HECS calls for students to pay for
their education following graduation, but only if they make more
than $25,000 per year. Some programs are fee-based, such as
MBAs, and call for fees. Foreign students will always pay a fee.
These can be as high as $12,000 per year.
In the US, most non-loan financial aid is targeted at young adults in traditional, regionally accredited, residential programs with a set calendar of class dates. DL students, most of whom are mature adults in non-traditional programs with no set start-up dates, can have a difficult time finding scholarships.
It helps to seek out web sites and books that cater to helping DL students find money for school. DL experts John and Mariah Bear, for example, (see the DL Booklist) have written a book about Financial Aid with a special emphasis on assisting DL students. Called "Finding Money for College", it is updated annually.
Financial Aid and Low-Cost US State-Licensed DL Programs
To find financial aid web pages, use electronic directories
called search tools. Your web browser software should have an
area that features search tools. A search engine called "Yahoo"
at http://www.yahoo.com is very popular right now because it is
very easy to use. Just type in your subject, such as
"scholarships", press the enter key, and Yahoo offers several
scholarship web sites to try. www.search.com is the URL of Search.Com, a
Grand Central Station of search tools. And the federal government
has financial aid information waiting for you at http://www.ed.gov
One sure way to save money is to consider a state-approved, but unaccredited, university. If such a school can meet your personal, academic, and career goals, you will likely save a great deal of money on tuition. Some of the bigger state-approved schools offer interest-free monthly payments after an initial down payment.
"If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks." --- Maria Montessori
8. Where can I find some of the DL resources on the Net ?
Where to Look
The Usenet Newsgroup called alt.education.distance is a great
place to start learning about DL programs and resources.
Web sites, including university home pages on several continents, scholarship sites, research and support pages, and DL innovation pages number in the hundreds. Since the URLs change, disappear, and are always emerging, it is impractical to list them here. However, they are not difficult to find. Using the search tools mentioned in Q&A #7, type in key or search words such as DISTANCE LEARNING, DISTANCE EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES, and NONTRADITIONAL EDUCATION. You can then print out or save the list of sites presented to you, and browse them at your leisure.
There are currently several excellent web sites that act as clearing houses and link to dozens of other DL-related web pages. Such clearing houses are useful additions to a web browser hotlist.
There is one DL resource that has helped hundreds of DL students for years, and needs to be listed here. Dr. E's Eclectic Compendium of Electronic Resources in Adult and Distance Education by Dr. Jill H. Ellsworth, a university professor, lists e-journals, listservs, mailing lists, and more.
On online services such as AOL, CompuServe, Delphi, GEnie, MSN, and Prodigy, you will find DL areas like forums, chat rooms, virtual classrooms, and file libraries. Several have DL web content, too. Use the keywords above in the GoTo or keyword line to see what each service is offering.
"I was brought up to believe that the only thing worth doing was to add to the sum of accurate information in the world." --- Margaret Mead
9. Where are the "online universities" ?
Online-ism
While universities that conduct all classes and business online
may or may not exist in significant numbers in the future, they
are few in number today. Many traditional and DL schools have a
home page on the Web Page and e-mail capabilities, but this does
not make them "online schools."
Rather, online classes are one option among various means of learning offered by the institution. People searching for exclusively online degrees may miss the many excellent offerings of degree programs that are partially online, but that also conduct learning through other means, i.e. correspondence courses, taped courses, etc. Investigate all DL options, including hybrid DL programs that combine different means of learning, and then choose the one best for your needs.
And remember, more schools are offering DL options - every day. If there is a certain university you are interested in attending, ask about DL programs that are currently under consideration or that are in development.
"Life is what happens while you are making other plans." --- John Lennon
10. How do I stay motivated to complete my degree ?
Dont' Be a DL Dropout
You understand what DL is all about, you know your own needs,
you've been admitted, the books have arrived, and it's time to
study. Feel like procrastinating ?
You are not alone! Happily, mature adults are the most self-directed of all students. They are highly motivated - usually by the need to get a job, keep a job, or earn a promotion or raise. However, even highly self-disciplined adults can find it difficult to stay motivated, especially in the Summer when warm weather activities beckon, and most "everyone else" is out of school.
Need for a Support System
This is where the need to find and keep a support system comes
in. A little encouragement, understanding and socializing is
just the medicine most people need to get back on track toward
their degrees. People with computers and modems are fortunate
because the same newsgroups, forums, and web sites that helped
them learn about DL, their needs, and the available schools, are
often the same places they can turn to for support. These
electronic gatherings are also the place to pass on what you
have learned- to the "newbies" just coming along, the ones who
ask, "So how do I get started ?"
If you are returning to your studies after a long hiatus, remember that you are not alone. More than half of all people who begin a dissertation, for example, never ever finish it. Try your local library for books written to help the ABD (All But Dissertation) student, and for people finishing all types of degrees.
Commit Yourself to Targets
One trick that some people find to be useful is to commit to
achieving one DL goal per day, every day, rain or shine. The
goal may be as quick and simple as ordering the next text book,
downloading the newest posts from a DL newsgroup, or writing one
paragraph on a term paper, or as involved as a marathon study,
research, or writing session. Others set aside certain times or
days to devote exclusively to their studies. Just as one might
invest a set sum of money each month to build a financial
future, so does investing a set amount of time each month create
a brighter future with a completed degree in it.
The key is to get into a daily habit. Little by little, the DL degree moves closer to completion.
"My dear dear Mother, If you don't let me come home I die - I am all over ink, and my fine clothes have been spoilt, I have been tost in a blanket, and seen a ghost. I remain, my dear dear Mother,
Your dutiful and most unhappy son, Freddy. P.S. Remember me to my Father."
--- Frederick Reynolds, a letter home, on his second day of school, 1775
11. After I've graduated, what next ?
A Graduate At Last !
The work is finished and the diploma has arrived. What now?
Although tradition varies from country to country, it may not be
time yet to bask in the warmth of your accomplishment.
In the US, there are at least 3 things left that you can choose to do, especially if you are a graduate/post-graduate alumnus, to maximize the effectiveness of your DL degree: announce it, present it, and publish it.
Announcing your degree via your local newspaper or company bulletin, while optional, is an easy way to show your pride. The more pride you show in your degree, the more respect others will accord you for it. You don't need a fancy press release. Simply type up the facts: your name, city, degree, university, and date of graduation. Your local newspaper's editor will do the rest. For an even better announcement, ask your faculty advisor to check it over before you send it out to be published.
The second thing to do is to present your work. If you wrote a thesis or a dissertation, you may wish to share the research results with the professional community through local, state, regional, national, and international conferences.
Publishing
For many people, publishing their work is more practical than
presenting it. This is the third and most time-consuming
addendum to earning your degree. You can do both or either.
Publishing your work takes 3 basic forms: as is, as an article,
and as a book.
Publishing your thesis or dissertation as is means paying a fee and filling out an application for a library abstract service to make your work available to the public. The purpose is to share the results, and to receive feedback and recognition from others in your field. Otherwise, what good will your work do after the degree?
Getting published in scholarly journals is never easy, and is rarely compensated monetarily. Again, this avenue is pursued in order to share research with other academicians, and to help establish oneself in a given field of research. Always send for the writer's guidelines first, or your submission will be returned to you unread. Follow all directions exactly, and be prepared for several re-writes. Acceptance is rarely unconditional on the first attempt.
Publishing your thesis or dissertation in book form requires three basic steps. First, write a detailed outline of the book you want to write, based on your work. Second, submit your outline to publishers until it is accepted. Third, re-write your work to the publisher's specifications. The sooner you do this after completing your degree, the easier it may be to do, because your work will still be fresh in your mind.
Further Work
Finally, if you caught the research bug during your thesis or
dissertation preparation, you may wish to continue, expand, or
modify your original research, or begin a new project. There are
several good books about obtaining grant money to do this. One
US published work is a Peterson's title called "Grants for
Graduate & Postdoctoral Study: Details on 1,400 Fellowships,
Scholarships, Grants, Awards, and Prizes" (Fourth Edition).
You may also find research money on the Internet. I know of several people who picked up support for their research goals by posting on Usenet Newsgroup discussions that dealt with their field of interest.
"Success is counted sweetest
By those who never succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need." --- Emily Dickinson
12. What are the appropriate uses of this newsgroup ?
Distance Education Forum
Alt.education.distance is a forum to discuss distance education
issues, ideas, and concerns. It is not a commercial forum for
people who sell educational software and other products and
services. Commercial messages are not welcome. Universities
often use the newsgroup to describe new programs, and this is
certainly appropriate. Telling people where to email or write
for additional details such as tuition schedules, is the best
way to keep an informational post from becoming a commercial
one. Similarly, DL educational consultants are encouraged to
identify themselves as such, especially in their signature
lines, but interested potential customers should "take it to
email."
There is another newsgroup, alt.binaries.education.distance where HTML files, and other graphic files relevant to distance education can be posted. When you post here, please alert the readers at alt.education.distance of the existence of your offering. The two newsgroups are designed to compliment one another, but remember that some news servers do not keep binary newsgroup content live for very long.
Netiquette
Netiquette, or good online manners, also includes these suggestions:-
* Write with brevity and on-topic,
* Warn of extra long posts in the subject line so that those
with slow modems may choose to avoid them,
* Don't "shout" in capital letters, please. *Asterisks* are the
preferred means of emphasizing words. Some people use underline
_ marks _ to show emphasis.
* Flaming, or insulting and rude posting is very disruptive. So
is flaming flamers. Kindness and professionalism is appreciated
by all.
* Do not post any material not written by you without express
permission of the original author. Assume the existence of a
copyright, when in doubt ! Of course, posting an excerpt from a
post you are replying to is not only legal, it is an efficient
way to communicate. Repeat only those parts of the post that are
relevant, however, so as not to waste everyone's time.
* Finally, remember that electronic communication does not
benefit from clarifiers such as body language, hand movements,
facial expressions, and voice tones. Be cautious with the use of
sarcasm and humor because you can be easily misunderstood!
13. DL Web Site Locations URL's
Useful URL's
Here are a few Web URLs (listed in alphabetical order) for universities and colleges worldwide with DL programs, and to online resources such as virtual libraries. In the next update, I hope to find the time to list the names first and URLs second (as it is on the DL FAQ web page, but not yet on the newsgroup posting), and to place them into alphabetical order with a short description of each. No one makes any assurance of quality.
It is up to you to determine the value, if any, of each site for your own needs. If you have an addition for this list to be included in the FAQ's next update, please send it to either FAQ maintainer. It would be helpful if you put the words "FAQ URL ADDITION" in the "subject" line. To print out this list without the HTML coding, visit the DL FAQ homepage at http://www.faqs.org/faqs/education/distance-ed-faq/part1/ OR AT http://personalpages.tds.net/~rlaws/
14. Acknowledgments and Thanks
Thank you ...
This FAQ also contains a list of names of people who
are helping. If your name is not here and should be, please
email me. If your name is here, check the spelling. Thanks again
to everyone who has sent supportive email and ideas. Please keep
them coming. Useful FAQs are always in the process of being
revised.
Respectfully submitted, Rita Laws and Neil Hynd
And Special Thanks To ...
The people who offered ideas, information, resource leads, encouragement or constructive criticism in the writing of this FAQ include, in alphabetical order:-
Dr. Sreerama Raju Alluri, Brett Armstrong, Gerard Ashton, L. Anne Babb, Ph.D., Linda Barnhart, Steven R. Barnhart, Ph.D., John B. Bear, Ph.D., Betsy Currier Beacom, Ken Brownson, Ph.D., Carlo Bucci, Adilson Cabral, Shara Campbell, Raymond Chasse, Ph.D., Susan Christopher, Kerry Conole, Nora Cooper, Kay Crowley, Michael J. Dargan, Phil Derksen, Angie Dixon, Steven Dowd, Ed.D., Matthew Duda, Jill Ellsworth, Ph.D., J.B. Evans, Roz Finnegan, Suzanne Foster, Harwood R. Fox, Graham Goldman, Harvey Greenberg, William Greene, Ian Greig, Brett Hanson, R.W. Hannu, Flick Harris, Gray Harriman, Richard M. Hartman, Bruce Hempel, Lia Hutton, Kristin Evenson Hirst, David H. Hunter, Malcolm Hutchinson, Ed Isenberg, Leonardo Jackson, Roy Johnson, Ted Johnson, Jim Klieforth, Joseph H. Kovacic, Ph.D., David S. Kovaka, Arlene Krebs, Ph.D., Louis Lanzillotti, Dominique Lebot, Al Lepine, C. Leibovitz, Jim LeMay, Meri McPherson-Cox, Allen Majorovic, Cesar Marques, Dr. David Morley, Jon Mowery, Yan Naroditsky, Bill Newell, Stacey Osibov, William Overington, Peter Parfitt, D. Rickerd, Tom Riendeau, Sheryl Lynn Robert, Gail Sands, Ph.D., Lawrence M. Sanger, Alan Schroeder, Howard Sherr, Alden Sison, Nancy Slator, Vicky Squires, Waylon G. Steep, Brian C. Stevens, Ph.D., Denny Treat, David Wade, Chuck Waite, MSc, Darby Walker, John Wetsch, Ph.D., Alex Wiggins, Andrew Wilson, Carrie Wingate, Ph.D., Don Wurth, and Yoonjin Yoon.
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15. Legalities, Notices and Copyright Information
Legalities
This FAQ may be re-produced for non-profit uses, and as long as
it is copied in its entirety and without modification. It may be
duplicated at other education-related newsgroups. For any other
use, including commercial, or the use of excerpts, permission
must first be obtained in writing from the author,
Notices
The alt.education.distance FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
From: rlaws@homes4kids.org (Rita Laws)
Newsgroups:alt.education.distance,alt.answers,news.answers
Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU
Subject: alt.education.distance FAQ
Follow up - To: poster
Archive-name: alt-education-distance-FAQ
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 1998/12/11
Version: 6.0
URL: http://personalpages.tds.net/~rlaws/
Request for Input
This FAQ needs international input. Most of the material
describes US schools and policies only because US information
has been more plentiful to-date.
FAQ Maintainers: Rita Laws, rlaws@homes4kids.org and Neil Hynd, penhill@emirates.net.ae
Original Version Author: Rita Laws, Ph.D., 1995.
HTML Version edited by Neil Hynd. March and December 1998.
Copyright
Copyright (c) 1998 by Rita Laws.
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