| You may have heard about online classes, but you | | | | to start? You can take a 4-week online genealogy |
| may not be aware of how popular and pervasive | | | | class that explains records searches, tips, chats and |
| they have become. In the last few years, it seems | | | | more for less than $30. |
| as though everyone is online learning or researching | | | | Or maybe you've always wished you could speak |
| something. The Internet provides unprecedented | | | | Italian or Spanish. You can take an online class, |
| access to knowledge and education for people of all | | | | complete with instant translation features and |
| ages. | | | | become proficient in a short time. Courses are |
| In addition to the over 3 million college students who | | | | available in 7 languages for under $30. |
| are taking at least some of their classes online, there | | | | Are there practical or hobby classes available online? |
| are online high schools, online career training schools | | | | Oh, yes. There are hundreds of choices in the |
| and courses and continuing education for adults online. | | | | continuing education or noncredit field, and some of |
| A 2005 survey by the National Center for Education | | | | them are very practical and helpful. For example, |
| Statistics found that 44% of American adults, almost | | | | would you like to learn how to prepare your own |
| 93 million people, were pursuing some type of | | | | taxes instead of paying someone to do it? You can |
| continuing education. | | | | take an online course in Tax Preparation for around |
| They also note reported that 32% of these adults | | | | $50 that will teach you about forms, filing status, |
| had participated in some form of distance or online | | | | income, credits, pensions and more. |
| education. This means that almost 30 million adults | | | | If you are over 50 and want to save some money |
| were involved in learning or taking a class online. | | | | or just refresh your driving skills, the American |
| Why do people take online continuing education | | | | Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers an |
| classes? | | | | online Driver Safety class for around $20. This could |
| The NCES survey found that 27% of continuing | | | | get you a discount on your auto insurance and make |
| education students were taking work-related courses | | | | you feel more comfortable on the road. |
| or training programs, While 21% were taking courses | | | | Now that spring is on the way, are you thinking of |
| to pursue personal interests, and 4% were part-time | | | | gardens? Perhaps you live in an apartment or don't |
| students working on a university degree. | | | | have much of a yard. You can still have a beautiful |
| Dr Kenneth Hartman, director of academic affairs for | | | | garden in containers. The Horticulture Gardening |
| Drexel University Online says "Online learning is the | | | | Institute can teach you which plants to choose and |
| fastest growing area in higher education today. As | | | | how to care for them in their online class "Art and |
| more and more adults look to higher education to | | | | Science of Container Gardening" for around $70. |
| expand their knowledge base for promotional or new | | | | A more expensive option is an online class in digital |
| career opportunities, they will look to online learning | | | | photography. While the beginning class is around |
| as a convenient and viable way to continue their | | | | $300, it is an 8-week class and includes critiques and |
| education." | | | | instruction from professional photographers. If you |
| It is now estimated that the average person will | | | | would like to learn photography on this level, this |
| change careers 3-5 times during their lifetime. Online | | | | could be a great opportunity. |
| classes and training can allow you to prepare for a | | | | Or, if you are mainly concerned with learning how to |
| career change without quitting your job and going | | | | use the digital camera you got as a gift, you may |
| back to school. You can take university or college | | | | want to check out "The Art of Digital Photography" |
| classes online that will count towards a degree, or | | | | at UniversalClass. This class covers areas such as |
| career training classes, which generally are not | | | | using the camera, scanning images, printing pictures |
| transferable to universities. | | | | and choosing cameras, along with basic photography |
| What kind of personal interest classes are available | | | | for around $99. |
| online? | | | | If we haven't mentioned an online class that interests |
| The second most common reason people take | | | | you, check out universal class.com, as they have |
| continuing education classes is for personal | | | | more than 500 classes available and most of them |
| satisfaction or personal interest. In this area, the | | | | are reasonably priced. You can choose from areas |
| choices are tremendous. | | | | such as cooking, pet care, fitness, web development |
| Have you always been fascinated by ancient Egypt? | | | | and many more. ( |
| Would you like to learn about the history of Egypt, | | | | So, no matter what your educational level or |
| study hieroglyphics and archeological discoveries? For | | | | interests, there will be an online class that will be right |
| only $149, you can take an interactive online course | | | | for you. Whether you use it to get ahead at work, |
| in Egyptology. | | | | obtain a college degree or simply make your life |
| Or have you dreamed of tracing your family tree and | | | | better through learning something new, online classes |
| exploring your family history, if you only knew where | | | | truly offer something for everyone. |