What are the advantages to online college courses over traditional class attendance? The online learning environment is a great neutralizer. In online learning, everyone can speak, especially in asynchronous environments. Moreover, the fact that discussions tend to be more text-based, and there is less focus on how someone looks or sounds, means more focus is placed on what someone has to say.
I have been favorably impressed with the quality of discussion. In online learning, typically a discussion prompt is provided at the beginning of the week and students have time to research the topic and formulate a thoughtful response. Consequently, I have found the level of critical thinking is often higher in online courses.
Other advantages include accessibility and convenience. Online courses are always on, and the instructor is only an email message, telephone call or chat session away. Online courses are convenient, because usually you do not have to be in a certain place at a certain time. The standards are just as high, but the structure of the course provides flexibility.
Ann M. Solan, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor
Drexel University
Multidisciplinary & Emerging Programs
Drexel.com
Community colleges are convenient and affordable—but how can I translate that into a bachelor’s or master’s degree? Fairleigh Dickinson University offers bachelor’s degree completion and graduate degree programs at eight community colleges in the state of New Jersey. The concept, which began in 2001, is to service underrepresented areas of the state, particularly southern New Jersey, where individuals might not otherwise have access to bachelor’s or master’s degree programs. The utilization of the community college campuses is a natural, as it allows students to enroll in coursework in close proximity to home or work.
Individuals who have associate’s degrees or equivalent credits may attain a bachelor’s degree by completing Fairleigh Dickinson University coursework at the community college and online. These courses are offered at a reduced rate. And, individuals also have the opportunity to begin graduate coursework while enrolled as undergraduate students, and utilize these courses for both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree depending upon the graduate program.
For more information about Fairleigh Dickinson’s Community College Partnership program, please call (201) 692-7310 or email ccp@fdu.edu.
Anthony Mastropietro
Director, Community College Partnership
Fairleigh Dickinson University
fdu.edu/ccp
What can an outside trainer provide my staff that a business cannot do in-house? Most businesses become bogged down by the vast amount of paperwork generated on a daily basis. At Cordasco Financial Group, we specialize in organizing the client’s books and records. We do this by setting up a paperless filing cabinet and posting all your transactions into Quickbooks via our cloud service. The client can either outsource the complete task to us, or we will train your staff to maintain and update your important financial data. We will become part of your mastermind group to provide direction on creating real wealth. Remember, bad bookkeeping leads to bad decisions and that leads to poor cash flow. There are no great companies with bad books. We take this problem away for less than a bookkeeper’s salary. It’s time to stop the chaos. We will manage the details for you.
Cordasco Financial
(856) 772-4905
CordascoFinancial.com
What impact can an MBA have on my career? The master of business administration (MBA) program at the Rutgers School of Business–Camden provides students with a broad professional education that prepares them for the increasingly complex demands of management. The program gives students an appreciation of the total enterprise, as well as such basic functions as accounting, finance, marketing, management, information systems, organizational behavior and strategy. Classes are held during evenings and Saturdays to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, and are taught by the world-class Rutgers faculty whose research is defining the best practices for the coming decades. The Rutgers School of Business is southern New Jersey’s first institution to earn accreditation from the prestigious AACSB International. While a Rutgers education is superior to that of many other nationally renowned business schools, the small size of the program ensures every student is treated as a valuable member of a close-knit community, not like a number. As a result, you receive individual attention from faculty and staff to help you meet your goals. For more information, visit business.camden.rutgers.edu or call (856) 225-6452.
Rutgers School of Business–Camden
(856) 225-6452
Business.Camden.Rutgers.edu
Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 1, Issue 9 (September, 2011).
For more info on South Jersey Biz, click here.
To subscribe to South Jersey Biz, click here.
To advertise in South Jersey Biz, click here.
