Virtual education
Online courses are a wonderful way to help educate North Carolinians as part of the push to make our state more economically competitive.
By: Board Editorial
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: Opinion
In today's high-speed society, online courses are comparable to Super Wal-Mart. Both offer low-priced goods and both are convenient for people from all walks of life.
And just like with Wal-Marts, we would like to see more and more of this service popping up.
With the help of that technology, people across the state - not just college students on campuses - can receive a high-quality education from distinguished universities without having to leave the comfort of their own homes.
Grab a comfy desk chair and a computer, and you're all set.
North Carolina offers a variety of courses over the Internet, from communications to the sciences.
In fact, there are 234 distance learning programs and 89 online degrees offered across the state. The distance-learning program is ready and available for undergraduates and for professional adults alike without the bother of having to be on campus for that dreaded 8 a.m. class.
Distance learning through online courses is a vital part of the education process today with people living at a faster pace and having limited free time to go back to school.
Not only does this delicious new flavor of higher education allow us to connect with people from the mountains to the coast, but it also helps to enhance the overall economy.
Let's face it: The more people North Carolina has with college degrees, the better off our economy will be. Education means a higher standard of living and a better employee pool companies pondering a move to the Old North State can choose from.
With the old North Carolina economy - based extensively on tobacco and textiles - fading into the past, education will become all the more important as we move into the new frontier.
North Carolina and the University should make an effort to increase further available distance education programs to offer even more courses and degrees.
For those interested in perusing the possibilities here at UNC, the University's courses can be found at www.fridaycenter.unc.edu/cp/cco.
The North Carolina economy of tomorrow isn't yet here, but by investing in education - on and off campuses - we can ensure that the one that finally arrives is a bright one.
And just like with Wal-Marts, we would like to see more and more of this service popping up.
With the help of that technology, people across the state - not just college students on campuses - can receive a high-quality education from distinguished universities without having to leave the comfort of their own homes.
Grab a comfy desk chair and a computer, and you're all set.
North Carolina offers a variety of courses over the Internet, from communications to the sciences.
In fact, there are 234 distance learning programs and 89 online degrees offered across the state. The distance-learning program is ready and available for undergraduates and for professional adults alike without the bother of having to be on campus for that dreaded 8 a.m. class.
Distance learning through online courses is a vital part of the education process today with people living at a faster pace and having limited free time to go back to school.
Not only does this delicious new flavor of higher education allow us to connect with people from the mountains to the coast, but it also helps to enhance the overall economy.
Let's face it: The more people North Carolina has with college degrees, the better off our economy will be. Education means a higher standard of living and a better employee pool companies pondering a move to the Old North State can choose from.
With the old North Carolina economy - based extensively on tobacco and textiles - fading into the past, education will become all the more important as we move into the new frontier.
North Carolina and the University should make an effort to increase further available distance education programs to offer even more courses and degrees.
For those interested in perusing the possibilities here at UNC, the University's courses can be found at www.fridaycenter.unc.edu/cp/cco.
The North Carolina economy of tomorrow isn't yet here, but by investing in education - on and off campuses - we can ensure that the one that finally arrives is a bright one.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Carrie
posted 9/24/06 @ 6:43 PM EST
I agree with you 100%. When I started my college career, distance learning was in the near future. Six years later, distance learning has become a part of my life. (Continued…)
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