Life Experience Degrees at Almeda University Highlight the Importance of Preparation for Online Instruction

NEW YORK, NY, July 18, 2012 (Press-News.org) As many students and instructors have noticed, online education is becoming more accepted in today's schools. In addition to online-only institutions, such as Almeda University, public high schools and established universities are changing their curriculums to offer many courses through online instruction. A recent article from Time discusses how teachers and those training to become teachers are adapting to this challenging, but stimulating innovation.

Online education is at the tipping point of success or failure, and according to Time, much of that success is dependent on how well teachers engage and instruct students through web-based curriculum. While many may argue that online education takes away from in-person interaction, many educators are learning that online classrooms may reduce distraction and encourage participation via written, vocal or video technology. What may be most significant is that online learning can reach many more students than the traditional classroom - a benefit that may encourage more students to pursue a career in education, and thus help reduce America's current struggle with teacher shortages.

However, teaching teachers how to instruct through online classrooms is difficult, especially for those who have been in the game for years. Almeda University notes that the answer may actually be in the problem: teaching educators how to teach through online instruction. Education students at San Diego-based National University reported great success in the Time article, despite the many technological problems that instructors are learning how to overcome.

The article observes Lorraine Leavitt a professor at National who teaches her students through online coursework. While Leavitt has faced many difficulties and awkward moments in her online courses, she is learning how to prevent such problems in the future, which in turn teaches students how to prepare. Almeda University is a strong proponent of life experience learning, and notes that its online programs have prepared many students for new challenges in the online instruction world.

Almeda University President, Richard Smith, concludes, "Being taught online will in turn create better instructors who are more insightful into the challenges online education faces. Having already learned through using the online model, this new assemblage of educators will be the ones that have the technological preparation to teach online courses."

ABOUT:

Founded in 1997, Almeda University is a web-based institution that has been teaching students from all across the globe. Students participate in a variety of classes, including mathematics, arts and sciences and religious studies, to earn their associate, bachelor or master degrees. The virtual school also offers professional development courses through its stay-at-home e-Learning channel for students that are not seeking academic degrees. The professional development courses range from Web development to health insurance. Almeda University professors make it their mission address students' unique needs and offer solid academic lessons through innovative and modern teaching methods.

For more information about Almeda University, visit www.almedauniversity.org.