Distance learning and elearning are usually linked with
furthering an education. The technology of distance learning,
along with the opportunities provided by elearning and online
courses, are making it easier for thousands of people to learn
something new.
Busy adults can advance their careers by finishing a degree or
gaining some special skills, and young students can earn college
credit well before they graduate high school, often through
distance learning or elearning opportunities.
But do you realize that distance learning and elearning can be
just for fun? Maybe it's always been a dream - to learn to paint
with watercolors. But there's no class offered nearby. Or maybe
you've had a desire to learn to master a foreign language, not
because of any requirements to do so, but simply because you
want to know how.
Perhaps it's even more basic than that - your lawnmower
continually breaks down and you just want to be able to impress
your friends by fixing it yourself.
Technology often advances in response to specific needs. People
needed a way to finish a degree online so businesses,
universities and colleges stepped in to create that opportunity.
But as is often the case, the technology exists in a basic
format and users have some control over what happens next.
That's probably the reason that some very basic skills, trades
and lessons can be learned online - "elearned."
The idea of lifelong learning is not new, though some of the
terms generally associated with lifelong learning are constantly
being updated. Distance learning, elearning and other such words
signify the ability for a person to gain knowledge without
sitting in a classroom.
Most adults continue to long for knowledge long after their days
in a classroom are over. Different people set about gaining that
knowledge in different ways. Some choose topics and just start
reading, gathering whatever books and materials they can find.
Others seek out the professionals and sign up for lessons or
classes. Many people are putting technology to work for them,
seeking out online courses for elearning about a myriad of
topics.
It's easy to find colleges, universities and businesses that
offer degrees or specific classes as either distance learning or
online courses. Finding those "fun" things might be a little
more difficult, but you can start by talking to family and
friends.
You might find that some of them have even taken some online
courses. Check with local schools, colleges, universities,
community centers and libraries. While these aren't clearing
houses of information about online classes, there may be
listings of specific classes available.
=========================================================== Find
out why distance learning lets anyone go back to school.
Discover what you need to look for in a distance learning
program, and what you should avoid. Click
http://www.distance-learning-exclusive.com/
About the author:
John Tipton dropped out of school early, and worked boring jobs
for 20 years. Then he discovered 'distance learning' and finally
got the education he missed. After lots of different courses at
lots of different schools, Peter shares his experience in this
series of useful articles.
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