If you are looking to learn, on-line colleges offer an excellent alternative. You can do your studies at home, at the time most convenient for you. (For example: weekends, evenings, anytime you might have been doing less productive things, like surfing the web.) On-line courses are now part of the curriculum of many major universities. In addition, there are some schools that are completely "virtual", meaning that they exist no where but the Web. If this all sounds too good to be true, read on for details.

The Globewide Network Academy, a non-profit organization, is a great starting point. The organization's site lists over 10,000 courses. The will only post distance learning programs and courses that are state authorized or accredited, so you know everything is legit.

At the GNA site, you can browse the catalog by School or by Subject They have also opened an online bookstore about distance learning, and you'll find it at the same site.

Try searching under a subject of interest, and read descriptions of each course. When you find one you like, you can send email to the registrar for registration information. If you are currently enrolled in a college but want to find a specific course to fit into your program, always be sure to check with your own institution first.

If you search by school, you get a pretty good look at the world of Academia. I decided to take a peak at some of the programs online. (Keep in that these do not necessarily represent the other 10,000!). When I looked at the schools, I saw a huge range. For example, Amarillo College offers one course, while Western Michigan University offers 106.

I was intrigued by the name WholeArts, so I visited the site. WholeArts offers music appreciation courses online, as well as many other music related resources.

Being a proud Hoosier alumnus, (Go IU!), I decided to visit Indiana University's on-line campus. I was not surprised to find that there are 270 courses offered though Indiana's School of Continuing Studies Distance Learning Department.(After all, it is an excellent institution!) While on this page, you can search all of the Indiana University Web material, or visit homepages for eight School of Continuing Studies programs (at regional IU campuses.)

Western Michigan University's Distance Learning program also provides information on general procedures, and offers an on-line request form. Though it doesn't offer quite as many courses as Indiana, there are many options and it is worth investigating.

There are more than just college level courses at the Virtual Online University. When you visit this site, you can check out Athena University, the Athena Preparatory Academy, (K-12) and programs for adult learners. You can take a campus tour, or read an overview of the entire system. While visiting this site, I learned that VOU courses use multimedia such as VRML (3D) and sound, through use of a new Internet technology. (For more information, read the "What's New" area at the VOU site.

The Graduate School of America appeals to professionals or adults who are changing fields. When I visited the page, I had a chance to "tour" a classroom, and read testimonials of some of the students involved there. They all seemed very pleased with their on-line alma mater. Of course, you can also see detailed information about the courses.

The options are many, and there is some high-quality material out there. It's very important for you to CAREFULLY research any course you are considering. Ask yourself if distance learning will match your personal learning style, and if you can be disciplined with your time. You may ask the school's registrar to supply email addresses of other students who would be willing to discuss their experiences.

And, if you do enroll, drop me a line and tell me more!

Best of luck.

Laura Minnigerode, M.Ed.