This document provides information about online graduate education options. It discusses why students pursue online degrees, including flexibility and convenience. A variety of online learning options are described, such as credit-bearing master's degrees and certificates, as well as non-credit courses and MOOCs. The University of Illinois' Civil and Environmental Engineering online programs are highlighted. Key considerations for online programs like class formats, instructor access, and technology requirements are outlined. Interested students are encouraged to try a free online course to explore the online learning experience.
1. Graduate Online
Learning
Is it for me?
Meg C. Griffin, BS, MS, PE
Coordinator of Online and Blended Programs
Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2. Why study online?
• Degree
• Certificates
• Courses
• Professional
Development
Hours
• To learn!
• Flexibility
• Convenience
• Access
• Location –
wherever you
choose!
3. Who studies online?
• Full-time students
• Full-time
professionals
• Part-time
professionals
• Recent graduates
• Seasoned professionals
• Students from all over
the world in one
“classroom”
5. Online Learning
Credit
• MS Degree
• Graduate Certificates
• Classes
• Universities
Not for credit
• MOOCs
• Webinars
• Lecture Series
• Universities & Learning
Sites: e.g., Khan Academy
6. MOOCs
Massive Open Online Courses
Why MOOCs?
• PDHs – check
with your state
requirements
• Review
• Learn
• For fun!
Examples
• Coursera
• Udacity
• EdX
• Udemy
• iTunesU
• others
7. Online Options
• Credit vs. not for credit
• Synchronous vs. asynchronous
• Semester/quarter schedule vs. self-
paced
• Video, text, or combination
• Instructor and student interaction
8. CEE Online at Illinois
Recording
Course
Management
Site
10. Webinar or Lecture
Adobe Connect
Software or web-based tools, such as Microsoft Lync,
Adobe Connect, GoToMeeting, etc. Used for office
hours, lecture series, usually 1-2 hour live and recorded
sessions.
12. Universities
• Start local – state universities, private universities and
colleges.
• Look for accredited and established programs,
especially for our field of engineering.
• Ask who is teaching the online classes.
13. Program Considerations
• How does it work?
• Who are your online students?
• How long does it take to complete your
program?
• What do your students say about your
program?
• Am I required to come to campus?
• Can I visit classes in person?
14. Classes and Instructors
• What classes do you offer?
How often?
• Who are your instructors?
• How accessible are your
instructors?
• Do students interact with each other? Is it
required to interact with others?
15. What should I do next?
• Try a free course!
• Schedule your class time.
• Don’t get behind!
• Make sure you have
access to up-to-date
technology and reliable
Internet.
16. Graduate Online Education
Enroll today!
Meg C. Griffin, BS, MS, PE
Coordinator of Online and Blended Programs
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
www.cee.illinois.edu/ceeonline
(217) 333-3921
mgriffn@illinois.edu
Hinweis der Redaktion
Convenience and flexibility are the most common reasons. Ease of working/studying from home or the office, no commute or boarding expense. Students can take advantage of expertise that they would otherwise not have access to. For example: our railroad engineering program at Illinois is unique. We get students who come to our campus just for that program. But we also get online students interested in only those classes. They may be students or professionals at other institutions and located in other states and countries, but they can access our railroad engineering classes.
For example: Our online degree, certificate, and non-degree program is new and growing. Even our student population is very diverse. Professionals, recent grads to retirees, and everywhere in between. Students who want the MS degree to students who want knowledge in a specific area. Military and civilian, US citizens abroad and international students. Students from rural and urban areas.
Online students: non-degree, certificate, degree.
Universities, community colleges, and even high schools. Companies, suppliers, not-for-profit organizations, professional organizations, etc. Khan Academy, is a great example of a site with learning videos/presentations on many subjects.
Course management site shown here is Illinois Compass, a customized Blackboard product. The recording system is Echo360, http://echo360.com/ .
Blackboard Collaborate is used for synchronous online class meetings. Students can participate by chat, audio, and even video.