American colleges have been quick to try and fill the much needed market for Canadians wishing to pursue distance education. How have online American Colleges succeeded in targeting Canadian students?
- Targeting mature students and recognizing existing partial university and college educations.
- Offering year-round enrollment for degree programs.
- Offering pay-as-you-go courses so student loans are not always needed.
- Offering distance degree programs not currently available through Canadian distance education.
American online universities have made inroads into Canadian education, and their effect is not going by unnoticed.
Obtaining funding for a Canadian distance degree does not need to be difficult. For Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who wish to pursue an online degree, there are various options available:
- Provincial student loans.
- Federal student loans.
- Private bank educational loans.
- Canada millennium scholarships.
- Scholarships from the academic institution.
- Private financing from the distance university.
To be recognized and receive government funding for full time distance education, a student must be enrolled in at least a 60 percent course load. The same requirement applies to Canadian on campus studies. The 12 universities that make up the Canadian Virtual University offer a variety of scholarships for Canadian online degrees. These scholarships are not limited to Canadian residents and are often available to international students. International students requiring funding for Canadian distance studies should check with government and private loan options in their home country.
The growth of Canadian distance degrees will continue to affect traditional universities. Some universities are seeing a drop in traditional degree enrollment and fees, yet traditional universities continue to exist and remain a strong part of Canadian culture. Traditional universities will continue to exist as they meet the needs and wants of students wishing to obtain a campus education. By offering such things as:
- Sports Scholarships
- Participation in University Sport teams
- Offering programs unable to be completed by distance learning such as; Theatre Performance and some Science programs.
- Offering on-campus only academic scholarships and incentives.
- Offering one year exchange programs, for foreign students to participate in Canadian education and culture.
For students commencing studies through distance education it's important to know the technological skills needed for the program. Returning to education without having proper knowledge and training of current technology can be disastrous. Canadian distance universities are rising to the challenge of ensuring that all students have the proper knowledge and equipment to succeed in their studies.
With "help" icons on University websites, potential students can connect to academic advisor's. Here, potential students may have existing computer skills tested, and if needed be offered further training. Many University websites contain detailed lists of both the computer skills students need to possess before undertaking distance learning and what technology will be used in their training.
Technology typically needed and used in distance education is:
- Windows 2000.
- Internet Explorer.
- Microsoft Word for papers.
- Ability to download, save and print material.
- Use of a microphone and speakers.
- Ability to tune into pod casts and burn Cd's.
