Free Versus Paid Membership Sites

Education is gradually tilting today from the classical classroom as we knew it, towards a virtual context thanks to the internet. This trend comes with challenges which raise the following concerns:

1) How well prepared and credible are the contents published by personally owned websites online?

2) How can educators deal with irrelevant and immoral content on learning websites displayed through affiliate marketing and advertising networks; that tend to sway away users from their initial track?

3) Are paid membership sites a better option for educators who need to be sure of the quality of material they use and children who need to be protected against viewing obscene content?

Generally, most people feel that free things are expensive in the end on the one hand and other hand people fear falling victim to internet scams under cover of paid membership websites which end up still being poor in content. Some even end up being completely void of content. It is therefore up to educators to carefully examine and select the content they intend to use, be they on free or paid membership sites.This is not in a bid to discredit material coming from such free websites but it is more of a hinting note for those regularly using them. It is also a hint for parents and home-school tutors who let their kids wonder into dark corners of the internet without guidance. It is very obvious that children will be carried away by flashy adverts displayed through advertising affiliate programs and published through some of such sites; and these most often interfere with the site content. This can be detrimental especially to children who are left on their own to study, play games online or to search for educational materials.

Webmasters who create learning material for children are gradually becoming aware of the implication poorly presented or obscene content could have on their reputation and website ranking online. But with the dilemma of relying on advertising through their websites as the only source of income, it is hard for them to fully control user behavior on their sites. This continues to resonate the fact that paid membership sites remain a better option for children who undertake self-study on the web. They are also better for teachers of pupils who may not have time to cross check the quality of their materials before use. Their advantage lies in the fact that users have the possibility of contacting webmasters and laying complaints in case they find difficulties using site contents appropriately. The decision about using free or paid learning materials online for kids can be made more beneficial by instructors if prior assessments are always done.

The Changing Face of Education

Opportunities in education today would have been impossible even a few decades back. With the popularity of the Internet, easy accessibility to computers and the World Wide Web, higher education has been transformed into a new dynamic entity. With technology progressing at a rapid pace and demands changing almost daily, our lives are only becoming busier. The world around us is left with no option but to change and move along with the times to accommodate to our new schedules and requirements. This is more than apparent in the field of education. As times change, fewer and fewer students rely on the traditional method of attending classes at a college campus. The 'brick and mortar' type of education still exists but now side by side with the option of graduating from an online degree program as well.

As the number of people who look for ways to complete their education or improve their skills becomes too large, it is inevitable that a large number of colleges and universities take the necessary steps towards filling that need. But jobs, childcare and other family obligations limit the amount of time people can devote to their education, and thus, alternative arrangements are created. Online education has started gaining popularity and has now completely changed the way we approach education today.

Online degrees are now widely accepted and recognized as authentic educational qualifications. As long as the institution offering the degree is accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, there should be no problem in the degree being accepted and acknowledged anywhere. Fully accredited online degree programs are now available in nearly every field. From management to medicine, law to accounting, there is a wide variety of choices on offer. Even obscure subjects and fields of study have found their place on the Internet. With degrees such as healthcare, students are even given the option of combining the practical aspect of their training at local hospitals or clinics along with virtual classes and studying online.

The flexibility of online education has opened up the doors of education to people from all walks of life. Stay at home moms and dads can now study from their own houses and employees can complete their assignments around their work schedules. There is 24 hour accessibility to the study material allowing for all night study sessions as well as the possibility of returning to subject matter again and again if necessary. And as universities continue to expand their options, the flexibility of online education will only increase. Students will be offered more options with the possibility of a custom created curriculum that suits their individual requirements and interests.