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Is This Worth It? Five Clues That an Online Course Deserves Your Time and Energy
by Tami Sutcliffe
Five clues that an online course deserves your time and energy:
Are you thinking about enrolling in an online course? Whether you are shopping for a one-time seminar on a particular topic or considering a full-time degree program, here are five clues to reveal the strengths of an online offering:
1. Who is delivering this course? Do a search on the organization, company or person responsible for the course. Ever heard of them before? What are their credentials?
2. How many other courses are offered? Quantity doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, but if the sponsor offers only one course, look carefully at the depth and value of this one.
3. Can you contact a human being somewhere? Missing or outdated contact info may indicate slow or complicated customer service later on.
4. Is this a real course or just a promotion for some other project? Sometimes free sessions or one-day-only presentations are simply advertisements for other events. These promos can still have value but be aware of what you are getting.
5. What will you know after this course that you don't know now? Vague topic descriptions with lots of buzz words are a warning sign. A worthwhile course will let you know the objectives right up front.
Online courses are a rich source of unique and convenient learning. But shop wisely and understand the value of offerings before you commit your energy (and money.)
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