Area residents looking for new ways to boost their education now have an option that will keep them studying at home – online classes provided by Ohio University Southern Campus.

Friday, July 07, 2000

Area residents looking for new ways to boost their education now have an option that will keep them studying at home – online classes provided by Ohio University Southern Campus.

"These classes are designed for people who want to increase their knowledge in a specific area, but who are too busy to sit in a regular classroom," said Jim Crawford, director of OUSC’s Center for Development.

Although still in the startup process, the program allows residents anywhere to use their home computer to take classes through the Internet.

Students simply log on to the classroom Web site, choose their courses, pay the fees and take the classes, Crawford said.

Classes vary from coursework for nursing certificates and business management seminars to personal development studies and, of course, Web design instruction, he said.

Other course offerings include developing a small business, understanding computer programs and improving customer service. The center offers two course that can lead to certifications – one in basic supervision and another to become a paralegal.

And, many students can use the online program to improve job performance or fulfill a work-related continuing education requirement, Crawford said.

"And the classes make great resume-builders."

Courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and range in cost from $39 to $299. Beginning the second Wednesday of every month, the classes last for six weeks with two new lessons provided every week.

Providing online classes is a trend among the nation’s colleges and universities, which led to OUSC’s offering, Crawford said.

"We wanted to reach the people who didn’t have normal access, or those with busy careers," he said.

Disabled people unable to sit for a two-hour night class, vocational rehabilitation students or those who must stay at home, can take about 90 courses online through OUSC.

Also, society’s pace has quickened and some people are just too busy with work to schedule two or three classes a week – even if it would help them in their job, Crawford said.

Those looking for new jobs or changes in careers can benefit, too, he said.

Online courses puts access to new skills at their fingertips at home or during slow hours at the office, he said.

They also offer an alternative to those who want skills training but are not degree-oriented, or who don’t like the standard classroom environment, Crawford said.

Lessons are step-by-step, designed by instructors – the center contracts with an online course company – and are very structured, he said.

Courses include e-mail contact with instructors and other students and an online chat room where students can interact.

Crawford said students get a true educational experience by taking quizzes online and receiving a certificate of completion.

Dennis Thornton, the center’s computer training program manager, said each course has been reviewed by local staff.

"We tested and chose classes before we started up," Thornton said.

Students can view the course offerings and sign up for classes by visiting the OUSC online class Web page at www.ed2go.com/ouscctr.