How online education can help working parents

Whether you're a single parent or married, raising kids who are healthy, happy, educated and disciplined is a full-time job. As a parent, you have to give up doing things you want to do for yourself in order to make sure your kids have your undivided attention whenever they can. And with the work of parenting taking up all of your spare time, it may be difficult to keep moving along your own career path. Working parents who want to gain new skills or pursue work in a new career field often struggle to complete coursework while juggling their day job and their children.

Fortunately, parents who want to return to school now have more opportunity to do so, thanks to the flexibility and convenience offered by online education outlets.

Online learning: convenient and flexible

The continuing advance of technology means that online education is more accessible, engaging and interactive than ever. If you want to attend traditional continuing education courses, you'll have to commute to a campus. Your local colleges may not offer courses you want to take, and they may not offer them at times that you can take them. And there are added costs when attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school. In addition to books and tuition, you'll have to pay for or arrange child care when you're in class. There's also the cost of public transportation, or, if you drive, extra gas and parking.

When you attend courses online, you only have to commute as far as the nearest Internet-connected computer. Because you're not limited to the schools within commuting distance, you're more likely to find a degree program you want. You can also study when you want. Most online courses require you to log in a few times a week at your own convenience to complete readings, watch a lecture, chat with instructors or classmates, hand in assignments or complete tests. So instead of arranging for child care, you can spend time with your children and then study when they've gone to bed (or before they get up).

Hybrid learning: less time in class, more time at home

Some degree programs can't be completed entirely online. If you're interested in some nursing programs, for example, you're going to need to attend labs and clinical practice sessions. However, hybrid learning options - a combination of both online and in-person instruction - make it possible for those in practice-based degree programs to complete some of their theoretical coursework online.

Some professors teaching in-person courses may also provide additional materials online, or require students to complete assessments or participate in online discussions. There's evidence that hybrid learning can lead to better performance than classroom instruction alone, so in addition to more time to spend with the family, you have the opportunity to gain better mastery of your course materials.

What you teach your kids when you study

Finally, if you're not sure whether you can juggle a job, a family and a degree, think about this: When you go back to school, you're gaining the opportunity to teach your kids some powerful lessons. Whether you want to sharpen your skills for your current job, retrain for new job opportunities or simply experience the pride of finishing a degree, when you apply yourself to your own education, your kids will see that you:

* Understand how to work hard

* Understand how to manage your time wisely

* Think about and plan for the future

* Value higher education at any age

* Value them, because you chose to take courses online

They may even find it easier to do their own homework when you're sitting there doing yours. Just don't fight over the computer.

Information in this article was provided by Colorado Technical University. Contact CTU today if you're interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program. (CTU does not guarantee employment or salary.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent