For many IT professionals, the traditional methods of continuing education—including seminars, certificate programs, college courses, and on-the-job training—are economically or logistically unworkable. The demands imposed by family, career, and financial obligations make it impossible for many professionals to return to the daytime, campus- based academic environment. So how can the busy professionals learn to develop, deploy, or manage new technologies while keeping their jobs, families, income, and sanity?

Fortunately, the same emerging technologies that have created the problem have provided a solution: online or distance learning. A growing number of educational institutions have harnessed the Internet to provide cost-effective online education, including complete, fully accredited degree programs. Distance learning courses can be completed by working professionals in the privacy of their homes and often as their time permits. These courses employ various Internet technologies, including streaming audio and video, email, Web sites, and other tools, to present courseware and lectures, conduct tests and quizzes, and promote collaborative learning among students who may live across the globe.

There are hundreds of distance learning programs sponsored by community colleges, Ivy League universities, and for-profit businesses. Since 1995, various institutions have been fully accredited to provide bachelor’s and master’s degree programs entirely through distance learning programs. In addition, there are hundreds of individual course offerings as well as certification programs available in a distance learning format.

Benefits of Distance Learning Programs

Time shifting: The primary benefit of distance learning programs is that they allow working professionals to learn on their own time. This time shifting can be an enormous benefit to busy working parents, professionals with significant commitments, or frequent travelers. In addition, older professionals are not faced with generation gap issues and can undertake new degree programs without making special arrangements with their employers. The privacy aspect can be invaluable for professionals planning a career change or shoring up their skills in new areas of management responsibility.

Diversity of offerings: Unlike traditional programs that mandate prerequisites or other hurdles, a working professional may be able to find courses that address specific needs with distance learning programs. Distance learners can choose courses from hundreds of institutions and are not limited to courses offered by local campuses only.

Access to good educational institutions and instructors: Many Ivy League universities have extensive distance learning programs. The impediments to obtaining education from distant schools vanish because there is no out-of-state tuition, no commuting costs, no travel time, and no relocation. An education from an Ivy League school, even if acquired through distance learning, is a significant asset on a resume.

Lower costs: Distance learning programs allow learning institutions to leverage existing talent, intellectual property, and infrastructure. As a result, the cost of tuition for a distance learning degree program is typically one-third that of on-campus tuition.

Structure: Unlike self-guided instruction, distance learning programs offer structure, direction, and organization to the learning process.

Collaboration: Most of the reputable distance learning programs restrict class sizes so that students can collaborate during interactive phases, permitting the student and instructor to engage in meaningful dialog.

Distance learning is in its youth. While there are many options, a career-savvy professional must carefully evaluate distance learning options to determine if the investment of time and money will be worthwhile. Some factors to consider include the reputation of the institution, accreditations (or lack thereof), tuition cost, time required to complete the course, and, of course, the technologies and format of the course. Lastly, do some soul searching to determine if you are motivated and disciplined enough to complete a distance learning program. Distance learning requires discipline, but the rewards can be great. Happy learning!