The development of high speed Internet and the evolution of electronic curriculum has made it possible for educators to incorporate technology and expand extended degree curriculum to reach students that cannot come to campus. The convenience of online courses means that students can access resources, complete assignments and communicate with faculty all from their home computer.
For busy would-be entrepreneurs, the online course makes it possible to learn the basics of running a successful business with courses and professional workshops online without taking time off work for a class.
Rainy River Community College this year expanded its online extended degree program with ed2go, an on-line learning provider that according to Julie Schumacher, director, Customized Training and Continuing Education, connects with more than a million adult learners through 300 affordable courses at 1,600 universities and organizations worldwide.
Schumacher said that ed2go has high customer satisfaction ratings and allows the small campus to offer courses that would not be possible in the regular curriculum.
“It’s important for RRCC’s Continuing Education department to offer on-line courses to area residents who are not able to attend our on-campus workshops,” said Schumacher. “On-line learning is very convenient for people who do not have the time or schedule to allow them to attend our on-campus workshops.”
The RRCC Web Site at www.ed2go.com/rrcc has the classes categorized with dates and prices, most of them around $79 per course. There aren’t many upper level ed2go classes. They are mostly introductory academic or specialized training classed in computer software and graphic design, writing, professional certificate programs, foreign languages, entertainment, scholastic fields and professions, school and government test preparation, personal development and enrichment, child care, parenting, business and management.
The ed2go format includes an main page where students with a user name and password can access chapter reading, assignments and quizzes in timed increments throughout the semester. They paste assignments and commentary in blog area.
The Start Your Own Small Business course is taught by Kris Solie-Johnson, chancellor and president of the American Institute of Small Business in Shorewood, Minn. AISB publishes business books and audiovisual training for public libraries and Ed2Go.
“I have had very good feedback from prospective business owners, current business owners and past business degree graduates,” she said. “They all learn something new from the course content.”
Johnson packs 12 chapters, which emphasize her formula for success: “desire, diligence, discipline, determination, and an attention to details.” She said the course is a way to take an idea through the start up process, and that it is also helpful for business owners to improve efficiency and growth.
It is common for people to approach a business start up idea with excitement, desire, and a passion to take control of their life. She said starting a business is an investment and that the class address risk tolerance and helps to determine a level of commitment to success.
“Starting a business takes constant learning and growing from a personal standpoint,” said Johnson.
A course pre-test gauges student business knowledge. Each chapter covers an important aspect of running a good business. Students get an introduction to the business plan, to understand its importance as a working document that will guide the owner during times of surprise and uncertainty.
Johnson covers the elements of running a business, including double-entry bookkeeping, the balance sheet, traditional and non traditional financing, legal structure, good management and personnel policies, reports, evaluations and self management. She also goes into competition, marketing and advertising.
The students apply their learning directly to their own business idea as part of the class. Whether starting a business from scratch, purchasing an existing business, or buying into a franchise, Johnson works with students one on one via a blog to give comments, advice and that all important encouragement for their idea.
Each chapter has required reading and an impressive list of supplemental sources and Web sites such as the SBA and SCORE, online business statistics and demographics, registries, franchise sources, government incorporation and financial resources. The sites often relate to chapter assignment and give students real research work that applies to their own business idea.
Taking a course in an unfamiliar area can seem scary, but the online introductory level classes are a good way to get familiar. The students seem to agree.
RRCC reports that just over one percent reported they did not prefer the online course method. Nearly all students said online courses are convenient, affordable and that they intend to take another course. Other students said that there was not an equivalent on campus class or that they were unable to attend. Some said they liked the anonymity.
More than 65 percent of ed2go students said they take online courses to develop or improve skills, advance their career or to start a business. Some said their employers required them to take a course that had to do with their work. Others said they had a general interest in a topic.
RRCC demographics show that 75 percent of ed2go program students are female. The age range is 17 to 83, with most ages 24 to 60. The peak range is age 42 to 47.
On campus professors are using the same technology to aid their students with resources, podcast lectures, class notes, schedules and additional resources.
The technology has improved, however, it is still about the students applying themselves online in much the same way as in the classroom to get the most out of the experience. It offers convenience but also has its assignments, deadlines, quizzes and the final exam.
Schumacher said many on-line learners want to improve job performance or prepare themselves for other opportunities. The demand for continuing education and skills improvement is growing in a competitive environment.
“It’s all about providing flexible learning options to the local marketplace,” she added.
