Early Childhood Education Online Programs : Comparison Checklist

The popularity of internet-based early childhood education programs is undeniable. It has led to a consideration of several options. Delivery is only one of the things you think about when weighing these options. Pace and flexibility are two other factors of evaluation.

The final choice of the best online program must be based on purposeful and thoughtful gathering of vital specifics. A few key factors are suggested below for you to compare different online programs.

Key factors of selection
 
The following eight factors may serve as the basis for a decision on the final choice of an online program.

1. Flexible pacing
2. Convenience
3. Work schedule
4. Requirements of the program
5. Reputation of the institution
6. Cost
7. Financial help
8. Job opportunities

A consideration of these eight factors will help you choose a program that can match your convenience and affordability with career and education goals. The comparison checklist given below will help you take a closer look at the online programs.
 

Comparison checklist

1. Marketability

a. Reputation: How good and popular is the program and how do people perceive the value of the program? Choose a school with a better reputation.
 

b. Word-of-mouth: Talk to the people around you. Have any of your co-workers, friends, family or neighbors taken similar online courses? Which one do they recommend?
 

c. Placement: How good are the placement chances? Choose a school with a better placement record.

2. Affordability

a. Costs: What is the total cost of the program? It is important to include all potential and incidental costs, fees, internet access and equipment charges etc.
 

b. Financial help: Find out about grants, scholarships, waivers and loans.

3. Academics

a. Relevance of program: Are the main subject area and the courses of the program relevant to your career goals and education?
 

b. Faculty: Are instructors well qualified and skilled? Do they have good 

experience? Choose the program with better instructors.
 

c. Accreditation: Accreditation matters a lot, and reassures core academic merit.

4. Student Support Services

a. Library: Will you have access to ebrary and other electronic research materials during the course of the program?
 

b. Career services: Do they provide services related to job search and placement process and decisions related to career development? Do they have a career counselor you can work with?
 

c. Academic guidance: Do they have academic advisors to guide you on the choice of courses every term, or develop a study plan or resolve problems?
 

d. Psychological counseling: It is a stressful endeavor to pursue higher education online. Are there available added services relating to stress or time management?

5. Program requirements

a. Program duration: How long will it take to complete the online program? Are there provisions of remission of a term if you can work faster? This is a key factor if you have personal issues relating to time.
 

b. Pace: Is the online program self-paced or accompanied in academic terms? Is there a limit to the number of courses you can take?
 

c. Format: Are the courses fully online? Are they offered in a mixed format requiring a few face-to-face meetings?

As you research, you will discover several programs that will match your requirements. Choose the best that you consider is the most rewarding.