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Go to the Head of the Class
Go to the Head of the Class How to use the Internet for
learning and fun
By Alvah Parker
Several years ago when I was preparing to start my own
business I decided to take an accounting class. I took the
course at a local college. Each week I set out for the
school which was in a nearby city after working a full day.
I drove during rush hour and left more than enough time to
reach the city because parking spaces were scarce. After
working a full day I was tired and hungry (I ate when I got
home after class). Fighting the traffic to get to class and
searching for a parking space were so exhausting that it is
amazing that I passed that class!
Fast forward a few years. Now all sorts of classes are
given by phone and over the web. The convenience is
unbelievable. No more searching for parking, worrying about
the weather, and thinking about an empty stomach rather than
concentrating on the learning.
Today I can set myself up with my computer and telephone,
bring along my sandwich and soda and listen, talk, and
learn. E-learning also known as distance learning is
simple, cost effective, and fun! And the choices are
endless.
Search the web and you will find e-books, e-courses,
teleclasses and downloadable recorded material on all sorts
of topics. I could now enroll in my accounting class at the
site www.KaplanUniversity.com and take the course for
credit. Some sites even offer degreed programs.
In my journey investigating what was available I signed up
for a teleclass. A teleclass is a class given by telephone,
where everyone is connected to the leader of the class and
to the other participants. The particular class I signed up
for was free so the only cost I incurred was a long distance
charge on my phone bill. Of course there are many classes
for which you pay but the fee is usually low. I saw several
for $19.
Since I am interested in business topics, the class I chose
was called The Powered-Up Practice: Building Your Rolodex
and was listed by www.CoachVille.com. The class was an hour
long. The two leaders had many wonderful tips on the ways
to improve networking so that you can create more really
meaningful business connections. The next one is on Trends
(also free) and I am planning to be on it too.
Sometimes the scheduled time for the teleclass does not fit
your schedule. Often the leader will record the call and
then provide the audio for sale on his/her website. It is
interesting to peruse some sites to see what is available.
The www.AwesomeDads.com website has RealAudio and MP3
recordings of their classes.
www.Chabad.org has a sophisticated site for its followers to
study the Torah. They did not seem to have teleclasses but
their material is provided in a selection of English or Hebrew,
real audio, streaming MP3 and downloadable MP3. It also
offers many downloadable videos on lots of topics including
some for kids.
Have you been so busy at work that you haven't had time to
take that course that you want? You are not alone. Our
busy lives today make it difficult to schedule a class. Now
there is a way to hold up to date or learn something that's
fun and do it in the evening, on weekends or on a day off.
Whatever your interest you can probably find a class on it
somewhere on the Internet.
About Alvah Parker
Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as
publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to
Success, an ezine. Parker's Value Program? enables her
clients to find their own way to work that is more
fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are managers,
business owners, sole practioners, attorneys and individuals in
transition. Alvah is found on the web at www.asparker.com.
She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.
