Online classes offer flexibility to soldiers overseas
Lauren Smith
Online education has made students in the military services consider an alternative way of learning by being able to take classes over the internet. Serving our country is a demanding task in and out of the country. Many men and women choose to continue their education as well as tend to their job duties.
Online classes offer service members flexibility and less boundaries to learning, which is vital to the students that are serving overseas.
Ashley Carson was deployed with the Army to Iraq from Aug. 2006 to Nov. 2007. While deployed she attempted to take online classes.
“I was in charge of setting up and troubleshooting phone and internet communications. So you would think that having that job, online classes would be easy,” Carson said.
While deployed Carson and all other soldiers have access to MWR buildings where they can make calls and have access to the internet.
“The wait time for the computer could sometimes be as long as a few hours, and you were usually limited to thirty minutes. So trying to get lectures or turn in an assignment was hard,” she said.
Although she had trouble, Carson recommends that service members continue their education.
“I do believe that online classes are a good opportunity for soldiers to continue their education, given that they are in a stable area and not in a war zone,” Carson added.
Sandy Stultz, Online Enrollment Service Specialist at Mesa Community College said, “The value of the academic online service for military men and women is just one area that we can assist students.”
Students in the military must complete an application process to determine eligibility for the online services.
The process military students go through to apply includes, submitting a student information form, Prop. 300 requirements, transcripts and military credit records.
Once selected, advisors assist students in selecting classes. Students are then registered and can be assisted with tuition involving the GI Bill.
Online classes continue to grow in popularity, keeping students registered in school and furthering the education experience. Being able to take classes on a computer and over the internet opens more options for service members, no matter where they are in the world.
