What Is Continuing Education and How Does It Work?
As with adult education, continuing education, in general, is somewhat similar to adult education in that it is likewise meant for adult learners, particularly those who are older than the standard undergraduate college or university age range. It is, on the other hand, incorrect to lump continuing education together with other educational programs, such as vocational training. It is, as its name implies, a continuation of one's educational journey. Continuing education students have previously completed some kind of education prior to enrolling in continuing education.
Continuing education may be defined as a collection of post-secondary learning activities and programs in their most basic form. Experiential learning, non-degree career training, and self-directed learning are some of the programs that fall under the category of continuing education. These include online interest clubs and organizations as well as personal research activities.
Continuous education programs are available at several universities and colleges around the United States. There is often either a division or a school of continuing education, which is also referred to as "university extension" or "extension school," depending on the institution. It includes both credit-granting and noncredit-granting courses as part of one's overall continuing education experience. Such non-credit-bearing courses are often taken for personal enrichment rather than for professional advancement. There are several community colleges in the United States that offer similar courses.
Continuing education is not only important for students, but it is also important for professionals who want to keep their knowledge and skill set up to date. In fact, it is a must for those who work in specific professions. Members of licensing organizations who possess licenses to work within a certain profession are required to participate in continuing education courses in a variety of professions. Those who want to perform their profession are awarded licenses for a certain period of time, which must be renewed at the end of that period. If they do not keep their knowledge up to date via continuing education, their licenses will not be renewed. This is done in order to encourage professionals to broaden their knowledge base and stay up with the latest technological breakthroughs. This may be accomplished via coursework at a college or university, extension courses, or participation in conferences and seminar sessions.
The delivery of continuing education may take place in a variety of formats, including traditional classroom lectures and online learning. Students who enroll in continuing education courses at a college or university are often enrolled in both classroom and laboratory settings. Distance learning, on the other hand, is given a great deal of importance since the vast majority of individuals who choose continuing education are working people who have little or no time to attend classroom lectures.
In this kind of distance learning, instruction is delivered via the use of CD-ROM materials, videotapes, and television programs. A second area that has witnessed rapid expansion in recent years is the field of online education. The delivery of study materials takes place through the Internet. In fact, many students and professionals are pursuing online degrees because they find them to be quite handy. Professionals may seek an online degree that will aid them in their job advancement while students can earn some additional pocket money by working part-time while in school.
In addition to CD-ROM materials, videotapes, and broadcast programs, continuing education is given via solo study and the utilization of conference-style group study sessions, among other methods. Once again, the Internet plays a significant part in this situation. On the internet, these groups of people with similar interests join together and talk, as well as trade ideas and expertise. These internet groups are very successful at disseminating information and new discoveries.
A second method of enabling ongoing education is via the use of seminar and workshop formats. It is possible to combine a mix of traditional or conventional study, distant learning, and conference-style study, or perhaps two of these three forms, for a specific continuing education course or program.