                                  T H E

                               Z E P H Y R

                      __     M A G A Z I N E
                     {__]++++++++++++++++++++++++++[]
                     Issue #23                 8-7-86

                A weekly electronic magazine for users of
                            THE ZEPHYR II BBS
                        (Mesa, AZ - 602-894-6526)
                    owned and operated by T. H. Smith

                        Editor - Gene B. Williams

     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     . You may share this magazine with your friends under the   .
     . condition that the magazine remain complete and intact,   .
     . with no editing, revisions or modifications of any kind,  .
     . and including this opening section and statement.         .
     . If you like the magazine, our Sysop and I would appreciate.
     . it if you would let your friends know where they can log  .
     . in to find the magazine (and incidentally one of the      .
     . finest BBSs in the country!).                             .
     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                (c) 1986

    THIS ISSUE:

       This week we have Bob Eastman back with us as guest author.
    And he has done the usual fine job, making my own job of editing
    sooooooo easy!
       The topic this week is an alternative to formal, classroom
    education - namely learning at home by mail.

            HOME STUDY SCHOOLS - EDUCATION FROM YOUR MAILBOX

                                   by

                             Robert Eastman

       John A. graduated from high school 5 years ago. Since that
    time he has worked in a local machine shop as a milling
    machine operator. Recently his employer has started to
    replace the old manual milling machines with a new type that
    are numerically controlled and are programed from a central
    microcomputer. John felt that with the changeover to
    automation numbered his days on the job as an operator.
       While at home one evening with his wife, he told her how
    worried he was about the possibility of losing his job. With
    only a high school diploma there are just not enough jobs
    available.  His wife recommended that he enroll in an
    electronics program at the community college. "After all,"
    she said, "someone will have to repair all that new equipment
    at the shop."
       John had considered going back to school, but with the
    local community college being 30 miles away, commuting back
    and forth several times a week did not appeal to him.
       One day, while at home and reading a do-it-yourself maga-
    zine, John came upon an ad from a correspondence school. The
    ad stated that anyone could learn electronics in the comfort
    of their own home, progressing at his or her own speed.  He
    liked the thought of learning at home. He could still be with
    his family and study when he wanted to. The school even had a
    course in computer repair. Thinking this could be the
    solution to his dilemma, he mailed in the reply card.

    WHAT IS HOME STUDY?

       The National Home Study Council defines home study as "the
    enrollment and study with an educational institution which
    provides lesson materials prepared in a sequential and logi-
    cal order for study by a student on his own". Home study
    programs vary a great deal in scope, level, and length. Some
    have a few lessons and can be completed in a number of weeks,
    while others have over a hundred individual lessons requiring
    three to four years to complete.
       Several home study schools claim to provide complete voca-
    tional training. Some offer avocational and hobby courses.
    Most home study schools are accredited by the NHSC while
    others have additional accreditation through the Board of
    Education of the state in which they reside.

    WHY HOME STUDY?

       The main reason for choosing home study is that you can
    get an education while staying at home. Courses taken through
    correspondence are usually less difficult than an equivalent
    college curriculum. Students can study where and when they
    want to.
       Anyone considering enrolling in a home study program
    should keep this one fact in mind - you must be able to moti-
    vate yourself. The reason a large percentage of enrollees
    fail to complete a home study program is because they did not
    adhere to a time each day in which to study.

    HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

       The cost of home study courses vary depending on the
    school and the course taken. One school teaches a course on
    effective writing offered for $125. Another offers a complete
    four year electronics program for an Associate in Applied
    Science diploma at the cost of $6000.
       When you send in the enrollment application, you have a
    choice of paying the full tuition amount or making monthly
    payments with a finance charge added, usually at or below the
    prevailing interest rate. Some employers will reimburse all
    or part of the tuition cost. So, you should check first
    before signing any contract. Some employers will only
    reimburse the tuition amount after the employee has
    successfully completed the course.

       Lets compare the tuition cost of a two year Associate
    degree program at a community college with a typical home
    study program in electronics. Tuition at most junior colleges
    run about $15 per credit hour. Assuming a total of 64 credit
    hours to obtain an Associates of Art/Science degree, this
    comes to a total of $960 plus cost of textbooks. A similar
    course of study taken through a leading technical home study
    school will cost $5900.  On the other hand, average tuition
    at four-year universities run anywhere from $25 to $60 per
    credit hour.
       Tuition cost of a home study course depends on what it is
    you wish to learn. One school offers a course in writing for
    $125. Another offers a course in microcomputers for $2500.
    If you are planning to enroll to learn some basic fundamental
    knowledge of a subject that interests you, home study is the
    way to go. On the other hand, if you plan on taking courses
    that contain higher mathematics or advanced electronics, it
    might be best to consider attending college to learn these
    subjects. Courses like these are difficult enough to learn in
    classroom sessions. Trying to go it alone can be rather
    tortuous no matter how well written the lessons are.
       You will probably be required to sign a contract. If
    sometime during your course of study you decide to cancel,
    you may have to pay all or part of the unpaid balance.
    Standard procedure among many correspondence schools is to
    require the total tuition to be paid if the student has
    completed over 50% of the lessons.

    TWO KINDS OF HOME STUDY SCHOOLS

       Whether your reason for considering a home study course is
    prompted by wanting to obtain college level training at low
    cost, a need to upgrade your present job skills or a change
    in career path, or you just lack the time to attend formal
    classroom sessions, there are two categories of schools to
    choose from: proprietary and postsecondary.
       Proprietary educational institutions are schools that are
    privately owned and are in business to make a profit. These
    schools provide programs of a technical or vocational nature.
    Courses offered by proprietary schools include subjects such
    as basic writing skills, bookkeeping, and basic mathematics
    as well as the unconventional, such as truck driving, bee-
    keeping and boat design.
       Postsecondary schools are those that include public and
    private colleges and universities. Home study courses offered
    by this category can lead to a degree. The tuition for this
    type of home study program, in most cases, is charged the
    same as for regular classroom attendance.

    CHOOSING A SCHOOL

       The biggest factor in deciding which school to enroll with
    is it's reputation. How long has it been in business? Is it
    accredited?  One of the best ways to help you choose is to
    talk to someone who has taken a course through the school
    you are considering enrolling in. One thing to remember is
    this.  Just because a school is not accredited with the
    National Home Study Council does not mean that it is
    disreputable. Out of a total of 375 proprietary schools in
    operation, only 77 hold NHSC accreditation.
       If you're planning to enroll with a school that is not
    accredited, check with your local Better Business Bureau or
    the state department of education. Also, stay away from any
    proprietary school that promises job placement.

       Selecting the right school need not be difficult if
    reliable standards are used. Important facts to be considered
    are:

    1) How long has the school been in business? Check it's
    reputation.

    2) Are it's courses up-to-date? Technical study material
    shouldn't be over 5 years old.

    3) Does the school maintain a staff of qualified instructors?

    4) When you have a problem does the school give attentive,
    personal service?

    5) Does it provide full educational services for tuition
    received?

       Education through home study has come a long way since the
    days of matchbook advertising. Employers are recognizing the
    value of an employee who has the determination and self-
    motivation to advance in his or her career.

       Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles Shultz, Walter Cronkite,
    Berry Goldwater, and Walter P. Chrysler are but a few of the
    well-known Americans who know the value of, and have bene-
    fited from, home study.

    A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

       As Bob mentioned, home study *can* be a viable alternative
    to classroom education. Also as he mentioned, it brings with
    it some disadvantages that you have to keep in mind.
       First you must determine if the course will do what you
    require of it. Imagine yourself as the employer. Two people
    come in to apply for the job of computer technician. One has
    learned his stuff from a correspondence course. The other has
    studied in a trade school (such as DeVry). As the employer,
    which one would you be more likely to hire?
       Second, determine your reason for opting for home study.
    There are valid reasons - such as being employed full time
    (although evening classes are available) or living a great
    distance from the appropriate school. It should NOT be under-
    taken because you are too lazy are don't care to spend the
    time to attend a formal class.
       Which brings up the third point - motivation. Someone who
    doesn't care to bother attending a class is unlikely to
    suceed with home study. In a home study course, you're on
    your own. That means self-discipline, and a lot of it!
       I've written courses for several home study schools in the
    past. One of the things told to me by the various owners is
    that well over half of all those who enroll (and pay their fee)
    never bother to complete the course. In fact, relatively few
    ever go farther than about halfway through the material.
       Which brings up my final addition - be realistic. *Will*
    the course provide what you need, or does it merely seem to
    be the "easy way?" *Do* you have the self-discipline demanded?
    Do you have the requisite background to handle the material?
    (Even if the school offers student assistance, by the time you
    get your question off, answered, and back, several weeks will
    have gone by.)
       Home study *is* a valid option. But it requires, if anything,
    even more care and thought than undertaking a more formal kind
    of schooling.

    Until Next Time

       Thus endeth another guest issue. My thanks to Bob for providing
    it. He did his usual fine job. With the beginning of school coming
    up again quite soon, the subject is quite appropriate.
       It might be interesting to hear from readers who have taken
    home study courses. So, if you're one of those, tell us something
    about it and how you feel about home study in general.

       Next time? Maybe I should put it to a vote. More fiction? How
    about a companion article to this one, on "How to Study"? Or
    perhaps an article on finding a job? Maybe you'd prefer something
    on astronomy and strange objects in space? Or the long promised
    issue on the martial arts?
       Keep in mind that it takes a while to write up one of these
    issues. So cast your vote early. (Don't be afraid to suggest
    something not mentioned above.)

       Meanwhile, don't forget that "Chilton's Guide to Small
    Computer Repair and Maintenance" is now available (along with
    5 other books in that series). If the bookstore doesn't have
    it, ask. They can special order it, if you wish. Or, if you
    have a credit card, you can order directly from Chilton. Their
    number is 1-800-345-1214.

Zephyr Magazine is © Gene Williams. All rights reserved.