Online Education Creates Worldwide ossibilities (NAPSA)—In 1964, when Lisa Wright was 10 years old, she attended the World’s Fair in New York. While there, she signed up for a pen pal through Parker Pen’s computer matching service. Soon after, she connected with a friend in Uganda. Over the years, Wright came to love her friend on the otherside of the world, along with his wife and children. And when her pen pal and his wife passed away due to illness, Wright—now a doctor and married with two sons of her own—did not hesitate to support their orphaned children from afar. Recognizing that it was difficult for her pen pal’s oldest son— Walakira, or “Robert”—to get a job or education, Wright and her husband, James, introduced him to University of Phoenix’s online program (James himself has two degrees from the University). As a result of his education, which the Wrights financed, Robert obtained a job working for a telecommunications company in Uganda as an assistant manager and aspires to advance his career in the industry. This past summer, University of Phoenix, which is celebrating 20 years of online education, held its annual commencement ceremonies at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The ceremony was attended by students from 45 countries. And becauseall the graduates completed their degree programs almostentirely online, the commencement ceremonies were the first time many of the students—including Robert, who was granted a visa to visit the United States—metfaceto face. About Online Education *According to professional leadership organization the Sloan people around the accomplish great things. world Consortium, 4 million students enrolled in online courses during the fall 2008 term. * Today, online education is the fastest-growing segment in higher education, with an estimated 96 percent of major colleges and universities nationwide offering such courses. *Nearly two-thirds of chief academic officers are touting online learning as equal or superior to face-to-face learning, up from 57 percent in 2008. *Early pioneers of online higher education, like University of Phoenix, are responsible for paving the way for such conveniences as flexible scheduling and evening classes, continuous enrollment, digital libraries and computer simulations. Since 1976, University of Phoenix has provided working students the opportunity to earn a college degree without putting their lives on hold. As an early pioneer in online education, the University has been a constant innovator, helping students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Visit www.phoenix.edu to learn more.
