Choosing an online education provider can be complex. When considering a provider site, be sure to keep the following questions in mind:
- Do you want a Certified Technical Education Center (CTEC)-designated online education site?
- Which method of instruction are you interested in: instructor-led, self-paced, or self-paced with an assigned instructor?
- What are the course's system requirements?
- Do you need to load additional software onto your computer?
- Does the site keep track of your student history so you can track your progress?
- Can you go to an instructor for help if you get stuck?
- Does the site offer online chats that let you communicate with your instructor and other students?
- Can you post questions and problems on a message board, where you can also see what other students are asking?
- Does the course offer quizzes, and does an instructor grade them?
- Can you compare your test results with other students' results to give you an idea of how you rank in the course?
- Do you need to complete the coursework within a certain time? What are the time limits?
- What does the course cost?
- Does the course have a money-back guarantee? Can you request a refund only within a specified period?
- Does the site advertise its instructors' turnaround time for resolving problems and answering questions about the course material?
- Does Microsoft certify the provider's instructors? Are the instructors experienced?
- Does the site offer free trial courses?
- Can you earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that could be applied as credit toward a college degree program?
- Does the site sell course materials and software? Are prices reasonable?
- Do you need the assistance of exam-simulation software to help you pass the Microsoft exams?