Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Daniel M., Master's in Information Systems
Name: Daniel Maestro
Age: 30
Current Location: Bauru, Brasil
Financial Aid: Company tuition reimbursement
Biggest Benefit of Learning Online: Being able to balance work and school
School: Universidade Estadual Paulista
Target: M.S. in Information Systems
Tell us a little bit about the format of your classes.
I already attended three training courses online.
All classes have a constructiv[e] characteristic: forums for discussions, activities focused on students (some with the production of text in groups or project works), and reading offline.
Are your professors easily accessible?
Yes. In the three courses that I took, they were always available and [the] answers [to my questions] always came within 24 hours.
Do you currently work? Tell us about your job.
Yes, I work at an information technology (IT) company called MStech. My work is related to the use of IT for education.
Currently, I am the coordinator of the team producing learning content. We produce learning objects, create online courses, and design educational software.
Do you plan to pursue other online degrees after this? Why did you go for a degree?
Yes, I believe in distance learning. My specialization course in instructional design was a distance learning course and it was very important to understand how the process is developed.
And now, due to my responsibilities in my work, the distance courses represent a great alternative to losing work time; I use resources available in the company to complete the course.
Has your current job helped with tuition?
In all of [the courses I've taken,] I had the support of the company; paying the tuition in whole or in part, or giving me time to participate in virtual meetings.
Do you have any advice for people considering online education?
[Taking] a course online is not easier than [taking] a face-to-face course. It requires discipline, commitment, and communication.
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