Beware false experts

Quite a few people would like you to think they are distance learning experts, and go to great lengths to establish this. However, many of these would-be experts are charlatans, self-serving opinion-mongers whose primary reason for claiming expertise and commenting is to further their own agenda. They may want to shamelessly plug the institution they own/work at, they may want to knock the competition, they may even have a political agenda which they further by any means available. Or all of the above.

So, when reading what various distance learning "experts" say, especially on the Internet,but in bookform too, it would serve you well to ask yourself some questions before deciding on the veracity of their claims...

Has this "expert" ever owned a degree mill?
Has this "expert" ever owned or worked at institutions which he has later described as degree mills?
Has this "expert" ever changed his name, and if so, when and why?
Has this "expert" ever published in a peer-reviewed journal?
What objective evidence does the "expert" produce?
Does this "expert" use facts that are readily available and verifiable, or does he prefer to just speculate instead?
Has this "expert" ever refused to acknowledge facts that contradict his speculations?
Does this "expert" habitually refer to schools without external approval as 'degree mills', irrespective of any evidence?
Does this "expert" seem to have too much time on his hands, so much in fact that you wonder if he is capable of holding down a regular job?
Has this "expert" ever been successfully sued?
Has this "expert" ever been warned about making libelous remarks by the Attorney General of his state?
Does this "expert" do his own research, or merely rely on the opinions of Internet posters who have no background in distance education?
Did this "expert" ever contradict himself?
Is it possible that someone is paying this "expert" to spread rumors about schools?
Does this "expert" appear to have a grudge against a particular school, or a particular type of school?
Do this "expert's" opinions appear to be politically motivated?
Is this "expert" employed in clergy, yet does not seem to remember the Commandments?
Does this "expert" act like a calm, unbiased professional, or more like someone engaged in a smear campaign?
Finally, does this "expert" appear to stand to gain in some way from the statements he is making?

If you ask yourself these questions, and do the research, you might find the "expert" is not what you had expected. But don't take our word for it. Investigate for yourself, and ask your own questions...