SAN DIEGO, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As students increasingly opt for the accessibility and flexibility of earning their degrees in cyberspace, demand for online educators escalates. Online teaching appeals to professors for the same reason as it does to online students -- class schedules on their own time to fit their busy lives.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101021/LA85761)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101021/LA85761)

Dr. Larry Flegle, 62, dubbed "the fishing professor" obtained his nickname because he has successfully combined his greatest passions -- online teaching, fishing and radio. It's commonplace to find him aboard his cabin cruiser in the middle of Lake Chatuge in northern Georgia, grading papers and taking students' phone calls, fishing rod in hand.

An online educator since 1999, Dr. Flegle has taught marketing management at Ashford University, an accredited university offering online and on-campus degree programs, for three years. His online teaching career has provided him with the flexibility to simultaneously pursue other interests.

In addition to being an avid fisherman, Dr. Flegle hosts "The Larry Flegle Show," a Southern Gospel showcase on WWHF AM 1670 in Canton. He also announces weathercasts for 25 radio stations across the country every morning.

Dr. Flegle's student welcome video humanizes the online classroom. It was shot aboard his boat telling students that they can contact him anytime, anyplace.

"I love interacting with students to enrich their learning experience," he said. "There are no boundaries to online learning. Higher education is a life changer and once you have it, you own it."

Dr. Flegle, who holds his doctorate in management and his master's in planning and public administration, has taught classes from 17 states, five countries and two ships at sea. During his career, the Internet has allowed him also to teach for schools in Hong King, India and England.

"Today, demand for online higher education has exceeded the traditional brick-and-mortar classroom. Online teaching careers offer excellent opportunity for accomplished professionals in a myriad of fields ranging from business to psychology as well as for traditional classroom educators seeking career advancement with new trends in higher education," Ashford University provost Elizabeth Tice said.

Online teaching is similar to traditional teaching in the sense that both require the instructor to teach the foundational course work.

"In addition to traditional course work, there are traits, attitudes and behaviors requisite to becoming a successful online teacher," she says. "Those who make the best teachers have a passion for learning, strong self-discipline and a sense of dedication. They must have excellent work habits, self-discipline, high academic standards, personal integrity and the ability to project their personality into the online classroom."

For insight into Dr. Flegle's philosophy, visit http://bit.ly/bWbsFb.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org).  The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus.  The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs.  For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

SOURCE Ashford University