Archive for February, 2009
Posted by Jeff Davis on February 27th, 2009
For my classes at the University of Phoenix online, basically the only materials required were a computer, an internet connection, and any software that the class specifically required or asked for. However, some online collaboration tools were necessary, especially when working in a team environment. As for textbooks, there was no need to purchase any since all course material was available online through the University library or other University resources.
An up-to-date computer was required in order to run the appropriate software for the online classes which included programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Project. Up-to-date doesn’t necessarily mean “brand new” however. The minimum system requirements for running the chosen software would work just fine on any computer running a recent Windows operating system such as Windows XP or Vista. As for an internet connection, I wouldn’t recommend anything other than a broadband connection in order to achieve adequate speed for tasks such as downloading course materials and uploading assignments.
Some of the other materials used included online communication and collaboration tools in order to work effectively within a team environment. Among these tools were applications such as Skype, email, and an instant messenger program of some sort. Based on my experience, there are many excellent and inexpensive tools located on the web that would work well in an online classroom team setting.
One thing I really enjoyed when it comes to textbooks was being able to download book chapters and read them offline at my own convenience instead of having to do it only while online. Also, the thought of saving money for every class by not having to purchase textbooks got me even more excited about attending online. The University’s online library was a tremendous help in locating articles and journals for research and in writing papers. The size of this library is quite huge and includes a large number of databases in which to search from. I can’t even imagine that I skimmed the top of it all during my enrollment there. But I can say that I never had any problem finding adequate material for my research.
Tags: broadband, collaboration tools, communication tools, course materials, instant messenger, materials, microsoft word, online classes, online course materials, online library, Online Materials, online requirements, online textbooks, online tools, operating system, powerpoint, project, requirements, skype, software, textbooks, University of Phoenix, uop classes, vista, windows xp
Categories: Online Materials, Student Voices
Posted by admin on February 26th, 2009
Western Governors University has increased its focus on improving math and science education in the U.S. by offering 30 additional Scholarships for Urban Math and Science Teachers. The scholarships, which are valued up to $3,000, are available to individuals living in urban communities who wish to attend college online and earn a license to teach math or science in their school districts. Licensed teachers currently living and teaching in urban areas who would like to earn a master’s degree are also eligible for the scholarships.
WGU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate degrees, in Mathematics and Science Education. The WGU Teachers College is one of the largest providers of online teaching degrees, with graduates who have become licensed in nearly all 50 states. It is the only exclusively online university to be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
“WGU continues to lead the way in transforming teacher education to meet the needs of K-12 schools,” said WGU Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment Patrick Partridge. “Improving math and science education is critical to our success in today’s global economy, and WGU is supporting that improvement by offering affordable, accessible teacher education.”
WGU’s Teachers College is designed to meet the needs of adult learners by providing flexible, technology-based instruction. The unique competency-based academic approach makes it possible for students to complete the requirements for their degrees more quickly and accelerate their programs based on their prior experience, academic backgrounds, and time available to study. WGU is affordable — tuition is roughly equivalent to that of a state college or university.
The Urban Math and Science Teachers Scholarship Program is a competitive program. Scholarships will be awarded based on the candidate’s academic record, readiness for online study at WGU, and current competency, in addition to other considerations.
For more information or eligibility requirements on the WGU Scholarship for Urban Mathematics and Science Educators, please visit www.wgu.edu/urbaneducator.
Posted by Sharon Cece on February 26th, 2009
When you consider the itemized supply list required of erstwhile brick-and-mortar college students, it’s mind-boggling. Visualize the multi-text’d/ pen, pencil, marker, highlighter’d/ calculator/ notebook/ ruler/ lined and graph paper’d/ protractor’d/ 3-ringed binder’d backpack-toting college attendee who’s overstuffed countenance resembled an infantryman going to battle (actually, I think I just described my middle-schooler).
Moving ever onward, we span the educative evolution to the present-day online student (cue music from “2001: A Space Odyssey”):
We have entered a new dimension of scholastic matter, that of “non-matter“… digitized academics…pens and paper artifacts of the past…
Well, nix the music for a minute because we still (gasp) use hard-cover textbooks.
Yes, it’s true; textbooks are still the tangible matter of choice for many courses, even those presented online. Yet, the scope of academic material for the Online College Student, New Millennium consists of said textbook and a computer and, in most cases, that’s all she wrote. Or didn’t write, since online course materials are now accessed from your computer and more often than not made of bits and bytes instead of pencil and paper. This includes the syllabus, the course lessons, supplemental links provided by your professor, university library links, and so on. Course work is submitted electronically via Word/Works, and students can also download hyperlinked files from the instructor to enable the student to upload and submit their assignments through other venues.
When I first started my courses online I, being old-school, had my handy spiral notebooks, pens and highlighters close by to facilitate learning. But as my courses progressed I found out very quickly that everything I needed was accessible from my computer; this I consider to be exceptional progress from the infantry-packed college student of yestermillenium. Consider also, while attending FSU online just a few years ago I had an antiquated eMachine rather than the slim and portable Dell notebook I own today, which would have allowed me to work on and submit my homework from anywhere at anytime. All of my research was completed digitally, and the Florida State University Libraries website made it possible to access compulsory adjunct publications from a remote location. Thus, other than the textbook mentioned above and perhaps an accompanying CD (which admittedly more often than not sat collecting dust or coaster-ing my coffee) as far as academic matter goes, that’s all she…text-typed.
Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009
President Obama has promised the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — commonly known as the stimulus plan — will boost to the flagging economy by creating jobs in a variety of sectors.
Though it will take a while before federal, state, and local governments determine how exactly to allocate the funds, economists agree that six sectors are poised to see a boost as a direct or indirect result of the stimulus. These include:
Construction. The biggest thrust of the stimulus plan is a national two-fer: creating jobs while shoring up the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, rail lines, and wastewater and drinking water facilities. The Associated General Contractors of America estimates that stimulus spending would create or save 1.85 million jobs, including 640,000 in construction and 300,000 among suppliers and equipment manufacturers. Job opportunities will be even broader than traditional hard-hat jobs; there will also be openings for transit coordinators, waste disposal engineers, and accountants and managers with experience in large construction projects.
The Green Sector -This is a broad category of jobs, and there is some overlap with construction and energy. But generally these jobs are in some way aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses, reducing dependence on oil, or reducing consumption of other non-renewable sources. Examples can range from architects, to manufacturers and installers of solar panels, to energy rating auditors.
Medical Information Technology - The stimulus bill includes $19 billion for updating health information technology. This is intended to increase the number of physicians who use computers in their practice and will likely create opportunities for training health personnel and running health systems. It could also lead to job openings in hardware and software companies, from computer assemblers to systems analysts to project managers.
Education - Many states have made cuts in their education budgets, but the stimulus plan calls for a $53.6 billion state-stabilization to help states avoid further cuts and layoffs. Funding could also lead to new jobs for teachers and administrators in areas such as Head Start and other early-education programs. The stimulus also sets aside funds for modernization of schools (which overlaps with infrastructure and construction).
Energy and Utilities - A key part of the stimulus plan, and a campaign pledge by Obama, is the modernization of the nation’s electrical grid. “Smart grid” jobs will include regulators hired by public utility commissions, in addition to load management engineers, meter manufacturers and systems control center operators.
Federal Government - A $787 billion package doesn’t just administer itself. There will be openings for more lawyers, regulators, accountants, and administrators to ensure all of the dollars go where they’re intended.
From Yahoo.com
Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009
TIP 3: Explore Related or New Career Field
Many of us will find ourselves working on a variety of projects at our jobs even though we carry a specific title or role in a department. The experience we gain from working with various departments provides “hands-on” working knowledge. If you find yourself out of work, we suggest applying your working knowledge and looking for a new position in a related career category. For example, an Account Manager, who typically handles day to day operations such as client management, drafting reports, and exploring new opportunities, can transfer their experience to a related career position in Communications, Marketing, and even Accounting & Finance. Those seriously interested in exploring related career positions can prepare themselves by enrolling in an online degree program offered at an accredited college. This allows them to continue their education while simultaneously seeking employment. Hiring Managers want to see such dedication and commitment in applicants and an additional degree could be the difference between being offered a position or being passed over for a more qualified candidate.
Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009
AchieveYourCareer.com, a respected source in online education news and information, has included a guide illustrating “Quick Tips for Reinventing Yourself during a Recession” to their website and blog. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling financially due to jobs lost, AchieveYourCareer.com outlines inexpensive, quick opportunities to help increase your income, land new job positions, and open new career paths. “In late Q4 and continuing into Q1 of this year, we have seen a tremendous surge in traffic to our online education website, as more Americans consider the benefits that an online school can offer,” stated AchieveYourCareer.com founder and President, Michael Speicher. “If you get laid off, typically you panic. But we published this guide to help showcase how you can still succeed with a strong education foundation and goals.” Speicher added. We have included a sample of “Quick Tips for Reinventing Yourself during a Recession” and for the complete listing of all tips, visit www.achieveyourcareer.com.
TIP 1: Become A Consultant.
If you find yourself unemployed or laid off, you may have several years of experience in a specific job field. Starting your own business as a consultant can be a quick and easy step to earning additional income and growing your client base. By re-establishing yourself in a specific profession, you maybe able to offer your and expertise to a variety of companies. If you are concerned about certification, several accredited online schools offer inexpensive online certificate programs that can be completed quickly at your own schedule. Certificates can be applied to several key industries such as Business, Communications, Teaching, and Healthcare.
TIP 2: Go Back to School
A common goal shared by many Americans is to continue their education. However, once you have entered the work force, it becomes increasingly difficult to find the time and the funds to go back to school. Believe it or not, being laid off or let go from a job can be a liberating experience for some, and it can provide the opportunity and time to become a student once again. One of the most cost effective ways to become qualified for a new career is to explore the opportunities of an online education. Programs are constantly enrolling new adult students throughout the year. Online programs offer superior flexibility compared to traditional campus program, as students can schedule assignments around their personal schedules. Online schools offer accredited degrees at a fraction of the cost of regional and local career colleges. And in some cases, you can earn an Associates Degree in a growing career field such as Education or Healthcare in as little as 24 months or less.
Come Back for more Tips to Reinventing Yourself During a Recession.
Posted by Jen Zeman on February 25th, 2009
All of my courses at UMUC required the purchase of at least one textbook, but most were two to three books. I purchased textbooks online through UMUC’s bookstore and the books were shipped to my house. The books were shipped quickly and I was never late in receiving any of them. Most times I was able to purchase used books, which, of course, saved me a ton of money. In addition to the required textbooks, all of the classes also had additional readings each week that were posted online within each classroom. These additional readings were usually articles related to the course topic and weren’t too significant a burden.
Since my degree was in Legal Studies, UMUC also offered access to Lexis (a legal database) free of charge for Legal Studies students. Lexis is an online database that houses all of the relevant materials that a well-maintained legal library would contain. Having access to Lexis online was a huge timesaver since students then didn’t have to locate and then physically go to a law library for the required legal research in each class. We also received access to WestLaw (free of charge), another legal database. Both Lexis and WestLaw are used in most large (and perhaps medium-sized) law offices; so not only were the databases a time-saver, the instructors also offered the opportunity to learn the intricacies of each database, which provided students relevant experience to carry over into their new careers.
I think the most suprising cost of a college education is the cost of textbooks! 90% of the classes I took required a textbook purchase. I had to come up with a method for finding books at a reasonable price. Here’s my secret..
1) Register early: I made sure to register for classes in advance so I had plenty of time to find out the books that were needed for the class.
2) Use the school bookstore: I always made sure I was looking for the same book the bookstore carried. Sometimes instructors will use editions that are newer or older than those carried in the bookstore - it’s best for all students to use the same material.
3) Use the internet: Once I was sure of the books that were needed, I started Googling the book/ISBN. There were some sites like AMAZON, BN.com, EBAY, or HALF.com that were good starting points. Also if you just look for used or cheap textbooks, you will find other sites.
4) Comparison shop: I generally bought different books from different sites, trying to get the best price. There was not one consistently best site to buy from.
5) Purchase wisely: Make sure you consider shipping costs when making the final comparison. Also review the return policy - in case you drop the class, you’ll want to be able to return the book. There’s no guarantee that same book would be used for a future class.
6) Sell books back: Once the course has ended, you may want to re-sell the book. Consider starting with the same place you bought the book from.
If you shop wisely, you can buy books for less than half the cost than if you bought from the school bookstore.
Posted by admin on February 23rd, 2009
Sallie Mae, the largest provider of student loans in the country, announced today an offer that no family preparing for college admissions should miss.
A new website, www.salliemae.com/resources, aims to help alleviate fears and provide answers. “We have helped more than 21 million Americans achieve the dream of a college education, and we do not intend to let this economy keep us from helping you achieve yours.” They’re not only offering detailed responses to frequently asked questions, but on Wednesday (February 25), Sallie Mae has a toll-free hotline open from 6pm – midnight EST. In addition, you can submit questions directly to the site, get email updates when new answers are posted, and download a free podcast that explains how to complete the FAFSA (the federal financial aid application).
Finally, there are two 45-minute webinars that explain how to calculate and compare college costs, create a plan to pay for college, understand loan payments, and use free scholarship Web tools. The webinars will be held on February 24 at 6 pm and February 25 at 7 pm (both EST). Register by emailing schoolresource@salliemae.com. If you miss it, the webinar will be available on their website beginning February 26.
Posted by Pamela Gustafson on February 23rd, 2009
Hard copy was not common in any of my online classes. I did have to purchase two required reference books for the class “Integrating Technology into Reading”. These books were designed for teachers studying digital technology. I reviewed them but never really used them, and they are now obsolete and collecting dust on my basement bookshelf. I bought them at the infancy of the read/write web and much has happened since they were published. Books about technology become dinosaurs quickly!
There were other materials and equipment that made online education easier. A headset with combined earphones and microphone made online chats enjoyable. I could listen and speak, with my hands free to type or respond on a whiteboard. I was fortunate to have a combination scanner and printer, to scan and immediately upload copies of my student’s work, however I find scanning cumbersome and slow.
All the documents necessary for the class were linked to the web site where the class was hosted. Occasionally I would print them to read and study when I knew I was not going to be near a computer. I took the printed copies to the doctor’s office, since there could be a long wait. I could maximize my study time reading when I was forced to wait somewhere.
Many of my classes were nearly paperless. If I did use paper, it was not because my instructor required me to print something. I only used it to fill down time. I spent a lifetime using reams of paper in my college classes and in my own job as an elementary teacher. Currently, I have no desire to sift through piles of paper. My desks at home and school are cleaner, and I have ventured into uncharted territory, allowing my own students to post material online in a paperless format. I scan which of my students have neglected to turn in their online word documents. They no longer have the comfort of waiting a day or two for my wrath! The trees in America are breathing a sigh of relief!
