Jeff Davis's Archive
Posted by Jeff Davis on February 19th, 2009
Haven’t we heard that before? Oh yeah, that baseball movie. You know the one. A true classic in my book. Much like the quote from the movie states, the online schools were “built” and the students did “come”. Whew! I must have had 20 or 30 online instructors over the past several years and I would have to say that 99% of them managed the online classroom in an efficient and effective manner. Managing an online classroom versus managing one on the ground is very similar, yet very different. For one, I cannot tell you what any of my past online instructors looked like. This just isn’t a concern in the online class. What does matter though is providing clear instruction, answering questions, and being readily available. My online instructors were able to accomplish this through the use of written syllabuses, emails, and even phone calls if necessary. The class syllabus was always clearly defined in what was expected, assignments, due dates, and how to contact the instructor for all types of situations.
Since all classes had different instructors, not all syllabuses were identical however. For the most part and regarding the assigned questions, team work, written assignments, and due dates, they were similar. But they did vary somewhat when it came to items such as preferred method of contact, leniency in grading assignments, and response times. Some instructors took a very active approach and participated in the class as much as the students, while others took more of a backseat approach and just issued reading assignments and seldom gave further guidance than what the syllabus already offered. These types of instructors were not in the majority and were typically the ones who seemed to have great difficulty in returning replies to students. Imagine that!
From what I recall the most about the overall effectiveness in the materials that were provided to us students, it was almost the same across the board. I would attribute this to the university probably having some identical format and curriculum when it came to what the students would receive. There were always plenty of relevant articles and book chapters to read for each class and of course, you could easily find more in the online school library. Resources were never a problem. The materials for each class always provided valuable information that proved to be effective in meeting the course objectives.
Overall, I believe that different instructors have different expectations. You just need to learn what your instructor expects from you and as long as you are willing to read until everything’s a blur, ask questions until you’re blue in the face, write papers until your hand cramps, research until your eyes hurt, spend countless nights without sleep, spend weekends at home fulfilling your online educational obligations, and able to get along with a diversified group of individuals who will help determine half of your grade, then you will have covered all the bases. But, it was still really enjoyable.
Tags: baseball, course materials, effective teaching, instructor availability, managing the classroom, Online Instructors, online professors, online resources, online students, online teachers, syllabus, the online classroom, University of Phoenix
Categories: Professors in the Online Classroom, Student Voices
Posted by Jeff Davis on February 13th, 2009
My experience with online classes at the University of Phoenix consisted of having due dates each week that had to be met for items such as attendance, participation, team projects, individual assignments, discussion questions, and weekly summaries to name a few. As a student at this school, I was required to post two responses per week in order to meet the attendance requirements and four times per week to meet the class participation requirements. Each week there were discussion questions that each student was required to answer on a specific day. Meanwhile individual assignments consisted mainly of researching and writing papers while team projects varied based on the type of class and the program you were enrolled in. I can recall most team projects consisting of virtual organizations and creating business solutions for these by utilizing simulation type environments and team research papers.
My experience with the University of Phoenix’s online curriculum was remarkably similar to a traditional classroom, except that it occurs on a tightly compressed schedule. The first class of each course is held on a Tuesday, with faculty members assigning textbook chapters and articles to read from the electronic library and suggesting Web links for additional research.
Faculty members then deliver a weekly lecture, distributing it electronically as a text-formatted Word document, and then they post discussion questions based on the readings and the lecture. Students spend the greater part of the week participating in faculty-led class discussions online and working with other students on small-group projects using e-mail and group-collaboration software. At the end of the week, which always falls on a Monday, students turn in a paper or a project.
The technologies used by my online courses included having broadband internet access, Microsoft Office, Online Resources, Simulations, Threaded discussions, and Real-time live support. Included in the Resources were an electronic library of journals and newspapers, a reference library, and Web links. Simulations were made up of multimedia software programs that helped us to learn the more difficult and complex concepts that were part of the curriculum.
Tags: classroom, courses, curriculum, online classes, online resources, resources, schedule, technology, traditional, University of Phoenix
Categories: Student Voices, The Online Learning Experience
Posted by Jeff Davis on February 3rd, 2009
My online program of study was a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology curriculum which combined networking, communications, computer programming, and systems development and analysis. This particular program was focused on acquiring the theories and technical competencies that are typically associated with the information technology profession. The courses I took provided me with a fundamental knowledge and application in both the information systems function and in systems development.
My program basically covered 5 main content areas: Business Systems Development, Programming and Operating Systems, Database Management, Networks and Telecommunications, and Web Management. Each of these specific areas had multiple classes and are really too numerous for me to list all of them here.
Since I had already obtained an associate degree in prior years, I was able to transfer those credit hours and apply towards this degree. Therefore I only needed to complete half of the coursework that was required for this undergraduate degree. Upon successfully completing the program, graduating with this degree gave me the ability to successfully perform and obtain desired outcomes in a variety of information system and technology environments and to develop, maintain, and apply information technology skills to support the strategic goals and objectives of my current organization.
I feel that this program lived up to its ability to properly prepare me with the competencies, skills, and attitudes necessary for success in the workplace. It gave me a basis on which to work with while allowing for growth in my career, to continue learning as an IT professional, and to pursue a graduate degree in the future. Even if you are not working in the information technology field right now and have no prior computer experience, this program can help to pave the way for a career in computer information systems.
Tags: associate degree, bachelor degree, business systems, communications, computer information systems, computer programming, database management, information technology, IT, IT professional, networking, networks, online program, opearting systems, programming, systems analysis, telecommunications, University of Phoenix, web management
Categories: My Online Program of Study, Student Voices
Posted by Jeff Davis on January 28th, 2009
Time management is probably the biggest challenge you will ever face while learning online. Trying to balance school, work, and family along with whatever else is occurring in your daily life takes a lot of dedication, self-motivation, and prioritizing.
Often it seems that there are just not enough hours in the day to fulfill all of our personal and work-related obligations. Many times it seems that we are too busy to even analyze how we are really managing our time. It can also take way too long to develop a plan of action, especially when this time could be better spent on finishing assignments, studying, or even catching up on lost sleep.
In my opinion, an online course requires even more work than a traditional course and therefore, managing one’s time should probably be considered as the most important skill needed for success in this online learning environment. Often times, many deadlines for school work will occur at the same time, and unless you plan ahead carefully, you will find yourself in a bad situation.
For me, prioritizing my tasks was the first step I knew that I had to take in order to manage my time more effectively. Believe it or not, this was not easy for me, as I am the world’s greatest procrastinator! In my first few weeks of online classes, I did find it a little tricky to manage my time, but through trial and error, I managed to find a nice balance.
I believe that learning time management skills is one of the most important things that you can do in order to improve yourself both personally and professionally and is also necessary in reaching all of your goals and being successful not only in school, but in life. In turn, effective time management will free up your quality time so that you can spend it with family and friends. After all, isn’t it activities such as these that make us the happiest?
Posted by Jeff Davis on January 21st, 2009
Since I was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, I truly enjoyed beginning my online education. Overall, it was a great experience. In my career field, there could have been nothing better or that would have made me happier than to take classes online versus the more traditional method. There was a slight learning curve however, just as there is with learning almost anything. It took some time to familiarize myself with the online process and procedures. What I have noticed most about using the internet to attend class is that it teaches us skills in using technologies such as researching information and communicating with other students. These skills are critical as we become more and more of a global community where our coworkers can be located just about anywhere worldwide and across many different time zones.
Being able to attend class at anytime and from anywhere is simply an incredible feeling. It allows you total flexibility to help you juggle between family, work, and school. I like the fact that course materials are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You have the ability to read and re-read lectures, discussions, comments, etc. and without any of the normal distractions that you might encounter in a regular classroom setting. To me, this is a great advantage over a brick-and-mortar school.
Even though all you really need to get your online education started is a computer with Internet access and the determination to follow through and complete your goal, my best advice for incoming “online freshmen” is to use your time wisely in order to maintain a healthy balance in your life.
Posted by Jeff Davis on January 13th, 2009
Typically, the enrollment process for an online college program includes online registration, transcript processing, placement testing, program placement, and advisement. However, this can vary depending on which school is chosen. In my case, the enrollment process was a simpler process than this. There was really nothing difficult about it at all. Any questions that I had at that time were answered by the school Enrollment Counselor via telephone. In fact, this counselor actually walked me through the whole process as I did it online. So, I hope this demonstrates the difficulty level of one of the enrollment processes to others who are considering enrolling online. Quite simple indeed!
Once you have decided on the degree that you would like to earn, you should start by requesting information from online universities that offer that particular type of degree. Most online university websites have an application that allows you to request detailed information on enrolling in the college and on the requirements for the degree that you are seeking.
Most online universities will also assign you to an Enrollment Counselor, who will guide you through the process of enrolling in the college, filling out the necessary forms, and paying tuition. This counselor will also help to transfer in any credits from previous college courses that might apply to your degree. It might also be necessary to speak to a Financial Aid Counselor who can also help in finding scholarships, grants, and loans to pay for tuition.
Based on my experience, I believe that a prospective online student should begin their search for the right program at least a month or two before they are ready to start the program. This should provide ample time to complete the entire enrollment process. In some cases, the school may have an open admission policy in which case no ACT or SAT tests will be necessary for admittance and many schools will also waive the standard application fees. I know that with the University of Phoenix Online, the program allowed me plenty of flexibility in order to balance work, my family, and an education.
Posted by Jeff Davis on January 8th, 2009
Trying to choose the best online school for you? Since geographic location is not really taken into consideration, you literally have thousands of programs and online universities to choose from. It is evident that online degree options and schools vary in what they offer and how they deliver education and while there many good programs available, choosing the right one and completing the application process can seem overwhelming.
When choosing an online college, there are many factors which you should take into consideration. Among the most important of these is the availability of financial aid. Is financial aid available? Typically this type of question and others pertaining to the application process can be better addressed on the school’s website or by contacting one of their qualified personnel.
We all know that earning a college degree can require a substantial investment of money. Fortunately, there are many financing options available and the application process is relatively simple. Based on my personal experience, help was easily accessible and readily available by the university that I chose and was able to walk me through the complete application process in a very short period of time. My advice for future students is to take the necessary time to carefully research the online programs and schools that they are interested in and gather tuition estimates before you apply. Then, see which ones offer financial aid and if you qualify for these loans. If you have questions, be sure to contact the school directly. As for the university’s enrollment application, that was a simple process as well which literally took just minutes in filling out an online form on the school website.
Overall, pursuing a degree online can be a rewarding and memorable experience. Choosing an online degree program is really just knowing what you are looking for and finding the best option that will help you reach your goals. I think that all potential students need to evaluate the various programs in order to maximize the potential for getting a quality education.
Posted by Jeff Davis on December 31st, 2008
When I first began my search into selecting an online school and furthering my education, it was important to me that the college I choose have a strong internet presence as well as a local presence. After all, there are many online colleges to choose from but not all offer a quality education. Call it personal preference or what you will but I preferred a more recognized school over a mere local educational institution. Not that a local school would have been a bad experience or anything, but it just would not have fit into my life’s schedule as well.
After much research, I determined that there were quite a few online schools that actually had a good reputation for offering a quality education but not all met my personal criteria. I based my final decision on factors that were important to me at the time such as class sizes, accreditation, cost, available online resources, and the simplicity of being able to get help and/or support if necessary. Most of my ideals leaned me towards selecting the University of Phoenix and so I chose to pursue my degree within this environment. Locating an excellent online school that will meet your educational goals should really be no trouble if you do your research and find out all the answers to your questions beforehand.
Based on the items mentioned above, this has been my personal experience and I found a wealth of resources available on the internet in helping me make to make a final decision. There are numerous guidelines available for further consideration but the college websites were full of pertinent information and staff support is just a phone call away. I found my online college experience to be educational and self-rewarding. I would highly recommend attending an online college to anyone who is considering of returning to school.
Posted by Jeff Davis on December 24th, 2008
It really is important to do your homework, especially when you are considering pursuing an online education where the final results will benefit you for the rest of your life! When choosing an online school, there are many things to consider such as whether the school is accredited or not, what programs and degrees are offered, and help with financial aid. Asking good questions can help guide you into making the right decision.
Before enrolling in an online degree program, I had requested information from 10 different online schools. Only 6 provided me with enough information from which I was able to make an educated decision (no pun intended). That helped to narrow down the online colleges field and so began my contact of the admissions office at these remaining schools which I deemed necessary in order to gather the final pertinent information needed for making my final decision on which online school and degree program is going to work best for me. Among the questions that I still needed answered were items like: the school and its history, financial aid, etc.
I feel that it is important to note that this decision was not one that I wanted to rush into since it would have long-term dire consequences in both my professional and personal life. To me, education is more than just getting a degree, but also about what the degree provides in terms of value such as the skills learned and the available career opportunities it provides.
Finally, let me say that nothing can really replace a good education. Education helps you in your overall development and broadens your outlook on life. As I look back on my research of information, the requests that I made, and the final choices that I made, it was arguably one of the hardest searches in my life but definitely the most rewarding.
Posted by Jeff Davis on December 18th, 2008
I believe that there are many reasons that people exert the effort to pursue an online degree and my reasons are probably no different. My main motivation behind looking for an online degree was probably the fact that I wanted to obtain a better job. A job with more prestige, more responsibility, and hopefully more money!
However, there were also other important factors involved. The right online degree would help me advance in my career so I was pretty choosy when looking over all of the different degrees offered and considering the many online schools which offered them. I wanted my online degree to be something that I could be proud of with a sense of accomplishment and I wanted it to be considered as respectable as a traditional college degree.
I can tell you that one factor which I was not as concerned with was cost. Cost was not a major contributive factor for me in my pursuit of an online degree, especially since I knew that I could qualify for financial aid. More important than cost to me was the quality of the degree program and the educational institution from which it came.
Convenience is probably what originally drove me to seeking an online degree versus taking a more traditional approach. Since I am a busy working adult, I truly appreciated the ability to take courses from home. This allowed me to fit college into my hectic lifestyle with a more flexible advantage.
The first thing I looked for once I found an online degree program that I was interested in was making certain that the institution carried an official recognition. Making sure that the school was accredited almost guaranteed me that I would be getting the best education possible and the best value for my tuition.
Not everyone has career related reasons for wanting an online degree. An education is always beneficial, even if it is only meant to meet a personal goal in life. Getting your degree online can be a rewarding and memorable life experience, so be sure to take the time to research your online degree in order to be certain of getting exactly the college degree to help you meet your personal or career goals.
