Archive for the ‘Online Education’ Category
Posted by admin on December 28th, 2009
Google Wave, the upcoming communication and networking tool which Google plans to release in 2010, already has educators excited about the growth opportunities it may bring to online education. As a web-based service, the possibilities for online students to collaborate from different locations are definitely out there; through increased collaborative learning efforts, students will be able to reach their full potential by working through problems with other students and institutions worldwide. Schools will be able to enhance their delivery methods through the use of different applications, which allow institutions to combine the features of different websites to create the optimum learning environment. Even better for students and institutions is the possibility of institute-created applications, which could provide students with new, no-cost education software.
Although Google Wave is only available in beta form, you can request an application to try it out yourself directly from their site. For more information about Google Wave, check out this article.
Posted by admin on December 21st, 2009
For years, the US has been compared to other industrialized nations across the world when it comes to our educational standards. The media tells stories of how far behind our children are compared to the children of other nations, like China, especially when it comes to our math and sciences. Presidential candidates always seem to make education a part of their platform during the race for office, but how many have truly followed through with their original plans/promises?
President Bush signed the “No Child Left Behind” Act into law during his presidency with the hopes of bringing all of our children up to, at the least, a proficient level in their studies. Unfortunately, without a budget to really back this type of undertaking it became somewhat of a joke to professionals and teachers in the education industry. Unfortunately, the plan backfired and with such pressures on the schools to achieve certain levels, teachers have begun “teaching to the test” instead of taking the time to make sure students grasp the knowledge their being given and know how to actually apply it in a real-life setting.
And, recently, the Obama Administration has urged everyone to go beyond their high school diploma to achieve their associates or bachelors degree. His plan includes more funding for early-learning programs as well as an item to address the current affordability of higher education and how to make it more accessible to everyone.
So, what are your thoughts? Are we struggling in the world market because of our current educational system? Should students start going year-round as in other industrialized countries? What are your thoughts on the state standardized tests that are being given to gauge our children’s’ success in school?
Posted by admin on December 14th, 2009
Have you experienced Second Life yet? It’s a virtual world where you can live, work, and play using an avatar with your characteristics. It’s become so popular that now some universities are beginning to use the virtual reality world as a means of training nurses and other medical professionals.
Using the virtual world gives students access to medical experts from all over the world that they may not have had access to in a traditional classroom setting. It also allows access to volunteers who act as patients that the students can diagnose using various diagnostic tests without accruing the costs associated with such an effort in a real medical setting.
Should a virtual world be used to train the individuals who care for us and our families? What happens when these individuals are thrown into a real-life situation? Sometimes it’s easier to diagnose and treat a problem from a distance when you know that your mistake won’t necessarily cost someone their life. Could this potentially be detrimental to the medical profession?
I can definitely see this being a fantastic resource in that it will connect world-famous specialists with medical students from all over the world. They can tap into the minds of these specialists and learn about their techniques and thought processes which can only enhance their own skill-set. BUT, I’m still a little skeptical. What do you think?
Posted by admin on December 7th, 2009
Virtual High Schools have been moving to the forefront of the distance learning landscape over the recent years with the growing popularity of online learning. Until now, “night school” and charter schools were the only alternatives to attending a full-time program at a local high school. These up and coming virtual high schools are opening the doors for families across the country whose children are in need of an alternative. They’re bringing education to those children who have, perhaps, not been successful in traditional learning environments or who are served better in non-traditional environments. These learners include: home-schooled students, full-time wage earners, students with health or physical challenges; and those who may have struggled socially in a traditional school. Virtual schools also provide a place for homeschooled students or those that have barriers to attending physical school, such as those live in remote areas or have disabilities. It even gives students in a program at a traditional high school a way to make up for lost credits.
Choosing an online high school is a challenge. Parents need to find a virtual program that offers an accredited diploma and provides academic support for students, all without breaking the bank. Asking the right questions will help you find the online high school that best meets your needs. Here are some important credentials when reviewing your potential school:
- Accreditation. An online high school that is regionally accredited, like Penn Foster’s high school program, will have the widest acceptance.
- Curriculum. Your online high school should have a time-tested curriculum that meets your child’s academic needs.
- Quality of instructors. Be wary of online high schools that hire teachers without a college diploma or teaching experience. Teachers should be credentialed, know how to work with teenagers, and be comfortable with computers.
- School’s history. Online schools come and go. Choosing a school that has been around for longer, like Penn Foster High School, can help you avoid the trouble of trying to transfer schools at a later date.
- Graduate percentage. You can learn a lot by an online high school’s graduation track record. If a large percentage of students drop out, you may want to reconsider.
- Additional help for struggling students. If your child is struggling, you need to know that help is available.
Are you or your child thinking of enrolling in a virtual high school? What benefits/drawbacks do you see with online high schools?
Sources:
http://distancelearninginmo.blogspot.com/ http://distancelearn.about.com/od/virtualhighschools/a/OnlineHighQ.htm
Posted by admin on September 8th, 2009
Younger students tend to be more familiar with the technology used in online instruction, but that doesn’t mean they’re more successful in virtual courses.
In a recent Inside Higher Ed article , online teacher Rob Weir argues that older students make better online learners:
“Younger students love the idea of online courses, but they are often the worst students - despite their greater facility with technology. Yahoo! runs ads for ‘Why online college is rocking,’ and that’s part of the problem. Online education is being sold as if it’s for everyone, when those finding real success are those who are self-motivated, highly organized, and in possession of well-developed study habits? Younger students approach online classes as if they’re just another ‘cool’ thing to do on the Web. Be prepared to badger them if you want them to get through your course.” Students with experience meeting deadlines are certainly at an advantage. But, I’d argue that most young students are beyond enrolling in a program because they think its ‘cool.’
Do you think age is a determinant in online learning success? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
To view Jamie’s article on About.com - click here
Posted by admin on August 19th, 2009
Students often begin the process of achieving an education and sometimes find, like myself, that even a single circumstance - whether it be a lack of funds or a personal roadblock or any number of other reasons - regrettably, can preempt their education. Ten years ago, I didn’t think I would return to get my degree (although, a small part of me kept that hope alive, obviously). Going to college is a lot of work, not just mentally but physically. So, I was thrilled to discover the online college option, since it offered another, completely different process which ran parallel with my original goal of graduating from college. Furthermore, it led straight to the Commencement Trail. I didn’t have to find my way back to my original path; I forged a new “online” path.
I’ve thought many times about going back to school to get my Masters degree, and I wouldn’t even consider such an undertaking without online options. My life is full right now, as a wife and mother, as household manager, as a writer and now I’m considering an additional work opportunity. Add to that, like so many other parents, the kids’ school commitments, church and community work, training our puppy ( which I threw in as metaphor for “other” obligations that take a lot more time and energy than I thought they would). Now, I could really push myself and attend school on campus, but why? When online options make it so much easier to go back to school and get a degree. Most people want to save time and energy; I, especially, want to save time and energy and quite frankly, I don’t want to push myself anymore. I want results, not an ulcer.
My online university experience was so fulfilling that I’m not certain that I would change anything in my pursuit of an advanced degree; rather, I would blueprint the process so that I could repeat the sequence, it was that effective. I would be tempted here to write, that in order to save time and money, I might consider a local program to get my Masters degree; however, in truth I would research Masters programs at FSU first and foremost. Out of sheer sentimentality, of course (see previous article “Seminole Pride”). Yet, along with being a sentimental gal, I’m also thorough and yes, entertain a pragmatic vein. So, I will look into other programs and weigh all the options, for research is our best tool for decision-making, and often the gateway to a new path that could lead to the next goal.
Posted by admin on August 17th, 2009
Text messages, chat rooms, online forums, MySpace, Facebook … even WEBKINS. Its information over-load when you begin to think about everything out there on "social networking". Many people think of MySpace, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social communities like them when they hear the terms "social networking" but that barely encompasses this growing movement. But what place does it have in education? Can it help us better connect with our young and adult learners?
According to a study by the NSBA (National School Boards Association) over 50% of students use social networking tools to talk about education topics and schoolwork … that is an astounding number. Should schools begin incorporating social networking into their curriculums? Maybe all schools should develop their own social community, like MySpace, where their students can go and discuss appropriate topics, chat in real-time with instructors or other students about homework problems (monitored for cheating, of course), or simply connect with other students like themselves with the same hobbies and interests. For an online school, in specific, this would give the students a sense of community and belonging … creating a virtual campus they can call their own.
It’s amazing how quickly technology evolves and, in my opinion, education should evolve just as quickly. I would love to see social networking incorporated in small ways into schools’ curriculums. What are your thoughts? Would you like to see it included in your school district, college or university’s curriculum?
Posted by admin on August 3rd, 2009
Regardless of the progress we’ve made in online education, there still seems to be a stigma that surrounds it. As if it’s not the same quality or worth the same weight when job-hunting as a traditional diploma or degree.
While attending various college fairs, I’ve noticed many parents bypass the online schools and push their kids towards the more traditional post-secondary institutions. However, are these traditional schools always the best option for the student? Each student has a different learning style and some thrive in the classroom; whereas, some students perform better when they’re able to challenge themselves on a more individualized basis.
Not to mention that, for many college students who have to work full-time while going to school, online classes make it just that much easier to achieve their dream of earning their degree. Perhaps, 15 years from now when my kids are in college everything will be online. Given the choice of online vs. traditional brick-and-mortar schools - which would you choose?
Posted by admin on July 20th, 2009
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For some people the classroom is not the ideal place to learn. Between students trying to prove themselves as subject-matter experts and those who ask questions for the sake of asking questions, between the busy work and lack of work handed out by teachers, between the clocks that are five minutes fast and five minutes slow; there is very little room for a proper education. How a student is able retain any information presented in a classroom crammed with annoyances and the tiniest discrepancy is beyond me. However, the tiniest of irritations can be avoided by removing the classroom from education. By creating his or her own learning environment a student can make sure all unpleasant quirks are nonexistent.
The best thing about an “at-home” education is that it does not have to be taken literally. Home is where a student is comfortable, safe and able to be productive in a positive environment. “Home” does not always mean “house”. Home can be your favorite café or your own corner section of the library. Home can be any number of places that allow you to take away the best education possible and this is something of which Penn Foster is well aware. In a world where complete downtown areas are wi-fi accessible and where you can take your laptop almost anywhere there is no need for the annoyances of brick-and-mortar classrooms. There is also no need to be paying more money for these annoyances when you can receive a college education that won’t put you thousands of dollars in debt. Nowadays, online education is the only thing that seems to make sense.
Posted by admin on July 14th, 2009
President Barack Obama will unveil a $12 billion initiative on Tuesday to boost community colleges and propel the United States toward his goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, administration officials said.
The 10-year program, which he will announce during a visit on Tuesday afternoon to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, includes a new goal of graduating an additional 5 million students from community colleges over the next decade, double the current number of expected graduates.
Education is the often-forgotten third pillar of Obama’s economic plan and has received far less attention than the other two — healthcare reform and renewable energy.
In a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress in February, Obama warned that the fastest growing fields of employment required more than a high school diploma, while only about half the U.S. population had graduated from high school.
He urged Americans to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training and set a goal of having the United States lead the world in proportion of college graduates by the year 2020.
Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers issued a report on the future of the U.S. job market on Monday that was aimed at bolstering the case for more higher education.
“Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity,” the report said.
“Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate’s degree or a post-secondary vocational award,” it said.
Community colleges are two-year schools that generally grant associate degrees or training certificates. The annual cost of attendance is around half that of public four-year colleges and universities.
There are more than a thousand community colleges in the United States with more than 6 million students enrolled. Nearly half a million students graduate from community colleges annually.
Deputy Undersecretary of Education Bob Shireman said $9 billion of the funds Obama proposes to spend will go mainly for challenge grants awarded on a competitive basis to encourage community colleges to propose and launch innovative new programs.
Some of the $9 billion would fund programs to address the problem of students dropping out of college.
James Kvaal, special assistant to the president for education policy, said $2.5 billion would be used as seed money to generate $10 billion in renovation and construction at community colleges.
Another $500 million would be used to develop online courses and materials to improve student learning, including artificial intelligence tutoring and multimedia courses, Kvaal said.
