Archive for the ‘Online Materials’ Category
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 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 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 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!
