Posted by admin on September 18th, 2008
While you can’t earn free online degrees quite yet, Stanford University is offering a number of free online classes this fall. Lectures, video, audio, and handouts round out what is sure to be a much-watched experiment in higher learning. The program does have a number of restrictions: online learners have no interaction with actual students enrolled in the class, the coursework cannot be taken for credit, and none of the university’s facilities are available for use by the online learners.
With that in mind, if you’re interested in taking one or all of the online courses, you may do so via the Stanford Engineering Everywhere program:
Artificial Intelligence:
Computer Science:
Linear Systems and Optimization
Posted by Jen Zeman on July 20th, 2008
Financial aid is readily available for anyone wanting to go back to school, even if they are attending completely online. The fastest and best way to get all the information you need to get your financial aid started is by visiting the Department of Education’s website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. This application is a necessity to complete for any federal financial aid, whether it is a loan or grant. The website is easy to navigate, as is the application itself. If you have already applied at a specific school, the institution’s financial aid office should be one of the first places you visit. Your school’s financial aid office can offer further assistance in completing your FAFSA, as well as providing volumes of information on scholarships (in-state and national). Scholarships are an amazing way to fund your education, but it takes considerable time to search for scholarships you might be eligible for, and then actually fulfilling the application requirements for those eligible ones. If you have the time – go for it!
Don’t forsake going back to school because you don’t have the money on hand or don’t know where to start. College is affordable and within reach of nearly everyone. My bachelor’s degree and my forthcoming master’s degree are funded via federal student loans. The payments are not painful and the return on investment is certainly worth the expense.
Posted by glen on July 15th, 2008
Utica College Online Degrees are now available on AchieveYourCareer.com. Utica offers Online Bachelor’s, Master’s and MBA degrees that can help you earn the degree you need to excel in your career.
Utica College is a comprehensive, independent, private college founded in 1946 by Syracuse University. Since then it has been offering traditional degrees in Utica, New York. As part of their education-initiatives they now offer some of their course offering 100% online.
Online learning at UC offers students the opportunity to enroll in online learning that might not otherwise be available to them because of time and distance restrictions. Most of these courses can be accessed by the student wherever and whenever it is convenient.
Request free information today from Utica College Online and find out what a Bachelor’s, Master’s or MBA can do for your career.
Many people feel that enrolling in an online program is not compatible to an on-ground learning experience. Yes, there are many differences between the two methods of instruction, but one thing that does not differ is student participation. In the online environment it is more critical to participate in the discussion- it is usually a significant part of your grade.
Discussion boards helped to foster a community of learners that share ideas, knowledge, suggestions and debate. The conversation in a traditional classroom can range from spirited to low-key or non existence and so can the discussion in an online classroom. The average online course will have weekly discussions that require students to participate by submitting a reply to a posted question or scenario and then responding to their classmates’ posted answers to the same question. This process allows for the students to share their learning as well as comment on others by offering positive feedback. Positive feedback can be in the form of encouragement and agreement to a classmates posted retort or it can be by sharing an alternative perspective. One thing that all classroom participants must understand is that it is okay to disagree or have a different opinion from their classmates. Usually classmates tend to agree on the discussed topic, it is common that the instructor has the diverse opinion. But remember, the instructor and students must use the course material as a guide and resource.
Another important part of the discussion board is to frequently visit the forum. The student will be given a deadline to post and respond to the unit’s discussion board. Within that time frame it is recommended that a student visit the discussion at least three times. This may not always be an easy task to have the accessibility or time to accomplish this, but as a commitment to yourself and your classmates, if all involved attempt to frequent the board and share, the dialogue will remain engaging and educe others to contribute.
If the online learner can schedule three times out of the unit to post to the discussion board, the dialogue between classmates and the instructor will be constant and on-topic. A way to ensure your participation in the unit’s discussion is to:
- Read and Post to the discussion within the first 24 hours of the unit’s opening.
- Return to the discussion board within 48- 72 hours of your initial post to answer others that may have commented to your response and reply to your classmates’ original post.
- If possible, return to the discussion within the last day or two before the unit ends. At this time you will share any further thoughts you have developed from the readings, seminars, essays or other resources you have experienced throughout the week.
This formula for “active participation” may not be an easy task to commit to. If you are able to meet these minimum recommendations, you can gain so much from the experience. Give it a try! There are probably many ways to stay abreast of the discussion and be a part of the classroom conversation.
Tags: class work, Colleges and Universities, coursework, discussion board, expectations, Online Education, online learning, Organization, Time Management
Categories: Colleges and Universities, My Online Experience, Online Education
Posted by katiejekel on June 25th, 2008
Online degrees are great for people who have jobs or families to juggle. I have already completed 10 hours towards my online master’s degree and I am enrolled in 9 this summer alone. What I am finding difficult is managing my time. A lot of people love the freedom of online classes because they decide what to do and when. Staying on top of things can sometimes be forgotten. When I took my first ten hours, it was before I had children. Now that I have two under two, I really need to balance work, family and my classes. Here are five steps that I find helpful.
1) Read the syllabus: This will explain what the expectations are for the class and will provide a schedule of when things are due. If there is no real schedule, you need to set one for yourself.
2) Email your professor: Introduce yourself and explain your situation. For example, my son battles chronic breathing problems and sometimes his needs need to be met before my school work. Because my professors know this beforehand, they are more apt to be flexible with due dates. In fact, they will begin to see you as human. One of my professors has a son who also has chronic breathing problems and, now, he is able to relate to me.
3) Buy a planner: Think high school. High schools around the country require planners for students and for good reason-they keep your organized. Write down reading assignments and due dates.
4)Visit class every night, even if it is not required: Look at what is going on in classroom discussion boards and just visiting the site will remind you of the work you need to do.
5) Study every day: I know it seems daunting to devote 8 hours a day to school. That is why you are looking at online school as opposed to traditional school, but if you devote time every day (before work, after work, when the kids are napping) then you won’t be faced with a huge reading assignment or project at the last minute. I always study when my kids nap.
