Posts Tagged ‘online learning’
Posted by Sharon Cece on September 29th, 2008
I first attended community college in 1984. Back then, we had to wait in line while registering for school, signing up for classes and making payments. I also had to submit financial aid paperwork in person (after waiting in line, again) and, here’s the kicker, had to physically get in my car and drive to school at predetermined times each week in order to attend classes.
Well, you can only imagine my surprise and delight when I re-emerged onto the collegiate scene via distance learning methods. The first advantage was continuing the degree I started at FSU, where I attended brick and mortar in 1990. I worried that I would lose all my the credits I worked so hard for by not returning to that particular school. Online instruction allowed me to “go back” to FSU even though I lived in North Carolina. Since I was a returning student, FSU was liberal when it came to applying credits toward my matriculation.
Clearly, the other advantage to online learning was time, time, time. Along with location, location, location. No more red-eye 8:15 in the morning classes–classwork is done according to your schedule and flexibility. Not able to take the quiz at 10 AM? No problem, you can take it at 5, or 7 or even 11:30 PM, since most quizzes and tests have a “window” within a 24- and sometimes even a 48-hour period. You can also take the quiz in a bathrobe or pajamas right there in your bedroom or living room, even outside, with a steaming cup of coffee by your side. Ah, life is good. Just don’t spill the coffee on your keyboard.
Registering for classes is a breeze, since it’s all done via your computer. Financial aid forms are also done online now through the individual colleges along with the FAFSA website. Payments can even be made electronically.
Of course, the price you pay for convenience is individual accountability and self-structure. In order to succeed online, you need to be organized and keep up to date on the classes and assignments. Structure is definitively self-imposed. In some ways, you also miss out on the face to face socialization; however, I found that the threaded discussions and virtual classrooms were very intellectually stimulating, and gave me a sense of social interfacing.
Posted by Sharon Cece on September 22nd, 2008
I first attended college back in 1984, fully expecting to have my degree within the customary four years. My goals at that time were typical: job, college, boyfriend which I expected to segue into career, degree, marriage. But as many of you know, “life” takes detours and that sometimes includes your education. Somehow, without planning it, I left college (with 96 credits under my belt!) and though my work experiences and marriage stayed on track, my education took a pit stop.
Though my life was pretty fulfilled, I continued to have this nagging sense of unfinished business. I often said how I wished I finished my degree at Florida State, but here I was almost 20 years later living in Raleigh, North Carolina. Talk about a long commute!
Fortunately, FSU had a good distance learning program and they were able to restructure the classes I had taken for Business Administration into a Social Science program. For the record, it is no easy ride with distance learning. It was very challenging at times with a little one tugging me while I finished a timed quiz in my bathrobe, or juggling my school cap among all the other hats I wore. But finishing my degree online enabled me to fit in my studies whenever I wanted, for the most part, and within my schedule rather than the other way around. I needed the sheer flexibility of eLearning or it wouldn’t have happened for me.
In April of 2006, I received my Bachelor of Science in Social Science. My degree is hanging directly over my laptop as I type, in a stunning frame that I splurged on in the FSU school colors (of course!) Garnet and Gold. Though I am proud of many things I have accomplished in my life, I cannot describe, even now, how amazed I am that after 21 years I finally have my degree.
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 Benae Lambright on August 26th, 2008
Most people that make the decision to begin an online course of study are usually looking for schools that grant bachelor and master degrees. With the growth of online learning communities so has the opportunity to expand your learning. Online programs can offer courses that grant certificates and professional development. The diversity of options allows for you to enhance your career or begin a new one by finding the program that is best for you.
Online certificate programs are becoming a viable option for many learners. Many community colleges, universities and professional development organizations have begun to tender certificates. There are a multitude of certificate programs being offered through distance learning programs that present learners the chance to complete their goals without obtaining their degree. It is also an option for those that have completed a degree program but would like to build on their knowledge base to further their careers.
Career training courses are popular courses being offered that grant a certificate that shows that you have concluded a class that offered workforce skills that are a part of today’s demand. Courses that focus on Health, Technology, Business, Real Estate, Finance and other industries allow for the students to address their goals for success within a short time frame. Most certificate courses range from 2-6 weeks. Just as college courses are taught by qualified instructors, certificate programs have the same requirements when offered by an accredited institution.
So when a degree program is not the fit for you consider an online certificate program. Online certificates allow for the ability to obtain specific skills, meet the criteria for entry-level opportunities and positions that mandate explicit requirements. Pursuing an online certificate has many benefits that go beyond convenience, it shows your willingness to expand your knowledge and build upon the skills you offer.
Posted by glen on August 25th, 2008
McKinley College Online offers Online Associates Degrees in Health and Business Management. They are part of one of the largest online education institution in the world and have over 25 years of experience in distance learning.
AchieveYourCareer.com now offers degree information for one of the unique ways to learn online. McKinley students have the option to take one class at a time so they are able to focus on the learning at hand. Instead of dividing their attention among 3 - 4 classes at a time, students can take classes in a progression that allows them to achieve their goals.
In addition to a unique course progression, McKinley separates itself from the competition by offering unique course content. The custom textbooks and the classes developed around the content of the courses is unique to McKinley College Online and updated by distance-learning experts.
Whichever degree you are looking for at McKinley you can be sure that it’ll be a career-focused path with plenty of industry relevant content. Request free information today and get started on the path to your new degree.
Posted by Benae Lambright on August 20th, 2008
Recently, the Higher Education Act underwent reauthorization, focusing on illegal file sharing and the assurance that students enrolled in online learning courses are the ones taking the test. If passed, this bill will require colleges and universities that offer distance learning programs to create student policies that benefit the trustworthiness of online programs. Students who are admitted to programs must show respect to the institution that they are enrolled in and the ideology of online programs.
The implementation and enforcement of the Higher Education Act’s revisions and expansions will help to isolate the diploma mill program and build the support base for distance learning. The bill supports the use of web cams to provide guarantee that the student taking the test is properly identified. Using emerging technologies as a part of the test taking process gives schools options to provide a comprehensive learning environment for the their students.
Many schools that offer online courses have developed programs that have limited tests. Most courses are made up of chat rooms, discussion boards and written assignments.
The bill, H.R. 4137, passed Congress on July 31 and is expected to be signed by the president. If signed into law, changes will include file sharing, distance learning, K12 teacher preparation and many areas involving financial aid and college tuition regulations.
Posted by admin on August 11th, 2008
People say if its “Free, its too good to be true” and in most cases thats correct but a number of universities are now offering online classes and courses for free online. MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Tufts are a few highly renowned colleges that offer free online classes. Below is a list of free online classes and courses.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT is the best option for all those looking out for free courses. Through the OpenCourseWare project, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers nearly 1800 free courses!! Access is granted to students all across the world.
2. Open University
Open University is the largest academic institution in UK. The OpenLearn website of Open University provides access to under-graduate and graduate level course material on topics like arts, history, business, education, IT and computing, mathematics and statistics, science, health and technology.
3. Carnegie Mellon University
This university offers numerous free online courses as well as course materials through its Open Learning Initiative Program. Online courses are offered by Carnegie Mellon University in subjects like statistics, biology, chemistry, economics, French and physics.
4. Tufts University
Tufts University, like MIT offers an OpenCourseWare project which can be accessed by students from across the world. Courses offered by Tufts University are categorized by Schools and present lectures, course material, projects etc.
5. Stanford University
Being one of the world’s leading academic institutions, Stanford University has joined in with iTunesU to provide free online courses, lectures and interviews. The courses can be downloaded to be studied at students’ convenience.
6. University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley has been offering webcasts of certain courses since 2001. The University of California, Berkeley offers hundreds of courses as podcasts and webcasts on subjects like astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer programming, engineering, psychology, legal studies and philosophy.
7. Utah State University
Utah State University provides free online courses in various fields including anthropology, physics, theatre arts etc. Online courses offered by Utah State University can be downloaded or even viewed online.
8. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
The largest collection of free online business courses is offered by Kutztown University’s Small Business Development Center. Courses are offered by Kutztown University of Pennsylvania on subjects like accounting, finance, government, business law, marketing and sales. Text, interactive case studies, presentations, graphics and streaming audio are presented to demonstrate the ideas presented in each course.
9. University of Southern Queensland
Based in Australia, the University of Southern Queensland also offers free online courses for people across the world through its OpenCourseWare project. Course topics include communication, science, career planning, technology, teaching and multimedia creation.
10. University of California, Irvine
This university recently joined the OCW Consortium and began providing university level courses online. Not many free online courses are available at the moment, but the list is growing. The current subjects offered at University of California, Irvine include financial planning, human resources, capital markets and e-marketing. Course material comes in the form of programs, lectures, notes, projects and exams.
Posted by J.M. Striegel on July 26th, 2008
Are you still apprehensive about diving into the land of online learning? Fearful you won’t know what to do, won’t know where to go, and maybe you are wondering if you can even stick to a routine of studying, participating in class, and reading the materials on the syllabus? You can test drive a car before you buy it, so why not take a few free online classes before you send in that application and course fee?
I’ve previously written about education being portable, and when you can download a lecture from iTunes, I think you have to agree that we are in a wonderful time where the power of knowledge can be harnessed by those who actively seek it. The internet has opened the door to so many wonderful opportunities and information, but it can begin to look like a badly organized junk drawer. The tools are there, they just might be lost in the clutter.
The OpenCourseware Consortium is a free digital publication that attempts to make free online learning a little easier to navigate. Boasting 2,810 courses from 26 sources within a collaboration of more than 200 higher education organizations and institutions, the Consortium hopes to encourage “the adoption and adaptation of open educational materials around the world.” From Tufts University to the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain, there are online course materials just waiting for you to take notice and utilize them.
Don’t forget languages. The Foreign Service Institute offers courses that were developed by the United States government. The site uses text, podcasts, and online forum discussion to teach you Arabic to Yoruba. Adding a foreign language to your resume may open doors to new job options. No employer has ever complained that the employee knew too many languages.
Not only can these sites be helpful tools in assessing whether or not you are ready to return to the halls of academia, they can inspire your course of study. Now, thanks to sites like Lecturefox, you can dabble in courses and topics that you may never have known existed, much less would have been able to pursue within a specific course of study. Who knew you could be so excited about Religion as a Natural Phenomenon?
J.M. Striegel
Posted by mrsgougis on July 25th, 2008
Bright-eyed, full of dreams, with a mind that didn’t entertain failure or impossiblities, I graduated from high school. I was moving onto bigger and better things, but I just didn’t know where those bigger and better things were exactly. It wasn’t easy choosing colleges to go to, but I did, and without an educated decision I made the hugest mistake by attending school out-of-state without taking some precautions first.
Back then gas was $1.19 a gallon, food was affordable, catching a plane wasn’t like standing at an auction block waiting for a tally and a receipt with all those weird costs that the airlines have decided was pertinent to stay in business. There wasn’t as many crowded highways back then, and the financial aid offices were efficient, honest, and cared about their jobs. More scholarships were offered in higher amounts, and the hope and opportunity of an education was much more brighter than now. So, when you or your child was like me, searching for bigger and better things what are some things you should consider before sending yourself or your child to another state, or an in-state institution?
In-State Institutuons
Because I lived in Cincinnati, Ohio I was screaming to get out of the dull, culture-less, and barely innovative city. Cincinnati lacked creativity, pulse, and artistic platforms and I wanted those avenues to achieve being a writer, or a fashion writer. I didn’t live in a state that fostered those talents. Sometimes when you are looking to attend an institution, it is very important that you understand the need to be absolutely sure about what you intend to accomplish in your career. If you know that you are trying to be a fashion merchandiser, make sure that after you graduate, the environment boasts employment opportunities. If you are lucky enough live within a state that offers a cirriculum that will be the catalyst for your career and you also have the opportunity to obtain employment then state in-state.
Also, when you choose an in-state institution there are many benefits. Number one, you may not be far from family. Number two, you will be able to pay less money for tuition. Number three, you could be awarded more scholarships and grants for your particular state since you are a resident and attending an in-state institution. Number four, no airline costs to get home, you may can drive or take the Greyhound which is much more convenient and cheaper. Number five, it is easier to transport your belongings back and forth as you continue your education. Number six, it is easier to keep track of funds, and find employment since you already have a feel for your state or the city’s environment.
The disadvantages to going to an institution in-state remind me of my own difficulties. First of, Cincinnati had English classes, however if I graduated I would not have found any decent employment around. The only place I could have probably worked was Writer’s Digest and even still required writing experience. If I would go as a fashion merchandiser, that isn’t a sought after career in Cincinnati, so actually I would waste my time. Also, if you are like me, starving for a much more mature, driven, cutting edge, innovative, open-minded city, then if your city doesn’t offer that you might want to consider an out-of-state instituion.
Out-of-State
Chicago is an expensive city, and I wish I didn’t have to nearly get put out on the street to find that out. Chicago is an innovative, dynamic city, however if you aren’t rolling with a little loot in the bank then your chances of starting and continuing an education there is slim to negative zero. In deciding to go to an out-of-state institution here’s what you should think about:
- Tuition. Tuition for students out of state is usually a couple thousand dollars more than in-state students.
- Room & Board. Room & Board is also a couple thousand dollars more than an in-state student. Also, you might want to search for off-campus housing and calculate the difference to see if one year’s worth of rent in an apartment is less or more than on campus housing, which gets expensive if the institution has constant tuition hikes and more campus building development.
- Meals. You can choose your meal, however it can get expensive so make sure you understand the costs and how meal cards are applied to your balance.
- Travelling Costs. Remember, some campuses do not allow students to stay the universities during breaks like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or summer breaks, so you might configure into the cost of college how much you will pay yearly to travel to and from home.
- Transportation. If you choose to stay on campus this might not be a problem. However, if you do have a car, you will be charged for a parking pass to use the parking lot where your dorm is. Or, if you were lucky enough to obtain off campus living cheaper, then add in bus fare for however many days you have to go to class, and/or work.
- Cost of living. Really this should have been first. Researching the cost of living of city can help you determine if you are able to find employment, surivive there and live there. When cities like Chicago have a tax bracket of 13.5%, and ten of thousands of people unemployment, bus fare $3.00, then ask yourself, do I have enough saved for myself or my child to be able to obtain a degree in that city?
- Cost of Transportation. Gas isn’t $.99 anymore. You will need to configure the cost of gas that will be spend travelling back and forth to see your folks, or to see your child.
The benefits of being an out-of-state student is being introduced to a new culture, new city, new environment, and the excitement of new things and people you can meet. However, the cost of being an out-of-state student is astounding. So, if you can afford college out of state great, however if you cannot learn to opt out by looking for colleges in surroundings states, or within the state that you live.
College isn’t simple anymore, but you can make it simple by doing your homework first!
Being a student in an online atmosphere can be overwhelming. At times you may even feel alone. Due to the distance learning format the biggest form of communication is EMAIL. It is essential to use this tool to develop a relationship with your online instructor.
As a part of your class requirements you will have the opportunity to “chat” with the class using the discussion boards and real-time seminars or chat sessions, but the best way to speak one-on-one with the course facilitator is to use email to ask questions, clarify information, share thoughts and get to know your professor.
Online schools have instructor policies that require them to check email daily, host office hours and at some schools have access to instant messaging. The accessibility to your professor may not be the experience of a face-to-face meeting but it can be an opportunity for open discussion. Review your class syllabus to see what the best way to contact your professor. If email is the preferred option, send an email to introduce yourself outside of the opening unit’s introductory opportunity. Save the instructor’s email address in your contact list, as well as include them on your safe list. You would not want to miss a correspondence from your instructor because it goes to your bulk mail box.
It is recommended that you use the email system of your school. Just as you would not want to miss an email from your professor, the opposite applies. Using your personal email account may be flagged by the school’s email administration as an unsolicited email. It may forward it to a bulk mailbox or the professor may dismiss it as spam. Many times your personal email account does not identify you but instead describes our alternate egos. Beware that email names that are “suggestive” and “unique” may not be answered. The school’s assigned email account will give you better odds of your email being directed to the professor’s inbox and responded to in a timely fashion.
Your instructor will appreciate your outreach. This will also help to set the expectations of your learning experience. Using email or instant messaging will afford you the chance to make a presence with your professor. It is also a way to keep your professor informed. As an online student you probably have a demanding schedule. That is a major reason for many who enroll at an online college or university. There are times when you may have difficulty meeting your deadlines, communicating with your instructor can help you to stay focused, make up work and find out about discussions or resources you may have missed.
Keeping the lines of communication open will only enhance your learning experience. It will not only keep you engaged in the process, it will also elicit dialogue from your professor. Just keep the emails respectful and with the understanding that what you write might not be interpreted as what you meant. So, keep your emails short and to the point. Identify yourself, the class you attend and what your specific question is. The easier it is for the instructor to understand you, the easier it is for them to provide a substantial response.
