Online Learning Update

by G. A. Anderson, Helium

“Cloud computing” is a relatively new term for many people who are inexperienced in IT and all the latest technologies and devices that help us in our everyday work and play. What is it? “It is software. It is hardware.” It is technology. It is one of the newest forms of technology and is used in many different ways. One of its main features is its flexibility. For example, a young student in a low to middle-class school district can have access to the same educational tools through this technology as a student in an affluent, well-equipped school district. Online, university students have the same access to learning materials, instructors, labs, and libraries as students in top-ranked campus universities.

http://www.helium.com/items/1928759-why-cloud-computing-provides-flexibility-for-online-learning-in-higher-education

by Pandula Siribaddana, Helium

In online learning, one of the most discussed issues would be the plagiarism issues in submitted online assignments as well as postings in different forums. Being a knowledge base of its own, the internet can provide the learners with enormous amount of information which at times may be abused by some to obtain good results by not necessarily achieving the intended outcomes of the course. Such abuses of submitting someone else’s work as if it is your own is known as plagiarism and is something that most institutions do not tolerate even for a single instance.

http://www.helium.com/items/1929729-distance-learning-how-to-avoid-plagiarism-in-your-postings

by KCRA

As Northern California kids head back to school this month, a growing number are doing so without ever leaving home. The Elk Grove Unified School District has launched online learning for students as young as five years old. Anne Zeman, the administrator in charge of the program, said more than 100 students have signed up so far, and at least another 100 are interested. She said calls come in every day about the Virtual Academy.

http://www.kcra.com/news/24706205/detail.html

By Nick Ashley, Daily Athenaeam

New students arriving at West Virginia University have three important programs to manage that access their classes, accounts and more. The web-based programs have been used in the past to deliver important information to students such as cancellation of classes, inclement weather and instances of violence on campus. “eCampus is used for everything – from 100 percent online learning courses offered through Extended Learning to those on-campus courses that are blended, posting materials and assessments online,” said Michelle Rodney, e-learning applications manager for the Office of Information Technology. In the past, eCampus has been used by professors to supplement information provided in class such as exam reviews or additional information relating to class subjects.

http://www.thedaonline.com/news/online-resources-used-to-keep-students-informed-updated-1.1536758?pagereq=1

by Gia Loc, Vietnam News

With rapid advances in computing technologies, most large and well-established universities around the world have created programmes and degrees that cater to distance-online learning students. Today, students could take more than 150 online courses at Harvard University in the US, he noted. Online training programmes were becoming more and more vital in the world of higher education, Luc added. Many universities worldwide have offered online learning classes for a long time, but few universities in Viet Nam do.

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Social-Isssues/Education/202766/E-learning-crucial-for-technology.html

BY MIKE HELENTHAL, Davnille Commercial-News

Online college courses are easier than attending class and it takes much less time and effort to master subject material. Um, not so fast, say Danville Area Community College officials. While that is the preconceived notion of some students new to online learning, DACC staff says in many instances it takes more commitment to learn virtually. “It takes more work sometimes because they have to read everything,” said computer instructor Merilyn Shepherd. “To do well in an online course, they have to be self-motivated and have a lot of self-discipline.”

http://commercial-news.com/local/x1804459278/Online-classes-attract-students