Online Learning Update

December 24, 2010

The Future Of Online Learning In 3D

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

by BrainTrack

“My students will be going into the future and I want them prepared for it,” says Dr. Charles Wankel, an associate Professor of Management at St. John’s University in New York and the author of many books, including Higher Education in Virtual Worlds: Teaching and Learning in Second Life. “One of the crazy ideas that people have is that students will go in and sit down and listen to a lecture in Second Life. That happens, of course, but I see the strength of using Second Life for team projects,” says Wankel. “Having students do team projects in Second Life is a way for students to get to know each other and learn collaboration, the key business skill of the 21st century. In New York state, an accreditation criteria is interactivity. These sorts of Second Life team exercises help fulfill that requirement.” Wankel also uses Second Life as a lab to give students experience running businesses – entrepreneurial and sales experiences they can apply in the real world. “At Seton University, people the House of Seven Gables in literature courses. In Second Life, they’re building it,” says Wankel.

http://www.braintrack.com/online-colleges/articles/the-future-of-online-learning-in-3d

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Extend school days or Add More Online Learning Options?

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

by Sheila Reynolds, Surrey North Delta Leader

With no new schools being built and student numbers steadily rising, the Surrey School District is considering new ways to schedule and deliver classes in cramped high schools next September. Options being examined include extending school day timetables and increasing access to online courses to deal with the extremely limited school space in some areas of the growing city. The recommendation comes from a report presented to school trustees by Supt. Mike McKay at Thursday’s public board meeting. It reflects community feedback gathered in the fall wherein parents stressed the importance for kids to be able to get into their neighbourhood schools.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/111698309.html

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Program Seeks To Improve Online Learning Offerings

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:01 am

A new program designed to help teachers improve online instruction is being tested at a state college system, contributing to the rapid growth of Web-based course offerings educators have witnessed in recent years. The program, Professional Online Educator, is undergoing a seven-week pilot phaze that began in October at the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS), eSchool News reported. Owned by educational publishing and technology company Pearson Learning Solutions, it aims to help teachers improve online instruction by teaching them how to use social media and other tools to communicate effectively with students. The program is expected to be available to educators nationwide in January 2011.

http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/program-seeks-to-improve-online-courses-10121002

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December 23, 2010

Online learning gaining traction in Washington State

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

by Debbie Cafazzoy, News-Tribune

State officials estimate that between 1 percent and 2 percent of Washington’s 1 million students took at least one online course during the 2009-10 school year. “One thing our office is trying to do is provide objective information to parents and students, so they can make a good decision about which option they want to use,” says Karl Nelson, director of the state’s Digital Learning Department. Nelson said the most frequent complaint he hears from families concerns enrollment problems that arise when students want to leave their home districts. State officials also want to see higher achievement rates in online schools. On average, only about half the students who enroll in online classes pass them. Online learning advocates emphasize that it’s about more than kids staring at computer screens. Students communicate directly with teachers and other students, either through e-mail or via online live seminars and chats. It’s virtually impossible to “hide” in the back of an online classroom. And students who don’t understand a concept can review it online.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/10/1459360/online-learning-gaining-traction.html

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FIU Online Learning Courses Is The Top Google Search Term in Miami-Originated Searches for 2010

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

By Francisco Alvarado, Miami New Times blogs

Miami folks keyed in “FIU Blackboard,” “dadeschools.net student portal,” and “adrienne arsht center” more times than any other search term. You can view the entire top ten search terms originating from Miami on Google’s microsite. Haiti was the most popular search item in Google’s news category, followed by the Turkish sporst club Besiktas, Chile, “earthquake,” Lady Gaga and the iPhone 4. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill rounded out the top ten news search terms.

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/12/fiu_online_courses_is_the_top.php

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Online Learning Incentives: Spare the Rod, Pay the Prof

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:01 am

by Steve Kolowich, Inside Higher Ed

Kentucky might be known for being a major exporter of baseball bats. But in Lexington, 75 miles east of the Louisville Slugger factory, the University of Kentucky has decided that blunt objects are not the best way to get professors to create and teach online courses. Instead, the university is offering to share tuition revenues from online students with colleges and departments that accommodate them. In the College of Arts and Sciences, professors — who are not generally given bonuses for developing new courses — are offered $5,000 to adapt a course to the online medium. In other words: no mandates, just incentives. Colleges get to keep 60 percent of what the university makes in tuition revenue from the online students enrolled in the summer programs for those colleges. In the College of Arts and Sciences, departments get to keep half of what the college makes from the online students enrolled in that department’s courses. The idea is to give departments control over which of their courses go online, and let them share in the rewards.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/12/21/university_of_kentucky_rewards_professors_for_teaching_online

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December 22, 2010

Online learning enrollment numbers on the rise

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

by Monique Smith, Graduate Guide

As enrollment in online graduate programs increases, the stigma associated with these degrees continues to lessen, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. For many colleges and universities, online classes and degree programs have served as a means to reach nontraditional students. Master’s degrees that are offered through distance learning platforms may appeal to disabled students, individuals who are enlisted in the military, parents whose weekly schedules keep them from attending brick-and-mortar institutions at a specific time or professionals who need to update their skill set for their careers.

http://www.graduateguide.com/Graduate_School_News/online_enrollment_numbers_on_the_rise__800278413.html

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Online learning advocates have strong support

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

by Dominick Inglese, the Examiner

Advocates of online learning have reason to continue their initiatives with the support of a December 1, 2010 report by Digital Learning Now, an educational foundation with governors Jeb Bush and Bob Wise as co-chairs and over 100 other prominent members and financial supporters. The brief yet resourceful report gives a practical outline for future endeavors of a national online learning initiative. While the report is brief, focusing on “10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning,” the resources are practical and serve as a solid foundation for advancement toward meeting the challenge of educating 50 million students, preventing thousands of drop-outs and accommodating vast learning abilities.

http://www.examiner.com/esl-in-national/online-learning-advocates-have-strong-support

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Terra sees big increase in its online learning enrollment

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:01 am

by the News-Messenger

More students than ever are enrolled in online classes at Terra Community College, and that’s a trend that colleges and universities across Ohio and the nation are seeing. Terra has made huge strides in offering distance classes. In fall of 2008 Terra offered 57 sections of online courses with 1,048 registrations. For fall 2009 there were 73 sections with 1,562 registrations, and this past fall 93 sections and 1,976 registrations.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20101208/NEWS01/12080311/-1/newsfront2

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December 21, 2010

Mixing in Online Learning Classes with Your On Campus Classes

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

by College Thrive

There’s always that one class each semester where the professor is boring, the material is easy and you wish you could be anywhere but stuck in your seat, watching the clock. However, what many students don’t consider is that they easily could be somewhere else, tackling the material in a way that suits them while learning in comfortable environment. All of this can be accomplished by adding online classes to your usual semester schedule.

http://collegethrive.com/mixing-in-online-classes-with-your-on-campus-classes

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Online learning classes work for well-organized students, but others struggle

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Elizabeth Swoboda competes in alpine skiing with the Bridger Ski Foundation, so to free up her afternoons for training, she’s taking five morning classes at Bozeman High School and two online classes from the state’s new Montana Digital Academy. “I like it because it’s really convenient. It’s easy if you’re on top of it,” said Swoboda, a 14-year-old freshman, who is taking German and digital photography online. “It’s easy to fall behind,” she cautioned. “It takes a lot of motivation. I don’t procrastinate.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_bdacd3a4-0266-11e0-aef4-001cc4c03286.html

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Panel Recommends Adding Online Learning And Out-Of-State Students To UC System

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

by CTI Career Search

Notably, the main source of contention among panel members was whether UC should expand its online course offerings. Professors argued that increasing the number of online classes would compromise educational standards and make academic life too impersonal for students. “Well into the future, there may be the possibility of an entirely online UC degree,” Provost Lawrence Pitts told The Contra Costa Times.

http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/panel-recommends-adding-online-courses-and-out-of-state-students-for-uc-system-10120702

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December 20, 2010

5 Higher Ed Tech Trends To Watch in 2011 (including online learning)

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

By Bridget McCrea, Campus Technology

Three higher ed tech experts discuss technology trends for the year ahead, citing increased mobile and wireless access and cloud computing among them. Technology that was unimaginable a decade or so ago is commonplace on today’s campuses. In 2010 American colleges and universities responded to the ever-advancing IT requirements of their students and faculty with mobile pilot programs, investments in online learning, massive network overhauls, and initiatives designed to offset some of the increases in energy use brought on by all these new technologies, among other novel programs.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2010/12/09/5-higher-ed-tech-trends-to-watch-in-2011.aspx

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Learning Online Learning Online: Instructing online instructors

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

By Dennis Carter, eSchool News

Tammy Hall encourages first-time online instructors to ready themselves for any and all student questions on the first day of class, knowing that no amount of prep can fend off queries that might, temporarily, stump the new teacher. Hall, who is director of academic services for the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS)—which includes 16 colleges throughout the state—has overseen a program aiming to hone online instructors’ teaching skills as more students gravitate toward web-based classes. The seven-week pilot program that launched in October helps educators make the shift from the traditional classroom to an online forum and teaches them how to use social media and other tools to communicate with students.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/12/16/instructing-online-instructors/

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Commerce Department tackles online privacy

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:01 am

by eSchool News

Aiming to set ground rules for companies that collect personal data online and use that information for marketing purposes, the U.S. Commerce Department is calling for the creation of an online privacy “bill of rights” for internet users. The proposal, outlined in a Commerce Department report issued Dec. 16, is intended to address growing unease about the vast amounts of personal data that companies are scooping up on the internet, from web browsing habits to smart phone locations to Facebook preferences. The information often is mined to help companies better target their advertising—a practice that has children’s advocacy groups in particular calling for more online privacy safeguards.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/12/16/commerce-department-tackles-online-privacy/

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December 19, 2010

Oklahoma expands degree-completion program via online learning

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

by John Estus, the Oklahoman

Reach Higher is an affordable and flexible degree completion program designed for working adults. It is offered at 14 colleges and universities statewide and allows participants to take online courses that fit their schedules. Since 2007, 115 people have earned bachelor’s degrees through the program. Regents recently approved expanding the program to include various associate’s degrees.

http://newsok.com/program-to-draw-adults-back-to-class/article/3521377

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Student Enrollment in College Online Learning Programs Continue to Increase

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:04 am

by Sandra Kelly, Classes2Careers

Starting as a way to reach non-traditional students, online classes and degree programs have increased in size and popularity in recent years by reaching out to more traditional students. Almost 30% of all higher education students now take at least one class online, and more than 60% of chief academic officers say that online classes are crucial to their long-term strategy. Back in 2002 only 1.6 million students were taking an online class. Compare that to the numbers in 2007 where just about 4 million students registered for an online class during the fall semester and you can see just how popular this type of higher education is becoming. After the economy went into a recession even more students turned to online classes to earn their college degrees. More than 5.6 million students were enrolled in online classes in 2009.

http://www.classes2careers.com/student-enrollment-in-online-college-programs-continue-to-increase/

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Looking at the time consuming process of course evaluations

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:01 am

by Chelsea Ellis, The University of Southern Maine Free Press

For some students, the last questions they answer in a class aren’t graded, don’t affect their final grade and aren’t even seen by their professor. It’s a course evaluation, and it’s required for every class. These course evaluations are required by the Associated Faculties of Universities of Maine contract and are used for faculty peer reviews and tenure and promotion decisions. The office scans over 45,000 forms each semester and only have one half-time worker scanning the forms. King said the long turn-around rate would be remedied by moving course evaluations online for all classes. She said she is in favor of making the change and that some faculty are also in agreement.

http://usmfreepress.org/2010/12/looking-at-the-time-consuming-process-of-course-evaluations/

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December 18, 2010

Digital Learning Now

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

by Tom Vander Ark, Huffington Post

On Wednesday, Governors Jeb Bush and Bob Wise released a road map for the future of American Education. In a letter to governors, they described their shared vision: Our vision is an education that maximizes every child’s potential for learning, prepares every child with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and careers, and launches every child into the world with the ability to pursue his or her dreams. By unleashing the power of digital learning, America has the ability to realize that vision today. Digital learning can customize and personalize education so all students learn in their own style at their own pace, which maximizes their chances for success in school and beyond. With digital learning, every student — from rural communities to inner cities — can access high quality and rigorous courses in every subject, including foreign languages, math and science.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-vander-ark/digital-learning-now_b_792185.html

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Course evaluations completed online starting this semester

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

By DAVID RIEDELL, The Daily Tar Heel

Beginning this semester, students can say goodbye to pesky course evaluation Scantrons. As classes come to an end, most departments will be administering evaluations online, saving the University paper, working hours and cash. The move will also lead to faster response times, with professors receiving the results of the survey in early January rather than March.

http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2010/12/course_evaluations_completed_online_starting_this_semester

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Princeton USG considers online learning course initiative, Taste of Prospect

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

By Areej Hassan, Daily Princetonian

The USG is considering a proposal to make recordings of large, introductory lectures like ECO 100: Introduction to Microeconomics available online to University students and the general public, U-Councilor Alex Pretko ′12 explained at the USG Senate meeting held in Frist 309 on Sunday night. At the meeting, USG members also welcomed newly elected officers, issued updates on past projects and discussed future initiatives. Online course videos would help students shop for classes, study for exams and view missed lectures by going to course archives, Pretko said, adding that it would also allow students to “take” classes for which they cannot officially register.

http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2010/12/06/27108/

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