Online Learning Update

By Alexandra Rice, Chronicle of Higher Ed

Welcome packets for students at Western Governors University now include a free Webcam, part of an extensive monitoring program used by the online university to make sure test-takers are who they say they are. At Western Governors, the average student is 36 years old, has a family, and takes a full course load on top of holding a full-time job. Because it’s convenient for them to be able to take tests from home, students have embraced the technology, says Janet W. Schnitz, associate provost for assessment and interim provost at the university. The university, which first started handing out cameras in July 2010, now has over 30,000 Web cams in use.

http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/to-monitor-online-testing-western-governors-u-gives-students-webcams/34099

by Nick Gillespie, Reason.tv

As governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, Jeb Bush championed school choice. His first year in office he created a program that offered vouchers to students in failing schools. The program successfully boosted student achievement until it was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2006. Two other Bush-supported programs — one that offers tax credits to business that help send low-income kids to private schools and another that gives vouchers to disabled students — survived the high-court ruling. Bush also expanded the Florida Virtual School, a national model for online public education. Since leaving office, Bush has promoted his reform agenda in other states. He founded the Foundation for Excellence in Education and serves as co-chair of the Digital Learning Council.

http://youtu.be/c4TSOHtQoW8

by Muneer Abbad, Mohamad Al bargothi, iJet

The number of students studying online has been dramatically increased. This has brought an interest and encouragement to some researchers to examine and evaluate the values perceived from the online learning, and why these vast amounts of students are joining the online learning. The purpose of this study is dedicated to evaluate the students’ perception of the e-learning system at Paisley University. This study evaluates several factors influencing the perceptions of the undergraduate students who undertaken the information management course. The outcome of this study shows that online students perceived the values of the e-learning system differently and the factors mentioned in the literature review each of whom has its own effect on their perceptions.

http://online-journals.org/i-jet/article/view/1489

by Ansar Khoury, Lubna Nasir Eddeen, Doaa Saadah, Osama Harfoushi:   iJet

Many educational institutions have adopted E-Learning system or are thinking to adopt it in their educational systems. As a nearly recent system, many do not know the exact meaning of E-Learning, or why should it be used? After using it, will the institution face any problems? And what are the best solutions for these problems? This paper aims to answer all the above questions. In addition, it discusses the ways to transform traditional learning systems to E-Learning, and how to measure the advantages of this transformation. Finally, the students’ views of E-Learning show that they prefer e-learning over traditional system.

http://online-journals.org/i-jet/article/view/1610

by Jeb Bush and Jim Hunt, Inside Higher Ed

Addressing these issues in their entirety will take time, but today — right now — colleges and universities must embrace new digital and online delivery tools to make educational content available to degree-seeking students wherever they are, whenever they need it. Doing so will allow colleges and universities to raise revenue, increase access and contribute to America’s long-term competitiveness. The 2010 U.S. Department of Education’s “Review of Online Learning Studies” found that students who took all or part of a course online perform better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction. Similarly, a study conducted in the same year by the internationally known scholars Mickey Shachar and Yoram Neumann that analyzed 20 years of research on the topic showed that in 70 percent of the cases, students who took distance-learning courses outperformed their counterparts who took courses in a traditional environment.

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2011/10/06/bush_hunt_essay_on_why_public_universities_need_to_embrace_online_education

by CM Carmean, Grid Knowledge

My first week at the amazing, lovely and vibrant UWT ended with a presentation to the faculty on – what else? – Why I Love Online Learning! Putting my cards on the table, letting them know who I am, what I do, and how I can help move new technologies into the curriculum if they love online learning too. And how I love not only online learning, but all kinds of online learning. LMS, PLE, social, collaborative, reflective, asynchronous, hybrid, new remote communication possibilities, and more. Here, there, and in new ways of teaching and learning in the classroom.

http://gridknowledge.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-i-love-online-learning.html

By Wayne Grayson, Tuscaloosa News

New guidelines in a federal law require higher education institutions across the country to ensure all required online course materials are accessible to those with hearing, sight or other impairments. The American Disabilities Act was established in 1990 to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. The act’s new guidelines were announced in the spring and arose from a lawsuit brought against Arizona State University by the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind. According to a blog post on the Chronicle of Higher Education website, the suit was aimed at ASU’s use of the Amazon Kindle e-reader as a way to distribute textbooks to students. Though the device has a text-to-speech feature, its menus do not offer blind students a way to activate that feature, read a book or purchase new books. The suit asked for investigations of similar practices at other universities as well. The new ADA guidelines require institutions looking into adopting the Kindle, Apple’s iPad tablet or other emerging technologies to ensure they are accessible.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20111031/news/111039981

By Laura Devaney, eSchool News

In 2010, more than 4 million K-12 students participated in formal virtual learning programs. As more students opt to enroll full-time or part-time in virtual learning programs, a growing number of states are considering proposals mandating that students take at least one online course before graduating from high school. An important step for states considering such a requirement is to define what they mean by virtual learning and taking an online course, because definitions can vary. The motivation behind the requirement is key, too.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/11/02/more-states-look-to-online-learning-for-students/

by the San Francisco Chronicle

The WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) has honored Michael J. Offerman, president emeritus, Capella University, with the Richard Jonsen Award, given annually to a WCET member whose career has been committed to improving postsecondary educational programs and services through innovative uses of technology. The award also recognizes Offerman’s exceptional service to WCET, a membership organization that works to accelerate the adoption of effective practices and policies, advancing excellence in technology-enhanced teaching and learning in higher education. The announcement was made at WCET’s annual membership conference in Denver, Colorado. Offerman was honored with this lifetime achievement award for his impact and commitment in promoting access, quality, accountability, and consumer information for adult working students. He led the expansion of Capella University’s infrastructure, policies, and services, and promoted innovation in areas of student services, program improvement, and quality measurements within Capella’s online programs

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/11/02/prweb8927896.DTL

by Chris Marlowe, Digital Media Wire

Digital publisher Mindshapes has raised $5 million in initial funding from its five founders and from unnamed angels, the company said. The influx will be used to launch two online learning virtual worlds, as well as to expand its app and browser-based educational game products. The first of these two worlds will be Magic Town, where children can explore, learn and interact with their favorite picture book characters. Deals are already in place with publishers for titles featuring Elmer (a patchwork elephant, for the uninitiated), Winnie the Witch and Little Princess. The next one will be Language City, a task-based virtual world for learning languages, soon to be launched in closed beta.

http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2011/11/02/mindshapes-raises-5-million-to-create-learning-worlds

By Bobby Burch, the Kansan

The University of Kansas’ Center for Research on Learning received a $7.5 million grant to study the effectiveness of online learning for students with disabilities in kindergarten through 12th grade. The study will help advance new uses of technology in education, said Diana Greer, assistant research professor at the University’s Center for Research on Learning. She said the grant will also develop a better understanding of how the Internet can improve learning. “The rate of online learning is increasing at a dramatic pace and what we’re finding is that we don’t know a lot about effective online instruction for students with disabilities,” Greer said. “As more and more of these students are using online as a means of instruction, it’s important to learn about what’s effective for these students.”

http://www.kansan.com/news/2011/oct/31/university-awarded-75-million-research/?news

by Kelly Meeker, Open Sesame Blog

New form learning begets a new kind of learning: Where the learner is empowered to find information as she needs it, and where information is organized, shared and accessible to everyone. In this function, learning is a journey, an experience – where a little occurs all the time and where content is available in a variety of formats, shared in a variety of ways and is, above all, flexible. So here’s to fighting the good fight! Let’s make “elearning” more than PowerPoint – let’s make it a new, online learning, where opportunities to improve and excel are integrated into every aspect of professional life.

https://www.opensesame.com/blog/online-learning-more-learning-online

by John Brooks, CBS

Starting in 2012, overcrowded classes could be a thing of the past at California State University . Schools throughout the state will offer students nearly a half-dozen online courses beginning in January. The cyber-school CSU Online will likely expand its curriculum in the months after its debut in an effort to ease enrollment for new and returning students at a time when statewide budget cuts are taking a toll on classes. A new feature being developed — dubbed the CSU Accelerator — would be used by students willing to pay a higher price for online access to overcrowded courses that would otherwise be unavailable.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/10/31/csu-to-debut-online-courses-to-ease-overcrowding-cash-crunch/

by Debra Black, Toronto Star

While many students are home studying or out partying with friends at midnight, some students at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Mass., are just starting their academic day. For the past three years the community college has been offering some of its educational requirement courses at midnight, including everything from algebra to psychology and college writing. It’s all part of an ongoing trend at community colleges to offer as wide a variety of courses both in the classroom and online and at all times of day to meet a growing demand. Bunker Hill, the largest community college in Massachusetts, was the first in the U.S. to offer courses at midnight, beginning in the fall of 2009. The innovative move has been followed by a number of other community colleges there. But the trend hasn’t moved north quite yet. Here in Toronto the best some community colleges offer are online learning programs available 24/7.

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/1079226–bring-coffee-boston-community-college-fills-niche-by-offering-midnight-courses?bn=1

By Scott Olster, Fortune

Selling out, cashing in and calling it a day seems to be many startup founders’ dream these days. And in a shaky market, who can really blame them? New York-based Knewton is hanging tough. The online learning company announced on Tuesday that it is pairing up with Pearson to add its adaptive learning technology to all of the publisher’s online courses, starting with its college-level programs.  Instead of selling itself, Knewton has entered into an agreement with the industry giant, which might otherwise have been an acquirer. The deal is just the latest sign that some startups are holding their own with the industry’s heavyweights as the market for new educational technology heats up.

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/01/the-race-for-education-tech-heats-up/

by the Pasadena Star

JUST as the University of California prepares to announce its first group of fully online courses for its undergraduates, the California State University announced this week that it, too, will begin to expand its computer-based options for its 412,000 students. It already offers degrees in 63 disciplines entirely online – most of them in master’s degree programs. For years now, especially early adopters have been calling what’s sometimes known as distance learning the future of education. Now, with high-speed Internet access commonplace, with laptops and smart phones and iPads, with users more at ease with the kinds of video images we see on Skype, it’s not just early adopters who are comfortable with the idea.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_19236307

 by Seth Slabaugh, Star-Press

Ball State University has launched its education-of-the-future initiative in a group of offices in room 214 of the Ball Communication Building. The room houses the New Learning Technologies Resource Center as well as iLearn: Integrated Learning Institute. “Faculty always are the content experts in the areas in which they teach, but they may not be technological experts and may not understand exactly how to put their courses online,” said Jennifer Bott, a former associate professor of management who has been elevated to the newly created position of interim assistant provost for learning initiatives. “So what we have done is built that capacity to provide the support they need to do that without having to become experts in the various technologies we may use.”

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20111031/NEWS01/110310325/BSU-adds-staff-help-profs-move-courses-online?odyssey=nav%7Chead

By KIM KOMANDO, south Bend Tribune

Every morning, more than 225,000 kids in 27 states roll out of bed and attend public K-12 schools simply by turning on their computers. No waiting for buses. No cliques or bullies. No anxiety about gym class or the cafeteria. The old image of “home schooling” has been dramatically changed, thanks to high-speed Internet access and the ever-expanding digital outreach of public schools. Even just a decade ago, the burden of preparing lesson plans and of teaching complex subjects fell squarely on home-schooling parents. With online learning, it’s back in the hands of professional and fully accredited teachers.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/business/sbt-20111031sbtmichc-01-04-20111031,0,7501839.story

by Maureen Downey, Atlanta Journal Constitution

Oakwood Digital Academy provides a second chance at a diploma to high school students who are off track. The school provides flexibility because it offers self-directed online courses. The students must attend school each day for three hours, but they have three blocks of time from which to choose, allowing them to juggle work and classes. It appears the self-directed study and flexible scheduling are an appealing combo. The school has 150 kids on its waiting list. But Oakwood also has a grad rate of 40 percent, which it blames on the fact that its students arrive far behind and have to play catch-up.

http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2011/10/31/are-online-courses-a-way-to-reach-the-disaffected-and-disengaged/?cxntfid=blogs_get_schooled_blog

by Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle

Everyone’s getting into the game. Just weeks before the University of California unveils its first array of online courses for undergraduates, California State University is polishing up CSU Online – a cyber-school expansion that will begin with a $50,000 pledge from each of its 23 campuses, a cross-your-fingers plan to get $20 million from the state, and a nearly hired director to oversee it all. “Online is increasingly the medium,” said John Welty, president of Cal State Fresno and head of the committees developing CSU Online and searching for its new director. “It’s a beginning step for the CSU to expand its options. We’ll be available statewide and beyond the state.”

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/29/BAI81LINJL.DTL

by Scott H. Young

Over the next 12 months, I’m going to learn the entire 4-year MIT curriculum for computer science, without taking any classes. Computers have always fascinated me. From finance to Facebook, algorithms are the hidden language that underlies most of our life. The largest transformations of our world are being written in code, and advancements in artificial intelligence allow us to use computers to understand what it means to be human.  Beyond the poetry of the machine, computer science is also immensely practical. Fortunes have been made and revolutions sparked on lines of code. I’ve always wanted to speak that language. But, I didn’t want to invest four years of my life and hundreds of thousands of dollars to learn it. I’m embarking on this experiment because I want to show that learning doesn’t require acceptance boards and SAT tests, thousands of dollars in debt, or even the 4-year pace most students assume is necessary to learn a subject.

http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/mit-challenge/

http://youtu.be/1F3vmNeyOvU