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Online Learning News and Research
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Saturday, January 01, 2005
Online Education: Innovative & Personal - Brent Muirhead, ITDL
Distance education has demonstrated remarkable growth in student enrollment in the for-profit higher education institutions. Currently, the University of Phoenix has grown to become the largest private university in the United States with over 227,000 students who take classes online and at one of their 158 campuses. There has been a steady increase in the number of online degree programs and online classes that are being offered at traditional universities. Technology advances have increased student access to library content through e-journals, e-books and databases. Online education is entering a new phase of development that places a greater emphasis on academic quality in degree programs. Contemporary online schools must continually upgrade their technology and curriculum to effectively prepare students for current and future jobs and educational opportunities (0) comments
Is online learning right for you? - Nettie Hartsock, Streaming Media IQ
In the past six years, online education for both professional adults and new learners has grown as an increasingly popular and viable alternative to gathering degrees and certifications previously only offered on-site via campus or workplace training programs. If you’re considering e-learning, there are some very good questions to look at prior to tackling a distance learning program. One of the most important items to consider in online learning vs. on-site educational options is if the online courses and curriculum will match your learning style and your time constraints. (0) comments
Framingham State puts paperless classes to test - Peter Schworm, Boston Globe
Arriving at his Tuesday morning English class at Framingham State College, Joe LaFauci consulted his syllabus for the day's assignment. But instead of digging through his backpack for a crumpled course outline, he logged onto the class Web page on his wireless laptop. There, he found a few announcements and writing suggestions from the teacher. In a class billed as "virtually paperless," there are no handouts, only postings. LaFauci called up an edited assignment, with revisions written in digital blue bubbles instead of red ink. Students fixed their gaze not on a teacher behind a lectern, but on their softly glowing monitors. (0) comments Friday, December 31, 2004
COMPARISON OF OUTCOMES IN-RESIDENCE AND ASYNCHRONOUS DISTANCE-BASED PHARM.D. STUDENTS - Ronald E. Ragan, and James W. Kleoppel, JALN
The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the academic outcomes of distance-based students in the asynchronous non-traditional pathway with in-residence students in the traditional pathway on examples of like examinations in the Pharm.D. curriculum at the Kansas University School of Pharmacy. This study evaluated the commitment of assuring equivalent outcomes for students in non-traditional and traditional Pharm.D. pathways, as stipulated by the School of Pharmacy accrediting body, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE). Similar examinations were administered to both groups of students. Scores were evaluated using the Student t-Test and ANOVA. This study demonstrates that average test scores of distance-based students were equal to or higher than their counterpart in-residence students when tested on physical assessment content. (0) comments
Technology bringing education into reach - Cecilia Fanchiang, Taiwan Journal
The lightning-fast pace of technological growth and advancement is making life easier for people in countless different ways, not the least of which is in the realm of education. Electronic communications systems are becoming faster and more reliable, opening up many opportunities for distance learning. As Taiwan Journal staff writer Cecilia Fanchiang discovers, this is especially true in Taiwan, which already enjoys a relatively high Internet-penetration rate. Taiwan's success at information technology (IT) manufacturing is well documented. It is perhaps not surprising therefore that this IT expertise would be applied to a wide range of applications, such as computer-aided distance learning. In 1994, the Ministry of Education (MOE), along with several local universities, launched a pilot program that offered courses over the Internet. Now, 10 years later, that project has expanded to a much broader scale, and administrators are taking another look at where distance learning will go in the future. (0) comments
Economics, Specialization Fuel Growth of Professional eLearning
Demand for online courses will almost double in 2005, as professionals and companies realize e-learning's distinct advantages, according to officials at RedVector.com, a Tampa-based company that offers online courses to professionals involved in the design and construction industries. A recent survey of RedVector.com clients indicates professionals and corporate leaders had different reasons for adopting online education: professionals cited the variety and depth of course offerings while corporate leaders cited cost savings and relevance of courses to business goals. (0) comments Thursday, December 30, 2004
GENDER AND ONLINE DISCOURSE IN THE PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS - Duane B. Graddy, JALN
Collaboration is the heart of online learning. Interaction among course participants brings excitement to the online environment and creates knowledge as a group activity. Impediments to active collaboration reduce group, as well as individual, potentialities. Past studies of online discussions have found differences in the style of female and male conversations that could impede the learning process. The conversational styles of female and male students in two online principles of economics classes were analyzed in the present study. The null hypothesis posited no difference in the styles of online discourse between female and male students. The null hypothesis was rejected, implying gender differences in conversational styles. The tone of male postings was more optimistic than the tone of female postings. Female conversations used words revealing social isolation and the rejection of social norms. The paper also discussed the issue of the male X-factor in the principles of economics from a sociolinguistic perspective. (0) comments
The Growth and Development of Humanities Computing - Martyn Jessop, Ubiquity
The application of computing to research problems in the humanities is not new. One of the acknowledged pioneers in this area, Father Robert Busa, began his work on the Index Thomisticus (an index to the works of the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas) in the late 1040s, very soon after the first stored-program computer was developed. Many followed his lead, including Antonio Zampolli who pioneered the application of computational techniques in literary and linguistic research from the 1960s. Despite this long association of applied computing with humanities research it is only in recent years that the application of computing techniques has become widespread among humanities scholars. The reason for this is almost certainly that it has taken a long time for computing techniques and technology to advance to a state where they can process the myriad and complex data sources of the humanities and begin to answer the manifold questions asked by researchers. (0) comments
Automotive training on the Web growing - Marty Sauerzopf, The Arizona Republic
Hot-rod owner Kenneth Parker has always had a bit of motor oil running through his veins. But with a wife and two children, the 38-year-old Surprise resident couldn't find time for an automotive education. That changed in September, when the Universal Technical Institute in Avondale launched the FlexTech online learning program. The highly visual and graphics-rich Internet system allows fledgling auto technicians to learn their craft and keep their day jobs by working online from home and then attending labs at night. (0) comments Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Guidelines for Establishing Interactivity in Online Courses - Mark Mabrito, Innovate
Students are most successful in online courses that provide ample opportunities for them to interact with the instructor, other students, and the course content. An interactive online course must engage students as active learners rather than as passive participants. How can instructors design virtual classrooms that offer students with a variety of learning styles and preferences the greatest chance of success? This article suggests ways of increasing interactivity in online educational environments. (0) comments
Distance learning grants offered - Fort Morgan Times
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has announced the application window for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.The program is specifically designed to provide access to education, training and health care resources for residents in rural America. Grants will be awarded competitively and the application deadline is Feb. 1. (0) comments
More students take advantage of online courses - Ann Austin, Albert Lea Tribune
It's almost New Years' and many people have already started looking forward to 2006. Some may even have New Years' resolutions.But what if your resolution is to become more learned, yet you can't go back to school because you have a family, a full-time job and a variety of other engagements?No worries, eLearning is an option you can't refuse.The Desire2Learn system, offered through Riverland Community College, manages online courses in basically every discipline studied at the school. Though Riverland has offered online education for about five years, its their first semester using the Desire2Learn software. (0) comments Tuesday, December 28, 2004
CORRELATIONAL ANALYSIS OF STUDENT VISIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE IN ONLINE LEARNING - Minjuan Wang, JALN
This study examines the relationship between student visibility and learning outcomes in a graduate-level online course. Visibility in this study refers to students’ cognitive, social, and emotive presence [1, 2] in various communication settings, such as posts on the discussion board, contributions in live chats, email messages, online profiles, and inputs via any other means of communication. A visibility score is determined for each student, and the Spearman r correlational tests are used to detect any significant correlation between visibility and learning outcomes (grades). In addition, two surveys were distributed to the students at the end of the course: (a) Survey on Self-Perception on Learning Experiences provides a context for understanding student performance; and (b) Survey on Useful Aspects of Socializing Online asks students to rank the importance of eight types of online activities, such as sharing information, solving problems, and making friends. Both surveys probe into students’ perceptions and social context, which often have great impact on students’ online presence. (0) comments
Simulations at the University of Phoenix
Simulations are a dynamic set of custom business simulations that place students into real-world environments. Students learn through the process of discovery. This discovery process allows students to apply critical thinking skills to decision-making situations and ultimately, enhances learning outcomes. Simulations are not pre-packaged training courses. They have been designed to put the learner in the position of a key decision maker of an organization and to apply the principles introduced in that specific course. Simulations were designed, developed, and tested by University of Phoenix faculty for University of Phoenix students. Simulations have been designed using Macromedia® Flash™, and can be easily run via any Internet connection. They are a part of University of Phoenix’s initiative to deliver all course content electronically. (0) comments
New Audiographic Software adds Interaction to Red Deer College’s Online Education Programs
Red Deer College in Alberta has found a way to differentiate itself in the ever-expanding e-learning market. It’s new Virtual Assistant Certificate Program taps into the trend of telecommuting. This online program provides opportunities for students to gain entrepreneurial skills, attitudes, technology skills, and related knowledge to adapt to providing office services virtually from their homes. The program utilizes the audiographic software Elluminate Live! Academic Edition, which takes the essence of face-to-face learning and applies it to distance learning. Students enjoy real-time two-way audio, direct messaging, live webcam, interactive whiteboards, and breakout rooms. Instructors can create content, conduct presentations, as well as track and control participation. (0) comments Monday, December 27, 2004
E-classes click with students - HOLLY K. HACKER, The Dallas Morning News
People shop online, pay bills online and even meet each other online. So why not take classes online, too? That seems to be the mindset of a rising number of students in Texas and elsewhere. Nationwide, an estimated 2.6 million students are taking online classes, based on a survey released in November by the Sloan Consortium, a group of universities and organizations trying to improve online learning. That's up from about 2 million students just a year ago. Texas' two- and four-year colleges, particularly public ones, report hearty growth, too. (0) comments
Users Becoming Communities at SLATE and RockyBGU
In 2002, two different Blackboard users, hundreds of miles from each other, found themselves looking for something very similar. In fact, while they may not even have been aware of it at the time, both Jane Maurer and Ken Sadowski were looking for a user group in which they could leverage the collective expertise of their peers. Entering 2005, it is no surprise that the two different user groups that were born of their efforts are different in many ways, but it's also clear that both are seeing the tangible benefits associated with communities of practice. (0) comments
Bureaucrats to learn ethics via Net - Yomiuri Shimbun
The Japan National Personnel Authority has decided to adopt Internet-based training, known as e-learning, this fiscal year for 300,000 central government employees engaged in clerical work. E-learning, which enables people to receive educational materials and study online, has grown in popularity as it places few restrictions on time and place for study. An increasing number of English-language conversation classes and certificate courses have adopted e-learning. (0) comments Sunday, December 26, 2004
MODELS OF LARGE-SCALE E-LEARNING - Martin Weller, JALN
Early interest in e-learning focused around the possibility of large-scale courses. This led to pronouncements of the demise of the educator, which were based on an infinite lecture hall pedagogy. However, cost-effective models of large-scale e-learning have proven difficult to implement. This paper examines some of the initial reaction to the notion of large-scale courses and sets out the cost difficulties associated with such courses. Five models of large-scale e-learning are proposed. Each of these have implicit associated pedagogies. The majority of these assume instructivist pedagogy. Large-scale models that use a more constructivist pedagogy may be possible using community based approaches. The importance of differentiating between pedagogic styles and scale of implementations is stressed as it highlights the reasoning behind some of the initial claims against e-learning. (0) comments
Online lessons popular option - Eric Stevick, Heraldnet
More and more community college students in Snohomish County and across the state are taking courses from instructors they seldom or never see. Enrollment in online courses is soaring as students young and old search for ways to sandwich classes between jobs and busy schedules. More than 47,000 students across Washington enrolled in at least one online class during the 2003-04 school year, tripling the enrollment of 15,638 five years before. "It has really taken off here," said Charleen Khane, interim associate dean of distance learning at Edmonds Community College, where online enrollment also has tripled over the same period. (0) comments
Online Studies A Valid Path To A Degree - CtNow
As any working student could attest, balancing studies with a job can be an exhausting pursuit. In my last semester of graduate school, for instance, it took record levels of caffeine to survive 30-hour workweeks and four academic courses. But such madness can be better managed, thanks to the proliferation of online degree programs that let you attend classes through the Internet - as your schedule permits. Nearly 1 million students are pursuing an online degree, about 6 percent of all post-secondary enrollment, according to Eduventures, an education research and consulting firm in Boston. (0) comments
Online lessons popular option: Community colleges are seeing growth in the number of students studying over the Internet - Eric Stevick, Heraldnet
More and more community college students in Snohomish County and across the state are taking courses from instructors they seldom or never see. Enrollment in online courses is soaring as students young and old search for ways to sandwich classes between jobs and busy schedules. More than 47,000 students across Washington enrolled in at least one online class during the 2003-04 school year, tripling the enrollment of 15,638 five years before. "It has really taken off here," said Charleen Khane, interim associate dean of distance learning at Edmonds Community College, where online enrollment also has tripled over the same period. (0) comments
Online lessons popular option: Community colleges are seeing growth in the number of students studying over the Internet - Eric Stevick, Heraldnet
More and more community college students in Snohomish County and across the state are taking courses from instructors they seldom or never see. Enrollment in online courses is soaring as students young and old search for ways to sandwich classes between jobs and busy schedules. More than 47,000 students across Washington enrolled in at least one online class during the 2003-04 school year, tripling the enrollment of 15,638 five years before. "It has really taken off here," said Charleen Khane, interim associate dean of distance learning at Edmonds Community College, where online enrollment also has tripled over the same period. (0) comments Online Learning News Blog Archives OTEL - Ray's Home Page - Notebook - UIS Online - U of I Online - UIS Home Fair Use |
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