Students flocking to online universities

Here's a story from the BBC about the revolution in students seeking online college courses and how the government in the UK is committed to 'embedding e-learning' over the next decade.

There has been much talk of a coming revolution in higher education caused by electronic media and the ability of students to study whole courses from a distance.

But it seems the greater change might be for students studying in university but with greater use of online technology.

Watching the Cyber Detectives

Want to become a certified private cyber detective? An interesting way to combine a career as a private detective with information technology is to start with a vocational course or IT security program and work your way into study of IT. One of the biggest surges in crime in the past few years has been in cyber crime, identity theft, hacking, fraud, etc., and the people with the skills at both following physical and psychological leads while also having the computer knowledge to track skilled criminals down is hard to find.

Cyber crime often pays … but in the case of this story from MIS out of the UK, the high-tech crime detectives got their men.

According to Bank Systems and Technology Online, banks are increasingly looking for people to work within their corporations to stop cyber crime before it hits.

A long time cyber G-Man, Howard Schmidt warns that fighting cyber crime is a zer-sum game at Red Herring. Perhaps what the industry needs is a few most honest and well educated cyber detectives.

Here are a few places to start you search for online programs which may help you become a cyber detective.

Colorado Technical University has programs in Information Systems Security.

ITT Technical Institute has programs in Information Systems Security.

Norwich University Online – has a Master of Science program in Information Assurance IT Security.

Thomson Education Direct has Vocational Courses in Private Investigating.

And here you can find information about criminal justice programs, including many in IT security.

Study fower arranging, floral design certification

With Valentine's Day coming on fast, the need for flowers, as well as flower arrangement and floral design skyrockets. But it's not just Valentine's Day that keeps these artists busy. Weddings, funerals and year round romance all create a market for flowers. Why not pursue a professional career in flower arranging?

I believe many flower shops only hire certified floral designers. And I recently heard on NPR a story about how in Louisianna, prospective disigners have to pass a statewide test — given by and judged by floral designers already in the business. How's that for foxes guarding the henhouse?

There are many certification programs at local community colleges, but you can also do the same thing without leaving your home (or garden) by taking an online program in flower arranging. Maybe not in Louisianna. But I don't know. You'll probably want to check with possible employers first. Unless you plan on opening your own flowershop, of course. For more information, you may want to look at the American Institute of Floral Designers.

Check out Thomson Education Direct, which has courses in Floral Design, Interior Decoration, Professional Bridal Consultant, Web Page Designer, Internet Multimedia and Design, AutoCad, Computer Graphics Artist, Graphic Design Technology.

U.S. Navy sails into waters of distance learning

From the Navy News StandNaval Medicine's Lab in Peru Participates in Distance-Learning ProgramNaval Medicine's research facility in Lima, Peru, has tapped into a new clinical research training program offered by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. The training program is transmitted to subscribers in real time by satellite or Web videocast.

"This is the first time the program has been implemented at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD) and also the first time NMRCD is using videoconference capacities for training. The current training cycle began in October 2003 and runs until February 2004," said Willy Lescano, NMRCD's training coordinator.

Click here for links to recent logs about distance learning for members of the military.

Paying for college

You get what you pay for, is the old cliche. In many cases it is true. But the fact is, you are probably paying too much for your education. But how will you pay for college? First, you need to look around for the most afforable programs.

College expenses rack up faster than you realize. You not only have to pay for courses, but tack on your books, rent, food, entertainment, and other intangibles and the yearly numbers for one student could fund a Third World Army battalion. I'm still paying off Student Loans a few years out, which is not uncommon at all.

Here is an article from MySanAntonio.com abut how high prices are keeping many out of higher education, especially in our current economic climate.

One thing prospective and current students can do to influence their public leaders is to get out and vote. Secondly, they can write letters.

You can also take online courses and find many resources right here. Not only are online courses cheaper, you can also shape your program more flexibly to be able to work and live — choose when you study online.

So get out and vote in the next election. And try some online classes while you are at it. It is YOUR dollar paying for your education, not the State's, not the teachers and educators. The more students choose alternative options at prices more afforable to them, the more chances there will be to bring prices down at the larger universities.

Telecommute to school

There are many ways to make online college degrees work for you.

First is to shop around and find the best program for your money. It's time to start your educational shopping.

From the Bay City Times … More students earning college degrees through online classes

These armchair scholars count time as their most valuable asset, and they don't want to spend it sitting in a classroom or in a car driving to a far-off university.While there may be community colleges in your area where you can take most of your courses, perhaps they do not offer some that you'd really like to take. Perhaps time constraints may not let you get the classes you want if they are only offered at certain times. Why should you wait another semester to take a course when you can take it now? It makes more sense to do some educational shopping. It's time to make your online college degree work for you.

Here is an article from the Kalamazoo Gazette which highlights a few good points about getting your degree by combining traditional education with online distance learning.

College-class options get easier Online courses, distance learning help students earn degreesIncluded is a testimonial about the benefits on using online coursework to supplement traditional studies and balance work, life and study by creating your own structure. Tom Schmidt says that he uses the University of Phoenix campus location as well as online services through the same provider. Though seeking an MBA, his case applies to nearly anyone looking to tailor their education in the way that suits them best.

Tom Schmidt, 43, who works in Pfizer Inc.'s strategic facilities planning unit, said he enrolled in an MBA program last February through the University of Phoenix to advance his education and to keep his job skills current. He is taking classes that meet weekly at the university's Portage location because, between his job and his family commitments, time is at a premium.

You can also stay right here (which I would much prefer). Though this weblog is in the early stages, I have started to list many links you can find at the left side of this page. For example, you can also go check out something like Associates Degrees and then scroll down the left side of the page for a whole list of other links to online universities. Each of these links goes to a page where you can request more information about the programs they offer.

College resources, links and rankings

Here is a nice collection of college resources with links I stumbled upon at CollegeConfidential.com. If you are looking for traditional university information, this is a good place to check out. There isn't a ton about online higher education or distance education, but I've still not found any place that does have a good overview of this.

College Help From CollegeConfidential.com

• College
  Search Resources
• College
  Admissions Resources
• College
  Books & Reviews
• Financial
  Aid Resources
• Ask
  The Dean
• College
  Rankings – Analyzed

There is also a pretty good overview about the pros and cons of college rankings.

I've already listed some information on the U.S. News and World Report rankings, but here is another below. Only problem is that is doesn't seem to have much about online universities and programs. I've yet to find a very good or accurate ranking of online schools, so if anyone out there knows of one, I'd sure like to hear about it.
Laissez-FaireCollegeConfidential also has a great page of links for universties, yet sadly again, I haven't seen much about taking courses and degrees online.

School Test Data Available Online

This just over the wire from the EDUCAUSE listserv …

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PUTS SCHOOL TEST DATA ON WEBThis week a new Web site went online (www.schoolresults.org) as part of
the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, an education law that had strong support from President Bush. The site displays results from testing of elementary school students sorted by geographic area. The data include statistics about the percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged and the numbers of students who show acceptable progress in reading and math proficiency. Data are currently available for six states–delaware, Florida, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington–and data from all states is expected to be available eventually. Testing for middle and high school students is not scheduled to begin until 2006. The project was funded jointly by the federal government and the Broad Foundation, which supports elementary and secondary public education.More on this topic can be found at Federal Computer Week, 3 February 2004.

Check this out for more information on Education degree programs online.

Studies in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs

Having problems getting your message across to friends and allies around the world?

Does your axis of Evil get turned into an Axis of War as soon as it comes from your mouth?

If the last few years have made you cringe over how various governments have handled their international diplomacy, you might be interested in a career that will lead you to one day help make better decisions. But how does one get into diplomacy studies? There are various routes – military careers, political science studies, law – as well as in the business arena. First off, it helps to be well read in the field of international affairs.

A good place to start for a number of links to international organizations is International Affairs.com.Another one of my favorites is GlobalSecurity.org.

Here are a few important articles from the last year which will help you get a grasp of what lies in store.

What the World Thinks Now, from the Pew Research Foundation. (pdf)

An article on alienating allies — No Way to Make Friends

The official " National Security Strategy of the United States&lrquo; (pdf)

And finally, George C. Marshall's Nobel acceptance speech.

For studies in diplomacy, there are many political science programs out there to choose from. For online courses, you might want to check out the Norwich University Online MA program in Diplomacy.

E-Commerce and E-Business Courses Online

While many large businesses have already moved online, small businesses have often lagged behind. But even small businesses can make their names known if they find a niche for their services.

Here is an article from MyBusiness Magazine about how small businesses are attracting customers by moving toward an ever increasing need for online ' brand recognition'.

Consumers as a whole are moving online in droves – your customers included. During the 2003 holiday shopping season, online orders grew 29 percent over previous years, according to research firm comScore Networks. And consumers weren't buying just at mega sites. Small online retailers also enjoyed big boosts in their sales. Since it appears this " Internet thing&lrquo; is here to stay, it's survival of the smartest now. Despite all the favorable statistics, do you still worry e-commerce would kill the respected brand that took you years to build? We found four small businesses that say, Fear not. With at least 50 years of experience at each business, these owners understand why established companies resist change. But they also know how quickly a business can die in this new economy. On the following pages, discover why the fastest-growing small businesses are putting a lot of energy into e-commerce.Here is an interesting article from Searcher with interviews of early online business pioneers that should be required reading for anyone considering a field in Internet business.

And while the Dot Com boom in Silicon Valley may have busted in recent years, that doesn't mean it isn't flourishing elsewhere. India is a prime example. And now in Germany start-ups are beginning to start a mini-boom. Here is a piece from Business Week on the signs of life in Europe's start-ups.

If business creation can gather momentum, that is good news indeed for the European economy. The Continent, led by Germany, has long lagged Britain and the U.S. in entrepreneurial drive. The rap has been that Europeans are pretty good at inventing things but bad at spinning their discoveries into gold. "New product concepts have often come from Europe, but they have often been commercialized in Silicon Valley," says Apax partner Christian Reitberger, noting that a German research institute invented the technology behind MP3 music players, while foreign companies such as Sony Corp. made all the money. The result: Europe hasn't created enough new companies to replace the jobs eliminated by traditional manufacturers.Here are a few online universities which have programs in e-business and e-commerce online.

Westwood College Online has a program focusing on E-Business Management, where you can learn the basics of marketing, business management, finance and retail to the power of advanced technology.

The University of Phoenix Online Certificate Programs in E-Business in order to equip managers with the necessary skills to conduct business in an e-business environment. Topics include: managerial communication; electronic transactions; strategic management; legal, ethical and regulatory issues; operations; e-marketing; risk management; and global solutions as they relate to e-business.

University of Phoenix Online Bachelors of Science in E-Business which blends business and information technology to address the emerging field of e-Commerce and e-Business. The program courses provide fundamental knowledge and application in both business and information technology. The curriculum is designed to produce graduates ready to function in e-Business positions with the competencies, skills, and attitudes necessary for success in the workplace. It forms the basis for continued career growth, life-long learning as a professional or for the student who desires to continue his or her education in a graduate program.

University of Phoenix Online Master's Programs MBA in E-Business. This MBA/e-Business program is designed to meet the needs of a broad but unique population–the working adult manager or supervisor who could benefit from a graduate business education. The program requires a practical background in business, and the successful candidate will have at least three years of relevant experience. The various components of the program–curriculum, learning resources, and faculty–have been selected to produce specific outcomes. These outcomes, while reflecting contemporary academic practice, also focus on the functional competencies required of working managers. Thus, the MBA program emphasizes the identification, analysis, and solution of complex management problems that require technical understanding and balanced decision making. Although a functional knowledge of economics, accounting, finance, quantitative analysis, and management underlies the program, equal attention is given to the development of report writing, oral reporting, Internet research, and group process skills.

Follow these links to find more online business programs and MBA's.

Online Business ProgramsOnline MBA Programs