Women in E-Learning

From the US Distance Learning Association and Distance Educator, comes the International Forum for Women in E-Learning.

IFWE is designed to meet the needs of women across multiple distance learning environments: PreK-12, higher and continuing education, corporate, government and military training, telehealth and distance learning consultant organizations. Leadership issues impacting the changing distance learning workplace including quality of deliverables, pace of technology innovation, workplace environment, future of global marketplace, cultural integration in distance learning, employment security and options for the future will be presented by outstanding women across the distance learning environment. The event will focus on networking, informal group discussions, and interaction with guest speakers in support of women's professional and personal needs in their career aspirations.

Computer science majors lag

From the USA Today, this story about the drop in student pursuing computer science degrees. Luckily, when there is a drop like this, there should be an eventual demand for people with the skills learned in these programs.

Despite the improving outlook for the high-tech sector of the economy, enrollment in most computer science programs at U.S. institutions continues to decline, causing some to worry about the possibility of a high-tech workforce shortage in coming years. Schools such as San Jose State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Ohio State University have seen lower computer science enrollments, and according to the Computing Research Association, enrollment is down by 23 percent in the United States and Canada. Peter Lee of Carnegie Mellon pointed out, however, that far fewer applications were received this year versus last for his institution's computer science program but that they were generally from more qualified applicants. No longer are students applying, said Lee, because they are simply lured by the prospect of high-paying jobs and stock options. Others noted that enrollments in graduate computer science programs, which remain strong, may soon begin to suffer due to increased restrictions on foreign students, who represent 43 percent of students in graduate computer science programs in the United States and Canada.

E-Learning Report

I just wanted to point out a market report on E-learning here at MarketResearch.com, which is about a year old now, but does give a good overview of the e-learning industry for those more interested in that side of things.

Technology is transforming education around the world. Though e-learning companies were not doing well by the end of 2002, business is picking up this year, as schools, governments and corporations around the world are increasingly adopting e-learning applications. Presenting a comprehensive aggregation and analysis of forecast and survey data, the E-Learning report answers the following questions as they pertain to the listed sectors:

The report also addresses the overall question regarding e-learning options versus classroom instruction — is human interaction absolutely necessary?

Health care research and prospects

An interview with Professor Gary P. Pisano of Harvard Business School about a groundbreaking project bringing together faculty, researchers, and students to probe issues in health care management.

From the Harvard Business School publication, Working Knowledge.

Wendy Guild Swearingen: How did the initiative come to be?

On the research front, we tried to create momentum through various informal means such as discussions, seminars, things like that. So we started a seminar series where people could come in and present their work in front of people who have dealt with those problems. In health care there are a lot of specialized institutional problems that one really has to understand and get around to be able to do good research, and there are big opportunities to leverage efforts across faculty. Since 1997, faculty at HBS have launched quite a few new research projects focused on health care.

E-Learning Design Challenge

For those involved in online design programs or in the field of design, check out the e-learning design challenge here.

The second eLearning Design Challenge comes from an application that may be familiar to many of you: new employee induction. As part of a complete package, your challenge today is to design an online learning activity that focusses on the importance of punctuality.

For the purpose of this challenge, you can assume that employee intakes occur every two months coordinated across the country. A computer for online training is provided at all stores, but employees can also access the learning resources from their home computers.Ron informs me that it isn't really contest, but more of a place for like minds to collaborate. The challenge isn't in competition between participants, rather a space for dealing with difficult subject matter and teaching it online.

Weblogs in E-Learning

From Syllabus, a case study about the use of weblogs in online education. Thanks goes out to Ray Director of Technology-Enhanced Learning at University of Illinois Online for the link.

In recent years, the professional literature has been filled with calls for faculty to better engage students in learner-centered applications. Reports on the learning and behavioral tendencies of the Network Generation1 and most recently of the Millennials2 emphasize that these students have grown up in the information age with technology, and have developed skills, aptitudes and attitudes that differ from many faculty active in instruction. For example, the Millenials look to the Internet for information and are comfortable interacting online with their peers; they work collaboratively and thrive on interactivity; and they have an expectation of immediacy not just in problem-solving and knowledge acquisition but from their instructors as well. What pedagogical models might faculty design that cater to self-directed learners? A first step toward developing models of scholarship aligned to innovative teaching is to pilot approaches that blend technology with the skill sets being developed in core subject areas. As best practices are identified, they can be incorporated into revised pedagogical models.

New school … ECPI Online

ECPI Online has announced its newest programs in Computer and Information Science Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Majors offered in:
IT/Network Security
This major will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to start a rewarding career as a Network Administrator, Network Security Technician, System Security Technician and more.

Accounting Systems Administration
Gain the knowledge and skills you need to launch a rewarding career as a Bookkeeper, Payroll accountant, Tax Preparation Specialist, Junior Accountant, and more.

Business Systems Administration
Learn everything you need to know to secure a successful career as an Administrative Assistant, Marketing Research Assistant, Help Desk Coordinator, Executive Assistant, and more.

Also, ECPI Online has a Computer Electronics Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree.

With a major in:
Computer Electronics Technology
The Computer Electronics Technology major offers a curriculum that will prepare you for successful employment as an Electronics Technician, Technical Support Specialist, Computer Technician, Network Technician, and more.

Check them out and tell me what you find.

Westwood Online accelerated MBA

Westwood online has introduced an Accelerated MBA program in which students can earn their MBA online in 12 months. Find out more here.

Guide to back to school PCs

At PC Magazine, a helpful guide to choosing the right PC or laptop for your college experience.

Whether you're off to college or your little one is off to grade school, one of the most important supplies to get before autumn is a PC. According to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Education, 99 percent of public schools have some kind of Internet access, meaning that computers are playing a larger role than ever in education-even in its earliest stages. At the other end of the educational spectrum, equipping college students with PCs is a no-brainer, since many colleges offer free broadband both in dorm rooms via Ethernet jacks and around campus via Wi-Fi.

Online discussions and perceived learning

From Learning Networks Effectiveness Research …

As major activities in distance learning courses, online discussions play an important role in student learning.

Currently, both asynchronous learning courses and some primarily face-to-face courses at New Jersey Institute of Technology require online discussions. Does this requirement improve the students' perceived learning?