Online Universities Weblog

An eLearn Magazine article from Clare Gill explores the challenges procrastinators face when taking online courses:

"One of the big differences between my face-to-face classes and distance-learning classes was that in the former, I had the strong sense that my professors were always aware of my progress right from the very beginning of the semester. All my classes were small graduate classes, none of which had more than about a dozen students. As a result, it would have been very visible and very embarrassing if I fell behind. Contrast that with the way I felt in my online classes, where the other students and the instructors were just names on Blackboard to me.

Towards the middle of the semester, I did have some interaction with the professors, but this was mainly in the form of scolding-fully justified-mixed with concerns that I had dropped off the face of the earth. The effectiveness of this type of progress monitoring was, at best, mixed. What they mainly did was to alarm me to the degree that I couldn't bear to think about the course for at least another week."

As a trying-to-reform procrastinator, I definitely identify with Clare's struggles. Self-paced courses can be a disaster for people who don't walk around with a Franklin Planner and a Rolodex. However, with a little work, there can be hope.

Read the article, Confessions of a Neophyte Distance Learner and Full-Time Procrastinator, to learn about the solutions one procrastinator discovered.

A new article by Joseph Lampel and Ajay Bhalla explores the motives behind information sharing in online communities:

"This article examines online gift giving in the form of opinion, information, and advice that individuals post on websites. Research has highlighted altruism and reciprocity as the key motives behind such gift giving. We argue that informational gift giving is also strongly driven by status and status seeking, and that status sentiments are more likely to sustain virtual communities."

When online learners share information on learning platforms such as message boards and discussion groups, are they doing it out of the goodness of their hearts – or do they expect to receive recognition in the form of improved status? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

One of the best aspects of distance education is the opportunity to learn from instructors all over the globe. A student from a small town doesn't have to limit himself to learning from the people who live nearby. Instead, he can learn from people all over the United States, and even the world.

Consider a recent story about distance learning from the Herald-Sun. It reports that a deployed military captain is teaching an online class while serving overseas:

"Janicki, a captain in the Air Force Reserves, has taught computer science to his North Carolina students at a distance of 7,100 miles. He is serving in Afghanistan.

He never met his American students, and some of them weren't even sure how to pronounce his name. While they slept, Janicki graded their tests or tapped out e-mails about their assignments.

Sometimes, the professor would be incommunicado. That's when the classmates — who never met each other — would lean on each other for advice."

Online associate's degree programs can be a lifesaver for adults who need to improve their skills in order to advance in the workplace. Since most online associate's degrees can be completed in two years or less, students don't have to make a lengthy time commitment.

But, what is required of these online undergrads? An About.com article explains:

"Online Degree Programs don't work for everyone. In order to be successful with unstructured coursework, you must have a high level of self-motivation. You should be able to work independently and be comfortable with deadlines. Since most online coursework consists of reading and writing assignments instead of traditional lectures, it is essential that students have proficient reading comprehension and English fluency.

Before enrolling in an associate's degree program, make sure that the degree and skills you will acquire will help you get the job you want. Some technical jobs require associate's degrees. But, others require certificates that can be earned in less time than earning a degree. And some simply require on-the-job training that can be gained without spending thousands of dollars on coursework."

According to a study by professor Suzan Harkness, podcasts are becoming more popular in education. A Washington Times article reports:

"Harkness recently completed the first national study of podcast use in college education. During the 18 months of her survey, the number of universities she tracked that used podcasts increased from five to 278."

A growing number of distance educators distribute lectures and other course information through podcasts. However, many professors are now asking students to create podcasts as assignments. Think of it as a class presentation (only no one can see your shaking hands, and you can record over your mistakes…)

Do you think that student-created podcasts are a valuable learning tool or a waste of time? Share your opinion in the comments section.

Drexel University announced today the launch of a new personalized online degree – the Bachelor of Science in General Studies. Students in the online degree program will be given the opportunity to tailor the curriculum to meet their personal and professional needs:

"Those in the General Studies – Individualized Studies track will work with their academic advisors to select a specialization within the concentration aligned to their academic and professional goals. This program is designed for students who wish to gain a breadth of knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences fields.

Working adults, enrolled in this program can take a term off during a busy period at work without losing momentum toward the completion of their degree. Since credit can be earned for prior studies, this degree is ideal for those who want to transfer from programs they may be taking."

Personalized degrees can be helpful for students who want to customize their learning, combine credits from multiple disciplines, and focus on a variety of fields. However, students should also realize that most personalized BAs are less competitive in the workplace. A general degree may used to help you meet promotion requirements. However, a degree in a specific subject such as "economics" or "business" is often better at convincing employers that you have a specific skill set.

Drexel University announced today the launch of a new personalized online degree: the Bachelor of Science in General Studies. Students in the online degree program will be given the opportunity to tailor the curriculum to meet their personal and professional needs:

"Those in the General Studies – Individualized Studies track will work with their academic advisors to select a specialization within the concentration aligned to their academic and professional goals. This program is designed for students who wish to gain a breadth of knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences fields.

Working adults, enrolled in this program can take a term off during a busy period at work without losing momentum toward the completion of their degree. Since credit can be earned for prior studies, this degree is ideal for those who want to transfer from programs they may be taking."

Personalized degrees can be helpful for students who want to customize their learning, combine credits from multiple disciplines, and focus on a variety of fields. However, students should also realize that most personalized BAs are less competitive in the workplace. A general degree may used to help you meet promotion requirements. However, a degree in a specific subject such as "economics" or "business" is often better at convincing employers that you have a specific skill set.

It's easy to make mistakes during your first couple years of online learning. An About.com article warns readers of the 7 most common mistakes distance learners make. Among them: not getting credit when it's due, intimidating potential employers, paying too much, and procrastinating.

The article also suggests that distance learners make an effort to connect with online peers and professors:

"One of the most rewarding experiences in education is learning through collaboration. Forming meaningful relationships with your peers and professors can allow you to learn more, stay motivated, and have an outlet to express your own understanding of subject matter. Don't let yourself miss out on the benefits of these relationships just because your classrooms are online. Stay connected through message boards, chat rooms, email, and other virtual resources."

Sometimes the best way to learn about distance education is to talk with students who are studying online, professors who teach online, and graduates of online schools.

There are dozens of helpful distance learning message boards out there. Here are some of the very best:

Degree Board – This super-sized forum has distance learning discussions for just about everyone and includes threads based on news, general education, accreditation, and religious degrees.

Degree Info Forum – Use this busy forum to find information about technology programs, school accreditation, and answers to almost any question you may have.

eLearners Forum – This message board offers tons of helpful information for people just starting out with distance learning.

DL Truth Forum – Many of the threads on this forum are dedicated to the discussion of distance learning controversy.

Online Degree Forum – This simple forum hosts helpful discussions about accreditation, degrees, and essay writing.

About.com Distance Learning Forum – Members on this friendly message board help students choose schools and learn about distance education basics.

Many distance learning courses require students to participate in message board discussions. You may even be graded on the depth and insight of your posts. So, how do you put together a post that'll knock their socks off? An eLearner.com article suggests 10 steps.

Among their suggestions: follow the discussion rules, put some of yourself into your posts, and always post on time. They also advise students to always cite their sources, which can be easy to forget during informal discussions:

"Make sure to cite your references in your posting. Even if it is a discussion posting, not giving others credit for their work is plagiarism, so cite. Your citation doesn't have to be formal, just make sure others can find the information from the citation; give the title, author, and date."