Online Learning Portfolios in Distance Education

A new e-Learning Queen podcast suggests that online learning portfolios would be a welcome replacement to outdated modes of instruction, such as course management systems like Blackboard:

"E-portfolios harmonize with newly-dubbed 'Generation @' that does everything online, but not in a closed-in, locked-down computer lab-like environment. For the average MySpace Generation individual, Blackboard is a virtual detention hall, or 'Saturday school.' MySpace generation types want to be able to connect with each other. They want to be able to instant message, post notes, download and post images, tunes, and movies."

Take a look at her suggested portfolio site, Digication, and you'll find dozens of bright sample portfolios from students around the country.

It's true: Blackboard does look bleak compared to Digication and the social networking sites of Web 2.0. Perhaps new ways of online learning could help instructors and students look outside of the box.

Convince Your Employer to Pay for Your Education

Earning an online degree can be expensive. Many graduates leave school with a hefty Student Loan that will take years to pay back. But, you may be able to graduate debt-free if you can convince your employer to pay for your schooling. An eLearners.com article explains:

"By far, the best option is to get someone else to pay for your education. Tuition assistance, or tuition reimbursement, programs vary widely. Generally, the larger the company, the better the plan."

So, which companies have the best tuition assistance programs? According to eLearners, you can expect the most generosity from: General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Dell, Citigroup, and Motorola.

Should Online Classes Offer Multimedia Exams?

According to an Innovative interview with education author Scott Howell, traditional paper and Pencil tests are holding online students back:

"Beyond the age-old challenge of aligning our instruction with our testing, we now have the years-old challenge of aligning the way we deliver instruction with the way we assess it, given our rich, robust multimedia environment. Instructors and designers must seek new ways to integrate appropriate methods of testing in such an environment, ensuring that innovative course design remains tied in with consistently clear, focused assessment of student learning."

Howell claims that adding multimedia elements to exams (while not getting carried away with unnecessary features) will help online students prove their knowledge in the same way that they learn.

This seems like a smart idea. However, I'd hope that online instructors would use caution when creating multimedia exams. Too many multimedia elements can distract or confuse students. Sometimes the simplest way really is the best way.

Canada Allots $425,000 for Online Courses to Help Immigrants

This week, Canada's government announced new funding for online courses to help working immigrants become more employable and increase their earning potential. According to the government website:

"The learning tool will be made available within Canada and in centres overseas so that immigrants can better prepare for integration into the Canadian work force before they arrive in Canada. The tool will be tested in eight colleges nationwide, including in major centres such as toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Halifax. The project will then be piloted in at least three countries globally, and then be made available to qualified immigrants around the world."

What's interesting about this program is that Canada is choosing to educate some immigrants before they even come to the country. Will the online program efficiently prepare newcomers to be successful in Canada's workforce? Only time will tell.

The Truth About Life Experience Degrees

If a school offers to give you a degree based on filling out a simple form and forking over your Credit card number, run for the hills.
"Life experience degrees" are one of the most successful tactics used by tricksters in the billion dollar diploma mill industry.

However, not all life experience credit is a hoax. Several respected, regionally accredited schools offer credit for life experience. Enrolled students prove their experience by taking exams, presenting work portfolios, and working with an online instructor. Most students need to do additional coursework in order to earn a degree.

Among the respectable schools that offer life experience credit are:

Thomas Edison State College
Excelsior College
Charter Oak State College

For more information about life experience degrees, see: Diploma Programs That Turn Test Scores and Life Experience Into College Credit

All About DETC Accreditation

The Distance Education Training Council (DETC) recently gave its website a makeover. Its updated web presence reflects this accrediting organization's growing acceptance in the world of online learning.

DETC accreditation is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Many students graduate from DETC accredited schools and go on to earn promotions and raises. By no means is the DETC an "accreditation mill."

However, DETC accreditation is not equal to regional accreditation. Many regionally accredited schools refuse to accept transfer credits from DETC accredited schools, and it can be difficult for students from DETC schools to be accepted for graduate programs at regionally accredited schools.

If you choose to attend a DETC accredited school, there is no way to ensure that your credits will be accepted at other schools. However, you can improve your chances of acceptance by choosing and later applying to a school that is a part of the Higher Education Transfer Alliance. These schools (many of which are regionally accredited) have agreed to consider transcripts from other schools in the alliance, regardless of the school's accrediting agency.

Earn an Online Certificate from Harvard

Did you know that you can earn an online certificate from a prestigious school such as Harvard, Stanford, or Cornell?

A growing number of first-rate schools are offering certificate programs for students who meet basic qualifications.

Harvard's Extension School offers an online Certificate in Applied Sciences and an online Certificate in Environmental Management. Stanford has several online programs for graduate students, including a Computer Security Certificate Program. Cornell offers over twenty online programs including a Business leadership skills Certificate and a Financial Management Certificate.

For more information, see: Anyone Can Earn an Online Certificate From Harvard, Stanford, or Cornell.

The 2 Types of Diploma Mill Degrees

Beware of diploma mills – these "fake" schools will take your money and leave you with a degree that could ruin your career and your reputation.
According to an eLearners.com article there are two types of diploma mill degrees:

1. Some diploma mills simply sell degrees. They take a customer's money and mail a degree in return. There's no need to turn in work or prove life experience.

2. Other diploma mills offer students a subpar education. They award degrees for minimal coursework or life experience credits.

Diploma mills try to convince students that their degrees are legitimate. But, don't believe them. Receiving a degree from a school that requires no or very little work can come back to Haunt you.

Police Chief and Police Dog Have Diploma Mill Degrees From Same School

Accreditation is the most important factor to consider when choosing an online school. Using a degree from an unaccredited school could land you in hot water at the workplace.

Just look at the police chief from Fostoria, ohio. A defense lawyer is petitioning to have his client's drug charges thrown out because the city police chief and a police dog have degrees from the same college.

According to an Associated Press report:

"McGuire, hired as chief in this northwest Ohio city a year ago, is to go on trial this month on charges of falsification and tampering with records. A special prosecutor said McGuire lied on his application and resume about his rank, position, duties, responsibilities and salary in three of his previous jobs."

If you want to avoid earning a "diploma mill" degree from an unaccredited school, use the Department of Education's database to find out whether or not the online college you are considering is accredited.

Diploma Mill Degree Gets Police Chief (and Police Dog) in Trouble

Accreditation is the most important factor to consider when choosing an online school. Using a degree from an unaccredited school could land you in hot water at the workplace.

Just look at the police chief from Fostoria, Ohio. A defense lawyer is petitioning to have his client's drug charges thrown out because the city police chief and a police dog have degrees from the same online college.
According to an Associated Press report:

"McGuire, hired as chief in this northwest Ohio city a year ago, is to go on trial this month on charges of falsification and tampering with records. A special prosecutor said McGuire Lied on his application and resume about his rank, position, duties, responsibilities and salary in three of his previous jobs."

If you want to avoid earning a "diploma mill" degree from an unaccredited school, use the Department of Education's database to find out whether or not the online college you are considering is accredited.