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Oct 22nd, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Don Bayley
A live teaching / learning platform is gaining popularity, especially because it's available absolutely free. Anyone can sign up to create a class or join WiZiQ as a student without paying a dime.
The site also offers some multimedia features that aren't found on many other platforms. They explain:
"Learning live in a virtual classroom from a teacher of your choice, we believe, is the next best alternative to face-to-face teaching. Further, with all the "digital" benefits that computers offer us, teachers can explain concepts using 'learning assets' such as images, videos, PowerPoint presentations, documents etc."
Check it out, if only to browse their list of free public learning sessions.
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Oct 21st, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Johan Ramberg
Bonjour! If you want to give online learning a try without committing to schedules and tuition, start with a free online class. It won't give you credit, but it will let you evaluate whether or not distance learning is a smart choice for you.
My new List of Free Online French Classes may be a good place to begin:
"Free online French classes can help anyone learn the basics of the language. Whether you're planning an overseas trip or want to brush up on your language skills from college, this list of free online French classes can get you started speaking like a pro."
If learning French doesn't spark your interest, search through our archives of free classes. You're sure to find something that strikes your fancy.
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Oct 16th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6581181
Taking out private loans has become more challenging this semester, with fewer lenders offering funding since the beginning of the year. Today, NPR released a new broadcast interviewing students currently dealing with the economic crisis as well as advisers for both the McCain and Obama campaigns.
They explain:
"With the deteriorating economy, college students have many things to worry about. One of the biggest issues is finding a job that will pay for college debt. We asked students from across the country about their concerns. Then we turn Barack Obama and John McCain's education advisers for their plans to help students pay for college."
Check out the NPR site to hear the full story.
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Oct 15th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, simon edwin
This week, The Wired Campus published an interesting post about students watching their video lectures at fast speeds. This is an issue I've discussed before, after seeing students watch lectures at 1.5 or even 2 times the normal speed.
The Wired Campus blog reports:
"Some professors report that when their students are reviewing class materials, the students speed up online recordings of lectures and zip through hour-long presentations in as little as 30 minutes. Sure, their professors sound like chipmunks. But the students say they can absorb the information faster than the professors deliver it."
Sometimes, watching a pre-recorded lecture can get dull. There's something missing from the in-person experience. Listening to a professor speak at a faster-than-normal pace can be a smart way to stay focused, but it can also result in students missing important information.
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Oct 14th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Lisa Thornberg
TextbookTorrents.com was once a popular site for students looking to download course textbooks online. Now, due in part to pressure from textbook publishers, the founder has removed all content from the site. Only a note remains. It reads, in part:
"I am at heart an activist, a crusader for the underdog. When I see something that I believe is wrong, I do what I can to fix it, if only in some small way. I believe this is what Textbook Torrents has stood for, and what we have done. The amount of attention that we have garnered would not have been possible by simply running around with a sandwich board and shouting slogans. We have opened people's eyes, and gotten them talking. At its true purpose, the site has been successful beyond my wildest dreams."
According to The Wired Campus, the founder was attempting to make a statement about the exorbitantly high cost of college textbooks.
Publishers claimed that the site was engaged in illegal activity. However, torrent sites allow users to share small pieces of a single file with each other, adding up to a whole. In the past, this has made it very difficult to identify potential lawsuit defendants.
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Oct 13th, 2008
If you're checking out an online school in one of the six states it serves, you'll want to know the basics of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. My latest About.com article explains:
"The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is the oldest regional accrediting agency in the nation. It currently offers accreditation to over 2,000 schools in six states.
Regional accreditors are recognized by both the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)."
The states served by NEASC include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Check out the full article to learn more about this important regional accreditor.
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Oct 10th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Stephanie Horrocks
If you're in the Armed Forces, you may be able to receive tuition assistance for enrolling in an online school. In some cases, the government will even pay for an entire degree.
eLearners reports:
"Each service branch – Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard – offers a Tuition Assistance (TA) Program that helps defray the cost of education for Active Duty or Reserve personnel. TA Programs are not the GI Bill and there is a distinction. For some ranks, MOS and pay grades, an additional service commitment is required."
Check out their article to learn the basics of tuition assistance programs for active military members.
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Oct 9th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, René Mansi
Financial aid is becoming harder to secure in some schools. A recent NPR show reports:
"Problems on Wall Street are only going to make the situation more difficult, financial aid experts says.
"If the bailout drains all of the federal resources and money isn't available for student aid, that's a huge problem for us, " says Violet Boyer with the Independent Colleges of Washington group. "The private loans, if the banks that are left decide that that's not a profitable place to be, that would be harmful."
Don't panic – most students are still able to get aid in time to pay tuition. However, you may want to be careful to choose an online college that has student loan connections in place. Be sure to apply as early as possible.
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Oct 8th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Chris Bernard
Soon, anyone will be able to download lectures from Oxford and Cambridge for free. BBC reports on the new releases expected soon on iTunes:
"Oxford and Cambridge University are to make lectures by leading academics available through iTunes.
Cambridge says it will bring the work of its Nobel prize-winning academics in reach of a much wider public.
Oxford University says it will publish 150 hours of video and audio material of lectures and ideas from "world-leading thinkers."
The two universities are joining dozens of other educational institutions that are currently offering free educational content on iTunes. If you haven't already seen their educational channel, check it out. There really is something for just about any interest you may have.
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Oct 6th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, TIM MCCAIG
You may be juggling increased grocery bills, a troubling stock portfolio, and horror at the gas pump. However backwards it seems, now may be the best time to return to school and earn an online degree.
My latest About.com article explores the top 10 Reasons to Earn an Online Degree in a Troubled Economy. Here's a blurb:
"When the economy is in trouble, many professionals turn to online learning. Here are ten reasons why earning an online degree is a smart way to deal with a recession…
When stocks are down and savings accounts aren't offering much, it's a good time to invest in yourself. Putting money towards an online degree now may yield rewards for years to come."
Check out the full article to learn how earning an online degree may save you money and help you feel more secure in your job.
