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Nov 30th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Alex Slobodkin
Advanced internet search skills are a necessity for almost all online students. If you want to find information, research ideas, and locate print materials, you'll need to be competent in Google search.
Diploma Guide recently released a list of resources for student searchers. They report:
"Google is the go-to search engine for both students and librarians. But with so much information on the web, it can be difficult to navigate Google and find exactly what you are looking for. The following Google power searching tips are designed to eliminate this common difficulty and lead you to the relevant information you need."
Take a look at the list – even if you're already experienced in using Google, you're likely to find something new.
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Nov 30th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, olaf loose
Interested in art? One way to prepare for a formal online art program is to test your interest and abilities with a free online art class.
My new list of free online drawing classes offers dozens of links to high quality offerings. Here's a blurb:
"Anyone can learn how to draw by taking a free online drawing class. The top-rated free online drawing classes in this list offer helpful instruction for beginning artists of every age. Use the web as your art instructor and you can log on to learn whenever you please."
Check out the full list for text-based, illustrated, and video drawing classes. There's something for every level.
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Nov 30th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, zhang bo
The non-profit organization One Laptop Per Child is once again offering its laptop deal.
eFluxMedia reports:
"One Laptop Per Child is reviving Give One, Get One promotion on Monday in its effort to put affordable, educational notebooks in the hands of third-world children. Basically, if a consumer buys an XO laptop for $400, he will automatically donate a second unit to a child in a developing country. In order to offer the deal, the organization is working with Amazon.
Since 2005, OLPC has tried to fulfill its goal of producing a $100 laptop with the idea that technology can rectify e-learning and computer illiteracy issues throughout the world. The organization came as close as $188, but now the laptops carry a $200 price tag because of increased production costs."
These cheap laptops will give students around the world the opportunity to learn by using technology. The duplicate laptops sent to consumers can be used for everyday online learning needs such as writing term papers and surfing the web. Interested? Simply visit Amazon.com to learn more and sign up.
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Nov 30th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Yasin GUNEYSU
A new Massachusetts Institute of Technology website is designed just for smartphones.
The Wired Campus blog reports:
"Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who want to use their iPhones to look at course syllabi or check the campus-shuttle schedule can now surf to a version of the MIT Web site designed especially for cellphones. And officials plan to let other colleges use the Mobile Web project software.
The goal of the project is to create MIT Web pages that load quickly and look good on all kinds of Web-capable cellphones, often referred to as smartphones. Most college Web sites are designed for big monitors and fast Internet connections, but those pages are often hard to navigate on smartphones."
As more course content becomes accessible via the internet and mobile devices, the development of new online programs will become easier. Creating a new online class isn't so difficult when students are already able to use course material from anywhere.
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Nov 29th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Sean Locke
According to recent studies, a growing number of nurses are completing continuing education classes online.
The Independent reports:
"Given the difficulties around accessing time to train, many CPD providers offer a flexible approach to learning. "These professionals are busy, so it's important they can take the learning at their own pace," says Dr Warren Turner, assistant dean of the University of Derby. "We've also tried to offer as many modules as we can in e-learning or distance learning format, and the third thing we stress is the importance of work-based learning. So if a nurse is doing a piece of work anyway with specific learning outcomes, we'll negotiate an individual learning contract with them, which may contribute to a module."
Online learning gives nurses a way to complete their coursework without interrupting their often hectic work schedules. Nurses don't always have the time to commit to a traditional class. But, with online learning, they're able to improve their skills any time there's a spare minute.
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Nov 29th, 2008
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The University of Minnesota recently announced a new online campus, designed to consolidate all of its online programs into an easy-to-use site.
Their press release explains:
"From offering correspondence courses by mail in 1909 to courses on the radio in the 1930's and television in the 1960's, to the digital campus of today, the University of Minnesota has been using technology to improve access and advance learning for generations," said university President Robert Bruininks. "Today, we offer more than 1,000 classes online or in a hybrid online form. Tens of thousands of our students use online tools and resources to support their learning and earn their degrees."
The U's new digital campus Web site (digitalcampus.umn.edu) consolidates all of the online degree, course offerings, professional development and other electronic offerings into a single, easy-to-use site. Prospective students can communicate directly with the university by phone, email or online chat. It also contains a number of online opportunities offered and developed in partnership with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system."
Take a look to browse dozens of virtual degrees and classes.
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Nov 29th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, dawn liljenquist
A new breed of online programs are targeting struggling high schoolers.
The Republican reports on one such program beginning next year:
"School officials hope that a six-month pilot program scheduled to start in January will offer an online learning alternative for struggling high school students.
The program, called NovaNET and run by Pearson, a national education company, will have several focuses, including an attempt to salvage the academic careers of high school seniors who are in jeopardy of not graduating in June, said school officials during a presentation to the School Committee this week."
If run correctly, I believe this idea has the potential for a lot of success. However, administrators must remember that online learning takes significant commitment and self-discipline. Students who struggle turning in assignments to a teacher may have even more difficulty turning in assignments without any in-personal accountability.
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Nov 26th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, SERDAR YAGCI
Want to play classical tunes or rock out on an electric guitar? My recent list of free online guitar classes can help. I've searched the web for the best free online guitar lessons in all formats.
Here's a blurb from my new article:
"Anyone can learn to play the guitar with these top-rated free online guitar classes. Get started immediately with step-by-step lessons, video examples, and tabs."
Virtual lessons are a smart way to try an instrument without making a serious investment of time and money. Take a look at the best options here: Free Online Guitar Classes.
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Nov 25th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, René Mansi
Watch out for special online class fees – some colleges are beginning to charge more for the convenience of learning online. The University of Central Florida, for example, recently began charging an extra $18 per credit hour for distance learners.
Central Florida Future reports:
"Although $18 might not seem like much, but for each three-credit-hour class, UCF students will have to pay an extra $54 on top of regular tuition.
The distance-learning fee, also known as Florida House Bill 7105, allows colleges and universities statewide to charge a fee to cover extraordinary costs for making certain programs online. The distance-learning fee is not a uniform amount; each institution is responsible for its own courses and the amount of the fee."
Although it does cost money for colleges to create online classes, extra fees should not become commonplace. In the long run, online learning should save traditional colleges money by reducing the need for facilities maintenance.
Posted by
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Nov 25th, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Alex Slobodkin
Minnesota is setting some series goals for their online courses: by 2015 they intend to offer 25% of their credits online.
Their recent news release explains:
"To expand access, increase technology skills, provide exciting and inspiring course content, and maximize efficiency and use of taxpayer resources, Governor Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees Chair David Olson today announced a goal to have 25 percent of all MnSCU credits earned through online courses by 2015…
"We live in an iPod world but much of our education system is dominated by whiteboards and lecture halls," Governor Pawlenty said. "We have students with different learning styles, different backgrounds, different capabilities, and exploding interest in online opportunities and services. We need to modernize the way college courses are delivered and put Minnesota on the cutting edge of online education."
Sounds like a smart way to give traditional learners a few online alternatives.
