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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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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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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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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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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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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.