ePortfolio Programs: A Mainstay of Higher Education
March 29, 2009
There is a clear shift in emphasis by academics away from teaching to learning. What are growing in importance these days are student outcomes. Perhaps no single tool is more useful in emphasizing learning outcome and promoting their development, than ePortfolios.
Either in movies or in life, we have seen the beautiful models hurrying to meet with a prospective employer with large, thin black leather portfolio in which they transport their most flattering photographs. They use the contents of their portfolios to convey a sense of the value they represent to potential employers. ePortfolios are simply an electronic version of a model or photographer’s portfolio used to document the competencies, skills, and knowledge developed by a person – focused on a specific career objective or path.
According to research conducted by the Campus Computing Project www.campuscomputing.net/survey, the number of U.S. colleges and universities using ePortfolios has more than tripled over the past five years. Soon, students will accept ePortfolio systems as an integral element of their college experience and an important mechanism to translating at college experience into a rewarding career.
Most ePortfolio programs encourage students to start the design and development of their ePortfolios at the outset of the academic programs to begin the process of establishing academic goals, to make the best choices with respect to specialized majors and elective courses, and to create a context in which to judge their progress through their educational journey. ePortfolios promote student engagement with their learning, facilitate appropriate student choices, and help students keep their professional goals in clear view while taking courses.
Universities derive benefit from ePortfolio programs because they provide a means of documenting, organizing, and assessing evidence of student learning and outcomes. ePortfolios are not just a fad, but rapidly becoming a mainstay of higher education.
Online Education 101: Why Online Education is Important
March 28, 2009
Most of us have had most of our education done in the classroom. However, as weve gotten older and become settled in careers, many of us have experienced the desire to increase our skills or achieve a higher level of education. How can you accomplish that while working and raising a family?
For many, online education is the answer. Online courses have come a long way from their humble beginnings and increasing numbers of universities offer them. It is now possible to take a course with a leading university from half a world away. The flexibility offered by online education means that busy professionals can take the classes they need without compromising their jobs.
Online education is also great for anyone that doesnt have access to a prestigious local university. All things being equal ” would you rather take a class at your local community college or at Oxford? With the options available online, you can take a course in your field at the best university in the world, in your free time.
Cost is an important consideration when choosing a class. Online classes are generally cheaper than traditional classroom courses. The economies of scale online make it possible for universities to offer these courses at a much lower price.
The converse to cost is quality. The quality of education available online can vary tremendously between universities and courses. The largest factor is you. Do you have the discipline to log in and study materials on your own time, outside a structured class environment? If you are the kind of person who requires a great deal of personal interaction, then online classes may not be for you.
Online course format usually involves materials like: videos, slide presentations, articles, and podcasts. Students study course materials on their own and participate in forum discussions, chats, and post on bulletin boards. Depending on the course, professors or assistants may be available for questions online, by phone, or email.
It’s likely that, in the future, more education will take place online. As the online format becomes mainstream and more accepted, many people will take courses online. There are plenty of advantages and the few disadvantages will become fewer as more universities and organization begin offering courses.
If you are considering continuing your education, examine your personal situation and decide whether online education is the right choice for you.
Should You Pursue a College Degree Online?
March 28, 2009
Most people think that in order to get a college degree you have to set aside four years of your life, put up a huge sum of money for tuition and possibly travel to a distant place to enroll in a course of study. With the improvement in communication offered by the Internet, distance learning, which was once confined to correspondence courses, has taken on a whole new life and is a compelling alternative to traditional means of higher education.
A big reason for the growth in online and distance learning programs is that many students find it to be a more flexible alternative, something that better matches their lifestyles. For example, a distance learner doesn’t have to give up his job or leave his or her family to study. He or she doesn’t have to get the degree done within a four year time limit but can adjust the schedule to fit in with work and family needs. These factors are especially important for adults, who may already be passed “college-age” but want to continue with higher education.
Finance is another reason why many people prefer to enroll in an online college degree program. In the past few years college tuition costs have risen to extremely high levels. The costs of commuting to college have also risen as well.
Distance learning courses demand less on the institutions that offer them and some of this saving is passed onto the students. In addition, if you can study in the comfort of your own home you are bound to save on commuting costs, not to mention the costs you would incur if you lived on a college campus.
Sometimes people look down on distance learning and consider it to be inferior to on-campus program. Curiously, the gap between distance learning and campus learning has become considerably less in recent years. Students studying traditional colleges and universities often watch lectures on video, and students studying at home with online courses also watch lectures on video, using the Internet. Modern technology often renders distance meaningless and this is certainly the case in college studies.
If you are outside the mold of a traditional college student, there is one more thing that may tip the balance in favor of choosing distance learning. Many distance learning programs give you credit for “life experience” or previously earned credits which will allow you to accelerate the rate at which you can earn your degree.
If you need a college degree in order to improve your career and cannot enroll in a traditional college, look around for an online program that can meet your lifestyle and career needs.
Choosing MCSA Courses – What To Look For 2009
March 27, 2009
Should you want a future in network support then the MCSA course is the ideal one for you. So if you’re just about to get going or already have experience but need to formalise your skills, there’s a range of courses to fit either requirement. Each level needs a different type of course, so ensure the course is right for you when getting going. Search for a company that has the courtesy to learn what you’d like to do, and will work with you to sort out what you’ll be doing, long before they discuss course options.
Locating job security in the current climate is problematic. Businesses will remove us out of the workplace at a moment’s notice – whenever it suits. Security can now only exist in a fast increasing market, driven forward by work-skills shortages. This shortage creates the right environment for a secure marketplace – a more attractive situation all round.
The IT skills deficit throughout the United Kingdom is standing at approx twenty six percent, as shown by a recent e-Skills investigation. To explain it in a different way, this reveals that Great Britain can only find three qualified staff for every four jobs that exist at the moment. Fully trained and commercially educated new workers are accordingly at a resounding premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years to come. For sure, this really is a fabulous time to train for Information Technology (IT).
Since the UK IT sector provides so many impressive advancement possibilities for everyone – what sort of questions should we be asking and what aspects should we be considering?
There are a myriad of employment in computing. Picking the right one for you often proves challenging. Flicking through a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. The majority of us don’t even know what the neighbours do for a living – so we have no hope of understanding the subtleties of a specific IT job. To come through this, there should be a discussion of a variety of different aspects:
* Personality factors and what you’re interested in – what work-centred jobs please or frustrate you.
* What length of time can you allocate for your training?
* Is your income higher on your list of priorities than some other areas.
* Because there are so many areas to train for in IT – you’ll need to pick up some background information on what separates them.
* Taking a serious look at the level of commitment, time and effort that you can put aside.
In all honesty, it’s obvious that the only real way to seek advice on these areas will be via a meeting with someone that has a background in IT (and more importantly it’s commercial requirements.)
Often, trainers provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. This can be very boring and not ideal for remembering. Where possible, if we can utilise all of our senses into our learning, then we often see hugely increased memory retention as a result.
Search for a course where you’ll receive a library of CD and DVD ROM’s – you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab’s to practice your new skills. It’s imperative to see the type of training provided by each company you’re contemplating. Be sure that they contain full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab’s to practice the skills in.
You’ll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; and although this is okay the majority of the time, consider what happens if internet access is lost or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. A safer solution is the provision of actual CD or DVD ROMs that removes the issue entirely.
How the program is actually delivered to you is usually ignored by most students. How many stages do they break the program into? And in what sequence and how fast does each element come? The majority of training companies will set up a program typically taking 1-3 years, and courier the materials in pieces as you pass each exam. On the surface this seems reasonable – until you consider the following: What if you find the order offered by the provider doesn’t suit. You may find it a stretch to finalise all the elements at the speed required?
The very best situation would see you getting all your study materials packed off to you right at the start; the complete package! Thus avoiding any future problems that could impede your capability of finishing.
Student support is absolutely essential – ensure you track down something providing 24×7 full access, as anything else will annoy you and definitely hold up your pace and restrict your intake. Many only provide email support (too slow), and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre which will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team – who’ll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, at a time suitable for them. This is no use if you’re sitting there confused over an issue and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
Be on the lookout for training programs that utilise many support facilities from around the world. These should be integrated to provide a single interface and 24 hours-a-day access, when it’s convenient for you, with the minimum of hassle. You can’t afford to accept less than you need and deserve. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only kind to make the grade when it comes to IT training. Perhaps you don’t intend to study during the evenings; but for most of us, we’re at work when traditional support if offered.
Consider the points below carefully if you’re inclined to think that over-used sales technique about ‘guaranteeing’ exams sounds like a benefit to the student:
Of course it’s not free – you are paying for it – the price has simply been included in the whole thing. Trainees who take exams one at a time, paying for them just before taking them are much more likely to pass. They’re thoughtful of what they’ve paid and take the necessary steps to be ready for the task.
Look for the very best offer you can at the appropriate time, and keep hold of your own money. In addition, it’s then your choice where to do the examinations – meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Paying upfront for examinations (and interest charges if you’re borrowing money) is a false economy. Don’t line companies bank accounts with your money only to please their Bank Manager! There are those who hope that you will never make it to exams – then they’ll keep the extra money. Many training companies will insist on pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you’ve demonstrated an excellent ability to pass – making an ‘exam guarantee’ just about worthless.
Prometric and VUE exams are around 112 pounds in the United Kingdom today. Why spend so much more on fees for ‘exam guarantees’ (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) – when a quality course, support and consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.
Ensure all your accreditations are current and also valid commercially – don’t even consider studies which provide certificates that are worthless because they’re ‘in-house’. If the accreditation doesn’t feature a major player like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then chances are it will have been a waste of time – because no-one will recognise it.
How To Pay Off Your College Debt
March 25, 2009
The days of paying for college in full, without some type of loan or Federal assistance are long gone. More students are graduating college with more debt than ever before. College costs have increased significantly and the consumer’s ability to pay has only changed slightly. As a result, more students owe money upon graduation.
There are a number of pays to pay off your college debt. Fortunately for those who have taken Federal loans, grace periods and deferments can help you until you find a full time job that allows you to begin making payments against your loan. Regardless of your employment situation, the responsibility of loan repayment is yours and yours alone.
If you are a recent grad and you’re wondering exactly how you are going to pay off your loans, don’t despair. There are a variety of methods you can use. One of the most popular and effective is student loan consolidation. Using student loan consolidation, you group your loans into a single loan which often reduces your monthly payment amount.
Some individuals who consolidate see longer repayment periods. However, a little known method of reducing your payment period is by making one extra payment towards the principle of the loan each and every year. For longer repayment periods, this reduces the amount owed and the life of the loan significantly.
You should start by speaking with your lender. Do they penalize you for early repayment? If so, what are the costs? Balance those against the longer repayment cycle and the potentially tens of thousands of dollars you must pay in interest over the life of the loan. More often than not, banks are willing to accept early payment without penalty.
What difference can an extra payment make? As I’ve already explained, it is significant. So make sure that when you send in the extra payment, you explicitly indicate that the payment is go towards principle, not your regularly scheduled payments. If it doesn’t go towards the base amount, you’ve done nothing other than prepay next month’s bill.
Make the extra payment method a habit. It might be difficult at first to save up that extra 50 bucks or so per month but it will pay tremendous dividends for you. To find out just how much you can save, speak to a representative at the bank. Know and understand how this method can work for you. Additionally, do your best to make saving a habit. By doing so, the burden of putting money aside becomes less difficult.
Some people are truly overwhelmed by the idea of paying back a large amount of debt. The key is to focus on making your monthly payment and at the same time, lowering your overall outstanding amount. Speak with your bank, creditors, and lender to understand how they can help ease the repayment process. Over time you will find you debt has vanished and you saved thousands in repayment.
Online Universities: Are They All They’re Suppossed up to Be?
March 25, 2009
If you’re an older adult who’s always wanted to continue your education and you just haven’t had time to, or if you want to go back to class for that advanced associates degree but a full-time job keeps you from signing up for classes, you’re in luck. Today, online institutions afford nontraditional students, parents, those with full-time jobs, and others not able to go back to college full time in a traditional university setting the opportunity to continue their educations on their own schedules.
It used to be that if you wanted to go back to class, you had to go to college part-time, at night, or otherwise arrange your schedule inconveniently, so that you could be at classes on campus. Alternatively, of course, you could quit your job if you had the means to do so and go back to school full time. However, today, you can keep your full-time career and your regular schedule intact and still get that education you want. Got kids you need to be home for? No problem. Best online universities lets you attend classes on your own schedule, be home for your kids and anything else you need to be there for — and oftentimes, you won’t have to step foot outside your door to do so until the latter part of your training, at least. It’s likely that you’ll need some hands-on fieldwork study eventually outside your home, but you can get the early parts of your associates degree done completely at home and on your own schedule.
One of the first things you need to do is to look for a degree program that is fully accredited. For this, check the school and make sure it has accreditation from the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education; the Distance Education and Training Council is the accrediting organization for these types of universities, also called “distance learning” institutions. You can also ask the school itself for references and find other students who have attended a particular distance-learning program, to make sure that it provides the quality education you want. Of course, you’ll also want to check your field of study and find a distance-learning institution that specializes in that.
Another consideration for many students is financial assistance. Previously, students attending distance-learning programs were not offered financial aid unless at least 50% of their education was completed on a physical campus. This is no longer true, which is perhaps as a result of both the improvement of distance learning schooling training and the recognition that this type of schooling is, some say, the wave of the future. Today, it is often considered a luxury to be able to go to school full time as a student, and these types of training recognize that no longer can many people simply drop their lives and go to school full time. Many students these days are nontraditional students with other responsibilities beyond their own lives, so that they do not have the luxury to devote three or four years’ time exclusively to an education.
Perhaps the choice place to help you determine your potential school’s accreditation is to look at the regional accreditation board in your school’s area. If your school is accredited by this board, it will be fully accepted by employers and other professional organizations as a allowable school. This, in turn, makes it much easier to get a postition and recognition. In fact, many organizations and employers will not recognize a education unless it is from an accredited two-year college. However, if you take the time to make sure your certificate program is accredited, your online education is every bit as valid as one you would obtain on campus.
Selecting an Online College; Do it Right
March 21, 2009
Deciding to continue your education is a no-brainer. Exploring your options and determining the best path to your next degree requires some time and (simple) research.
Degrees from unaccredited institutions are worth nothing in the world of work. In fact, simply listing a degree from an unaccredited institution on a resume or on an employment application will often result in the resume or application being discarded immediately by a prospective employer. Rule #1 is, never enroll in a degree program that is not fully accredited. Rule #2 is that you should never break rule #1.
Look for a degree program which will best help you easily achieve your career goals; the kind of program most successful professionals in the field have completed. And, try to find a well established degree program developed with the needs of online students in mind.
Most online colleges, but not all, offer pretty good flexibility in terms of when you can work on your assignments and how quickly or slowly you can earn a degree. If you are interested in earning an online degree quickly, or if you need to move forward slowly because of the other demands of your life, find out how long each college will let you take to complete your degree requirements. Be sure to find a university where you are comfortable with your workload and the time to degree. And, you should find a university in which instant messaging, emailing, telephoning, and/or forums give you quick and easy access to faculty members and your fellow students.
Of course, cost is a consideration for most students. Most colleges and universities will inform you of their costs immediately, and costs are easy to compare objectively.
Remember, however, that the “sticker price” of a college may not be your actual cost. Most online colleges and universities offer financial aid, and some offer scholarships. And, if you do a search in Google or Yahoo for “online college scholarships” (without the quotation marks), you’ll find some good, free scholarship search sites.
Generally, you should apply for scholarships and financial aid as soon as possible. Most colleges offering online education employ financial aid counselors who can help guide you through this process. Take advantage of the expertise they can offer you.
The keys in choosing the best online college and best online degree program for you are taking the time to analyze your individual needs and preferences and reviewing your options carefully. It’s very much like school; if you put in the time, you’ll get the result you want.
The Three-Minute Guest Lecture
March 21, 2009
We previously discussed using a one-minute lecture in a podcast format to introduce topics, review learning objectives, encourage listeners to complete their reading assignments, perform their own research, prepare for online discussions, and complete their written assignments. David Penrose, who developed the one-minute lecture idea for San Juan Community College, described them as “…a framework for knowledge excavation – we’re showing you where to dig and what you need to be looking for.
In a previous post on this blog, I described a seven-step process I have developed to create this podcasts using Skype. I also use Skype to create guest lecture podcasts that students can listen to in three to four minutes directly from our course-management software (we use Moodle) or they can download the podcasts.
Rather than develop a script, as I do for producing microlectures, guest lectures are based on an interview guide. The interview guide typically contains five or six questions that relate to the learning objectives of the online course I am teaching, the answers to which I believe my students will find interesting. I ask the person I plan to interview to select two or three questions that they can answer in about one minute each and outline their responses to those questions. After making sure they have Skype, we agree to my recording the interview, and the specific questions they will be asked. I then make an appointment to call them and conduct the brief interview.
There is a great plug-in for Skype called Pamela that I use to record my Skype call. When my guest answers my Skype call, the Pamela application informs my guest that I would like to record our conversation and asks their permission to begin recording. I then introduce the person I’m interviewing by reviewing that portion of their background that is relevant to the questions I will ask them. Next, we cover the two or three questions and answers followed by my thanking them for agreeing to be a guest lecturer. The entire interview process should only take four or five minutes.
There are several free or inexpensive applications you can use to edit your interview audio file and create your guest lecture podcast. I like to keep my podcasts simple, but you can add extra tracks for background music and other features. The guest lectures can really be any length, but keeping them around three or four minutes makes it easier to find persons to interview and more likely your students will take the time to listen to them.
You do Need a College Education: Here’s Why
March 14, 2009
If you have ever asked yourself whether it is worth it or not to pursue a college degree, you have probably first considered the economic aspects. It is clear from all available evidence that someone with a college degree will earn more in his or her lifetime than someone who does not have a degree. However there even more compelling reasons to continue your education beyond high school and I would like to present them to you.
A degree is a credential that will open many doors for you, but once you walk through those doors people will expect you to “deliver the goods” and perform well. Your performance depends on how well you can use your mind and that is what education is all about.
Memorization of facts is not what education is all about. If you are in college you will have to memorize much and to write meaningful answers but the particular facts and answers that you provide will one day become out dated, and you will also not be able to remember them even a few weeks after the exam.
Most likely, whoever is going to employ you will probably not be looking for someone who can merely recite memorized information, but will want someone with a “good head on his or her shoulders.” Should you continue your education and get a college degree, you will develop your thinking capacity and your creative capacity. This is the true value of higher education and is what would-be employers are really looking for.
There is something else that higher education can give you. It is a capacity to express your ideas clearly and convincingly. Even if you can think well and think creatively, you will need to explain your ideas to others and in many cases to convince them that your approach is the correct one. If you pursue a college education you will develop your writing skills and expressive capacity. These expressive skills will end up being much more important than memorization of information that will one day be either forgotten or no longer valid.
There is however one more thing that will get if you continue your education and get a college degree. You will develop a love of learning and the ability to learn even when you are not in school. Education does not stop after you attend your last class or get your degree. It can continue for the rest of your life. All you have to do is to feed your mind with the wealth of information that is available through books, the mass media, the Internet and whatever else is coming in the future.
Go ahead, get your college degree. You can do it with an online degree program or you can enroll on a traditional campus. However you do it, you will get something that is priceless.
Why a Warranty is Important
March 14, 2009
A warranty is your ticket to peace of mind when you purchase products. No matter how good the reputation of the business is, products can have problems either upon purchase or after a certain amount of time. Defects in workmanship may not be apparent until you have been using the product for some time. That is why when you purchase lighting fixtures that have good warranties you are safeguarding yourself against any breakdowns in the future.
If a business offers a one year or two year warranty it is a sign that they are reliable and care about their customers. If you find a company that offers a three year warranty on its product this is an exceptional one. This shows that the company is dependable and will stand behind its products.
What should a warranty have?
* An extension of at least two years, ideally three: warranties on a product should cover at least two years and if you are really lucky three years. A product that will last this long is indeed a good one. Companies that offer warranties of up to three years are worth staying with. They value their customers by making long lasting products.
* Take in account normal wear and tear: All good warranties should talk about covering normal wear and tear in their conditions. Normal wear and tear just means normal usage and is often spoke about in many warranties.
* Specifically state whether it is manufacturer or store: Store and manufacturer are the two types of warranty. If it is a store warranty you can directly go to that store and have the warranty taken care of. If it is a manufacturer warranty the store will instruct you how to send the item back to the manufacturer.
* It should be in writing: when you purchase a product you should always have a written warranty. This protects you as oral agreements will not be remembered if you want the warranty to be honored a year or two from purchase.
Any product must conform to quality standards when you purchase it for the guarantee to remain valid. You should read your guarantee carefully and discuss any discrepancies with the business providing the goods. There may be certain conditions that void the warranty or limit it.
When you next purchase a product remember to ask the seller about a warranty. You never know what may happen in the future and it is good to be prepared. Good lighting fixtures do not come cheap and you want to safeguard your investment by getting a good warranty on your product. With these points in mind you will be able to choose a company that offers you a great warranty on your product and really have peace of mind when you buy from them.
Some Ideas on How to Complete your Degree on Time
March 13, 2009
It’s great that you have decided to go back to college or university to continue with or complete your degree! If you are in the category of what is referred to as adult learners or mature-age students, chances are you might be enrolled in coursework on a part time basis because you have a career and perhaps a family that you are are responsible for. Non-traditional students are more often than not passionate about succeeding in whatever they do. They also have a good grasp on time-management skills and they have very focused.
Trends in the market, such as the economy, demographics, and changes in the global economy are changing higher education and tertiary education. One thing to keep in mind is that in college, taking control of your learning is just as important as completing your course requirements and getting a getting your degree or diploma. This calls for keeping focus and not getting distracted.
Research resources show that mature-age students face particular issues in making a successful transition to university. These may be significant other commitments for example family, employment, mortgage etc). If you have been out of school for a while, the first semester can be a challenge. Some of the concerns you may have may include: Why do my classmates seem so young; How will they view me? How will I balance study with all my other demands? How will my partner and/or kids cope with me returning to school? I have test anxiety – how should I study? How do I work the computer? Will I be able to afford school? Will I get a raise or promotion after I graduate, or a new job?
Some strategies that you can use to get you acclimated to getting back to school is to first of all figure out and understand what is expect of you as a student. That means that you will need to get information on support networks available, and how to access them. For example study groups and career counselors. Meeting other students is a great start and they will also form part of your support network. If you are a parent, meet other students who are also parents and share ideas with them. One indicator of students who do well in college whether they keep contact with their instructors. Get to know them and ask questions when you are unsure of something. Time management skills are an absolute must especially if you are also working.
Generally, universities will assign you an academic advisor, so be sure to keep in touch with them. Most professors are empathetic of adult learners and are aware of their multiple obligations, but also expect them to be motivated and self driven. Also, manage yourself. I.e. be as organized as you can and set up a calendar and to-do list. While not all learners are the same, there are some basic, consistent styles of learning. Once you’ve identified your style, you can then begin to adjust your study habits to suit your needs.
Keep in mind that time is a valuable resource. Put your school-skills to work. You will be spending a considerable amount of time reading, therefore read up on effective study and research strategies. Take advantage of resources on the Internet.
One thing though, do not forget to take some time off to recuperate. Take a break and do something different. Go see a movie, spend time with friends and family when you can. You will feel more rejuvenated and really to tackle that assignment. Plus, you will be less stressed out and happier with your decision to get back to school!
Tips For Finding An Online School
March 13, 2009
Finding an online program that meets your educational needs is no small undertaking. That’s okay if you have already made the decision to return to college because the most difficult part is done. After making this decision it’s time to focus on locating the right program at the right price.
A great way to find the right program is to start your search online. Once you have decided on the type of program that you are looking for, search Google for that keyword phrase. For example, if you are looking for nursing programs, simply type online nursing programs and evaluate the results. You can also search for online education directories that list programs by discipline.
With just a little research, you can create a brief list of potential online programs. Your list should include possible schools and the criteria that are important to you. How do these schools rank against your criteria? Each school or program should be evaluated independently and objectively.
Be disciplined in your evaluation of online schools. Create a spreadsheet and rank them based on which meet your criteria and which do not. Once you have selected the top 2 possibilities, learn more about the school by speaking to someone in the admission office. This is a great way to learn about the school itself, get any questions you might have answered, and determine your fit with the prospective institution.
The application process for any college or online program provides challenges. What you may or may not realize is that you do not have to complete your application on your own. If you are having trouble, contact someone at the school to help. Online Universities are always looking for new students and they are more than willing to help.
Learning online takes a great deal of organization and discipline. As a result, you will find that most of those enrolled are focused on learning. Keep this in mind when you start your search and consider which programs can meet your needs.
Are Podcasts Better than Live Lectures?
March 12, 2009
A study conducted at the State University of New York at Fredonia found students who watched a podcast version of a lecture achieved higher test results than those who attended the live lecture. The students who watched only the podcast achieved an average test score that was 15 points higher than their fellow students who attended the professor’s lecture in person.
Let’s face it; students sometimes are distracted during lectures by random thoughts when lectures become a bit boring. Other times you’re not really sure what the professor just said or he did not keep an important slide or graphic visible long enough to take a complete note. You can not pause, rewind, and rewind portions of a lecture – but you can if you are watching a podcast of the lecture. By reviewing key portions of a lecture several times, you can take better notes and more thoroughly understand the concepts discussed.
Perhaps the most effective solution is a combination of live lecture and a podcast version that is made available to students later. The vast majority of students participating in this research indicated they preferred attending lectures, but wanted the podcasts to refresh their memory and adjust their notes taken during the lecture.
I feel I miss too much of the presentation if I try to take notes while the presentation is being made. So if I knew a podcast was going to be made available, I would concentrate on enjoying the lecture and take notes from the podcast afterwards.
Online Education: A good idea for you?
March 12, 2009
Do online colleges offer the same opportunities and educational value that is offered by a traditional school? Most universities offer some courses over the Internet and more are likely to in the future. Online degrees are an increasingly popular choice in today’s fast-paced world.
People like the convenience and the flexibility. Many Internet students are working fulltime jobs. After a long day at work, it might be difficult to drag yourself out and over to the community college, but when the college comes to you, it’s not such a big deal. Regardless of the schedule that you work, your class is ready for you, when you’re ready for it.
Moms and dads can advance their education without hiring a babysitter. Working parents are some of the busiest people. It is something of a balancing act. Trying to fit in time to take a class at the local community college is nearly impossible. Distance learning programs fit perfectly.
If you’re worried that online degrees will not be acceptable for filling job qualifications, there is a simple way to find out. Talk with people that are currently doing the job that you want to do. Talk to employers to learn about their opinion of the college you are planning to enroll in. If they have misgivings, you might want to consider a different university or a different program. Once you have completed a program, it would be very disappointing to learn that you still could not land the job that you want.
Online colleges are not the right choice for everyone. People have different learning styles and differing amounts of self motivation. It may be the ideal choice for you or you may need more teacher interaction. Think about the education that you have had to this point. Did you find that you learned more from lectures or from book study? If you answer book study, then Internet classes will work perfectly, but some courses include videotaped lectures, too. Most universities work hard to meet their students’ needs.
Busy people are usually attracted to distance learning, but you do need time to complete a program. Diploma mills offer instant online degrees or promise that very little time is required. But, the diploma that you would receive would be worthless. It takes time to earn a “real” degree.
Some people wonder if they have the self-motivation that it takes to complete this kind of program. Most people find that it requires less motivation to turn on the computer than it does to attend regular classes. Once thing is certain; online colleges offer the opportunity of advancement to people that could not achieve their goals in the traditional classroom environment.
Making Sure An Online School Is Right For You
March 11, 2009
In this economy, more and more people are thinking about online education. Are you interested in getting your degree online? An online degree is ideal for individuals with full time jobs. Many people will not leave their jobs to attend school full time. If you have recently lost a job, then you may be considering a community college or even a traditional one. However, either traditional schools offer online programs.
Completing your degree online can enable a person to be eligible for better opportunities. This is vital for anyone interested in finding a better paying job or for someone who is seeking a new career. You can achieve these outcomes through an online degree but you must be persistence and disciplined to succeed.
The reason that online education is so popular due to the level of flexibility it provides. For many individuals, accessing online classes from their home computer is much more convenient than commuting to campus. Today, most traditional colleges offer online classes and you can complete your degree from well known universities.
Receiving an online degree gives you the same credentials as someone who attends a land based university. In fact, the requirements of some online programs are more stringent than traditional institutions. You need to find an accredited university that can give you the training and experience you need to get the job you want.
In addition to the benefits associated with getting an online degree, there are some drawbacks. Those who achieve the most success are individuals who are highly motivated and work independently. It is necessary to have this discipline because you will be completing assignments on a tight schedule and need to structure your time carefully. Consider whether or not you have the necessary skills to complete your assignments independently and in a timely manner.
You also need to be comfortable with doing work assignments online. If you are still using pen and paper in lieu of doing your work online, then attending an online school may not be ideal. Your professor probably wont give you any extra leeway if you are unable to complete your assignment due to technical difficulties.
Keep in mind that it might take you much longer to complete your online degree than if you were to take the traditional route of going to school full time. There are only a small percentage of people who can quit their job and go to school full time. It is important to fully understand the time it takes to complete your degree when attending school part time.
Before you begin searching for an online degree you need to determine if you have the discipline to learn online. Often what sounds like a good idea can later be undesirable. When you fully understand what is involved in getting a degree online, it may be a great way to complete your degree or advance your skills. Additional learning, online or in the classroom, is a great source of development and can help you accomplish your goals.
