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Archive for the ‘Online Education’ Category

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Online Education: Is The Attraction Only Virtual?

October 23rd, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 5 Comments | Filed in Online Education

Online education (distant learning) is here to stay and is becoming a significantly important option for students around the world. We here at SayCampuslife.com have been following this trend since we launched this site in December 2007 and concur that online education’s influence is spreading rapidly.

Virtual Education

campus computer surveyWhile brick and mortar institutions aren’t likely to go away, they’ll need to adjust to reach students who can’t or won’t attend their schools in person. The smart schools are those which are now accommodating students through online options, presenting similar classes via the internet as they do on campus.

But are these classes equal?

2009 Campus Computing Survey

That was one of the questions recently asked by WCET and the Campus Computing Project, a pair of organizations who track trends in online learning. Indeed, since 1994 the “Campus Computing Survey” has been conducted annually with results of the 2009 survey released this week.

The questions asked were submitted to schools who have online programs. Those schools typically responded through their senior campus officer responsible for online or distance education programs with 94% reporting that their online programs are growing.

The most recent survey revealed a few surprises including:

  • Students enrolled in online programs may pay higher fees than their on-campus counterparts. Students are paying a one-time application fee averaging $232 and are often subject to additional fees for instruction materials, technology services, and singular courses.
  • Many campuses require training for their faculty before sending them “into the web” to teach online courses. Professors often must rely on a support network that includes IT staff to maintain internet access.
  • Quality still looms as a large question for online education programs. Colleges are struggling to manage their online programs in response to surging demand. A number of the survey respondents said that their online programs would be be overhauled within the next two years in a bid to streamline management and introduce new technologies to keep pace with demand.

Tech Support

Of note, is how tech support plays in managing online education. 36% of the schools offer ’round the clock support, which is critical when your student body is located across many time zones, if not around the world.

25% offer support throughout the week during daytime and early evening as well as limited access on weekends. 22% responded by saying that they offer support on weekdays and limited evenings while 17% offer support only during normal business hours which are defined as 9 to 5, Monday through Friday.

Summation

Clearly, those schools who are limiting themselves will grow slower which means that technological improvements as well as policy changes need to be made to welcome more students online. Finally, closing the cost gap is essential if schools want to attract distant learning students. By maintaining a wide open gap, schools will find that other institutions will beat them where it counts: in the wallet.

Adv. — Are you in need of stuff for school? Check out OffToCollege.com to find an online shopping mall for students — everything you need for college!


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Off To College? Go Virtual Instead!

October 19th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 6 Comments | Filed in Online Education

The days of applying to, being accepted by, and heading off to college may be nearly over. At least that is the thinking of one influential Fordham University law professor who believes that the day is coming when a significant number of students will do some–if not all–of their learning online.

Will online education disrupt traditional higher education learning practies?

Will online education disrupt traditional higher education learning practies?

Last week, The Christian Science Monitor, echoed a trend that has been gaining steam thanks to a disturbing force–the internet. Just as newspapers have withered in the face of an ostensibly relentless online assault, traditional colleges and universities may be about to encounter similar disruptions.

Surging Higher Education Costs

Dr. Zephyr R. Teachout, the Fordham professor who was the internet organizer for the 2004 Howard Dean presidential campaign, wrote in a September 2009 opinion piece for The Washington Post that a “radical reordering” of undergraduate education is at hand. She pointed to the cost of college education as being a primary factor for the pending change–costing students twice as much today as it did in the early 1990s and that is factoring in for inflation.

At some point families and students may say “enough” to uncontrollable higher education costs and look for other options. Also, families who have been long locked out of college (such as the poor) know that possessing academic credentials is the key to landing good jobs in the 21st century.

Christian Science Monitor staff writer Gregory M. Lamb noted that online schools as well as traditional institutions with online options have educated millions of students via internet classes, but even those classes may be priced beyond the ability of some students to afford.

À la carte Classes

One new model emerging on the scene is being touted by StraighterLine.com, a company who “provides students with a new option for required college courses built on the expertise of seasoned, respected and proven educators and partners.”

Those educators and partners include McGraw-Hill for course content, Blackboard for a learning management system and Ed Map for an online bookstore. Partner colleges include Charter Oak State College, Fort Hays State University, Lake City Community College, and Potomac College.

Together, these parties allow prospective students to take one course at a time from any of the partner schools right online for a set price: just $99 per month. That fee includes ten hours of 1-to-1 instructional support, if desired. A Course Advisor is made available, a person who can be reached by phone for guidance. Students can mix and match courses between participating colleges.

The New Model?

Whether the StraighterLine model takes off or not is something that will be revealed over time. However, given that the internet has changed the way that people do just about everything, why not encourage the same for higher education?

Perhaps the best solution for future educational needs is a hybrid model suggested by Lamb: students will take some classes online, others at brick and mortar institutions. Clearly, most students crave face to face contact with their classmates and professors, something that just isn’t the same even when everyone is logged on at the same time.

Adv. – No matter where you’re planning to attend school next year, you’ll want to weigh all of your options first. Technical school v. community college. University v. college. Online education v. night or weekend school or traditional path. If you’re considering an online education, please check our dedicated page to help you find the right school and program for you.


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Online Education: Capella University

September 15th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 1 Comment | Filed in Online Education

Have you noticed a trend with most online, for-profit universities? Typically, those schools were founded many years ago as independent, private universities, but were eventually snapped up by corporations who wanted to capitalize on their name. There isn’t anything wrong with that practice, but then the number of distant learning schools who got started from scratch is probably quite small.

Building A New Model

Capella University is one school that has bucked the trend, having gotten started in 1993 by Stephan Shank, the former Tonka CEO. Shank felt that adult students were not being adequately served by traditional universities so he set out to mix things up by creating a school whereby students could take classes anywhere they chose.

Initially called The Graduate School of America (TGSA), offering MS and PhD degrees in organization and management, education, human services, and interdisciplinary studies, the Minnesota based school received state recognition and, in 1997, national accreditation for its program. By 1999, the school took on its present name expanding its program in the process. Today, the university offers 34 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 122 specialized areas of study, with nearly 30,000 students enrolled.

Awards & Recognition

Capella University has managed to set itself apart from most online schools of learning, by pulling down important awards and receiving recognition beyond academia. In 2001, US News listed Capella among its Best Online Graduate Business Programs. In 2007, the state of Minnesota accredited Capella’s Master of Science specialization in Reading and Literacy program for licensure, one of just a few online schools so recognized.

Capella has also been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Online Advantage

Recently, the U.S. Department of Education made a profound statement when it comes to distant education, “Online learning has definite advantages over face-to-face instruction when it comes to teaching and learning.” Those advantages typically include allowing students to learn at their own pace which for some students enhances their learning experience.

Capella University offers classes strictly online which means that students do not attend classes locally nor can they travel to Minneapolis to sit in on classes. But, that underscores what the college is all about: offering certificates, bachelors, master’s and PhDs to time pressed students who want to reach their goals on their own schedule.

Adv. — Online learning opens a world of educational opportunities for students. Almost every course of study imaginable is offered via the internet, offering degree, diploma and certificate programs for tens of millions of students. To learn more, please visit SayLearning.com to find a program to your liking. Do you need financial aid? If so, check out our free financial aid charts to learn how to apply.


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Online Education: Strayer University

September 14th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 3 Comments | Filed in Online Education

It is becoming increasingly apparent to today’s busy adults that if they want to further their education, then they’ll have to explore creative ways to accomplish their goals. Even people who are between jobs or are thinking about fine tuning their career paths are wondering how they best can balance looking for work, managing school and family responsibilities. After all, only superman or superwoman can do it all, right?

Learning Away From Campus

Strayer University offers both online learning and on-site learning opportunities, via numerous degreed programs.

Strayer University offers both online learning and on-site learning opportunities, via numerous degreed programs.

Online education, also known as distant learning, has opened up new educational opportunities that our parents could only dream about. Once a niche or trendy way of getting a degree, many for-profit private schools as well as traditional public and private universities are now offering courses online, some which never require students to sit for an exam or attend a lecture.

Strayer University is one such school that is attempting to redefine learning, allowing students to take classes at nearby campuses or strictly online. Offering both synchronous and asynchronous classes allows Strayer students to choose the right path for themselves.

Choose Your Learning Path

With synchronous classes, Strayer students log on at a set time and date each week to hook up with their fellow classmates and instructor. This arrangement can work especially well for the student who needs the discipline of learning at a predetermined pace.

Asynchronous classes could be the best arrangement for the student who needs to study at his or her own pace. Like when the kids are in bed. Or when you catch some down time while at work. Weeknights, weekends and holidays could work well for you too. You’ll keep up with everyone via Strayer’s audio lectures, video presentations and supporting instructional materials found online. In addition, web chat will help you stay connected with other Strayer students. Phone or email contact with the professor is encouraged as is online tutoring if needed.

About Strayer

Strayer University offers undergraduate certificates and diplomas; associates degrees; bachelor degrees; executive graduate certificates; as well as masters programs leading to degrees in business administration, education, health services, public administration, information systems and accounting. Many of these same programs are offered on lower levels, allowing Strayer students to complete their studies and move on to the next level if they choose.

Strayer Education, Inc. in Arlington, Virginia now owns the university which was founded as Strayer Business College in 1892 in Maryland. A private corporation was established in 1996 to take over the newly minted Strayer University and has run the school ever since. Today, the school claims nearly 50,000 students are taking its classes at 70 campuses across the US as well as online.

Adv. –  Prospective students considering enrolling in online courses, should perform due diligence to make sure that the program of study is everything they need it to be. Schools should be accredited, courses relevant to the degree program and financial aid options should be available. To help you succeed, please visit our online education page to help you build a better future!


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