University Online News: New Online Learning Platform Patented by Harvard University

In recent years, the effectiveness of the “University Online” concept, at least as it compares to traditional, in-class, classroom instruction, has been lauded by educational researchers, professors and university administrators alike. Yet despite the research studies that clearly illustrate, and in fact prove the overall effectiveness of online education, there are still pundits on the “anti-side” who are against the concept of online education, questioning, in many cases, whether or not the universities that offer such programs are qualified to deliver a superior education via the online model. These arguments, for the most part at least, are completely baseless, and rely, perhaps, on outdated information and data regarding the past history of distance learning and its shortfalls, rather than the ever-growing stockpile of recent data that clearly shows that, due to recent improvements in the “university online” model, the glaring problems and shortfalls with regard to the distance education programs of the past have long been corrected.

Online education is continually being modified and tweaked to offer students the best chance at academic success, and one such modification is the new online learning platform that was recently patented by Harvard University. The platform, which was developed by Harvard Medical School professor Dr. B. Price Kerfoot, is called SpaceEd, and is based on recent research findings that indicate a significant improvement in retention when information is presented at repeated intervals, with periodic assessments that test student knowledge.

At present there are approximately 25 free courses available on SpaceEd, in a variety of subject areas and fields ranging from Core Anatomy and Physiology for medical students to a basic theory of music course. The students enrolled in these SpaceEd classes receive a block of questions at predetermined intervals that are based on their own preference. For example, students can request to receive questions once a day, every other day, or once a week. Each block of questions is delivered to students in one of two ways: email or RSS feed, and once the questions are answered they are immediately sent back to the instructor via the same way they arrived. The instructor will then look the answers over, and the ones that were answered incorrectly will appear in future sets. However, when the question is answered correctly, while it will still appear in future sets, it will appear less frequently, and when a question is answered correctly a multiple of times, it will ultimately be retired.

The type and difficulty of the questions each student receives is not identical, but rather tailored to the student using an algorithm that is based on that student’s academic performance and proficiency over time. This allows students who are more successful to be consistently challenged.

The early clinical trials regarding SpaceEd are extremely positive, showing that the program is an excellent adjunct to traditional learning and education. In fact, one study involving Harvard Medical Students showed that Kerfoot’s SpaceEd model improved student retention by over 50% as measured on quizzes and exams.

The SpaceEd program is yet another example of the improvements and modifications that are consistently being developed to improve student learning and expand upon the rapidly evolving “university online” concept.

Taking an Online Course and Stay-At-Home Moms

Taking an online course—or even 2 or 3 courses—is a practice becoming increasingly popular among stay-at-home moms. While it’s true that the majority of those who enroll in online courses are working professionals seeking to advance in their respective companies by earning an advanced online degree (MBA, etc.), there are an increasing number of moms who are utilizing this online educational delivery medium for the purpose of enrichment classes in a particular field of interest. In this article we examine this phenomenon in a bit more detail by outlining some of the reasons why taking an online course is becoming so popular among this demographic, along with some of the primary advantages to studying online as opposed to on-campus.

Taking an Online Course: The Perfect Solution for Stay-At-Home Moms

Many women, after settling down and starting a family, are simply not comfortable with the idea of returning to work and relying on daycare programs and babysitters to watch over—and in some cases, raise—their little darlings. Consequently, there is an increasing percentage of women today are choosing to put their work life and career on hold, opting instead for the title “stay-at-home mom” (at least for the time being) and all duties that are inherent in that title. But this path they choose is not an easy one. In fact, the difficulty associated with being a full-time mom is overshadowed only by the job’s importance, and after spending day after day reading “The Cat in the Hat” and watching “Barney” on a seemingly continuous loop, many moms are discovering that the lack of intellectual stimulation and adult conversation is creating a bit of a void in their lives. This is where taking an online course can really be valuable.

These days there are online courses in almost every subject and field of study imaginable. There are courses that are part of an overall degree program—such as courses in business, accounting or healthcare—as well as courses designed specifically for enrichment purposes—courses such as art or music appreciation, child development and gardening. Whatever subject mom may be interested in, you can almost bet there is an online course that addresses it.

Online courses are perfect alternative for stay-at-home moms, because after a long day with the kids—making snacks, soccer practice and cleaning up endless spills—most mothers will simply not have the time nor the energy to travel to a campus, spend three to four hours in a classroom and finally commute all the way home. Online courses eliminate the need for travel, save for one or two face-to-face meetings with the instructor. They also offer the advantage of intellectual enrichment and stimulation, and present opportunities for regular contact and conversation with instructors and fellow students, all without ever having to leave home. Online courses allow moms to schedule their study workload around their family obligations—and not the other way around. These courses are designed to let moms study at their own pace, and during periods in the day when it’s most convenient to them (evenings, nap time, etc.).

So whether mom prefers an online course in Advanced Physics, Russian Literature or Scrapbooking, either way this type of educational delivery can help save her from the “intellectual doldrums” while still allowing her to spend this very special time in her children’s lives at home—the place she feels she belongs.

Pursue a Nursing or Criminal Justice Degree Online

These days you don’t need a financial analyst to tell you how tough things are with regard to the economy and/or the job outlook; the signs are everywhere. Millions of people are currently out of work, some of whom have been temporarily laid off and others who have been phased out permanently. The unemployment rate is the highest it has been since 1983 and thousands of people have lost their homes due to foreclosure. It’s a dismal time to say the least, but in the midst of all these lay-offs and misery, there are two career sectors that are expected to see growth in the near future rather than cutbacks: Nursing and Criminal Justice. In this article we will explain why these two fields of study continue to be lucrative in terms of employment outlook and earnings, and show you how a degree online will help make you more employable and get you job-ready.

Pursuing a Degree Online: Why Consider Nursing and Criminal Justice?

With the recent popularity of online courses and universities, the number of “degree online” programs has skyrocketed in the past several years. These types of programs benefit both the student and university—the university because it saves costs and the student for convenience. While an advanced business degree (MBA, Masters in Finance, etc.) is the most popular type of degree online program, there are two other fields of study that are close behind and for good reason: Nursing and Criminal Justice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in Nursing and Criminal Justice are expected to increase through 2016—a statistic that has many students scrambling to get a degree in one of these two fields. But why are these two fields so popular? And how can an online degree improve your employment prospects? Let’s take these questions one at a time:

Unfortunately, there are two glaring facts about individuals and society that have always been constants: 1) People will always get sick and 2) There will always be crime. These facts are indisputable, and because they are, society needs professionals who can help assist these two populations. Nurses are needed in every city and state across the country. They are needed to work in hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices, and the service they perform—from taking histories and vitals to administering shots, IVs and vaccines—is invaluable and in extremely high demand. Those working in Criminal Justice fields are also required to fill a number of important roles in our society. Police officers, Correctional staff, Security Guards and Forensic specialists are needed In great numbers across the country to help deter and solve crimes, as well as look after the millions of individuals who are currently housed in the nation’s jails and prisons.

As for the second question, because there is so much need for these two types of professionals, there is also plenty of competition, so the more qualified you happen to be, the better chance you’ll have at getting employed. Pursuing an online degree in either Nursing or Criminal Justice will help you get “a leg up” on the competition while learning valuable information that will not only help you perform your duties more proficiently, but also help you advance. An online degree looks great on any resume and could be the difference in whether you get hired or not.

Online University and Federal Student Aid

Not so long ago, the words “online university” had a very dubious distinction, bringing to mind images of crooked, for-profit “institutions” issuing degrees and certificates that were not earned, but merely paid for. And while some of these “diploma mills” still exist, the majority of colleges that offer online programs are now universities that are accredited and, at least for the most part, quite legitimate. But what exactly was the genesis for this change? When did the notion of studying via an online university go from “shady” to valid, and why have so many traditional universities now begun to offer more and more courses and degree programs online? Certainly you could point to improvements in technology as a key reason for this shift, but perhaps the primary origin of this seemingly exponential rise in online education was a budget bill that finally allowed for federal student aid for those studying at an online university.

Online University and Federal Student Aid

Prior to 2006, most online universities were of the “for-profit” variety and not very well respected. Most of these schools would require those students who wanted to pursue an online degree to pay thousands of dollars in fees without the benefit of federal student aid. Now during this time, there were, of course, a few legitimate colleges offering accredited degree programs, but these were few and far between, and because of the manner in which most of the online universities operated their reputation took a major hit. In fact, the general rumor was that if a student had enough money he/she could buy any degree they wanted. Businesses also knew of these rumors, but sadly, what many of these students didn’t realize at the time was that most major employers weren’t even recognizing these types of degrees—a harsh fact that left many of these students thousands of dollars in the hole with no way to recoup their losses.

Much of this changed, however, in 2006, opening up a brand new frontier in higher education. It was in that year that, with just a couple of short paragraphs in the budget bill for the US Congress, the rules regarding federal student aid for online colleges would change forever. With the President and both sections of the House firmly behind the bill, and citing advances in technology and budget cuts in education as their primary reasoning, the prior stipulation—a stipulation which formerly required universities to deliver at least half of their courses on a campus rather than online to qualify for federal student aid—was finally removed.

In essence, these few lines in the budget bill had a two-pronged effect. First, because students could now receive federal aid from an online university, thousands of traditional and accredited colleges from around the country got busy creating online degree programs in hundreds of different majors—programs that according to recent studies have been just as effective as those offered in a traditional classroom setting. The second effect this budget bill had was that it drove many of the not-so-legitimate colleges slowly out of business. With so many choices being offered from “real” universities that students actually trusted, the demand for the for-profit colleges diminished rapidly.

Today online universities continue to increase in popularity, affording many students—students who would otherwise be excluded from pursuing higher education due to financial or geographical limitations—the opportunity to continue their education. To date, the availability of federal student aid, coupled with widespread access to new and improved technologies, have allowed thousands of students to pursue and obtain a recognized degree from an accredited online university.

Online Programs for Graduate Students

Online programs for graduate students offer a unique opportunity for working professionals who desire an advanced degree. After 4-5 years of undergraduate work pursuing their original degree—and for many racking up thousands of dollars in student debt—most graduates feel the need to enter the work force and commence on a career. However, once established in these careers, many of them realize that an advanced degree will help them to move up in their respective businesses, companies and organizations, and thus have the ability to earn a higher wage. This is where online programs can be so invaluable.

Online programs for graduate students are designed for those individuals who lack the time to attend a traditional college setting, and while many people erroneously presuppose that these programs are somehow less effective or even watered-down versions of the real thing, studies show that this type of delivery method can be just as effective and, in certain instances, even more effective when the program is structured correctly and when the student(s) is motivated to learn. Online programs allow students the opportunity to tailor their study schedule around other responsibilities and obligations such as work and family. They permit students to work at their own pace and, for the most part, from the comfort of their homes, without the hassle of long commutes, the time demands of sitting for hours upon end in a classroom and driving home late at night while tired from the long day.

Graduate Online Programs

The list of accredited schools that offer online programs is not only long, but impressive, and the number of graduate degrees available is incredibly diverse. The following are just a few of those degrees and the school that offers them.

· New York University (NYU): Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Development.

· Indiana Wesleyan University: Masters of Business Administration (MBA)

· Walden University: Masters of Science in Criminal Justice

· Southern New Hampshire University: Masters of Business Administration-Marketing

· Florida Atlantic University: Masters of Accounting and Forensic Accounting

· Northeastern University: Masters of Finance

· University of Phoenix: Masters of Arts in Education

These are just a few of the hundreds of accredited schools and programs of study currently available, allowing students the chance to study at the school of their choosing, without regard to geographical distance.

Online programs for graduate students are the ideal way for professionals from many walks of life—accountants, business executives, teachers, law enforcement, healthcare, etc.—to take their career to the next level and begin earning thousands of dollars more each year. And the best part is that they can achieve this at their own pace. Whether they choose to study part-time, perhaps taking one class per semester, or full-time to complete their degree program more rapidly, you can bet that there is an online program that can help. And if money is an issue—most accredited online colleges and universities offer financial aid to those who qualify. The simple truth is that with the rapid advances in technology, online programs are indeed the wave of the future and are truly a win-win for students and universities alike.

Online Degree: What Program Should I Choose

In the past ten years or so, widespread access to technology and the Internet has forever changed the educational landscape, and what was once called distance learning is now called online degree programs. This educational model has opened up vast opportunities for a large number of people, including those with employment or family responsibilities that make it difficult for them to attend traditional university classes. And as popularity swells with regard to this type of educational model, so too have the number of online degree programs that accredited colleges and universities are currently offering. In this article we will examine a few separate disciplines in which you can now pursue an online degree, along with a bit of advice for making sure the college you choose is on the “up and up.”

Online Degree Programs: What’s Available?

In the past, distance education was seen as a “last resort,” and universities would only consider it in extreme cases. Now, though, due largely to advances in technologies, advances which includes things like video and audio conferencing, instant messaging, etc., most universities are offering online degree programs in many, if not all subjects and disciplines. Below are some examples of the various areas in which you can now pursue an online degree:

· Business. Business is one of the most popular college majors, and most universities are now offering online degree programs for undergraduates in areas such as Business Management and Finance, as well as MBA programs for working professionals who want to improve their skill set and enhance their resume.

· Education. Most online degree programs in Education are centered on teachers who are currently working and who need to obtain “continuing education” credits or for those pursuing a Masters degree in the discipline they currently teach. (Teachers in the United States are rewarded monetarily based on their level of education).

· Computer Science and Programming. What better courses to offer an online degree in then Computer Science and Computer Programming? Due to the popularity and widespread use of computer technology, qualified computer experts are in extremely high demand.

· Criminal Justice. These programs help to prepare individuals for careers in law enforcement, working both on the street and in the thousands of jails and prisons across the country.

· Culinary Arts Degree. Those interested in the culinary arts can significantly hone their skills and enhance their career options by obtaining one of the many online culinary arts degrees.

· Psychology and Social Work. Society is in desperate need of qualified counselors and social workers, and an online degree program is a great way to get introduced to this field.

Of course this is just a small sample of the many online degrees currently available, but before you commit to a specific program or college, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the school you are applying to is legitimate. These include:

• Check the accreditation of the online degree at US Department of Education
• Check legitimacy of the Internet University at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Write to the Diploma Mill Police that authenticates Internet Institutes of Education

Taking these simple steps to ensure the legitimacy of both the school to which you are applying and the degree program you are pursuing could wind up saving you plenty of time, money and frustration in the long run.

Online Courses: What to Expect

Are you considering the possibility of continuing your education via online courses? Do you know what to expect with these types of classes, or even more importantly, what will be expected of you? Pursuing your education through university or college online courses naturally has many advantages, but before you commit to this type of education delivery, it’s important that you first understand what to expect, along with the various ways in which online courses will differ from the traditional classroom model. In this article we will outline certain features of an online-based education to help you decide if this is the appropriate educational strategy for you.

Online Courses: Things You Need to Know

As mentioned above, online courses can offer a number of advantages—no commuting, work at your own pace, etc.—but there are a number of prerequisites you must possess, and factors to be aware of before you jump head first into this type of education. Some of these include:

Using Technology

Technology, for obvious reasons, plays an enormous role in online courses, and unless you are knowledgeable in, and comfortable with the various technologies that you will be required to utilize, your success in these types of programs will be severely compromised. Here are just a few aspects of technology you may need to become familiar with:

· Video Chat. Many instructors will ask that you use video chat, such as Skype for instance, for “face-to-face” meetings.

· Instant Messaging Programs

· Online Forums

· Online Class and University Bulletin Boards

· Blogs

· Email

· Word processing, spreadsheet and interactive slide software

· And more…

Upon enrolling in an online course it is imperative that you find out what types of technological mediums will be used to communicate, deliver instruction, turn in assignments and take exams. Keep in mind, too, that with online courses there will be no professor to remind you of upcoming assignments and testing, so it is vital that you remain proactive and frequently consult all messages and online schedules.

Interacting with other Students

One of the consistent criticisms of online education has been the absence of student interaction—interaction which can enhance the learning experience—and as a result, many instructors have incorporated student interaction into their online programs. This could mean developing cooperative projects in which you work together and communicate with other students using various technologies.

Motivation and Discipline

Those who tend to have success through online courses are people who are disciplined enough to work at their own pace and stay current with assignments. Unlike traditional classroom-based education, where your level of participation in class is used to determine a percentage of your overall grade, your marks in online courses will be measured solely by the work you complete and the scores you receive on exams. Therefore, those who are motivated enough to stay current with assignments have a much better chance at success.

Ethics

The last consideration is also the most important: ethics. Without a professor watching over you as you take an exam or work on an assignment, the temptation to consult various study materials or textbooks may be great, but if these are forbidden, and it is somehow discovered that you are cheating, it could result in a failing grade or even university expulsion. Taking online courses requires that you have a certain code of ethics to which you agree to adhere.

Online College: An Old Idea with New Possibilities

Are you thinking about attending an online college to pursue either a degree or a specialized certificate—one that can help you advance in your career? Does the “newness” with regards to this type of educational model make you a bit wary about its effectiveness and legitimacy? If so, recent studies show that your worries are grossly misplaced, and believe it or not, this type of learning model is anything but new. In fact, the only thing that’s new about this type of education is that it relies on the Internet and other technologies—aspects that, ironically, have only enhanced the distance learning process and made it much more effective.

While the notion of an “online” college is still relatively new, the process known as distance learning, which is exactly what an online college offers, is anything but a novel idea, dating back, according to many sources, to the early 1960s. Distance learning was first offered by a select group of colleges and universities across the country in the 1960s and 1970s, and quickly became popular because it allowed students to attend the college of their choice—one that offered a particular course of study that appealed to them—without having to relocate to that area in order to take the required classes in the more traditional “brick and mortar” setting.

In those times, the process associated with distance learning was quite simple. The instructor would send the class materials to the student via the US mail, and once the materials were received the student would do the appropriate reading, complete any relative assignments and coursework, perhaps even take an assessment of some kind, and then package it all up to send back to the instructor—again via the US snail mail. It was a great concept, but unfortunately it had some glaring disadvantages, not the least of which was the inability for teacher and student to communicate in a timely manner. For example, if a student had a question about an assignment, or if he/she wanted to have a term paper looked over before submitting the final copy, the process could take days—two days in the mail to send the question or paper, and another two for the reply. These types of issues made early distance learning programs a bit ineffective, but fortunately, with the introduction of the online college, and all the relevant technologies associated with it; those issues have now been resolved.

Studying at an online college, while certainly still a form of distance learning, gives you around-the-clock access to instructors and fellow classmates via technologies such as email, instant messaging, video conferencing, forums and bulletin boards. You’ll attend virtual classrooms and hear lectures in real time without ever having to leave the comfort of your home or personal office. It affords you all the advantages of being an on-campus student without the hassle and the expense of commuting. You can schedule your course work around your job and other obligations, and study only when it’s convenient for you. And perhaps the best part of attending an online college is the price. At an online college, because there is less operating overhead, the tuition is usually much more affordable.

According to several studies, there is no significant difference in terms of the effectiveness when comparing the traditional classroom model to the online college, and in many cases, the motivated student can actually achieve more academically through this type of education delivery, simply because it allows him/her to complete the coursework at their convenience, during times when they are more relaxed and ready to learn.

Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning

There can be no debate that the computer and the Internet have forever changed the way people learn, and perhaps there is no better evidence of this than the new opportunities being afforded students through distance learning. Distance learning is an educational model in which instructor and student, separated by physical distance, communicate instead through the use of various technologies. These types of programs allow students, who would otherwise be excluded from these educational opportunities—excluded due to constraints of time, distance, transportation or disability—the opportunity to continue their education from a distance. And while many colleges and universities have implemented distance learning programs as part of their overall curriculum, most admit that in addition to the numerous advantages these programs offer students, there are also a few disadvantages that must be noted. These advantages and disadvantages are presented below.

Distance Learning: The Advantages

· Limited travel. In a time when gas prices have now soared above $4 a gallon in many regions, limited travel is definitely a plus. Aside from the occasional face-to-face interaction that is necessary in distance learning, typically, students in these types of programs will not have to commute.

· Convenience. Studies show that the majority of students who opt for the distance learning model are working adults, most with families. For these students, distance learning affords them the freedom to study during hours most convenient for them, such as nights or weekends—hours that traditional in-class courses are not typically offered.

· Self-Paced. One of the indisputable facts regarding education is that different students learn at different paces. Distance learning allows students to work at their own pace, without being hampered by classroom time restrictions that are either too short or too long.

· Course Availability. These days, when budget cuts to higher education seem to be the norm, finding the one or two courses to complete a particular course of study can be difficult, if not impossible. Distance learning allows colleges and universities to offer a wider range of courses, which in turn can help students finish their degree or occupational program in the shortest amount of time.

Distance Learning: The Disadvantages

· Technology requirements and knowledge. Prerequisites for participating in distance learning programs almost always include the possession or acquisition of the suitable technology (computer, web cam, Internet service, etc) and at least a basic knowledge of working with this type of technology. Consequently, those who cannot afford a computer, or those who lack the appropriate computer skills may be excluded from participating in distance learning.

· Isolation and Motivation. While some distance learning programs include some student interaction—interaction which enhances the educational experience—the majority of the coursework will be completed independently. Thus, those who lack the motivation and/or organizational skills to work in this self-paced style manner may do poorly with this type of delivery model.

· Lacks Immediate Feedback. Classroom discussions and assignments allow for immediate instructor feedback, whereas distance learning does not. Students who require this type of immediate feedback and/or recognition may have the tendency to fall behind in a distance learning environment.

While research statistics have consistently shown no significant difference between distance learning and traditional classroom instruction, it must be noted that those statistics assume a well-constructed program, one that utilizes appropriate and relevant materials and includes opportunities for both student and teacher feedback.

Distance Education: What Is It and Is It Effective?

Have you recently considered going back to school, either to earn a degree or perhaps receive additional training and education as it relates to your current profession? Are you hampered by time constraints due to work and/or family demands, or by geographical distance between you and the nearest school? If so, there may be another option: distance education. In recent years, many institutions, faced with the dilemma of how to offer increased educational opportunities without increased budgets, have answered this challenge by offering more courses and programs through distance learning. To help explain this educational opportunity in a bit more detail, here we will briefly define distance education and the primary tools used to deliver it, followed by a discussion on the overall effectiveness of this type of delivery model.

Distance Education Defined

Much like the name implies, distance learning is characterized by educational situations in which the instructor and student are separated by physical distance. In this delivery model, instead of imparting the required knowledge in a traditional classroom setting, the instructor will use various technologies—data, voice, video and print—coupled with the occasional face-to-face meeting. Distance education programs allow schools and institutions to reach a wider cross-section of the population, including working adults with various time constraints, those limited by distance and/or transportation and the disabled.

Distance Education: Delivery Methods

While distance education may not have been possible, and certainly not as effective twenty years ago, technological advances since that time have provided instructors with several tools to enhance the distance learning experience. These tools or delivery methods generally fall into four main categories as outlined below:

· Voice. Although instructors still employ the use of one-way audio tools—tapes and radio—the advent of interactive audio tools, such as audio conferencing, allow teachers and students the opportunity to audibly and effectively communicate from even the greatest of distances.

· Video. Video instructional tools include Power Point slides, pre-produced film or videotape, and video conferencing technologies.

· Data. With regard to distance education, the data category, which includes any use of the computer as an educational or organizational tool, is by far the largest. This includes using data to deliver self-contained lessons to the student, organize instructional sessions, track student progress and manage records. This category also includes any secondary computer use, including the sending and receiving of emails, computer conferencing and searching the Internet.

· Print. While some contend that printed educational materials are “on their way out” due to advances in computer technology, many teachers still find these materials, which could include items such as textbooks, study guides and workbooks, very beneficial in distance education.

Distance Education: Is It Effective?

The opponents of distance education are quick to say that these types of programs are not nearly as effective as traditional classroom instruction, but the data on the subject does not bear that statement out. According to several separate research studies, when students possess the necessary technology, and when instructional tasks are appropriate, distance learning, as long as there is timely instructor feedback, can be just as effective as the traditional instructional model. What this seems to prove is what many proponents of distance learning have always contended: The instructional model used to impart knowledge is not nearly as significant as the student(s) motivation to receive it.