The Redgate Read On Online Learning

Recently, I met with officials from a university who had requested to talk with me regarding my experience in online education.  The institution they represented was a fairly well respected state school that was located near two large metropolitan areas.  It had also been dabbling in online programs for a number of years, first offering them within their community to adult learners and then expanding them regionally.  Total enrollment numbers for their online programs were not significant.

What I found interesting about the conversation was that the three individuals I met with had been conducting “research” and visiting other schools for six years.  That’s right — six years!  What I tried to convey to them was that, in the ever expanding and evolving world of post-secondary online education, SPEED WINS.    Continue reading →

Many of us will be traveling by car over the Christmas holiday to visit with family and friends.  I see a direct analogy between the trips that many of us will take and an someone’s goal or new year’s resolution to go back to school, finish that degree, or learn that new skill.  

No doubt that making the sacrifice to return to school, and possibly doing it online, is a significant goal.   A goal like this needs to be broken down into multiple steps.  It’s like the “road trip” over the holidays to visit family and friends.   We just can’t just jump over cities and states.  I have to pass to travel on highways and roads that traverse various towns, cities, and states. 

Remember — it’s easy to say you are going back to school, it’s difficult to stick to it.  Here are a few tips on how to “stick” to your resolution about going back to school :

1.  Start with the basics — Why don’t you begin with something that is attainable like filling out an application or two, getting your previous transcripts evaluated, or filling out financial aid paperwork?

2.  Give yourself a reward — Set specific milestones and, if you hit them,  plan to give yourself some type of reward.

3.  Let others know — Accountability is key!

4.  Don’t give up — Set a plan and even if you stumble along the way don’t ever give up.

5.  Enjoy the journey — What you are embarking on will make you better.  Along the way, don’t forget to smile, have some fun, and enjoy what you are learning

I recently read a Barna Research Report that really resonated with me.  It indicated, overall, 70 million Americans (31% of adults) feel “held back or defined by something in their past. This perception was most commonly expressed by younger adults, blacks, divorced adults, unmarried individuals, and those who have some college experience but never completed their degree. Those with a practicing faith were among the least likely to feel defined or held back by their past. Lower-income households were more likely than average (38%) to feel defined by their past, though 25% of higher-income households were also likely to share this perception.

Although not easy, each of us must deal with our past by proactively focusing on what has true meaning for us.  If we are not fully engaged in finding what is meaningful, then we are destined to listen to the “noise” of our past.

What would this world be like if everyone who wanted it had access to relevant education for free? In recent weeks, I have been looking closely at organizations like the Khan Academy and Alison.com that are doing just that. They are on a mission to change to education world as we know it.

With the great advances in technology, especially online, making educational content accessible, learnable, and scalable is no longer a wish. One of the last great barriers is financial.

Can you imagine what would happen to this country if if accredited and legitimate free education were available? Talk about a revolution in learning!

I have been in the distance and online education for twenty-five years – as a student, faculty member, and administrator. I have seen over the years, first-hand, numerous advances in technology, curriculum design, and student services. Many of these advances enhance student engagement, productivity, and success.
However, the more things change on one end, the more some things stay the same on the other. And, this is true with the online learner’s approach to online learning as a whole. Although there are all these additional resources and technologies, I have found that there is a thread of “common mistakes” that a percentage of online learners make on a consistent basis. Here are some of the most common mistakes that I have seen:

1. Not developing proper study routines for online coursework as if one was sitting in the classroom — online students must maintain disciplined schedules. Most online programs offer compressed terms of between 5 – 8 weeks so it is critical to set aside the necessary time to successfully complete the coursework and enjoy a positive learning experience.

2. Not communicating — online students must communicate with their instructors and fellow students. One of the advantages of online learning is the use of discussion boards, group activities and projects, and email correspondence. Online students should take full advantage of every possible interaction point.

3. Not having a goal in mind — one of the great interruptions to online learning that I see every day in the online classroom is life itself. Most online students are busy adults, working a full-time job, and raising a family. And you know what, there are times when life gets in the way — family sickness, added work responsibilities, and the infamous “computer problems.” That is why one of the common mistakes online students make is that they don’t see the big picture, the ultimate prize to their toil and hard work