The Redgate Read On Online Learning

Here is a very interesting article (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0411950.htm) that I read today that summarizes a recent Blackboard and Project Tomorrow report that states that 41% of  250,000 K - 12 students recently surveyed say online classes have greatest impact on learning.  A couple key takeaways for me were the following: Read the rest of this entry »

It is my opinion, although not sustained by any direct research, that online adult learners better identify with online institutions that have a brick and mortar campus as well.  I have called this the “Brick and Click” advantage.  In the psyche of the adult learner, it is critical that the learner feels connected to the college or university’s community as a whole.  Whether it’s the school’s traditions, academic heritage, mission, special events in the arts and even sports, each contribute to that connection.   This is difficult to do with a strictly online school.

At Liberty, we require students in some of our graduate programs to come to campus for several one week intensives.  These courses are held during resident campus breaks and throughout the summer.  This has, by no means, been a deterrent to growth.  In fact, it has been a significant “connection” that has enhanced our overall graduate retention efforts.  While here on campus, not only do these students have the benefit of face to face interaction with professors, advisors, and senior leadership, but we also hold special luncheons and events for them.We are looking at expanding these intensives by more offering more throughout the year, and we are even considering undergraduate offerings although these courses will not be mandated but presented as a way for a student to accelerate his/her degree program.  This link, http://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm?PID=15758&ArtID=227, tells about a recent acquisition the university made that sets the foundation for this expansion.  Remember, “brick and click” has many distinct advantages.

Greetings from Las Vegas where I am attending the Career College Association Conference.   It’s been a busy couple days meeting with existing and prospective vendors and colleagues.

Yesterday I listened to Nicholas Donofrio, EVP, IBM, Innovation and Technology discuss Global Integration Opportunities.  He shared that his personal educational process developed him into an I Learner — one that had a lot of depth in a particular speciality (he was trained as an engineer.)  His argument is that educators must be proponents of T Learning, where there is as much breadth as depth.  His point, based on his GIO research and observations, is that without, dramatic change, institutions of higher learning in the United States will not keep pace with the dynamic nature of the new worker.  He thought we might even see a trend where U.S. students will completely matriculate to oversees institutions. 

Back to my mantra where those of us in online learning will see a sweeping shift, at some point in the future, to performance indicators as a way of ranking online institutions.  Our online academicians must be more forward thinking and developing learning models that promote what Donofrio calls the T Learner.   Global integration will occur in the educational space at some point as it has in other sectors and we must be prepared.

I run across both prospective and existing students every semester who actually fear the idea of using a computer.  If you are one of those students — don’t worry!  You will be surprised at the basic level of computer skill that is necessary for most online programs.  Here are few of the basic skills:

1.  You should be somewhat proficient at using email.

2.  You need a basic understanding of Microsoft Word so you can successfully complete any required written work.

3.  How to open, create and save files is another important aspect of virtual classroom literacy.  This might also include uploading or downloading files.

4.  Make yourself familiar with your school’s learning management software.  This software is the platform for course delivery.  Components might include discussion boards, chat rooms, learning modules, and tests.   

A couple pieces of advice include: Read the rest of this entry »

Liberty University online M.B.A. program is rated among the nation’s best buys by a respected national Web-based clearinghouse dedicated exclusively to showcasing accredited online degrees.

Liberty’s online M.B.A. (master of business administration) program is rated No. 38 in GetEducated.com’s ”Top 40 Ranked Best Buys-Online Graduate M.B.A.” programs. The Web-based business is located in Essex Junction, VT.

A “best buy” designation indicates that a program has been reviewed and judged to offer a high-quality distance M.B.A. to a national audience at tuition rates well below the national average. The rankings are based upon tuition costs of 168 accredited, distance-learning and online M.B.A. degree programs.

Remember what I have mentioned in a number of posts — we will continue to see a shift to more perfomance indicator based methods of evaluating online programs.  These rankings are an attempt by this clearinghouse to address this issue.