Online University News

Drexel U. Offers New Doctoral Program in Nursing

2011-06-22T08:18:00.000-04:00

Drexel U., based in Philadelphia, announced its Drexel U. Online will off a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

Its College of Nursing and Health Professions will offer four tracks to the DrNP-- practitioner, educator, clinical scientist, and clinical executive. The program will provide "education with innovation, practical clinical research and scholarship," according to the announcement. The degree is designed to prepare post-Masters nurses for healthcare reform and to address the critical nursing faculty shortage nationwide.

The program is "practice-focused," but also an academic doctorate that will require the a dissertation focused on an area of nursing practice. The practice dissertation, as it is called, is to be completed in one year. Students will also study abroad for two weeks.

There is a tuition plan for employees of health system partners. The program is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

To read more about the curriculum and the criterial for admissions see, http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/nursing-degrees/drnp/index.aspx .

Walden U. Adds Two Online Psychology Degree Programs

2011-06-14T08:33:00.000-04:00

The Minneapolis-based Walden U. announced last week that it is offering two new online degrees in its School of Psychology. One is an M.S. in Clinical Psychology and the other is a B.S. in Forensic Psychology. The university is known for its programs for working professionals.

In the M.S. in Clinical Psychology students will "focus on the intellectual, emotional and biological aspects of human behavior and learn to foster psychological health in individuals, families, groups and organizations." The program is aimed at those working "with diverse individuals in a broad range of settings, including healthcare, education, government and business."

Students may choose a specialization in counseling and study substance abuse, career and family counseling and then apply for a license as a professional counselor.
The B.S. in Forensic Psychology degree program "focuses on the intersection of psychology and the legal system, as students learn to identify the social and psychological factors that shape the development of the criminal mind." Students learn about criminal profiling, criminal behavior, and victims' rights. Students may concentrate on Forensics and the Law, Leadership and Management, Victims and Justice and a Self-Designed option.

Walden also offers other programs in psychology including a B.S. in Psychology, M.S. in Forensic Psychology, M.S. in Psychology, Ph.D. in Psychology and Psychology Certificates.

Walden is part of the Laureate International Universities network of more than 55 campus-based and online universities in 27 countries. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, http://www.ncahlc.org/ .

For more info see, http://www.waldenu.edu/ .

Colorado Cyber School Graduates First Class

2011-06-08T12:41:00.001-04:00

In 2008,"eDCSD:" The Colorado Cyber School "opened its doors" offering onlne learning to students in kindergarten through 10th grade. It added 11th graders the next year and 12th graders in 2010.

This spring, the school, based in Douglas County, Colorado, graduated its first class. All graduates received a state-certified diploma from the Douglas County School District. The 19 graduates included a student who was able to attend school while caring for his father who was injured in Iraq.

"Each graduate possesses a unique story, an individual journey that led them to this time and place," said Sohne Vanselus, director, eDCSD. "But what they have in common is a pioneering spirit. Our students chose a non-traditional path and successfully applied themselves to the world of online learning. They took ownership of their learning; they bridged the gap between school and 'real' life. They are the epitome of 21st century learners."

When the Colorado Cyber School opened, its mission was "to make a difference in the lives of Colorado students and change the educational landscape in the county."

Also among the graduates are students who plan to study education at the U. of Arizona, business marketing at Colorado State U. and dance and business at New York U. There are also students enrolling in community colleges and film programs. Two students are pursuing rodeo careers while continuing their education.

While at eDCSD, which stands for the electronic Douglas County School District, students develope time management skills, according to Vansleus, balancing course loads with fulltime work schedules, athletic and artistic endeavors, or community service projects. Through the digital technology, students complete class projects, blog posts, and research papers or engage in debates and social interactions with other students.

For more info see, http://edcsd.org/ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eDCSD.

The State of Washington's New Online U.

2011-05-01T13:07:00.000-04:00

Washington state has created its own virtual university. WGU Washington, a non-profit online school, is subsidiary of Western Governors U. The new university offers more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, teacher education, information technology and health professions, including nursing.

“WGU Washington offers our residents another option for finishing a bachelor’s or master’s degree,” said Washington Governor Chris Gegoire. “This new university, with its flexible, innovative learning model gives those with work and family obligations the opportunity to get the education they need.”

The competency-based program allows students to advance at their own pace, take advantage of prior experience, write papers, pass exams when they are ready. Each student creates an individualized learning path and is guided by one-on-one faculty/mentor support. The program is expected to be self-supporting, without state funds. The new virtual university will start operation July 1. Students will enter on the first day of each month. Tuition of $2,890 covers a six month term.

For more information, go to: http://www.washington.wgu.edu/ .

New MS in Cybersecurity Intelligence and Forensics.

2011-03-02T08:38:00.004-05:00

Responding to requests from professionals in the field for a graduate program, Utica C. in New York has begun offering an online master of science in cybersecurity, intelligence and forensics.

Advocates note that the White House recently appointed a cybersecurity coordinator to examine national security threats in the form of electronic terrorism and intelligence. In addition, corporations have beome increasingly concerned about cyber crimes that can cost them upwards of $6 million a day.

Utica students will study the latest in “ever-changing attack and infiltration techniques” and take one of two tracks: cyber security or computer forensics. They are to graduate with “an understanding of the major concepts in cybersecurity, computer forensics, cyber counterintelligence, cyber intelligence; training in critical thinking and decision making skills related to attacks on national critical infrastructures; the application of cyber technology to field operations; ethics as applied to cybersecurity operations and policy and a practical knowledge of cybercrime investigations, including methods of maintaining the integrity of cyber evidence.”

For more info see, http://www.onlineuticacollege.com/programs/masters-cybersecurity.asp

USDLA Looks at Achievements and Hindrances of Online Learning.

2010-12-23T10:10:00.000-05:00

The United States Distance Learning Association has released a white paper, “Enabled by Broadband: Education Enters a New Frontier,” which discusses the achievements of and problems with distance learning, as well as pushes for reforms needed to promote further growth.

The four major points of the paper are: educators need to continue to push forward “online-based curriculums and the digital content to support it;” legislators must promote the effectiveness of distance learning by reconsidering “accreditation rules, teacher licensing requirements, copyright law and other laws and regulations” to remove barriers to technology in the classroom; policymakers should also push for broadband technology and online learning possibilities for all students, and they should get rid of burdensome laws and regulations that limit the availability of broadband connectivity.

“In order for 21st century distance learning opportunities to continue to flourish and allow more consumers immediate availability to convenient and affordable education, immediate access to affordable broadband must continue to grow,” said John Flores, executive director of the USDLA. “This paper highlights the measures we believe need to be taken in order to advance online learning and opportunity; and broadband access is a huge component of that need.”

To read the full paper, visit http://www.usdla.org/ .

High Numbers of Veterans at Online Colleges.

2010-11-30T16:55:00.002-05:00

Online universities enroll large numbers of veteran students, who, some argue, are recruited for their GI Bill federal funding, according to Bloomberg Businessweek recently. This year, the federal government plans to double veteran benefits, from $4.2 billion to $9.6 billion, which pays tuition up to the cost of a state’s priciest public school, said the U.S. Veterans Affair Department.

Eight of the top ten veteran enrolled schools are for-profit; the top three are Apollo Group’s U. of Phoenix, American Public Education’s American Public U. System, and Washington Post Company’s Kaplan U.

Kaplan U. received 87.2 percent of its revenue last year from federal funding, but GI Bill benefits count as non-government funding, so with that money added-in, the revenue may be as much as 90 percent. Around 11,000 Kaplan students, or 15 percent, are veterans, active military members or military spouses, an increase from 8,500 students last year.

“These schools are after the monetary gain of a healthy benefits package, not necessarily what’s in the best interest of students,” Donald Overton, executive director of Veterans of Modern Warfare, told Businessweek.

But Kaplan U. spokesperson, Melissa Mack, said, “Kaplan has received significant interest from veterans because of our military-friendly practices.”

For more info or to read the entire article see, http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_46/b4203026910225.htm .

Union C. Has New Master's Degree in Psychology and Chemical Dependence Certificate Online.

2010-11-22T20:54:00.001-05:00

Union C. in Kentucky announced recently that its masters of arts in psychology degree and chemical dependency counselor certificate were made into entirely online degrees. The school’s large number of non-traditional students, and the growth in online enrollment over traditional enrollment led Union to make the degrees more accessible.

“Both the master’s in psychology and the chemical dependency certificate program are fully online,” said Jerry Jackson, dean of enrollment management. “Our first students have had great success with their board exams and licensure process, which speaks to the quality of our online programs.”

The 36 credit-hour master’s in psychology will help more students increase their knowledge of psychology. In addition, the chemical dependency counselor certificate requires 21 hours, where students will learn how to help those with chemical dependencies to break their addiction through academic knowledge and practical training.

To apply to the school or to receive more information, go to http://www.unionky.edu/ .

New "Express Courses" Through Blended Program

2010-10-25T13:54:00.001-04:00

Misercordia U. recently added a new Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences to its Expressway Accelerated Degree Program. For the past decade, the Expressway Program allowed students to earn degrees quickly in such fields as accounting, marketing, information technology and medical imaging. Students could earn a degree in two and a half years through a combination of online, blended, evening and weekend classes at six satellite campuses.

The Applied Behavioral Science program, for example, is interdisciplinary and prepares students to work in a field such as social services, social work and psychology. It can also prepare them for graduate school.

The school explained that it helps students to become “ethical professionals who are dedicated to understanding and improving the social conditions of human interaction among diverse populations.”

For more information, see, www.misercordia.edu/expressway .

Kaplan Creating a Mobile Use for the Website

2010-10-24T16:55:00.000-04:00

Nearly 40 percent of adults log onto the Internet from their smartphone. So Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has upgraded its website for mobile device capability, Kaplan announced this month. This will allow students to sign up for test prep classes or admission seminars, as well as learn more about the company's offerings, all from a smartphone.

In 2006, Kaplan launched SAT test prep classes for iPods. In 2009, Kaplan brought SAT Flashcubes for iTunes to iPhones and iPod Touches. Then in 2010, Kaplan created a “fully interactive online center” for students taking GMAT test prep, which allows students to track their progress in the course, use “b-school video-on-demand” resources and chat with teachers, classmates and other MBA candidates from all over the world.

“As teens, college students and aspiring professionals increasingly embrace online learning as an integral part of their educational experience," Jason Moss, vice president, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, noted. “...In addition to learning about course offerings from virtually anywhere using their mobile devices, users can learn how to prepare for exams like the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT and MCAT from virtually anywhere with our Anywhere courses—Kaplan’s interactive virtual classroom, which brings learning directly to students’ computers using video, audio, instant chat, white board, polling and screen-sharing.”

For more info see, http://www.kaptest.com/ .

Enrollment rises at online charter schools in Ohio

2010-10-14T15:25:00.004-04:00

Although "no new online charter schools have opened in Ohio since 2005," the enrollments in the schools have grown.

That's the analysis in the The Columbus Dispatch October 11 which noted that there has been a 46 percent increase in enrollment at 27 virtual charter schools in the state with 29,000 students taking classes on line. The state's first e-school opened in 2000 with 2,200 students. Today is has 9,300 students.

The schools are publicly funded and there is no tuition. The article lists the schools, the county and the enrollment figures. For more info see, http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/10/11/enrollment-rises-at-online-charter-schools.html?sid=101 .

New Scholarship for Oil Spill Victims

2010-08-25T17:03:00.000-04:00

With Gulf residents affected by the oil spill suffering catastrophic economic loss, students from the region are facing large barriers to postsecondary education, said MUST U. this summer.

So the online program will provide students affected by the spill with full and partial tuition waivers totaling $530,000. There will be 10 full tuition waivers of up to $8,000 and 100 waivers up to $4,500 or 50 percent of the program cost. The school will consider both academic success and financial need. For more info see, www.mustuniversity.com .

Penn State to Introduce Online Labor and Employment Relations Program

2010-08-18T18:27:00.004-04:00

In the coming years, it is expected that more positions will be developed in human resources and employment relations, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting these jobs to grow at a higher than average rate through 2018. To meet the needs of employers, Penn State has created a new online certificate program in Labor and Employment Relations that allows students to work in the field while earning their degree. The school has offered an on-campus degree in this program for 60 years, and now the university is expanding the program to Penn State’s World Campus.

“There is a large demand for this degree because of the central role human resources and employment relations plays in the modern workplace,” said Paul E. Clark, head and professor in Penn State’s Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations. “The programs give students an opportunity to earn a degree and plug into our network of human resources and employment relations alumni who are working in top companies, in the federal government and with American unions. It is also a great prelaw degree.”

For more info see, http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/LaborStudiesandEmploymentRelationsCertificate.shtml?cid=0406_GOOBKH1329_0606&gclid=CNP6jK2LxKMCFc1K5wodaTHUdA

Princeton Review Creates New Online Courses on College Admissions and Financial Aid

2010-07-29T09:53:00.003-04:00

For the last 26 years, The Princeton Review has published resources on college admissions and test preparation. Now it is extending its reach online with the creation of a series of new courses on college admissions and financial aid for students and parents.

The courses, scheduled to begin in September, will include an "Overview of the College Application Process," "How to Conduct an Effective College Search," "Essay Writing Workshop," "Understanding the Financial Aid Process," "Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)," and "Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer."

The costs for the courses range from $70 to $200.

"We believe these new services will allow us to continue to be a more comprehensive partner in helping high school students achieve their higher education goals," said Scott Kirkpatrick, president, Test Preparation and Admissions Services Division.

For more info see www.princetonreview.com/AdmissionsFinAid .

"What is the Value of Online Learning?" Community College Research Center Asks

2010-07-22T13:59:00.004-04:00

The Community College Research Center Based at Columbia U. in New York has taken issue with the U.S. Department of Education findings that claim that online learning is as beneficial as traditional education. The CCRC released a report this month that qualifies the earlier data and notes that online learning actually works best when students are "well-prepared" college students and already enrolled in traditional classes. While noting that online education can help students access higher education, the CCRC questioned whether the outcomes of online courses would be as beneficial to low-income or underprepared students.

For more info see, http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/Publication.asp?UID=796

Minnesota High Schools Blend Online and

2010-07-13T08:42:00.004-04:00

High schools in Minnesota have begun offering "hybrid learning"to blend online learning with more traditional classroom learning, according to the Star Tribune Saturday. Forest Lake High School, for example, will offer six such classes next year. These include creative writing, Web design and animal science. Students attend classes at the school two days a week and the rest of the class time online.

"One of the things we believe in fundamentally is that the online world is not an all-or-nothing system," says Steve Massey, principal.

For more information, or to see how other high schools in Minnesota approach the issue, see http://www.startribune.com/templates/fdcp?1279024095140

Online Internet Marketing Education at USF

2010-06-21T19:21:00.002-04:00

The U. of San Francisco has partnered with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) to offer a completely online Master Certificate in Internet Marketing, according to a June 17 press release. Additionally, IAB members who earn the certificate will receive 24 credit hours toward the IAB Certificate in Interactive Advertising.

Students will be taught by professionals in the industry about “several online marketing strategies, including website usability, search engine optimization, paid search, Internet media, Web analytics, social media, mobile email and affiliate marketing”.

For more information on the program, go to http://www.usanfranonline.com/.

"Is 'Wal-Mart U.' a Good Bargain for Students?"

2010-06-14T09:09:00.002-04:00

This month Wal-Mart announced it was joining with American Public U. to provide higher education to its employers through an online education venue. Today, The Chronicle of Higher Education features a "News Analysis" on the pro's and con's of such a venture.

"Adult-learning leaders praise Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, for investing in education," the article said. "But some of those same experts wonder how low-paid workers will be able to afford the cost of a degree from the private web-based university the company selected as a partner, and why Wal-Mart chose American Public when community-college options might be cheaper."

To look at the full report, see http://chronicle.com/article/Is-Wal-Mart-U-a-Good/65933/ .

Wal-Mart and Sam’s Clubs to Provide Employees with Online College Programs

2010-06-04T09:31:00.001-04:00

American Public University, part of a system offering online certificates and degrees, announced today that it will begin providing employees of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Sam’s Club US academic courses and degree programs. Employees will be able to earn credit for on-the-job learning and experience and for online coursework.

According to Wal-Mart, a survey found that 72 percent of the 32,000 associates responding said they preferred an online university over other options. APU offer 70 different programs. Courses start in September.

Associates, as the employees are called, can receive credit in current degree offerings in management, transportation and logistics, and security management. New concentrations will be added in retail management. Wal-Mart and APU will offer a “Lifelong Learning Grant” to reduce the cost of tuition. A book grant can cover the cost of text books and related class materials.

For more information, visit www.studyatapu.com

U. of Idaho Launches "Engineering Outreach"

2010-05-28T15:05:00.005-04:00

The University of Idaho says it has over 35 years of experience delivering courses to students at a distance. Now, though, it has a program called "Engineering Outreach" that "integrates innovative technology to deliver complete and fully accredited graduate degree programs and certificates to students worldwide."

Program participants can view lectures online or on a DVD or USB flash drive. Over 70 courses are available. Academic focus areas include business, nuclear engineering, psychology, statistics and water resources.

Masters degrees are available in bio-agricultural management, civil engineering, computer engineering and science, electrical engineering and management, geological engineering, mechanical and teaching mathematics.

Academic certificates are also available in such subjects as analog integrated circuit design, semiconductor theory and devices and water resources engineering.

Costs range from $503 to $569 per credit.

For more information see http://eo.uidaho.edu/about .

New Research Center Created to Focus on Distance Ed

2010-05-19T10:55:00.001-04:00

A company called “eLearners.com," a division of EducationDynamics, has created an eLearners' Research Center to track data on online education, distance learning and adult students. The Research Center will enable viewers to search for information by topic and source.

"It's hard to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest research, with new studies released frequently…,” said Helen MacDermott, content director, eLearners.com.

The eLearners' Research Center will include info on accreditation, quality issues, tuition and financial aid. The research will stem from such organizations as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, Eduventures, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Education and the Sloan Consortium.

To obtain the latest research, readers can join the eLearners.com Twitter feed. The Twitter ID is eLearners.

For more info see, http://www.elearners.com/research/ .

Lastest Issue of American Journal of Distance Ed

2010-05-18T12:55:00.002-04:00

In 1987, Michael Grahame began a publication called the American Journal of Distance Education which was then published by The Pennsylvania State University College of Education until 2001. Today, it is both a print publication and an online journal that is part of a larger publishing group focused on scholarly and academic journals.

These roots not only describe the changes in education publishing, but the changes in education. The latest journal issue focuses on distance education and students with disabilities, adult education, music education and global programs. The journal comes out four times a year and is subscription based. Articles can be purchased separately or the entire issue costs $70.95.

The web site is a repository of interesting articles, interviews and research. For more information see http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=g922222761

New Virtual Schools Set to Open in Massachusetts

2010-05-10T09:22:00.003-04:00

As part of a new education law enacted in January, the state of Massachusetts is set to open “Virtual Schools” to students throughout the state beginning this fall, according to an article in the Boston Globe May 5. The schools are an attempt to stem the drop-out rate, and attract students “who are bored or unchallenged by curriculums in traditional schools, and could benefit students who can’t attend regular school because of a medical condition, expulsion or incarceration, among other reasons,” the paper said.

“I think that for some students a virtual environment for all schooling or most schooling may make sense,’’ said Mitchell Chester, the state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “But I don’t think online learning for all programs will be appropriate for most students. Learning at its heart is a social endeavor. . . . I think for most students face-to-face instruction is the medium that gives them most benefit.’’

The first Virtual School is scheduled to enroll up to 600 students in grades kindergarten through grade 8 in Greenfield, a small town in Western Massachusetts. Students must meet state requirements for class time, which in high school means completing 990 hours of “structured learning’’ annually. Online classes will be designed to meet the state’s academic standards. Schools districts outside the virtual school districts will need to pay $5,000 to the virtual school for each of their students who attend.

Not all school districts are jumping on board. Some district prefer providing classes, but not an entire program. “Online learning is a tool that allows students to enhance their education,’’ said State Senator Stanley Rosenberg from Amherst. “But it’s important for them not to spend 12 years at home looking at a computer.’’

For the complete article see http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2010/05/05/mass_about_to_enter_world_of_virtual_schools/ .

PBS Documentary Looks at For-Profit Colleges

2010-05-07T16:27:00.004-04:00

On Tuesday, May 4, "Frontline," the PBS documentary series took a look at how for-profit colleges are transforming education. The program, called "College Inc.," included an analysis of some of the major online degree-granting institutions.

The PBS program can be ordered or viewed on the web.

See, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/collegeinc/?utm_campaign=homepage&utm_medium=bigimage&utm_source=bigimage .

"Best Buys in Online MBA's"

2010-05-04T10:43:00.005-04:00

OnlineUnews.com readers often ask, “How do we know which online learning program is best?” Well, there is a research organization based in Vermont called GetEducated.com that reviews and ranks accredited online university degree programs.

Last week, it released its 2010 rankings of “Best Buys in Online MBAs.” The report reviews 69 programs offering 133 distance MBA degrees according to cost, quality and credibility. All programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

“In 1989, when we began our online college reviews, no AACSB business school offered a distance MBA,” said Vicky Phillips, GetEducated.com’s founder. “Today, online business degrees are available from top universities.”

The top online MBA degree programs reviewed by GetEducated.com include Babson College’s Olin Graduate School of Business and Indiana U.’s Kelley School of Business.

The rankings note which institutions are “best buys.” Public universities had the best values. These include: Southeast Missouri State U., Texas A & M U. Commerce, East Carolina U., U. of Houston Victoria, Oklahoma State U., U. of South Dakota, Prairie View A & M U., U. of North Dakota, Frostburg State U. and U. of Houston Clear Lake.

“Brick-and-mortar public universities dominate GetEducated.com’s top values in online business education,” said Phillips. “Today, the best online degree programs, in terms of affordability and quality, are operated by business schools known for their residential programs.”

GetEducated.com’s study found that the costs for the degrees ranged from $8,234 to $119,300 for an AACSB-accredited graduate degree in business administration. The average cost was $32,926.

Southeast Missouri State U.'s Harrison College of Business was the number one “best buy.” SEMO charges $8,234 for a distance MBA degree for Missouri residents. Non-residents pay $14,174.

Duke U. was the most expensive charging $119,300 for its Global MBA option.
A distance MBA from U. of South Dakota, however, costs about $11,000 for all online students, regardless of state of residency.

“$11,000 may sound like a lot,” said Phillips, “but in truth, an AACSB online MBA that costs $11,000 costs $22,000 less than the national average. Potential students need to know that a top-ranked online MBA need not cost an arm and a leg.”

GetEducated.com has been around since 1989. For a copy of their latest report see http://www.GetEducated.com .

Alabama Governor Bob Riley Receives Award for Promoting Distance Learning

2010-04-28T12:45:00.003-04:00

The United States Distance Learning Association has selected Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, for its 2010 Eagle Award. The award will be presented during the USDLA national conference in St. Louis, Missouri, May 4.

The Eagle Award is presented to a national or international public official who has demonstrated leadership in the public policy arena, a record of supporting educational technology and “serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity,” the announcement said.

“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” said Governor Riley. “In my state, every high school now offers distance learning classes. That has leveled the playing field for our students in a way no other education program ever has before. Now, no matter if they live in an urban, suburban or rural community, our students have access to classes they otherwise would not. It’s broadened their horizons and opened up a whole new world of learning opportunity for our students in Alabama,”

Reggie Smith III, president, USDLA Board of Directors and chair of the awards committee, noted that, “The work of Governor Bob Riley and his Alabama ACCESS Distance Learning Initiative team demonstrates and confirms the transformative power of distance learning.”

Prior awardees have included North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, Former Florida Governor John Ellis “Jeb” Bush and Former FCC Chairman William Kennard. In addition, this year, Ellen Wagner, executive director, WCET, and Farhad Saba, CEO, Distance-Educator.com, will be inducted into the USDLA Hall of Fame at the conference.

The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit association formed in 1987 and located in Boston. The association reaches 20,000 people world-wide

For more info on Alabama’s initiative see, http://accessdl.state.al.us/ . To read more about the USDLA awards program see http://www.usdla.org .

Middlebury College Creates Online Language Academy

2010-04-14T10:42:00.002-04:00

Middlebury, the college with renowned foreign language programs, has expanded its offerings with a new online education program for pre-collegiate students called Middlebury Interactive Languages.

Middlebury, located in Vermont, will work in partnership with K12, an online education company based in Herndon, Virginia. It will also expand the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, a language immersion summer program for middle and high school students.

"The partnership between Middlebury and K12 will expand access to high-quality language learning at a critical juncture," said Ronald D. Liebowitz, president, Middlebury C. "At a time when foreign language opportunities for primary and secondary school students in this country are declining, the need and demand for high-quality language learning is growing exponentially. Learning foreign languages and cultures has never been more important to our nation's global competitiveness."

Beginner French and Spanish for high school students will be offered late summer 2010. The courses will feature animation, music, videos and instructional games aimed at immersing students in new languages. Students will be assigned interactive, student-to-student virtual collaboration assignments, Middlebury said.

The courses are aimed at students who currently have no access to foreign language instruction. But teachers will also be able use the materials to supplement teaching in a regular classroom.

The new partnership will also lead to the expansion of the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, an immersion summer program for students in grades 8-12, which provides instruction in Arabic, Chinese, French, German and Spanish through four-week residential sessions on four campuses: Green Mountain College in Vermont; Oberlin College in Ohio; Pomona College in California and a site run in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Massachusetts.

For more info on the Middlebury programs see http://www.middlebury.edu/mil/ .

Nominate the First Online K-12 Teacher of Year

2010-04-08T20:17:00.004-04:00

Yesterday the International Association for K-12 Online Learning and the Southern Regional Education Board announced that they will co-sponsor the first “Online K-12 Teacher of the Year Award.”

The “award will recognize an outstanding online teacher for exceptional dedication and contributions to online K-12 education,” the announcement said. Teachers in a public school or state virtual school can be nominated by a superintendent, principal, program director/manager, department chair or any other supervisor of the teacher.

"Teachers are the real unsung heroes in online learning,” said Susan Patrick, president, iNACOL. “Online teachers provide the gold standard in enabling 21st century models of student learning. Students spend more time online learning, writing, creating, playing, researching and working -- and teachers are connecting and interacting with students in online courses to provide high-quality instruction, personalized learning and unprecedented access to world-class educational opportunities,"

The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Virtual School Symposium hosted by iNACOL November 14-16 in Glendale, Arizona, recognized at the meeting November 14 and featured on the SREB and iNACOL websites.

Nominations for the award must be submitted to SREB by April 16. For complete see http://www.inacol.org/events/awards.php .

iNACOL is a membership association based in Vienna, Virginia, with more than 3,400 members representing a school districts, charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities and research institutions, corporate entities and other content and technology providers. For more info on the organization see, http://www.inacol.org/ . To get information on the symposium see, http://www.virtualschoolsymposium.org/ .

New Master's for Higher Ed Administrators

2010-04-05T13:01:00.010-04:00

Are you employed at a university in institutional advancement and administration? Faculty and organizational development? Program planning? Evaluation and coordination? Or teaching?

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Education has launched a new online master's degree in Administrative Leadership for people interested in careers in higher education.

The degree requires 33 credits and is designed to be completed in two years. The degree program meets the same standards as the on-campus program. Students are likely those who want to be student advisers, managers of support programs, student housing specialists, business manager and other administrative positions.

For more info see, www.uwm.edu/soe/departments/admin_leadership/ .

U. of Memphis to Increase Online Degrees

2010-03-24T14:39:00.004-04:00

With the start of the fall semester, the U, of Memphis will add 18 new online degree programs to the 22 it already has in place, according to the Daily Helmsman.

"It's a way to increase enrollment." said Vicki Murrell, assistant dean of distance education. "It's also a way to encourage degree completion because if somebody is in the middle of a degree and they have to go to work, they can still finish that degree."

Part of the goal is also to encourage students beyond the traditional age of college students of 18 to 22, and to expand the student body beyond the immediate Memphis vicinity.

Already, more than 5,000 students are currently enrolled in online courses. About 1,300 students are in a totally web-based curriculum. The courses are designed by faculty of traditional courses on the campus. the university states that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools requires that all online degree programs must be identical to in-person programs.

The degrees are offered through the university’s “eCampus.” Some of the new degrees to be added to the roster next fall include: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts History, Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management, Bachelor of Arts in Communication;

Also, Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education, Master of Science Educational Psychology, Master of Science Health Promotion, Bachelor of Business Administration Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Graduate Certificate in Engineering Project Management, Master of Health Administration and Master of Public Health.

For more information about the programs see http://www.memphis.edu/ecampus/degree_prog.php .

Education Week Webinar on Online Learning

2010-03-22T17:57:00.005-04:00

The education newspaper called Education Week is the co-sponsor of a Webinar in April called “Online Learning in a Hybrid World.” Blackboard K-12, a division of Blackboard, Inc., is the co-sponsor.

The sponsors claim that “a hybrid model of face-to-face and Internet-based coursework is emerging as the most popular form of e-instruction.”

Presenters will focus on what makes a successful program and “how administrators can incorporate online courses into their students’ school days, and how in-person instructors can help make the online-learning experience work better for students.”

The presenters include:
. Susan Patrick, president and CEO, International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL);
. Prakash B. Patel, computer science teacher, Quakertown Community Senior High School, Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

The moderator is Michelle Davis, senior writer, Education Week Digital Directions.

The Webinar is free and will take place Thursday, April 8, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time.

To attend the Webinar, no phone is required, but an Internet connection is needed to participate. An archived version will be available within 24 hours of the presentation.

To register, go to http://www.edweek.org/ . (Click Digital Directions and then the posting for Education Week Events. )

Swiss Institute to Offer New MBA in International Hospitality Online

2010-03-16T10:04:00.010-04:00

The Glion Institute of Higher Education in Montreux, Switzerland, plans to offer what is billed as “the world’s first fully-accredited online MBA in the field of International Hospitality Management,” according to hotelworldnetwork.com March 11.

"We at Glion are very excited to announce our new MBA in International Hospitality Management which is fully delivered online,” said Christian Beek, CEO, Glion Institute of Higher Education. “The program was developed based on industry research conducted in 2005 and 2009 with over 1,000 hospitality managers around the world. As leaders in hospitality management education, we feel it is important to find new and flexible alternatives for industry managers to reach their full potential.”

The online MBA, which will begin August 2010, will focus on the study of organizations, international management theory and “the changing external contexts in which they operate.” Specializations within the online program include General Management for Service Industries, Marketing and Innovation and Asset and Revenue Management. The degree, designed for working professionals, will take three years and include a dissertation. Students can apply to the program from around the globe.

In offering this degree, Glion is a partner with Laureate Hospitality Education, a division of Laureate International Universities and a global network of higher education institutions in 21 countries. In 2007, Glion was ranked as one of the top three hospitality management schools in the world for international careers. And Laureate Hospitality Education also works with such universities such as Walden University in the United States and the University of Liverpool in England.

For more info see, http://hotelworldnetwork.com/ . And for more info on Glion see http://www.glion.edu/ .

Nine New Certificate Programs at Bryant Stratton College

2010-03-01T14:55:00.004-05:00

Bryant & Stratton College has launched nine new online certificate programs. These are: 21st Century Business Management, Accounting, Certified Financial Planning, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Management, Human Resources Management, Medical Office Technology, Medical Reimbursement (Billing) and Medical Reimbursement & Coding.

The certificates can be completed in nine months and are designed to prepare students for positions in business, healthcare, human resources and criminal justice fields. Course credits for the certificate programs can go towards a corresponding degree program at the college. And upon completion of the certificates, students receive a free session with an advisor to discuss their career aspirations.

"Jobs that only require a high school diploma are disappearing, so to compete for positions in this modern economy, everyone needs to make sure they have up-to-date skills," said Scott Traylor, director of admissions for online education. "These new online certificate programs offer students an opportunity to quickly gain the training necessary to qualify for positions in some of the fastest growing fields."

Tuition for the certificates range from $2,500 to $5,000. On Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. (EST), the college is hosting a free webinar for students interested in the new programs. To register, go to http://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/290819643 .

Bryant was founded 150 years ago to provide career training. Today it has 15 campuses in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Virginia. For more info about the program in general see, http:// www.bryantstratton.edu/online/ .

Haitian U.’s to Receive New Distance Education Support

2010-02-22T08:29:00.006-05:00

The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie and the U. of Quisqueya in Haiti are exploring ways to reconstruct the universities in Haiti with the use of distance education, according to an article yesterday in University World News, a new electronic publication based in London.

The publication said the AUF plans to establish distance education programs focused on “essential courses” with the support of French higher education institutions. The details of the plan will follow a conference at the U. of Montreal May 18.

The AUF is an international organization representing higher education in French-speaking universities and has worked with eight Haitian universities in the past. It is currently involved in a Haitian teacher-training system in partnership with the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the University World News said. Also, on February 16, the AUF sponsored a videoconference for Haitian science students at the Quisqueya U. in Haiti. A seismologist at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris discussed tectonic plates and earthquakes.

For more information and updates see http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story+20100219125240351 .

The U. of San Francisco Goes Green with Online Course

2010-02-17T14:42:00.001-05:00

To meet the growing demands for workers with experience in the new green jobs, the U. of San Francisco has created an online Green Supply Chain Management course.

"Funding for green jobs training in the U.S. is on the rise and for those interested in pursuing a green career, there's never been a better time," said Neil O’Connell, USF online faculty member and supply chain expert. "Companies nationwide now recognize the major importance of their green supply chain, and find themselves competing for a very limited number of qualified supply chain specialists. Eager professionals who invest in themselves with a university-backed, expert-led supply chain training program will reap the rewards throughout their career."

The USF course runs eight weeks and leads to an advanced specialized certificate aimed at “preparing professionals to successfully implement a green supply chain in any industry.” Students learn how to “leverage eco-friendly practices to reduce costs and comply with environmental legislation.”

According to USF, a Jesuit Catholic university founded in 1855, some of the positions in green supply chain management include industrial engineers, logistics specialists, energy efficiency consultants, sustainability officers, environmental auditors and recycling managers.

For more details on USF's online green supply chain training and its Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management program visit http://www.usanfranonline.com/ .

New Scholarships for Students Over 40

2010-02-11T13:39:00.003-05:00

The AARP Foundation and Western Governors University announced this month they are sponsoring 114 new scholarships of up to $5,000 for individuals over the age of 40. The scholarships are based on need and designed to assist students in completing a bachelor's or master's degree in education and nursing.

The scholarship program provides $1,000 per six-month term for up to five terms. Applicants must apply and demonstrate financial need. The program is competitive, and awards "will be based on applicants' academic records, financial need, and readiness for online study at WGU," the sponsors said.

WGU was created as an online university in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to higher education. The private, non-profit university currently has 17,000 students. It is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. In addition, the WGU's Teachers College is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and its nursing programs are accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.

For more information regarding the program and application see www.wgu.edu/AARPScholarships .

Roundup of Weekend News Reports on International Initiatives

2010-02-08T09:51:00.006-05:00

Over the weekend, several news agencies reported new online learning initiatives in various spots around the globe.

In Ghana, for example, the University of Education, Winneba, is now training 7,978 professional teachers through its distance education program. In addition, 17,001 students throughout the country have enrolled in courses to become professional teachers.

Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, vice chancellor, said the distance education program is delivered through 13 study centers located throughout the country. The program is in addition to traditional education at teacher training institutions. The Carnegie Corporation of New York provided equipment to the centers and 64 per cent of the new students are females.

For more info see the February 6 issue of http://www.modernghana.com

In China, the China Distance Education Holdings Limited (CDEL), has begun providing higher education online in Yunnan Province with the Yunnan Provincial Admission Education and Examination Authority. Students can obtain degrees by passing exams and satisfying requirements. Zhengdong Zhu, chairman, CDEL, said "As a major province in Southern China, Yunnan Province accounts for roughly 150,000 of the approximately ten million self-taught higher education examination takers in China.”

For more info see, http://ir.cdeledu.com/ .

And in Canada, the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and the Canadian Healthcare Association signed an agreement February 4 to develop new online courses for health care managers and professionals in the workplace, according to earthtimes.org. One new course will focus on "Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety in Nursing Education: A Framework for First Nations, Inuit and Metis Nursing". Rosella Kinoshameg, president, A.N.A.C., said, “This course, delivered by distance education to nurses in their practice settings across Canada, will improve the health of Aboriginal Canadians and those with minority backgrounds."

For info see, http://www.anac.on.ca/competency.php and http://www.cha.ca/ .

Online Learning Commended by Bill Gates

2010-02-04T13:05:00.005-05:00

Bill Gates, noted entrepreneur and philanthropist, released his “2010 Annual Letter,” end of January and what was notable to online learning advocates was the section outlining his position in favor of using online learning tools in primary, secondary and higher education.

“So far technology has hardly changed formal education at all,” he wrote. “But a lot of people, including me, think this is the next place where the Internet will surprise people in how it can improve things—especially in combination with face-to-face learning. With the escalating costs of education, an advance here would be very timely.”

This was the second annual letter in which Gates wrote about his priorities for funding by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Seattle.

“A number of universities are already putting lectures online for free,” he added. “You can find a lot of these courses at sites like http://www.academicearth.org/ . But online learning can be more than lectures. Another element involves presenting information in an interactive form, which can be used to find out what a student knows and doesn’t know. This makes it possible to tailor the learning session to the individual student.”

In an article about Gate’s letter, The U.S. News and World Report said that among “degree-granting online learning programs nationwide,” the number of programs has grown by 75 percent between 2001 and 2008. A lot of institutions have started putting video lectures online and encouraging students to get digital lessons with iTunesU.

To read more about what Bill Gates and his foundation are saying about online learning see http://www.gatesfoundation.org/ . And to read the article in U.S. News go to http://www.usnews.com/ .

Colorado Online K-12 Enrollment Increases 13 Percent

2010-02-01T09:14:00.021-05:00

Online student enrollment in kindergarten through grade twelve in the state of Colorado increased to 13,093 during the 2008-2009 school year, an increase of 1,452 students over the previous year, according to a report released Friday by the Colorado Department of Education.

“Students in Colorado continue to see the value of online learning,” said Pam Ice, the online support director at the CDE. “The 2008-2009 school year brought improvements in student success in many of Colorado’s online programs. Graduation rates and completion rates increased, more programs employ guidance counselors and credentialed staff for special education and English Language Learners. These efforts are paying off for the programs.”

The 122-page report called “Summary Report of the Operations and Activities of Online Programs in Colorado” describes the activities for single-district and multi-district online programs during the 2008-2009 school year, as well as an enrollment count for October 2009. The report provides information about a program’s delivery, the alignment to standards, the demographics and accountability data, curriculum, student support and budgets.

The Denver Business Journal culled some of the information in the report for its Saturday edition. It found 25 distinct programs. Some are designed for “at-risk” students. Others are for advanced students. Most of the programs are for high school students. But Littleton Public Schools offers "LPS@Home" to elementary students. The largest online program is the Colorado Virtual Academy, based in Northglen, with 4,333 students enrolled during the 2009-2010 school year.

Eighty-seven percent of online students are from school districts outside the district sponsoring the online program. In addition, the programs are suffering their own drop-out problems. Officials state that students sometimes think the programs will be easier than traditional high schools and they discover they are not.

To read the complete report, visit
http://www.cde.state.co.us/onlinelearning/index.htm . To see the article in the Denver Business Journal go to http://denver.bizjournals.com/ .

U.S. Soldiers Deployed Overseas Complete Degrees in Pennsylvania

2010-01-27T12:04:00.008-05:00

Pennlive.com, an online edition of The Patriot News, reported Sunday that despite the lack of access to the Internet and numerous other logistical problems, more American soldiers are completing their degrees through distance learning programs. And schools in Pennsylvania are now joining those in other states in offering programs tailored for the military overseas. These include Central Penn C., Harrisburg Area Community C. and Penn State’s World Campus, which has 398 active soldiers enrolled with 35 deployed abroad.

Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, said that many colleges and universities are seeing an increase in active soldier enrollment. The Post-9/11 GI Bill added benefits to the military and their families. And about 385,000 soldiers and veterans have applied for the benefits to date, with 185,000 enrolled in an institute of higher education.

To read the full article including cases of soldies pursuing degees, go to http://www.pennlive.com/education .
For more info about these online programs, visit http://www.centralpenn.edu/ ; http://www.outreach.psu.edu/ or http://www.hacc.edu/StudentServices/VeteransAffairs/index.cfm .

Business Week Profiles Online U. of the People

2010-01-25T17:33:00.005-05:00

The January 21 issue of Business Week takes a look at the new tuition-free online university called the University of the People, designed for students in developing countries who lack access to higher education.

“At first glance, the school has many of the trappings of a modern university: a provost, department heads, even an admissions committee,” the article noted. “Yet there are glaring differences--namely, the lack of a campus or physical classroom and just a handful of paid staff--that set it apart from its bricks-and-mortar counterparts.”

The school was founded by Shai Reshef, an Israeli entrepreneur, who said, "Education has become so expensive that not that many people can afford it, and in some parts of the world it just doesn't exist or there isn't a big enough supply.... I thought: What can be done better with the Internet than helping people get an online education for free?"

The venture is incorporated in California and includes the support of the United Nations and academics from Columbia U., New York U. and Yale U. Over 300 students representing 70 countries have signed on to the university. Students will be able to pursue an associate's-degree or bachelor's-degree track in business or a bachelor's track in computer science. (However, the actual granting of the degrees is pending accreditation which sponsors hope will come through American accreditation organizations.)

For more info see Business Week, January 19; http://www.businessweek.com/ . Or go to http://www.UoPeople.org .

Sacred Heart U. To Offer Nursing and Business Degrees Online

2010-01-20T08:19:00.007-05:00

One of the largest Catholic universities in New England announced it will begin offering two of its well-known programs online. Sacred Heart U., located in Fairfield, Connecticut, is offering these degrees online "as an alternative to its traditional, campus-based offerings" the university announced this month.

“Extending our programs online is a very important strategic initiative for Sacred Heart University,” said Anthony J. Cernera, president. “Expanding our institutional reach through the use of online education allows us to serve more students with in-demand professional degrees that are consistent with our mission.”

Two degrees will be an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The degrees are designed "to help certified RNs develop their professional skills, move into more specialized roles and increase their value to employers."

In addition, Sacred Heart's John F. Welch College of Business--named for GE’s former Chairman and CEO, Jack Welch--will provide its MBA program online. The program focuses on multidisciplinary assignments and intensive classes designed to develop "cross-functional" skills.

“The MBA program is designed to incorporate real-world experience and challenges and respond to today's volatile business environment,” said John Petillo,dean. “Our curriculum proactively prepares students for the ever changing global business environment with an integrated core that is taught simultaneously in a 'business process' approach.”

The university notes that the introduction of these online programs "continues Sacred Heart University’s commitment to providing values-based education in ways that meet the needs of today’s student."

For more information about SHU Online, as the program is called, visit http://www.sacredheartuniversityonline.com/ .

Report Cites Online Programs for "Up and Coming" Careers

2010-01-19T11:45:00.006-05:00

University Alliance has just published its annual "Online Executive Education," report which profiles the top careers projected for 2010, according to a recent announcement. And universities such as Villanova U., Notre Dame U., Tulane U. and the U. of San Francisco were cited for working with University Alliance to provide programs needed for these up and coming careers.

"The combination of traditional top-ranked universities and convenient online professional education has proven particularly important to many people who have lost their jobs in the recession," explained Adrian Marrullier, executive vice president, University Alliance Online. "Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced pro, now is the ideal time for a career training makeover."

The job sectors University Alliance cited are:

Government Contract Management: The federal stimulus spending has increased the need for government contract managers, the report noted. The National Contract Management Association reports that government contract managers earn at least $100,000, which increases with CFCM(R) or CPCM(R) certification. Villanova U. has a Certificate in Government Contract Management, for example, which focuses on the topic of "negotiation" in the public sector.
Project Management: This is one of the fastest growing fields in America, requiring skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and intellectual flexibility. Professional project managers can increase their skills with a PMP(R) certification. Villanova has a Master Certificate in Applied Project Management.
Information Technology: One national survey found that more employers are hiring information technology professionals. Businesses are reportedly hiring programmers, systems architects and software engineers. These jobs often have salaries of about $118,000 per year. Here again, Villanova offers a Master Certificate in IS Security, Information Security Management and Information Security Management-Government.

University Alliance is an organization that provides the technology and support services for universities offering online education. For more information, go to http://www.universityallianceonline.com/ .

National Labor College Creates New Online College for Working Families

2010-01-18T10:13:00.004-05:00

The National Labor College is launching a new online education degree program for 11.5 million members of the AFL-CIO's, it announced Thursday. The College for Working Families, as it is now known, will work with The Princeton Review, Inc., and its subsidiary, Penn Foster Education Group, Inc. to combine online learning and the "on-ground” resources of labor unions nationwide. The programs will be tailored for union members and their families.

"Expanding good jobs is a top priority for the AFL-CIO and to achieve this, workers' skills and knowledge must match the role of employers in a changing job market," said Richard Trumka, president, AFL-CIO, a voluntary federation of 57 national and international labor unions. "This new online education venture demonstrates our strong commitment to playing a significant role in ensuring that quality education for America's workers and their families remains affordable and accessible. We believe this is one of the best ways to retain and grow good jobs in this country."

The NLC was established as a training center in 1969 to strengthen union member education and organizing skills and it became a degree-granting college in 1997. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an independent, regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information about the program see http://www.aflcio.org.

Webinar Today on “Blending Online and Face-to-Face Learning Environments”

2010-01-13T08:24:00.009-05:00

The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) will host a “webinar” titled "Blending the Online and Face-to-Face Learning Environments" Wednesday, January 13th, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM (Eastern) via Elluminate Live, a virtual meeting place.

"This topic is extremely important as the future of learning incorporates online and blended approaches to extend learning time and create more learning opportunities to students in any school or location,” said Susan Patrick, president and CEO, iNACOL. “Blended learning is rapidly moving into classrooms with digital curriculum, web-based platforms and teachers using tools in new ways to engage students using technology and to personalize instruction using real-time data to adjust and adapt to the learning needs of the kids."

This particular webinar aims to illustrate how school districts deliver blended models and enable students to earn credit in Juvenile Justice programs, expulsion programs, dropout retrieval programs, community learning centers and self-contained ESE units.

The panelists include Todd Yarch, VOISE Academy Chicago Public Schools; Tom Stanley, Clark County School District; and Carol Downing, Volusia County Schools. They represent a school district, a fully-blended high school and a high school teacher who blends the learning options in the classroom.

iNACOL is a non-profit membership association with more than 3,500 members representing school districts, charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities and research institutions, corporate entities and other content and technology providers.

To register for the webinar, go to the iNACOL website, http://www.inacol.org/events/webinar/index.php . The price of the webinar varies for members & non-members.

Project Working Mom Launches Scholarship Program for Online Learning

2010-01-13T08:09:00.002-05:00

Eight accredited online colleges and universities are working with eLearners.com to provide nearly $5 million in scholarships to improve the skills of mothers wanting to return to school, eLearners.com announced this week. The program operates through Project Working Mom and will award up to 285 full-tuition scholarships for study at Ashford U., Everest U., Virginia College, Walden U., Capella U., Saint Leo U., Allied Schools and Ashworth College.

"When we first started the Project Working Mom program, we knew there were problems adults faced when returning to school, but we were unaware of the magnitude of it," said Terrence Thomas, executive vice president of marketing, eLearners.com. "With single mothers, it is particularly acute as only 16 percent of single mothers have a bachelor's degree. Attempting to overcome the barriers of time, money and confidence is ominous.”

The Project Working Mom scholarships are for online programs from the certificate to Ph.D. level. To obtain a scholarship, applicants must complete a short application at http://www.projectworkingmom.com/ and write an essay describing their goals, instances of triumph over adversity and why online education is an ideal match for them. The deadlines for applications are March 1, April 27 and September 30.

eLearners.com is a website operated by EducationDynamics. It has operated since 1999 and provides a search engine for finding online degree program offerings, educational evaluation tools and financial aid resources. For more information visit http://www.elearners.com/ and for info on the scholarships see http://www.projectworkingmom.com/ .

China and U.S. Companies Sign Agreement to Certify Accountants

2010-01-12T08:05:00.002-05:00

China Distance Education Holdings Ltd., based in Beijing, signed an exclusive partnership with Becker Professional Education, a U.S. subsidiary of DeVry Inc., iStockAnalyst, an online news source, announced today.

The Chinese company will provide a course and materials in Mainland China for the American certification of public accountants.

"We are glad to strike an exclusive partnership with Becker, hoping that its Chinese-student-tailored high-quality U.S. CPA courses would further sharpen the competitive edge of Chinese accountants,” Zhu Zhengdong, the company President and CEO, was quoted as saying.

The American company Becker currently assists over 500,000 American professionals pass the CPA. China Distance Edu., founded in 2000, serves clients in accounting, law and architecture in China.

For more information about Becker see http://www.becker.com .

Boston Globe Highlights Online Ed in Massachusetts

2010-01-11T10:42:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, an article in The Boston Globe featured students pursuing advanced degrees “online instead of on campus.”

The article cited numbers from the National Center for Education Statistics which projects that 18.3 million students will enroll in distance learning courses by 2013, up from 3.1 million in the 2000-01 academic year. The article also noted that nearly two-thirds of postsecondary schools offer courses online.

For example, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell has offered online programs since 1995 with more than 14,000 students in undergraduate and graduate online courses last year, an increase of 17 percent from 2008.

Northeastern University has 900 students enrolled in an MBA program and a master’s degree in finance program, among others. It will begin a master’s degree program online in accounting and taxation this year.

And the University of Phoenix, which has 200 campuses worldwide, now has two campuses in Massachusetts. Students may complete an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree online.

"Getting an advanced degree with classes over the Internet can help some balance work, school, and family," the article by Dave Copeland noted. "For others it is just a better fit."

To read the entire article, go to http://boston.com/business/technology/articles/2010/01/10/online_instead_of_on_campus .

Arizona Schools New K-12 Online Course Catalog

2010-01-04T14:44:00.010-05:00

Happy New Year!

Tom Horne, Arizona Schools Chief, began the year by announcing the publication of a new Arizona Department of Education K-12 online course offering catalog. According to the ADE, “the catalog represents a listing of some of the K-12 online programs available to students statewide in a centralized location so that schools, parents, and students can view the vast course selection available to them”

Horne added: “With the fast growth of online learning, I wanted to make sure Arizona has a robust catalog of courses available to all students statewide. Online courses offer subjects that may not be available in a given school, help to students who wish to accelerate their learning and assistance to those students who may need extra time or options for their academic success.”

The catalog was posted today, January 4, and is divided by sections and then course descriptions. One section called "Education2020" includes courses in math, language arts, social sciences, sciences and electives. Credits for the courses are to transfer to individual schools (but Horne recommended students and parents check with their school first.)

For more info see Arizona Schools New K-12 Online Courses at http://www.ade.state.az.us/technology/onlinecatalog.asp .

2009-12-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!

New Canadian Scholarships for Students in the West Indies

2009-12-21T20:10:00.006-05:00

Institutions in two very different locals teamed up this month to offer new online certificate programs. The Government of Canada and the University of the West Indies will offer five certificate programs online. The programs, currently offered in English only, are:

• University Certificate in Counseling Women *
• Certificate in Health, Safety, and Environmental Processes *
• Certificate in Information Technology *
• Certificate in Computing and Information Systems *
• Diploma in Technology and Entrepreneurship (program is technology-focused) *

The pilot program is in partnership with the Canadian Virtual University (CVU), and in cooperation with University of the West Indies Open Campus (UWIOC).

Students must be citizens of one of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitt’s, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of their application, have excellent English reading and writing skills and begin their certificate or diploma program no later than March 1, 2010.

Scholarship are available. Deadline for supporting documents: January 15, 2010.

Canadian Virtual University is an association of 10 Canadian universities specializing in online and distance education. The Open Campus of the University of the West Indies began in Antigua & Barbuda in June 2008.

For more information, see http://www.cvu-uvc.ca/ .

Virtual High School Expands into New Jersey

2009-12-14T12:05:00.002-05:00

Virtual High School, a non-profit distance-learning program that began in Massachusetts, recently expanded into New Jersey, according to the Courier-Post in Cherry, Hill, New Jersey. Palmyra High School became one of the latest to begin using the program which began 13 years ago and this semester includes 12,000 students in 150 courses and 347 course sections in more than 650 schools in 31 states and 34 countries.

"We really pioneered it and are a global consortium,” said Carol Arnold, a spokeswoman for VHS. “Our kids have to work with people in other parts of the world and collaborate online. We also have a rigorous professional development program to ensure the quality of our coursework."

The VHS courses are designed to supplement courses offered at a school. They run for 15-week semesters with reading assignments and other assignments online. Students participate in class discussions through threads and blogs.

A school pays a membership fee--$6,500--to free a teacher to teach the course and enroll 25 students. Schools pay a higher fee if they don’t have a teacher who can teach the course.

"It broadens the curriculum a lot,” said Thomas Anderson, a district curriculum director and VHS site coordinator at Collingswood High School in New Jersey, one of the first schools in New Jersey to offer the program. “We could offer many courses we don't offer here, including AP and computer science classes."

Collingswood offers classes in the Holocaust, psychology, zoology, criminology and American multiculturalism. Others have taken music appreciation, AP physics and AP calculus. Other cities in New Jersey who are adopting the program are Pitman, Gloucester City and Camden County Technical Schools.

For more information about Virtual High School see http://www.govhs.org

Employee Benefits "eClasses" Launched at John Marshall Law School

2009-12-07T09:13:00.005-05:00

The John Marshall Law School in Chicago will offer its first “eClasses” beginning Spring 2010, it announced end of November. The courses, designed for professionals in Employee Benefits, will be offered through its Center for Tax Law and Employee Benefits and the Center for Intellectual Property Law.

Robert Nye, director of John Marshall’s distance education, said that these four classes are the beginning of a new distance learning initiative for the law school. “We are planning to add three new courses each semester and degrees in the near future,” he noted. “We see eClass courses as another way The John Marshall Law School is making law degrees accessible to today’s professionals.”

The first classes are titled Fundamentals I of Retirement Plan Issues and Survey of Retirement Plan Issues, each three-credits. Two courses, Survey of Executive Compensation Plans and Survey of Welfare Plan Issues, are two-credit-hour courses. These courses are foundational classes for the Master of Science program for non-attorney professionals and the Masters of Law Employee Benefits curricula. In addition, Law of Patents, a two-credit-hour survey course of United States patent law, will be offered in the graduate Intellectual Property Law curriculum. Additional eClasses will be offered in Information Technology and Privacy Law.

According to Kathryn Kennedy, associate dean for the school's Advanced Studies and Research, the on-line courses are designed for both lawyers and practitioners. “John Marshall is the only law school with an American Bar Association-recognized graduate curriculum in employee benefits, and an international reputation in intellectual property law,” she said.

To complete the courses, students should have access to a reliable computer and high-speed Internet access, participate in online groups and discussions and feel comfortable using the Internet and email.

John Marshall is an ABA-accredited law school and its graduate programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Additional eClass information is available at www.eclass.jmls.edu .

Villanova U. “Unveils” Online M.S. in Human Resource Development

2009-12-02T11:11:00.005-05:00

Villanova U. announced today that its Master of Science in Human Resource Development degree will now be offered 100 percent online. The university was founded in 1842 and is a traditional, accredited university in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

"With this program, Villanova introduces online convenience to the proven, ground-based HR master's program it established more than 25 years ago," said Adele Lindenmeyr, dean of graduate studies in the university's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "Now students virtually anywhere can expand their HR skills and credentials by earning a master's in human resources entirely online--from the same accomplished HR faculty who teach here on campus. The program removes the barriers of time and location, putting an HR master's degree within reach for many who otherwise might not be able to fit a traditional campus-based graduate education into their schedule."

According to Villanova, the U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts that overall HR employment will increase 17 percent by 2016. Its program will include a course called “Introduction to Human Resources” and then classes on organizational change management, human resource metrics and statistical research, benefits, compensation, organizational training, workforce planning, employment law and financial management for profit.

Enrollment began yesterday and classes start March 2010. To request more information about joining this inaugural class go to http://www.villanovau.com/MHRD

U. at Buffalo Offers Gifted Ed and Library Science Online

2009-11-30T16:12:00.002-05:00

The Graduate School of Education at the U. of Buffalo, part of the State University of New York system, is offering two new online certificate programs in gifted education and library science.

"Providing opportunities to students from Kansas to Singapore and back to Buffalo is our mission," says Christine Kroll, assistant dean for online programs, who has 12 years of experience in teaching and delivering online education.

The certificate in gifted education, which begins January 10, is a 15-credit-hour program designed for New York State certified teachers in an area some educators have considered neglected.

"The greatest tragedy facing today's gifted children is the assumption that they will achieve to their full potential while being instructed at grade-level expectations," said Rosemary Callard-Szulgit, a program instructor.

The Master of Library Science program is a new two-year online program with an emphasis on information access and reference services, according to Dagobert Soergel, chair of the library and information studies. The courses will use technology that allows group work and other interactions among students.

"The first four courses, all in the required core, will be taught by our full-time research faculty. The advanced courses will be taught by both our full-time faculty and by experienced practitioners," said Soergel. "The cohort format also fosters the formation of an online community that adds an important dimension, and gives the students the opportunity to support and learn from each other that would otherwise be available only on campus."

The program in gifted education begins in the Spring. The Library science program is accepting students through Feb. 1 for fall 2010 admission.

For more information, visit http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/online .

Montana State U. to Offer Native American Studies Online

2009-11-23T18:10:00.005-05:00

Montana State U. in Bozeman announced earlier this month that beginning in January it is offering an online graduate certificate program in Native American Studies. This is the first such program in the country, according to Walter Fleming, head of the MSU Department of Native American Studies.

"We believe that there are students across the globe interested in graduate courses in Native American studies and this innovative offering fills that need," Fleming said.

The 12-credit online graduate certificate program will include four three-credit courses. Initial offerings will include "Federal Indian Law and Policy" and "Native America: Dispelling the Myths." Future courses will include an American Indian art survey course.

According to MSU, the Department of Native American Studies recently received accreditation from the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium, the first mainstream non-indigenous controlled institution in the world to ever receive the designation.

In "Federal Indian Law and Policy," one of the new courses, students can “trace the history and complexity of Indian law, covering treaties, water rights, natural resource development and tribal businesses,” the university said.

The instructor is William Eggers III, a Crow tribal member, attorney and adjunct instructor at Little Big Horn College, Rocky Mountain College and MSU. He is also a former First Assistant United States Attorney, Special Deputy Attorney General and Montana state representative.

The course, "Native America: Dispelling the Myths" will include readings, videos, online conversations and creative projects. “Students will wrestle with a series of assumptions commonly held by non-Indians and sometimes Indians alike,” according to the announcement. Two MSU faculty members will teach this class.

The program has a rolling application, which means that students can enroll at any time. The individual courses are also available to Montana teachers who need to meet the state's Indian Education for All mandate.

For more information about MSU's new online Native American Studies programs, go to http://eu.montana.edu/online/

The Call for 2010 International Distance Learning Awards

2009-11-20T16:08:00.004-05:00

The United States Distance Learning Association announced this month it is accepting nominations for its 2010 International Distance Learning Awards. The program acknowledges “major accomplishments in distance learning” and “highlights those distance learning instructors, programs and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary achievements through the use of online, videoconferencing, and satellite/video delivery technologies globally,” the organization’s announcement stated.

The USDA is a non-profit national organization located in Boston. It was formed in 1987 to promote the development and application of distance learning in pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military and government.

Its awards are presented annually to recognize four categories of excellence:
1. 21st Century Best Practice Award;
2. Best Practice Awards for Distance Learning Programming;
3. Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Awards; and
4. Outstanding Leadership by an Individual Award.

The deadline for entries is January 27, 2010. The awards will be presented May 4 at national conference in St. Louis. For information and entry materials see
http://www.usdla.org/ .

Western Governors U. Helps Students Choose an Online U.

2009-11-19T16:02:00.003-05:00

As increasing numbers of students turn to online colleges for their degrees, choosing the right school adds to an already difficult process. Many online universities have cropped up, but some have become known as, quite frankly, “diploma mills”. But this month, Western Governors U., one of the leaders in the field, issued some guidelines for students to help them find “a reputable, accredited online university."

Western Governors was an early entry into the field of distance education. It was founded in 1997 by 19 governors of the Western states and the state of Indiana. It is a private, non-profit institution and supported by tuition, as well as funding from corporations and foundations. With that said, it is a believer in online education. But it also seems to recognize that it is not the only show in town. So it created a list of questions to help all online degree seekers make informed decisions. These include asking about the following points:

1. Is the school equipped with the programs and guidance to help you with your desired career? For instance, does the school have a master’s program that will take your education further? Most importantly, are the programs demanding enough to challenge you?

2. Is the college accredited? The school should be accredited with the same regional accreditation as all other colleges and universities.

3. Do employers hire graduates of this university? Students need to ask their school for information about how successful past students have been in getting hired after graduation.

4. Online universities have different models for how they teach and expect students to learn. So WGU recommends that students know whether the school uses traditional, “competency-based,” or combined online and traditional modes of learning.

5. One of the most important questions is, how much will the school cost? Sometimes, online universities will have higher tuitions than traditional state schools, so students should know the price in advance and ask if the school offers scholarships.

6. How well are students supported? Does the school pair you up with an advisor? Is there a way for students to come together as a community to help each other?

“An online university can be the ideal solution for career-minded adults who want to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and there are some excellent schools [that] offer rigorous, challenging, and respected degree programs,” said Patrick Partridge, vice president, marketing and enrollment, WGU. “Before you choose a school, make sure to do some good research to ensure you find a reputable university that offers the program you need and fits your personal learning style. By investing the time before you start, you help ensure that you can be successful and that the degree you earn will help you advance in your profession.”

For more information, go to http://www.wgu.edu/ .

Online High School Founder Wins Award for Contributions to Field

2009-11-16T15:14:00.005-05:00

Keith Oelrich, CEO and founder of Insight Schools, was honored yesterday for his contributions to K-12 online learning at a Virtual School Symposium in Austin, Texas. The event was sponsored by iNACOL, a national nonprofit membership organization based in Washington D.C.

Oelrich was recognized for his development of a “student-centered high school alternative.” In 2005, he founded Insight Schools, a national network of accredited. tuition-free, diploma granting public high schools based in Portland, Oregon. Insight now enrolls more than 9,000 full-time students in eight states. It promotes individualized learning programs and differentiated assessments to allow students the option of demonstrating the knowledge of a subject area “through assignments catered to their learning styles,” it states.

"I'm honored to receive this award and continue to be very excited about the future of K-12 online learning," said Oelrich. "Many students today are looking for an educational environment that fits their interests, their lifestyle, and their goals. If you approach the solution with the student's needs first, the rest is easy .... I truly believe online education will be a reality for every high school student in the next decade, both in virtual and traditional classrooms.”

Insight is a subsidiary of the Apollo Group, which also includes the University of Phoenix. Before forming Insight Schools, Oelrich was President and CEO of Apex Learning and CEO of KC Distance Learning. "A long time ago, we were lone voices in the wilderness," said Oelrich. "Now, distance learning is a national industry, with national awards.”

iNACOL’s Virtual School Symposium attracts more than 1,200 representatives from national, state, district, private and other virtual school programs and is the industry's leading event in K-12 online learning. It states it is the only national conference focused solely on K-12 online learning and virtual schools.

To learn more, visit www.insightschools.net .

U. of Arkansas Celebrates Distance Learning Week

2009-11-11T10:31:00.002-05:00

A number of colleges have joined in the “celebration” of distance learning week. And by example, they reflect the wide variety of programs. The U. of Arkansas, for example, has what it calls a Global Campus which provides classes to support degrees in elementary education and general business.

These classes, out of the U. of Arkansas Rogers campus, have doubled from fall 2008 to fall 2009 and are offered from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Health Professions and the Sam M. Walton College of Business. In all, 27 sections were offered this fall.

“We are delighted to see the steady increase in distance education offerings at the University of Arkansas,” said Sharon L. Gaber, provost of the university. “By expanding our distance education offerings, we are putting students first, especially those who have barriers to completing a degree such as geographical distance or personal obligations that prevent on-campus participation.”

The Global Campus also administers more than 125 online or print-based independent study courses. For more info visit, http://globalcampus.uark.edu/

National Distance Learning Week is November 9-13

2009-11-09T14:44:00.001-05:00

Did you know this is National Distance Learning Week? The United States Distance Learning Association has called for a week-long campaign beginning November 9 to increase the awareness of distance learning among K-12, higher education and corporations.

“This week was developed to celebrate and create greater awareness of distance learning and to recognize leaders as well as best practices in the field,” said Kenneth Hartman, national committee chair and academic director of Drexel University Online.

According to the sponsors of this event, online learning is the fastest growing segment of education with 3.5 million adults and 700,000 K-12 students taking a course and or completing their degree completely online.

For more information on any of the events visit http://www.ndlw.org .

The United States Distance Learning Association, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a non-profit organization formed in 1987. It promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. For more info about the organization see www.usdla.org .

Penn State's Online Program Wins Top Award

2009-11-06T20:57:00.005-05:00

The Sloan Consortium, an association of accredited educational institutions offering online degree programs, named a Penn State master's program in Geographic Information Systems the 2009 Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program. The degree is offered through Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at the University Park campus.

The award was presented October 29 at the 15th Sloan-C International Conference in Orlando, Florida, and honored the school "for creating and sustaining the foremost online graduate program for current and aspiring geospatial professionals."

"Our online geographic information systems programs are designed to meet the education needs of working GIS professionals," said David DiBiase, faculty coordinator of the Department of Geography's GIS postbaccalaureate certificates and master's degree programs.

According to officials at Penn State, “GIS professionals use computer technologies to visualize, analyze and display data. They work in local government, environmental engineering and resource management, utilities, transportation planning, emergency management and homeland security, and many other fields.”

DiBiase noted that about 500,000 people use GIS as part of their jobs and this is increasing at 15 percent a year. To make its GIS program available online, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences partnered with Penn State's World Campus, the online "campus" for distance-based learners. Since developing its first online GIS certificate program in 1999, the Department of Geography has expanded its GIS offerings to 26 online courses. To date, the department has awarded nearly 1,300 GIS certificates and 55 Master of GIS degrees.

For more information, visit www.worldcampus.psu.edu/ .

U. of Scranton to Award Scholarships to Teachers

2009-11-03T13:52:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, the U. of Scranton and Bisk Education, Inc., announced that the Bisk Foundation will award scholarships for teachers who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to social justice. The scholarships can be used for the Scranton Education Online (SEOL) program.

Up to eight students per year will be awarded about $63,000 to pursue Master of Science degrees in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Administration.

"We are proud to partner with The U. of Scranton in helping advance the professional development of some of our nation's most accomplished teachers," said Nathan M. Bisk, founder and chairman of Bisk Education.

The Bisk Education, Inc. was founded in 1971 and today provides professional online education through a division called University Alliance. The U. of Scranton is located in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania and was founded in 1888. Since 1942, it has been a Jesuit university and today is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Graduate and Continuing Education is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The deadline for the scholarship applications is December 1. For details about the program, requirements and specifics on the applications see http://www.uscranton.com/graduate-scholarships-teachers.asp .

Students and Parents Want More Tech Prep

2009-10-30T13:15:00.006-04:00

With the increased importance of technology proficiency in our digital age, parents, teachers and students all agree that students need better technological preparation, said an organization called Project Tomorrow and the technology company Blackboard, Inc.

In a report of a survey released October 29 called "Learning in the 21st Century: Parents’ Perspectives, Parents’ Priorities," one-third of parents and 40 percent of students in 6th to 12th grades do not think that their schools are doing enough in terms of educating children about technology. Yet 50 percent of principals consider themselves to be doing a “good job”. Parents want teachers to have more instruction in how to teach their students, and they want schools to have “online textbooks,” “interactive white boards,” “laptops for students” and “technology-based organizational tools”.

“The disconnect between educators and parents reveals the need for schools to improve the integration of technology into the learning environment and student’s learning experience,” said Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow. “Parents do not feel that schools are effectively preparing students for the jobs of the 21st century, and view technology implementation as essential to student success.”

Project Tomorrow is a nonprofit education organization and says that since 2003 it has collected the views of over 1.5 million k-12 students, teachers, administrators and parents in 18,000 schools in 50 states. For additional information, visit http://www.tomorrow.org .

Blackboard Inc. Nasdaq: BBBB) is the global technology company founded in 1997.

For a copy of the report "Learning in the 21st Century," go to http://www.blackboard.com/k12/education21c .

The 2009 Digital Community College Winners

2009-10-28T16:10:00.010-04:00

While its often hard for students to figure out which online programs are good, or not, an increasing number of educators and technology specialists are developing ways to highlight best practices. Converge magazine and e.Republic’s Center for Digital Education, for example, released the results of their fifth annual “Digital Community College Survey” this month. While the survey ranks schools according to size for their outstanding technical support to students and faculty, it also looks at “online registration, distance learning, tutoring and advisory services; technology training for students and faculty; and Web 2.0 and social and collaborative capabilities.”

“Community colleges, year after year, impress us as forward thinking and quick to adapt,” said Marina Leight, vice president of the Center. “Our survey results show overwhelmingly that community colleges are fast embracing cyber technologies used by ‘First Digitals’ fostering collaboration in learning by using tools with which students are familiar. Those institutions chosen as this year’s top community colleges are exceptional examples of this investment in learning.”

The top three colleges in each size group are: Montgomery County Community C.in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, for large colleges; Laramie County Community C. in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for mid-sized colleges; and Panola C. in Carthage, Texas, for small colleges.

For a complete list of the colleges and more info on the survey visit http://www.centerdigitaled.com/

“Webinar” Tomorrow on K-12 Virtual Learning Environments

2009-10-26T13:44:00.005-04:00

Educators, parents and others looking for evidence of the positive effects from online and blended learning might tune into a “Webinar” tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on “Supporting School’s Success with Virtual Learning Environments.”

The Webinar will be conducted by Robert Blomeyer, business manager and chief technology officer of Online Teaching Associates, and Catherine Cavanaugh, associate professor in educational technology, University of Florida, Gainesville. They are co-editors of “What Works In K-12 Online Learning” published by the International Society for Technology in Education in 2007.

The Webinar promises to “offer practical recommendations about using virtual learning environments (VLE’s) to support quality, efficiency, equity and choice in America’s K-12 public, charter and private schools.”

The Webinar will include “a summary of recently published educational research” including new developments in research about online learning policy and practice, federal support for using virtual learning environments to improve instructional delivery and the accountability in America’s public and private educational programs, according to the sponsors.

Space is limited, but as of today the sponsors were still promoting the event. OTA uses what’s called a “Wimba Classroom” and its online courses including Online Teaching Course for effective 21st Century teachers, and Management of Online Instruction for preparing visionary managers and leaders for 21st Century online education programs.

For more info see http://www.onlineteachingassociates.com/?page_id=236 and to register see http://www.wimba.com/company/events/1718-s…ng-environments .

Federal Grant for Nursing Students in Rural Areas

2009-10-22T12:27:00.006-04:00

For years, nursing students traveled from remote areas of Virginia to the U. of Virginia in Charlottesville to receive advanced training. But now, the School of Nursing at the U. of Virginia has received a $1.2 million federal grant which will be used to bolster the training of nurses in rural areas where they live through the development of distance education online courses, The Cavalier Daily announced today. A three-year program will prepare local and commuter graduate students to specialize in rural health care.

The grant, from a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “will improve our electronic distance capacity and make it possible for nurses in rural areas to study the same curriculum as local students without the commute,” Catherine Kane, distance learning coordinator, said in the paper.

The school will expand distance education to include more interactive video conferences and audio options for distance students. The grant will also enable the school to recruit more students. Another aim is to extend the distance education program to those nursing students studying Psychiatric Mental Health. According to Kane, rural areas lack clinicians trained at treating mental illnesses.

“We hope this program will alleviate the impact of the current national nursing shortage in rural areas of Virginia by making advanced education available in these less populated locations,” Doris Glick, program director, said.

For more info see, http://www.nursing.virginia.edu/

U. of Iowa Creates Partnership for Online Courses

2009-10-21T15:33:00.008-04:00

The U. of Iowa, founded in 1855 in Iowa City, and Western Iowa Tech Community College, founded in 1966 in Sioux City, joined forces October 6 for a new era in education to provide bachelor degrees via on-site, online and distance education courses. Students will be able to earn bachelor's degrees in nursing, general studies, business and technical fields.

According to Sally Mason, president, U. of Iowa, and Robert Dunker, president WITCC, "We live in transformative times. Our economy--on local, regional, national and international levels--is undergoing a revolution."

Writing in the Sioux City Journal yesterday, they said, "Through this agreement, Western Iowans are freed from geographical constraints that may prevent them from pursuing a University of Iowa degree."

Students in the Sioux City area with associate degrees will be able to complete their degrees while remaining on the Western Iowa Tech campus. For more info see http://www.uiowa.edu or http://www.witcc.edu/ .

Cornell Offers New Graduate Certificate in HR

2009-10-20T13:37:00.002-04:00

Cornell U.’s Industrial Labor Relations School launched its new online Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management, the university announced today. The certificate is nine credits that can be completed in as little as nine months, and the credits can be applied to earning a master’s degree from the ILR School. Students are able to personalize their course of study by focusing on two of the three specializations: employee relations, engaging talent and HR strategy. They can also take part in a two-month “Graduate Certificate student-only cohort in business leadership skills” and participate in four online Webcasts with the ILR faculty.

“More and more, HR professionals are being asked to play a larger role in providing strategic leadership and helping to manage change,” said Harry C. Katz, dean, ILR School. “The ILR School has the leading HR faculty in the world, with expertise in leadership development, organizational agility and talent management. This new online program gives HR professionals a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from prominent HR thought leaders, and to take away practical information that can help their organizations move forward in this time of economic recovery. The online ‘blended’ format of the new program allows HR professionals to gain exposure to state-of-the-art thinking and network with classmates while avoiding travel costs.”

Tuition for the new program is $10,800, with every student setting a course schedule that meets his or her personal and professional needs. For more information, see http://www.ecornell.com/hrgradcert.

Open Courses Online Slowly Expand

2009-10-17T11:37:00.004-04:00

MIT’s OpenCourseWare project, which has made the elite university’s entire 1,940 course catalogue available free to anyone who can access the worldwide web, is still the leader in the emerging field, according to a front-page article in the October 16, Chronicle of Higher Education. Its open courses have drawn more than eight million users. In the U.S., the U. of California at Irvine offers 42 courses free on the web. Yale U. has posted 15, with 21 more scheduled for release, while Carnegie Mellon U. offers 12 courses.

The free online university lectures are being used in a variety of ways, the Chronicle noted, including use by autodidacts interested in expanding their knowledge on their own, high school students who are trying to earn advanced credit and college students who need extra reinforcement for their own university’s courses.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has been a major supporter of the projects listed above. But, the Chronicle reported that U.S. universities are searching for a viable model to support their Open Courses. Utah State U., which has posted lecture notes, syllabi, audio and video recordings for 80 courses, was second place in the U.S. until the recent recession when it was unable to raise the $120,000 it takes to operate. Neither the university nor the state legislature could provide support, so the project folded.

However, nations such as China and India are moving forward at full speed with the Open Course idea as a way to help accelerate learning across their vast populations. China has already posted 10,000 university courses online.

For more information, see: http://chronicle.com/ , http://ocw.mit.edu/, http://oyc.yale.edu/ , http://ocw.uci.edu/ and http://www.cmu.edu/oli

Cherokee Nation Establishes Long Distance Program with U. of Nevada

2009-10-15T14:25:00.004-04:00

Despite the 1,132 miles separating Tahlequah, Okalahoma, and Las Vegas, members of the Cherokee Nation will be able to begin a new undergraduate degree program in hotel management at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the Cherokee Phoenix announced today. The aim is to prepare students for employment in gaming and hotel management.

“It’s an industry with lots of opportunities for success,” said Stuart Mann, dean of the Harrah College at UNVL which joined with the Cherokee Nation Education Services to offer the degree.

Students must be juniors or seniors in college who have completed five business courses. The distance-education program will be a two-year program, equivalent to six semesters including summers. According to the Cherokee Nation Education Services, the Cherokee Nation will be the first tribe in the world to team-up with an out-of-state university to offer a bachelor’s degree in one of the largest employment industries in the country.

The students will be in a classroom in Tahlequah and receive audio and video broadcasts from the Harrah College campus in Las Vegas. Students in Las Vegas at UNLV will participate in the class with the Tahlequah students via video feed.

“The students in Tahlequah will be able to ask questions and be seen and heard by the faculty member as if they are in the last two rows of our own classrooms here at UNLV,” Mann said. The courses may include food and beverage management, conventions and meetings, human resources, accounting and finance, marketing and lodging. In addition, students will be able to work in the Cherokee Casino in Catoosa.

For more information call 1-800-256-0671, Ext. 2945.

AFT Members Receive Discount at Drexel U Online

2009-10-13T15:15:00.007-04:00

Over 1.4 million members of the American Federation of Teachers can now receive a 30 percent tuition reduction at Drexel University Online for accredited graduate education programs. The benefit is available to members and their immediate families. The full 30 percent discount applies to graduate education programs. But an additional 10-25 percent tuition reduction applies to other programs. In addition, members can apply for the program at no cost.

AFT notes that Drexel U. Online is ranked among "America's Best Graduate Schools" in 2009 by U.S. News and World Report. The programs available to AFT members include an MS in Higher Education; MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum; and an MS in Nursing Education and Faculty Role. Drexel also provides a BS in Education and Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate.

For a copy of the full program list and to apply online see http://www.drexel.com/aftweb . (Enter "AFT" as the partner affiliation code to receive the tuition reduction.)

Top 10 Online Universities Named

2009-10-08T18:34:00.008-04:00

Separating the chaff from the wheat is the challenge these days when it comes to online education. With the proliferation of programs, questions about the quality of some programs and the apparent need for online programs from a variety of fronts, it’s hard to know what is good and what, well, isn’t.

But where there is a need there is … a study. And along comes something called the “Online Education Database (OEDb)” which since 2006 has ranked the top online universities and colleges every year.

Online Education Database, an independent for-profit organization located in Houston, Texas, states it is “dedicated to building a comprehensive database of the top accredited online colleges and the degree programs that they offer....

“While the opportunities for online education are rapidly gaining in number, there still exists a lack of transparency,” OEDb states on its web site. “We thought there was a need to cut through some of this by offering our rankings. Our main purpose in conducting this study was to show, as objectively as possible, which are the top accredited online colleges.

“Our methodology certainly isn't perfect, but we strived to make it consistent and logical at the very least.”

So, with this in mind, what are OEDb's choices for the top 10 online universities?

1. Nova Southeastern University
2. Regent University
3. Champlain College
4. Upper Iowa University
5. LeTourneau University
6. Liberty University
7. Grand Canyon University
8. Dickinson State University
9. Western Governors University
10. Salem International University

In its analysis, OED notes that Nova Southeastern U. is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “It is also listed as one of the best distance learning graduate schools in the country by the Princeton Review,” OEDb said. And “its law school was ranked twenty-second for legal writing from U.S. News and World Report."

Regent University, which ranked second overall, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Association of Theological Schools. By comparison, Regent “was rated seventh in the country for quality of life by the Princeton Review,” said OEDb.

Champlain College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges. OEDb notes that according to America's Best Colleges, published by U.S. News & World Report 2009, Champlain ranked twelfth in the listing of ‘Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North’ which includes New England states, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

For more on the rankings and to see who else was on the list see http://oedb.org/rankings .

New National Standards for Quality Online Programs

2009-10-07T17:37:00.012-04:00

Thirty-four states now have state-led "virtual school" programs, 18 states offer full-time online learning programs and 70 percent of school districts offer at least one online course to students.

That's the word from the International Association for K-12 Online Learning known as iNACOL which released a new 34-page report October 6 called National Standards for Quality Online Programs. The report focuses “quality” guidelines for online programs in several categories: leadership, instruction, content, support services and evaluation.

“Our overall goal is to ensure that every student has access to the highest quality education available today,” said Susan Patrick, President and CEO of iNACOL. “This is the first publication of K-12 online learning program quality standards to help evaluate and ensure effective oversight. Online program quality standards will help underscore how important effective management, administration, quality content and instruction, student and faculty support, and academic rigor are for K-12 online education.”

The world of online learning is expanding rapidly. In fact, iNACOL states that K-12 online learning is growing at 30 percent annually. Its latest document is the third publication focused on online education quality standards. The others are National Standards of Quality for Online Courses and National Standards for Quality Online Teaching.

iNACOL is a non-profit association with 2,500 members representing charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities and research institutions, corporate entities and other content and technology providers. It is based in Vienna, Virginia, and conducts an annual Virtual School Symposium which this year will be Nov. 15 – 17 in Austin, Texas.

For more information or to get a copy of the report see http://www.inacol.org/ .

Department of Ed Grant Boosts Russian and Environmental Science

2009-10-06T17:42:00.010-04:00

Yesterday Indiana University in Bloomington announced it was the recipient of a three-year $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will be used, in part, to create distance education courses in Russian and environmental science. IU will be working with Tyumen State University in Russia and Tyumen State Agricultural Academy. Tyumen is in western Siberia with 600,000 people.

The grant is through the Dept. of Ed’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. According to IU, "the ultimate goal is for faculty and students from both countries to gain a deeper knowledge and fuller appreciation of Russian and U.S. environmental problems, an example of a global issue deeply rooted in political, cultural, economic, sociological and even linguistic contexts.”

The project will also provide the opportunity of study abroad and internships for students. One four-week distance learning course is called “Global Environmental Problems and Solutions” and will be offered to students at IU Bloomington, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and the two institutions in Tyumen. Students will be able to study Russian and English and environmental science and policy. The courses will begin the summer of 2010. IU students will be able to earn a new 22-credit academic certificate in international environmental science through the School of Public Environmental Affairs.

As IU noted, it has a long history of offering courses in Russian language and culture through its Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. Its Russian and East European Institute was established in 1958.

For more info see http://newsinfo.iu.edu/ .

Studying in Wales Long Distance

2009-10-05T21:08:00.007-04:00

The hope of online learning is that education can be, literally, anywhere in the world. Take Wales, for example. The Univerwsity of Wales, Lampeter, recently announced it is offering an "MA in Celtic Studies," a distance-learning program which allows students "to study in your own home at your own pace." Do you live in England? Montana? No problem.

The U. of Wales has organized "modules" on subjects ranging from Welsh Folk Life, Women of the Middle Ages, Beginner's Irish, The Celts: From Origins to the Modern Era and so on. Students complete modules, write essays and work in English, although language studies are offered. Web-based tools are available 24 hours a day.

The U. of Wales began offering programs in distance learning in 1998. The MA in Celtic Studies is now available to international students who can, for a limited time, pay the same fees as European Union students. (E3,390 as opposed to E10,719.)

For more info see the university's Department of Welsh info at http://welsh.lamp.ac.uk/

Online Program for Unemployed New Jersey Residents

2009-10-01T15:21:00.006-04:00

Rutgers University School of Business-Camden has developed an online certification program for unemployed residents of New Jersey. Participants can acquire new skills or update existing ones in two dozen fields, including business ethics, call center management, marketing management and family business management. The biggest draws currently are project management and human resources management, according to officials.

The program operates through Rutgers Institute for Management and Executive Development. Residents can obtain financial aid through the New Jersey Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Program and One Stop Centers. And according to Ray Compari, associate dean and director of the Rutgers IMED, the online certification program has experienced a huge increase in recent months.

“We are moving many, many people through our certification program, many of them professionals looking for credentials to validate their skill sets in such areas as construction, engineering, and management,” Compari says. “We give them the skill sets and the confidence and job-hunting skills, as well as the credentials to get back into the work world.”

About 630 people have completed the online certification classes, according to officials, and approximately 80 percent of participants have jobs within three months of completion.
The program spans three or fourth months. Students work at their own pace and on their own schedule. Each course includes 70 hours of online content and another 30 hours of assignments. Rutgers also provides each participant with an online advisor.

For additional information about the Rutgers–Camden online certificate programs for unemployed New Jersey citizens, visit http://www.imed.rutgers.edu .

International Organization Gives Award for Online Ed Excellence

2009-09-30T16:52:00.004-04:00

The Sloan Consortium has selected the American Public University System to receive the 2009 Ralph E. Gomory Award for Quality Online Education. APUS is an accredited online university operating through American Military University and American Public University and educates 53,000 adults students worldwide. The Sloan Consortium, an international nonprofit organization of universities, colleges and institutions, states that its mission is a commitment to advancing effective practices in online education and expanding the quality of online higher education.

The award, to be presented at Sloan’s 15th annual national meeting October 28-30 in Orlando, Florida, honors an institution that “best demonstrates its commitment to assessing and improving the quality of its online education programs” through the application of what Sloan has identified as best practices. These are access, learning effectiveness, scale, student satisfaction and faculty satisfaction.

“The consortium recognized American Public University System primarily for its excellence in collecting analytics across the enterprise – from managing enrollment and retention to assessing outcomes in student learning and faculty satisfaction,” said Burks Oakley III of Sloan.

According Frank McCluskey, provost at APUS. “The heart of our university’s approach to academic quality is data-driven decision-making to measure learning,” he said. “Each day we utilize our data warehouse, graphical dashboards, standard statistical measures, semantic analysis engines and other tools to help us analyze, manage and improve student learning.”

For example, APUS uses a survey at the end of courses to measure student engagement and learning. It also benchmarks progress with the Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress, known as MAPP, and assesses a student’s knowledge in a particular field.

For more information, see http://www.sloan-c.org or http://www.apus.edu .

Most Popular Online Degrees

2009-09-29T10:09:00.007-04:00

Business administration, nursing and criminal justice are the most popular online degree programs, according to a new survey released yesterday from AchieveYourCareer.com, a website that promotes online education. The survey was conducted from June 1 through August 31.

"Through the summer months leading up to August, we saw many of our users not just searching for general program information, but they were coming to strong conclusions about the direction in which they want their education to move," said Michael Speicher, president of AchieveYourCareer.com . "Students today want degrees that immediately prepare them for a competitive job marketplace...."

Business degrees, for example, fit that mold, he noted. Other popular degrees noted in the survey are: Health Care Administration and Medical Assisting, K-12 and Early Childhood Education, Computer Systems Engineering, School Counseling and Clinical Child Psychology, Paralegal Studies and Public Administration and Human Services

AchieveYourCareer.com is a private company that was started in 2003 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information see http://www.AchieveYourCareer.com .

Evaluating Online Ed Programs

2009-09-28T09:57:00.025-04:00

One hot topic during the annual meeting of the National Association for Colleges Admissions Counseling in Baltimore on Friday centered on the challenges admissions officers at traditional colleges now face in assessing the quality of online learning programs in high schools. Brian Lekander, one of the speakers and representing the U.S. Department of Education, noted that 32 states now have "virtual" school programs and 70 percent of schools districts nationwide provide both online and distance learning.

This means that an increasing number of elementary and high school students now have experience with online learning. Jan Keating, head of an online high school for gifted students at Stanford University, for example, noted 50,000 students from 35 countries have enrolled in its computer-based distance-learning courses.

How will admissions officers at colleges evaluate these experiences? By posing questions about the individual programs, much as they have done in the past for transfer students. For example, "Is the program accredited?" "What are the backgrounds of the instructors?" "How do instructors measure outcomes?"

The challenge is not an easy one. But as Brian Lekander said, these online learning programs are "going to drastically change over time what classroom education looks like."

For more info about the session at NACAC see, http://www.nacacnet.org , or to read about some of the programs in the distance-education initiative at the U.D. Dept. of Ed's Office of Innovation and Improvement see, http://www.ed.gov/programs/starschools .

Bridgepoint Ed Introduces B.A., Degrees in Environment Studies and Homeland Security

2009-09-25T16:46:00.004-04:00

Working with Ashford University, Bridgepoint Education, a company that provides postsecondary education degree programs, announced today that it would launch two new bachelor’s degrees that will be available online. One aims to prepare students for careers in conservation and various environmental fields. The other bachelor’s degree aims at preparing students for careers in public and private security and emergency management.

Ashford is located in Clinton, Iowa, and is one of two regionally accredited academic institutions working with Bridgepoint. The other is the University of the Rockies. Ashford’s Environmental Studies degree “will provide the educational foundation for students to understand and manage the environment and encourage them to become innovative and creative in developing new systems,” said Elizabeth Tice, provost at Ashford.

The Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Management will focus on counter-terrorism, emergency planning for natural disasters and research and analysis. “The degree is designed to address the delicate balance of social, economic, ethnic, political, religious and cultural differences which can challenge the security of our nation in today’s world,” said Curt Lowe, dean of Arts and Sciences at Ashford.

Ashford was founded in 1918 and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Bridgepoint is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as BPI. For more info on these two new degrees programs see http://www.ashford.edu .

Grant to Strengthen Rural Education

2009-09-24T14:28:00.007-04:00

The early promise of distance education was that students in rural areas could then have access to higher education. Now, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Interior – Aleutians Campus will receive two grants from the U.S. Department of Education to make college more accessible to Alaskan Natives, according to a recent article in The Juneau Empire.

“The Obama Administration supports the use of technology and other innovative means to overcome distance and remove barriers to higher education in rural communities,” said Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Edcation. “Today’s grant annoucement is a small piece of an overall strategy to strengthen rural America. Recent high school graduates and adult training for new careers will benefit from this investment, which will be used to expand access to the university on campus and from remote locations.”

The grant of $2 million is to increase and renovate the distance learning facilities at UAF. The updates will allow faculty to connect more with students, which officials believe should help with retention and graduation rates. The Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, a section of Title III of the Higher Education Act, was involved in securing these grants.

For more information, see http://www.uaf.edu/ .

New Minnesota Learning Commons Promotes Online Learning

2009-09-23T18:14:00.002-04:00

A new website highlighting online learning options in the state of Minnesota was recently unveiled to provide information on educational resources for students, educators, parents, advisors and lifelong learners. The project is sponsored by the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Minnesota Department of Education

Called the Minnesota Learning Commons, or MnLc, the venture states that its mission "is to provide access to effective and efficient online learning….” One of its goals is to “increase coordination and communication of online learning initiatives” in the state and another is to “increase the number of courses, programs and services available online.”

The site will provide options for students, resources for teachers and information on workforce development. The website will also showcase best practices and student success. Visitors to the site will be able to compare the programs at some 250 colleges in Minnesota, private and public.

For more info about MnLc see http://www.mnlearningcommons.org

Dual Degree Credits Available Online in State of Texas

2009-09-21T11:19:00.006-04:00

Two universities in Texas began an online program this month that will enable high school students in the state to earn college credits before they receive their high school diploma. The courses are offered through StateU.com, an online partnership between Lamar University in Beaumont and the University of Texas at Arlington. Students can choose courses such as English Composition, American Literature, Biology and Government among others and earn two, three-credit-hour courses each semester for a total of 24 credit hours. The credits then transfer to four-year institutions in Texas as well as other U.S. universities.

“This program gives thousands of young Texans the opportunity to excel by making it possible for them to earn college credit before they graduate from high school,” said Steve Doblin, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lamar. “Many of these students will discover that they can meet the challenge of higher education, be inspired to pursue a degree at the college of their choosing and be better prepared as they move ahead.”

In fact, Texas law now requires that public school districts offer high school students courses to earn college credit before they complete their high school diploma. The stumbling block in the past has included the logistics of individual districts offering their own courses. This new program enables independent school districts across Texas to offer dual credit courses online. According to Lamar, districts representing about 180,000 juniors and seniors, including those in Houston and Fort Worth, are offering the program to students.

For more info about the new online dual credit program, see http://www.stateu.com/ .

Online Certificates in Biotech and Climate Change

2009-09-18T12:36:00.008-04:00

The University of Washington Educational Outreach is offering new certificate programs in Biotech Project Management and another in in Decision Making for Climate Change.

The four-course program for the biotech industry focuses on planning, management and the principles of biomedical and pharmaceutical product development. It is offered with the University of California, San Diego Extension and begins this autumn.

The online certificate on Climate Change is also a four-course program. It focuses on strategic planning, climate literacy, business aspects and policy. It is offered with Northwestern University, the University of British Columbia and the University of California Irvine.

To get further information on applications, deadlines and costs see http://asguniversitypartners.org/programs.asp .

Top Values in Online Colleges

2009-09-17T19:28:00.016-04:00

A web site that reviews online colleges called GetEducated.com has released its “Top 28 Best Values in Online Colleges” that ranks online bachelor degrees in psychology, human services and social services for cost and credibility. The online college “affordability rankings” were based on a survey of 41 regionally accredited universities that offer bachelor's degrees via distance learning.

According to GetEducation.com, the average cost for a distance learning bachelor's in psychology or a human services career came in at $40,676. But, Colorado State University-Pueblo ranked number one for affordability in its distance bachelor's degrees in social science and sociology. Its cost is about $18,000 for a four-year degree.

Florida State University’s online bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences ranked number two as the most affordable option for Florida residents. Price: $20,000 for in-state students, more for out-of-state students.

Adams State College of Colorado rated number three with tuition about $20,000 for all online students. Other colleges on the affordability list include: Fort Hays State University in Kansas, Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey, Empire State College (SUNY) in New York, Northwestern State University in Louisiana, Troy University in Alabama, Charter Oak State College in Connecticut and Columbia College of Missouri. All but Columbia are public institutions.

"Online education is all about making education accessible, especially for working adults in need of a career education," according to Vicky Phillips, founder of GetEducated.com which maintains a directory of online colleges. "College cost is a huge inhibiting factor for many Americans."

For more info on the rankings see, http://www.geteducated.com/

Online Learning Grows at Public Universities

2009-09-16T16:05:00.006-04:00

What is the state of online learning at public universities? According to a new national report released end of August by the Association of Public Land-grant Universities, online enrollment has more than doubled from an estimated 1.6 million students in fall 2002 to 3.94 million students in fall 2007. It grew by nearly 13 percent from fall 2006 to fall 2007 alone. One-third of public university faculty have taught an online course and more than one-half have recommended an online course to students, the study found.

“During the past decade, online learning has begun to weave into the fabric of higher education and has become the fastest growing segment,” said Peter McPherson, president of APLU. “All indications are that this growth will continue.”

The report was the result of a two-year study by the Sloan National Commission on Online Learning. It also found that nearly 64 percent of faculty said it takes “somewhat more” or “a lot more” effort to teach online compared to a face-to-face course. “However, a large majority of faculty cited student needs as a primary motivator for teaching online,” the report said, “most commonly citing ‘meet student needs for flexible access’ or the ‘best way to reach particular students’ as the reason they choose to teach online courses.

However, the report further outlined the shortcomings and challenges faculty faced at institutions and what administrators can do to assist with creating more online learning opportunities. For a copy of the report go to http://www.aplu.org .

New Online Degree in Early Childhood Education

2009-09-14T11:04:00.006-04:00

Park University, founded in 1875 in Parkville, Missouri, announced today that is will offer an Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science program online.

“Park’s Early Childhood Education program will address a serious need identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for more than 115,000 preschool teachers between now and 2016, “ said Jo Agnew-Tally, dean of Park’s School for Education. She also noted that the online degree program will meet national requirements “and it will be especially helpful to child care providers who often must work late and are not able to attend face-to-face classes,” she said.

According to Park University officials, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is now mandating that at least 75 percent of early childhood teachers have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

Park enrolls 25,489 students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at its main campus in Parkville and at 43 campus centers located in 21 states and online. For more information about the online program, visit Park’s School for Education web site, http://www.park.edu/education .

New U.S. News Online University Directory

2009-09-11T10:37:00.008-04:00

The publishers of the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities announced it has created a "U.S. News Online University Directory," an online “portal” for college-bound students and working adults, that will provide information about both online and offline educational institutions,

The new directory features both ranked and unranked schools in various categories. "Not everyone is looking for a ranked school," said Brian Kelly, editor, U.S. News. "While the University Directory has ranking information, it also provides a resource for many different kinds of students."

The site is to include interactive features, sorting abilities and content about degree and certificate programs. The U.S. News Media group is working with Bisk Education, a company focused on online education and online and distance learning marketing and recruitment, according to Nathan Bisk, chairman of Bisk Education.

For more info, see http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/

New Online Program for Military Personnel

2009-09-10T09:29:00.008-04:00

For the last 40 years, Central Texas College has awarded associate degrees to military personnel from a base in Killeen and worldwide. This summer, it signed an agreement with Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion to allow adult students to continue their education with IWU's online degree program.

IWU will offer tuition discounts to all military and their spouses pursuing bachelor and master's degree programs. Students can continue their studies from wherever they are deployed. Degree programs include accounting, business administration, criminal justice, business information systems, nursing, marketing and management.

For more info, see http://www.indwes.edu/

Former GE Chief Invests in Online Ed

2009-09-09T17:49:00.005-04:00

Jack Welch, retired head of the General Electric Co., is investing more than $2 million in Chancellor University based in Cleveland, Ohio, to begin an online MBA program named The Jack Welch Management Institute. A 12-course curriculum will be offered as well as a new online master of management. Undergraduate degrees will be added.

"We're trying to do something really different and exciting with this school," Welch said about the new online program. "We want to reach a lot of people, more than you can just reach in one class or at one school, with a management philosophy and set of practices we really believe in."

Welch has been a visiting lecturer at MIT's Sloan School of Management and is the author of two bestsellers, Winning and Jack: Straight from the Gut. For the start date of the new online courses and those at Chancellor's Cleveland campus, see http://www.jwmi.com/

Coming soon

2009-06-26T13:53:00.000-04:00

The latest news in the rapidly growing field of online colleges and universities.

What are the trends? What are the hot schools? Is an online degree as good as a degree from a "physical" school? How about attending a traditional 'brick and mortar' school online?

This website will tell you what you need to know.

Welcome to OnlineUnews.com

2009-05-19T22:16:00.007-04:00

OnlineUnews.com provides the latest news in the rapidly growing field of online colleges and universities. What are the trends? What are the "hot" schools? Is an online degree as good as a degree from a "physical" school? Are there online programs at traditional "brick and mortar" colleges? OnlineUnews will tell you what you need to know....

You'll find the latest research, reports, articles, press releases and web sites on online colleges, universities, courses, degrees, financial aid, and more. We track the news of all that is happening in Online Higher Education.

So keep on top of the online worldwide revolution in learning with our regular posts and links to what’s happening now in Online Higher Education.

Bookmark us now, so you become a frequent visitor! And if you've got news you want to share, don't hesitate to drop us a line.

OnlineUnews.com is a publication of College Bound Publications, Inc. and www.collegeboundnews.com, the publishers of the award-winning montly newsletter on college admissions and financial aid.

OnlineUnews.com staff: R. Craig Sautter, editor;
Sally Reed, writer and editor;
Emma Schwartz, associate editor;
Robert J. Sautter, assistant editor.

Email us at onlineunews@gmail.com