The Online Universities WeblogFinding the right online college you need"Edu-Punk" Course Management Systems- May 31, 2008 Bombardier Course management systems such as Blackboard are extremely popular and are used by colleges across the nation. But, not everyone is a fan. A new group of so-called "edu-punk" professors are advocating for alternatives. Wired Campus reports:"Punk rock was a rebellion against the clean, predictable sound of popular music and it also encouraged a do-it-yourself attitude. Edupunk seems to be a reaction against the rise of course-managements systems, which offer cookie-cutter tools that..http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/edupunk_course_management_systems.php Free Online Learning Textbook- May 31, 2008 spcummings If you&39;re an online instructor or an administrator involved with distance education, you&39;ll want to take a look at The Theory and Practice of Online Learning. This free, downloadable book contains many worthwhile essays about the creation of quality virtual learning programs. Here&39;s a blurb:"As with the first edition, this is a collection of works by practitioners and scholars actively working in the field of distance education. The text has been written at a time when the..http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/free_online_learning_textbook.php What Makes an Effective e-Learning Class- May 31, 2008 MC Quinn Since e-learning is relatively new, the quality of these courses tend to vary. There is no standard "best practices" for what makes a good online course. Several recent studies have investigated the matter. The latest, from the Journal of Online Teaching and Learning, has some notable insights to share:"Among other things, data suggest that meaningful social interaction and emotions may be important components in powerful learning experiences. In addition, the data suggest that...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/what_makes_an_effective_elearning_class.... Online Language Tutors- May 30, 2008 desi.italy If you&39;re struggling with a language course or just want to study a few phrases for your next foreign vacation, take a look at EduFire.com. They connect language learners with dozens of potential tutors. Each tutor lists their qualifications, a photo, and their price per hour of teaching. Prices vary between the instructors and most seem to charge between $10 and $45. Here&39;s how EduFire creators describe their mission:"Our goal is to create a platform to allow live learning...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/online_language_tutors.php Creating a Learning Space in Second Life- May 29, 2008 Pathfinder Linden Many online colleges have created Second Life learning spaces to help students master material. Although some critics (myself included) tend to prefer more traditional methods of learning, others love the interaction these virtual worlds can provide. CollegeDegrees.com recently published a list of 50 tips and links to help with the creation of a Second Life learning space. Here&39;s a blurb:"The educational possibilities through Second Life allow teachers and employers to...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/creating_a_learning_space_in_second_life... Thousands of Online Learning Tools- May 28, 2008 flattop341 I recently stumbled across a rather incredible resource. The Center for Learning and Performance Technologies offers a list of thousands of online learning tools. Here&39;s how they describe their collection:"This Directory contains over 2,300 tools for learning in two main sections 1. for creating, delivering and managing learning and performance support solutions 2. for managing your own learning and productivity, and sharing resources The tools in this Directory are both...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/thousands_of_online_learning_tools.php Harvard Extension School Online- May 27, 2008 j.gresham A lot of students are surprised when the learn that anyone can take Harvard classes online. Harvard Extension School, a part of Harvard University, offers distance learning courses with an open-enrollment policy. That&39;s right...everyone gets in. Here&39;s a blurb from my recent review of Harvard Extension School programs:"Harvard Extension School students can choose from over one hundred online courses taught by Harvard&39;s distinguished faculty. These classes tend to be...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/harvard_extension_school_online.php Online Charter Schools- May 23, 2008 iboy_daniel I&39;ve already posted about several types of online high schools including private programs, state-sponsored public schools, and university-affiliated schools. The fourth type to consider is online charter schools. You&39;ll find a wide variety of online charter school programs, which vary between states and school districts. There are programs for gifted students, troubled students, and students needing to catch up on credits. My latest About.com article, Online Charter...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/online_charter_schools.php Online Criminal Justice Degrees- May 22, 2008 conner395 Online criminal justice degrees are becoming more popular with police men and women. While these virtual programs don&39;t provide the physical training that may be required at some jobs, they can help those working at police departments improve their career potential. eLearners.com recently came out with a new Guide to Online Criminal Justice Degrees. Here&39;s a blurb:"During National Police Week, Americans celebrate those men and women who have committed themselves to serving...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/online_criminal_justice_degrees.php Traditional Colleges Need to Step Up Their Game- May 21, 2008 Joe Shlabotnik In the past, critics have contended that online colleges are not comparable to their traditional counterparts. But, public opinion may be changing. At a recent conference one presenter claimed that traditional colleges need to improve their programs to stay competitive with online colleges. The Wired Campus reports:"America&39;s leading colleges and universities must "embrace massive experimentation" to stay competitive as more and more educational choices become available...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/traditional_colleges_need_to_step_up_the... |