The Online Universities WeblogFinding the right online college you needGrading Online Conversations- June 30, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Jason ReekieWhen used correctly, online class message boards and forums can be a huge asset. Virtual communication allows students to connect with each other, explore the subject in greater depth, and get feedback on their thoughts. A recent Campus Technology piece explains the importance of discussions in online learning:"Conversation has always been at the heart of all learning. Print and books, over the past 500 years, made "conversation" extendable in time...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/grading_online_conversations.php More Men Sharing Creative Work Online- June 30, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Izvorinka JankovicA recent study from Northwestern University found that men are more likely than women to share their creative work on the internet - even though both sexes are engaging in the same rate of creative activity. Northwestern University NewsCenter reports:"Because sharing information on the Internet today is a form of participating in public culture and contributing to public discourse, that tells us men&39;s voices are being disproportionately...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/more_men_sharing_creative_work_online.ph... Do We Need New Copyright Laws- June 30, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image 5271774Copyright laws may encourage innovation, but they also make it difficult for students to access the materials they need. A recent Innovative article explains:"In the past, copyright and education have evolved together in response to technological advances from the book to the videocassette, and copyright law has been designed to allow educators to use a wide range of media with their students. Stephen Marshall describes how digital communication...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/do_we_need_new_copyright_laws.php Half of College Students Use e-Books- June 27, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Arpad Nagy-BagolyA new study shows that half of all college students are now using e-books. Wired Campus reports:"Of 6,452 students worldwide who responded to the survey, 3,132, or 49 percent, said they never use e-books. The remaining 51 percent use e-books less than one hour to more than 10 hours per week. The survey was conducted by Ebrary, a company that provides electronic content and technology to libraries, publishers, and other businesses."According to...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/half_of_college_students_use_ebooks.php Online Colleges Fail to Embrace Web 2.0 Technology- June 25, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image 5662949According to one professor, online colleges are not embracing the web 2.0 technology that has made websites such as Facebook and Twitter popular. Ars Technica reports:"Weller argues that the online communities fostered under the Web 2.0 umbrella perform a largely parallel function, in that they foster groups with common interest and link them to relevant materials. They don&39;t fully replace the university experience, as these communities tend to...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/online_colleges_fail_to_embrace_web_20_t... Testing Requirements at Online Colleges- June 24, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Chris SchmidtOne aspect to consider when choosing an online college is the school&39;s required testing. Each virtual college has its own test taking policies and procedures. My latest About.com article discusses several types of online college test taking. Here&39;s a blurb:"Whether you thrive under pressure or prefer to learn in a low-key environment, it&39;s important to find a college that meets your test-taking needs. Some online colleges require students to..http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/testing_requirements_at_online_colleges.... Online Classrooms Shorten Lecture Time- June 20, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Matjaz BoncinaVideo lectures aren&39;t the most dynamic aspect of online learning. Instead of offering a face-to-face discussion, these segments are static and are often considered boring. In fact, I once knew a student who watched his Economics lectures at triple the speed to spare himself the tediousness. Simply put: many viewers would rather participate in a virtual video conference or learn on their own. In response to these criticisms, a number of online...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/online_classrooms_shorten_lecture_time.p... Online Degrees in the Workplace- June 18, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Phillip JonesAccredited online degrees seem to be gaining more acceptance in the workplace. Both current and prospective employers are becoming more open to quality distance learning programs. The New York Times reports:"While every employer is different, Susan Kryczka, director of distance education at Boston University, said that most treat online degrees as equivalent to degrees obtained by attending classes in classrooms. Ms. Kryczka said that many employers..http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/online_degrees_in_the_workplace.php Residency Requirements at Online Colleges- June 17, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Anja HildOne of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online college is the program&39;s residency requirements. Some online colleges do not require any on-campus hours, while others require a semester or more of study in a physical classroom. I discuss many of the options in my latest About.com article, Online College Residency Requirements. Here&39;s a blurb:"A "residency requirement" is a set amount of time a student must spend on campus in...http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/residency_requirements_at_online_college... Take Stanford University Classes Online- June 14, 2008 Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Daniel CardiffHere&39;s another prestigious college online learners may want to consider: Stanford University. The Stanford Center for Professional Development offers a wide variety of classes that may be taken through video conferencing and other virtual methods. Here&39;s a blurb from my latest review:"The Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD) offers students the opportunity to take online courses led by Stanford&39;s distinguished faculty....http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/take_stanford_university_classes_online.... |