Toolbox or Trap? Course Management Systems and Pedagogy
The default design of commercial course management systems limits instructional creativity and pedagogical approaches, particularly for novice usersRead the Full Article
Archive for the ‘Higher Education’ Category
Academic Advising From Afar
A student stationed abroad has just typed an e-mail to Michelle Reitze, a military academic adviser at the University of Maryland University College. Hours later, Reitze sees the message when she enters her cubicle. She’s the primary long distance contact for hundreds of students and is used to receiving their pre-dawn questions.Read the Full Article
Blogs and Wikis and 3D, Oh My!
The Volokh Conspiracy is one of the most widely read legal blogs. It has been cited in court rulings. Its readership stands at over 700,000 unique visitors a month, many from academe and some from within the Supreme Court itself. Written by legal scholars and boasting instant, in-depth analysis of top court cases, the blog […]
The WIMBA experience: Technology in the Rio Grande Valley
Trying to orient undergraduate students into the teaching profession is difficult under any circumstances. After modifying instruction and adding a technology component over a three week period, students appeared more effectively engaged with the course content. The researcher concluded that instructional systems like the one used in this study are assisting instructors in improving student […]
Unusual Model for an Online College
This fall, Tiffin University is trying a new model for an online two-year degree program. Read the Full Article
UMassOnline logs second record year
UMassOnline, the online learning division of the University of Massachusetts, today announced a second consecutive fiscal year of record-breaking enrollment and revenue results. Matching last year’s results, which were the best in three years, fiscal year 2008 at UMassOnline saw a 26.2% increase in enrollments, to 33,900 over 26,855 in fiscal year 2007, and a […]
Traditional and Non-traditional Students in the Same Classroom? Additional Challenges of the Distance Education Environment
The new reality of higher education contains a fundamental shift in student demographics. More non-traditional students are seeking educational opportunities and traditional students are seeking out and expecting alternative modes of curriculum delivery. Students, especially older, non-traditional ones seek course delivery through distance education formats such as online or videoconferencing that meet the needs of […]
University nixes web access during class
University of Chicago Law School officials have a simple message for their students: less web surfing, more listening.Read the Full Article
Making Wikis Work for Scholars
Even if they won’t admit it, students are using Wikipedia to kick off their research and fill the gaps in their class notes … right now. It might not show up in the bibliography, but the free, open source online resource has long since become the starting point for settling factual disputes, brainstorming paper ideas […]
USDLA Recognizes Western Governors University with Two Major Distance Learning Awards
SALT LAKE CITY — The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) has presented 2008 International Distance Learning Awards in two categories to Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu) and its executive director of the WGU Teachers College, Dr. Janet Schnitz. The awards were presented April 22nd in conjunction with the 2008 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. […]