The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | Online course evaluations fail

Posted by bposton on August 25th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Soooo…

there was this university that had both classroom and online courses, and they wanted to get feedback from the students on how they liked the delivery of each type of class, physical and online.

So they prepared evaluations for both types of classes…

And the online evaluations failed…:-(

Not because the students didn’t like the online course. They failed because the trial proved unsuccessful because of low student participation.

So if you’re an online student and get send an online course evaluation, make sure you understand the implications of course evaluations.

In this test case, forty-one percent of the student body responded to the online evaluations compared to 75 percent who filled out the paper-and-pencil option. 

So this college will not test online evaluations for at least a year. And that’s a shame.

Ultimately, course evaluations exist to serve the student body. With adequate feedback, professors would be better equipped to improve courses and programs.

Online course evaluations not only allow students to respond on their own time, they allow for course-specific questions, making it possible for students to offer more constructive and accurate feedback.

But, alas, the course evaluations don’t hold a high place in most students’ priority lists.

Some students say they prefer the hand-administered version of course evaluations because they would rather spend class time answering them as opposed to their free time.

The potential improvements the online course evaluations offer the university outweigh any excuse for these students’ failure to spend the two minutes to fill out an online evaluation.

Students should take time to think beyond their immediate convenience and consider the long-term benefits of their two-minute investment in course evaluations.

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online degree programs psychology | Grantham University increases staff

Posted by bposton on August 22nd, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Ok, I admit it - I did even know Grantham U even existed.

That just goes to show that the online degree program world is growing faster than I can keep up with it

OK so here’s the deal.

Grantham University specializes in online education for working adults, and the future is so bright that they plan to hire approximately 50 new employees at their Kansas City campus by January 2008. 

The online university needs help in areas of admissions, student progress and other administrative positions.

“We are  looking for people who want to be ‘life changers’ because Grantham’s mission is to change lives by offering an affordable and accessible online college education to everyone,” said Jerome Wilson, human resources director at Grantham University. 

Interesting note - Grantham University had to relocate from Louisiana to Kansas City after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In case you’re interested in working for them, here’s a great benefit; completely free tuition for its employees and spouses (or significant others). Discounted tuition is available to immediate family members. 

Grantham University offers online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, General and Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Science, and other technology related fields.  Grantham’s online degree programs are flexible and self-paced, allowing students to complete their coursework at the times and places that fit their busy schedules.

Grantham University has 200 employees in Kansas City. For those interested in working at Grantham University, call 1.800.955.2527

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online degree programs psychology | Oh my gosh, were has the time gone??

Posted by bposton on August 15th, 2007 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Sorry everyone, but it’s WAY to long since I posted to this blog.

I sincerely apologize, but many, many, many other things got in the way, both personal and otherwise. I know it’s no excuse, but…

I’m BACK

And I really hope to “resurrect” this blog. I may not be posting as much as I was before, but, I’ll certainly try.

Thanks for your patience:

So, off we go again:

Here’s a very recent press release from Cappella about some new online degree programs they are offering

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 2, 2007 — Capella University, an accredited online university based in Minneapolis, today introduced a new Education Specialist (EdS) online degree program, as well as a Master of Science in Public Health. Twelve new graduate and undergraduate specializations are also being launched in such fields as emergency management, retail management, school counseling, educational leadership, health information management, human resource management, information security, and project management. Enrollment is now open, with classes beginning fall quarter 2007.

“With the addition of the EdS degree, Capella can offer teachers and administrators an intermediate degree between our master’s and PhD degree programs,” said Harry McLenighan, dean of Capella’s School of Education. “We think it’s important to provide an EdS option for people who want education beyond their master’s degree, but currently don’t want to pursue a doctoral degree.” Specializations available within the EdS program include Curriculum and Instruction, and Leadership in Educational Administration. Capella is one of the few online universities to offer a state-approved specialization in Leadership in Educational Administration.

 We think it’s important to provide an EdS option for people who want education beyond their master’s degree, but currently don’t want to pursue a doctoral degree.  
Capella’s new MS in Public Health is designed to meet the growing need for public health workers, a field in danger of losing a substantial percentage of its work force to retirement. A 2004 report by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Council of State Governments (CSG) predicted public health retirement rates as high as 45 percent over the succeeding five years and noted public health vacancy rates of up to 20 percent in some states. New specializations offered as part of the MS in Public Health degree include Health Management and Policy, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The MS in Public Health program is part of Capella’s School of Human Services, which is also launching a new School Counseling specialization within its MS in Human Services program.

Capella’s School of Business and Technology is launching five new specializations, including a Human Resource Management specialization within its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, and a Health Information Management specialization within its MS in IT program. The school’s PhD in Information Technology program has two new specializations, Project Management, and Information Security, and the PhD in Organization and Management program also has a new Project Management specialization. Capella now offers six Project Management specializations, allowing students at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels to choose either a business or IT project management focus.

Capella’s School of Undergraduate Studies has announced two new specializations. A new Emergency Management specialization is part of Capella’s BS in Public Safety program. Capella University is currently one of only a few online universities to offer BS, MS, and PhD degree programs in public safety. Capella is also launching a Retail Management specialization within its BS in Business program, designed to address the increasing desire among retailers for college-educated candidates to fill in-store and corporate management positions.

Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for these new specializations. For more information, please call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), option 3, or e-mail info@capella.edu.

Review of the MS in Human Services, School Counseling specialization is pending in AL, AZ, FL, GA, KY, OH, SC, and WA. Review of the MS in Public Health program and the Education Specialist (EdS) program is pending in AZ, FL, GA, KY, MN, SC, and WA. Review of the PhD in Organization and Management, Project Management specialization is pending in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, SC, and WA. Review of the PhD in IT, Information Security and Project Management specializations, is pending in AL, AZ, FL, GA, KY, SC, and WA. Review of the BS in Business, Retail Management specialization; BS in Public Safety, Emergency Management specialization; MBA, Human Resource Management specialization; and the MS in IT, Health Information Management specialization is pending in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, OH, SC, and WA.

About Capella University:
Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited,* online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, health, human services, public safety, and psychology, and bachelor’s degree programs in business, information technology, health, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella offers 101 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. The online university currently serves more than 19,000 students from all 50 states and 56 countries. It is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company (NASDAQ: CPLA), headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA),
Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552)

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