The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | What are the best things to learn online?

Posted by bposton on December 13th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Another one of my online degree dorm room buddies asked me this question…

What are the best things to learn online.

Well, I don’t think one class is nessecarliy “better” than the other.

But I have to admit that some coursework is easier to manage in an online class that others.

For example, online business degree class tend to be easier online than say subjects like languages, lab sciences or math. But that’s only because those other subject probably require more than just text content when taught online.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t the taught online, only that it’s a little more complicated or require more technology to be put into play.

Here’s an example, a public speaking online class - think you can’t do that online?

If you agree then you’d be wrong. Here’s how it worked:

The students where required to tape themselves addressing an audience, and the instructor posted the audio for student comment.

Cool, hugh?

Then there’s the math and science classes. With video presentations, math equations can be taught, and there are such things as virtual lab specimens.

Another example is computer programming courses. Some classes use tools such as iLinc or Webex, which allows students to have visual, voice and text conferencing capabilities. The teachers and students can share the presentation or the “white board,” demonstrating programming languages, showing and critiquing how students wrote software. This type of technology works for a lot of other classes other than programming too.

I suggest you test drive a college’s learning management systems before you decide.

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | Things to ensure a good online class experience

Posted by bposton on December 13th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Most teachers and students believe that the outcome of an online class is the same as that of a classroom course - Students learn as much in an online setting as in a classroom.

However there is something to be said for face to face classes for some learning styles. The online writing-intense environment might not be for everyone.

Overall all though, the most important thing that can help ensure your success in an online class is a college that has a very good online department, one that spends time updating it’s technology and training it’s faculty.

The main theory is that technology shouldn’t get in the way of learning or teaching. Teachers should be responsible for content, but the college’s instructional designers should be helping to build the courses for easy navigation.

Also look for a place that has alot of support for students. For example, one with advisors that are available and in frequent contact.

And of course a 24-hour tech support line for online students.

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online degree programs psychology | Students and Teachers spend more time with online classes

Posted by bposton on December 13th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

An interesting fact about the online class experience is that both students and teachers find that they spend more time with online classes than the do with traditional classroom courses.

Students are in touch almost daily online. And this usually means more work for the teacher too. They have to deal with individual communications which could be done all at the same time in a classroom environment. But the individual contact hopefully means the student is getting more out of the class. 

However, some teachers are saying that students are more engaged and excited more when they are in a face to face settng verses online.

Not sure how they can measure that one.

There are many variations of online class setup.

For example - you might have an intensive five-day-per-week live class combined with an all-online class, or a short seminar-type class on the weekend together with online work.

And the online class itself can have many different styles. One example is a class of say 25 students divided up into five virtual discussion groups. Each group has a week to debate the question the teacher posts and then they post a summarized response.

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online degree programs psychology | Even more about the online course experience

Posted by bposton on December 12th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Another learning management system I’ve heard of is called e-college.

Some of the tools that you’ll find if you’re using e-college are things like “Doc Sharing” in which students and teachers can both post to and/or update each other’s files such as spreadsheets, HTML code and images.

Then there’s something called the “Journal” which lets you record notes on the course you’re taking and also lets instructors to post questions to you. You can also see that Chat logs for the course, in which all students and the teacher or teachers have contributed to. A search function is included and the account lists what has changed in the course since a student last logged in, which is pretty nice if you’ve decided to skip the last class

Another cool feature is that you can normally go back to any lecture, discussion or other aspect of the course to review it again, something you can’t do with a live class unless you recorded it on your own somehow.
 
Something else to remember is the issue of “Netiquette”. Some schools offer a page with tips on stuff you might not have thought about, such as - Avoid using all caps. (it’s often interpreted as shouting) and how to Use an inverted pyramid form of writing with the most important statements in the first paragraph.

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | Even more about the online experience

Posted by bposton on December 12th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Ready to hear more about how it feels to take an online class?

I thought so

OK, you may already know this, but most classes are asynchronous. While you might think that this gives you the chance to put off all your coursework until the end of your term, think again.

Most schools report that students and professors check in much more often that with a normal class.

Class length runs the gamit. Some are 8 weeks, others are 12, 14 or even 16 weeks in length. Again, it depends on the class.

If you’re the type that really wants to experience the lecture class; the room with 200 students all seated with the professor on a stage, well you’re in for a rude awakening. It’s not like that at all. And that’s a challenge for the teacher more than the student.

Some teachers have to completely re-think how they teach a class when then move to an online environment. In the past they just had to worry about what to say in the lectures. Now it’s all about complete presentations and multi-media. But in actual practice, this often leaves the teacher with more time to focus on how students are reacting during the course.

And sometimes the teacher is amazed at the lively and intelligent discussion amoung the students and with the teacher as well. One reason for that may be the anonymity about written discussion online allow students to express themselves differently than they would in a classroom.

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online degree programs psychology | More of what it’s like to learn online

Posted by bposton on December 12th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

With the advent of broadband (DSL, Cable modem, etc) Many schools have or soon will upgrade the tools they have to produce and deliver online course content.

Professors now have the ability to use more video, audio, and graphics, but I’m not sure that these options are coming online quickly. It depends of the teacher I assume.

Here’s an example of how the new course content. A professor of Finance calls on an associate in Europe to provide an audio about finance in Europe and it was made available for download on the course webpage.

Pretty slick, huh?

A lot of colleges have something like a demo or preview of Blackboard or the other tools that they use to deliver course content. Some even offer classroom orientation sessions for Blackboard.

Some even offer a self-evaluation on their websites to see if you are a good fit for online courses.

When you log into your schools, online site, you’ll most likely see a way to get an overview of the day’s announcements, courses, calendar and tasks. There should also be linkes to announcements, your calendar, task list, grades, school e-mail, address book and personal settings.

It might sound complicated, but it’s really not. Most of the functions should be self-explanatory to you if you know how to send/receive e-mailed, transfer a file, or use a chat program, discussion forum or electronic organizer.

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | A brief review - What it’s like to learn online

Posted by bposton on December 11th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

I got another post-it note on the online degree dorm room door last night.

It asked the question - what is it like to learn online?

Well, I’m afraid that one answer doesn’t fit all here.

It really depends on where you go - what institution is hold the class.

It depends because the technology is slightly different, from one college to another. Maybe

For example, many schools use Blackboard as their learning management system. Some use others.

While Blackboard is certainly not the only company that colleges are using to put up their online classes, we’ll stick with them to give you an example of the experience of online learning.

(By the way, Blackboard recently recently merged with WebCT)

Basically Blackboard provides the college and student with a web portal that allows for a lot of sharing.

The professor decides which tools are needed to present material, and they often work with instructional designers to build the course.

How an individual course looks depends on the subject, of course - not too different than the classroom environment. But in general the Blackboard product allows teachers to post questions, and students to submit answers in discussion threads.

Typically, assignments are submitted to an electronic drop box, and tests or exams can be taken online as well.

There is normally a grade book, as well as a syllabus online for review as well.

Most of the time the lessons are text- based, but a few colleges are starting to put lectures out for downloading as MP3 files in addition to the text format.

On thing to note - since a lot of the online courses out there started when dial-up was predominant, many schools have had to re-engineer, or rather re-produce their courses to take advantage of the fact that bandwidth has increased. So if you have your eye on a particular online class you might want to check whether or not it supports both dial-up and broadband, or just one or the other. There are still some classes out there that only support dial-up.

More to come

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | How online classes can help students on campus

Posted by bposton on December 11th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

In my last post I noted that many universities have restricted the use of online classes for students that are on campus.

However, there are many ways that online classes can help an on-campus student.

For example, it should be possible for undergraduate students on campus to use online work to continue courses while interning.

Another is that a student should be able to take shoft, intensive online course from home during the summer to get ahead of the game for the following year. It could also help if students need to retake a class.

Many colleges are discovering that young students ages 18 to 20 are increasingly enrolling in their online courses.

A lot of times, they’d normally be on campus, but sometimes a life situation requires them to be at home.

So why not let these and even on campus students take part in the increasing trend toward online classes?

Certainly the technology is there, and I beleive that in most cases the motiviation is there - on part of the student that is.

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | Universities restrict online eduction to students on campus

Posted by bposton on December 11th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Continuing the debate about whether or not the MySpace generation be able to learn online:

Some colleges have been restricting residential undergraduate students from enrolling in online courses. For example, some say that Undergraduates living on campus can only take one online course. At others day undergraduates may only take an online course as an exception.

Why, again, its the concern about the student’s motiviation and self-disiplince to take classes online. However, there’s also a concern that if the undergrads on campus started taking online courses there won’t be enough room for adult learners who are the primary market right now for most online programs.

So is that fair?  I mean most colleges have seen an increase in the interest of daytime students regarding taking online classes. So why restrict it?

Here’s one opinion:  The college experience is different for an 18-year-old than it is for a 35-year-old. The adult learner has a lot of experience and points of reference and they normally want a degree to gain a promotion or grow in their profession. So they have a monetary motivation. What does the 18 year old bring to the table?

What do you think? Post your comments and let me know…

Ben

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online degree programs psychology | Will the MySpace generation be able to learn online?

Posted by bposton on December 10th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

OK my 0nline dorm room buddy, let’s start a debate, shall we?

The topic is - Will the MySpace generation be able to learn online?

Some people don’t think so…

Why? Because most students who take online classes say that online courses are harder, and require self discipline.

For example, there’s no such thing as the back of the classroom when you’re online. Can can’t be lazy and not contribute. If you’re online, then you’re expected to post your comments or opinions or discussions on the subject matter.

So you’ve got to be self-motivated. That’s why some people beleive that online eduction is prefect for working adults and those who for whatever reason can’t attend classes in person.

But no for the high school grad moving into the college environment.

What do you think? Feel free to post your comments.

Ben

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