The Online Degree Dorm Room

Coming soon to a college near you - Digitial Textbooks…

Posted by bposton on December 30th, 2009 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Now that the holidays are winding down and most of my dorm room buddies are checking their wallets to see wha’t left, there’s that sinking feeling when they realize that a new semester is coming up and along with that - the rush to get the college textbooks.

It’s a VERY sad fact that the cost of college textbooks has risen at 20 times the inflation rate in the last 20 years (according to the US Government) and I’m sorry, but this is just CRAZY. The poor economic situation brings this to light even more so, and finally there appears to be some good news - the education community is finally starting to “get it” - the time digitial textbooks is NOW.

Yes, there are still opposing camps on this subject. But the biggest opposition I’ve read comes from college faculty that fear they will be left out of the selection process, and worst case, state governments will eventually “mandate” certain books for certain classes. But since the cost of textbooks are such a huge burden on students today, some local governments have already started to write laws to make them more affordable.

These opposing views can’t stop the tide. Here’s some examples of what’s happening today in the move towards digital books:

CourseSmart is a company that has several thousand books in digitial format, costing half the price of printed versions. They have served over 6,500 students (and saved a few trees in the process, too )

Amazon is taking part in a study with seven universities to test and evaluate the success of digitial textbooks

Orange Grove Texts Plus is a partnership between the University Press of Florida (the Florida university system’s nonprofit publishing arm), Integrated Book Technology (a Virginia publisher) and The Orange Grove (Florida’s digital database of K-20 teaching material). This program offers students digital versions of over 140 textbooks and scholarly monographs for free, and bound printed versions for $30 to $50. Eventually, Orange Grove Texts Plus plans to stock more than 1600 titles.

California is also starting an initative similar to that in Florida. However this appears to be targeted to High School textbooks (probably because the state forks out the money for those.)

So, maybe in the very near future we won’t have to add the cost of textbooks to the other stressful activities along the college road.  Let’s hope it’s sooner than later.

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Engineering Degree Online | 3 diploma success stories

Posted by bposton on November 13th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

Remember the other day how I told you about Liberty High School, and how they offer high school diploma’s through online clasees?

Well, here is a story about 3 women who got their diploma that way and what it has meant for them.

They’re all from New York City - Lillian Betancourt, 37, Latoya Abrams, 21, and Shereen France, 41.

And they all had dropped out of high school. And whenever they tried to learn a trade or get a certificate to enter a profession with decent pay, they find out a harsh truth - all professional or post-secondary schools require a high school diploma.

So after years of trying to pay bills on time and just getting by, these women decided to turn their lives around and get high school diplomas.

They found out about Liberty High School from Careertel, which represents the Liberty High School Diploma Program, which allowed them to earn their high school diplomas while they continue to work.

Now, with their high school diplomas in hand, the future looks bright for all three women.

In fact, they are all now seeking higher education. Betancourt is studying criminal law in New York, Abrams will attend Georgia College & State University, and France will be attending nursing school in New York.

I think it’s a great story - You Go Girls!! 

For more information about Liberty High School, call (800) 820-4202.

Ben

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Engineering Degree Online | What, no High School Diploma??

Posted by bposton on November 12th, 2006 — Posted in engineering degree online

I got a question one of my online degree dorm room buddies who asked:

“I’ve got a friend who never finished high school, what are his chances at a good career?”

My answer - not very good

Folks who don’t have a high school diploma will earn $200,000 less during their lifetimes than those who
graduate from high school, and at least $800,000 less than those who have a college degree.

That’s according to stats published by the Educational Resource Information Center.

But here’s the good news…

Nowadays, if you never finished high school you have a huge variety of options to help you earn that diploma.

Here’s one example; The Liberty High School Diploma Program gives you a way to get a high school diploma by way of
distance learning. 

This program is offered by a company called Careertel, and it’s approved by the Vermont State Board of Education.

It’s pretty convenient for folks who are busy and can’t take time away from work.

Exams are submitted by mail, faculty advisers offer help by phone and course
material is provided with each class.

So what about the GED?

Well, studies have shown that a student with a standard high school diploma, as opposed to an equivalency
certificate, has a better shot at getting a job, all other things being equal. They also stand a better chance
of getting through college.

For more information about the Liberty program, call Careertel at (800) 820-4202.

Ben

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