Browse, buy, and download digital content at Examville, including, study guides, test prep materials, skill-building and assessment documents, literature and math study aids, grammar and style exercises, puzzles, teacher’s guides and worksheets, teacher’s lesson plans, and much more.
• Elementary School • Middle School • High School • College Level • Continuing Education
According to a survey entitled Learning on Demand: Education in the United States, 2009, jointly published by the Babson Survey Research Group and the Sloan Consortium in January 2010, online education has grown substantially among students pursuing higher education.
The 2009 Sloan Survey is based on responses from over 2,500 colleges and universities. Online learning is defined as instances where 80%+ of the course content is provided online.
Here are some interesting stats on online learning as of Fall 2009:
Number of Students Learning Online
* Over 4.6 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2008 term; a 17 percent increase over the number reported the previous year.
* The 17 percent growth rate for online enrollments far exceeds the 1.2 percent growth of the overall higher education student population.
* More than one in four college and university students now take at least one course online.
Economic Recession and Online Education
* Over one-half (54 percent) of institutions report that the economic downturn has increased demand for existing face-to-face courses.
* The economic impact has been greatest on demand for online courses, with 66 percent of institutions reporting increased demand for new courses and programs and 73 percent seeing increased demand for existing online courses and programs.
* The economic impact on institutional budgets has been mixed; 50 percent have seen their budgets decrease as a result, but 25 percent have experienced an increase.
Online Learning as Long-Term Strategy by Public Institutions v. Private Institutions
* Public institutions (74 percent) are more likely to believe that online is critical for their long-term strategy than either private for-profit (51 percent) or private nonprofit (50 percent) institutions.
Faculty Training for Teaching Online
* Only 19 percent of institutions with online offerings report that they have no training or mentoring programs for their teaching faculty.
* The most common training approaches for online faculty are internally run training courses (65 percent) and informal mentoring (59 percent).
______________________________
Examville.com Blog Team - Prep for standardized tests (SAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT) online at Examville.
• Live online classes and review sessions
• Teach online in virtual classrooms
• Standardized test prep online - LSAT, GRE, GMAT, SAT …
• Post for a tutor and/or be a tutor online
• Download ebooks, worksheets, lesson plans, study guides and more by leading publishers (elementary, middle, and high school levels, and higher education/professional development)
• Homework help
• Study guides, review materials, outlines, lesson plans, and notes shared by users
SIGN UP NOW = FREE 3-DAY SUBSCRIPTION
All you need is a valid email address. No credit card required.
On August 11, 2010, Forbes.com unveiled its list of America’s Best Colleges, which ranks 500 public and private colleges and universities in the United States. In addition to the rankings, the 2010 list provides information on the location, cost, and total student population of the colleges and universities. The Forbes’ list, compiled in conjunction with Dr. Richard Vedder, an economist at Ohio University and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, is based on student-centric data.
The five categories evaluated to compile the 2010 top colleges and universities list include:
• Student Satisfaction
Student evaluations of courses and professors, as posted on RateMyProfessors.com and MyPlan.com.
• Student Success After Graduation
Post-secondary success measured by data on graduates’ salaries, as recorded by Payscale.com, number of alumi listed in Who’s Who of America, and industry leaders who are the CEOs and Board of Directors of prominent companies.
• Student Debt
Analysis of four-year debt incurred by student borrowers and loan default rate.
• Student Retention and Graduation Rates
Each higher education institution’s first-year to sophomore year retention rate and actual number of students who graduate.
• Student-Won Awards
Tally of prestigious national awards won by students such as Fulbright scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, and the Nobel Prize.
_________________________________
Visit Examville.com for online test prep SAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, online review classes, study aids, and more.
Watch FREE lecture and other instructional videos at Examville.com
In its efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable, the U.S. Department of Education has made important changes to federal financial aid programs.
Notable changes include:
• As of July 1, 2010, under the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, all new loans will be granted through the Direct Loan Program. This program, which effectively eliminates the bank-based Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, allows students to borrow directly from the Education Department.
• The Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides aid to America’s neediest students, has increased the Pell award to $5,550 for the 2010-2011 academic year.
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan has been expanded. The IBR affords federal student loan borrowers to repay loans monthly based on their income and family size. New provisions to the IBR expand eligibility to include those who initially would not qualify, but whose debt has increased due to accrued interest. The new rules also allow married couples’ debt to be considered together when calculating eligibility for the IBR Plan.
• The interest rate for new subsidized student loans will be reduced from 5.6% to 4.5%.
For more information, visit www.ed.gov.
Online instruction is gaining momentum in college settings, as well as in the supplemental education market, e.g., tutoring, test-prep, training sessions, continuing education, and more. College professors, high school teachers, and teaching enthusiasts are taking advantage of the online learning tools to reach a greater student pool, and earn money.
Unlike conventional classrooms, however, teaching online presents unique challenges. Online instructors should have certain characteristics to make online learning a rich and meaningful educational experience.
• Be Knowledgeable
As a teacher, be knowledgeable about the subject matter. Online instructors, like all teachers, should be competent. Online instructors need to be enthusiastic about the topic and respectful of the new medium of teaching.
• Possess Writing Skills
While online classes maybe video-enabled, most of online teaching is through written communication. Online teacher should be comfortable communicating in writing.
• Ask for Feedback
Ask for feedback from students on the instruction, as well as the material. Student feedback is crucial for instructors to refine their online teaching methodology and the content being offered. Since there is no face-to-face interaction, online teachers can learn about what works (and what doesn’t) by soliciting feedback.
• Give Feedback
Keep students engaged in the online class by giving constant feedback. Students can often feel “lost” in a virtual classroom. Instructors should give students timely and constructive feedback. Having regular communication with students with respect to their questions, concerns, and progress is vital to maintaining students’ motivation and ensuring success.
• Set Deadlines
Deadlines are important to keep the work flow moving. For example, set deadlines for your own lesson plans, student assignments, conference participation, and all other work to take the class to completion.
• Be an “Architect”
Carefully design class syllabus/lesson plan, objectives, expectations, and policies. Whether you are teaching a course with multiple-sessions or a one-time class, it is very important be prepared and to set these types guidelines at the outset.
• Be a Participative Facilitator
Online classes do not teach themselves. In order to create an effective online learning environment, show up and teach. Keep in mind, lecturing may not be the best method to impart knowledge online. Instead, facilitate discussion by eliciting comments and views from students.
• Sense of Humor? Not Required
Since most of online teaching is written, remember that spoken humor does not necessarily translate well when written out. Know your audience. Stay away from controversial hot topics.
• Basic Technical Know-How? Required
For effective learning to take place, the delivery of materials should be seamless. Online instructors should have basic fluency with respect to the technology and collaborative tools. If needed, there are many free resources available on the Internet that provide online instructors with technical knowledge to keep themselves updated.
Online learning is a major part of today’s educational community. It is a great way to gain knowledge to advance job-related skills, change career paths or supplement traditional school work. Online learning also offers those with additional responsibilities in life, such as family and full-time work, the flexibility to pursue education at their own pace. In general, online learners should possess certain qualities to be successful and to benefit fully from the virtual classroom environment.
• Time Management
Online learning offers flexibility, freedom, and independence. Within this seemingly “loose” environment, the ability to manage time is key. Online courses demand a lot of time commitment; learn how to balance your family, work, and online school work.
• Have Access to a Computer and the Internet
To state the obvious, you should have unlimited access to a functioning computer and high-speed Internet service. Online classes are just that – online! A seamless online learning experience can only happen with the requisite equipments.
• Written Communication is King
Online learning is mostly through written communication. Develop your writing skills so that you are able to communicate effectively and efficiently.
• Find a Distraction-Free Zone
Figure out what works for you both in terms of time and space. Ask yourself if you are more efficient online in the morning, afternoon or evening hours? What is your maximum attention span? Are you the type of person that needs a quiet place to study? Do you need to get away from your home environment to focus on school work?
• Participate in Online/Distance Learning Student Orientation
If you are pursuing an online degree or certification, most reputable colleges, universities and e-Learning institutions offer online “student orientation.” Don’t skip them! Join any student orientation offered online to become acquainted with course delivery tools and requirements, get familiar with course interaction features, and understand the responsibilities of being an online student.
• Seek Support
Don’t be afraid to voice issues you may have directly to the instructor. Because there is no face-to-face interaction, your instructor cannot gauge, on her own, any problems you may be having with the class. Speak up, ask questions, and be able to communicate in writing.
Chat rooms are also a great resource for online students taking the same class to ask and answer questions, discuss assignments and exchange ideas.
• Stay on Top of Your Game
It is a misconception that online courses are somehow easier than traditional classroom work. In fact, online learning is often accelerated and requires a greater time commitment. It is very difficult to catch up once you fall behind. Thus, keeping pace with the online course work and meeting deadlines are pivotal.
• Be Focused and Self-Motivated
Online education allows you to learn at your own pace and is flexible. However, to be an effective online student, you must be disciplined and self-motivated. Unlike traditional classrooms, you will not have your peers around to collaborate in your efforts or teachers to tell you what to do. It is up to you to take full responsibility to see the course work through.
• Make a Study Schedule
One of the reasons people opt for online learning is they have multiple commitment in life, whether it’s family, work or something else. Surveys show that students taking online classes for a degree or certification program need to dedicate at least four to nine hours per week, per class. In order to balance your priorities, make a study schedule and try your best to stick to it.
• Be a Technical Troubleshooter
You are bound to encounter technical glitches. Be patient. You must have basic computer technology proficiency. Educate yourself on how to handle minor technical difficulties and have back-up plans.
• Have the Right Attitude
At the outset, know that a brick-and-mortar classroom experience is very different from studying online. That being said, online education offers high-quality and valuable instruction. Thus, online learning should be approached with the same enthusiasm and respect as traditional classroom courses.