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Research in the News (April 21-27, 2008)

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 27, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Increasing Number of Students Take Advantage of Opportunities for University Degrees Online Says Sloan Consortium
A report released by The Sloan Consortium, a consortium of institutions committed to quality online education, has documented the tremendous growth in the field of university degrees online over the past five years. The report finds that in the fall of 2006, nearly 3.5 million students were taking online college courses. This number reflects a 9.7% increase over the previous year, marking a growth that significantly exceeds the 1.5% growth of the overall higher education student population. This growth trend in online learning is expected to continue. — PRWeb

Saudi Arabia’s eLearning industry to touch US$125 million in 2008
The Saudi Arabian eLearning industry is projected to reach USD 125 million in 2008 and is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 33 per cent over the next five years, according to a recent study conducted by Madar Research. — Al-Bawaba

Programs in the News (April 21-27, 2008)

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 27, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Announces Proposed Regulations to Strengthen No Child Left Behind
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced proposed new regulations to strengthen and clarify No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The proposed regulations focus on improved accountability and transparency, uniform and disaggregated graduation rates and improved parental notification for Supplemental Education Services and public school choice. — U.S. Department of Education

Online gallery helps teachers broach taboos
A picture gallery that lets teachers and their students discuss subjects with a taboo has been put online. Bridgeman Education deals with a range of themes depicted through fine art and historical pictures. — Personal Computer World

Schools in the News (April 21-27, 2008)

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 27, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Uniontown considers online partnership
The Uniontown Area School District in Pennsylvania is considering a partnership with Virtual Learning Network Partners to create online education options for its students. Alex Stone, president and CEO of VLN Partners, told directors Monday that his company is not a cyber charter school but produces “a holistic model for blended learning. We partner with school districts. We put your lessons online. We cater to your students.” — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Minnesota Virtual High School Students Earn College Credit Tuition-Free Through DeVry University
Minnesota Virtual High School students are now eligible to participate in the Passport2College program offered through DeVry University, one of the largest degree-granting higher education systems in North America. This unique program allows full-time juniors and seniors who meet residency and GPA requirements to take up to two college credit classes tuition-free through DeVry University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. — Earthtimes

Online learning is growing by the gigabyte
Online enrollment in Minnesota shot up 50 percent last year to more than 4,500 students. Online education can reach kids that traditional schools haven’t, according to assistant Minnesota Education Commissioner Morgan Brown. — Minnesota Public Radio

Edutech builds eLearning Centre for Hashemite University
Edutech Middle East, a leading provider of technology-enabled learning solutions, has recently announced that it has successfully established the first eLearning Centre in Jordan for the Hashemite University (HU). — Al-Bawaba

Conferences in the News (April 21-27, 2008)

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 27, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Conference Focuses on “The Mobile Future’”
Carnegie Mellon University’s West Coast Campus and UC Berkeley’s Fisher IT Center at the Haas School of Business partnered to hold a conference Tuesday of this week in Santa Clara, CA, on “The Mobile Future: Technology Revolutionizing Our Lives.” — Campus Technology

Face-to-Face and Online Tutoring Equally Effective, TutorVista.com’s President Says
Dr. John Stuppy, President of TutorVista.com, the world’s leading online tutoring company, presented at the USDLA 2008 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, where he discussed comparisons between face-to-face and online tutoring. In particular, Dr. Stuppy spoke about a solution that uses global education resources to provide tutoring help wherever and whenever needed. — Business Wire

TEM 2008 Educational and Networking Event for Telecom and IT End Users Begins Next Week
TEM 2008, AOTMP’s educational and networking event for telecom and IT end users, kicks off next week in Orlando, Florida and will feature educational sessions and networking events for those holding responsibility for selecting, reviewing, recommending, and managing telecom services and technology. — Business Wire

Virtual schooling a hit in real world
Teachers from across the province met in Vancouver this week for a conference devoted to online learning as the growth continues. Enrolment province-wide climbed from 17,000 students in 2006 to 33,000 students in 2007, according to Ministry of Education statistics. — Vancouver Courier

Ghana to host third e-Learning Africa Conference
Ghana would host this year’s International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training dubbed; “e-Learning Africa 2008” from May 28 to 30. The conference scheduled for Accra is an annual event for developing e-Learning capacities in Africa. — Joy Online, Ghana

Publishers in the News (April 21-27, 2008)

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 27, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Publishers Sue Georgia State over Digital Distribution
A group of publishers has filed suit in federal court to stop what it calls “widespread copyright infringement” at Georgia State University (GSU). The complaint, filed by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and SAGE Publications and supported by the Association of American Publishers (AAP), charges that GSU administrators are violating the law by systematically enabling professors to provide students with digital copies of copyrighted course readings without publisher authorization. — Campus Technology

Cengage Learning to Acquire Houghton Mifflin College Assets for $750 Million
Cengage Learning announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Houghton Mifflin Company, under which Cengage Learning will acquire the assets of the Houghton Mifflin College Division (HM College) for $750 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2008 upon satisfaction of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. — Cengage

The Pearson Foundation and Nokia Announce the Mobile Learning Institute Earth Day Challenge
The Pearson Foundation and Nokia today announced a global, environmental filmmaking competition that gives young people the chance to share their views on the earth’s future and the importance of combating climate change. The Mobile Learning Institute Earth Day Challenge was announced at the opening of Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit on Earth Day 2008 in Orlando, Florida. — Earthtimes

Lawmaker seeks ban of ‘textbook scam’ publishers
The Philippines — Representative Monico Puentevella is set to pass a resolution that would ban at least five publishing companies involved in the alleged multimillion-peso textbooks scam. The five publishing companies are JTW Corporation, SD Publications Inc., Vibal Publishing House Inc. and Lamco Paper Products Co. Inc. and Watana Phanit Printing Company. — Sun.Star

Awards in the News (April 21-27, 2008)

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 27, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

The 2008 SIIA CODiE Awards will celebrate outstanding developments in software, digital information and education technology
At a time when computer security risks abound, which company has the best data security solution?  Which online educational site will do the most to help your kids learn?  And which online health site can really provide details about the cure for what ails you? On May 20, 2008, The Software & Information Industry Association’s (SIIA) CODiE Awards will answer these and 72 other questions about who has the best software, content and educational technology solutions. — eSchool News

Agilix Selected as One of Three Winners in Microsoft’s Ingenuity Point Competition
Agilix Labs Inc. announced that its GoCourse Learning System solution has been selected as a winner in round two of Microsoft Corp.’s Ingenuity Point contest, a worldwide competition for independent software vendors (ISVs) that recognizes solutions built on Microsoft technology with the potential to drive positive change in the areas of education, healthcare and environmental sustainability. GoCourse Learning System, a personalized distributed learning platform for delivering online courses, is the winner in the education category. — PR Newswire

Sessions Online Wins Best Practice Award from United States Distance Learning Association
Advancing its reputation as the quality leader in online education for creative professionals around the world, Sessions Online Schools of Art and Design announced it has received the 2008 Best Practices Award for Distance Learning Programming from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). Sessions’ Graphic Design Master’s Certificate Program won on the strength of its extensive creative and technical graphic design curriculum, one-to-one student mentoring and dedicated faculty comprised of renowned graphic designers. — Business Wire

USDLA Awards Marilyn Mosley Gordanier and Laurel Springs School with “Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning” For Excellence in Distance Learning in 2008
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented its 2008 International Distance Learning Award to Laurel Springs School in conjunction with the 2008 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1987, USDLA has been the world’s premier distance learning association. The USDLA International Awards program honored outstanding individuals and organizations for excellence in the field distance learning, education and training. — PR Web

Quantum Receives Platinum Award for ‘Best Practices for Online Distance Learning Programming’ from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Quantum Simulations, Inc., a developer of artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software for science, mathematics and accounting, received a Platinum Award for its exceptional achievements in software development at the USDLA International 21st Century Best Practice Awards Ceremony held in St. Louis, Missouri last. — PR Web

Getting Ahead With an Accredited Online College Degree

Published by Erica Nielsen on April 23, 2008 in Online Learning. 0 Comments

Author: Kaye Fretz

An accredited online college degree can make all your career goals come true. This is one of your best options if you haven’t finished your degree or if you want to start one while working. Here are some facts about online degrees.

Pros of Online Degrees

Many people say that online degrees are full of advantages. If you are going to be an online student yourself, you should know the concrete benefits that you can get from online learning. Here are a few advantages.

-An online course has the same level of difficulty as a traditional course. If you get it from a good school with the right accreditation, it has the same value as a course finished in a campus. An online degree is therefore a valid degree that you can use to get employment.

-Online classes let you be your own boss with your time. You therefore don’t have to make extensive changes in your routine or in your important schedules. You can thus pursue your studies even if you are a stay at home parent taking care of the kids or if you are working. Most online classes simply require you to download lessons and tasks.

-Online classrooms are the most accessible. You can study no matter where you are as long as there is an internet connection. This is a very helpful feature if you like to travel a lot or if you have duties that frequently take you away from home.

-Online studies give you the greatest ease and comfort. You can do everything in any place, position and appearance that is most comfortable to you. You can go to class even if you weren’t properly dressed.

Accreditation and Accrediting Bodies

Getting an accredited online college degree truly is a good idea. Do remember though that not every school or program is made equal. If you do not get a good degree from a reputable, quality school, you may not benefit from your degree at all.

The best way to ensure that you get the best education is to look for accreditation. This is an accrediting body’s way of telling the public that a certain school has good standards of education. Employers typically look at accreditation to make sure that they are accepting somebody who has had solid, quality education.

Don’t just believe in claims of accreditation though. There are many online schools that do not have real accreditation. They can ask a fake accrediting body to give them accreditation just to attract enrollees.

Virtual Learning

Schools online aren’t for every student. Just as there are different kinds of schools, there are also different kinds of students. Those who expect to succeed in online programs are those who are highly independent and self-motivated. You basically hold the key to the completion of your online course.

An online student also needs to have some basic knowledge about computers. An internet connected unit will be your main tool. You cannot achieve anything if you aren’t even comfortable with technology.

If you have the dreams, the drive, and the goal, then go for an accredited online college degree. It’s never too soon to start your future.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/online-education-articles/getting-ahead-with-an-accredited-online-college-degree-394174.html

About the Author:

Know more about the benefits of earning an accredited online college degree. Enroll in online bachelors degree programs.

Programs in the News (April 14-20, 2008)

Published by Zornitsa Vodenska on April 21, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Scotland to teach game development in schools
In addition to haggis and William Wallace, Scotland will now also be known for teaching video game design in its schools. Scotland is home to studios like Realtime Worlds and Rockstar North, among others. — Ars Technica

New markets create university challenge
Lebanon’s cast-iron reputation as a learning center dates back almost 140 years. The country’s long and illustrious history has provided a solid foundation for the country’s education industry to build on. Currently, the Lebanese higher-education sector is growing by $700 million a year. But how well-suited is academia to the business world? It’s not always a good match; for many institutions, profitability comes before delivering high-quality programs. — Kipp Report

Gangs, Social Networks and Media Literacy
Around the country, community groups offer free Internet access to young people as a way to keep them off the streets and away from gangs, just as gangs have started using social networks to recruit teens. Are they offering the proper media literacy training to combat the problem? — PBS Teachers

Publishers in the News (April 14-20, 2008)

Published by Zornitsa Vodenska on April 21, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Fair use on campus: publishers sue school over class reading
A group of publishers are suing Georgia State University over the digital distribution of class reading materials in a case that may help define the fair use of digital materials. The three publishers involved, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and Sage Publications, target the academic audience. Cases that defined fair use of classroom material date back to the early ’90s, where the means of infringement was the photocopier. Back then, private entities that prepared material for university courses were found to have infringed the copyright of publishers in duplicating their material. A key feature of these cases, however, is that the infringers were private businesses that charged for their copying services; many universities are not-for-profit entities. — Ars Technica

Darwin’s private papers get Internet launch
Comprising some 20,000 items and 90,000 images, the release on darwin-online.org.uk is the largest Internet collection of Darwin’s papers, according to the organizers from Cambridge University Library which holds all the Darwin papers. The website displays thousands of notes and drafts of his scientific writings, notes from the voyage of the Beagle when he began to formulate his controversial theory of evolution, and his first recorded doubts about the permanence of species. It also contains photographs of Darwin and his family, newspaper clippings, reviews of his books and much more. — Reuters

IT in the News (April 14-20, 2008)

Published by Zornitsa Vodenska on April 21, 2008 in In the News. 0 Comments

Consumer groups urge “do not track” registry
Two consumer groups asked the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday to create a “do not track list” that would allow computer users to bar advertisers from collecting information about them. The call echoed those of other privacy advocates who filed statements with the FTC on Internet companies’ use of “behavioral advertising.” — Reuters

Japan’s high-tech displays give paper a cutting edge
TOKYO (Reuters) - Bend it, write on it, read it — just don’t try to fold it into a paper plane. Electronic paper is Japan’s answer to rising raw material costs, depleted resources and booming demand for printed matter from emerging markets such as China and India. At a high-tech fair in Tokyo, Japanese firms showed the latest versions of what is still considered a niche product, ranging from thick, sturdy readers to thin displays that look like plastic sheets and can be bent. E-Ink, which manufactures Sony’s Reader tablet, says consumers will eventually embrace the energy-saving technology as the cost of paper and fuel goes up. — Reuters