How Effective Is Distance Education?

Thomas Edison predicted early this century that motion pictures would replace textbooks as the principal medium of instruction. In a new study to be released today, the College Board cites that anecdote to warn that the higher-education community should employ a healthy skepticism toward those currently touting the virtues of the virtual, online classroom.
As colleges and universities invest in the latest computer technology to ride the early wave of euphoria over online distance education, the College Board study cautions that the trend could actually create barriers to higher education for poor and minority students.
In addition, the study, along with another to be released next week by the American Federation of Teachers, raises concerns about assessing the quality of courses offered online. The AFT report takes issue with the conclusion of several studies that online courses can be just as rigorous and successful as those presented in a traditional classroom setting.
In the past year or two, many schools have started to offer online courses, and some even offer entire degree programs over the Internet. So far, the course offerings have been targeted to the booming adult-learner market: working adults who have little time between career and family obligations to travel several times a week to a college campus for further training, and are attracted instead to the convenience of taking a course via computer at home or in the office.
But some think that the online market will expand to include some of the bread-and-butter core courses that undergraduates have traditionally taken in campus classrooms. Last year, Pennsylvania State University ran a test with four online courses that enrolled about 40 students. This year, it launched its World Campus, an array of 30 online courses across 10 programs that currently enroll 400, most of whom are graduate students.
Temple University has nearly three dozen online courses, with an enrollment of 500 or so students, mostly at the graduate level. University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School has joined forces with Caliber Learning to offer graduate business courses, using a combination of online and video-conferencing technology.
"There is no doubt the World Wide Web shatters barriers of time and space in the delivery of instruction," Lawrence E. Gladieux, the College Board's executive director for policy analysis, writes in its report. "But its advent is also likely to create new barriers and inequities, simply because of differential availability of the required technology."
The report, using U.S. Department of Commerce data, notes that, while 41 percent of white households have a computer, only 19 percent of black families and 19 percent of Latino families do.
And according to the Higher Education Research Institute, 80 percent of freshmen at private universities used e-mail in the past year, compared with 64 percent at public four-year colleges and only 41 percent at public, historically black colleges. Such statistics, the report warns, raise concern that a greater focus on online education will actually prove a barrier to poor and minority students.
Gary Miller, associate vice president of distance education at Penn State, dismissed such criticism. "By using the new technology, you're extending the university learning experience to more people," he said.
"Because the new technology has not reached everyone yet isn't a reason not to pursue it," Miller said. "If you use that line of thinking, there would be no college campuses in the country.
"And it doesn't mean it won't expand," he said. "Because of their perceived benefit, the penetration of radio ... into homes occurred at a much faster rate than one might have expected during the 1930s, given the economic situation." By venturing into online education, universities will generate demand and spur the market, forcing online access onto the social-policy agenda, he said.
The College Board report warns that private philanthropy alone -- much less the marketplace itself -- cannot fix the problem of access, and argues that government must play a role.
Lee Alley, associate vice president for distance education at Temple, agreed that, if access to the new online courses is not managed well, it could become a problem. But he also said he thinks that, for most schools, online education will be a supplement, and not a replacement, for traditional methods of instruction, or for the many safety nets and supports that commonly come with a campus-based education.
While both reports question the potential quality of online courses, Miller and Alley both argue that online offerings can be even better than classroom courses, and that the new competition from online offerings can generate improved quality across higher education.
"Online distance education marks a real shift in buyer-side clout," Alley said. "The epicenter of choice will be shifted to students, and that competition will push quality up to a new max that you don't currently see in a lot of remote college campuses."

We Need To Stress Fundamentals Again In Education

When I went to school, the philosophy was to teach the "3 R's," reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic. Having come into contact many college students and even graduates, I have found that many exhibit poor writing skills. When I have interviewed young people, and requested three paragraphs from them as part of the process, the result has convinced me that today's educational system has not sufficiently emphasized this aspect. While certain new developments and advances have furthered educated, this de-emphasis in necessary skills has been detrimental to our future generations.
Many of these young people are otherwise extremely bright and talented, so the lack of writing skills cannot be attributed to a any lack of intellect, or intelligence. My conclusion is that when schools and school "policy makers" decided years ago that other things were more important to teach than the "3 R's," they de-emphasized formal writing skills. Many of the same young people who have difficulty writing, have an incredible grasp of concepts, and an otherwise superb skill- set. However, it appears that many schools have maintained emphasis on only one of the "R's," reading, while placing far less emphasis on either writing or arithmetic. Many of the young people who exhibit writing challenges also have far less mastery of basic mathematical skills, such as addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. These individuals have been taught many sophisticated ideas and concepts mathematically, but a large number must depend on a calculator or some other device to do even the most basic of mathematical functions.
Have there been some benefits to today's students because of this change of emphasis? There certainly have been in the areas of technology, technology usage, interpretation, music and the arts. However, where I believe the system has "let down" these "kids" is in mastering many basic skills. In the attempt to educationally "reinvent the wheel," and correct some of the "malfunctions" of previous educational policy (such as teaching by rote, memorization, and not relating what was being taught to practical usage), the "new education" causes huge gaps in necessary skills. For example, if someone cannot adequately put thoughts to paper, how is one able to express himself to others? Today's over-dependence on such things as "texting language," has created a generation weak in grammatical skills, spelling ability, and vocabulary. The "abbreviations" used instead of words, the shortcuts, etc., are fine when using SMS or MMS media, but are not the optimum way to communicate in a regular written document, either on paper, in a Web- article, in a well- written Blog, etc.
Hopefully, educators will realize that written and basic mathematical skills are a necessary learning block that must be taught, used and mastered, if more sophisticated ideas are to be optimally learned. Educators must also learn that while the "3 R's" may not be "fun," they are necessary in the real world of everyday life and business. Many colleges and universities have realized the lack of these skills in their students, and have begun to emphasize important skills, such as writing. However, isn't it somewhat unfair to college students to have to shoulder addition stress and burden to have to first master these skills in college (often extending the length of time it takes to graduate, plus the additional expense), when the basics should have been adequately taught prior to that. One of the reasons that the SAT exams now has a written component is because of the recognition of writing as a necessary and essential skill.
Parents should emphasize these needs to their School Boards when children are younger, so that college students are far better prepared. Parents should do this from both an educational as well as financial point of view. Does anyone really believe that this educational deficiency and the fact that most students average five or more years to finish college today, are unrelated? Let's get back to some basics, so that students will be better equipped to handle life's challenges and needs!

Can the Education Nation Movement Finally Reveal the Truth About Card Debt and the Federal Reserve?

If the new Education Nation movement truly succeeds in getting qualified teachers to show people how credit card debt and the Federal Reserve operate then the national debt will begin to dry up, the economy will flourish and newly produced student scientists and inventors can actually start solving Earths' problems. If they fail, it could mark the end of our Constitution and our nation as we know it.
Some inquisitive Americans are finally waking up to the fact that education is the key to preventing man-made catastrophes such as the present depression we are experiencing which produces a domino effect knocking citizens down one by one as their wealth and dignity are stripped by the rich.
While the Nation waits for an "educational bailout" which will be controlled by the banking lobbyists telling congressional members which way to vote, you might want to pick up your domino and remove yourself immediately from a life of debt slavery by gaining a financial education light years ahead of the pack.
If you are a teacher, you will probably see the question "do you know how the Federal Reserve and card debt work" on a qualification test. If you answer "yes" you will not qualify, be sent to the unemployment lines wearing a dunce cap, so intentionally miss this question or avoid this knowledge altogether.
Now that you have some pros and cons of financial education you'll have the choice of entering a true age of Enlightenment or you can sit back and wait for the next bailout flying under the education banner to pass billions of dollars up the line with millions in bonuses handed out as usual to those who succeed in getting your money and still suppressing your knowledge!
If you're ready to search America's historical knowledge base then Google "the gig is up - money the Federal Reserve and you" before the education bailout top guns force these little pieces of history into oblivion. Be warned your life will never be the same after seeing the gig!
Now that you are educated about the Federal Reserve and plastic money it's time to cut the umbilical cord to free yourself from the bonds of financial slavery. You'll find the scalpel you need by searching "FTC debt video" which is a government cartoon version of a 1966 law stating what proof of a debt really means. No proof means nothing owed and you're free to go!
Debt collectors are simply telemarketers trying to coerce money from you. They can never prove you owe a penny over the phone and written collection notices are your opportunity to demand legal proof that you owe anyone anything. Use the search term "MSN money - debt collector bullies at it again" to see proof that 95% of collectors have absolutely nothing in the way of proof!
If the Education Nation fails to reveal the truth about debt and the Federal Reserve, at least you know how to rid yourself of it, shrink the banking cartels and remove their power. It's up to every individual to keep our constitutional rights of freedom and the rule of law even if public education fails.

Anthony Morrison - Online Entrepreneur Educator

Anthony Morrison is a successful entrepreneur and was able to produce books and courses that will guide and help you succeed in your endeavor like him. There are several techniques, methods and strategies that he uses that prove to be effective and have worked well on businesses. The said techniques which he solely develops have helped numerous people who have tried and tested his formula. His strategies really work and changes lives as testimonies unveil.
The entrepreneurial education founded by Anthony Morrison himself delivers outstanding online business education not just in United States but worldwide. The sole mission is to help willing individuals to become financially independent by exposing themselves through training and education. The courses offered are empowered with advanced internet basics, online business and internet marketing. The programs delivered are designed to give effective and assessable results for a short period of time as compared to conventional education. There is nothing more lucrative than learning the basics of business through an expert and a successful entrepreneur.
If your heart's desire is to achieve and be financially independent, the Morrison Education is the best choice you can have. The Education they offer does not entails average results for average individuals. The course will provide knowledge and strategies to help you realize your dreams. You can always make a difference not only to yourself but to your family, so take the necessary steps.
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Have you ever wondered that his course is just another scam? One way or the other you would also be questioning the effectiveness of the program Mr. Morrison is offering, this is just but a normal reaction whether or not it will work on your business or it will be another internet marketing bogus who just wanted to make money out of your vulnerability. All you have to do is investigate according to the track records of other online marketing program are offering you. You can read several reviews, facts and truths that will answer your doubts about internet marketing program, this why Anthony Morrison program is created to give you the peace of mind of your investment.
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The new educational system Morrison created provides the useful and apt information that you need in making your home businesses work. It disengages repetition and dreary tasks to give you more real and effective information that is seen to be vital in starting a stress free business. This will surely make a difference in your life and in your financial freedom.
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