Finding Resources Online

December 12th, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

Electronic resources abound, and they can be of very high quality. The best way to find peer-reviewed, high-quality journal articles is to access them through your online library, or to purchase the articles through an article provider. However, there are excellent sources that are both accurate and of high quality on the Web, and they are often free and not password protected.

Whether you are looking for journal articles, monographs, factual information, or high-quality publicly available resources, the same principles apply. Narrow your topic, make sure your search terms are relevant and focused, make sure your articles and your topic are in alignment, examine your sources for bias and distortion, and finally, make sure that your online class provides sufficient support and background for your argument. Let’s expand the steps and look at them again. It is useful to look at each of the stages individually and to think about how and why you will be engaged in activities.

Create an annotated bibliography. As you download and read your articles, you can keep track of them by creating an “electronic notebook” which would consist of a citation of your sources. Create an entry for each source. Use the appropriate style (MLA, APA, CBE, Chicago, etc.). After you have completed that, be sure to write a one-sentence overview/summary of the article and how it relates to your topic.

Update your outline. Re-examine your thesis. Look at your argumentation structure. Does each paragraph and subsection help support your thesis? How does your research fit? Determine where you have gaps, redundancies, or where your sources take you on a tangent.

Fill in the gaps. Make a list of the places in your paper where you need additional support for your argument. Then, after eliminating redundancies, map where you need to fill gaps, and where your argument needs additional support.

Online Group Project

December 11th, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

The typical online course group project involves the following steps:

·    The instructor assigns you to a group of three or four other students.
·    You are expected to produce a group project together.
·    The project is usually gargantuan, and it requires the creation of a PowerPoint, text, and other presentation materials.
·    After you read the requirements, you e-mail your group members. No one responds.
·    You end up doing all the work yourself.
·    You swear that you will never work in an online group again!

Does that sound familiar? How can you succeed? Below are a few strategies to help you succeed with group work.

Redefine the outcomes as you go, based on the types of work coming. Be flexible and make adjustments as needed. Potential problem: No clearly defined goal or outcome. The overall goal or desired outcome may be imprecisely described or defined. It is important to clearly define the concrete attributes: length, structure, content, purpose, format, complexity. Solution: Make sure that the outcome and goals are as clearly defined as possible. “SMART” goal-setting is ideal: Specific, Measured, Achievable, Reasonable, Time-based. Of course, there are downsides to having rigidly defined outcomes. They can inhibit extremely creative and driven students, and they can result in conformity and mediocrity.

Build in rewards for working with each other. Make sure that each person clearly perceives that there exists a clear reward for the effort expended in the group work. Competitive rather than collaborative. Group members are caught up in proving that they are “right” and that the others are not. They do not want to modify any of their work in order to have it mesh or blend with the others in order to produce a coherent whole. Solution: Separate the tasks and roles so that there is division of labor, rather than overlap.

Distance Learning Facts

December 7th, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

Some people are very doubtful on the quality of education that distance learning centers give; however, on the other hand, there are some people who have firm beliefs that distance education is a top-notch kind of schooling. Here, we will find out some facts on distance learning and get some clarity on these issues.

One myth that people hear is that distance learning credits don’t transfer to other colleges. Diplomas and credits from online schools that are accredited by the proper regional agency will be accepted by traditional institutions in the same way that diplomas and credits from “regular” colleges are accepted.

Another characteristic that people hear is that accredited schools always offer a good education. Anyone can claim to be an accrediting agency, and many do. However, in order to be widely accepted, your degree needs to come from a school approved by one of the six nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies. Be aware that many “diploma mill” schools make up their own accrediting agencies in order to trick students into feeling secure. Checking with one of the big six agencies directly can help you avoid being scammed.

Lastly, people believe that online schools are faster and easier than traditional schools.

While some online students choose accelerated programs, others select online schools that let them do their work slowly, over a longer period of time. Just like traditional schools, some online institutions are known for being easier and others are known for being harder. Flexibility is key in the world of distance learning and the majority of online programs tailor their curriculum to fit the needs of specific students.

Initial Steps for Online Courses

December 3rd, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

You participate in group discussion, academic debate, and social dialogue, which eliminate the isolation of traditional correspondence study and provide a peer group for support when you enroll in online courses. When you think about it, try to imagine having all the good and advantage of a bachelors degree a few steps away from you or at a touch of a small mouse. Having four-year college degrees might seem expensive. If you worry about paying for your degree, don’t forget that colleges and universities offer dozens of ways to slash college costs, from student loans to scholarships to work-study programs. Taking online courses can be a little like taking course in a foreign country.

Most of us are still learning the norms and expectations of the online environment. Having online courses will certainly let you achieve these benefits and so much more simply because of the ease and comfort that comes to having an online bachelors degree. Even though the technology is wonderful and exciting, we would never say that this environment is the right learning environment for every student. It works well for some students most of the time. It provides exciting opportunities for people who are constrained by time, place or other factors. Having online courses will certainly let you achieve these benefits and so much more simply because of the ease and comfort that comes to having an online bachelors degree.

The online courses focus strongly on the interactive or cooperative methods of education, only achievable in groups.

Positivity in Online Programs

December 2nd, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

It is very fast and quick to get an online graduate program. This not only helps people get jobs right away but it helps people get jobs even during their enrollment in the program.

The two-year associate degree is your fast track into the workforce. With accelerated options that allow you to graduate in as little as 18 months, online graduate programs prepare you for entry-level positions in business, healthcare, design and more. Transfer your credits to a bachelor’s degree program later for career advancement. The standard requirement for most of today’s professional careers, a four-year bachelor’s degree provides critical thinking and communication skills in addition to career-specific training. Take your career to the next level with online graduate programs. These two-year programs generally require a bachelor’s as a prerequisite, and they build on that general knowledge to help you develop specialized skills in technology, medicine, education and much more. Increase your earning capacity with a master’s degree online. Study from the comfort and convenience of your own home, whether you’re learning a new language, taking a business class, or getting your bachelor’s degree.

One of the best things about online education is that you don’t have to make a major commitment in order to enrich your life and your career. With the latest in interactive technology, online college courses make it easy to get the education and training you need to succeed. Interact with classmates and faculty around the world, work on your own time, at your own pace, and complete a degree, diploma, certificate program or single class that enriches your life and your career.

What to Do in Online Classes

November 30th, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

In online classes, students “attend” class by accessing the class web pages and completing assignments according to the class schedule. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates via e-mail and online discussion forums. Students complete assignments according to the class schedule, maintain regular contact with the instructor and participate in online class discussions.

In online classes you really have to be online at a specific day of the week, but while you are working toward your college degree online, you are expected to stay on schedule with assignments, and login multiple times per week. Some classes may have several due dates each week; others may require work once per week, but you have the flexibility of choosing the time of day or night you want to log on to the Internet and work on an assignment and other requirements that are asked of you.

Online classes allow you to do your coursework when it is most convenient for you, in a time that is flexible, to accommodate your other responsibilities. Earning a college degree online is a great way to broaden your career opportunities, without having to sacrifice that all-important time away from your family, job or other activities. The main benefit of online classes is the interaction among you, your instructor and other students in classroom online message board. Students can post comments or questions to the instructor or other students, share ideas, communicate about your learning experience, or discuss topics of the course with other interested students. Online classes are fun and offer you the flexibility to continue with your job, kids, and other obligations.

Campus programs and its alternative.

November 25th, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

When we say campus programs, we are all familiar with the usual going to universities and colleges but did we know that there are alternatives to this? Technical courses such as Drafting and Introduction to AutoCAD will help you visually represent customers’ ideas and accurately communicate details to contractors and suppliers. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be prepared to compete for entry-level positions such as kitchen and bath planner, AutoCAD technician, product analyst, manufacturer’s representative and design consultant. Take note, this type of college degree online is an entirely online class, which means that it is very beneficial to your time, and will make sure that you study when you want to study.

Nowadays, yes it is very much possible because of the technology and with the help of some programs such as AutoCAD and the like, more and more people are getting into the advanced online arts learning through and with the help of an online campus programs. This type of modernized and technologically advanced online  campus programs doesn’t just stop from when you finish the course because this is a continuing type of education because the arts is an ever growing form and will not stop at anything to gets that latest and most creative ways of expressing ones’ inner most self. In today’s lives one would not think that it is possible to have an online campus programs for the arts. To develop the skills you’ll need to help customers plan their residential remodeling projects by enrolling in the Residential Planning diploma program at The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

As a student in the Residential Planning program, you’ll learn how to maximize the efficiency and livability of residential interiors through the study of textiles, space planning, and kitchen and bath design.

Online Campus Programs For Your Education

November 22nd, 2008 by theProfessor
theProfessor

Nowadays, yes it is very much possible because of the technology and with the help of some programs such as AutoCAD and the like, more and more people are getting into the advanced online arts learning through and with the help of an online campus programs. This type of modernized and technologically advanced online campus programs doesn’t just stop from when you finish the course because this is a continuing type of education because the arts is an ever growing form and will not stop at anything to gets that latest and most creative ways of expressing ones’ inner most self. In today’s lives one would not think that it is possible to have an online campus programs for the arts.

To develop the skills you’ll need to help customers plan their residential remodeling projects by enrolling in the Residential Planning diploma program at The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. As a student in the Residential Planning program, you’ll learn how to maximize the efficiency and livability of residential interiors through the study of textiles, space planning, and kitchen and bath design.

Technical courses such as Drafting and Introduction to AutoCAD will help you visually represent customers’ ideas and accurately communicate details to contractors and suppliers. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be prepared to compete for entry-level positions such as kitchen and bath planner, AutoCAD technician, product specifier, manufacturer’s representative and design consultant.

Take note, this type of college degree online is an entirely online class, which means that it is very beneficial to your time, and will make sure that you study when you want to study.

Tips To Learning Online

July 15th, 2008 by Jason Stollham
Jason Stollham

The impact of online education varies from one learner to another. The intensity of a learner’s learning process largely depends on the nature of instructions provided coupled with the attention level of the learner. Students, not so familiar with computers, often find it difficult to grasp online education. E-learning materials are, however, prepared from the perceptive of such students. Still a few loop holes can divert their attention resulting in the failure of understand.

Learning online has various advantages and based on it online education and degree programs have been developed. Self motivation and basic understanding of computers is essential if one has to make the maximum utilization of online education. Candidates, habituated in brick and mortar education, find online education uncomfortable. Hence some qualities are required to be developed to understand the situation better.

Tips To Being A Good Online Learner

  • Access to computer and modem : For online education, you require a computer and internet connection at some. Since you might feel like studying or using the course material any point of time, cyber café is not a good idea. Make sure your computer has ample memory and processing power to run the up to date software.
  • Communicate through writing : The best part to express is to write. Though keyboards have replaced conventional pen and paper writing still it is expected that you will express in words. In any virtual classroom, all communication takes place in writing. Learners always feel comfortable if they write, whether it is a blog, e-mail or notes.
  • Spend the appropriate amount of time on the course : Spend at least 5 to 10 hours per week in the course. This would enable you to understand better with time. Simply do not neglect the course just because the timings are flexible.
  • Realize the importance of attitude and effort : Just because you are not there in a classroom ambiance, do not ignore the seriousness of the education. Make attempts to invest your 100% in the course. Such an act will fetch you maximum return after the course is over.
  • Participate actively – Try to apply what you learn online and also participate in the learning process. Contribute your idea, thoughts and plans to make the online learning more interesting and beneficial. Be open with your problems and let not act them as barriers.