For the adult online learner getting educated in the virtual space allows a more convenient and flexible schedule. It’s a choice that’s made based on one’s geographic location, as well as personal and professional obligations. So what would you think if high school students were required to take an online course?

The state of Idaho is attempting an aggressive approach to technology in the classroom by making this a requirement for students. They feel like students need to possess the technological skills necessary to be a successful online student. Here’s the full story on the requirement to get online to graduate. Do you think this should be required? Do you think it’s setting a good example to have blended learning? Share your thoughts with us below.

Sophia and Katherine of the TLC show D.C. Cupcakes

I’m a reality TV junkie. This is not something I’m proud to admit, but it’s true. I get sucked into the surreal “reality” in the shows. It’s hard to peel your eyes away when all you can think of is that you’re happy you don’t know someone like that. The more career related shows are great to watch as well, but I don’t use them as inspiration with my career…until today’s post of course.

USA Today College says it best in their article, “Don’t pick your major based TV shows.” They talk about shows that highlight the fashion industry, law field, and criminal justice sector. While some storylines in these shows serve to be inspiring, they should not be your baseline for entering these fields.

[Learn more about online degrees in your field of study.] 

If you’re already taken by the field of public safety, and you watch a series based on solving crimes, then that’s not so bad. But if you watch a cooking show and you couldn’t make spaghetti to save your life, then maybe it’s time to change your ideals. Education is a big commitment, both mentally and financially. Talk with someone like an admissions counselor on your career aspirations and how they relate to your education. Once enrolled your student advisor can help keep you on the right track.

[related: How to Choose a Major]

These career oriented reality shows are fun to watch, but can be deceiving for what the job might actually entail. The only time you see someone really working, without these “quick fire challenge” is on shows like Undercover Boss where you get to see what the less glamorous jobs are doing day-to-day.

Make sure your learning is engaging, and challenging. Watch your reality shows for fun, and inspiration in a creative aspect; not in an educational capacity.

By: J. Mason

An online education has a lot of positive aspects to it, availability, work at your own pace, and no commute. At times though the classroom may be down for maintenance for unforseen issues, but while your university fixes the issues in a timely manner, there are ways you can be prepared in the case of classroom inaccessibility.

• Bookmark the side door to the classroom.  Many times there is an alternate login page for students at an online university, as a backup in case the main page is down for maintenance. I usually go in through the front door (that is through the login page on the main APU website). However whenever there are scheduled (or unscheduled) classroom maintenance or system upgrades, there is also a classroom back door where you can reach your classes; you can get this by contacting the classroom technical team at your school.
• Be a little less classroom dependent. I have formed a habit around copying information I need from the classroom such as assignments, or quiz questions, or the discussion topics for the week, and paste it into a word document that I keep on my computer. This allows me to work on my answers while being outside of the classroom. Whenever I decide to go into the classroom to submit my work, I only have to paste my answers in the right place. Worst case scenario if the classroom is still unavailable when it is time to submit your work, you can always email it to the professor (that is if you kept record of his contact details outside of the classroom).
• Be proactive. Get into the classroom when it isn’t as crowded. Busy time could be around a typical deadling for assignments. For some schools its before midnight during the week or weekend. I am not making excuses for the system (it should be able to support peak times), but have you considered turning in you work early? Personally, I try to organize my weeks differently. My weekly deadline is Saturday. On Sundays, I start working on my next week’s class(es). It is a little hard the first week, since you only have 6 days to complete all your work, but it does work out in the long run and if needed, it buys me an additional day on busy weeks. By changing my week’s schedule by one day, I am posting items outside of the peak hours in the classroom.
• Stay connected. The university’s IT and Classroom Support department are monitoring the classrooms closely. If you are experiencing issues, contact the technical team know. If you are wondering if the issue you are experiencing is related to your own computer or network, check the school’s Facebook pages to see if others are responding with the same type of issue. If there is a classroom issue, going to Facebook is a good way of finding out or confirming it, but also remember most schools have a classroom support team that is handling and monitoring the classroom around the clock so keep them in mind when you’re reporting an issue.

[related: 4 Tips for Succeeding in an Online College Course]

By Isabelle dV
Online M.B.A. student at American Public University

No doubt you’ve heard of the death of infamous Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Known as the “Mad Dog of the Middle East”, a phrase coined from Ronald Reagan, his reign has been brought to an end finally. But what does his death signify for the world, and Libya?

American Military University spoke with a couple of experts yesterday about his end, and the significance of it. Join AMU and experts Patricia Campbell (Dean of Graduate Studies at American Military University), and William Tucker (Intelligence Analyst and Chief Correspondent for In Homeland Security.)

[Learn more about degrees in Intelligence Studies.]

Get a unique perspective on this momentous event and tune into the podcast on The Death of Gadhafi.