You can’t prepare for something when you don’t know what it is. If you have never experienced an online school before, now is your chance to become familiar with the online learning environment.

This is not your typical college fair. It is a real-time meet and greet with real students, staff, faculty and alumni from American Public University System, which includes American Military University and American Public University.

Who: American Public University System
What: Virtual College Fair
Where: Online
When: April 10, 2012
Time: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How to register: Visit College Week Live for more details on attending.

What can you expect from this event?

• Live video and chat sessions with academics reps
• How to choose an academic program
• Overview of the admissions process
• Federal student aid information
• Military TA/Veteran Benefits
• Tuition Schedule
• A live step by step of the entire FAFSA process
• Special ask the faculty live session
• Exploring the classroom and e-campus
• Live presentation of student life in the online classroom
• Chat with Student Affairs, Career Services, and more University social groups

Reserve your spot today by registering for American Public University’s live virtual college fair.

Dr. Chris Reynolds, Dean for the Center of Teaching and Learning at American Public University System, shares his background and insight on the challenges facing reserve members and active duty soldiers.

He also talks on his experience on how to research schools, how online education can help combat the high unemployment rate among members of the reserve, service experience and prior learning, as well as how to use social media to find opportunities and connect.

Interested in hearing more podcasts? Check out the University podcast archives for more tips, current events, and trends in the realm of education.

Online learning revolutionized the way in which education can reach people. It opens doors for underserved populations and creates opportunities for hardworking and brilliant people who previously could not fit a quality higher education into their busy lives. It prepares us to meet the demands of a knowledge-based economy and connects leading researchers, scholars, and visionaries with industries and future practitioners.

So, what other amazing things can online education accomplish? Maybe you know the answer.

If you have the next big idea in education, you might earn $25,000, and the help you need to put your idea in motion. Check out this recently announced competition and call for submissions:

American Public University System and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Announce $25,000 Prize for Innovation in Online Education

Share your idea. Change the world.

Charles Town, WV and Philadelphia, PA, Nov. X, 2011 — American Public University System (APUS) and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (PennGSE) proudly announce the 2012 American Public University System Prize for Innovation in Online Education. The newly-established APUS prize, which awards $25,000 to the individual or group business plan that best enhances distance learning in higher education, is part of the third annual 2012 Milken-PennGSE Education Business Plan Competition. 

The intent of the prize, sponsored by APUS and the Networking Education Entrepreneurs for Social Transformation (NEST), is to create new thought and structure within institutions and to support the growing demand for eLearning in higher education. All prospective entrants are encouraged to submit their concepts for consideration online at http://www.nestcentral.org/. Submissions, due by the close of business on December 12, 2011, will undergo a rigorous assessment and selection process culminating with the live competition and announcement of the winning business plans in Philadelphia on June 19, 2012.

 “Our collective goal is to catalyze innovations in learning propelled by educational entrepreneurs,” said PennGSE Vice Dean Doug Lynch. “We hope, if you have an idea to change the world, that you will enter the competition.”

“APUS and PennGSE share a keen commitment to academic quality and to advancing learning outcomes,” said APUS President & CEO Wallace E. Boston. “We’re proud to collaborate with them on this important initiative to help accomplish those dual goals.” Dr. Boston, a 2010 graduate of PennGSE, served as a judge for the 2011 competition.

About the Milken-PennGSE Education Business Plan Competition

Launched in 2010 as a partnership between PennGSE and the Milken Family Foundation, the competition will award more than $110,000 in total funding in 2012, through the following five prizes:  

• The Milken Family Foundation First Prize ($25,000) and Second Prize ($15,000).


• The American Public University System Prize for Innovation in Online Education ($25,000).


• The Startl Prize for Open Educational Resources ($25,000).


• The Educational Services of America Prize for Innovation in the fields of Special Education and At-Risk Students ($20,000).

About Contest Rules and Timeline

Entrants are required to submit an executive summary of their business plan online by the close of business on December 12, 2011. The summary can address a wide range of educational issues and submissions are welcome from both for-profit and nonprofit institutions. Applicants should submit content that first defines a problem and the opportunity it presents; the idea or solution; and how the idea or solution will be implemented.

Entrants can be individuals or groups and all submissions are automatically considered for the Milken Family Foundation First and Second Prizes. Contestants may also select to apply for the American Public University System Prize for Innovation in Online Learning, the Startl Prize for Open Educational Resources, or the Educational Services of America Prize for Innovation in the fields of Special Education and At-Risk Students. Each prize is awarded based on a unique area of focus in education. The competition process spans the following stages: 

• Executive summaries are due by December 12, 2011.


• Semi-finalists are announced by February 3, 2012.


• Full business plans are due by March 16, 2012.


• Finalists are announced by May 4, 2012.


• The live competition takes place in Philadelphia on June 19, 2012.

For official details about eligibility, application guidelines, and more, go to http://www.nestcentral.org/.

By J. Thompson
Online Learning Tips Staff

Online learning is worlds away from the more traditional brick-and-mortar type of education.  Part of being a successful online student is being open minded to (and embracing) the balance of work/school/life/family/etc.  It may take a little bit to master, but this balance is a very important part of the learning process.

Join Nicole (from Nicole’s Corner) and Elaine Keavney, Program Director for Nursing at American Public University as they explore online nursing programs, accreditation, work/life balance, and more!

Enjoy!

Cool news, readers!

American Public University (APU), part of American Public University System, and Northern Virginia Community College today announced a transfer credit agreement. NOVA is Virginia’s largest institution of higher education and one of America’s largest community colleges.

The announcement reflects APU’s continued commitment to provide a ready pathway for community college graduates to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree, according to APUS President and CEO Dr. Wallace E. Boston.

“We’re very pleased to partner with Northern Virginia Community College, which shares our mission to provide access to an affordable, quality, post-secondary education to students,” said Boston. “This agreement will enable NOVA graduates to continue their education online with APU while working in their chosen profession.”

NOVA graduates can apply their eligible associate degree credits in a block format toward junior status at APU for the completion of bachelor’s degrees in subject areas ranging from history, intelligence studies and management to marketing, security management and sports and health sciences, among many others.

You can read about the full agreement here.

The flood victims of Pakistan need help, but what can you do? According to the UN, 20 million people have been affected and 6 million are in urgent need of food aid — more than double the number of people affected by the 2004 tsunami and the Haiti earthquake combined. With some charitable support victims of this terrible natural disaster can begin to rebuild their lives.

American Public University System (APUS) staff are participating in a relief drive for food and supply kits. Join APUS in efforts to support the survivors of this unfortunate disaster in Pakistan.

Help the survivors today:

Imran Kahn Flood Relief

World Vision Online

World Food Program

UNICEF

Many students today are earning their college degrees online. But how do you get to know a professor you may never meet? Can you expect a personal interest in your success when you can’t express your concerns in person? And what about all those questions you want to ask?

“Students often find they actually have more one-on-one communication from their online teacher, compared to a traditional classroom setting,” says American Public University System vice president Phil McNair.

“You aren’t limited to talking with your professor only at class time,” says McNair. “With online learning, you have access to your professor throughout the week — and often on weekends, too.”

At American Public University and American Military University — which are part of APUS — professors are required to check into their classrooms at least every 48 hours. They see student e-mails more frequently — providing for a quick and personal response. This continual feedback is unlike what students in a traditional classroom experience. Online students aren’t limited to “seeing” their professor only during class.

Students too intimidated to ask questions in a traditional classroom can become newly empowered online. And they never have to worry about being “called on” in class when they don’t have a correct answer.

“In face-to-face situations, students may need to be quick on their feet,” says McNair. “They may be afraid to hold up their hand. With online, you can take time to research the right answer, and provide a thoughtful response.

 “The electronic classroom is the great equalizer,” says McNair. 

Discussion boards provide another way for professors and students to connect. Professors post discussion topics and facilitate the exchange of ideas, research and information. This sense of community can help promote understanding of diverse opinions and create a trusted environment free of bias.

Responding to student e-mails in a timely manner, and regularly, fosters two-way communication and lets students know they really can count on their teacher.

“You have the professor’s full attention,” says McNair. “Students can ask a question or seek help via e-mail at any time, and they know they will get a direct response.”

These exchanges are central to boosting learning outcomes, because students can make sure they have a clear understanding of assignments, get guidance on what resources they should explore, and ask other questions they might not have conveyed in a traditional classroom.

At AMU and APU, classes are capped at 25 students, and most have an average of 15. Small classes allow every student to interact.

To assure that student needs are met, APU and AMU professors are “graded” too. “We get student feedback for every class with end-of-course surveys,” says McNair,“ And students can also e-mail the academics department directly with a question or concern. Someone will review their situation and provide prompt feedback.”

For students, communicating with professors via e-mail doesn’t mean ignoring spelling and grammar, or using texting shortcuts. Students should proofread their e-mails before sending, be as concise as possible, and communicate clearly.  This is college, after all, and effective communication is a key learning objective for all students.

- By Online Learning Tips Staff

Thousands of students worldwide are using technologies and tools created or adapted for online college studies. Discussion boards, direct e-mail between students and professor, and web-enabled “student lounges” are important tools in learning online. Other tools include access to deep research through online libraries, and software developed for online learning, or created for just one school.

Today, progressive online schools like American Military University and American Public University — under the umbrella of American Public University System (APUS) — continue seeking new technologies and tools to further enhance student learning.

“Distance learning has come a long way in the past 10 years,” says APUS vice president Phil McNair. “In the very early days, it was kind of like a correspondence course, plus e-mail.

“Today there is so much expertise from developers that specialize in adult learning applications and services,” McNair says. Several of these tools are in use now at APUS.

Software for education

There has been an explosion of new tools to help both educators and students to share enhanced learning experiences.

Elluminate offers several software packages for educators — including specialized web, video and telephone conferencing. A virtual classroom application enables professors to host a lecture or class. Other products help teachers prepare for virtual classroom presentations, record audio and organize lecture notes.

Free and open source software like Moodle and Sakai provide creative platforms for custom application development, collaboration and more. And gaming tools and theory can also be useful teaching tools, especially for the many students who have grown up with them.

A new kind of library

Electronic books not only save paper, but also incorporate features that students 10 years ago could only dream about.  E-books can be read on a computer, an iPhone or devices like the Sony Reader, Apple’s iPad, Amazon’s Kindle or the Barnes & Noble’s Nook.  Electronic textbooks and other resource materials not only save paper, but are usually immediately available for download.  They can incorporate dictionaries, resource links, suggested additional readings and study aids.  Many offer multimedia features, and chances are that others will soon offer video, audio and color images.

Virtual classrooms and social networks

Second Life allows anyone, anywhere, to create an avatar and become part of a virtual world. APUS has a Second Life island at American Military Univ. It features a campus theatre for lectures, and virtual libraries and classrooms.

“One of the biggest values of Second Life bringing students and professors together across time zones – sometimes across the world,” says McNair. 

Faculty members can post a message to students, for example, for a “meeting” in Classroom 101 at 7 p.m. There, they can chat, have side conversations, share ideas or even step back in time. ”One of our history faculty wanted space on our island to build a medieval castle,” he says.

SL can also be used for fieldwork. Students can interact with others in SL, conducting interviews and surveys, observing activity and behaviors.

Social networking sites and groups, such as the emergency and disaster management groupwithin LinkedIn enable myriad discussions between faculty and students, and keep students up-to-date on current, job opportunities and more.

 Technology is a tool, not a solution
 
 APUS is looking for additional virtual community options, along with monitoring dozens, if not hundreds, of other technology applications.
 
 “Teachers are becoming more comfortable with online learning and technology, and there are more resources out there all the time,” says McNair. “Witness the explosion of products being marketed at education conferences these days. Companies are springing up all the time, and I get emails from vendors every single day trying to sell me the latest widget.”

Technology alone, however, can’t deliver a college course. A prime example, says McNair, is the teaching of languages using Rosetta Stone – highly sophisticated software that can even measure a student’s pronunciation against that of a native speaker. Before such software was developed, students outside a traditional college classroom might learn to read and write a language, but speaking it was another matter. 
 
“Rosetta Stone is a tool we use in teaching languages – particularly for correct pronunciation — but it can’t convey idioms, dialects, nor the geography, culture and demographics of a nation,” says McNair. “And it can’t answer your questions.”

“Great professors, the right technology, carefully designed courses and relevant degree programs are all critical for an outstanding online college experience.”

By Online Learning Tips Staff

By: Mary Jackson

Along with the growing popularity of obtaining online bachelor degrees, many bogus schools have cropped up to cash in, taking advantage of potential students seeking a genuine education to maintain their current level of employment, or achieve specific career goals. Unfortunately, the sales pitch attracts many students who do not possess the time, or the finances, to gain a college education. The main selling points may include easy graduation, no tests or end of semester exams, credit for life experiences, and lower tuition fees. Some diploma mills even have the audacity to make money through bulk emails offering to sell university degrees.

So, how do prospective students determine whether an online college is accredited or only offering bogus online bachelor degrees? Especially for International students, it can be very difficult to determine a school’s validity. In most cases it is impossible for distance learners to visit the campus, so the website is the only point of contact before making the choice and enrolling, which makes it hard to determine credibility.

One of the best ways to determine credibility is to pay close attention to how the credentials are stated. For example, if an educational institution claims to have nationwide or worldwide accreditation, without revealing which government agency provided the accreditation, it’s possible the college or university probably does not possess the necessary seal of approval to provide legitimate online bachelor degrees.

In the U.S., college accreditation is awarded by one of the following six accreditation agencies which are all appointed by the National Board of Education – New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU). Each agency has been allocated responsibility for providing accreditation for schools in specific states. Therefore, it would be best to run checks on a particular online degree institution with the agency offering college accreditation for the state in which the college is registered in.

If a university sends out mass e-mailings offering on online bachelor degrees, master’s degrees, and even doctorate degrees for a fixed rate, it is a sure sign the result will be a bogus degree. Course credits for such a degree may include such strange elements as: credit for life experiences, work experience, previous educational background, workshops, community services, travel, and books read in the past. To further confuse the issue, fake accrediting URLS are set up to prove accreditation, but unless it is from one of the 6 agencies endorsed by the Department of Education, the award is most likely phony. The unscrupulous institutions depend on the desperation of people who do not have the time, or the money, to earn a valid degree. Nevertheless, without that all-important diploma, good jobs are impossible to find.

In short, with the plethora of bogus degrees already causing employers to question online education, make sure your online bachelor degree is earned from a college or university accredited by one of the six agencies endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Article Courtesy of ezine Article Group