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

Remember the old adage; if you cheat in school, you ultimately cheat yourself? So, what exactly is cheating? Generally speaking, it’s when someone plagiarizes material, fabricates false data or citations, lies to an instructor to gain an academic advantage, or simply copies someone’s answers on a test. Call it academic dishonesty. Because the Internet is a vast and powerful tool (coupled with the ease-of-use a computer provides in accessing and copying material), the question of academic integrity in online education has attracted attention from time to time.

For example, check out pro tennis player, Serena William’s cheeky postgame interview at the 2011 US Open (starting at the 37 second mark). She jokes that she hopes her sister, Venus would take her online classes for her because, “she’s really smart.” It’s funny. And yes, there sometimes persists the misnomer that academic dishonesty occurs more frequently with online learning than in traditional classrooms. However, the reality is that when cheating occurs, it’s at all levels of education, in the classroom and online. Here’s an interesting Academic Cheating Fact Sheet  provided by the Ad Council.

Look, it’s simple. Online education does provide convenience at a distance, but you’ll find that there are more people who are self-disciplined and truly dedicated to lifelong learning than not. The advantages of online learning, particularly at American Public University, is that students are taught by scholar-practitioners, many who are distinguished leaders working in their fields. The curriculum they teach is assessed constantly and updated based on guidance from industry advisory councils. We’re talking about successful leaders who are at the top of their game. The knowledge and experience online academic programs impart is meant to help students develop important, lifelong skills that could impact their professional abilities. So, why would anyone want to cut corners and pass up these great educational opportunities?

In this day and age when online education is closely tied to professional development and designed to prepare graduates for real-world implementation, that old adage may be even truer. Besides, not all of us have smarter big sisters.

By J. Thompson
Online Learning Tips Staff

By: Matt See

While weeding through almost six and a half hours worth of Super Bowl pregame analysis this past Sunday, I came across something quite interesting.

One of the networks was breaking down the ultimate player for various football positions. Say for instance the quarterback. The would use the field vision of Peyton Manning, Joe Montana’s arm, Aaron Rodgers’ heart, Ben Rothlisberger’s tenacity and possibly Steve Young’s legs.

This got me to thinking. If you could piece together the “Ultimate Professor” what would they be made of? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what would make up your “Ultimate Professor?”

Educators have long noted that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Remember your seventh-grade presentation on Costa Rica? By teaching to the rest of the class, your teacher hoped you would gain even more from the assignment. You can apply the same principle today by sharing your newly learned skills and knowledge with others.

Start by translating the information into your own words. This process alone helps solidify new knowledge in your brain. Next, find some way to share what you’ve learned. Some ideas include writing a blog post, creating a podcast or participating in a group discussion.

(source: About.com)

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Some college students see taking an elective course as a break from rigorous studying, and numerous class assignments and papers. For others, it’s an opportunity to refine skills needed for the workforce, or a chance to review things they were curious about and didn’t have the time to explore before.

So, how do you know which courses to pick when looking for an elective?

Here is what you should consider:

A soft skills elective class is a general area of expertise course that people may need in order to be successful in the workplace. This would be something that translates into a majority of career fields and degree programs. Things like writing, speaking, listening, interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Citizen Literacy elective classes are for those who don’t get a chance to read up on their current events, and in turn don’t understand what’s going on with politics, healthcare reform, science, technology and more. Consider courses in philosophy, women’s studies, ethnic studies, political science and government, and more.

If you want a chance to indulge in music history or art appreciation, school can be your opportunity to learn about things like masterpieces, theatre, even contemporary literature. These are considered fine arts elective courses. The arts translate into a lot of what we do and see in our daily lives, taking a side step into one of these classes for a new view on an “old” subject could be very enlightening.

Elective courses with a great professor. Ask your friends, your classmates, or check out the forums or the social area in your online school who their favorite professor was. Sometimes a great professor can make any topic interesting and engaging. The temporary deviation from your field of study can be a pleasant detour with the right guide.

Whether you decide to expand your options with an elective course you can build with, or one you simply want an easy A in, take a little time to research the topic and the teacher. If you aren’t sure what to take ask a classmate for their suggestions. Elective courses can be just an easy break from your busy schedule, or a knowledge expanding experience.

You can boost the positive and minimize the negative when you know your own learning strengths, weaknesses and habits. Pick an online learning format and study game plan that is best suited for you. If you know you tend to procrastinate, make sure you establish a solid study routine that will keep you on task. If you’re inclined towards written communication and verbal exchange, the methods of most online education classes will already be well matched to your learning style.

It also may be helpful to take an interactive learning assessment quiz for insight in to how your brain prefers to gather and process experiences and information. By understanding your own personal styles, you can adapt the learning process and techniques you use for the online environment.

(source: AllOnlineSchools.com)

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One of the unique aspects of online degree education is its focus on interaction and communication to facilitate effective learning. To take full advantage of online classes, you must be an active participant – there’s no sitting in the back, hoping not to be called on. Get in there and engage, discuss and collaborate. Much of the learning that occurs online takes place in the instructor-moderated course discussion boards where students exchange ideas with their peers.

The discussion board acts as a semester long conversation around a topic of interest in the field. A major benefit of online learning is that at the end of the course, a record of the discussion still exists. Students can re-visit ideas and questions that emerged along the way, and even look back at how their own ideas on the course topic evolved over the semester.

Source: AllOnlineSchools