'Images of Prayer, Politics and Everyday Jewish Life' opens at the University of Chicago Library on March 10

The University of Chicago Library presents "Images of Prayer, Politics and Everyday Life from the Harry and Branka Sondheim Jewish Heritage Collection," in the gallery of the Special Collections Research Center from March 10 to July 6, 2008.
Link - news.uchicago.edu

Education News - 24 Mar 2008

GLADSTONE - An interest in science and math is paying off for the 15 members of the Gladstone High School Science Olympiad Team. The team placed second in the Upper Peninsula Regional Competition Feb. 23 at Northern Michigan University in Marquette and are headed to the state competition. The state competition will be held April 26 at Michigan State University in Lansing.
Source: www.dailypress.net

And a report put out this month by the Center for Labor Market Statistics at Northeastern University states that "the summer 2008 job outlook for teens looks particularly bleak.
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

The number of school leavers is expected to plummet over the next 10 years, leaving the equivalent of nearly six universities unfilled
Source: education.guardian.co.uk

The site offers free video, audio, and print lectures and course material taken straight from the university's classes.
Source: blogs.edweek.org

University Greed Creates Disadvantages to Online Learning

A recent editorial in the UM-St. Louis Current charges that many of the reasons universities start online classes are harmful to student learners. Instead of starting online courses for student convenience or as a viable learning alternative, some universities do it because they can save money on facilities and can squeeze 200+ students into a single class. Here's a blurb from the editorial:

"An online class can hold up to about 200 students, where as an average sized-classroom (not lecture halls) can only seat about 25. However, for the students to get the most out of a professor, a good student-to-teacher ratio needs to be about 15-to-1.

Instead of providing a quality education, professors are now shoveling students through each class just so they can meet their requirements. It is very cost-efficient.

The bottom line is that online classes require fewer professors, less space, and most of all, less money, meaning less money to pay for faculty salaries and lower costs to maintain a classroom.

That last part about money is ironic in that students, particularly in the communications department, pay supplemental fees for distance learning to cover the costs for all of the technology and software needed to run an online class."

It's unfortunate that many colleges still see online learning as a money-making venture rather than focusing on student needs. Hopefully, as online learning becomes more mainstream, schools will change their focus.

See full article.

Related Entries:

Choosing a Distance Learning Program Based on Your Learning Style - 14 April 2007

Many Traditional Colleges View Virtual Learning as Revenue Source - 29 September 2007

Study Shows Distance Learning as Effective as Traditional Learning - 11 October 2007

University of Colorado Offering Online Degrees to Military Personnel - 06 February 2008

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Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

Source: www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com

University Greed Creates Disadvantages to Online Learning

A recent editorial in the UM-St. Louis Current charges that many of the reasons universities start online classes are harmful to student learners. Instead of starting online courses for student convenience or as a viable learning alternative, some universities do it because they can save money on facilities and can squeeze 200+ students into a single class. Here's a blurb from the editorial:

"An online class can hold up to about 200 students, where as an average sized-classroom (not lecture halls) can only seat about 25. However, for the students to get the most out of a professor, a good student-to-teacher ratio needs to be about 15-to-1.

Instead of providing a quality education, professors are now shoveling students through each class just so they can meet their requirements. It is very cost-efficient.

The bottom line is that online classes require fewer professors, less space, and most of all, less money, meaning less money to pay for faculty salaries and lower costs to maintain a classroom.

That last part about money is ironic in that students, particularly in the communications department, pay supplemental fees for distance learning to cover the costs for all of the technology and software needed to run an online class."

It's unfortunate that many colleges still see online learning as a money-making venture rather than focusing on student needs. Hopefully, as online learning becomes more mainstream, schools will change their focus.

See full article.

Related Entries:

Choosing a Distance Learning Program Based on Your Learning Style - 14 April 2007

Many Traditional Colleges View Virtual Learning as Revenue Source - 29 September 2007

Study Shows Distance Learning as Effective as Traditional Learning - 11 October 2007

University of Colorado Offering Online Degrees to Military Personnel - 06 February 2008

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Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

Source: www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com

University disaster course a world first

A pioneering disaster management course from the University of Salford is to help train professionals to prepare for global events such as earthquakes and floods - and help rebuild damaged areas once they have occurred.

The postgraduate Disaster Mitigation and Reconstruction course will address the growing demand for countries such as Sri Lanka and India to plan for natural and man-made disasters by reducing risk and improving infrastructures, as well as managing post-disaster issues like reconstruction and insurance.

It is aimed at professionals already working in government relief agencies, private sector companies, civil and military services, and insurance - and already has the backing of the construction industry in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Course leader, Dr Richard Haigh said: "With recent events such as the Boxing Day tsunami, the New Orleans floods and the earthquake in Pakistan, there is a real need for practical study in this area.

"Salford is the UK's leading university for the built environment and we have gained input from many international aid agencies which have real-life experience of planning for disasters and rebuilding communities after they have happened."

From January 2009, the School of the Built Environment's course will be delivered full-time on campus and by part-time distance learning via an interactive 'virtual learning environment' that enables students across the world to take part in regular online lectures.

Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga added: "We hope our teaching will help make a positive difference to the lives of those who live in parts of the world that are at risk of being affected by disasters, or have already been ravaged by them."

Ends

Notes to Editors
To find out more about studying Disaster Mitigation and Reconstruction at the University of Salford email Dr Richard Haigh at r.p.haigh@salford.ac.uk or Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga at r.d.g.amaratunga@salford.ac.uk

For more information on the University of Salford's School of the Built Environment go to www.sobe.salford.ac.uk

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Link - www.salford.ac.uk