The Impact Of Social Media On Online Learning

According to a 2013 Babson and Pearson Learning Solutions survey, about 41 percent of professors conduct online and face-to-face classes and are comfortably using social media platforms in their teaching.

What does this proof?

The survey indicates the huge revolutionary change that technology has brought to education. More the population is inclined towards been tech savvy individuals, more the concept of online learning is evolving. By now , everybody is well acquainted with the concept of online education since its introduction in 1990, but the use of social media in the learning field is still fresh.

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Even a decade ago, social media was only used for sharing social updates and multimedia files like images and videos. Connecting with friends and maintaining a social profile was the priority for the social media. Now, social platforms are much more than that. Apart from staying connected with friends, these platforms create social awareness, allows you to stay connected with the world news, even build professional relations and create discussion forums to voice a solution on any particular issue, promoting business and even posting job vacancies. Adding another feather to the cap, using it for online learning.

The Online Learners:

The online faculties encourage these medium to create a common base for the students where they can interact with among themselves as well as their mentors, discuss about their learning updates, clarify doubts and even solve issues related to study.

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Associate professor Michael Menchaca of the University of Hawaii constantly stay connected with his online student batch through these electronic media.

The tools remain a natural way for students to communicate given their prevalence today – even for adult students, says Abbie Brown, professor in the department of mathematics, science and instructional technology education at East Carolina University.

Even though the electronic media is not extensively used but it is now the pivot of the education system. It remains as the platform for getting information, even in aspects of research, and in finding emerging trends.

The Voice :

I personally believe that when you are on these platforms, searching for a particular topic, numerous other topics related to that pops up in your related search. It is quite obvious, you do not bother to search all of it, you at least click on five of them. So you have five new topics to learn. This searching intensity widens your knowledge base, leaving you crave for more.

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Another unique way of using these social platforms is “Start Blogging”. Create your own educational blogs and post study assignments, online classroom experience or any other educational posts. Allow your fellow batchmates and your online instructor to post comments and suggestions. This is a great method to improve your social learning skills.

Recently I conducted an online survey regarding the reviews of educational instructors on the impact of social media on the distance learning system. To know more about the detail conversation click on the link given below.

https://www.quora.com/How-much-influence-does-the-social-networking-platforms-have-on-Online-Education

Clearly it is proven, that every the educational advisors' admit its vast, vivid and unparallel influence to the online learning.

The Effect :

The most popular social platforms like Facebook, Linkedin to name a few, have discussion forums where constructive educational discussions are done to bring about a imperative approach regarding the education system. Professors, researchers and even students create discussion poll for a generalised mass opinions and even bring out the best for any topic.

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Social media has become so popular among the mass, that every website now provide social sharing buttons to promote themselves and create a mass opinion for them.

The introduction of mobile apps made these networking media gain momentum, and now it stands out strong against the traditional books and classroom notes.

Kindly share your views about what you feel the impact and importance of networking platforms on education.

The Impact Of Technology On Education

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Technology has already begun to pull the chariot of education. It already took up the responsibility of enriching education making it to reach newer heights of brighter possibilities. It is expected that education will be able to reach its paramount position with technology by its side.

The technology infrastructure

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The advent of technology and its implementation in education making it effective is responsible for the schools to seek ways to implement technology in them. But the requirements of such implementation has also been the subject to change. The change occurred in finding normal connectivity options to gaining bandwidth connections that allows the operation of more complex applications.

The research

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A lot of research is done on the exact quality and effectiveness that technological education offers. Yet it is found that the companies representing the technological education itself are responsible to conduct the researches. Such a thing doubts the validity and the objectivity of the research. Apart from that, these kinds of researches are time consuming and cannot keep up with the contrary fast pace of the developing technological implementations.


Now let us have a look on the process of technology's implementation on education:

E-learning or digital learning

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E-learning is the interestingly effective platform of education in the virtual arena. The e-learning methodologies are different as well as interesting. It effectively offers the required education for a learner. Added to that, there are some technologically advanced tools which makes it more enriched.

Virtual schools or online schools has originated from the concept of e-learning and, expectedly, the modern learners are on the lookout for them.

What are the reasons of such an inclination of the learners? Let's take a look:

1. It is observed that the learning style is different and efficient when it comes to e-learning and the learners finds it interesting and beneficial. 

2.E-learning is flexible in nature. It offers the flexible classes in which the learners can proceed according to their own pace. 

3.It is a lot more student-friendly way of education than the traditional one as it allows access to customised educational contents. 

4.Online instructors and quality faculty members can be reached in e-learning through video lectures.

5.Distance learning schools are cost-effective. 

6.E-learning also represents credit recovery in which a learner can retake classes that he/ she did not pass in a different way.

The International Association for K-12 online learning or INACOL said in a report entitled “A National Primer on K-12 Online Learning” that at the end of 2010, 27 states and the district of Columbia had full-time online schools serving students across the state.

Mobile computing shows game-based learning

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The increasing use of the mobile devices and their falling costs paved the way for education to meet games for making a revolutionary educational tool as the game-based learning. According to the educators, game based learning has the ability to visualise the path of career to the students and they can get a more prominent realisation of profession. It builds the sense of collaboration; team-work; problem solving and decision making abilities.

The National Science Foundation has cooperated a lot to provide web-based science games like Crystal Island which is developed by IntelliMedia group at the North Carolina University.

The Horizon report predicts that mainstream classrooms will adopt the use of games in education by two to three years.

Interactive social networking

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Interactive social networking is an effective way of education in the distance learning schools  as it makes the learners more enthusiastic in education. A collaborative and coordinating mentality grows in them. Teachers also are in favour of it as it allows the learners to communicate with their peers all over the world.

Some of the schools have already implemented social networking tools like Facebook in education.

The social networking site Ning has group sites centred around teaching a specific subject.

Twitter provides an interesting educational tool known as the EdChat. It is a one-hour conversation per week on pre-arranged topics.

Web 2.0 and similar technological tools are aiming to make digital portions of the students' work with a more increased pace and easier availability.

The Verdict :Education and Technology join hands

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It is clearly observed that a lot of beneficial elements are attached with education by e-learning. Technology has provided education a new platform where it is more varied and more enriched. This enriched education increases the total enrichment of all of the aspects of the society and this simultaneous process has been possible with the equal collaboration of education and technology.

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How Does Classroom Apps Make Education Much Easier ?

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While browsing the internet , I recently came across an interview of a Biology teacher, Miss Heidi Bernasconi from Clarkstown High School North. In an exclusive interview with "The Journal" she describes how the introduction of Google Apps in her school, has modified the whole scenario of learning. I would love to share her experience.

Here are a few advantages she enlisted why every school should use online apps for the overall development of their students.

When asked what can the Classroom app do that the desktop version cannot ?

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On her reply, she first pointed out the mobility factor. That means the students now have 24x7 hours access to their learning programmes and assessments. So whenever they feel they can access it just at the click of a button. All they need is a phone and a stable internet connection. Even due to any reasons the school systems are not available, students should not lag behind in completing their assessments.

The modern apps give you the facilities to upload multimedia files. So if the students find it necessary to share any video or images of their current assignments , they are free to do that and even ask for feedback if required. In this way they can stay connected with their class mates as well as instructors and seek suggestions whenever required. Study not only becomes technology advanced but at the same time fun and interesting.

On a fun part she even mentioned , that gone are those snow days when you stay indoors with nothing to do constructive. She remains connected to her students even when she is held back at home.

Grading System :

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The apps are so simple and systematic to use . Grading the assessments are now easy and faster than the usual. Heidi completed a file of assessments just within an hour while waiting for her doctor's appointment.

Notification of the educational app :

As per her experience, the app has amazing notification system. The App is so developed that as soon as the teacher completes grading the assignments, a notification is triggered to every student and he/she has to reply or give a feedback on those assignments. Same goes for the teachers when a new task is assigned and the student completes it and submit the file, a notification is triggered for the teachers. Push notification feature even add a whole new dimension and makes the app unique.

Students' Performance :

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Quote unquote , it was too early to decide whether the implication of the apps into the education system has truely been imperative. But three thing scan be concluded from it. Here are they listed below :

1. The app has made life much easier and simple.

2. Instead of searching the roster of the students and tallying who has submitted their assignments, a single feature tells you who all are present in the classroom and have submitted their tasks. Its just a matter of few seconds.

3. The Google apps or the desktop version provides 24x7 hours of internet at your pocket. So whenever the students or the teachers want can access the assignments . This add an extra advantage to those who might not be able to attend school due to medical issues or, are on vacations.

Future improvements :

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The app is in itself a life saviour for both the students and the teachers. But here are few suggestion that might go along well with this app :

1. The reminder feature should be added . Any particular test or project submission will get a constant reminder to the students. This will make the students more conscious and serious to complete their tasks in a given period of time amidst their other activities.

2. The networking should not remain within the boundaries of the school. The app should able to connect different schools of the cities , thereby increasing the boundary of reach.

Heidi loves the fast grading system on her phone and the simplifies access, but that been said , the ease of using a big screen and expandable writing space on the keyword to minimise errors cannot be neglected.

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Is Turning Your Hobby To A Business A Good Idea ?

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Are you passionate about a particular activity? Do you want to turn your hobby in to a long term career? Well, it can be certainly an amazing idea to start your dream career by transforming your passion in to a lucrative business.

Turning hobby into business

Many of us dream of taking something we are good at doing in our leisure time and converting in to our main business focus. However, it can be easier said than done. Although there are numerous entrepreneurs who have achieved success by turning their passion in to business, the fact remains there are many more who will regret the decision throughout their life. So if you are planning to start a business from your hobby, then you need to think it through, else might not only lose your current job, but it may adversely affect your entire career and life.

Arthur Lucas, owner of Charleston Freehouse Brewery based in South Carolina, said he does not regret the decision of becoming a professional after years of being a home brewer.

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The former management consultant said “It's more a vocation. I don't really feel like it's a job. It's an over-expanded, all-encompassing hobby now. Everything has challenges—and I prefer these challenges. I'm allowed to do my own thing, even if it's hard, as opposed to being what someone else is looking for. That takes a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Making money from your passion

Want to convert your passion project into a lucrative career? Then you should be ready to face a lot of challenges. Most new entrepreneurs soon realise that running a business on a daily basis can be much more difficult than they had planned. Jay Adan, co-owner of Greenfield Games, had such an experience after starting his business. He opened Greenfield, currently the largest game store in Western Massachusetts, after leaving his career in public relations, with his partners Dave Fifield and  Seth Lustig.

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Jay Adan said “It was a critical time. None of us had ever run a retail store before. There really wasn't a full-time business person.”

So he and his partners took help from a former business associate, Joe Minton, to put the business in track.

Adan added “There's always stuff to learn. Passion can only take you so far. I know a lot about games and how they work, but that doesn't translate into how you run a successful business.”

Get ready for challenges

However, the risks of transforming your hobbies and passions in to a livelihood are not limited to economic challenges.

Hugh MacLeod, author of Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity, said “When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams. When its a hobby, you're doing it for yourself, on your own time. But when you're doing it for a job, it doesn't feel like that. What happens is, your hobby, all of a sudden, is a source of major anxiety because you still have bills to pay.”

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Hence, the pleasant activities which could previously act as stress relief will soon turn in to anxiety-inducers when you start to make it a career. This can encourage you to pursue other hobbies and eventually lose interest in the original hobby, said MacLeod.

Although starting a business and making a career from your hobbies may sound conceptually great, You must make sure to take all the necessary steps to move through the difficulties, else you might fall flat on your face. You will need to have the right skills, knowledge, passion and determination to actually run your business successfully in the long run.

What do you think? Share your views and experiences with us by commenting below.

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How Do We Want To See Online Education In Future ?

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Online education – the amazing method that revolutionised the field of the education and brought in the beginning of the new age that the future has sent to us as a messenger telling about the instance of the great effect of science that is yet to come. Online education has already started its journey in the path of development intending to unite education with innovation. It is online education that can change education into a better and innovative education.

The UK is one of the countries of the world where online education has affected a lot of optimistic results. The country needs to embrace online education more in order to get more privileges that are yet to come.

But what is the future of online education? How is it planning to bring innovation? What are the features that online education will bring in the upcoming age? Let’s have a look:

A stable access to content

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It has been found that one of the chief features of online education is that you get to access the wide range of data or the educational content through online learning. The access towards the information is also offered to the learners personally. This access to the educational content and technology should be uninterrupted and stable. It will allow the learners to continuously upgrade their knowledge as well as being connected to education whenever and wherever they want. If you are a student pursuing online education from UK, then you are facilitated to get access to the information anytime and anywhere.

Open Educational Resources

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Producing more and more endeavours towards offering open educational resources for the educators and the learners will be a basic step for the online learning as it would enable the both the educators and teachers to have the full benefits of online education. The educational resources will try to develop almost every aspect and there is a direct correlation observed between quality and usage. An online university degree must have such facilities.

Adopt to modernise

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You enrolled for an online study UK and you don’t know how to adopt the educational resources. For making the online educational system a modernised one, the contents and the resources should be adopted. The educators should adopt it first in order to operate them better when it comes to teaching. The adoption of these educational resources is a better and healthy way for the bright future of online education. You have also got to adopt if you are continuing distance learning from UK.

The Bottom Line :Let’s work together

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In order to implement all these qualities for the betterment of the future online education, all of the teachers; the educators; the students need to work together. An important role by the World Education Summit for Education or WISE is played over here. A global gathering of the leaders are arranged by this summit for creating an international network so that the online education’s future can be secured by innovative technology. The online education will reach a new height and a dignified standard if tall of the professionals’ work together. They should keep in mind that it is the actually the future of them that they are securing and not of education.

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E-Learning enable Students With Critical Thinking Capability

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Learning becomes interesting if it enables the learners to explore the critical aspect of their psychology and ensures them to be a critical thinker rather than a dull memoriser. It supports the candidate in the professional field as it generates the decision-making power. The ability to think critically is a must for the corporate standards and the industries and e-learning successfully enables a learner with such powers of impartial judgement.

E-learning and critical approach

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Research was done; ways were sought to get critical thinking included as a dominant element in the e-learning methodology. In the past, the critical approach to e-learning was limited but the present e-learning systems have already started incorporating the critical appreciatory mode in e-learning. Wide research about it is also discussed.

There are various efficient ways by which critical approach can be implemented in e-learning and Hisham Al-Mubaid from the University Of Houston talks on it in his paper named A New Method for Promoting Critical Thinking in Online Education.

The view

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E-learning facility is available in classrooms as well as in the mode of online education. The critical approach can be implemented in both the cases. The methods are of two types: the individual component and the team-based component. The individual component delivers a more personalised environment and the team-best component generates an interactive method in the classrooms.

The individual component

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There are three initial steps in this stage: listing; evaluation and re-structure.

Listing

includes the systematic arrangement of the course materials and the online content that a learner himself or herself has to develop. It enables the learner to continue learning in his/ her own pace.

Evaluation

is the second step that fosters the critical thinking capability of the learners. It is more intrinsic than the first step as the learners themselves estimate education. It develops the learners’ sense of understanding.

Re-structure

is the third step that effectively helps to increase the intellectual power of the learners as they execute their ideas in their personal ways and reshape their base of learning.

The team-based component

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There are also three initial steps to this process. They are: listing; discussion and evaluation.

Listing

is same as the first step of the individual component, the only difference is it encourages listing in groups. The classmates are grouped and each group performs the task of making the list on the contents which e-learning offers them. It produces a collective realisation of education to them.

Discussion

is the second step which is one of the integral parts of interactive education. It helps the formation of critical appreciation as well as estimation through students’ discussion and debates.

Evaluation

is the third step that enables the judgement and meaningful estimation of the content. The difference of this step with the step of the individual component is that it is completely based on the second step that is the students’ discussion.

Think critically: Solve problems

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The critical thinking strengthens the meaning of the e-learning. In both the ways the learner is provided with the power of evaluation by himself/ herself. It allows the learners to take a look on the different aspects of education leading them to newer possibilities of flourishing critical thinking. What they learn in e-learning is to be implemented by them in the professional field. Critical thinking not only strengthens a learner from his/ her depth of understanding in his/ her own manner, but also enables them to critically estimate and solve the ‘critical’ problems in their profession.

The Verdict

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Online learning is never an easy task as it appears to a few. It requires contineous deligent effort and perseverance to achieve your goals as an online learner.

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How Can We Improve Education With Technology Enhancement ?

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Can EdTech tools actually help students to learn better? Can they prove effective without investing excessive time and money? If yes, then the Request for Proposal (RFP), which consists of a total 36 pages, issued by the Office of Educational Technology under the US Department of Education sounds logical.

The RFP aims “to find support services to evaluate educational software applications purchased with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) program funds.”

EdTech for better education

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The mission of the initiative is to develop a set of tools to carry out “rapid-cycle technology evaluations” that comprise of building guidelines, evaluations strategies and methods, protocols for establishing the experiments & documenting results. The proposal is set to close on 3rd September, 2015.

@tonywan ,Managing Editor at educational technology information resource EdSurge, recently wrote “Eliminating tools that are unproductive is important. Given how the US has drilled into trying to evaluate and assess teacher performance over the past five years, it seems like more than poetic justice that edtech tools should be put under the same kind of scrutiny.”

He added “That said, products face a challenge similar to evaluations of teacher performance: What makes a tool or a process “work” in education - particularly in K-12—is subject to a host of factors, some of which are entirely outside the realm of the design of the tool.”

EdTech analyst Phil Hill believes that the RFP is “almost a good idea.” He thinks that every effective assessment of education tools needs to consider the importance of the support structures and the staff and within the institutes.

He said “Edtech apps by themselves do not ‘work’ in terms of improving academic performance.”

Value of motivation

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However, the analysis of educators and technology tools somehow ignore the need for motivation. When a teacher is motivated, he can teach and inspire students in a way that goes beyond the chalkboard and the classroom. Still there are some teachers and parents who are satisfied simply by putting the kids before a computer or even a tablet and allow software programmes do all the work.

Director of the Office of Educational Technology, Richard Culatta, says that the conventional way to EdTech effectiveness “does not work well in the rapidly changing world of educational technology.”

He believes that conducting research is a time consuming practice, while businesses, particularly, startups, are keen on moving at a rapid pace.

Wan wrote “The idea of doing short-cycle efficacy studies is by no means new. The iZone, a unit within the New York City Department of Education, hosts its own “Short-Cycle Evaluation Challenge” to bring teachers and developers together to pilot edtech tools for one semester. In California, two nonprofits- the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and New Schools Venture Fund- have teamed up to run three-month efficacy trials involving educators and entrepreneurs. And this summer, Chicago-based LEAP Innovations received a $5.1 million Gates Foundation grant for similar efforts.”

Need for alignment

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Wan concluded that research projects should keep pace with how businesses operate. Aligning these processes will surely be a major challenge for this project. Devising a feasible medium is critical not just for the industry, but also for the millions of students and teachers who shouldn’t have to wait years before finding out what works.

A recent report published , confirms a huge investment had been made for promoting education technology. This would surely be a boost for the research process to bring up new educational softwares.

Education Technology Deals Reach $1.6 Billion in First Half of 2015 https://t.co/RWhjzqNd8k pic.twitter.com/PAweEDa79i

— Tony Wan (@tonywan) August 12, 2015

What do you think? Feel free to add to the discussion by sharing your personal opinions and views with us. We would like to hear from you.

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The Importance Of Students’ Control On Online Education

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What does the modern technology mean to the students of the present generation? It means the producer of a healthy and effective educational system to them known as online education. Online education offers interesting learning tools to students which is one of the main reasons of the willing engagement of the student’s mind to it.

Online education in the UK is obviously different than that of the offline or traditional education. But if online education becomes the imitation of the offline form, then it does not prove itself to be a more effective form than the traditional education.

The interactive tools used by offline education are different than that of online education. It includes personalised learning experience; digital platform for learning; interactive course designs; a healthy social interaction and many more.

But students will not gain proper access to an effective socialisation that has the power to boost up their studies in order to get a fruitful result. If students need to socialise more, then they must be enabled with having more access to their control in their online learning platform. It will guide them to a better mode of interaction which will be aiming to create a network of them ultimately bringing support.

So, how can the students’ control over their online education be increased? Let’s take a look:

A healthy communication

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Technology has made communication possible and it has also the power to implement the interactive communicative system to enhance the online learning’s anticipated effectiveness. The teachers’ availability is possible anytime and anywhere with such an efficient tool of it. Now this online communication will be able to expand the power of learning among students if it transfers itself into interesting form of communication enabling students to effectively share and learn through their interaction through the online media assisting them to have a better control over their online learning. The students can use the online social platforms while studying in an online school.

Freedom

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If the learning module takes projects made by the students as the curriculum, it makes the learning environment more acceptable to the learners as they become interested for studying because it appeals to them more than usual. Learning will be followed by the students themselves as it turns out to them as an exploration that they are willing to experience. The teachers guide the students in such willing educational journey of them.

Students’ interest

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If learning becomes interesting, then students automatically develop an inclination towards learning. It allows them to study without being tired. Interesting learning modules based on the particular students’ interest can effectively educate them while they are studying in an online degree school from UK. The flexible way of the selection of the content basically for the students’ purpose is highly important if 100% educational success is expected. Following the students’ choice of studies actually mean following the effort to reach the efficiency of online education as well as trying to provide the learners with more control over their education.

A personalised learning pace

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It is one of the examples of the interactive tools of the online education as well as the instance of benefiting students through increase their control over education. The students in online education are not the same always. They can be employed; they can be parents or they can be students who are learning in an online school while travelling. So, each and every one of them cannot follow education at the same pace. They need to study when they want to. It will allow them to learn at their own pace and will also target to offer them more control over the online education.

Students’ likable education with increased control

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The control in online education as a vital factor while studying in an online degree school from UK. Students will obviously like education if it resembles to their way by which they want to learn. A more controlled online education leads them to be more organised as well as to be socialised learners inculcating education in a personal and innovative way. The increased control of them over online education points to the education they want to learn, and not the education they have to get.

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Does Online Education Mean Alone Off-Campus Education?

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Today online education has gained much prominence around the world due to the flexibility, affordability and easy accessibility it offers to aspiring learners. Although numerous students around the world are now opting for online courses over traditional classroom learning, many still believe that studying online can be a rather lonely experience as you will need to study by yourself at your home. But this notion is completely inaccurate. Studying online does not mean that you will be studying alone. Take a look....

Supporting online students

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When we are talking about online learning, it becomes imperative that we carefully consider course development to ensure desired student outcomes. However, that is simply not enough for developing successful learners.

Jacqueline Moloney, executive vice chancellor at the University of Massachusetts, said “Some institutions, eager to jump in the field, think once they’ve developed their online courses, they are set to launch. But many neglect to prepare their institutions to support online students with services customized to their needs.”

In 2012, Babson Survey Research Group surveyed 2,800 education leaders about the present enrollment patterns. The study found that almost 33 per cent of all learners were pursuing at least one course online. However, experts believe that there is often a lack of helpful support services that meet the specific requirements of online students. Kevin Kruger, president of NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, said “Unfortunately, this is an area that has evolved slowly on most campuses.”

Kruger observed that in universities there are two different camps- one camp has distinct sets of departments for traditional on-campus students with complete academic as well student affairs support; where as the other camp caters to online learners and offers much fewer options. In fact, institutes that have much less experience with online learning are more likely to ignore the value of sufficient support services.

Here we are going to take a quick look at how we can offer the required support to online students -

Develop effective orientation programmes

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According to Heather Chakiris, director of advising and learner success for Penn State World Campus, it is imperative that institutes take the necessary efforts for orienting new students to online learning.

She said “This is the opportunity to teach them where to go for help and to reinforce the behaviors that will help them to succeed online.”

Properly train academic advisors

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It is not feasible for online learners to visit the campus often and drop in to the office to learn about which courses and majors are available. Hence, an effective alternative must be offered to them by training advisors to effectively help distance learners.

Jacqueline Moloney said “Advisors are trained to respond to the questions that are specific to online students. Their goal is to be as flexible and accessible as possible.”

Offer social experiences

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Many institutes are striving to provide the traditional campus learning experience to their online learners. It is believed that a comprehensive experience which extends beyond academics and includes social opportunities will help online students learn better.

Moloney added “This is all critical to ensuring our online students have as rich and successful an experience as their counterparts who attend classes on campus.”

Create student feedback opportunities

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Stacey Ludwig Johnson, associate provost for academic services at Western Governors University, said “If we create mechanisms for students to provide feedback and demonstrate that we are listening by responding to the feedback, students will provide us with the information we need to serve them better.”

What do you think? Feel free to add to the discussion by sharing your opinions below. We would love to hear from you.

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Top 8 Online Education Myths Debunked

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Online learning is taking the world by storm as it offers a number of benefits to the learners and makes education more easily accessible. Today you can find numerous people opting for online courses to start their careers or land the next big promotion. However, there are still a lot of misconceptions and myths that may confuse aspiring students about what exactly they can expect.

Hence, here we are going to take a look at some of the myths and see if there is any truth behind them. Take a look...

1.Online education does not offer a legitimate degree

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Although there may be some courses that are unable to offer a genuine degree, but all accredited courses offered by recognised online institutes and universities offer you a legitimate degree. Most of the degrees are similar to the ones awarded to campus students. Thus, prospective employers will not consider your degree or diploma any differently.

2.Online degree are not globally recognised

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Your degree will be accredited to your university and will be recognised as a qualification from that institute only. The degree you will earn from an accredited online programme will valid and accepted by universities and employers globally.

3.The educators are of poor quality

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Instructors and lecturers of online courses are all trained and qualified educators, and often comprise of in-house professors as well. Moreover, these teachers have adequate work experience in their respective fields and add their real life experiences to the learning process.

4.Online courses take more time to complete

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Online courses can be of different types that can be either long or short. Most of these programmes are usually studied in a flexible way or part time, hence they can often be longer than traditional full time courses. However, you also need to realise that online degrees can also be completed faster depending on how much time you invest into the course.

5.Online learning is not for old people

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Do you think that higher education and degrees are meant only for young people? Although it may be true to some extent for brick and mortar universities, but online education is meant for everyone, irrespective of your age or background.

6.Online courses are expensive

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Actually online courses are much cheaper than traditional degree courses. Most online degree programmes are highly affordable and allow you to avoid taking out heavy students loans. Hence, you can study with complete peace of mind, without any worries of running into debt.

7.Online students don't get traditional university benefits

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Many people tend to believe that being an online learner you are not considered as a student of the university and thus you do not receive all the benefits. But this is not true at all. When you pursue an online course with a recognised university, you are deemed to be a student of the institute. You will receive all the benefits just like any other traditional student.

8.Online study is a lonely experience

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When you study an online course, you will take part in online forums and live online discussions with your fellow learners and educators. This will help you to regularly communicate and interact with your peers and have an enhanced learning experience. 

So what do you think? Do you want to add to the discussion? Then fee free to share your concerns and suggestions with us by commenting below.

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