Does an Online University Fit Your Personality?

The benefits of an online university education are limitless. Choosing an online university that benefits you personally takes research and time, but what many people do not take into consideration is the time to figure out if an online university education fits you at all. Some consider an online university to be easy and that being an online student would be simple. Think again! The online university myths about it being less demanding than a traditional education aren't necessarily true. In fact, the structure, library and social structure that a brick-and-mortar school gives you aren't there to help you through your online education. To be sure that choosing an online university is the right option for you here is six qualities of highly successful online university students. 1. You're good at time management * Having the freedom of deciding where and when you do your work and study is extremely liberating... if you're actually going to do it. Not having someone tell you which chapters to read when can be hard for some people, and can make a person fall extremely behind in school work. If you don't know how to schedule time out of your day to work/study, and more importantly stick to it, than you will have serious problems with participating in an online university. Discipline is a huge component of time management. 2. You're an independent learner * Some students work best when there are people to study with - hence the development of study groups, study partners, TAs, etc. You do not have any of this when you learn in an online community. Now, this does not mean you will be totally on your own with no human interaction. There are interactive features of an online education like IM, discussion boards and emails but not having the face-to-face contact might be too much for some students to take. 3. You have excellent reading and writing skills * Being able to write coherent papers and read long text books is a necessity in any upper level school environment, but being able to articulate your feelings and concerns in emails to your peers and teachers takes solid writing skills. 4. You aren't afraid of technology * Know the basics of Microsoft Word before even considering an online university education. You don't need to be a technology guru to participate in an online class, but knowing Word, Excel and PowerPoint along with having a full knowledge of e-mail capabilities and discussion board etiquette will go a long way and could be the make it or break it aspect of an online university career. 5. You're good at setting goals * This skill goes almost hand in hand with being able to manage your time efficiently. Setting goals is a skill you will need to have in order to have any chance of success at an online university. Setting goals can come in the form of setting dates for assignments and papers that are due to setting how much research you want done by a certain date. 6. You have your own space * One of the best assets of a traditional school is the amount of space to get away from it all and get work done! There are libraries, cafeterias, empty classrooms, and open spaces for individuals or groups to study and get work done in. When you choose an online university, you do not have that luxury. Having your own space, whether it be your own room, your own apartment, or your own Starbucks to get work done at, having space set aside where you know you can get work done is a necessity.

Active Elearning - Driving Online Students to Learn Better and Enjoy Learning at the Same Time

Students differ from one another; there are those who are fond of studying, others study because they need to but there is one sure thing when it comes to how students learn: they learn more if they enjoy learning. When someone enjoys what they are doin vedic maths g they develop passion for that certain activity. People have hobbies because they are fond of that activity and they dedicate time and effort in their hobbies. This human behavior applies to everything, including learning. When students find their lessons engaging and entertaining they will look forward to their learning sessions. If the teaching method used by an instructor or professor are monotonous and routinely, students tend to loose focus and attention in participating in the lesson being taught. Observe in classes where a teacher conducts an hour of pure lecture, you can see students chatting with other students, doodling and drawing in their notepads or worst some students are sleeping in class. The reason why students reacted in that way is because they find the lesson boring. Boredom can really hinder students from learning. Through online learning where students learn right in front of their computers, the risk of boredom is greater. Elearning software solutions create active learning content key to blow boredom away and let students actively study. More and more authoring software are being developed to create active learning content. However online learning authoring software is only a tool, it still depends on authors to create active learning contents. In the virtual classroom, content authors should not always let their target market or students act as passive viewers only. If it always allows online students become passive learners most of the time students will probably lose focus. Losing focus could let online students do other things than pay attention to their lesson. In real classrooms, student chat, draw and even sleep if they are bored, in the virtual classroom distraction are abundant, online students could play online games, check email, visit their networking account, stream videos and do other online activities. So how does an online learning author create an active learning content that will allow students to become active participants in online learning? Understand the target market of the online learning content. Elearning authors should study the characteristic of the target market. What is the age bracket of the students? What online website do they often visit? What interest or what hooks them? In this way online learning authors can tailor made learning content based on what their target audience wants. Adopt interactive features. If the student market is around 18-25 years old most likely they are interested in websites like YouTube, Facebook, twitter and online games. Adopting features from these websites one could turn a passive lecture into an engaging and interactive learning experience. Example a boring quiz can be spiced up, adopt a video or online games mechanics to turn a simple quiz into an interacting quiz game. Create a lecture supported by interesting videos, recreate the same viewing pleasure students feel when they are viewing web streaming website like YouTube. Active online learning content could really make a difference in the success of an online learning system. Elearning software solutions provide a tool to create interactive materials but it is the authors who have the skill and responsibility to come up with the ideas to make active learning content possible. They should always come up with fresh ideas and learn how to maximize authoring tools to create materials that will make online students active learners and not passive viewers only.

Accredited Online College Degrees - Why Accreditation Matters

So, you have graduated from high school and are looking at different options for college but are unsure of exactly how you are going to pay for it in these troubled times? Or maybe you work in one of the many declining industries in today's marketplace and are thinking about furthering your education with a new degree that will enable your work skills to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world? No matter what your reasons for pursuing higher education, there are accredited online college degrees available that will suit your needs. What Is Accreditation? Of course, if you are not familiar with the many online options that are out there, you may be wondering what accreditation is and why accredited online college degrees are so important. Accreditation is a process wherein different educational programs are validated in light of set standard criteria. In most cases, this validation involves peer review of the institutions offering the courses, including such things as the organizations' mission, resources, admission requirements, and faculty quality - in addition to the actual courses being offered. Accreditation in the United States is a voluntary process that lies outside of governmental authority, as the private accreditation agencies determine What programs qualify as accredited online college degrees. Employers Care There are a number of reasons why accreditation is important and why accredited online college degrees are in such high demand. The most obvious fact about these degrees has to do with the way in which potential employers view different forms of education. Despite the growing tendency on the part of employers to view accredited online college degrees favorably, there remains a certain unfortunate stigma attached to online learning. Despite studies demonstrating that the quality of online education often surpasses that of the traditional classroom setting, many employers have only a passing familiarity with non-traditional forms of education. Accreditation helps to reassure them that your educational path was every bit as legitimate as that of your peers who may have received their education in a campus setting. Know What You Are Getting Another important factor that you should take into consideration is the amount of money you are going to spend and what you will be receiving for it. With accredited online college degrees, you can be sure you are receiving an education that has been evaluated for content and quality and meets the standards employers require. In addition, should you decide to transfer your education from one university to another - pursuing a bachelor's degree for example - you want to know that your course credits will be recognized by your new school. Checking Accreditation Of course, not every degree that claims to be accredited actually is. Accredited online college degrees will always list the accrediting agency. You should refer to the United States Department of Education website to verify that the accrediting agency is recognized as such. If it is, you can pursue your accredited online college degrees with complete peace of mind that your money and time are well spent.

Ethics in Business and Project Management

Evolution of thought of Ethics in Business- Business Ethics received the attention of philosophers in mid 1970s, although the subject certainly existed before that time - especially in many institutions. It also received the attention of some management professors in the social issue management division. PROJECT MANAGEMENT 1) Total Project Management- Concept, relationship with other function and other organization, organizing for project management- matrix Organization- the project manager is an entrepreneur 2) Project Identification- Scouting for project ideas and promoters, identification of investment, opportunities, basis of governmental regulatory framework various acts and laws affecting project identification. 3) Location Decisions- Objectives, factors affecting locations concept of Industrially Backward Areas, incentives available for appropriate location. 4) Project Appraisal- market Appraisal, demand estimation and forecasting, technical appraisal- raw materials -technology-product mix plant, capacity-distribution channels. 5) Project financing- Basic concept of cost project, profitability analysis, means of financing, raising capital, assessing tax burden and using financial projection appraisal criteria used by lending institution. 6) Risk Analysis of Project-measures of risk, use of subjective probabilities, mathematical analysis, sensitivity analysis, simulation analysis, decision tree analysis. 7) Project planning, Monitoring & Control- network Techniques- Gantt charts, network cost system, resource allocation and scheduling, progress report, updating, management information system for projects. 8) Use of computer in network analysis- project re-engagement package- choosing and using them. 9) Case study. MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & PRODUCTIVITY MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT Significance of Environment Management - Board outline of national environment policy definition of environment with particular reference to management. Environmental issue relevant to India. Present status of Environment management major issue, scope of Environmental Management, role and functions of the government as a planning, organizing directing, implementing and controlling agency. Managerial aspects involved in Environment management. Environment Quality Management-Overview of the role and responsibilities of the industries.

How to MOOC: Technology-Enabled Learning Tools

Just in case you've been under a rock lately, here is a news update: the nature of training is changing, and fast! The recent explosion of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in higher education has brought with it a whole new set of technology-enabled learning tools. Education and training are no longer delivered exclusively in closed classrooms by experts, and learning is no longer something people do in isolation surrounded by textbooks. Today, through computers and mobile devices, education can happen anywhere and at any time, and learning involves students not only actively engaging with the content, but also using various tools and platforms to interact with instructors and fellow learners. In the education sector, this is known as Learning 2.0, and the corporate sector needs to be prepared: Training 2.0 is coming. What exactly does this mean? There continues to be plenty of controversy surrounding MOOCs, but one thing we can all agree on is they are changing the way we think about education. The main drivers and implications of this change are huge improvements and innovations in learning technologies. Technology-enabled learning tools are not a panacea, but they can go a long way toward solving many of the challenges facing training departments today, including high costs, a lack of qualified employees, the rapidly changing business and technology landscapes, and long training development times coupled with the need to educate employees quickly. Over the course of two articles, we will examine the main "MOOC tools" - online technologies that have made it possible to deliver highly engaging training programs to any number of employees, anywhere, at any time. Learning Management Systems The basic frameworks that support MOOCs are learning management systems (LMSs), which are essentially systems for organizing and delivering content, administering assessments, and tracking learner progress. LMSs are not new. In fact, they have been in development for nearly 100 years, but MOOCs, social media, and the demands of educating hundreds of thousands of people all at once have moved LMSs from mere online content delivery portals to fully interactive learning tools. Even though MOOCs utilize many different learning tools and social media platforms, most are delivered within the context of a learning management system, and most LMSs today can support all types of multimedia, interactive media, and social media. There are many LMSs available and many different considerations when conducting an LMS vendor search, but this is arguably the most important tool in the MOOC toolbox. Whether you choose to deliver content via text or video, host webinars or Google+ Hangouts, or use discussion forums or Twitter feeds, the LMS must be user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to navigate for both the instructors and the learners. Content Delivery Traditional training and education are based on the model of "talking heads," presenters who stand in front of a class or a video camera and talk... and talk... and talk. But plenty of research shows that people don't learn from listening to someone talk. In fact, studies suggest that learners can initially pay attention to a lecture for about 10 to 15 minutes, but then they need something else to do. And that is just at the beginning - as the lesson goes on, the amount of time people can pay attention shrinks to the point where at the end of an hour, they can effectively absorb only a few minutes of information at a time. Clearly, content delivery needs a boost. MOOCs incorporate several different tools for content delivery and these tools are becoming increasingly interactive. Videos. Videos are the mainstay of most MOOCs, but even within this category the options are diverse. MOOC giant Coursera builds its modules around short talking head video lectures (usually less than 15 minutes), often with comprehension questions and other activities distributed throughout the lectures. Udacity's courses are presented using pencasts - the students watch videos not of the instructor, but of the notes the instructor writes on a whiteboard. Using this technology, instructors can even write questions on the board for students to answer interactively. Screencasts are digital recordings of computer screen output. These videos are excellent for technology training, such as software tutorials - using a split screen, learners can simultaneously watch the tutorial and work interactively with the software. Training videos do not need to be pre-recorded. Learners can also participate in live webinars and speaker sessions. YouTube and other services allow live video conferencing where presenters can moderate and respond in real time to questions and comments posted via instant messaging. The sessions can be archived for both current and future course participants. Other video tools include films, whiteboard animations, voiceover PowerPoint presentations, and Prezi presentations - you name it, your MOOC can handle it. Text. Even standard text is becoming much more interesting through MOOCs. Although text-based course content can be presented as Word docs and pdfs, most text is organized into hyperlinked web pages for learners to navigate. This not only allows learners to control the pace and sequence of their learning, but also provides a level of interactivity missing from traditional text-based materials. Text content can also be delivered in interactive slideshows using PowerPoint and other presentation software. The best part about all of these video and text resources is that they, along with audio and other multimedia files, can be accessed directly through the LMS or they can be downloaded as podcasts for learners to access on their phones or other mobile devices. Games and simulations. Corporate training is increasingly becoming gamified, and both serious games and simulations are being used to train employees in areas ranging from first responders to financial services. Using gamified applications in the context of a MOOC brings these two powerful ideas together into a highly engaging training program, providing maximum opportunities for learners to interact with the content, with instructors, and with each other. Incorporating games and simulations into an LMS-based MOOC also provides companies with essential data about how well their training programs are working as learner progress and achievements can be systematically tracked and assessed, and modifications and adjustments to the program can be made quickly in response to learners' needs. This article has briefly reviewed the main content delivery tools used in MOOCs. In Part 2, we will turn to the real meat of Training 2.0 and the MOOC revolution: social media.

Considering an Online College Class

For today's generation, there are many students who are not attending classes in school. Going to school everyday is quite boring and it is obligatory for the student to attend classes in order to pass the course they taken. Some of the students were not convenient especially when their schedule is quite abnormal or we can say that they are fully loaded with their schedule that they have no time to have rest or break. Students nowadays are exposed to what we call technologies and internet. We can find lots of students in the internet cafe or others even locked in their rooms to access internet for chatting, surfing and gamin instead of attending their class in school. For these type of students, online learning is more applicable. Online learning which can be access through internet offers online classes, online programs and online tutors. For students who want to have college degree without enrolling in an institution, online college classes will be a convenient way for you. The benefits the student can get in an online learning are affordability, convenience and no fully loaded subjects. College online classes allow students to have a degree without sacrificing their family, job and social life. The online college class is designed for those who are working in full-time basis and wanted to finish or get a degree without giving up its current job. It will allow student to choose his schedule at his most convenient time without allowing his schedule of classes affect his working schedule. When choosing college online classes, here are some guides for you. Make sure that the college online classes are properly accredited. Determine the courses offered that is suited to your education goals. Know the tuition fee and other fees. Determine the period of time to complete the course. Identify the required hardware and software needed for the online class. Confirm if there are scholarships and financial assistance offered. And lastly, determine if there is job placement assistance after completing the course.

Online Training Options for a Career in Journalism

Students are able to step into many careers with an educational background in journalism. The field is broad allowing students to enter online career training to learn how to relate the latest information to consumers through several forms of media. Online schools prepare students for the journalism profession by providing students with several degree program options. The goal of education is to give students the needed skills to correctly research and disseminate information through mediums that include print, television, radio, and the Internet. Online schools provide training options that include: Associate's Degree Programs Bachelor's Degree Programs Master's Degree Programs PhD Degree Programs Online training is making it easier for students to become journalists by allowing them to complete a program from the comfort of their own home. Education centers on teaching students the overall practices of journalism to prepare them to be vital members in the industry. Short certificate and associates degree programs are usually geared towards working professionals that need to learn a specific journalism skill to complement their career. Many students that have an undergraduate degree in another field can use an associate's degree to step into a career as a reporter or editor. Course subjects may include introduction to mass media and writing for the media. Bachelors degree programs are typically the starting point for most prospective journalists because it's usually the career standard. Students should search for an online program that provides them with practical education in regards to journalism skills. The industry calls for professionals that know how to write effectively and make intelligent comments about the world in which they live. Online courses can include: Copy Editing Writing for Print Journalism Visual Communication Mass Media Law Communication skills are developed along with the ability to understand economic research data. Education places a high emphasis on the current trends and technological advances facing journalists in today's society. Different concentrations can be entered where students will take a specific number of courses to train them in that area. For example, students can enter a broadcasting degree concentration where they learn to work for television and radio stations, operating equipment and writing stories. Print journalism majors, the most popular concentration for journalism; learn specifically how to write for all types of publications. This can include magazines, web sites, editorials, and press releases. Graduate training teaches students how to become managers. Masters degree programs are for students that want to learn media management. Along with learning about research methods, interviewing practices, and writing techniques, students learn about corporate responsibility. This focus provides students with the ability to work as lead journalists and managers in the workplace. Common courses may include: Media Law and Regulations Photojournalism Publication Management Women, Minorities, and the Media Students that have a desire to step into a career as a college professor typically take their master's degree training and earn their PhD in journalism. Students can earn their journalism degree online and step into the industry ready to work with several media outlets. Begin accredited training today and enter a fast paced career in journalism. Full accreditation is awarded by agencies like the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (to schools and colleges that meet certain standards and provide a quality education. DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised on PETAP.org. Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Online Degrees From Top Schools Like Harvard and Columbia

A lot of people are looking for on masters degrees. Unfortunately the companies with the biggest marketing budget don't always offer the best education. In fact some companies make a deliberate choice between hiring better teachers and spending more on marketing and come down on the side of marketing. This means that the schools would than most snazzy and ubiquitous marketing may be doing so at the expense of getting good teachers. If you're looking for a good online degree and in particular if you're looking for good masters degree, it's wise to start looking at schools that have a great reputation in the off-line world. You're much better off choosing from schools that have a strong physical presence and have been around for a great deal of time. Startup educational institutions that have only been around for a handful of years are much more likely to run into poor management or other scandal that can be value your degree than an institution that's been around for 200 years and has a great deal of academic integrity, alumni with a vested interest in the school's success, and connections in many high places. Some of the top schools in the country offer online degrees or at least online courses that can be used for the completion of a Masters degree. Columbia University offers a video network that allows you to get a handful of masters degrees through online coursework. Stanford University offers a similar program under their school a professional development that is geared more toward employee or his who wish to provide education to their staff. One of the top schools for an online masters degree is Harvard University. The Harvard extension school offers a number of degree programs where the majority of the course work can be completed online. Most of these programs do require some type of physical residency on the Harvard campus and the exact requirements vary from degree program to degree program. In some cases the residency requirement is as little as eight weeks. One of the benefits of going through the Harvard extension school is that you are getting a degree from a well-known institution that has been around for some time. Although you may run into other Harvard grads who look down on the extension school experience, it will put you in a much better place than a degree from a university like Cappella University or the University of Phoenix. Harvard's reputation for strong academics will benefit you throughout your career. Some of the more recently started for profit universities that cater to online students may not even be around in 50 years, but there's a pretty good chance Harvard will be around indefinitely.

Inform Your Friend About Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is an advanced learning program that allows students to complete their entire curriculum from the comfort of home. In a networked environment, tutors conduct each session at student's convenient time and also by considering their academic requirements. These one-on-one learning program help students to understand a subject properly and also make them prepared for exams. In a virtual classroom, a tutor is available 24X7 to work on students learning problems. Apart from academic assistance, online tutors also help students in completing their homework, assignments and projects on time. This tutoring program is a great learning resource for students who feel shy asking questions in a face-to-face learning session. Get access to a tutoring website with the help of computer and broadband connection and start a session with a preferred tutor. Learning a subject in a web-based environment is extremely secure as both tutor and student can log-in by using their separate Id and password. Generally in a virtual session, students interact with their tutors through microphone and speaker. Along with this, a tutor solves student's doubts by using whiteboard and chat option. For instance, when a session starts, a whiteboard appears on the computer screen that allows students and tutors to write problems and get correct solutions. Moreover, parents can check their child's performance through assessment reports. Learning a subject with a friend can also help you to do better in exam. Make your friends aware of online tutoring services and share your experience with them. Thus, they can work on their weak areas and improve their learning skills. Take a topic and study with your friend to prepare for exam in a better way. Tell your friends about virtual learning program so that they can start a session right from their home and improve their skills in all subjects. So, stop struggling with your learning problems and upgrade your knowledge with unlimited online learning sessions. Every student wants to study in a comfortable and flexible manner and a web-based tutoring provides all these facilities to make learning easy. In a virtual classroom, a tutor explains each concept in step-by-step manner, which helps student to perform well in a subject. Getting a personalized session from an online tutor will not only improve your academic knowledge but also help you to score good in exams. Online programs provide comfortable learning environment, unlimited sessions and flexible time schedule to student to understand a subject.

Getting Your Psychology Masters Online

The Internet benefits students in brand new ways now that college courses are being offered online. Students who have full time jobs or families to care for can still earn a Bachelor's Degree in Business, a psychology Masters online or even pursue a Doctorate program of their choosing. The schooling they receive in Internet classes is the same that they would receive in a traditional college. Pursuing a psychology masters degree will include taking subjects that help the student learn about human behavior, the brain, psychological disorders and genetic or hereditary conditions. They will learn some of the business side of the psychological field but most of their courses will concentrate on teaching them how to help others with moderate to severe mental problems. Earning a Master of arts in psychology will teach the student to use their imagination and creative abilities to absorb psychological information and distribute it to others with less knowledge. Being able to present psychological problems to people who would otherwise not understand them is a skill that is taught during an arts program. This is because there is a heavy concentration on new communications and presentation technology. Many people are already established in a position of steady employment before they are to the point of earning a master in psychology. This is when earning a degree online is beneficial. Students are able to structure their attendance around what is comfortable for them. They do not have to quit a day job or take evening classes that interfere with their family time. They can choose to wake up at three in the morning to do class work if they so choose. Graduate programs that include psychology online can be found just by keying in the area of psychology you are most interested in and looking for schools to attend. The college website will provide information the students will need, such as prices for classes and materials, what subjects are available and how high of a degree is offered at that particular school. Some colleges offer only certificates, diplomas and associates degrees. These schools are normally two year colleges. Graduate programs are typically four to eight years and will give the student a Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate in the subject of their choice. Students can take advantage of both the financial and academic advisors that are provided by the school. These advisors will let the students know which direction they need to take to stay on the right path. Financial advisors will help with any payments that are made toward the student's education. They will also help apply for financial aid when it is needed. Academic advisors for someone pursuing a psychology masters online will make sure the student is taking the right classes to reach the specified career goal. If the student wishes to specialize in a certain aspect of the psychological field, such as abnormal personality disorders or family therapy, they will want to be sure they are taking the correct classes to reach that goal. Classes for these students will always include the basics of psychology and how to care for people with the most common of mental issues, depression and anxiety.