Monday, 21 May 2012

Creating Trust in Online Education

In order to have a productive learning environment, the instructor needs to develop and maintain a sense of trust between and among the students and the instructor through good course design and facilitation, says Nancy Coppola, associate professor of humanities at New Jersey Institute of Technology. In a study that looked at developing trust in virtual teams, Coppola and her colleagues built on the work of Meyer son, et al. that looked at “swift trust,” “a unique form of collective perception … for temporary, but not trivial, situations.” For the purpose of the study Coppola and her colleagues used these previous researchers’ definition of swift trust, which frames trust in temporary situations in terms of the following characteristics:
  • vulnerability – the belief (hope) that others will care for what is being entrusted with good will.
  • uncertainty - a willingness to suspend doubt in order to execute the task performance.
  • risk – a willingness to take risks
  • expectations – a positive expectation of benefits of temporary group activity.
To determine the effects of trust in online learning, Coppola and her colleagues identified the most effective teacher from among those they had studied based on 1,300 post-course questionnaires that rated instructor effectiveness. For comparison, they also selected an instructor who was ranked among the least effective. The researchers coded the online discussion transcripts in each course and analyzed them for social emotional positive and negative responses to students. Based on their analysis they found that communication plays an essential role in developing trust in virtual teams and developed the following trust-building strategies:
  • Establish early communication. Students need to perceive the instructor’s presence as soon as the course begins.
  • Develop a positive social atmosphere. Team members are going to respond to the caring that they perceive in the instructional environment and the way that instructors do this is by modeling solidarity, congeniality, and affiliation. “We found that when students followed that model, there was evidence of the establishment of trust,” Coppola says.
  • Reinforce predictable patterns of communication and action. Students need structured activity, repetition, and feedback. Without these, the students will get the impression that the instructor does not care about the course or the students, making development of trust unlikely.
  • Involve team members in tasks such as group projects or activities that require students to rely on each other to complete them. To get students to participate fully, participation should be required and the instructor should maintain a presence and motivate the students.
  • “The critical piece is to establish trust immediately. No matter how short or long the online course is going to be, the instructor needs to be there first and to provide constant, regular feedback. You need to get in there quickly in the beginning and get trust going and make sure the trust is carried through with these meaningful group tasks,” Coppola says.
An important role the instructor plays is modeling. “Students take their cues from the instructor, and when the instructor is not there, the students will be negative. But if the instructor is positive from the beginning, showing emotion for the students and the content, students will respond in the same way,” Coppola says. Although the instructor is the most important player in establishing trust in virtual teams, course design can have an impact as well. “Certainly, the environment should be designed to facilitate conversation. Communication is the single most important aspect of a successful online environment. The course needs to be designed with the most opportunities for communication between and among the students and the instructor and the opportunity for students to give feedback to one another,” Coppola says. These strategies can encourage trust, but the instructor needs to closely monitor communication in the course and take corrective action when necessary. Coppola recommends asking the following questions to gauge trust:
  • Are students responding positively to one another?
  • Are the students responding frequently?
  • Are the students really thinking and engaging with the material and one another?
The answers to these questions can vary throughout the duration of a course, and trust can sometimes be undermined with a single negative comment. If a student expresses negative comments that could disrupt trust early on, Coppola recommends communicating with that student privately via e-mail to try to get to the source of the negativity. “Sometime when you have someone with a strong presence come forward with a social emotional negative response, that student can shift the course. The instructor always has to be the leader — not dominate or be aggressive — but very clearly deal with anything that can interfere with the cohesiveness of the group.”

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:

An Online Education in Agriculture: Learn to Farm from Your Computer

For those who recognize the power of the Earth as a natural resource, an agriculture degree program is an opportunity to make a difference. From developing eco-friendly farming operations to finding new strains of pest-resistant crops, an online degree in agriculture prepares you for the constantly changing worlds of natural resource management and crop cultivation, to name only a few.


Degree and Career Options in Agriculture

The agriculture degree program features associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral-level diplomas. Most employers prefer candidates with at least a four-year bachelor's degree, and those wishing to teach the subject typically continue on to the postgraduate levels. A doctoral degree is routinely required for positions in research and development.

Career options for this online degree program include:
  • Agricultural Production Management 
  • Food Systems Analyst 
  • Agricultural Marketing 
  • Agricultural Economics Statistician 
  • Natural Resource Protection Management 
  • Public Policy Management 
  • Agricultural Finance Analyst or Manager 
  • Employment Outlook and Potential Salary 
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to increase by 9 percent through 2016; that's about as fast as the national average for all occupations over the coming decade. With respect to potential salary, median annual earnings of food scientists and technologists were $53,810 in May 2006, with the middle 50 percent earning between $37,740 and $76,960. Salary is typically commensurate with experience and education. Agriculture Coursework and Online Study Options


The environmental aspects of an online education in agriculture focus on sustainable, renewable resources. Typical coursework includes: 

  • Agricultural business management 
  • Agricultural development 
  • Agricultural finance 
  • Animal, plant and poultry science 
  • Communications 
  • Farming equipment 
  • Food supply and statistics 
  • Natural resource management 
  • Production and supply 
An online education is particularly convenient for high school graduates and mid-career changers who want to earn a degree as well as a paycheck. Convenient class schedules and from-home interface help you complete your program at your own pace.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Web Site:-http://www.gyapti.com
Blog:- http://gyapti.blogspot.com
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Knowledge of History Is Much Needed

Do you know why the Pilgrims wanted to leave England? If you guessed it was to escape religious persecution you're doing better than 55 percent of the nation's fourth graders. Do you know what rights are protected by the First Amendment? If so, you're doing better than 55 percent of the nation's eighth graders.

Can you explain what social problem the Brown v. Board of Education decision aimed to correct? If you said the maintenance of "separate but equal" schools for white and nonwhite children, you beat out nearly 98 percent of twelfth graders who failed to get full credit for their answer to that question on the 2010 U.S. History Report Card, administered as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test. Results of the test, which were released June 14, showed that fewer than 25 percent of U.S. students ranked as "proficient." The test, which is given to fourth, eighth and twelfth graders every four years, showed that only 20 percent of fourth graders, 17 percent of eighth graders and 12 percent of twelfth graders were proficient.One prominent education official, historian and former Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravisher, called the results "alarming" in an interview with The New York Times. And Executive Director of the American Historical Association James Gross man wrote on the History News Network, "The consensus among those familiar with the test and with the broader assessment landscape is that our high school graduates don't know much about history."

Debating the value of a history major
Gross man suggests those high school graduates may not be alone. "I'd like to see the full Congress take the test," he told the Huffing ton Post. "History education is a much larger issue in relation to civic culture."Some history advocates blame No Child Left Behind, a federal law that pushed schools to emphasize test scores in math and reading, for crowding subjects like history out of the curriculum. Indeed, according to a statement Ravisher sent the Huffington Post, out of the seven subjects tested on the NAEP, students perform the worst on history. In a time of tight state and federal funding, history programs are facing steep funding cutbacks. For example, the federal Teaching American History Grants program for fiscal year 2011 was cancelled in June due to a lack of funds. While some critics argue that history degrees are not relevant to the job market--especially a competitive job market--advocates of the humanities point to the broad base of knowledge and critical thinking skills history majors acquire. A 2009 survey by Hart Research Associates of more than 300 employers sought to find out what skills hiring managers wanted during a recession. The answer is good news for those with a history major. Nearly 90 percent look for effective oral and written communication skills, 81 percent want critical thinking skills, and 68 percent listed the ability to find and analyze information from a variety of sources--all skills that are key to success in a history degree program.

Careers for history majors
According to a recent study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), history majors fare relatively well when it comes to earnings and employment. For workers with a bachelor's degree in history, the median annual wage for full-time workers was $50,000, and 93 percent were employed. Not surprisingly, the data indicates that nearly half of all history majors (46 percent) go on to graduate school, which provides a 60 percent earnings boost, on average. Main industries of employment for history majors show the versatility of the degree. According to the CEW, the following five industries were the major employers for workers with a bachelor's degree in history:
  • Education (15 percent)
  • Financial services (14 percent)
  • Retail trade (10 percent)
  • Public administration (10 percent)
  • Professional services (9 percent)
According to the American Historical Association, a degree in history is a good background for a career as an educator, researcher, communicator, advocate or businessperson. Among the potential career paths they suggest for students are the following:
  • Information managers
  • Museum curator
  • Preservation expert
  • Nonprofit foundation staffer
  • Documentary editor
  • Multimedia produce
So if you have a passion for history, a wide variety of career paths outside the classroom are open to you. Of course, if you want to become a history educator, you may just play a crucial role in helping future generations of students improve their scores on the NEAP.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:

Nursing Online Education

With the demand for nurses at an all-time high, distance learning is giving students across the world a chance to find a challenging, fulfilling career inhealthcare. Career opportunities in healthcare are everywhere, and job prospects in this life-changing field are only expected to get better. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently listed a variety of nursing-related careers on their list of fastest-growing vocations through 2014. This healthy job market is hungry for qualified nurses, and many students are using distance learning to fulfill the necessary education requirements.

Certification is required to practice as a nurse in the U.S., and hospitals and healthcare centers have their own standards for applicants. A variety of online degree programs are possible, including associate's and bachelor's degrees. Some Licensed Practical Nurse programs can be completed in one year, allowing graduates to use their online degree for a career in a number of specialized fields.

Benefits of an Online Degree in Nursing
  • Students can complete any online degree while they work in the field
  • Flexibility of scheduling allows students to hold a job while pursing education online
  • Focused education is available online in a number of different courses and specializations
  • Many online degree and certificate options offered through distance learning
Training to become a nurse means the potential for employment opportunities in any area with a healthcare center. Careers in public health, private practice, emergency nursing, and more are all possible with an online degree. In the nursing field, career opportunities are as rich as the education you're willing to obtain.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:

E-Learning Teaches about a Cure Steeped in Tradition

Ever since my dad died of cancer, I've followed every cancer-fighting natural health idea that they've put out there. Today, as I sit with my cup of green tea, I feel pretty confident that I'm doing myself some good.

What Makes It So Special
Doctors of natural health and Western medicine are coming to a consensus about the health benefits of green tea. According to the National Cancer Institute, "The antioxidants found in tea--called catechins--may selectively inhibit the growth of cancer....In laboratory studies using animals, catechins ... reduced the number and size of tumors, and inhibited the growth of cancer cells." While human studies have been less dramatic, they still see great promise in the power of tea.

More Than One Way to Drink Your Tea
The big question, of course, is how much do you have to drink? Can my one cup of tea do all that? Well, no. Many of these studies are based on consuming massive doses found in green tea concentrates and capsules prescribed by natural health practitioners.

E-Learning: A Healthy Education Choice
E-learning programs can allow you the flexibility and time to conduct your own research on these issues as they evolve. While green tea may not be in most curricula yet,natural health degree programs can include a broad array of subject matter. You could focus on homeopathy, acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy, and other specializations. And with a home learning program, you can study from your house while sipping a steaming cup of sweet green tea.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 18 May 2012

Online Education: Advertising and Commercial Design

If you combine visual design skills with the ability to communicate a message, an online degree in advertising and commercial design could open up a rewarding career in advertising for you.Advertising serves a specific purpose, of course, but it also helps shape pop culture. If you want to add your design skills to that culture, a degree in advertising and commercial design can help you get started. You will probably need at least a bachelor's degree, and may want to consider a master's because this is a highly competitive field--with excellent compensation potential for people who succeed.

Fortunately, online degree programs can make those qualifications easier than ever to obtain. You don't live anywhere near a college? Location and distance are not issues with and online degree. If you have family obligations at home, online education allows you to pursue a degree while you stay home to look after children, elderly parents, or anyone else who needs your care. What if you're already working and can't afford to give up your job. Online education is perfect for you because you can structure your academic schedule around your work schedule. You don't have to give up your current career to start building toward a new one.

From Advertising Degree to Advertising Career
Once you earn advertising and commercial design degree, you can have a wider choice of career possibilities. Within advertising, you can choose to specialize in video, Internet, print, or radio media. Your role could be visual design, copy and concept development, sales, or management.Also, there are plenty of job opportunities outside of the advertising industry itself, as many mid-size to large companies employ their own in-house marketing staffs to develop promotional concepts, brand identities, web content, and the like.

With any educational program, be sure to check accreditation status before you enroll. By choosing the right advertising and commercial design program, you can position yourself for more and better job opportunities in the future.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:

Online Education: Making a Career Out of Fine Art & Craft

If you have shown some natural artistic talent and want to develop it further, consider a degree in fine art & craft. This may be a perfect part-time pursuit for working people or young parents who can use online education to make it easily accessible.

An online degree in fine art & craft can help you understand the art world and your ability to create your own work. It can cover a full range of styles and forms, from the classics like painting and pottery to cutting edge arts like multi-media and web-based works. It introduces you to the work of other artists--what's been done in the past and what your contemporaries are doing. This gives you a sense of the developing language in your chosen art form, so you can make your own contribution.

In addition to showing you the current artistic landscape, an online degree in fine art & craft can teach you about careers available to artists and art lovers. If you feel you were born to create, how do you get started selling artwork? If your artistic ability can be used to design accessories for the mass market, who are potential employers for this work? Does your appreciation for the arts mix with an entrepreneurial streak that makes you suited to becoming an art dealer? Or, has your knowledge of the field become so finely-tuned that you might become a museum curator or a teacher?

Online Education: Fine Art & Craft
As you can see, an online degree in fine art & craft is a chance to learn as much about yourself as about the arts. Associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available. If you plan to be a practicing artist, an associate's degree might be sufficient to give you some background and help you start developing a portfolio of work. On the other hand, if you see yourself as a curator or a teacher, you should look for respected master's programs in the field.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)