Comments on: The Evidence on Online Education: It’s the Design, Not the Medium http://www.theother85percent.com/2009/07/the-evidence-on-online-education-it%e2%80%99s-the-design-not-the-medium/ Working adults and the new world of higher education Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:30:45 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe Lane http://www.theother85percent.com/2009/07/the-evidence-on-online-education-it%e2%80%99s-the-design-not-the-medium/comment-page-1/#comment-26049 Joe Lane Sat, 22 May 2010 15:27:19 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=172#comment-26049 Yes - that last sentence of the next-to-last paragraph is the key. So, 1) Let's give credit to well-developed online learning for helping us prove what good teachers have known all along (that it's what the students do that count), and 2) Let's use that understanding to improve ALL kinds of education, including classroom learning. Wish I had read this blog sooner... Yes – that last sentence of the next-to-last paragraph is the key. So, 1) Let’s give credit to well-developed online learning for helping us prove what good teachers have known all along (that it’s what the students do that count), and 2) Let’s use that understanding to improve ALL kinds of education, including classroom learning.
Wish I had read this blog sooner…

]]> By: Mike Offerman http://www.theother85percent.com/2009/07/the-evidence-on-online-education-it%e2%80%99s-the-design-not-the-medium/comment-page-1/#comment-12599 Mike Offerman Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:40:12 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=172#comment-12599 Paul, thanks for taking time to not only comment but to share your story as well. I am very pleased to hear that you are nearing the end of what has been a long and successful journey to your dream. Great work! The real proof of the power and quality of online learning is the success that you have realized and the contributions that you and other online graduates will make in your chosen profession. Mike Paul, thanks for taking time to not only comment but to share your story as well. I am very pleased to hear that you are nearing the end of what has been a long and successful journey to your dream. Great work! The real proof of the power and quality of online learning is the success that you have realized and the contributions that you and other online graduates will make in your chosen profession.

Mike

]]> By: Paul Wade http://www.theother85percent.com/2009/07/the-evidence-on-online-education-it%e2%80%99s-the-design-not-the-medium/comment-page-1/#comment-12552 Paul Wade Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:38:04 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=172#comment-12552 Dr. Offerman, Thanks for highlighting the major findings of the DOE Report on the differences between face-to-face learning and this still new medium of online and blended learning. As a Capella Doctoral Candidate in the Counseling Psychology Program I have been following this issue for almost ten years now and it reminds me of the entrenched ideologues I have met in other facets of my professional career. These are the folks who have lost a true sense of what it is to remain open-minded and embrace change as our catalyst for moving forward towards modernization and technology as if this change in some way diminishes their egocentric view of themselves and their own education. After spending twenty-two years in the United States Air Force I made a decision to follow my dream of becoming a Psychologist because I saw an opportunity to continue to support my family and still go to school as an online student using the GI Bill. In 2001 I began my Bachelor program at the University of Phoenix knowing it would take me two years (I already had two Associates degrees from the Community College of the Air Force). For the next five years I worked two jobs and went to school full time, first finishing my Bachelor Degree at UOP, and then entering the Psychology Masters program at Capella. Although I do not consider myself to be the sharpest knife in the drawer (I am the first in my family to get a college degree), I have excelled in this rigorous yet complementary educational design. While I have to admit that UOP was my initial choice because I did not even know about Capella at the time, I did my due diligence once I began looking for a reputable psychology program and was fortunate to find Capella. From my first hand experience Capella is far superior to the experiences I had a UOP. I am now in my final year of my doctoral program and, looking back, if it had not been for the enticing design of the Capella innovation and the convenience of going to school while working and raising a family I think the road would have been much more difficult. Since May of 2001, I have been continuously enrolled full time in school taking only one quarter off, graduated with honors at UOP, finished my Masters at Capella with a 4.0 GPA, and have maintained a 3.96 GPA in my doctoral program. All this being said I am extremely happy the DOE has finally acknowledged what so many of us have known for the last decade and the rest of the brick and mortar educational world has tried to suppress of so long…the quality of education and the convenience of the Capella format enhances learning and allows working adults to take responsibility for our own learning and education. Please continue to put students first in the journey towards educational excellence. Thank you and warm regards, Paul Wade PsyD Counseling Psychology Learner Dr. Offerman,
Thanks for highlighting the major findings of the DOE Report on the differences between face-to-face learning and this still new medium of online and blended learning. As a Capella Doctoral Candidate in the Counseling Psychology Program I have been following this issue for almost ten years now and it reminds me of the entrenched ideologues I have met in other facets of my professional career. These are the folks who have lost a true sense of what it is to remain open-minded and embrace change as our catalyst for moving forward towards modernization and technology as if this change in some way diminishes their egocentric view of themselves and their own education.

After spending twenty-two years in the United States Air Force I made a decision to follow my dream of becoming a Psychologist because I saw an opportunity to continue to support my family and still go to school as an online student using the GI Bill. In 2001 I began my Bachelor program at the University of Phoenix knowing it would take me two years (I already had two Associates degrees from the Community College of the Air Force). For the next five years I worked two jobs and went to school full time, first finishing my Bachelor Degree at UOP, and then entering the Psychology Masters program at Capella. Although I do not consider myself to be the sharpest knife in the drawer (I am the first in my family to get a college degree), I have excelled in this rigorous yet complementary educational design. While I have to admit that UOP was my initial choice because I did not even know about Capella at the time, I did my due diligence once I began looking for a reputable psychology program and was fortunate to find Capella. From my first hand experience Capella is far superior to the experiences I had a UOP.

I am now in my final year of my doctoral program and, looking back, if it had not been for the enticing design of the Capella innovation and the convenience of going to school while working and raising a family I think the road would have been much more difficult. Since May of 2001, I have been continuously enrolled full time in school taking only one quarter off, graduated with honors at UOP, finished my Masters at Capella with a 4.0 GPA, and have maintained a 3.96 GPA in my doctoral program.

All this being said I am extremely happy the DOE has finally acknowledged what so many of us have known for the last decade and the rest of the brick and mortar educational world has tried to suppress of so long…the quality of education and the convenience of the Capella format enhances learning and allows working adults to take responsibility for our own learning and education. Please continue to put students first in the journey towards educational excellence.

Thank you and warm regards,

Paul Wade
PsyD Counseling Psychology Learner

]]> By: Mike Offerman http://www.theother85percent.com/2009/07/the-evidence-on-online-education-it%e2%80%99s-the-design-not-the-medium/comment-page-1/#comment-12382 Mike Offerman Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:31:41 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=172#comment-12382 Faith, thank you for taking time to comment. Mike Faith, thank you for taking time to comment.

Mike

]]> By: Faith Dietz http://www.theother85percent.com/2009/07/the-evidence-on-online-education-it%e2%80%99s-the-design-not-the-medium/comment-page-1/#comment-12344 Faith Dietz Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:24:29 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=172#comment-12344 Thank you for this insightful article regarding online learning. I received a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management in 2008 from Keller Graduate School, DeVry University. It fit my work and life schedule and was the best option for me at the time. I learned much more 'on my own' than I probably would have in a classroom at a specific time every week. Ufortunately, I believe that the current societal workplace is not ready to see this type of learning. It is becoming more visible because of the Ivy League schools option to provide this type of learning; however, it still has a way to go to find credibility in some circles. Ultimately, it is my job to sell myself. I just wonder how much that degree option limits me and others. Thank you again. Peace to us all. Thank you for this insightful article regarding online learning. I received a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management in 2008 from Keller Graduate School, DeVry University. It fit my work and life schedule and was the best option for me at the time. I learned much more ‘on my own’ than I probably would have in a classroom at a specific time every week.

Ufortunately, I believe that the current societal workplace is not ready to see this type of learning. It is becoming more visible because of the Ivy League schools option to provide this type of learning; however, it still has a way to go to find credibility in some circles. Ultimately, it is my job to sell myself. I just wonder how much that degree option limits me and others.

Thank you again.
Peace to us all.

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