Education News: Russia's University Mergers Pit the Old School Against the New

Anna Nemtsova of the Chronicle for Higher Learning writes about how "bringing together Soviet-style instructors and Western-influenced researchers has led to impasse, not improvement." You can read more about how societal and cultural influences affects education by clicking the link below. 

http://chronicle.com/article/Russias-University-Mergers/131844/

News Column: Online Courses Could Lead to Big Changes

Peter Cohan wrote this article on the educational phenomenon of online learning. Here is a brief preview:

Online education is getting a sudden burst of media attention. That’s because the two biggest brands in the business — Harvard and MIT — announced a multimillion-dollar program to deliver some courses online. And since these schools are widely admired, other colleges and universities are asking questions about what they should be doing with online learning. But this leads to a fundamental question: Why do people go to college?

What’s all the online-education fuss about? On May 4, Harvard and MIT announced a $60 million online-classroom venture, called edX, that will launch in the fall. It’s a nonprofit enterprise that will deliver free courses in different academic disciplines to anyone who can get online. And edX goes beyond passive viewing of videos — it includes discussions, labs, quizzes and other so-called interactive learning techniques. Moreover, people who take the online courses and fulfill their requirements get a certificate of completion.

What do you think of online learning? If you are interested in learning opportunities and educational services, visit Kingston University USA at http://www.kingstonuniversityusa.com/

Education News: The Presidential Campaign And Latino Education

This article by Gabriel Sanchez Zinny of the Huffington Post discusses the relation of education, politics and demographics in the USA. It is entitled "The Presidential Campaign And Latino Education." Here is a brief preview of his reporting:

The achievement gap between Hispanics and other ethnic groups in standardized testing and overall education is significant. The U.S. Department of Education found that the average SAT scores of Latinos lag behind the U.S. average by 100 points. Additionally, 13.9 percent of the Latino population holds a bachelor's degree, whereas 29.9 percent of the total U.S. population does.

The reasons for this are related not only to lackluster education policies, but also to other factors such as poverty, language skills and school attendance. The 2010 Census found that 35 percent of Latinos were living in poverty, compared to 12.4 percent of Caucasians; Latinos typically attend schools where a higher percentage of students speak English as a second language, making instruction more cumbersome. In addition, Latinos drop out of high school at a 17.6 percent rate, compared to the 8.1 percent rate of the entire U.S. population.

Education News: ESL Conference

Alleen Brown of TC Daily Planet discusses a recent ESL Conference in Minnesota. Here is a preview:

The winner of this year’s ESL Advocate Award, Denise Harlos, described an experience many of the ESL teachers attending last week’s Minnesota ESL, Bilingual and Migrant Education Conference seemed to relate to.
She recalled starting as an ESL teacher in Shakopee 12 years ago, when she said there were 75 EL students speaking 10 languages. There was no English learning program. The schools couldn’t communicate with non-English-speaking parents, and they couldn’t find licensed ESL teachers...

News: 2012 International TESOL Convention in Philadelphia

This article by PR Web services through Yahoo! News discusses an international convention in Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Here is an excerpt:

In support of participants in this year’s International TESOL Convention and English Language Expotaking place in Philadelphia March 28 -31, ESL Shop is offering extended conference pricing on all online orders. With a database of over 20,000 titles, it is the hope of ESL Shop to connect English language teachers worldwide with the materials they need to best serve their learners.

The rest of the article can be read here:

http://news.yahoo.com/esl-shop-shows-support-teachers-participating-2012-international-070402879.html

News Commentary: No Child Left Behind Increases Gap in Arts Education

This article by Laura Sauer at Yahoo! discusses the effects of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in American education. Here is a brief excerpt:

A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics comparing changes in arts education in public schools from 1999-2000 to 2009-2010 shows that since the start of No Child Left Behind, our public schools have seen a reduction in the arts education offered to students. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, commented on the results, stating it is imperative that "we continue to elevate, enrich, and expand arts education in our nation's schools", according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Among the most disturbing findings in the report is that economically disadvantaged students, many of whom do not have access to arts education anywhere but in public schools, have suffered a 20 percent reduction in arts education offerings, from 100 percent of schools offering such programs in 1999-2000 to only 80 percent in 2009-2010.

"SAT and ACT to Change Tests' Rules After Cheating Scandal"

This article by Jennie Anderson of the New York Times discusses the changes for the ACT and SAT, American university entrance tests, after recent cheating scandals. Here is an excerpt:

The SAT and ACT college entrance exams will now require students to provide a photograph when they sign up for the exams, and officials will check those images against the identification the students present when they take the test.

The new rules were part of a broad set of changes announced on Tuesday in the aftermath of the cheating cases, in which high-scoring students used fake IDs to take the SAT or ACT for other students. The revelations had proved embarrassing for the testing services, on which virtually every American college relies in making admissions decisions.

ESL News: Professor Articulates the Need for ESL Teachers

This article by Christine Metz at JL World discusses Professor Hyesun Cho's speaking on the importance of ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers. Here is a brief excerpt:

“Every teacher will have an ESL (English as Second Language) student at some time. If not now, in the future. That is pretty much guaranteed. Unfortunately, these teachers aren’t being prepared to utilize the student’s background,” said Hyesun Cho, an assistant professor of curriculum and teaching at KU. 

Cho has co-authored an article with Terri Rodriguez of Duquesne University that examines the experiences of bi- and multilingual student teachers and the insight it could provide in developing more effective teaching practices. 

The article, published in the journal Teaching and Teacher Education, studied the experiences of Latino teaching candidates in the Midwest and a group of bilingual student teachers in Hawaii. Those in the study described what it was like to be a bi- or multilingual student and how their backgrounds influenced their teaching styles.

The rest of the article is available here.

ESL News Article: Schools on Shoestring Budgets

This article by Manny Fernandez of the New York Times discusses what schools in the USA are like after heavy budget cuts. You can read an excerpt here:

For Hutto and the 1,264 other public school districts in Texas, this has been the year of doing without. Texas lawmakers cut public education financing by roughly $5.4 billion to balance the state’s two-year budget during the last legislative session, with the cuts taking effect this school year and next.
The budget reductions that districts large and small have had to make have transformed school life in a host of ways — increasing class sizes, reducing services and supplies and thinning the ranks of teachers, custodians, librarians and others, school administrators said.

The rest of the article is available here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/us/for-texas-schools-a-year-of-doing-without.html?_r=1&ref=education

Benefits of Online Education Emphasize Accessibility of Higher Learning amidst Threats of Global Economic Crisis

This article is from PR Web

The recent global economic struggle has crippled many countries in one important aspect necessary for their recovery – education. It is one of the most important building blocks of society and its loss would be profound. For this reason, Learnstream.com, an education-oriented website, has put effort in helping more and more people realize the great potentials of online learning. With various articles relating to different online courses currently featured on its homepage, visitors are given a more concrete view of how learning through the internet could help land them a great job in the future or simply further their education.

For many people, learning usually takes place in a classroom or any place that could serve the same purpose. Recent technological advancements have opened up doors for more unique means of acquiring education. “The ever expanding world of the internet has become a medium for people to do all sorts of things,including online learning. The public accessibility and convenience of online communication makes long distance interaction so simple that teachers have the chance to educate a wider range of students, from different places, all at once,” points out Greg Wells of Learnstream.com

Students should explore online learning style

This article is from tcu 360

Many college students seek online classes because they need a more flexible academic schedule. I have done a great amount of schooling online and, although there are tremendous difficulties that go along with it, I have to say it is pretty rewarding.

Students who cannot afford to go to school and simultaneously work a full-time job often seek classes that will fit around their busy lives. My first year of college I worked 40 hours a week in a factory, headed home to do my schoolwork, then went to sleep and repeated this process for two semesters.

Bay Area Graduate Studies School, Lincoln University, Celebrates Staff, Faculty and Students

This article is from the San Francisco Chronicle

Bay Area Graduate Studies School, Lincoln University, a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian university, recently held an appreciation event on Feb. 22 to celebrate staff, faculty and students.

"We've never had this kind of event before, but we decided it was necessary to do something new to show appreciation to all our staff, faculty and students," Annique Dalley of Lincoln University said.

The event gave staff, faculty and students access to great deals across many industries. For example, everyone had access to discounted tickets for restaurants, movies, wellness centers, etc. The event and idea was a success.

PLATO Learning Launches Robust Online Electives Offering

This article is from Virtual Strategy Magazine

PLATO Learning, a leading provider of online education solutions for pre-kindergarten through adult learners, has partnered with Calgary-based eDynamic Learning to deliver an expanded offering of online electives courses. Together, they provide schools and districts with the curriculum needed for core and elective courses to effectively prepare students for college and career.

The Secondary Electives Library includes 24 semester-long courses for students in grades 9-12 including psychology, sociology, forensic science, music appreciation, and photography. This diverse offering of electives keeps students motivated and engaged in the learning process and gives them the opportunity to pursue their choice of a broad range of interests.

Florida Tech Launches Master's Degree in Supply Chain Management 100% Online

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

 Florida Tech University Online today announced the addition of a master's degree in Supply Chain Management to its highly regarded offering of graduate and undergraduate degree programs. Since the degree is delivered 100% online, working professionals are able to earn this prestigious distinction without having to put their career on hold.

With a reputation of academic excellence since 1958, Florida Tech is ranked a Tier 1 Best National University and recognized within the Top Online Education honor roll by U.S. News & World Report. An established leader in the field of supply chain management, Florida Tech has been offering the degree on campus and military bases for decades. This is the first time the quality curriculum will be available online for students across the globe.

AIU academy to mix online learning with work

This article is from Post Gazette 

Next fall, students who are interested in attending a cyber charter school will have a new option -- one that combines online learning with workplace experiences.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit this week announced the formation of the STREAM Academy, a K-12 cyber school that will focus on science, technology, research, engineering, arts and mathematics, during an event at its Homestead headquarters. The event was attended by education and business leaders along with academy and AIU staff.

The new school is an offshoot of the Pennsylvania Learners Online, the online cyber charter school the AIU operates.

U.S. News-Ranked Jacksonville University to Support Nurses With Complimentary Continuing Education at Nurse.com

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

 Jacksonville University, a leader in nursing education online, is proud to announce that it will once again be sponsoring a free nurse CEU (continuing education unit) course through Nurse.com. For 60 days beginning April 1, 2012, registered nurses will be able to complete Resumes: The Recruiter's Perspective - a $10 value - at no cost on Nurse.com.

Resumes: The Recruiter's Perspective helps RNs build the skills to craft resumes and cover letters that will make prospective employers take notice. The course can be taken conveniently online, and enables nurses to meet part of their recurring state continuing education requirements.

University of Illinois Law School falls 12 spots in U.S. News ranking

The admissions scandal at the University of Illinois Law School cost the well-regarded program in an influential ranking.

The law school fell 12 spots to No. 35 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings published this week, which are a measure of a school's reputation. U. of. I. suffered the biggest drop from last year's rankings of any school in the top 50.

Book award program benefits ESL students

This article is from Lake County News

A new program started by the Mendocino College Foundation is providing financial assistance for books to English as Second Language (ESL) students, and the foundation is seeking additional funding to benefit more students.

With donations from the Ukiah Branch of the American Association for University Women (AAUW), the ESL Book Award program began in fall 2011.

The AAUW and the Sons of Italy, Ukiah, have agreed to donate funds to continue the program in the fall of this year.

Free e-Learning Webinar Demonstrates New Features for Collaborative e-Learning

This article is from PR Web
Lectora® will host a free webinar that demonstrates how to utilize the new features for collaborativeonline e-Learning development with Lectora Online version 1.6.2. Conducted on March 14, this session will show attendees how to create highly engaging e-Learning content for their training using the new Live Model Gallery and other updates in Lectora Online.

“This free session will show attendees how to tap into all of the new features for e-Learning development in the latest release of Lectora Online,” said Peter Bray, Chief Marketing Officer atTrivantis Corporation. “With access to the new Live Model Gallery which includes thousands of quality photographs, Lectora Online users have a whole host of unique possibilities to engage their learners. Our expert Lectora trainers will demonstrate how to make the most of this fantastic resource and how to best utilize the other new features in Lectora Online for their e-Learning content.”

Health care lawyer Clement as high court regular

This article is from Boston.com
Paul Clement used to argue for the federal government's power until he started arguing against it.

But he's no flip-flopping political candidate; he's a lawyer. Changes like this are part of his job.

Clement is playing a key role in three politically charged Supreme Court cases in which Republican-led states object to Obama administration policies or federal laws on health care, immigration and redrawing political boundaries.

In the biggest of those, the 45-year-old law school acquaintance of President Barack Obama will be trying to sink Obama's health care overhaul.