News: How Competition Is Killing Higher Education

Mark C. Taylor of Bloomberg Views gives his opinions on how competition is detrimental to higher education. Here is a snippet of his article:

But in higher education, competition often discourages risk taking, leads to overly cautious short-term decisions, produces a mediocre product for the price, and promotes excessive spending on physical plants and bureaucracies. 

The construction arms race on campus is the most visible example of competition run amok. To become more attractive to potential consumers, many colleges and universities undertake overly ambitious expansions. In some cases, new facilities contribute to educational programs, but too often they are tangential and trap institutions in a costly cycle: The new athletic center, dorm or student center starts to look faded when competing schools open theirs, and it never ends.

You can read the rest of Taylor's writing here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-17/competition-is-killing-higher-education-part-1-.html

MIT Names Its Provost, Who Led Online-Education Efforts, as New President

Jack Stripling of The Chronicle for Higher Learning wrote this article about the promotion of a new president at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) who happens to be an innovator of online learning. You can read more at the link below:

http://chronicle.com/article/article-content/131896/

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/

Are universities scared of the online learning movement?

Peter G. Klein of The Christian Science Monitor wrote this article about online learning and how traditional universities are reacting to it. You can read a preview of it here:

As Morgan Brown wrote earlier this year, universities are guilds, and it’s this organizational structure, not bad leadership or the wrong ideology, that underlies the universities’ hostility to markets. If there is fundamental reform, it will surely come from outside the guild system, not within it. It’s great that Harvard and MIT and other elite universities are offering some classes online. But look instead to bolder experiments like the Mises Academy — not a duplicate of the standard degree program, but a modular, flexible, focused approach to teaching Austrian economics and related subjects. Call it guerrilla teaching. Let’s see where this new movement can go!

News: Creating a Genuinely Sustainable Higher Education System

This article from The Guardian by Matt Grist discusses the future of higher education in the United Kingdom and some possibilities for improvement. Follow the link below to read more about some of the opportunities that are being proposed for students and future students at universities in the United Kingdom.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/blog/2012/may/16/financial-sustainability-universties

Education News: Education Protests in Chile

This article by the Associated Press discusses the Chilean education crisis and the protests in response to it. Here is a brief preview:

The march, organized by the Confederation of University Students of Chile, was the second of its kind this year.

Thousands of protests were held last year by high school and college students demanding an end to for-profit education and the implementation of free higher education.

The Santiago Times said President Sebastian Pinera has proposed ending reliance on student loans from private banks, which made an estimated $500 million last year off of government-backed student aid.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/05/17/Chile-Students-protest-education-system/UPI-43161337270383/#ixzz1v9QlyGJU

News: ESL college students could get tuition break

This article from the Richmond Review discusses a new opportunity for college students who are English as a second language learners. Here is an excerpt:

Some applicants to Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s English as a Second Language programs may be eligible to receive their ESL instruction tuition-free.


A joint initiative between the Canadian federal government, the ministries of Advanced Education and Jobs, Tourism and Innovation are making funding available to cover the costs of ESL tuition for some ESL students at Kwantlen.

"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.

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.

Higher education is an investment we can’t afford to neglect

This article from The Olympian discusses the importance of supporting American institutions of higher learning. Here is an excerpt:

There is no doubt that legislators face difficult choices, but continuing to erode our higher education system is nothing more than shortsighted. And while I am very grateful to see that the recently proposed House higher education budget begins to reverse the trend and prioritize higher education – it still includes $30 million in cuts to four-year institutions alone. I am also very encouraged to see the House budget propose a $12 million investment in science, technology, engineering and math degree production. This is a critical investment for the technology and aerospace industries. Western and our other higher education institutions can play an important role in helping respond to the increased need for graduates with bachelor degrees in engineering and other STEM areas.
But the situation is clear. If our institutions are forced to take more cuts, the result will be increasingly limited access to higher education for Washington students, particularly the middle class, and a long-term blow to Washington businesses that rely on an educated workforce that we simply won’t be able to provide. I hope that our leaders in Olympia will make the right decisions this session, ones that will put us on track for economic recovery and long-term success.

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2012/03/08/v-print/2021118/higher-education-is-an-investment.html?storylink=fb#storylink=cpy

San Diego State University Offers Career-Enhancing Health Care Certificate Programs

This article is from the San Francisco Chronicle

No matter which direction the economy heads this year, health care will continue to be one of the nation's top success stories. In a U.S. News and World Report story titled "What's in Store for Jobs in 2012?" the article states "healthcare employment will continue to grow in 2012, possibly even more rapidly than it did in 2011, as the population continues to age and require more medical attention."

With health care being such an in-demand occupation, San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies offers both in-class and online professional health care certificate and certification programs for individuals to prepare for these lucrative careers.

ESL Practice with Pictures: Tenses

This blog entry will feature photos and practice for understanding tenses in the English language. Look and follow along with the following pictures, captions and questions:

She is crying on the grass.

Can you write this in the past tense?

They will eat lunch in a few minutes.

Can you write a sentence in the present tense using the verb eat?

Can you write a sentence in the past tense using the verb eat?

The man surfs the waves near the shore.

Can you write a sentence in the past tense that describes this picture?

The woman painted a portrait yesterday.

Can you rewrite this sentence in the present tense?

Do you have any questions or comments about this or any other ESL subject? Leave them in the comment section and we will answer them. Stay tuned for more free advice on this and other subjects as well as promotions and news! If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

If you want individual tutoring and help in learning English, contact Kingston University USA today!!

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Defending Online Learning, Part One By Thomas K. Lindsay

This article by Thomas K. Lindsay of the National Review is an opinion piece on online learning. Here is an excerpt:

"For some time now, we’ve heard the following criticism of online education: “Its only virtue is that it’s cheap; it has little educational value compared with traditional, fact-to-face education.”
This claim no longer can withstand scrutiny.

 

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Education published a review of no fewer than 44 studies evaluating post-secondary students. The report concluded that “students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.”

Ontario universities should offer 3-year degrees, more online learning: report

This article is from Guelph Mercury 

Ontario universities need to cut undergraduate degrees from four to three years, offer classes year-round and allow students to earn more than half their credits online, says a government paper obtained by the Toronto Star.

The proposals would get students through university or college cheaper and faster — the report says college diplomas should be two years at most — while still offering a quality post-secondary education.

ESL Classes Offer a New Opportunity in West Harrison

This article  is from Harrison Patch 

Opening doors to educational opportunity is what community colleges are all about, and it's become a part of the culture at Westchester County Community College over the years.

"Community is our middle name," said David Bernstein, the assistant dean of the English as a Second Language (ESL) at WCC, quoting a phrase he said is common on the campus.

In keeping with that theme, the college began offering ESL classes free of charge in surrounding communities almost 10 years ago. The original programs, held in White Plains and New Rochelle, have grown to a total of nearly 350 students. After the success of those programs the department has decided to expand to more communities, West Harrison being one of them.

Missouri Approves Anthem College Online Healthcare Programs

This article is from PRWeb 

The State of Missouri has approved online healthcare education programs offered by Anthem College Online for its residents.

“Online learning has become an important component for adult students,” says Darcy Richardson, Division President for Anthem College Online. “Many of the students who come to us for education and training lead very full lives, so the flexibility and convenience of online learning allows them to pursue their educational goals without disrupting their jobs and families. We are pleased to open our virtual doors to Missouri residents looking to further their careers with the help of higher education.”

Strickland Appointed to Online Task Force

This article is from Bainbridge
Dr. Tonya Strickland, Bainbridge College’s vice president for Academic Affairs, was one of eight administrators appointed to a new state Board of Regents task force that will look at how the state colleges and universities currently use online learning.

Strickland’s appointment to the new Distance Education Task Force was announced on Thursday, Feb. 16, by University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby.

He said as universities and colleges continue to increase the use of distance education, “There is a lack of consistency in the effort across the state. Our campuses must take advantage of every opportunity to serve their students, faculty and staff. ”

University of Texas moves to enforce ‘slacker’ rule

This article is from The Washington Post
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation’s top research universities. But you wouldn’t know it from the school’s four-year graduation rate.

Just 53 percent of 2004 freshmen graduated four years later, according to the latest data from the federal government. The graduation rate jumps to 80 percent by year six. Six seems to be the magic number: UT’s grad rate improves only a few more points by eight years. All good things, as they say, must come to an end.

UT is one of many public universities where students tend to hang around. It’s set, after all, in Austin, one of the great college towns. Tuition is relatively low, living expenses modest, and many fifth- and sixth-year students can think of no earthly reason to leave. (For further study, consult the seminal Gen-X movie Slacker.)

The rich get richer, especially universities

This article is from Higher Education

FOR 99 per cent of US colleges and universities, it was a pretty good fundraising year. For the 1 per cent of super-wealthy elite, it was a much better one that catapulted them even farther ahead of the pack.

The latest annual college fundraising figures show donations to colleges and universities rose 8.2 per cent in 2011, crossing back over the $30 billion mark for just the second time ever, and improving many schools' financial footing after several lean years due to the economic downturn.

But the very richest universities accounted for nearly half the growth: of the $30.3 billion collected by colleges and universities nationwide, $8.2 billion - or 27 per cent - was raised by just the top 20 institutions. At those universities, fundraising was 15.3 per cent higher than the year before, widening an already yawning wealth gap at the top of higher education.

American University adjunct faculty vote to unionize

This article is from The Washington Post
Adjunct faculty at American University voted to unionize Thursday, following the lead of their peers at George Washington University and Montgomery College.

Adjuncts are the temps of higher education. They make up more than half of all college faculty nationwide, but most work part-time “for very low wages with no benefits, job security, administrative support or academic rights,” the labor union SEIU said in a release. (I should note that those characterizations are for adjuncts everywhere, not just at AU.)

Adjuncts are typically paid by the class and are considered relatively cheap labor. At AU, according to the union, an adjunct with a doctorate teaching three classes a semester could make as little as $18,000 in a year.