Category: 04 Education

This is my presentation from the workshop I did in Bristol on Teaching 1:1 with tablets.

Slideshare (41 Slides)

I found this article rather intriguing, as the student looked at both traditional and alternative methods of learning, and found that in some cases, alternative methods yielded the same or better results than traditional methods. As a former online grad student, I can tell you that it was a little difficult, even as recently as two years ago, to convince people that my MSPTC from a brick-and-mortar school taken entirely online was as stringent and comprehensive as if I went to classes in person.  I still see alternative education as a viable method, but as this student points out, since many alternative methods don't issue a “degree”, some sort of standard needs to be agreed upon by those supplying the alternative methods of learning to be able to provide a credential or “legitimize” the coursework taken.

Senior thesis: Evaluating alternative academic credentials

EXTRACT

“Part of why people get an education is to learn,” he said. “But part of it is to improve their lives by earning a meaningful and valuable credential that can hopefully earn them a job.”

In his thesis, “Diplomas of the Future? The Role and Value of Innovative Academic Credentials,” Francis examined two forms of alternative educational credentials: MOOCs and occupational “bootcamps,” which are nine-week-long intensive programs that cost more than $10,000 and help software engineers develop necessary technical and programming skills.

. . . . . . .

“Studies show that people learn similar amounts in an online class as they do in a lecture class, and my research found that people who graduate from developer bootcamps earn as much or more than the typical computer science graduate,” he said. “We know these alternative methods of education work.”

In addition to his research on the effectiveness of the programs, Francis interviewed recruiters and hiring managers from 20 high-tech Internet and software companies and learned what they value in a traditional college degree: selectivity, as someone else had already screened the candidate during the college admissions process; the on-campus experience that teaches interpersonal skills; and the broad intellectual foundation that teaches candidates how to think.

Read full post.

See Also:

Education @ Phi Beta Iota

MOOC @ Phi Beta Iota

We spend more on education than any other advanced state, and we get dismal outcomes for our money. The United States seems to be unable to do what other industrialized nations do routinely — educate our children. Only 40 per cent of graduating seniors can even read competently. We are becoming a nation of morons, and this is particularly true in the Red value states. So this is also having a big effect on the Great Schism Trend!

No Gains for 12th-graders on National Exam
KIMBERLY HEFLING – The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Handing out dismal grades, the Nation's Report Card says America's high school seniors lack critical math and reading skills for an increasingly competitive global economy.

Only about one-quarter are performing proficiently or better in math and just 4 in 10 in reading. And they're not improving, the report says, reinforcing concerns that large numbers of today's students are unprepared for either college or the workplace.

Never mind the 4% completion rate, still a useful starting point.

Take college and university courses online completely free

In recent years massive open online courses (MOOCs) have become a trend in online education. The term was coined in 2008 by David Cormier, manager of web communications and innovations at the University of Prince Edward Island. The first MOOC was created the previous year, at Utah State University.

MOOCs are designed like college courses but are available to anyone anywhere in the world, at no cost. You do not receive a college credit, but you will receive a certificate of completion when you complete all coursework. The courses span dozens of subjects and are taught by some of the leaders in those fields. The courses are designed to be interesting, fun and rigorous; the courses are not just in science, and not just in English.

Continue reading “Berto Jongman: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) — Useful Failures”