Learning Management System News

As the New York Times reports in this article, Masters programs are popping up everywhere and for everything.  Historically, Masters degrees have been for those few who seek to pursue a doctoral degree and some educators looking for a pay increase.  Now, however, it seems everyone is pursuing a Masters degree.

Universities are adapting to this new twist in education by offering upper-level degrees in all sorts of realms.  For them, as reported, it is a relatively easy way to make money.  Most Masters degree-seekers live off campus, maintain other employment, and expend very little of the university’s resources to complete their program. 

So the programs abound, the universities benefit, but does the degree mean as much as it used to?  Things of value are rarely found in abundance.  If everyone had diamonds in their backyard, they wouldn’t be precious stones.  As more and more people pursue Masters level education, the less significant it becomes.  In fact, at least in the education world, it is now almost expected that teachers pursue one at some point during their career.  Does that mean they are all Master teachers?Â

On the east coast many students are enjoying a break from the typical routine of school and attending classes.  We have had snow and ice create conditions that leave many school authorities no other option than to close school.  Students are home.  Are they diligently pursuing the academics they ought?  It’s doubtful, very doubtful.

Here we see yet another benefit to online education and training programs.  In whatever kind of weather, class is in session.  Students have the luxury of accessing their educational institution no matter what is falling from the sky.    Complications only arise for those who may experience power outages or who must travel to access the technology necessary to complete coursework.

Online education and training programs allow students to have continuity that others might not get.  The ease and convenience of online education is accentuated today because so many in our area are unable to attend their scheduled classes due to the weather.Â

As educators, trainers, or leaders we must know what we know, and well!  There is no greater discomfort than sitting through a class with an instructor who doesn’t know their material.  As the instructor fumbles through notes and barely memorized information, the students’ interest wanes and eventually is lost altogether.  I can speak from personal experience when I was asked to teach something that I didn’t know.  Not only was I miserable, but the students were, too.

To gain your students’ confidence you must confidently introduce new material.  Be prepared to explain or present things from multiple angles.  Students can identify weakness pretty quickly and they may capitalize on that just to discredit you.  When preparing to introduce a new topic consider various comparisons and approaches that may interest your audience.

There is no greater teacher than experience.  If at all possible, know your material through first-hand experience.  Walking through a topic gives you insight and information that you cannot possibly hope to gain from passive observation.  Teach your students the same thing.  If they are to learn, really learn, the material then they must experience it for themselves.  Provide opportunities for your students to witness your experience or for them to experience the topic with your guidance and insight.

The unveiling of Apple’s latest creation certainly brings with it excitement and hype.  Tech experts have been speculating for months as to the form and abilities of the secret creation.  Well, speculate no more.  According to the Washington Post, the iPad was introduced recently and will be available for purchase by late March.

According to the article, the iPad, though larger than the iPod Touch, is a mid-sized personal device.  Reportedly the dimensions are similar to that of a piece of paper, though thicker and heavier.  The iPad is a touch sensitive device. 

This newest creation may be a solution to getting technology, for relevant educational purposes, into the hands of children across the nation.  The device is small enough and the price is reasonable enough that students may be able to gain access to use for educational purposes.  This newest technology may help bridge the gap between the have’s and the have not’s.

Is learning and training in the workplace intended to bring value to the employee or the employer?  This may seem like an elementary question.  Shouldn’t both recieve benefits from learning and training opportunities?  The answer is yes.  And no.  But more yes.

As the employer, one may think that if training opportunities are increased, the employee base will become more efficient producers.  As the employee, one may think that if the training opportunities  increase, their resume becomes more attractive to comparable companies. 

The employer may offer training opportunities or even be willing to provide tuition reimbursement but they must first make sure that their work environment is attractive and offers enough incentive so that employees will not take advantage and then run.  Training and educational opportunities are valuable ways to keep employees loyal to their jobs. 

To read more about employee loyalty click here.Â

An article in the NY Times is reporting on a growing trend in elementary schools to have recess before serving lunch.  The article discusses the benefits, such as increased food consumption, increased attention span in classes after lunch, better behavior during lunch and after, decreased food waste, and more.  Historically, lunch and recess have been approached in order of importance, with nutrition being more important than recreation.  Presently, a shift is being made to the importance of order focusing on the best use of time and most effective way to achieve nutritional balance with physical activity and recreation.

Granted, this concept of ‘doing the important things first’ is not new.  But, perhaps, it should be questioned.  In the workplace, are there tasks that we automatically do first because we view them as more important than the others?  Would our work be more efficient if we re-evaluated to see if those tasks would fit better during another time of the day?

Sometimes we need a shake up.  We need to take a fresh look at the same old same old.  Occassionally, when we do this, we will find a new and better way to do the important things in life.

The Washington Post is reporting on the trouble with teens and technology.  It comes as no surprise to anyone who know a teenager that technology is, for them, a type of addiction.  Teens seem to have an extra appendage, be it an iPod, Ninentendo DS, cell phone, or other.  Everyone has one….or two for that matter.

According to this article, the use of this type of technology among teens and tween is on the rise, if you can beleive it.  Teens, who reportedly, are spending hours upon hours on the computer are neglecting their studies and grades are suffering.  While technology typically facilitates the accomplishment of a goal, here we see it preventing students from achieving their full potential. 

Parents are advised to keep technology devices in open spaces in the home where activity can be monitored and limited.  My kids aren’t tweens yet, but already I must regulate the amount of time they spend playing the Wii and watching movies.  Of course, the kids put up a fuss but if I didn’t limit their time they would play every waking moment, literally. 

Like most things, technology is great in moderation.

I heard on NPR tonight a surprising statistic.  China, since 2008, has more internet users than the US.  The provincial images of China that depict men poling their boats across tranquil waters would be more accurate if the men were holding an iPod or Blackberry rather than a pole.  China, and its culture,  is becoming, or perhaps already has become, a world force in education, technology, and other areas.

A report in the NY Times that describes the booming Chinese language programs supports this idea.  According to the article, language education is all about Chinese these days.  Gone are the days of multiple Romance Languages.  Instead, schools are promoting Chinese and Spanish, two radically different languages that will serve two radically different purposes and populations.

Schools are seeking support of their Chinese programs from the Chinese government.  In a program described in the article, the Chinese government will supplement or contribute to the salary of a Chinese teacher who goes to teach in the US or another country.  Surely, this offer is too good to refuse.  As schools face budget cuts, this is one option that helps to soften the blow….have another country foot the bill for your teachers!

From the cover of Teach & Travel magazine, “Learning is Doing” sums up the educators most efficient and effective approach to the classroom.  In the context of the magazine, educators are encouraged to plan trips that will help their students internalize whatever subject or topic is at hand.  History, the theory goes, is best taught on the battleground or in the colosseum.  Science is best taught through experimentation.

This idea of learning is doing can and should be applied to all classrooms.  Students of all ages can take in information and regurgitate it moments or even days later.  But learning actually occurs when the student can do something with that information.  Instructors can talk about topics and explain topics but until the students have the opportunity to interact with the topic learning will not occur.

Educators everywhere take the time to plan effective lessons.  Those lessons always include an opportunity for students to “do”.  “Doing” is not just the evidence of learning but it is actually the process of learning, too.  It is sometimes difficult to remember this as we watch our students make mistakes.  Let your students experience and experiment a little more, learning is doing.

Students and parents face difficult decisions when deciding which college or university is right for their needs.  Colleges and universities are attempting to make themselves more attractive by offering guarantees of employment post graduation.  Some institutions can now be found on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.  Others are posting campus tours on YouTube.

The Washington Post is reporting on one such video for Yale.  According to the article, the “That’s Why I Chose Yale” video is not just your average campus tour.  Rather it is a musical montage featuring some cameos of famous Yale grads scattered across campus.  It includes large dancing musical numbers similar to what one might see on Glee or High School Musical. 

While this type of admission video will appeal to a specific segment of the population, will it meet the approval of parents, who hope their students will go to school to mature and learn about the real world?  Does this type of frivolity reflect the institution’s take on education itself?  While the video does provide some important information about the college, does it do justice to the quality of education one hopes to attain by attending?  Does this type of video really make the choice easier?