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Enrolling in a distance education course can raise many concerns, with how to do well in an online class being a leading cause of for this anxiety. Avoiding this apprehension requires a good understanding of the process of using the computers during online classes. This also leads to the need for preparation, planning, and developing an understanding one's ability to learn and study.

My sister, Sarah Adams has just won her second distance learning award this year. She is an online professor for Savannah College of Art and Design and continues to wow everyone with her incredibly high ratings, ability to engage her students, and teach tough graphic design without being in a formal classroom. YES, I'm incredibly proud of her but even more proud that she's so helpful, cooperative, and encouraging when anyone (like me) or other professors reach out and want to understand how she does it. Yes, she's my sister and yes, I'm incredibly proud. I"m so proud of you sis. She differentiates learning in amazing ways. I promise I'll get her on Every Classroom matters and ask her how she does it. If you have any questions, post them here and I'll be sure to ask.

"Developing online learning skills is essential for adult learners to support their completion of education goals. Although these students can easily locate an online course or degree program that's both convenient and accessible, they may face significant challenges in developing the skills necessary for success in an online learning environment."

The Open University's peer reviewed Journal of Open and Distance Learning, Open Learning, has devoted its first issue of 2009 to the theme of Open Educational Resources (OER).The issue provides an introduction to the emerging OER movement and its implications for education systems and institutions, educators and learners. The articles describe a range of initiatives and issues, and articulate the vision of some of the most committed and passionate champions of Open Educational Resources. Together they communicate the energy and dynamism associated with this new movement, and its potential to extend learning opportunities worldwide.

"A range of facts are explored including motivational factors, nontraditional students, free college courses, paying for college, and pros or cons. "

Anyone who uses their whiteboard for ELT / EFL classes will know what a really useful teaching aid it can be, so how about using one with your distance learners?

10 strategies and techniques are provided for resolving potential conflicts and problems associated with an online learning collaborative project.

A guide, learning pathway on how to support distance learning and professional development!!

NOTE: The linked article is NSFW - it has a word of profanity where the author quotes Good Will Hunting. But the points are right. Some teachers worry they will be outdated or not needed with the online education movement. This article has some great points that I agree with. I do think online learning is part of our future but perhaps not the savior some make it out to be. "The online education utopians ignore the fact that free learning has existed for decades in the form of the public library and despite that availability, every kid within bicycling distance to his local branch didn't turn into a self taught entrepreneur. Suggesting that online courses are the cure-all for our educational needs is like saying all you have to do to teach kids in the ghetto is give away textbooks on the corner. Recent studies have shown there is a significant gap between the completion rates of online students compared to classroom based students. When you consider that online learning is often promoted as a cost effective solution for at-risk learners who don't have the financial resources for face-to-face instruction, it becomes clear that the online movement is offering a product that makes it easier to drop out to students who are already more prone to quitting in the first place."

Emerging Web 2.0 technologies are discussed in the perspective of how elearning is evolving into a future dominated by personal learning environments.

Great article about the partnership between University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and our latest Flat Classroom Project, NetGenEd. This sort of arrangement in which preservice teachers served as expert advisors and judges for the project provided real, authentic learning experiences for both students and participants. We skyped into Eric's classroom a few times to talk to his students about pedagogy and they did a great job providing feedback and input on the project. It would make sense that many more preservice programs are going to want to put in authentic distance learning experiences for their preservice teachers and there are many teachers who need high quality feedback and educator review and interaction for their projects.

Hi impact, curated magazine of articles and professional resources for those interested in e-learning and online teaching. Published by Dennis O'Connor, Program Advisor for the University of Wisconsin Stout E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate Program.

Ten ways to survive a nightmare course provides strategies for dealing with a difficult online learning situation. Problems may develop with any online course, due to causes beyond your control. Some problems include incompatible technology, continual course learning management system (LMS) problems, e-mail problems, or bewildering directions and assignments. Regardless the situation, there are many things you can do to overcome this less than happy experience and turn it a positive outcome.

If you have a music program at your school, perhaps you should peruse some of the fascinating thing my new friend Christopher Amos, director of Distance Learning for Carnegie Hall is doing. (I met him at NECC.)

Carnegie hall has some music programs and cool activities on their website.

Dean Shareski has done an outstanding job at creating a college level distance-learning course including many people around the world. See his honest reflections and statements about what his take on the class was. I applaud Dean for transparency and was very impressed with his set up and work.

Dean Shareski's self evaluation of his online course for pre-service teachers -- an excellent overview of the cutting edge.

Psychology courses can benefit your career immensely and give a boost to the company's progress.

Open source online video conferencing and distance collaboration tool. Can be installed on Linux web server and contains many standard collaborative features such as voice/video chat, shared whiteboard, screen sharing, and more.