Online Degree Programs Take Page Out of Social Media Handbook
Colleges and
Universities that offer online degree programs are enhancing the
delivery of their educational experiences by utilizing social media and
other technologies.
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB)-- As Internet users become more savvy and social
media sites dominate, colleges are taking a second look at the
structure of online courses.
Just two years ago the typical online degree course involved mostly
reading assignments. Students were able to interact with each other
through discussion posts and chat rooms, but now that is all changing.
Several colleges offering online coursework are now incorporating the
assets of social media into their platforms. Widgets, interactive
programs, and digital media are helping engage students with different
learning styles and allowing them to network with other students and
instructors.
Rasmussen College, a private, regionally accredited college with campuses across the Midwest and Southeast and online college, is one of these schools.
"Students have different learning styles," Rasmussen College
Director for Online Course Development Steve Wettergren said. "By
providing these cool new tools, students can learn by interacting with
the media, by watching videos and listening to audio samples, by
observing digital lectures, and much more. We are making the courses a
more engaging experience."
For the past twelve months, Rasmussen College has increased its focus on delivering these new tools for online classes.
Some of the additions have come from working with the publishers who
provide supplemental media. Rasmussen College also has an instructional
design team and a development team that has been able to build its own
custom media pieces based on the needs of faculty and students.
"To provide a more realistic approach to learning, the development
team has built widgets, which enable students to take practice quizzes
and perform exercises to help them learn," Wettergren said.
"One of the coolest things we have done for our online Medical Administration
students recently is that we built a virtual hospital. They can do
through the hospital and look through patient files, meet financial
personnel, and get a realistic view of what working in a health care
facility is like."
So far student feedback about the new interactive elements has been
positive. Faculty has appreciated the new addition as it gives them a
new way to present material and a better method for networking with
students.
Many online colleges
are now moving away from curriculum that is too text heavy. Utilizing
the new technologies allows them to engage students in a dynamic
manner.
"Online coursework is evolving rapidly," Wettergren said. "More
colleges are offering online programs, and to stay ahead of the game we
have to continue to invest focused attention on providing the latest
developments in online learning to our students. We are just getting
started."
# # #
Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/Q291cC1JbnNlLUluc2UtUGlnZy1JbnNlLVNpbmctWmVybw==