Classes

That’s because we envision this country’s high schools as high functioning centers of engagement and learning. Through our unique services and offerings we strive to accelerate school improvement and support implementation of engaging practices that foster each students’ unique potential and help young people use their minds well. Initiatives of the Professional Development Center include: Facilitating school improvement nationally. Administering the Eagle Rock Teaching Fellowship Program, including the opportunity for licensure through the Colorado Department of Education in collaboration with Public Allies, Inc. Hosting visiting educators from around the country at our 640-acre mountainside campus adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. Providing tours of our campus. Offering a variety of learning opportunities to pre-student teachers, student teachers, graduate students and researchers. Publishing articles in educational journals, as well as in l...

Attitudes towards teaching and learning in the online environment An online instructor should be able to accept the value of facilitated learning as equal to the traditional model. If a teacher feels the only way that true learning can take place is through the traditional means of educating in a classroom, the person is generally not a good fit for the online paradigm. This is OK, but we must be honest with ourselves. Both an accelerated learning model and the online process depend on facilitative techniques for their success. The online classroom requires new teaching strategies and instructional techniques; you should not try to recreate the on-ground classroom in the online paradigm. The person leading a successful online class must be a proponent of facilitative learning, and have confidence in the system in order to make it work. Teaching style and habits needed to teach online The online facilitator should be open, concerned, flexible, and sincere. An online instru...

• Convenience: 24/7 access from any online computer; accommodates busy schedules; no commuting, no searching for parking. • Enhanced Learning: Research shows increased depth of understanding and retention of course content; more meaningful discussions; emphasis on writing skills, technology skills, and life skills like time management, independence, and self-discipline. • Leveling of the Playing Field: Students can take more time to think and reflect before communicating; shy students tend to thrive online; anonymity of the online environment. • Interaction: Increased student-to-teacher and student-to-student interaction and discussion; a more student-centered learning environment; less passive listening and more active learning; a greater sense of connectedness, synergy. • Innovative Teaching: Student-centered approaches; increased variety and creativity of learning activities; address different learning styles; changes and improvements can translate to on-grou...

Online learning is catalyzing a pedagogical shift in how we teach and learn. There is a shift away from top-down lecturing and passive students to a more interactive, collaborative approach in which students and instructor co-create the learning process. The Instructor’s role is changing from the “sage on the stage” to “the guide on the side.” Constructivism This point of view maintains that people actively construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment. This is a student-centered approach in which students “co-create” their learning experience. This approach empowers students as active learners instead of just passive recipients absorbing information and reproducing it for standardized tests. Derived from the work of Swiss philosopher, Jean Piaget, constructivism emphasizes: •         The learner as a unique individual. •         The relevence of the learner’s background...

Online learning is education that takes place over the Internet. It is often referred to as “e-learning” among other terms. However, online learning is just one type of “distance learning” - the umbrella term for any learning that takes place across distance and not in a traditional classroom. Distance learning has a long history and there are several types available today, including: • Correspondence Courses: conducted through regular mail with little interaction. •   Telecourses: where content is delivered via radio or television broadcast. • CD-ROM Courses: where the student interacts with static computer content. • Online Learning: Internet-based courses offered synchronously and/or asynchronously. • Mobile Learning: by means of devices such as cellular phones, PDAs and digital audio players (iPods, MP3 players). By far the most popular approach today is online learning. According to the Sloan Consortium, online enrollments continue to grow at rat...

When people ask "What is online learning?" a common source of that interest is the vast amount of information available and how online learning can be beneficial. Whether it's finishing a master's degree or learning how to play the piano, online learning is a common way to achieve these goals creatively. The Online Learning Environment Learners who engage in an online learning experience can learn through a distance written course or a learning management system. A learning management system (LMS) is a piece of software that can organize coursework and online testing tools in one place. Most online learning environments require students to report and log in to the course designed through the learning management system. Coursework material is sometimes downloadable for review and links other students in similar groups for communication online. Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Learning E-learning and distance education is usually delivered in two forms. Students c...

Comfort Forget about attending classes for hours, sitting in an uncomfortable chair, and suffering from back pain by the end of the day. You will not be bound to physical class session when you opt for online education. All lectures and needed materials are provided via online platforms, so you’ll easily access them from the comfort of your home. You will not take public transport to get to campus, you won’t have to spend money on gas for your car, you won’t have to get up early to get dressed for class… the list of conveniences goes on and on. Comfort is a strong advantage, but it can go both ways. You mustn’t allow yourself to get too comfortable when studying from home, so it would be best to abandon the couch for few hours a day and set up an inspirational studying environment in your home. All you need is a large desk and a nice, comfortable chair. Online courses look great on a resume It doesn’t matter where your career stands at this moment; an online program will al...

All of the University of Edinburgh's programmes - whether delivered online or on campus - are subject to the same rigorous criteria, which means they must meet strict academic standards before being approved by the University’s governing body, the Senatus. Online programmes are of equal value to on-campus programmes in terms of entry criteria and overall workload. The only difference is in the way the course is delivered. As an online learning student, you will: earn an internationally recognised degree be able to study anywhere that has an internet connection have the flexibility to study when it's most convenient for you be taught by academics working at the leading edge of your field become part of a rich and varied online community have access to University support services How will I learn? Programmes are delivered in courses that you can complete at times convenient to you. Our online programmes deliver progra...