Higher Ed Tech News and Research ~ Ray Schroeder, editor. A recent startup sells online classes by big name celebrities. Aspiring actors already look to Dustin Hoffman for how to perform in front of cameras. Now they can get a more formal acting lesson from the Oscar Award winner. MasterClass, a startup premiering Tuesday, sells online courses about a variety of topics taught by experts and, in some cases, celebrities like Hoffman and tennis star Serena Williams. More...
Higher Ed Tech News and Research ~ Ray Schroeder, editor. Two weeks ago I wrote about the overwhelming research evidence that community college students aren’t doing as well in online classes as they are in face-to-face traditional classes. Students are failing in higher numbers and getting lower grades. That remains true, but it isn’t the whole story. More...
Higher Ed Tech News and Research ~ Ray Schroeder, editor. New research into the most effective elements of massive open online courses and other digital learning models find the human elements to be critical. eCampus News reports peer interaction improves outcomes and instructor input, through course design or the actual teaching and facilitation of course concepts, is essential. More...
Higher Ed Tech News and Research ~ Ray Schroeder, editor. Our experience has reinforced one overriding lesson: integrative learning is as much about pedagogy as about curriculum, as much about the culture of learning and collegiality as about specific programs. At Carleton, integrative learning thrives when faculty and staff working collaboratively and with strong administrative support see themselves as collectively responsible for the learning of their students in ways that transcend specific courses, departments, or programs. More...
By John Warner. A recently published study, “Supporting the Academic Majority: Policies and Practices Related to Part-Time Faculty’s Job Satisfaction,” revealed that while the vast majority of adjunct faculty suffer from underemployment, one of the things they most want is “respect.”
No one who has been an adjunct or involved with issues of adjunct labor was surprised by the findings. A career as full-time “contingent” as opposed to part-time “adjunct” faculty at four different schools, I know the experience of working with and without respect from the institution and the people within it, and it makes a significant difference. Read more...
By Michael Stoner. A university’s ambitions may be lofty and its programs peerless, but if its communications are lost and messages ignored amid the visual and aural clutter of our ever-expanding media universe, it won’t flourish. That’s why authentic and memorable brands stand out in academe. Consider American University’s WONK campaign, for example: love it or hate it, the results have been positive for American. More...By Teresa Valerio Parrot. Each morning I open the emails that share news of the industry and ask, “are you kidding me?” And then I read the online headlines and higher education specific articles for national media outlets and sigh heavily. I am forever surprised that similar situations and scenarios trip up institution after institution. We need to learn from -- and respond to -- the experiences of our peers and do better. More...By Teresa Valerio Parrot. The role of communicators and marketers on campus has evolved and expanded exponentially in the last 15 years or so -- the people in these important roles now interact with and impact every department, division, and unit across a campus. The shift happened fairly quickly and as higher education itself continues to adapt to new technologies and high-stakes realities in the areas of enrollment and fundraising, our jobs will continue to change. More...
By Barbara Fister. At Macleans, Luc Rinaldi recently covered a lot of ground in “Does Peer Review Do More Harm Than Good?”, pointing out several issues arising from the way we publish today. Read more...
By Kris Olds. Nearly 9,000 people, myself included, attended the annual conference of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) in late April 2015. The size of the conference has been growing over the last several decades and it has become a de facto international gathering despite the 'American' moniker; a trading space of sorts to present papers, share ideas, formulate collaborative research proposals, source prospective faculty, share gossip, have good times, etc. Read more.../https%3A%2F%2Fprofilepics.canalblog.com%2Fprofilepics%2F1%2F0%2F1076071.jpg)
