Progressive Change’ the New Catchphrase in Online Learning Trends in 2013

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So, in the year 2012 the world did not end and we are all safe. Despite the unlucky stigma of the number ‘13’, the year 2013 holds new plans and surprises. While, there are strides of improvements and new dimensions in diverse sectors of the globe, the world of education is geared up to gifting the world new changes in this field.

The idea is to bring the world closer with a more simplified educational system through use of technical tools. As the world has shrunk to finger tip, there is no doubt to it that the combination of computer and internet has significant role to play in daily lives. Knowledge is just a click away making education accessible from almost anywhere and at anytime. The year 2013 witnesses top five major trends in education, where the computer and internet has major impact.

2013 to witness Major Trends in Education

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                      ·   Social Media is expected to play a huge role   

            

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Social Media is acting the benefactor of connecting people and bringing people together from round the world. Social media is now making its way from advertising, entertainment and sports. So, it is natural for social media to take up a domineering role in the world of education. In the past two years, social media has emerged in leaps and bounds but in 2013 it is expected to make an even bigger splash across the globe. From SMS marketing and students creating YouTube videos, Facebook pages and professors designing classroom focused blogs; it is expected that everyone will benefit a lot from social media.                                                                      

                                                                                                                  

•         College graduates to witness less stress for job hunts

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The year 2013 is expected to witness more number of college graduates. Besides, they are hopeful to feel less stressed in job hunts too. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) conducted a survey in which it found that employers will be hiring 9.5% more graduates from class of 2012 than the previous year batch. Added to this, those students acquiring degrees in Engineering, Mathematics, Technology and Science are highly valuable to employers. So, the advice for the young generation of today is to upgrade their skills and update their LinkedIn profile to get maximum benefits from jobs.

                   ·         Game based Learning is the talk of town

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Ask anyone and you will get maximum votes for a good game. Today, the trend is to enjoy game-based learning (GBL), which is not just becoming popular within classroom walls, but also for teachers and students who can gain maximum from this mode of learning. Remember, game based learning comprise of anything ranging from serious games to video games and learning simulations and so on. The best part of GBL learning is that it is particularly designed to balance subject matter and game play. The ultimate objective is to enable students quickly learn and retain what they have picked through the games. Though already in practice, 2013 is yet to witness more such learning processes, which are regarded as highly imbibing.

·         MOOC trend is supposedly to bring on more Impact

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MOOC, which stands for Massive Open Online Courses has been a rage and is expected to become more popular in 2013. Though, the term was coined back in 2008, it will have its best and most useful implication in 2013. What is best is that MOOC is actually revolutionising and changing the way people think and learn. The courses available are free. You simply need a computer to learn. In 2013, it is expected that MOOC will gradually become a useful mechanism, which students will use to receive official college credit. Research says that MOOC reaches out to 200 countries in a variety of 44 languages. This mode of learning boasts of 4500 learning centres across the world.

·         More number of Universities will involve in offering Online Learning

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From online learning tutorials and free podcasts, distance learning is making it feasible to push the limits of educational boundaries to greater stretch for convenient accessibility of education from anywhere in the world. So far, people have been witness to paid degree programmes and online classes, but the current trend is to offer free courses. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hopkins University, University of California, Stanford University and Berkeley are offering free courses. Users now have access to online learning materials for free anytime and from anywhere. So, given the progress in online learning universities offering online learning are expected to multiply in number and more number of students are expected to enrol. Source

So, we can put it in this way that 2013 has already shown instances of progress in education but is yet to witness more with the coming of time. Today, as it seem the world of computer and internet has overwhelmed the world and everyone including students and professionals are taking advantage of it. Whether it is the use of social media tools or simply the internet, the idea of seeking online education has become quite in vogue.

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Naturally, changes are popping into this world with online learning coming to prominence with much more impact. But students have always been interested in enrolling with distance learning coursesassociated with world recognised universities. In this regard, UK universities deserve special mention which have world accredited qualifications. Thus, enrolment with such distance communities seems to be always in demand.

The Demand of Distance Learning Degrees is Felt Enormously With Impressive E-learning Impact

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The internet has always been the hot topic of town. It’s an age of digitisation where everything is viral. No wonder, why education and knowledge is accepted through online, with its growing rage round the world. A lot of talk is going round regarding the changing conditions as would be invited by the very concept of e-learning.

In an age where everything is available most conveniently, why should not be education? So, the idea of e-learning has emerged and it seems, the concept is about to occupy a grand place in hearts of millions. It would be wrong to underestimate the power of e-learning, which is only expected to popularise with each day count.

Factors, which urged the concept ‘E-learning’                    

                                                                                 

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·         People are reluctant to work more than they usually have to do

·         People always face limitations when it comes to learning

·         People crave for more, people crave for information

·         It is a natural human instinct to stay focused absolutely on one thing, which is important to them

·         Humans are social beings, so they learn better together

The above factors are sheer indication of fact what had urged the concept of e-learning. Today, the idea is spreading like forest fire, adopted in almost all major countries and by many world recognised universities. Unless, you delve deeper into a research you won’t realise the importance of e-learning and how it affects the world in a positive light.

Reflecting on the Power of E-learning with facts and Figures to support

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Various top-notch companies are using increasing the use of e-learning regardless of the size and shape of company. The last year holds a record of 41.7% of Fortune 500 companies using technologies for learning process. Until the advent of e-learning techniques, students knew only about traditional learning. But with the discovery of computers, internet and e-learning tools; the learning process became better and more comprehensible. If you have a look at the learning curve, you will find a 60% rise in it.  Courtesy.

A 2009 survey reveals that those taking part in online classes tend to perform better on average than those seeking traditional learning. Most might agree to the fact that a blended format of e-learning and traditional learning is now quite in vogue. A 2008 e-learning survey was conducted, which showed how 89% gave a nod to online learning leaving the rest to the fate of traditional mode. A more advanced result was revealed by a 2009 e-learning survey, which had 90% agreeing to online learning. A mere 5% answered no while the rest remained unresponsive.

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E-Learning- Proving its Power to the World with more Researches

                                                                                  

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Apart from rendering convenient education techniques and learning process for you, e-learning is good for the environment. A recent study conducted by Britain Open University showed that e-learning consumes 90% of less energy. The best is the mode produces 85% of fewer carbon dioxide emissions to the environment thus making it less threatening for people around.

Learning technologies have power to boost agility to the maximum. Besides, the technique also has power to maximise productivity by 50%. Research shows that for every $1 spent in e-learning, $30 is earned. The good news companies are now planning to invest 240% more in e-learning in 2013. Hence, there is no doubt to that e-learning is taking a yielding tool on the world economy with more productivity and great margins in profit.

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An Insight into more convincing Results emphasising the Power of E-learning

Today, e-learning represents about $52.6 million of total corporate training. The market is expected to grow by $107 million by 2015. Online classes are assumed to jump from 4, 600, 000 to 18, 650, 000 in the year 2014. This video will prove more. The good news is student enrolment in online institutions have leaped from what it used to be in the past few years.

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The above graph testifies the fact how online enrolment is increasing and its importance is felt immensely all across the world. With online learning becoming more popular, distance learning degrees at undergraduate and post graduate levels from recognised universities are equally becoming significant. In this regard, online providers associated with globally recognised universities are most in demand.UK Universities deserves special mention in this context.

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Realise the power of e-learning and make it a glorious future for you. After all, a good academic credence can ensure a promising route to successful career. 

Turn Mondays into Fun Days with Online Education at your Behest

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The buzz goes round that online learning is the talk of town. Though, the concept has already started since a long time in the past there are few questions that hover over this very concept. Is the idea of online learning maturing? Perhaps. Is it improving? Always.

The sheer number of individuals drawn towards online learning is dramatically increasing and the preference for this advanced mode of learning remains high. The idea of converting traditional learning into virtual format has been in vogue and today it seems to be a very evolving subject, indeed. Today, the ‘online learning experience’ is rapidly replacing textbooks, so students are finding it easy to break free from the restraints of classroom learning confined within walls of time.

Rest assured, online learning is about following your own norms and rules without having to oblige with what has been designed for you.

The World is changing, so the World of Education

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Executive Director of Education Service Centre, Anne Poplin says, “If they’re sitting in a classroom with a textbook, that’s not the world anymore.” She further adds, “It’s not a textbook-driven environment. If it is, they are behind.” Source.

The topic ‘online learning’ is indeed a very hot topic now. It has flavours to make it most engaging and interesting for learners. While you learn you can be engaged in other activities and beat boredom of only studying. A classroom serves as serious venues for imbibing lessons from professors, who can make it really disinteresting for you to understand a subject and take note of the interesting facts of that subject. Sometimes, sitting at the back of the hall might pose as great barriers in realising what your professor is saying and not having personal conversations with your professor can prove it highly non-interactive.

Whereas, Online Learning is Fun

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Using videos and networking possibilities help create personal interaction between students and teachers. Remember, education is fun only when it is served for both educational and entertainment purposes. Educationalists or professors can chalk out courses in a completely different fashion by lending scopes of quizzes or objectives question that have to be answered by students. In this way, students’ minds can be sharply focused on areas of subjects that they have their eyes upon.  

Here, we dissect in few points how and why online learning is fun

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  Learning is made fun by creating videos. Videos should be dealing with the topic but in an interesting manner.

·         Your next step is to create short quizzes so that students find it engaging even if not surrounded by college walls or other students.

·         Add humour to training as provided to students. Just like adding cough syrup with old sugar is quite a trick of making a smoother, you can implement the same process of creating messages for students to aid them study in an interesting manner.

·         Teachers or professors engaged in designing training websites should incorporate online forums. This will help students navigate courses and visit forums and post their queries.

·         Networking is another major technique of bringing students together on the same platform and creating connection between them so that they find the entire learning session as most interactive and also productive.

In a way, online education can be far more interesting than traditional learning, even though accessed from home. The idea of travelling long distances and attending colleges or universities consume a lot of energy, leaving behind what it will turn out to be when you travel. Imagine, sitting in a cosy sofa and finishing your studies. Besides, how does it sound when every single day turns out to be Sunday? Amazing. Especially when it comes to traditional learning, attending colleges after Sunday break is the most exhaustive thought that engulfs anyone in a grim mood. After all, Mondays are the most depressing days in a year and having to initiate an entire week on grumpy mood can be quite challenging.

So, to beat Monday blues take up online learning and bring upon the fun of studying online. After all, study should be interesting with no ideas of Monday blues clogging your mind. In fact, there is an interesting saga about Monday blues and what students do to fight it. Read on.

Combating Monday Blues

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Blue Monday is synonymously recognised as “the most depressing day of the year”. As if, the first day of the week heralds an entire week of exams, boring lectures, heavy tuition fees and all kinds of thoughts associated with traditional colleges. But online education makes it seem that Monday blue is just media hype than nothing else. This is the most advanced learning mode and helps students balance between work and family. Precisely, traffic jams and overcrowded libraries are not impediment to studies any longer. Enrol your name with any distance learning community tied with world recognised University and you gain a qualification having global accreditation.

Remember, choosing online learning is a getaway to potential future. Especially, if you earn degree from a world recognised UK University, your qualification will have great credibility in the job market. Make sure that that you enrol your name with a reputable online provider offering best features and charging most affordable fees.

After all getting scope to create a career at one's own pace is an advantage and provides an individual to evade boredom and monotony while studying.

Distance Learning will seem no more Distant – it’s a Future Resolution

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With the increasing flexible approaches in attaining education along with the rapid developments in technology, middle-aged adults have now stopped repenting as why they had not taken up a course earlier after school that could have helped them achieve more success and prosperity. Well, it hasn’t been too late because home study or distance learning courses have started alluring not only those middle-aged adults and students willing to pursue higher studies but also ambitious working professionals, housewives and even pregnant women have begin to realise the worth of pursuing home study degrees.

Home study courses – What the survey reports say?

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As per reports, it has been found that nearly 2/3^rd of the kids are now in a dilemma as how they would be able to cope up with the cost of pursuing a full-time university education. In fact, 1 out of every 6 children today has accumulated fears whether affording university education would be easier for them or not.

However, some have been found to be concerned more about their living expenses rather than being unable to learn, while some others from middle-class families have expressed fears in falling prey to financial challenges on paying £9,000 on an annual basis for tuition fees.

In contrast, a group of distance learners brought some finer aspects about home study courses. According to them:

-         Home study courses have significantly enhanced knowledge and have led students to achieve new skills

-         A huge number of home study course pursuers have regained immense confidence which they haven’t from any other career programme.

-         A lot of middle-aged adults and working professionals including women said that home study courses have helped them in brushing up their subjects they studied years back.

The Ipsos MORI poll

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A survey in respect to the Ipsos MORI poll for the Sutton Trust was conducted taking a total of 2,595 students aged between 11 and 16. The group comprised students belonging to families of high, middle and low standards. The reports said: o There were about 23% of the students from the least affluent families who considered ‘cost’ to be the biggest factor while taking decisions to enrol in a course for higher education. In contrast, the richer class comprised only 14%. o Around 30% of the middle-class youngsters who failed to qualify for grants had been found to be heavily affected on paying tuition fees. o Students who were deeply concerned about their university finances were recorded to be around 65% out of which 28% cited the tuition costs, 19% indicated the living cost and 18% weren’t found to be earning while studying. o Only 7% were of the opinion that they didn’t have any trouble in regard to bearing the cost of studying in a university.

According to reports accumulated from another reputed online learning provider, full-time graduates studying in the United Kingdom have been found accumulating debits of over £25,000 from their tuition as well as living expenses. This is one of the biggest reasons why online distance learning has emerged to be a stunning alternative that is making students avoid huge debts.

How online courses are turning beneficial?

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Academicians have agreed to the fact that there is not at all any difference between the degrees earned through online under UK universities in comparison to those obtained full-time. Rather, there are 5 factors that have accounted to the profitability of online courses:

1.  Convenience
2.  Global Accreditation
3.  Affordability
4.  Extensive use of technology
5.  New and innovative learning styles
6.  Constant interactions through online forums

“Studying at a university over 1,000 km from where I live means popping over to the campus to borrow a book isn't an option. But the four week-long residential visits have been a unique experience”, said one of the UK university students, named Stephanie Thompson. The chief education adviser of a top-notch education firm, Sir Michael Barber moreover opined that a time would come when elite universities would almost be struggling to keep pace with the online universities. The speed of technological developments has taken such a form that the online universities will not take much time to wipe off all boundaries between the developed and underdeveloped nations.

With the increasing production of tablets and kindles, education will also acquire smoothness for all those living in the remote corners. In fact, Barber has high expectations from the British universities. He has urged them to stand out of the crowd to bring drastic changes in education like no one has ever expected till now.

In one of his reports named, ‘An Avalanche is Coming’, Barber wrote – 

The traditional multipurpose university with a combination of a range of degrees and a modestly effective research programme has had its day.... While some of the most elite universities will no doubt be strong enough to continue … for others it may prove more difficult....

According to David Newton, professor of business studies, “online learning is still a mystery to many in academia”. He said that tutorials are a vital aspect of online higher education that often leaves the onlooker confused and mystified. The popular myth says that online education is equivalent to “reduced contact time and poorer quality provision” – whereas, the opposite is undeniably true.

So, what is crucial for today’s universities is to move away from their traditional lecture models and embrace any of the 5 models:

1  .     the elite institution,

2  .      the mass university

3  .      the niche institute

4  .      the local university

5  .     the institution that aims to educate matured students

Today, studying in an online university can let you save over 50% on tuition fees in comparison to studying in a full-time institution. Believe it or not, you can even study online courses under UK universities and save up to even 60% on your course fees.

Remember, education is not just about earning a traditional bachelor's degree; rather it's a lifelong journey, and distance learning plays a key role in making that journey more accessible and extremely rewarding.

Future of education system

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Our education system has undergone an evolution over the years, due to advancement of technology. The future of education can be called as the transition from the traditional learning to the online education. Online learning form an important part of distance learning. The massive popularity of online learning is a growing threat to the traditional universities. The innovation and growth of technology is the biggest driving force of this form of learning. It has connected a wide spectrum of students from every part of the globe. Therefore, as people adapt themselves to the new age technology so will they start preferring the innovation coming with it. This innovation is proving to be profitable for the students as well as the universities. Thanks to online learning, education is much more accessible and flexible than it was some years back.

Reforms providing fuel for the growth of online learning

                                                                                                        

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A recent report in the guardian said that the UK has tightened its student visa rules. This means that those wanting to earn a degree from a UK university will be unable to do so easily due to this new reformation. Online learning provides an ideal solution to this problem. Student opting for online education can earn a UK degree without having to move out of their country or relocate to UK.

The ever increasing tuition fees of university courses are another major reason for students to turn towards online education. According to a Forbes report Brown University’s tuition alone had risen above $50,000 per year. Similar trend was seen in numerous other universities. One in every six children fear the cost of going to University, a recent IPSOS MORI survey has uncovered. The utmost worry is building up debits in excess of £25,000 from living costs and tuition fees when they graduate. Yet, a majority of children realise that a university qualification will help them ‘get on in life’.

Students prefer working along with studying therefore online learning is a viable option for them. By doing this they are able to fund their education easily.

Allowing college credit for online courses is a major step towards the promotion of online education. Online degrees are being recognised by other higher education universities and given value by employers. Many reputed universities have also started offering online courses to students. Over the past few years they have seen a significant growth in the number of students enrolling for online courses.

   Advantages of online education

                                                                                               

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•   By taking up an online course you can achieve an accredited qualification from a reputed university of your choice be it US or UK, that has an international standing.
•  Online education is flexible and allows the student to adjust their study timings according to their schedule according to it.

• Online universities generally offer flexible payment methods.

•  It offers the students the opportunity to continue their work along with their studies. This enables the student to gather valuable experience as well as appreciation for the drive to further their career prospects and knowledge. By the time they complete their degree they have with them an insightful work experience and knowledge that they have gained during their course.

•    Students who have been unable to complete their education due to various responsibilities can achieve their degree from a reputed university through online learning.  It also provides an opportunity for students to further their career prospects.

•     Home learning degrees give the students a chance to gain access to important lectures from professors all over the world from the comfort of their home. They can complete their education as well as give their examination at home. This relieves them of the anxiety faced by students giving on campus examinations.

There is no doubt that soon online university learning will take the centre stage and dominate the education industry scenario. Due to the development of cutting edge technology it has already reached every part of the globe. The stringent student visa rules, soaring university fees and looming fear of unemployment are just some of the reason that make it the most preferred form of learning. Its wide range of advantages will enable them to replace the traditional university learning. 

7 mistakes that should be avoided by online learners

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Online learners often tend to make numerous mistakes that could have an impact on their study as well as their career. Below is a list of common mistakes that must be avoided by them.

#Mistake 1

Ø  Selection of the institution

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Selecting the correct school is the foremost point that online learners must keep in mind while enrolling for online learning. It is a difficult challenge especially with a buffet of options available for the students. Reliable and accredited universities can enhance your career prospects whereas other universities only charge the students a lot of money for valueless degrees. Students must keep in mind that the university they are selecting has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency.

#Mistake 2

Ø    Choosing the programme

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Other than selecting the right online learning providing institution, it is important to select the correct programme. There are various courses for online learners. The candidate must conduct enough research before enrolling for the course. He must find out if the university has been accredited from the regional or national accrediting agency. The affordability and support provided by the university must also be checked. Their modes and resources of academic preparation and the programme requirements also have to be researched.  Also, find out about the courses and resources offered by them. You can also verify with your present or previous company to understand what type of courses have been beneficial for the workers. Often a poor research leads to enrolment in a programme that might never help the individual to achieve his career goals.

#Mistake 3

                                                                                              

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Ø  Amount of submissions

It is imperative to find out the amount of submissions to be done in the course before signing up for it. Numerous courses need students to put up comments once, some twice a day. Some require the students to submit a particular set of assignments. Choose a course that is appropriate for your work schedule. Otherwise you will be spending a large amount of time on your computer and neglect all other responsibilities.

#Mistake 4

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Ø  Technological barriers

Enrolling under an online course without checking if your technology is in tune with the schools is a mistake that should be avoided and if made should be rectified immediately.  Studies are hampered if the student has a slow internet connection or is unable to access the computer easily. They must also insure that their computer is technologically configured in accordance to the assignments that you have to submit.

#Mistake 5

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Ø  Signing up for more than they can handle

Students should not take up more than they can handle. It would be appropriate if you enrol for a single course for the first time. Students that sign up for more than one course often find it difficult to complete their work and register all the learning.

#Mistake 6

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Ø  Completing  projects

Students are sometimes required to work with other candidates for joint projects. Therefore they must not keep their work for the last minute. Students doing such things often face problems completing their assignments.

Students should keep a connection with their professors as well other candidates. This will help them form significant associations and stay encouraged.  

#Mistake 7

                                                                                                   

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Ø  Copyright policy

Students often make the mistake of plagiarising content without any intention of doing so. Therefore it is imperative for them to understand the plagiarism policy of the institution. You can ask you instructor or teacher for any help regarding extra information.

By avoiding such mistakes the students will be able to complete their online education without any hassle. They will be able to make the most of all the resources provided to them and earn their online university degree successfully.