VIRTUAL UNIVERSITIES

See Bibliomania.com for classsic literature free online, novels, poetry, and short stories

COLLEGES

    For a real virtual university that uses virtual reality in the form of graphics see http://www.ccon.org/theu/indes.html  You have an image that represents you that walks around the virtual campus (on screen), attends class in virtual classrooms, and has discussions with others.  Can't really image this, It is still in development of course.

     Many universities and colleges are offering college courses through distance learning.  The University of Phoenix is the second largest private college in the U.S.  They enroll more than 56000 student per year with 7000 online.  University of Maryland University College is another very successful school with 4441 enrolled, 30%, in distance education.  Most colleges offer the classes during a normal term.  The online class is pretty much the same as the on campus class as far as requirements and time committment.  The difference is that the student does not have to commute.  The lectures are videotaped and can be downloaded.  Interaction is provided through e-mail, bulletin boards, or chat rooms.  Assignments are turned in through e-mail or like we do with a web page.  Testing is normally done at a univerity campus or by use of a preapproved proctor.  The student's transcript does not indicate that the course was online.  The courses are covered by the schools accreditation.  Everything is on the "up-and-up".  The credits transfer to other schools and everything. The same financial aid that is available normally is also available for these courses. The cost is the same or sometimes a little higher to cover the cost of technology for the school (From 100 to 500 per hour).  Complete programs can be completed online.  Some considerations:  May not be available to seeing or hearning impaired individuals.  Some are concerned that this is making education even more less available to the impoverished.  Students must be self-disciplined.  It is great for the non-traditional student that works or cares for children.  Statistics show that a larger percent of students are older now.  For grad students, 1/2 are over 30 and 1/4 are over 40.  Colleges may be able to cut cost by not hiring more professors. Not good for those who like Face to Face interaction.  This is good for shy people or minorities, or for whatever reason, they would not normally speak up in class or talk to the professor, may feel more confortable online and actually have more interaction than would otherwise be possible.  Some students report more interaction with the professor and other students than a normal in class class.  Research is conflicting, you can find a study that says whateven you are looking for one to say basically.  One study found that students in the online course scored 20% higher than the Face to Face students.  There are some scams, be sure it is an accredited school, and check out who it is accredited by.  I am suspicious of http://www.bienville.edu It cost $5000 for a Ph.D. that you can get in 1-2 years, and they are accredited by someplace in Beebe, AR? (My sister lives there, its pretty much a cowtown.)  Tried the web link given and it didn't work.

See University of Phoenix:  http://online.uophx.edu and click "About Online", then click "How It Works"

For University of Maryland University College: http://www.umuc.edu , click on "Online Education", then Orientation to "Distance Education", a good overview can be yours by clicking "Welcome", "What is Distance Education", and the "FAQ"

  Many schools are getting together and the state(s) is helping them organize to have courses online.  Most of these sites help you find a particlular course and have links to participating schools.  Examples: http://www.ivc.illinois.edu  You can link from there to University of Illinois Online or go directly: http://www.online.uillinois.edu , They also have a big distance learning program.  Also http://www.adec.edu/virtual.html Offers courses through participating colleges and universities, called the Western Virtual University, funded (partially) through the Western Govenors Association working with the Western Interstate Commission for High Education. They have partnered with University of Illinois.  ADEC believes that if the research schools don't act soon, they will lose out.  This Western Governors' University has a National Advisory Board that includes these members:  AOL, AT&T, Apple, Cisco, Drake International, IBM, International Thompson Publishing, KPMG, Microsoft, Novell, Sallie Mae, The Sloan Foundation, Sun Microsystems, Sylvan Prometric and 3Com.  (No small time operation here)

At http://online.keller.edu you can see of online learning is for you and take a learning styles inventory.  The FAQ is good.

Another way to find courses: http://www.gnacademy.org

For a site of links, this is good: http://www.ccon.org/theu/indes.html There are links to schools like Southern California University for Professional Studies:  http://www.scrups.edu/home/default.htm and University of Western Florida http://www.vclass.uwf.edu

Got a great U.S. News article: schools investing in distance education include Penn State, Stanford, University of NC-Chapel Hill.  Said that 1/10 of the 2.1 million individuals taking graduate level courses in 1997-98 was enrolled in distance education classes, (this from the National Center for Educational Statistics)  http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/grad/gbdistance.htm

CONTINUING EDUCATION

    In our work environment most of us will be required to practice life-long learning.  Updating of skills is easy online.  Many corporations have their own virtual universities.  Some are affiliated with a normal university like Motorola: http://www-ext.motorola.com/GSS/SSTG/MOTinAZ/learning/mumap.html .  Others are offering their own programs.  A really good site is at the Michigan Virtual Automotive College: http://www.mvac.org I recommend the tour at this site, especially look at the creative design part.

    Alot of private schools for continuing education are out there.  The Wharton school at University of Pennsylvania was named by Telecon as "Best Executive Education Online Program"  http://direct.wharton.upenn.edu.  This school is not cheap at 1500 per course.  Some of the continuing education is really affordable like Virtual University at http://www.vu.org at just $15 per term and you can take 3 classes per term that is $5 per class.  A term lasts 7 weeks.  There is an additional $12 if you want a certificate for your CPE..  Most of these cont. ed. type courses are self-paced, not good for those motivationally challenged.  Some have tracking systems that enable your boss to see how many hours youve been on line and stuff like that.  Onlinelearning.net is a good site with small classes of 20 or less that start at the beginning of each month (not self-paced).  emind.com is self-paced.  See "How Online Learning Works".

THE TECHNOLOGY  

    Look at http://www.du.org/duinc/mission.htm under "Whats a Moo" (Its how you can have a virtual meeting.)  This is a good site called Diversity University.  A company that offers the intrastructure to corporations and universities is at http://www.asymetrix.com/solutions/ look at "What is e-learning"  Also see click2learn.com