The North Carolina Distance Learning Association, a K-20 organization, is proud to announce that registration is available for the 2010 Blended Conference. In addition, the annual awards nominations and the Call for Proposals are also open . Last year’s conference was a great success and has set the stage for the caliber of professional experience we expect to see again this year.
The annual membership fee is $25 and can be paid online at http://www.usdla-nc.org/membership
We are also proud to offer institutional memberships at an incredible rate of $100 for 6 registrants. Don’t delay! Take the time to read and respond to this invitation now. Please share this email with friends and colleagues who have an interest in distance education!
NCDLA is currently seeking nominations for the 2009-2010 NCDLA Awards to recognize 1) individuals, 2)programs, and 3) organizations who have demonstrated exemplary work in distance education in the past year. All nominations must be received by March 12, 2010. Award winners will be recognized at the annual NCDLA conference in New Bern, N.C. from April 7-9, 2010. See the link below for more details and to submit your proposal online! http://www.usdla-nc.org/awards
NCDLA is proud to announce the new Dr. Bobby Hobgood Distance Learning Lifetime Achievement Award. The Distance Learning Lifetime Achievement Award will recognize an individual for their long-standing record of distance learning and learning technologies support, including serving the needs of distance learning advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. The award submission deadline for this award is March 12, 2010. For award criteria and to download a nomination form, please click on the following link: http://www.usdla-nc.org/HobgoodDLaward
The Blended Conference Call for Proposals is now open. Come be a part of this unique experience in K-20 education to be held in historic New Bern, N.C. on April 7-9, 2010 (Pre-conference workshops on April 7). This Call is for the New Bern Face-to-face conference only. The deadline for submissions has been extended until March 2, 2010. For more details and to submit your proposal online, click on the link below. To submit a proposal, you will first download the proposal from from NCDLA, then follow directions to upload your completed proposal to the ECU proposal system. http://www.usdla-nc.org/call
NCDLA continues to provide opportunities for all educators to become a part of a growing organization devoted to distance learning in our state. At a time when budgets are still tight, NCDLA is proud to offer some amazing benefits to its members for the price of the $25 membership. Institutional Membership (6 people) is available for only $100!
This year, all NCDLA members will receive the following member benefits:
In addition, all members will receive the quarterly NCDLA Newsletter, and will become a part of a statewide professional learning network devoted to distance education on all levels. Members will also be eligible to nominate individuals and organizations for the annual NCDLA Distance Learning Awards.
To become a member and for more details about the webinars and virtual pre-conference, visit the website at: http://www.usdla-nc.org/membership
Join us now to secure your seat in the upcoming webinars and conferences. We look forward to sharing with you online and on-ground!
March 31 & April 1 , 2010 (Virtual Sessions) / April 7-9, 2010 (New Bern, N.C.)
Last year’s virtual conference was a great success with 655 registrants from around North Carolina and the U.S. In 2010, we will blend the best features of last year’s virtual conference with a face-to-face conference.
The 2010 NCDLA Blended Conference begins with two days of web-based sessions that can be attended from anywhere you access the Internet. The following week, we’ll convene in historic New Bern, N.C. where we will extend the experience with all the elements of a traditional conference. The idea is that we’ll get to know one another through online sessions, and then deepen our conversations and acquaintances by meeting face-to-face. If you can’t attend the New Bern conference, then become a member of NCDLA for only $25, and join us for the webinars and the 2-day Virtual Pre-conference!
To learn more, and to register online, visit the Registration section at http://www.usdla-nc.org/registration
NCDLA is a non-profit organization serving K-20 education in North Carolina and beyond. We are pleased to share with you our Board of Directors for the 2009-2010 year. Note that we are seeking a community college representative and are happy to receive recommendations!
Dr. Maggie OHara (East Carolina University) - President
Bruce Friend (SAS Institute) - Vice President
Kay Zimmerman (North Carolina State University) - Past President
Alfred Mays (MCNC) - Secretary
Jeanne Whisnant (Retired N.C. Community College System) - Treasurer
Dr. Tracy Weeks (North Carolina Virtual Public School) - K-12 Representative
Dr. Bobby Hobgood (LEARN NC - UNC School of Education) - Higher Education Representative 2010 Conference Chair and Webmaster
NCDLA is a chapter of USDLA - http://www.usdla-nc.org - ncdlaonline@gmail.com
< Back to complete listThe Association for Continuing Higher Education recognized Patricia Brown, dean of educational outreach at Western Carolina University, with the 2009 Leadership Award at its 71st annual conference held recently in Philadelphia. The Leadership Award is the highest award given by ACHE and recognizes an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the field of continuing higher education.
“For more than 30 years, Pat Brown’s energized and insightful leadership has influenced university presidents and deans in almost every sector of higher education to adopt distance learning as the core of their institutional growth and service to place-bound adults,” said 2009 ACHE President Rick Osborn. “She is considered a pioneer in the development and administration of distance learning programs.”
“Dean Pat Brown has been a strong advocate for distance education and the adult learner,” said Provost Kyle Carter. “During her tenure, WCU’s distance education programming has grown tremendously making us one of the primary providers in the University of North Carolina system.”
The award comes as Brown announces her plans to retire on June 30.
< Back to complete listFutures Inc launched Pipeline NC, an innovative job search and talent management website that connects North Carolina job seekers with available jobs, as well as educational resources within the state. Pipeline provides a foundation that enables job seekers to find and plan their careers, educators to improve student retention, businesses to connect directly with perfectly-matched candidates, and employees to advance their career within an organization. Find the link to Pipeline NC under Career / Job and Career Links section of this website. http://www.elearningnc.gov/career_elearning/job_links/
< Back to complete listGREENSBORO, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has launched UNCG in 3, a new program that allows highly motivated students to graduate in just three years.
The program is designed for the growing number of high school seniors who enter the university with transferable college credit, earned through Advanced Placement (AP), UNCG iSchool or other early college programs. Freshmen entering with 12 or more credit hours will be eligible to participate.
The first UNCG in 3 students will start in fall 2010. Students enrolled in UNCG in 3 are able to save up to $8,000 in tuition, fees, room and board over a typical four-year program. They will earn the same high-quality degree UNCG typically offers, but at an accelerated pace by taking classes year-round. The University will provide both priority advisor support and priority scheduling to ensure that all degree requirements are met.
“Thanks to programs like NC Learn and Earn, Early College and UNCG’s iSchool, and many entering freshmen have earned 12 hours of college credit before they start college. UNCG in 3 is designed to allow those highly motivated students to continue their accelerated progress,” said Continual Learning Dean Robert M. Brown.
UNCG in 3 will be starting with the following degree programs: Accounting, African-American Studies, Business Administration, Communications Studies, Economics, Elementary Education, English, Entrepreneurship, Finance, German, History, Information Systems and Operations Management, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Romance Languages and Russian.
Admitted first-year students can visit the website. They can declare their interest when they apply to UNCG, when they accept, or when they attend the summer SOAR program.
< Back to complete listThe North Carolina Distance Learning Association’s 2010 Conference is less than a month away, but there is still time to register. This year’s conference is a two-part bended format with a two day virtual conference, followed by a two day traditional face-to face conference in New Bern. The two formats provide the perfect solution to learn about what is happening in Distance Learning around the state and across the nation. The regular face-to-face conference affords the most opportunities to network and learn, but if your budget doesn’t allow you to attend in person, then the virtual conference is the next best deal.
Presenters from around the state and nation are scheduled to share best practices, current research, demonstrations, panel discussions, and tutorials. A preview of program topics and speakers for the virtual conference is listed and more details are available on the NCDLA conference website.
The 2010 NCDLA Blended Conference begins with two days of web-based Virtual sessions on March 31th and April 1st, 2010. You can participate in as little or as much of the virtual conference as you want. The traditional face-to-face conference in New Bern, which convenes on April 8th and 9th, offers a wide variety of session topics and will feature vendor exhibits from all of the major players. Register today and plan to meet your peers and friends in New Bern. As always, there will be lots to see and do at the conference.
The following line-up of virtual sessions has been announced, but check on the website to see the latest list. The face-to-face program and speakers will be announced shortly.
The Virtual Conference - March 31 and April 1, 2010
All sessions of the virtual conference will take place online using Centra web conferencing software. Participants will receive login details just prior to the first day of the Virtual Pre-conference. All you need to participate is the current version of your favorite web browser. No additional hardware or software is needed. You should run the Centra Computer Setup Wizard prior to the Virtual Pre-conference, and should enter each session at least five minutes before hand. Details for verifying the proper configuration will appear one month prior to the virtual conference.
Day 1 Schedule - March 31, 2010
9:30-10:30 EST
Session 1.1 Identity: How to systematically harness transactional distance for identity development in SecondLife in order to measurably increase academic performance.
Heidi Maston - Opening Keynote
10:45-11:45 EST
Session 1.2 Guest Speaker
Reggie Smith, USDLA President
3:30-4:30 EST
Session 1.3 Building Online Language Courses for North Carolina Students
Ann Marie Gunter and Ellen Minter
4:45-5:45 EST
Session 1.4 Statewide Proctoring System: The Academic Services Portal
Dr. Maggie O’Hara, Marshall Clark, Greg Miler, and Steven Hopper
Day 2 Schedule - April 1, 2010
9:30-10:30 EST
Session 2.1 Rocking the Virtual Classroom
Jane Bozarth
10:45-11:45 EST
Session 2.2 Using Elluminate’s Unified Learning and Collaboration strategy to solve challenges in K-20
John Repetto, Elluminate Product Marketing Manager Along with Mary Prentice, Instructional Technologist from Thomas University
[NOTE: This session will be conducted in Elluminate.]
3:30-4:30 EST
Session 2.3 Benefits and Challenges of online Professional Development with Teachers
Adria Kempner
4:45-5:45 EST
Session 2.4 Learning With the Lich King - World of Warcraft in School
Lucas Gillispie
The Face-to-Face Conference in New Bern – April 8th and 9th
The following week, we’ll convene in historic New Bern at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center for the face-to-face portion of the conference. The face-to-face conference begins on April 8th and ends at noon on April 9th. You don’t have to participate in the virtual conference to attend the face-to-face component of the Blended Conference! We hope you’ll choose to participate in both! We will be announcing the detailed schedule for the face-to-face conference real soon!
NCDLA is a chapter of USDLA :: www.usdla-nc.org :: ncdlaonline@gmail.com
< Back to complete listGovernor Bev Perdue continues to make critical investments in education despite revenue shortfall
Gov. Perdue’s FY 10-11 Budget Recommendations call for investments in education despite the tough economic times, including handheld diagnostic technology in classrooms, salary increases for teachers and funding for enrollment growth and financial aid at community colleges and universities. While most state agencies received a 5% to 7% cut, education was cut less than 4%. Gov. Perdue remains committed to her goal of preparing every student to graduate from high school ready for college, a career or technical training. Read the full press release by clicking here.
Gov. Bev Perdue was elected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) at its Annual Meeting in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. As the chair of SREB’s 80-member Board, Gov. Perdue hopes to share the goals of her Career and College—Ready, Set, Go agenda, which includes preparing every student to graduate from high school ready for a career, college or technical training. Read the full press release by clicking here.
< Back to complete listYou can register online, right now, for online courses at any of The University of North Carolina System’s institutions through this link. The Inter-Institutional Online Registration system allows degree-seeking students from any of the UNC System’s 17 constituent institutions to register for online courses offered at UNC System campuses. At this site you can search for courses, view class details, ask questions of the departments and even compare up to three courses to find the ones that are right for you. So, whether you are ready to register now or are still searching for classes, now is the time to get busy selecting the classes you want for the fall 2010 semester.
< Back to complete listChaired by two state Governors, Jeb Bush of Florida and Bob Wise of West Virginia, the Digital Learning Council was launched today to identify policies that will integrate technological innovations into public education. The Digital Learning Council unites a diverse group of more than 50 leaders from education, government, philanthropy, business, technology, and think tanks to develop the road map of reform for local, state and federal lawmakers and policymakers. North Carolina is prominently represented on this prestigious team by Dr. Bryan Setser, Executive Director of the North Carolina Virtual Public School.
< Back to complete listThe U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that it is backing North Carolina’s Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative with a grant of $75.75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. This round of funding is the second this year that is dedicated to expanding high-speed connectivity to rural areas primarily in western North Carolina. MCNC, an independent non-profit organization that has managed the project to date, will add approximately 1,300 miles of new middle-mile fiber throughout the state under this latest award. This rural connectivity will allow citizens in many under served rural communities to connect to the Internet. Read the full story here
< Back to complete listThe UNC Onestop Center, hosted by Fayetteville State University, is a new resource created under the auspices of the NC General Assembly to help active and retired military, military dependents, and Department of Defense personnel take full advantage of the many educational opportunities available to them throughout the UNC System via online and distance learning.
An Open House and Initial launch of the One-Stop Center will be held on September 22nd, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Hotel, 4025 Sycamore Dairy Road, Fayetteville, NC (910-860-3600).
At this time, all participating universities will have the opportunity to display their programs to the military community as well as meet with the UNC One-Stop advisor to discuss how to make this initiative a success, while serving each university’s needs.
For those interested in staying the night before, rooms have been reserved under the name, “UNC One-Stop Open House” at a rate of $129. When calling, please say that you would like to change a room from “Dr. McNeil/UNC One-Stop Open-House” to your name. The rooms will be held until September 1. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. McNeil at 910-672-1228. Driving directions will be forwarded once we receive confirmation that you will attend.
Schedule:
9:00 -10:00 am Room open for set-up of event tables
10:00 -11:00 am Meet and Greet with the UNC One-Stop Academic Advisor
11:00 -12:00 pm Lunch
12:30 - 3:30 pm Open House
3:30 - 4:00 pm Clean up
This week, Governor Bev Perdue announced that North Carolina will receive approximately $400 million in federal Race to the Top grant money. The award will fund continued implementation of Perdue’s Career and College: Ready, Set, Go! program, including:
• recruiting and retaining quality teachers and administrators,
• a comprehensive turnaround plan for low performing schools, and
• 21st century technology for assessing students’ needs.
“North Carolina’s children today are one step closer to being guaranteed the best public education possible – something every child deserves. This grant will give us the resources to more aggressively implement our plan to ensure that all of our children graduate ready for a career, college or technical training,” said Gov. Perdue.
“It won’t matter where they live; it won’t matter what their school looks like; it won’t matter what their parents do for a living. What will matter is that North Carolina leaders have joined together to support the best and most innovative approaches to public education this state has seen in a decade. I thank Sec. Duncan for recognizing North Carolina’s ability to lead in education reform, and I thank everyone who worked so hard to make this possible,” said Perdue.
Gov. Perdue led the application process and the team that traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to interview with federal decision makers. Joining her were State Board of Education Chair Dr. Bill Harrison, State School Superintendent June Atkinson, Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators Dr. Bill McNeal, and Executive Director of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Glenn Kleimann.
Read the Governor’s press release in its entirety here.
< Back to complete listRegister NOW for this year’s NC Community College Association of Distance Learning (NC3ADL) conference, Education on Demand: Get your “e” on! The conference is set for November 14-16 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center in Durham, NC. Whether you are an experienced eLearning /DE faculty member or administrator or you just want to get started in eLearning/DE, this conference is for you. All aspects of eLearning will be covered in the workshops and sessions, from technology and instruction to student services, administration, policy and procedure. You will learn about best practices being used across the state and across the nation, what works and what doesn’t work, what resources are available and what it takes to create a successful eLearning course. There is even a vendor exhibit area where you can see and learn about the latest in eLearning technology. The conference registration deadline is October 22, so register NOW! Special room rates have been negotiated, but to get them, you must register and reserve your room by October 22. Check out the Conference Agenda / Schedule here
If you are successfully designing, implementing or administrating eLearning courses, then maybe it is time you shared your knowledge. You can show off what you and your colleagues are doing by submitting a proposal for a presentation and if accepted, present it at the conference. Be a leader and share what is working for you. The Call for Presentations is open now at http://www.nc3adl.org/conference
New this year will be the presentation of three awards.
1) eLearning Pioneer
2) eLearning Innovator
3) Learning Object of the Year
Help make North Carolina a leader in eLearning and Distance Education. Don’t miss this important conference. Register NOW! http://www.nc3adl.org/conference
< Back to complete listThis year’s Army Community Services Education Fair will be held on November 4th from 10AM to 3PM at the Sports USA Center (Building 3-2102 Longstreet Road) on Fort Bragg.
You and your family can learn about the over 200 eLearning programs available through the University of North Carolina Online.
You can also learn about GoArmy Ed, Tuition Assistance and other benefits.
In addition to Army Education Counselors, representatives will be in available from the following universities:
- UNC One Stop Center
- Fayetteville State University
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- North Carolina State University
- North Carolina A&T University
- UNC-Pembrook
- Campbell University
- Methodist University
- Troops To Teachers
… plus many more.
For more information, contact UNC One Stop Center Academic Advisor, Gilberto Alvarado, at galvara1@uncfsu.edu or call toll free at 877-315-4623.
NC State University’s Jenkins Graduate School of Management will begin accepting applications in January for their new online MBA program. Scheduled to launch in fall 2011, the new online option complements the current part-time program that is designed for working professionals. To insure the same level of rigor as their face to face classes, 15 NC State College of Management graduate faculty members will deliver instruction for the online program, all of whom also teach on the main and RTP campuses. The online degree will consist of 45 credit hours at a cost of $30,600 for in-state students. The Jenkins MBA offers a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on the management of emerging technologies and how to best evaluate, develop and commercialize them. Termed the “Real MBA” the NCSU program focuses on “Real World. Real Choices. Real Impact.”
Find out more about this unique program here.
< Back to complete listUNC-Chapel Hill’s prestigious Kenan-Flagler Business School has joined the ranks of the top business schools to offer an MBA program online. School officials assure that their online masters of business administration program, which will cost $89,000, will not be a cheapened version of their traditional MBA program. The vision of the program is that it will be the same caliber, the same quality and the same faculty. Kenan-Flagler Business School is ranked 16th in the nation by Bloomberg Business Week. The program will enroll their class in July and will be based upon multimedia classroom lectures and assigned textbook readings. Students will study by watching business boardroom scenarios and will call up graphic rich websites enhanced by professors’ voice-overs and high-tech visuals. Students will be required to attend two of eight face-to-face immersion sessions in Chapel Hill, Singapore, London and other locations. There will be weekly sessions with your professors, in the online classroom, face-to-face with your cohort (10 to 15 classmates). Drawing students from around the world, MBA@UNC will blend the flexibility of an online program with the rigor and quality of an on-campus experience.
Find out more about this program here.
< Back to complete listNC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), known around the world as a leader in animal sciences is offering a new online certificate in animal nutrition. Students can tailor the eLearning program to focus on livestock, equine, or companion animal nutrition. This program consists of four required courses (12 credit hours) and must be completed with a grade of 2.0 or higher in order to earn the certificate.
Find out more about this program here.
< Back to complete listNC State, a leader in the use of instructional technologies is offering a new online degree, Master of Education in Instructional Technology. The program is designed for teachers, technology specialists, or curriculum developers who are interested in learning more about integrating the use of new technologies into their classroom teaching and learning methodologies.
Find out more about this program here.
< Back to complete listContinuing their leadership in STEM Education, NCSU’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics department has launched a new online master’s program (MED), directed towards improving the skills of experienced science teachers. The program meets the requirements for the NC-DPI 10% pay increase upon hire in one of North Carolina’s public/charter schools. The curriculum also supports science teachers applying for National Board Certification.
Find out more about this program here.
< Back to complete listStudents interested in careers in livestock management and livestock production, with feed and animal health companies, or as agricultural extension agents and animal technicians should look into the Masters in Animal Science at NCSU. The MAS program provides an excellent preparation for veterinary school and may be completed entirely with online classes. The non thesis program requires 36 credit hours, which includes 19 credits of core courses and 17 credits of elective courses and covers nutrition, physiology, genetics, biotechnology and animal management.
Find more information on this degree here.
< Back to complete listIn the latest effort to provide open access to a wide variety of the state’s digital educational materials, Governor Perdue, today, launched the North Carolina iTunes U Tool Education Portal.
The Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the Governor’s Office have worked with other organizations in the state to create the collection of education-related audio and video files that are now available on the new “North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Partners” section of iTunes U.
iTunes U is a dedicated area within the iTunes Store which offers free educational content available for download in the same way individuals access music and videos on the iTunes Store. You may need to download the latest version of iTunes. iTunes is an application (app) that must be launched or opened on your computer, iPhone, iPod or iPad. There is not a direct link to the store website.
Once in iTunes, click on the iTunes U dropdown link in the main menu and select Teaching and Education. On the bottom left side of the page is a section named Find Education Providers. Click on the K-12 link. Then click on the link half way down the list, entitled, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Partners. Click on the See All link in the What’s New section.
As of the launch date there are 29 unique, free resources provided by the state. The state will continue to post new content, including more items related to North Carolina’s new Standard Course of Study, which will be rolled out in 2012-13. Some of the categories of content featured on the site include Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Teaching and Learning Resources. All content on iTunes U can be experienced on a PC or Mac, iPod, iPhone or iPad.
To read the full announcement, click here.
To learn more about this exciting program, click here.
To go to the iTunes Store to get the latest version of iTunes, click here.
< Back to complete list
The North Carolina Distance Learning Association is seeking nominations for the 2010-11 NCDLA Awards. Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in the area of distance learning and can be awarded to a person, organization, or program.
Category I: 21st Century Best Practice Award for Distance Learning (Organization)
Category II: Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming (Organization)
Category III: Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching (Individual)
Category IV: Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the field of Distance Learning (Individual)
If you’d like to nominate a program or person, complete the form at http://tinyurl.com/ncdla-awards2011.
All nominations are due by Friday, February 4.
< Back to complete listThis year, students needing help filling in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms can go to their local SECU branch on Saturday, February 19, 2011 and get personalized help from a person experienced in filling in these somewhat complex applications. In partnership with the College Foundation of North Carolina, many State Employee Credit Union branches will be the public sites for anyone needing help with the FAFSA.
Be sure to register online or call CFNC, toll free at 866-866-2362 (CFNC) before February 19, 2011 to get your spot reserved.
Visit CFNC.org/FAFSAday and click on your county for sites in your area.
MCNC and NC DPI today announced that the state’s 13 Charter Schools are now receiving high-speed connectivity and services using the same network infrastructure that connects the public schools. The North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) provides the broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts, higher education campuses and academic research institutions across North Carolina. Under the North Carolina School Connectivity Initiative (SCI), North Carolina Charter Schools are eligible to be connected to NCREN. Now, each charter school connected to NCREN receives the same quality broadband connections, equipment, and support as the school districts that already are connected.
”The goal of the North Carolina School Connectivity Initiative was to provide every K-12 student in North Carolina equal access to rich educational content that can help prepare them for success in post secondary education and in a career. The SCI is the virtual aspect of the Career and College: Ready, Set, Go! vision,” said North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue. “I am encouraged that several charter schools have begun to take advantage of the resources made available through the SCI and to connect to NCREN.”
To read the full press releases, click here.
< Back to complete listSurry Community College has been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine. This national recognition means that SCC offers the best education, value and welcome for veterans, ranking it in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide.
Surry Community College currently offers seven complete degrees and five certificate programs online. Additionally, there are a total of 91 individual online courses, many of which make up the degree and certificate programs.
The assistance the college provides to veterans starts even before they register for their first class. According to Tammy Fletcher, assistant financial aid director and veterans certifying official at SCC, many active duty people in the military will call the college when they know they will be discharged in order to get the enrollment process started even before they are back in the United States. Once they return to the states, Fletcher will sit down with them to determine what type of classes they need to take and what degree they may be interested in.
The staff also assists the veterans wade through all of the paperwork they have to complete during the process in order to get the benefits. She helps them create military transcripts if they have had specific training while in the military as well as fill out financial aid paperwork.
To learn more about online programs available at Surry Community College, click here.
If you’re an Army Reservist or National Guard, you are invited, along with your spouse and dependent children, to attend this unprecedented military education event.
The University of North Carolina Fort Bragg One Stop Center has partnered with the Salisbury VA Medical Center to host an Education Fair on Thursday March 24, in the VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC.
The event is free and open to the public, but is catering to veterans, reservists, and current NC National Guard.
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
Salisbury VA Medical Center
1601 Brenner Avenue
Salisbury, NC 28144
From 10 am - 2 pm
In the Social Room, Bldg 6
This VA Medical Center services the following counties: Rowan, Catawba, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cabarrus, Davidson, Stanly, Alexander, Lincoln, Cleveland, Union, Davie, Randolph, Guilford, Forsyth, Yadkin, Wilkes, Burke.
Did you know …
• If you are on active duty military and stationed in North Carolina, you qualify for in-state tuition.
• If you have dependents living with you while you are stationed in North Carolina, they also qualify for in-state tuition.
Many of the state’s public and private colleges and universities will be represented. You can get information about degree programs, individual courses and even certificate programs. There will be information about face-to-face, as well as online eLearning opportunities. Learn more about North Carolina’s military tuition policy, North Carolina’s community colleges, and how to transfer course credits.
The following institutions have confirmed for this event:
• Appalachian State
• Fayetteville State
• Winston Salem State
• UNC Greensboro
• UNC Charlotte
• East Carolina
• UNC Chapel Hill
• UNC Wilmington
• High Point University
• Troy University
• Montreat College
• NC State
• NC A&T
• University of Phoenix
• Cabarrus College of Health Science
• UNC Pembroke
• Western Carolina
• Belmont Abbey College
• Guilford College
• Johnson C. Smith
• Central Piedmont CC
• Methodist University
• Stanly CC
For more information, contact:
Tony Miller
(714) 638-9000 x2965
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
or
Gilberto Alvarado
(877) 315-4623
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Click Here for a printable flier.
Unlike other N.C. schools that have early college programs which require students to leave their home high schools and attend classes on a college campus, ECU’s program lets students take courses online, including via a unique three-dimensional environment called Second Life. A few Kinston North Carolina high school seniors are taking advantage of this new approach to online education. Students create personal avatars and attend classes virtually via avatars which allow them to interact with the professors and other students, much like physically being on campus and in the classroom.
While most are traditional online courses, the students have also learned about on-campus life through Second Life. They have visited ECU for orientation, met staff from ECU offices, including the registrar’s office, career services and admissions, all through Second Life. Many of their core and elective courses are now led by pioneering faculty members who have transitioned their courses into Second Life and altered their teaching styles to fit into the virtual world.
The students in the program feel that they are well prepared to continue their college education, as expressed by one Kinston HS senior, “The learning environment was less intimidating than a real classroom. Instead of actually seeing the professor face-to-face, you see and hear their avatar speaking to you through Second Life. When you need to talk, you don’t have to worry about having a classroom full of eyes staring at you while you speak. The other classmates hear you through Second Life, just as you hear your professor through Second Life.”
Currently, ECU’s unique Early College program is only offered to Pitt County students, but officials hope to extend the program beyond Pitt County. The program provides an opportunity for students who have the potential for college success but who may otherwise fall through the cracks. Students chosen for the program come from a variety of backgrounds and have generally fared as well as or better than students in other Early College programs. So far, eleven of the program’s 18 seniors have been admitted to ECU already, and the remaining students plan to attend college as well.
Not all early college programs involve eLearning. Many Learn and Earn Early College High Schools allow students to attend a high school located on a college campus, although several are connected to eLearning programs at some of the state’s two and four-year schools.
Below are links to learn more about this innovative program and well as early college.
Click here to read more about ECU’s unique Early College program that utilizes Second Life.
Click here to go to ECU’s news article about their Early College program.
Click here to watch a 2009 YouTube video about the program’s first year.
Click here to see the 69 Learn and Earn Early College High Schools across North Carolina.
UNC One Stop Center is partnering with the Camp Lejeune Education Service Center to participate in the March 31st Education Fair. Representatives from universities around the state will be there to discuss the high education opportunities available to Marines and their families.
Did you know …
• If you are on active duty military and stationed in North Carolina, you qualify for in-state tuition.
• If you have dependents living with you while you are stationed in North Carolina, they also qualify for in-state tuition.
Many of the state’s public and private colleges and universities will be represented. You can get information about degree programs, individual courses and even certificate programs. There will be information about face-to-face, as well as online eLearning opportunities. Learn more about North Carolina’s military tuition policy, North Carolina’s community colleges and four year institutions and how to transfer course credits.
Location: Camp Lejeune Field House.
Date: March 31, 2011
Time: 9am-2pm
For more information, contact
Gilberto Alvarado
(877) 315-4623
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In an effort to provide high speed Internet service to underserved areas of the state, MCNC, the nonprofit organization that provides the Internet service to the state’s schools and universities, is using both publics and private funds to expand its network. With a combination of money from the federal stimulus, the Golden Leaf Foundation, and MCNC, this public-private partnership will benefit our students, public schools and libraries across the state.
The exponential growth in eLearning can be measured, in part, by the number of high school students in North Carolina taking distance learning courses, which has jumped from 5,200 to 22,400 in the past four years. Linking classrooms with college campuses across the state, the network provides access to courses, many of which utilize real time video requiring a high bandwidth network connection. This huge surge in capacity requirement is in addition to the data intensive university computing demand from the research laboratories and administrative services.
When completed, MCNC’s North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) will encompass almost 3,000 miles throughout the state, connecting our universities, schools, libraries and even hospitals. This interconnectedness provides a vital economic infrastructure that allows the state to be competitive in attracting new businesses, in addition to being a leader in education.
Many of the state’s rural citizens will also benefit from this initiative, because MCNC will be required to make its rural network accessible to local Internet providers at reasonable prices, making broadband access more available and more affordable.
To learn more about this initiative, click here.
< Back to complete listThis spring’s Military Education Fair, sponsored by the Employment Readiness Program and Army Education Center, will be held on May 12th from 10AM to 2PM at the Sports USA Center (Building 3-2102 Longstreet Road) on Fort Bragg.
It is open to all current and former military personnel and their families. At the fair, you can learn about the over 200 eLearning programs available through the University of North Carolina Online.
You can also learn about GoArmy Ed, Tuition Assistance and other benefits.
Did you know …
• If you are on active duty military and stationed in North Carolina, you qualify for in-state tuition.
• If you have dependents living with you while you are stationed in North Carolina, they also qualify for in-state tuition.
In addition to Army Education Counselors and the UNC One Stop Center, many of the state’s public and private colleges and universities will be represented. You can get information about degree programs, individual courses and even certificate programs. There will be information about face-to-face, as well as online eLearning opportunities. Learn more about North Carolina’s military tuition policy, North Carolina’s community colleges, and how to transfer course credits.
For more information, contact UNC One Stop Center Academic Advisor, Gilberto Alvarado, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call toll free at 877-315-4623.
< Back to complete list150 juniors and seniors will be allowed to take all of their classes online, from home this coming school year through Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s (CMS) new e-Learning Academy. Although online high school classes are nothing new to CMS students, the idea of doing it without coming to the school campus is taking it a step further.
It takes a highly motivated student who can stay focused and get their work done on time without falling behind. The courses require just as much reading, and usually require six to eight hours per week per course, just like in a regular classroom. However, this option offers a level of independence for those students with jobs or special health needs don’t mesh with normal school schedules. Reading and assignments come from online documents and class lectures are provided by video clips. Message boards and online chats provide an opportunity for classroom discussion. In effect, it is preparing them for college, because more and more college students are taking one or more classes online.
In many cases, online classes provide the opportunity to take unusual or advanced classes that are not normally offered at each school, such as Arabic or Russian language classes or college-level biology. Students who fall behind will be required to come to school more than once a week, so there is a huge motivation to stay on task.
The new e-Learning Academy is part of the overall state online strategy that includes the North Carolina Virtual Public School which provides almost 46,000 classes to students in almost every school district in the state.
To read the Charlotte-Observer news article about the new e-Learning Academy, click here.
To learn more about the North Carolina Virtual Public School, click here.
< Back to complete listUNC Greensboro is offering a new Online B.S. Degree Completion Program in Health Studies. The program is targeted at students who hold an A.A. or A.A.S. degree or who have completed 60 semester hours of course work and wish to complete a B.S. degree in Health Studies via eLearning.
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies is designed to prepare individuals for positions in health-related fields; provide a base for graduate study; and provide a foundation for personal growth. The curriculum is directed by Student Learning Goals derived from the American Public Health Association core competencies. It is implemented under the guidance and expertise of the faculty in the Department of Public Health Education.
Students who graduate from this Bachelor of Science program will be able to:
1. Understand the role of public health services in meeting goals of health promotion, education, and disease prevention.
2. Investigate health related problems for the factors amenable to planned change.
3. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
4. Inform, educate, and empower people about public health issues.
All courses needed for degree completion will be offered online.
Application deadline:
Fall - July 15th (final deadline)
Spring - December 1
For more information about the program contact Leah Tompkins via this form.
To learn more about the UNCG Online Degree Completion Option in Health Studies, click here.
Find more degree completion options at one of the 16 UNC System Universities, click here.
< Back to complete listThe Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program recently selected five of North Carolina’s community colleges as being in the top 10% in the nation. The five honored schools were Surry Community College in Dobson, NC, Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC, James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, NC, Cleveland Community College in Shelby, NC and Davidson County Community College in Thomasville, NC.
The selection was based upon publicly available data that demonstrated the highest levels of performance on three key metrics; student outcomes, change over time, and equity in student achievement. However, this ranking is only the first of four phases in a competition for a $1 million dollar prize. In the next phases, the selected colleges must submit additional data on student outcomes, withstand a site visit and an expert analysis of the quantitative data by prominent former officials, national business and civic leaders, and former community college leaders. Finally, one winner and two runner-ups will be selected to share in the prize money.
Improving community college completion rates has been identified by the Obama administration as a vital national priority and a key to high-wage career opportunities and further education. In response to the President Obama’s leadership and recognition of the education and workforce imperatives facing our country, the Aspen Institute, the Joyce and Lumina Foundations, and the charitable foundations of Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase have partnered to launch the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The purpose of the Aspen Prize is to recognize community colleges with outstanding academic and workforce outcomes in both absolute performance and improvements over time. By focusing on student success and lifting up models that work, the prize will honor excellence, stimulate innovation, and create benchmarks for measuring progress.
To read more about the Aspen Prize and the local winners, click here.
To read Surry Community College’s press release, click here.
Appalachian State University’s Summer FreeLearning Conference has drawn a sellout crowd. This Friday, July 15, higher education instructors and administrators from around the state will be coming to the New Belk Library for a one day conference to discuss and learn about best practices for teaching and learning in eLearning environments. The conference sessions will be divided into four tracts: Best Practices in eLearning, Emerging Technologies, LMS/Moodle, and Social Media.
Unfortunately, although the conference is free, it has reached its maximum capacity and registration is closed.
Those registered to attend can access the following information:
• Conference Session Descriptions: http://lts.appstate.edu/conference-sessions
• Conference Agenda/ Schedule: http://lts.appstate.edu/conference-schedule
• Directions to the campus and the New Belk Library: http://maps.appstate.edu/
College affordability and cost transparency are of great interest to many parents and students when choosing an institution of higher learning. One of the most often asked questions is, “With so many extra fees and costs, plus taking into account my grant, what is it really going to cost me to go to this college?” It can be a daunting task to compare multiple institutions’ actual costs.
Because the real costs to attend were often hidden by some unscrupulous institutions, and in an effort to provide a true comparison of the cost of attendance, Congress passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA). This fall, (by October 29, 2011,) all postsecondary (after high school) institutions in the United States that participate in (get money from) Title IV student aid programs (Pell Grants, etc) must post a net price (tuition + fees + housing + room and board, minus all grants and discounts) calculator on their website to help parents and students accurately estimate the real costs of attending, based on a student’s individual circumstance. As you do your comparison shopping, look for this net price calculator on each institution’s website. Try searching for “net price calculator.”
The federal website has been set up to explain all this, plus provide a comparison of some of the most and least expensive institutions.
This website also has an interactive section to determine the net cost of career and vocational programs.
To get the full details of the law, go to the US Department of Education website on HEOA.
< Back to complete listA virtual ceremony recently marked the start of construction on Round 2 of the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI) that will build an additional 1200 miles of “middle-mile” fiber network around the state. When completed, it will have the capacity to provide high speed Internet access to many underserved rural areas of our state. GLRBI was funded by combined donations, investment and major grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), the Golden LEAF Foundation, MCNC and FRC/PalmettoNet.
MCNC, the private, not-for-profit operator of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) has been the major driver of the project and will be managing the expansion. When completed, it will greatly expand the reach of NCREN in northeastern, north central, western and south central North Carolina. MCNC currently serves the backbone Intranet and Internet network needs of K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, university hospitals and other community anchor institutions (libraries, public health). MCNC has received letters of endorsement from five last-mile providers: Spirit Telecom, Norland, ClearTalk Wireless, ERC Broadband and Balsam West, who will add their “last-mile” to the network to reach underserved consumers and commercial businesses.
To see the planned network and monitor its progress click here.
To read MCNC’s press release, click here.
< Back to complete list*RESCHEDULED*
North Carolina eLearning Commission
The North Carolina eLearning Commission conference call previously scheduled on Thursday, April 26, at 9 a.m. has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to finalize the eLearning recommendations for 2012.
For public access to the meeting, please go to:
MCNC campus
3021 E. Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709
For additional information, please contact Kathy May at kmay@mailbox.mcnc.org or (919) 248-1177.
< Back to complete listThousands of citizens throughout rural North Carolina will now have the ability to surf the Internet via a high speed broadband connection thanks to MCNC’s completion and activation of 904 miles of fiber optic cable installed during phase 1 of the Golden Leaf Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). Local Internet service providers will be able to link into this connection and will soon be able to offer high speed Internet service to their residential and business customers. This is the same high speed fiber optic connection that provides broadband access to K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, health care facilities, public health facilities, libraries and research institutions throughout western and southeastern North Carolina. (see progress map)
“This first phase of the project already is having a positive impact on student learning, patient outcomes in health care, economic outcomes in job creation and community development, and is accelerating innovation and research all across the state,” said MCNC President and CEO Joe Freddoso. “Our goal is to continue creating infrastructure that meets the advanced needs of research, education, and health care while stabilizing costs to consumers and small businesses in areas where affordable broadband currently isn’t available.”
Phase 1 of this project was funded with grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) along with private donations and investments including a $24 million from the Golden LEAF Foundation.
In celebration, MCNC hosted its first online Twitter Town Hall on Friday, April 27 to answer questions about the GLRBI and the expansion of broadband connectivity in North Carolina. You can follow the tweets at @MCNC or @GLRBI.
Phase 2 is already well underway to provide an additional 1700 miles of fiber cable to more rural communities throughout North Carolina. (see construction progress chart)
To learn more about MCNC and the Golden Leaf Rural Broadband Initiative click here.
