Thread: Is this the future of online education?

Snip:

Higher Ed Holdings landed its first contract in 2007 with Lamar University , an institution in Beaumont, Tex., that had suffered severe damage and enrollment declines after Hurricane Rita slammed the Gulf Coast two years earlier. It was in this context that an old friend came knocking. Randy Best, a Texas entrepreneur who has become something of a legend at his alma mater, laid out an ambitious plan. Best promised to deliver dramatic enrollment increases for Lamar at virtually no up-front cost to the institution, using a new online delivery system and advanced marketing techniques.

In exchange for Higher Ed Holdings’ services, universities typically give the company 80 percent of tuition revenues. Graduate enrollment had a spike of 225 percent in a single year. For the profit model to work for Higher Ed Holdings, exponential growth is essential.

Higher Ed Holdings' own “academic coaches” are a group of employees hired by the company to handle most of the grading and daily online interaction with students. The coaches have a minimum of a master’s degree.

“Oh yes, you have absolute control over the assessment, but you’ve got to make sure it’s something the coaches can grade quickly. We can do whatever we want, but we have to make sure the coaches can handle 100 to 125 students each.” Coaches handle an average of 118 students each.

“The goal is scale.” That’s a phrase Higher Ed Holdings uses a lot, and it’s one that doesn’t sit well with some faculty.

Higher Ed Holdings is supporting master's degrees in education at Arkansas State University; education and nursing degrees at the University of Texas at Arlington; and a nursing degree at Ohio University.

Click here for the full story.

Will that be paper or plastic?

	Lamar University Lamar University Lamar offers the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree completion program. The program gives flexibility, and prepares students for a professional career of their interest The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree completion program at Lamar University has one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, costing only $450 per course for Texas residents and $495 per course for out-of-state students. This degree is ideal for students who have earned 45 or more academic credit hours but never finished their bachelor's degree. Credits can also be granted for qualifying work experience or military service and training. 120 credits will be needed to graduate. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

And at $4950 total program tuition for a MSEd in Theory & Practice, why would the student care what the cut is between Arkansas State and Higher Ed Holdings?

	Arkansas State University Arkansas State University ARSU offers online degrees in the following: MSE in Curriculum and Instruction, MSE in Educational Theory and Practice, MSE in Special Ed/Instruction Specialist 4-12, and MSE in Special Ed/Instruction Specialist P-4. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely accepted form of accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by me again

Will that be paper or plastic?

The Wal-Mart approach to distance education ?

Originally Posted by Ted Heiks

And at $4950 total program tuition for a MSEd in Theory & Practice, why would the student care what the cut is between Arkansas State and Higher Ed Holdings?

$4950 is a bargain for an accedited masters degree. It appears that the company is focusing on automating the process of delivering and assessing content. However, it seems that there are a few things that one would have to give up. A graduate degree is about learning how to think. Being able to apply prior knowledge to new situations, solve problems, etc. In many cases graduate students wrestle with questions that do not have straightforward answers. How can a computer grade an assignment if there is no "correct" answer?

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by gonenomad

The Wal-Mart approach to distance education ?



$4950 is a bargain for an accedited masters degree. It appears that the company is focusing on automating the process of delivering and assessing content. However, it seems that there are a few things that one would have to give up. A graduate degree is about learning how to think. Being able to apply prior knowledge to new situations, solve problems, etc. In many cases graduate students wrestle with questions that do not have straightforward answers. How can a computer grade an assignment if there is no "correct" answer?

That's interesting and it makes you wonder how much the coaches get paid. It also makes me wonder how long it'll be before we see the launch of the $5K MBA and how other for profits will respond.

Interesting times.

	American InterContinental University Online American InterContinental University AIU offers Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in all the following programs: business administration (MBA, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, etc), criminal justice, computer science, information technology, healthcare administration, medical billing and coding, fine arts, and education. Special learning facilities include a learning resource center, art gallery, and computer labs. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

I wouldn't be surprised if the coaches are in India or somewhere where education is decent but costs are very low.

Is anyone else concerned about how the quality of interaction (and therefore education ) suffers through this sort of commodification?

If the goal of higher education is truly a depth of understanding, one can argue that the assignments are taking care of that, and if the professors at the school are still having in-depth interactions with students, providing feedback, stimulating thought, then cutting corners on assessment doesn't seem like a terrible thing, as long as the assessment itself remains a vaild measure of whether a student is learning. But I would be very concerned that, over time, both the assessment and interaction would be reduced to a more mechanical process, and that will, I think, have a severe impact on the quality of the education .

I'm particularly surprised the regional accreditor involved hasn't expressed an opinion on this practice, either from the viewpoint of education or financial viability.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by gonenomad

The Wal-Mart approach to distance education ?



$4950 is a bargain for an accedited masters degree. It appears that the company is focusing on automating the process of delivering and assessing content. However, it seems that there are a few things that one would have to give up. A graduate degree is about learning how to think. Being able to apply prior knowledge to new situations, solve problems, etc. In many cases graduate students wrestle with questions that do not have straightforward answers. How can a computer grade an assignment if there is no "correct" answer?

As a consumer, I like the variety of choices available - and, reading these and similar online forums, I can only conclude that most people are primarily interested in the best trade-offs for the price.

However, as a producer also, I really spewed coffee all over the monitor and keyboard reading the absurd numbers - like $3500 for 'developing courses' or 'teaching ' with a grand to the associate dean and department chair (at Arkansas State ). That's significantly higher than the norm I've read about in other forums.

And let's take a closer look at that alleged student load for 'coaches' compared to what the traditional B&M students can reasonably expect one-on-one with their professors or even TAs!

Clearly, academics are threatened by any change that disrupts their 19th century concepts of sage on the stage, seat-time, and most of all that their have some divine monopoly over education . Tenure track positions have recently become an endangered species, and way too many non-tenture track positions have been increasingly going to adjuncts to meet tighter budgets and increased competition.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Arkansas State University Arkansas State University ARSU offers online degrees in the following: MSE in Curriculum and Instruction, MSE in Educational Theory and Practice, MSE in Special Ed/Instruction Specialist 4-12, and MSE in Special Ed/Instruction Specialist P-4. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely accepted form of accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Concordia University - Portland Concordia University - Portland Located in Portland, Oregon, Concordia University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. The school offers a variety of online degrees, including an MBA, Masters in Education with specialties in ESOL, Curriculum Instruction, Methods of Leadership, Science, Reading, and Special Education. The school is regonally accredited, the most widely recognized form of accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school. [/center]

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

What a wild thing. I found this link discussing it:

http://www.proteacher.net/discussion....php?p=1029105

Looks like some people don't like the set up at all.

With programs like this on the rise, you can believe the only 'real' education soon to be left will be the programs validated somehow by an external experience. Whether it be a licensing exam or some other process, if your profession doesn't have one, programs like this will render all degrees meaningless in time.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

I would say that the online University market is forced to the same developments than real world service providers. They either compete over the price or they provide a really compelling differentiation over their competitors.

I suppose then that for the greater good it would be okay to allow the university to close its doors and fire the faculty due to low enrollments, or they could go on the government dole and suckle at the ever shrinking taxpayer teet...

Personally I see an innovative capitalist solution to a market demand solving a real problem. I've got no problem with it, but then what do I know, I'm not an academic nor do I play one on TV.

Originally Posted by friendorfoe

I suppose then that for the greater good it would be okay to allow the university to close its doors and fire the faculty due to low enrollments, or they could go on the government dole and suckle at the ever shrinking taxpayer teet...

Personally I see an innovative capitalist solution to a market demand solving a real problem. I've got no problem with it, but then what do I know, I'm not an academic nor do I play one on TV.

Absolutely not! If we're going to shut anything down to save a few shekels, let's start with the federales and K-12!

The entreprenuerial model definitely works. Charter schools and vouchers have proven that - in the few places across the country that have been able to override the hysteria and gloom-and-doom nonsense from the teachers ' unions.

However, academics are right about freedom to pursue research that isn't popular and doesn't have any potential 'profit' on radar. (Carl Sagan effectively dealt with that issue in 'Contact,' and if you know anything about scientific breakthroughs and innovations you have to acknowledge that a disproportionate percentage of them are pure serendipity, not the predicted result of x-number of years or dollars.)

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by DBA_Curious

With programs like this on the rise, you can believe the only 'real' education soon to be left will be the programs validated somehow by an external experience. Whether it be a licensing exam or some other process, if your profession doesn't have one, programs like this will render all degrees meaningless in time.

Good point!!! You hit the nail on the head!!! And it's very insightful of you!!!

Originally Posted by Ted Heiks

And at $4950 total program tuition for a MSEd in Theory & Practice, why would the student care what the cut is between Arkansas State and Higher Ed Holdings?

The article was not written for students because they don't care: they're primarily interesting in getting a degree for the lowest cost in the quickest time. The article was written primarily for executives, professors, adjunct professors, university administrators and profiteers.

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but what is the difference between this and how most for-profit schools provide their education ? If it is effective, the student is learning and it is provided at a reasonable cost, I have no problem with that.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by TCord1964

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but what is the difference between this and how most for-profit schools provide their education? If it is effective, the student is learning and it is provided at a reasonable cost, I have no problem with that.

It is largely a turf war with administration wanting to outsource, faculty pitching a hissy-fit, and those mean, old, nasty profit-oriented entrepreneurs providing an affordable service.

I have been trying to get someone enrolled in the HEH programs to share their experiences.

I think most of the experiences have been good from what I have read on that thread. There is some panic with a change in the internship and portfolio, but that can be worked out hopefully. So, not perfect, but what is??

These programs are for teachers who have a professional teaching certificate (meaning they have been teaching several years) and if you know how many hours really go into teaching , then you would understand the need for quick and cheap, especially if you are teaching in a state that REQUIRES you to get a Masters to continue teaching .

The degree fills a need that is there, teachers are jumping at it (possibly me included -- I am at the application stage) and the growing pains are being felt now as the first class is getting ready to finish the last three courses.

The schools are accredited and if it does not work for you, then transfer the credit to another school's program and we move on right!?!?!?

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Sorry to hijack: Kizmet - check pm's right away