Does Higher Education REALLY Need "Ready Made" Online Courses?

Readers,

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading a few articles on "boxed" or "ready made" online courses that professors have to import into blackboard or another learning management system (LMS) as their course for the semester. Of course the professor has to change the dates and make a few changes to the overall course, but they have a "ready made" course. 

Similar to the Easy Bake Oven of the 80s (yes, I am showing my age), these online courses just involve adding water (uploading the course to the LMS), mixing the ingredients (changing the dates and other small details), and baking for a few minutes under a hot bulb (adding students to the course).

I do not understand WHAT is so difficult about creating an online course via a course management system. I have created EACH of my courses from scratch and I have CHANGE the course every semester. I do not like enjoying the same cake every semester, because there are always new ingredients and recipes that emerge every semester. Plus, I look at my cake reviewers' comments (the students' evaluations) and I delete or add certain aspects of the online course.

This "ready made" course is so lucrative that some companies are requiring universities to charge students a special fee from their company (in addition to the distance learning fee). I believe in saving my students money and this is NOT helping the cause.

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

How to Use Google+ as Your New Social Network

Readers,

This summer, I began to use Google+ to communicate with some of my Facebook friends. One of my dear librarian friends added me on this new social networking website and it has been very interesting!

My favorite personal organization website, Lifehacker, posted an article titled, "How Do I Make the Most of Google+?" Here's the link to the article - http://lifehacker.com/5822167/how-do-i-make-the-most-of-google%252B.

 In the article, the author focused on several topics related to Google Plus:

- Tweak the Google+ Layout

- Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Get Around

- Update Google+ From Anywhere

- Update Facebook and Google+ at Once

- Share with Facebook and Twitter, Too

- Move Your Photos to Picasa

- Beef Up the Google Status Bar

- Give Your Google+ Profile Profile a Vanity Url (http://gplus.to/)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Freebie Friday - Kashi Cereal or Granola Bar Sample

Readers,

In the regular semesters, I have to remain prepared throughout the day by having a few snacks in my Vera Bradley bag. I never know when my department head will want to meet about a new idea or when a student needs some extra study time after class ends. 

As a result, I keep Kashi snacks on hand. Usually, I eat a Kashi granola bar on the way to work and also after teaching classes. Here's a great video about the Kashi company.

Request your free sample today! - http://www.kashi.com/kidfriendlyfoods

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

New Apps to Adopt for the Fall 2011 Semester - 8 Tech Tools for College Students (USA Today)

Readers,

I know that many of you are preparing for the fall semester and you are looking for some new productivity apps to add to your mobile device. 

Yesterday, USA Today published an article titled, "8 Tech Tools for College Students". These FREE tech tools are:


1 - Skype (Android, BlackBerry, iOS)



2 - Evernote Peek (Apple iPad)

3 - Grades 2 (iOS)



4 - Snoozerr Recordings (iOS)



5 - Wunderlist (Android and iOS)



6 - TED (iOS)



7 - Instagram (iOS)



8 - Aroundme (Android and iOS)

Enjoy!


J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41