Online learning through cell phones

On 10/30 I blogged about Liz Kolb's book available through ISTE and Amazon, Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education. You can now register for her webinar scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (1 pm Pac/2 pm Mtn/3 pm Cen/4 pm Eastern).

On November 12, 2008, Jordan Blum published an article, Classes to be offered via cell phone in 2theAdvocate.com. As an advocate for dL, not as a mandate but an option, I applaud Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or LCTCS for offering 21 general education and business courses for students using iPhones or Blackberries. Tuition for courses offered by LCTCS Online is $63 per credit hour, and financial aid is available for eligible students. There are no additional fees, and the tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

I understand this is not the first choice for everyone, just as distance learning is not for everyone, but for those who wish to continue their education without sitting in a lecture hall, this is a great opportunity. I posted the link and article snippets in the high school newsgroup...I am trying to imagine myself as a teenager in an education system where cell phones are banned and then discovering an opportunity to earn college credit using the banned device. My daughter said she might try one course but she likes the social aspect of attending school even though she hates lectures.

But for my peers who are always doing something, from being deployed as a service member to trying to do 48 hours of activities in a 16 hour day, the smart phone courses would be the perfect fit. Again...I am somewhat biased...I love the online learning environment, I love facilitating in the online environment and I despise having someone read a presentation to me. Time is a valuable resource to me...I am still busy trying to make the most of the dash that will rest between my date of birth and death.

So Louisiana Community and Technical College System...you get a hat tip and a round of applause. I know many institutions will be watching as you employ the adage by John Burroughs, "Leap and the net will appear." Check out the courses here. Once there click on the Mobile Content to see the 21 courses offered from English Comp I and II, US History, Macro and Microeconomics.

Tuition for courses offered by LCTCS Online is $63 per credit hour, and financial aid is available for eligible students. There are no additional fees, and the tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Registration for online courses begins 1/5/09 and classes begin 1/26/09.

This opportunity offered by LCTCS also demonstrates collaboration between the LA Board of Regents, AT&T, Pearson, and LCTCS.

PTA E-learning courses

At a time when PTA/PTSA budgets are tight and schedules are even tighter, elearning is a solution for members looking to expand their skills cost-effectively and without the need to travel. This e-learning initiative is a step toward achieving PTA’s/PTSA's goal of making all members informed advocates by 2020.

Choose from the following courses, and look for new courses to be added throughout the year. Each course takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete and can be revisited repeatedly for more practice.

PTA's E-Learning courses

Note: Your username and password are on the back of your membership card.

PTA Basics—Discover the history and structure of PTA, as well as the programs and issues that the national network of PTA members undertakes across the country to strengthen parent involvement in every school.

Grant Writing—Does your PTA need more non-dues revenue to use in the school or community? Get familiar with the grant-writing process by taking a free introductory course on the basics of grant application.

Conflict Management—Learn the basic principles and techniques of conflict management by immersing yourself in a simulated real-life situation, guided by immediate feedback and expert advice.

Planning and Goal Setting—Developed around a five-step process from Franklin Covey, this course contains printable tools and exercises for use in setting and reaching your goals.

Parliamentary Procedure—We have all attended a meeting where there were no objectives, people interrupted each other, conversation was dominated by arguing, and decisions weren’t made fairly or in a timely manner (or at all!). Learn how rules of conduct positively effect the decisions a PTA makes while ensuring fair and orderly unit operations.

Running a Successful PTA Program—Outlines the steps for taking a program idea from concept to reality to meet the needs in your school.

Effective Advocacy for Your Child—Organize around local issues and address them to benefit the needs of children and your community.

Writing and Proposing PTA Resolutions—This course combines "stories from the field" with advice from members on researching and drafting resolutions and a checklist for writing and proposing resolutions.

Planning Your PTA Year—Disorganized volunteer projects lower enthusiasm and make people wonder why they tried to get involved in the first place. This course sets you up for a successful year, assisting your planning and goal setting.

Supporting links
National PTA
Georgia PTA
Butler HS PTSA