Online Degree News & Blog Roundup

FROM THE EDUCATION BLOGS

NEWS UPDATES
- November 19, 2007 -
Online Arabic Course Spurs Interest In The Midwest
Arabic language is hot out in Fargo, North Dakota. A first year online class now being offered by the North Dakota State University (with the help of an American Arabic learning network) isn’t enough to satisfy the demand of students, many of whom either in the ROTC or thinking of careers in government or international business.

One former Army specialist at NDSU, Dan Zakopyko, who has done a tour in Iraq is now leading the charge to get the school to offer more advanced language or middle eastern studies courses, either online or in live classrooms. Over 100 students have signed a petition he’s circulated asking for the more advanced classes.

Though Spanish and French are the most popular languages, Arabic is rapidly gaining among college students who seem to have a more international view of the world. Many seem to believe a foreign language is an advantage in today’s job market. Read More

- November 19, 2007 -
Distance Learning Gives A Surprise Boost To “School Choice” Advocates
The availability of online classes to high school students is challenging the power of local school districts, and possibly kicking open the door to more choice in the use of public school funding. At least that’s the view of the Heartland Institute, a think tank in Chicago that advocates free markets.

Heartland’s unique viewpoint, voiced in a recent article on the group’s website by Jeremy Thompson, is that distance education offers the most powerful and immediate way for high school students to pick which school they will “attend.” While the concept of vouchers allowing students to leave public schools but carry their public funding with them remain mired in debate, schools are moving quickly into the distance learning arena to serve home schoolers and deliver college-level courses.

Both approaches are challenging long-held views of public funding for local public schools. A program in one Wisconsin school district is using local funds to pay for its students to take distance learning courses from colleges all over the country. It’s one of the closest things to a true voucher in public education to date.

Whether or not you agree with Heartland’s advocacy of far reaching reforms to force local school districts to pay for distance learning, it seems clear that elearning could seriously complicate the funding choices of local school boards, who’ve been able to avoid the voucher issue up to now. Read More