Awhile back I talked about how a MySpace-style platform might be a great way to integrate students into an online learning experience. Well, it looks like the virtual world of Second Life may be starting to fill a similar role, although not in as expansive a way as I had discussed.

I recently read blogs by Joe Sanchez, a doctoral student at the University of Texas, Austin. He’s using Second Life to teach students how to create and interact with virtual reality in a course aptly called “Working in Virtual Worlds.” Sanchez intends to show how Second Life can be an effective teaching tool and that it’s not beyond students’ technical capabilities. (more…)

What is the role of the college professor in online education?

If you’ve spent any time studying the industry, you’ve probably heard some version of education professor Alison King’s conceptualization–that profs have gone from being the “sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side.” TravelinEdMan’s post about the online teacher as concierge is not the first rumination on the subject, although it takes the discussion a bit further than most professors are probably comfortable with. (more…)

I recently came across an interesting paper called “Faculty Conceptions and Misconceptions of Hybrid Education Courses” posted by a not-for-profit organization called EduCause, which is dedicated to championing information technology in higher education. The study debunks a range of preconceptions in faculty about quality loss by using online education delivery systems.

It’s kind of an oddly formatted study in its Q and A style, but it raises some interesting points. I was fascinated to read that the University of Central Florida found that students in hybrid education programs performed better by 6% over solely online students or solely campus students. It definitely does add a little firepower to taking the best of both worlds in your study program. (more…)