Online learning makes its mark | Laura Devaney, Director of News, K-12 and Higher Education.

Follow on Twitter as @eSN_Laura

"In this week’s news, we’re taking a look at online learning, which is fast becoming the norm. Many students say they think online learning is just as good, if not better, than traditional classroom learning–not to mention the financial reprieve it might offer students in a world of burdensome student loans. As technology empowers faculty to do much more, the advantages of online learning are expanding rapidly." according to Laura Devaney.

Catch up on the most compelling higher-ed news stories you may have missed this week.   
 
Each Friday, Laura Devaney will be bringing you a recap of some of the most interesting and thought-provoking news developments that occurred over the week. 
 
I can’t fit all of our news stories here, though, so feel free to visit eCampusNews.com and read up on other news you may have missed.
 

Photo: eCampus News

In this week’s news:

7 online learning trends for 2016
Let’s face it: Online education has always been the unhappy stepchild to traditional classroom teaching. It’s generally been seen as a make-do solution to serve students who—whether for reasons of geography or scheduling—were unable to attend class in person. And, more recently, its great claim to fame has been as a cost saver, a scalable way to enroll large numbers of students with minimal financial outlay. Well, the ugly duckling may be about to turn into a swan. 
Read more... 

University contemplates 3-year, fully online degree programs
The University of Colorado is asking its faculty and staff to get creative and develop new, fully online degree programs to launch in the fall of 2018. The CU system is calling for online degree program proposals until July 15, with grants being awarded by Sept. 30. CU hopes to select three winning grant proposals and award each team $200,000 for course development.
Read more...

Could a liberal arts approach to online learning be more successful?
Bellevue University is using small online learning classes and close oversight by faculty to improve graduation rates and reduce debt defaults.
Read more...
 
Adaptive engineering course opens up engineering fundamentals to all
The University of New South Wales Australia and adaptive learning provider Smart Sparrow have unveiled what they call the world’s first-ever open adaptive engineering course designed to unlock access to high-quality courses for learners of all backgrounds.
Read more...

Additional resources
School leadership under the microscope  | eSchool News

Source: eCampus News