Online Learning: Bill Gates speaks on farewell tour

[imagen vía blog de rivendel]
On the last stop in his five-university farewell tour, Gates spoke at Carnegie Mellon. He plans to switch to part-time at Microsoft in order to work full-time for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation where he will examine the role of technology in the developing world.
Bill Gates wrapped up his farewell tour on Thursday in Rangos Ballroom, speaking about big changes in the future of software and his new role as a world leader in philanthropy. Gates, who is taking a part-time post at Microsoft to devote himself full-time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, spoke on the ways in which users will interact with software, paying particular attention to software’s role in the developing world.

Earlier in the day, Gates had the opportunity to speak to faculty and students in computer science about the direction in which software is headed and who will have access to technological advances. “[We discussed] how we do a better job of using computer science to reach out of people around the world so they get the benefit of the very rapid innovation,” Gates said. “People are underestimating the impact of software and the ways that it can improve a wide range of things.” (…)

Online learning

Gates also sees great things in the future of online learning. Himself a consumer of online coursework, Gates hopes that university curriculum can be augmented through online access to lecturers and better accreditation or through testing that measures the effectiveness of different teaching models.

Of course, when Gates runs into trouble with his online solid state physics coursework, he can call genius physicists, but he believes there is strong potential to digitize learning at the college level, not just for top tier institutions like Carnegie Mellon, but also for community colleges and high schools. “Take the intro biology course [for example]. Should they take Nowicki, who is a brilliant biology lecturer at Duke, and just have his lectures play and then the people they hire are good at the discussion group, not trying to do what he does? I think there will be a change there,” Gates said. (leer más…)

Fuente: [the tartan]

Satisfaction with Online Learning: A Comparative Descriptive Study. Virginia Roach y Linda Lemasters

Virginia Roach
Linda Lemasters
The George Washington University

Abstract

A 3rd party provider approached university faculty and administration to develop an on-line program for the Master’s degree in educational administration and leadership. While the monetary benefits of an online delivery were attractive, the institution rested its final decision on the instructional merits of the plan. The faculty used a 3rd party provider for technical expertise, design, and student support for the program. A descriptive study was conducted to determine to what degree students were satisfied with the online program and their degree of satisfaction in comparison to on-ground courses. Results indicated that students in the online program were satisfied with the courses; however, they noted valuable concerns to be addressed. Implications of these findings are discussed.

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About the Author(s)…

Linda K. Lemasters has an Ed.D. and CAGS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an EdS and MSA from The George Washington University. Dr. Lemasters is currently an assistant professor of educational administration and leadership in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development with The George Washington University. She recently collaborated with Glen Earthman on the textbook, School Maintenance & Renovation: Administrator Policies, Practices, and Economics and is editor of the 2007 Yearbook for the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.

Virginia Roach has an Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University and MAS from The Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Roach is currently the Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Associate Professor of Educational Administration at The George Washington University. Her research interests include enhancing administrator preparation programs, school administrator and teacher development, and administrative supports for students with disabilities in the general education program. (leer más…)

Fuente: [jiol]

tags: e-learning, aprendizaje, web2.0, blog, web 2.0