e-Insights

Drexel Verterans Association

On March 6th, 2011 the Drexel Veterans Association was fully recognized as a chapter of the Student Veterans of America! The Drexel Veterans Association is an organization striving to enhance campus life for student military affiliated personnel in a variety of ways. It is an outlet to outreach and identify the needs and future goals of our Veteran students and ROTC students. The club should also serve as a resource for collaboration and communication between the military personnel and other students. For more information, please visit the Drexel Veterans Association website.

Click here for more information regarding Drexel University Online and the Post 9/11-GI Bill Yellow Ribbon program.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Earning a Degree Online

If you're considering earning an online bachelor's degree or online master's degree, here are a few common pitfalls to avoid.

Assuming online is easy
A common misconception about distance education is that online programs are easy. In reality, the course content for an accredited online degree program is often very similar to—if not the same as—any on-campus program. In the case of Drexel's online degree programs, they adhere to the same standards, lead to the same degrees, and many are even taught by the same instructors as their on-campus counterparts.

Poor time management
One of the often-cited benefits of online learning is its flexibility; however, this doesn't mean turning in assignments or taking tests whenever you want. Online classes have syllabi with deadlines and scheduled tests just like any other college course. This means online students—who often have other responsibilities on top of their studies—need to be extremely disciplined about managing time effectively to meet these requirements. 

Communication breakdown
The majority of communication throughout online courses is done electronically. Without the benefit of tone, facial expression, and body language, this can be a big adjustment—particularly for those who aren't accustomed to using email, chat, or online forums on a regular basis. Online students are faced with the challenge of choosing words carefully and respectfully while also writing in a thoughtful and engaging manner.

Not utilizing available resources
Students in Drexel's online degree programs have access to all the same resources as on-campus students, including advising services, library access, writing services, and career services, not to mention 24-hour technical support. Students often don't take full advantage of these services because they are either unaware of them or simply opt not to.

Not staying connected
Due to the nature of the medium, online learning can feel isolated, but an online student is never more than an email, phone call, forum post, or chat message away from their instructor or a classmate. Students who don't stay connected miss out on valuable opportunities for learning and networking. That's why interactivity is major component of Drexel's online degree programs, all of which require class participation via online discussion boards and often incorporate group projects.

Taking on too much too soon
Many online students work full time, have family obligations, or are busy with other responsibilities on top of their coursework. Some are returning to school for the first time in years, and some are even first-time students. This combination of life and school, in addition to the new experience of online learning, can easily overwhelm even the most organized individual. Anyone considering an online degree program should speak at length with an advisor to discuss a workload that makes the most sense for them and their schedule.

For more tips about online learning, or to find out more about Drexel's online bachelor's degrees and online master's degrees, visit Drexel Online.

Drexel Online Graduates Discuss: Experience vs. Expectation Part 2

When these students entered their respective online programs, they had certain expectations. Now that they've graduated from Drexel, hear how their experiences measured up.

Nancy Barker, Master of Science in Nursing
I was pleasantly surprised [by my experience]. I wasn’t sure how great it was going to be or if I was going to have the same experience as my traditional education experience. And actually it was superb. The instructors and professors were wonderful. I actually did have a lot of interaction with my fellow classmates. And I felt like I got a really quality first rate education at Drexel.

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Xiomara Diaz, Master of Science in Engineering Management
My expectations going into the program were completely surpassed, mostly because the interaction that is offered with the professors as well as the classmates—who can be anywhere across the world—was superb. It was more than I ever anticipated or imagined. That interaction makes it worthwhile because you’re not just staring at a computer trying to punch in answers.

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Linda Gaines, Master of Science in Higher Education
Starting the program I was apprehensive because my bachelor's degree program was hybrid; it was one day a week in class and the rest was online, so I did know the online component. But this particular program was 100 percent online. So I was apprehensive whether or not there would be the engagement or the faculty interaction I was looking for. But my expectations were met and exceeded. People will ask me [how I liked the online program or what it was like never meeting your professors] and I tell them I had more interaction with these professors than I did with the ones in classrooms. You can email them, they would answer you within 24 hours. My expectations were definitely exceeded in this particular program.

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Sadie Davis, Master of Science in Sport Management
When I entered the [online Master of Science in Sport Management program at Drexel], my experience differed from what I expected because I thought there was going to be a more nonchalant feel about it. I didn’t think I would really get responses from the instructors. I thought I was going to be on my own, basically. But it was totally different. The support was there not just from the instructors, but from my fellow students as well.

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Karen Boncic, Bachelor of Science in Education
I thought the experience [of earning my Bachelor of Science degree online] was incredible. I had taken classes previously in a situation where there was a giant auditorium and you didn’t have that personal interaction with the professors. I felt like I was able to get to know my classmates and professors more in the online experience than in a classroom setting. The reason I think is because people let their guard down and they’re able to share their feelings and they’re able to tell you real experiences that are brought in from their life. I don’t think you get that in the same way in a classroom because people are looking at you…it’s a little bit different. So I think the online world allows you to really get in depth with other people—which sounds ironic actually.

Drexel Online Graduates Discuss: Experience vs. Expectation Part 1

When these students entered their respective online degree programs at Drexel Online, they had certain expectations. Now that they've graduated, hear how their elearning experiences measured up.

Shani Ferguson, MBA Anywhere^TM
As someone who has been online for almost 20 years now--I was an early adopter--I was very comfortable with the idea of an online program, but the reality surpassed my expectations. It was a wonderful program. There was a very free exchange of ideas. There were students from right out of college through late fifties in our group. Everyone had different perspectives, and it was a really easy way to share them online.

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Sean Elwell, RN to BSN
The online experience was much [better] than I could have expected. The flexibility and the hours and scheduling [were] great, as well as the attention of the professors and their ability to interact with the students even though we weren’t face to face.

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Tonnetta Graham, Master of Science in Higher Education
I’m not a “techie,” so to speak, and I must admit was kind of apprehensive at first to do a total online program, being more social - and people-oriented. However, the support that I received in utilizing the technology…was excellent. No matter what time of day [you contacted them] you always got the help that you needed. And the way the technology was incorporated into the program was also very good.

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Denise Carr, MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice
To be honest, when I came into the program, [I expected it to be] a breeze. I thought that it would be easy…because it was online. However…it challenged me to a level that I never knew that I could get to. I might be able to start a nonprofit this summer because of the push from my teachers. It developed me into a person that I never thought I could be.

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Beth Henderson, Master of Science in Information Science
I was concerned when I entered the online Master of Science in Information Science program because quite honestly I'm not the most computer-oriented person, and I wasn't sure how I would be able to manage the skills that I thought would be required, but I did fine. It was very easy; the help was available either through the instructor or through the online personnel. I thought it was interesting to be in class with people form all around the country, especially because a lot of us were practicing already in the field and it was interesting to be able to compare notes on how things were being impacted by information technology, by government cuts around the country. I thought it was a really enriching experience to do it this way.

Drexel University Online Honors Drexel Faculty

Drexel University Online held an awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 9^th, in Behrakis Grand Hall South on Drexel’s main campus, to recognize outstanding Drexel faculty. This annual event recognizes those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of distance or online learning. “Drexel University Online is proud to honor our outstanding faculty who teach online,” said Dr. Kenneth Hartman, academic director, Drexel University Online. “Their innovative teaching methods and dedication to online learning keep students engaged and connected.”

Recipients included:

Online Learning Visionary Award

Dr. Frank Mayadas, founding President of the Sloan Consortium and Senior Advisor, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Outstanding Contribution to Corporate eLearning Award

Penn Medicine

2010 Outstanding Online Instructors
Dr. Frances Cornelius– College of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Christof Daetwyler – Drexel University College of Medicine
Dr. George Tsakumis – LeBow College of Business
Dr. Karkal Prabhu – College of Engineering
Dr. Susan Davis – iSchool at Drexel University, College of Information Science and Technology
Sharon Erwin – Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Adam Rickert –College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ellen Clay – Goodwin College: School of Education
Judith Giering – Goodwin College: School of Technology and Professional Studies

Approximately 4.6 million students are currently taking at least one class online. This includes over 200,000 K-12 students enrolled in full-time online schools and over 2 million K-12 students enrolled in an online course. During the week of November 8^th  through 12^th, schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies across the country showcased their online programs.

For more information about activities from the 2010 National Distance Learning Week, please visit www.usdla.org/ndlw.

Click here for pictures from the ceremony.

Drexel Online, Featured on MSNBC, Named Military-Friendly School 2011

For the second year in a row, Drexel University Online was named a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs, a premier media outlet for military transitioners.

This list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

“The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience,” says Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s Academic Advisory Board.

The list was compiled through exhaustive research starting last April, during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide.

Drexel is committed to higher education for members of the military, offering a wide range of flexibility and support for active and veteran servicemen and women. Yellow Ribbon-eligible members of the military can enroll in any Drexel degree program--including programs offered through Drexel Online--tuition-free, with no enrollment caps, regardless of campus or degree program. In addition, Drexel offers scholarships and/or tuition discounts for military students, veterans and military dependents.

Read the full release from the Drexel News Bureau.

See "Back to school for the troops" segment from MSNBC.

Sloan Consortium Honors Drexel University with Excellence in Online Education Award

  

From the Drexel University News Bureau:

The Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C) announced  today that Drexel University has been selected to receive the 2010 Sloan Consortium Award for Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Education. Boston University was also selected for this honor.

  “This award brings international recognition to Drexel’s faculty and staff; individuals who have been integral in leading online academic program development, designing and teaching exceptional academic offerings,” Drexel Provost Mark Greenberg said. “We’re pleased to accept this award from the Sloan Consortium, which has judged our programs to be outstanding.”



The Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Education award recognizes an institution that has designed and implemented an outstanding and comprehensive online learning curriculum, according to Sloan-C. To receive the award, an institution’s programs must be of demonstrably high quality. Recipients are those institutions offering multiple national online learning programs in diverse disciplines that are consistent with the scope and scale of the institution itself.



“Our watchwords of quality, scale and breadth are epitomized by individuals and institutions we honor this year,” Bruce Chaloux, president of Sloan-C and former associate dean at Virginia Polytechnic Institute said. 



“The competition for the institution-wide award was particularly strong this year, and the selection committee felt that Drexel University's online program was exemplary,” according to Burks Oakley II, chair of the Awards Selection Committee for Sloan-C and a professor at University of Illinois at Springfield. A distinguished committee of national leaders in online education was responsible for evaluating the nominations for this year’s Sloan-C awards.



Drexel University Online offers 90+ online education programs.  Drexel University, ranked among “America’s Best Colleges 2011” by U.S.News & World Report, is one of the largest providers of online education among traditional, non-profit universities and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. 

The awards will be presented at the 16th Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Sloan-C, an institutional and professional leadership organization, is dedicated to integrating online education into the mainstream of higher education. It was originally funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in 1992, and is now a non-profit, member sustained organization.

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News Media Contact: 
Craig Eisenberger, Drexel News Bureau, 215-895-2705, cae24@drexel.edu

Drexel Celebrates One Year of Participation in Yellow Ribbon Program

August 12, 2010 marked the one year anniversary of Drexel's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for Post-9/11 Veterans. Through the federal program, Drexel University has committed $2 million to help eligible servicemen and women earn a degree tuition-free at any of the university's colleges or schools, including Drexel University College of Medicine, Earle Mack School of Law, Drexel at Burlington County College, the Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies, and Drexel Online.

Drexel is among a small group of schools with no cap on the number of veterans who may enroll through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

More than 100 veterans will attend Drexel this fall as part of the program, and nearly 200 students are already enrolled using the GI Bill and/or Yellow Ribbon benefits.

Due to its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, discounted tuition rates, and other special programs for active military and veterans, Drexel was named a "Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs magazine earlier this year.

For more information on Drexel Online's military programs, click here:

http://www.drexel.com/prospective-students/military.aspx

Read the original release from Drexel News Bureau.

U.S. News 2011: Drexel Ranked Nation’s Number Two “Up-and-Coming School”

From the Drexel University News Bureau:

For the third consecutive year, Drexel University has made the “up-and-coming” short list of national universities that have achieved the “most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities,” according to U.S.News & World Report for the 2011 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Drexel’s ranked second out of only 20 universities in the country on the list, according to the survey report released today. Drexel, founded in 1891, tied for first place among private universities.

These are “universities that have recently made striking improvements or innovations — schools everyone should be watching,” according to the publication.

Drexel’s history of innovation continues today and includes:

• First university to require all students to have personal computers
• First university to offer a fully online master’s degree
• First major university to install a campus-wide wireless network
• Among the first major universities to use Apple iPods in teaching
• First U.S.-based university to install an eco-friendly, living bio wall, to be completed in 2011.

Drexel continued its upward path in overall rankings by advancing from 88th to 86th place in the 2011 U.S. News ranking of America’s Best National Universities, which would position Drexel 48th among private universities. Drexel is one of only two Philadelphia-based national universities ranked in the nation’s top 100.

The U.S. News rankings group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Enrolling more than 22,000 students, Drexel is the nation’s 14th largest private university and is widely recognized for its focus on experiential learning through its cooperative education program, technology and use-inspired research. The University has three campuses in Philadelphia and a Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

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News media contact:
Niki Gianakaris, director, Drexel News Bureau
215-895-6741, 215-778-7752 (cell) or ngianakaris@drexel.edu

Student Perspectives on eLearning: Not Just an Education but a Way of Life

Kathleen Morris [BSN, 2004; MSN, 2008] describes her experience with the online learning process as very positive, and that it has made her more intelligent, resourceful, and organized. "I enjoyed being able to attend class or do my schoolwork around my busy lifestyle. I could log on anytime, anywhere, this truly helped me maintain a balance in my life," she said.

"Contrary to what some people might believe, online learning is not easier than attending school in a classroom setting," says Kathleen Morris. Morris, who had never taken an online course before Drexel Online, feels the experience made her more intelligent, resourceful, and organized. "I loved [that] it made me search for answers and kept me disciplined."

Kathleen said Drexel's reputation was the biggest factor in deciding where she wanted to go back to school. "Drexel is known for delivering the highest quality education in forward-thinking ways. Drexel is always thinking outside of the box, and because of that they graduate some of the top leaders in many industries," she said. Along with its reputation, the convenience of Drexel's online learning format also played a large part in Kathleen's decision.

"Online learning is a wonderful way to learn. It will teach you how to navigate your resources, organize your time, and develop your self-learning skills. All of those are traits you will use in the health care field. Health care is always changing and as practitioners we need to be able to change with it. Online learning gives you that edge," said Morris.

"I also enjoyed being able to attend class or do my schoolwork around my busy lifestyle. I could log on anytime, anywhere. This truly helped me maintain a balance in my life," she said.

Currently, Kathleen is the Stroke Program Coordinator at St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, NJ. "I recently returned to this role after two years of being the Critical Care Nurse Manager. I would not be able to do either job without the education I received from Drexel; it gave me the foundation I needed to succeed," said Morris.