e-Insights

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.

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

Getting the Most Out of an Online (Engineering) Degree Program

Earning a degree online is an ideal choice for many working professionals, but a recent article in ME Today, a monthly publication for early career engineers published by the Association of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), explains why online degrees are becoming increasingly popular in the field of engineering. The piece features a number of quotes from Dr. Morton Rabinowitz, Associate Dean of Online Learning for the College of Engineering at Drexel University and Director of the Engineering Management Program, a fully online offering.

"It’s not surprising when ambitious students seek flexibility when they are balancing demanding professional and family obligations with a rigorous graduate education," says Dr. Rabinowitz.

The article's authors, Drexel University's Kristen Johnson and Chris Morse, go on to explain, "Flexibility is essential in today’s world, where professional and personal pursuits are becoming more difficult to separate. Young engineers often find themselves juggling work, family, friends, and professional development activities while trying to prove themselves in the workplace...which is why engineers early in their career pursue their graduate education online; it fits their lifestyle needs and can propel them toward success."

Although the article is geared toward the engineering industry, its advice on choosing the right program and adjusting to online learning is valuable to anyone exploring the option of online learning. Read the full article.

Number of Workers with College Degrees Could Fall Short of Demand by 2018

In a post-recession job market, the value of a college degree could increase as the demand for college-educated workers surpasses the number of qualified candidates, according to a study released Tuesday by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.

There could be 3 million fewer college graduates than the market demands by 2018, says the report, "Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018."

The report estimates that, by 2018, the economy will be in full recovery and there will be 46.8 million job openings, including 13.8 million newly created jobs and 33 million previously vacated positions. Of the openings projected in 2018, the center predicts that 63 percent will require workers with at least some college education. Today, about 59 percent of jobs require some postsecondary education.

Industries in which the demand will be highest will be information services, professional and business services, financial services, private-education services, health-care services, and government and public-education services, predicts the report.

For more information, read the article in the Chronicle of Higher Education or visit the Center on Education and the Workforce on the web.

Survey finds 17 percent increase in online enrollment

Enrollment in online courses has reached an all-time high and is growing faster than ever before, according to results of the Sloan Consortium's annual survey, "Learning on Demand: Online Education in the United States, 2009."

According to findings released Tuesday, colleges saw a 17 percent increase in online enrollment, with more than one in four--or a total of 4.6 million--students taking at least one online course in the fall of 2008. The overwhelming majority of these students--over 82 percent--are undergraduates.

These online enrollment numbers are both up from the previous year's survey, which reported a growth rate of 12 percent and total enrollment of 3.9 million.

If you're like millions of other prospective students, you're probably considering online learning as a way to achieve your education goals. Some people choose online learning to complete their bachelor's degree, receive a certification or graduate degree to get ahead in their careers, or they change their career path altogether. Learn more about Drexel's 80+ online degree and certificate programs or read more about the Sloan Consortium's survey.

Jobs of tomorrow--and the degrees to help you get them

In a recent CNBC report, Jordan Goldman, CEO of Unigo, an online resource for college information, offered advice on some of the fastest growing career fields and the degrees today's students need to break into these fields.

1. Health Care - Goldman expects to see an "explosion of jobs" in this sector as a result of President Obama's healthcare reform proposal and advances in medical technology.

Hot Jobs For Growth: Genetic Counselor, Medical and Public Health Social Worker, Registered Nurse, Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Home Care Aid

Learn about related degrees at Drexel Online:

• Bachelor's in Health Services Administration
• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BSN to Master of Science in Nursing
• MSN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management

2. Business - "There will be a great demand for consultants and business development specialists as US companies rush in to work with foreign firms, execute deals, and carry them through to profitability,” predicted Goldman.

Hot Jobs For Growth: International Consultant, Mergers and Acquisitions Specialist, Strategic Planner, Portfolio Manager, Business Analyst

Learn about related degrees at Drexel Online:

• BS in Business Administration 
• MBA Anywhere™
• MBA in Pharmaceutical Management 
• Master of Science in Human Resource Development
• Master of Science in Project Management 

3. "Green collar" jobs - "President Obama has promised to create 5 million green collar jobs. These jobs will go towards a wide variety of initiatives as we tackle cleaning up the environment, controlling global warming, gathering energy from more renewable resources, reducing waste and pollution, installing wind turbines and solar panels, cleaning up public transit, enhancing energy efficiency and overhauling the electrical grid,” said Goldman.

Hot Jobs For Growth: Sustainability Officer, Renewable Energy Technician, Waste Management Consultant, Sustainable Urban Planner, Geophysicist 

Learn about related degrees at Drexel Online:

• Master of Science in Construction Management 
• Master of Science in Engineering Technology
• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Master of Science in Engineering Management
• Certificate in Sustainability and Green Construction - coming soon!

4. Finance - "Although the ailing banking and financial sectors will contract in the short term, in the future the need for bright and creative economists – and the opportunities for all financial-related fields – will rebound and grow to offer lucrative employment,” said Goldman. He predicts business intelligence will be more focused on predictive modeling and offer more real-time analysis.

Hot Jobs For Growth: Forensic Accountant, Credit Analyst, Private Equity, Management Consultant, Securities and Commodities Agent

Learn about related degrees at Drexel Online:

• BS in Business Administration 
• MBA Anywhere™

5. Digital Space - "The digital space is transforming every aspect of the workplace and our lives, and jobs in this sector are booming,” said Goldman. He sees strong future growth in digital networks, virtual worlds and robotics.

Hot Jobs for Growth: Interface Designer, Mobile Application Developer, Content Curator, Cyber Security Specialist, Casual Game Developer

Learn about related degrees at Drexel Online: 

• BS in Computing and Security Technology
• MS in Information Systems
• MS in Library & Information Science 
• Advanced Certificate of Information Studies and Technology
  
• MS in Computer Science
• MS in Software Engineering - Computer Science Track 
• MS in Software Engineering - Information Science and Technology Track

6. Automotive - "While automobile production is currently dwindling, future demand will exponentially increase for designers and engineers to create the next generation of hybrid and energy-efficient cars,” said Goldman. Goldman predicts auto companies will face far more stringent requirements and standards for energy efficiency in the future.

Hot Jobs For Growth: Energy Efficiency Manager, Automotive Field Technician Specialist, Industrial Production Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Energy Conservation Engineer

Learn about related degrees at Drexel Online:

• MS in Engineering Management
• MS in Engineering Technology
• MS in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Project Management

Find out more about all of Drexel's online programs, which can help you get the prestigious Drexel University degree you want with the online convenience you need. Visit www.drexel.com today.

Drexel Nursing Students Now Using iPods

More than 300 students in Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions--including those enrolled in Drexel University's online RN to BSN program--received an iPod touch this year. The devices' built-in Wi-Fi will allow students instant access to key medical information, which should help decrease incidents of drug conflicts and incorrect medical procedures.

“Whether students are searching for drug interactions during a clinical exercise or information in a medical dictionary, they can go online and find the latest research through numerous databases,” said L.J. “Rocky” Rockstraw, director of Drexel’s Center for Clinical and Electronic Learning Resources and an associate clinical professor at the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

The College began using pocket-PC handheld devices in 2001 to access drug and medical databases. The infrastructure required to support those devices was difficult to maintain and updates were often hard to install. The iPod touch was selected because of its “ease of use and available technical support.”

Find out more about Drexel's online RN to BSN program and other online programs from the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Drexel Continues to Rise in University Rankings

Drexel University is once again on the exclusive list of "up-and-coming" national universities that have achieved "the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities," according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges." Drexel is ranked fourth in the nation among these "Schools to Watch," up from sixth last year.

Drexel also continued to improve in the overall U.S.News ranking of Best National Universities, advancing to number 88 from last year's rank of 89 (which in turn was reached by a remarkable leap of 19 places from the 2008 list). Drexel and Penn are the only two Philadelphia-based 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.

Online learning poised to expand sharply

In May, the Department of Education released a report that found online learning has clear advantages over face-to-face instruction. e-Insights reported some of the key findings of the study in July, and Inside Higher Ed covered it here and here. Now people outside education circles are even beginning to take notice.

NY Times writer Steve Lohr recently discussed the report on his technology blog, proposing that online education is now at a pivotal point in its development. As Web-based communication tools become both more prevalent and more sophisticated, and evidence of the value of online instruction mounts, Lohr predicts the field could see a large increase in implementation.

Interviewing several distance learning experts including Barbara Means, the study’s lead author and an educational psychologist at SRI International, and Philip R. Regier, the dean of Arizona State University’s Online and Extended Campus program, Lohr purports that the real promise of online education is providing learning experiences that are more tailored to individual students than is possible in classrooms. That enables more “learning by doing,” which many students find more engaging and useful. In keeping with Drexel University's commitment to experiential learning, this "learning by doing" model is adapted in some of the Drexel University Online degree programs through clinicals, in-classroom teaching, residencies, and more.

According to Regier, the growth of social media is also a key development in online learning.

“The technology will be used to create learning communities among students in new ways,” Regier told Lohr. “People are correct when they say online education will take things out of the classroom. But they are wrong, I think, when they assume it will make learning an independent, personal activity. Learning has to occur in a community.”

The Advantages of Online Learning - Evidence from the Dept. of Ed.

A recent report issued by the U.S. Department of Education found that students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. Students in blended conditions, or courses that combined elements of online learning with face-to-face instruction, performed best of all, according to the study.

The report, “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning,” was a meta-analysis, or a study that combines the results of previous experiments to draw a larger conclusion. While over a thousand empirical studies of online learning had been conducted between 1996 and 2008, only 51 met the criteria for this study: (a) contrast an online to a face-to-face condition, (b) measure student learning outcomes, (c) use a rigorous research design, and (d) provide adequate information to calculate an effect size.

The key findings of the study were:

•    Students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.

•    Instruction combining online and face-to-face elements had a larger advantage relative to purely face-to-face instruction than did purely online instruction.

•    Studies in which learners in the online condition spent more time on task than students in the face-to-face condition found a greater benefit for online learning.

•    Most of the variations in the way in which different studies implemented online learning did not affect student learning outcomes significantly.

•    The effectiveness of online learning approaches appears quite broad across different content and learner types.

For more information:
“The Evidence on Online Education”
Inside Higher Ed

“Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies” [Adobe PDF]
U.S. Department of Education