Two pieces from Inside Higher Ed today. First, a study about online course effectiveness:

Online learning has definite advantages over face-to-face instruction when it comes to teaching and learning, according to a new “meta-analysis” released Friday by the U.S. Department of Education.

The study found that students who took all or part of their instruction online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through face-to-face instruction. Further, those who took “blended” courses — those that combine elements of online learning and face-to-face instruction — appeared to do best of all. That finding could be significant as many colleges report that blended instruction is among the fastest-growing types of enrollment.

And a piece on a push for online degree affordability:

Community colleges and high schools would receive federal funds to create free, online courses in a program that is in the final stages of being drafted by the Obama administration.

The program is part of a series of efforts to help community colleges reach more students and to link basic skills education to job training. The proposals are outlined in administration discussion drafts obtained by Inside Higher Ed. A formal announcement could come in the next few weeks. In addition to the free online courses, the plan would provide $9 billion over 10 years to help community colleges develop and improve programs related to preparing students for good jobs, and a $10 billion loan fund (at low or no interest) for community college facilities.

Commentary

Unfortunately for community colleges, it sounds as if the plan to improve free access to online courses and online degrees is farther out in the future even as the Department’s study of online education effectiveness seemingly wholeheartedly endorses it. It’s not a huge surprise that online learning is more effective than face to face instruction – one of the conveniences of online degree programs is that it’s done at your own pace, on your own time, so you’ll block out time when you’re most in the mood and most able to learn.

Be sure to check out our online degree search tool to see which online courses are available; many have financial aid available so that you can get started today.

Scholarship Update

Operation Homefront is proud to announce Operation Homefront’s Military Spouse Scholarship Program. The scholarships will be awarded to recipients on August 15, 2009. Selection for the scholarship will be made by a panel of judges and the award will be scored in three areas: the applicant’s response to the essay question, his or her commitment to volunteerism and grade point average. Applicants must follow instructions carefully and complete the application in its entirety in order to be considered. The scholarship award is offered to spouses of uniformed service members to attend a four-year college or university, graduate school, accredited trade school, certificate program, vocational school or community college. Thirty seven scholarships are currently being offered, totaling $100,000. The winner of the grand prize scholarship will receive $10,000; two first-place award winners will receive $7,500; four second-place award winners will receive $5,000; 10 third-place award winners will receive $2,500; and 20 runners up will each receive $1,500. The scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, fees and books and will be paid directly to the educational institution. Applicants must resubmit an application each year they would like to be considered.

Details at our free college scholarship search site.

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