Online Learning

5 Rules for Discussion and Debate in Your College Classes

• Debate crops up more often that you might expect in college classes.
• Your instructors and your classmates won’t always agree with your views.
• Learning how to discuss and debate sensitive topics may be a very useful skill.

When it comes to your college choice, do you feel that a school’s politicalatmosphere is important? Do you expect classmates and instructors to share your views? Or are you looking forward to a college experience that might challenge your ideas and expand what you already know about social issues, economics, philosophy—even ethics?

The Daily Beast recently ranked America’s colleges in terms of the most conservative schools versus the most liberal schools. Not surprisingly, colleges with lots of conservative students (at least according to this survey[i]) were often located in the South or the Midwest. Many of these colleges were also faith-based institutions. Meanwhile, notably left-leaning schools were often clustered in the Northeast, in California, or among colleges that are known for their art, entertainment, and journalism degree programs.

Regardless of the college you choose, take a moment to review these tips for college discussion and debate. They could save you from hurt feelings… or hurt grades.

1. Stay Informed

Many of us form opinions about a political topic after only reading/hearing a quick blurb. True enough, life is busy. But that’s no excuse for making snap judgments about candidates, policies, and social issues. And snap judgments probably won’t hold water in a college class discussion.

If you take a course in philosophy, business, English, or sociology, you may be asked to write an opinion paper about current events. Instead of waiting around to get this assignment, make an effort to stay informed on your own. Choose a reputable news blog to follow every day, or set up your email account to receive “alerts” whenever stories arise that might interest you. (You can set up alerts for keywords that pertain to your major and/or your political interests.)

Read the newspaper. Watch the news. Take note of how different channels cover different stories. By absorbing a little bit every day, you’ll begin to form a context.  Political context is important because it helps us to see how choices and events are all connected—throughout time and across geographic borders.

INSTEAD OF THIS: Governor Soandso is a jerk. Everyone hates him. He wears a ridiculous hairpiece and he sounds like a total liar.

SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS: I have read several different stories that question Governor Soandso’s reliability. One source proved he was dishonest about his war record. Another source outlined the campaign promises that he ignored after getting elected…His website says “teachers are the future,” but last week he told a City News reporter that he plans to cut school budgets next year.

2. Avoid Generalizations and Hyperbole

We often resort to generalizing and exaggerating when we don’t have enough information to make a strong case for something. Some of us do it out of habit. Some of us do it when we are angry. Whenever you catch yourself using extreme labels or making broad statements, stop to check that there’s a verifiable source behind the claim.

It may be difficult to quantify your personal experiences or opinions with facts and sources. That’s okay. You can still use personal experience/opinion in class discussions, just be sure to acknowledge that that’s what it is. (Do not present opinions as though they are facts.) If possible, explain how your individual experience might relate to the larger, more general conversation. (In formal papers—like research papers or capstone projects—you should ask your instructor if personal opinion is admissible. Many teachers don’t want you to mix your own views with scholarly sources.)

INSTEAD OF THIS: Insurance companies are evil. They’re all run by bloodsucking billionaires. The government should nationalize healthcare.

SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS: I worked in insurance for ten years. My first company had a policy against accepting new clients with preexisting conditions. The other company I worked for made it very difficult for patients to submit claims beyond basic care visits. I think reforms are necessary.

3. Always Assume You Are Addressing a Group with Mixed Perspectives/Values

Some of us are so invested in our own political parties and social values, we forget that the world is full of differing opinions. Sometimes we believe in a cause or a candidate so earnestly, we assume that all other rational people must also feel the same way. This is a big mistake—especially in a college classroom or an online discussion forum.

College students and college instructors can have very different views. Some views are deeply ingrained and very passionately defended. Before you start to speak (or type) in bold, black-and-white terms, remember that you might be addressing someone who disagrees with your opinion. This shouldn’t prevent you from sharing your thoughts, but it should give you pause and dissuade you from using dismissive, disrespectful language.

INSTEAD OF THIS: If I see one more vending machine for Gross Brand Juice I am going to scream. Who even drinks Gross Brand anymore? (Besides poor people.) It’s awful.

SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS: I grew up drinking Gross Brand because my parents liked it. As an adult, I’ve always bought Fun Times Juice because it has fewer calories and I think it tastes better. Still, it seems like a lot of the vending machines around town are stocked with Gross Brand. Does anyone know why? Is it a cost issue?

4. Give Reasons to Support Your Opinions

America is a great place to live because (for the most part) you can say whatever you like. You can claim that Grover Cleveland was the best president ever...or that Nixon was the worst.  But whatever you say, people are more likely to listen if you have fact-based reasons to support your ideas. This is a key lesson in college—one that your instructors will work hard to instill.

Without reasons and factual assertions, debate of any kind can quickly devolve into petty, name-calling sessions. You might think Subject X is “stupid” or that Subject Y is a “great idea.” If you can’t express why, with arguments that stand apart from your own opinion, then you may have a hard time functioning in the working world, where everyday decisions need to be backed by evidence.

Teachers need to validate their lesson plans, based on testing goals and learning outcomes. Real estate agents need to provide comparables and market trends for housing prices. Lawyers and paralegals are constantly digging up precedents or historic examples of what should be allowed in the courtroom. Your career goals will also require fact-based reasoning.

SO INSTEAD OF THIS: People from Idaho are ruining this country! All they care about are potatoes. America is already too fat from French fries!!!

SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS: I would have concerns  about electing the Idaho candidate for national office because most of her campaign speeches focus on agriculture. Agriculture is important, but I would like to hear more about she’ll address urban concerns or make changes to federal programs.

5. Argue Issues, Not Personal Scores

It’s almost guaranteed that you will encounter some unlikeable people in college. Unlikeable people are everywhere—at work, at school, at the grocery store, at PTA meetings... They may be unlikeable for any number of reasons. Maybe they are loud and annoying. Maybe they are rude and inconsiderate. Maybe they pretend to know everything.  Despite their many shortcomings, they deserve your attention and respect during class discussions.

If Unlikeable Joe posts a ridiculous comment to your class board, you absolutely must refrain from responding to Joe, as the owner of the comment. Instead, you should address the comment itself.

INSTEAD OF THIS: Joe, you’re a supreme idiot. Octopuses aren’t eating up Social Security. Quit watching Octopus News and try reading a book for a change.

SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS: This comment doesn’t seem consistent with anything I have read about octopuses. Our textbook says 100% of octopuses die before reaching the age of retirement. Also, they live in the ocean and don’t have bank accounts. What is the basis for this claim?

6. Talk to Your Instructor

If you follow the rules above, and you still feel isolated or outnumbered, you might want to schedule a meeting with your instructor. College is designed to help you analyze and evaluate different perspectives.  You should never feel forced into changing your views or bullied into saying what other people want to hear. You also shouldn’t let other students waste your time and money with ignorant comments or self-serving interruptions that hijack your class time. Even if your instructor supports a different political party than you, he or she should be willing to help you get the most out of your coursework.  

Added Value in E-Learning: 3 Valuable Benefits of Online Study

If you’re researching college options and exploring online degree programs, then you already know that college is important. Nearly two-thirds of tomorrow’s jobs will be reserved for college graduates or for trained professionals with credentials beyond a high school diploma.[i] According to average salary reports, most of these graduates will also be going home with bigger paychecks – they’re already earning $5,000 to $15,000 more, each year, than their high-school educated peers.[ii]

Unfortunately, reclaiming your piece of the pie – by going to college or completing career training – is easier said than done. For working adults, busy parents, single moms and dads, it’s almost impossible to imagine setting aside more time, money, and motivation. In all of these categories, your resources are tapped.

That’s why e-learning is a truly revolutionary answer for millions of Americans. Yes, millions. In 2010, over six million students were enrolled in at least one online course.[iii] Why should you be the next to join them? Consider the following value-based reasons:

E-learning is offered in a variety of flexible formats – meaning you may be able to choose the times you study, the pace you progress at, and even skip courses that cover material you already know.

In addition to its at-home study appeal, e-learning is convenient for anyone with a hectic schedule. Most online courses are designed to be “asynchronous.” Students are not required to attend class, answer questions, or take tests, at any specific time of day. This is probably the most well-known perk of online education.

Many online colleges also offer accelerated and/or self-paced program options. If you think you need more or less time to complete the number of required courses, these options can help you design a personalized timeframe. Accelerated options – including Post University’s paralegal program, Bellevue’s business degree, and American Sentinel’s nursing program – may be ideal for students with clear goals and career direction. Accelerated study may also be beneficial to students who qualify for employer tuition assistance, since it potentially reduces the amount of time they would be obligated to their current employers.

Finally, schools like Western Governors University offer flexibility in the form of “competency-based” online degrees.  Why should you sit through a fifteen-week math course, if you’re confident you can ace the final right now? More importantly, why should you pay for all that extra instruction? At WGU and similar online colleges, you may be allowed to take competency-based exams whenever you decide, effectively moving on to the next level as soon as you are ready.

E-learning is often career-focused, so you don’t waste time and money trying to connect the dots between your education and your employment path.

Traditional colleges aim to produce well-rounded citizens and critical thinkers. This isn’t a bad goal, but the ideal is sometimes lost on traditional college graduates, who find themselves struggling in a concrete workforce. It’s true that liberal arts and certain soft-science majors are versatile. Still, “versatility expert” is not a job title.

Most adult students view college completion as a career asset. The average online student wants to prepare for a new a role, a new industry, or maximize her contributions in her current position. Online colleges understand this important difference. And they design courses based on relevant, market-driven topics.

Not sure what you want to be when you grow up? You can still find online degrees with broad-based foundations in the humanities and liberal arts. Online degrees in psychology, communications, English, sociology, and even undergraduate business degrees often involve culturally-enriching electives. Better yet, the online versions of these degrees are often taught by industry professionals – instructors who can help you turn your academic interests into tangible career goals.

E-learning gives you access to big names schools.

Did you ever dream of attending a powerhouse college – a school with athletic teams that compete in national tournaments or whose researchers are mentioned on the six-o’clock news?  Thanks to e-learning and a growing number of online degree programs, your college options may include some well-known institutions.

Most likely you’ve heard of the University of Massachusetts, Boston University, USC, Arizona State University, Georgetown, Drexel, George Mason, Gonzaga, Purdue… When you search for online degrees through eLearners.com, you’ll soon discover you can access some of higher education’s biggest name brands without relocating – or without even getting in your car!

All told, today’s online degrees are valued for more than just convenience. When you request information from specific colleges, you may discover even more reasons to love e-learning options. Start your search today!

How You'll Be Graded in an Online Course

As you’re exploring the option of an online degree, you might wonder how online students are graded. And while there’s no single formula for online grading, most online instructors test and grade students just like traditional classroom teachers. Exams, quizzes, papers, and group projects are all par for the (online) course.

That said, some subjects lend themselves better to sit down exams. Other subject knowledge is better evaluated through presentations and papers. Your area of study and your degree level will probably affect the types of assignments you receive in online courses.

If you’re concerned about grades and grading, take a moment to review the following assessment methods. Once you’re familiar with the possibilities, you may want to ask several college enrollment advisors which methods are most commonly used within their programs.

Proctored Exams

Some online courses require you to go to a testing center in your area, when it’s time to take tests. At the testing center, students need to present photo identification, so test proctors can ensure that no one is cheating. Proctors then oversee the exam for its entire duration. This process, along with a monitored testing environment, can make some students nervous. And the nearest testing center may a considerable distance from your home.

You can avoid proctored tests by checking with online programs, before you enroll, to determine if any on-site testing is required. If you do wind up selecting a school that requires proctored exams, make sure you prepare for them with “test runs”. Try driving to the site a day or two in advance; note how long the commute takes, so you won’t be late or lost on test day. Ask your instructor if it’s possible to try a practice exam at home. Tests are always easier when you’re familiar with the format.

Timed Quizzes and Exams

Timed, at-home exams are more common than proctored tests. You’ll be asked to log in to a site where you’ll gain access to a quiz or exam, which is usually in a multiple choice format. As soon as you log in, the clock starts, so be sure to log in only when you’re ready to begin. Many times, you’ll have the option of trying practice exams that will help you prepare for the material and the test format. Remember that one cause of test anxiety is a lack of familiarity with the process. If you want to get rid of test nerves, a great way to do so is to practice test at least twice.

Discussion Board Posts

Some instructors evaluate your performance based on the quality of your interaction with others in the discussion board forum. If you’re a quiet person, you’ll have to push yourself to vocalize thoughts and questions. Start a habit of reading with a pen in hand. Jot down your reactions and questions, so you’ll have comments to post. Keep in mind that quantity and quality are important. Five posts a day won’t do you any good if you’re not expressing anything worthwhile. Try responding to your classmates’ questions; pose your own questions; reference outside readings and websites that relate to the class topic. If you agree or disagree with points being made, offer examples that support your position.

Collaborative Activities

Group projects challenge you to work together with your classmates. Whether you’re creating a paper, a presentation, or a portfolio, your group will need to divide roles and responsibilities in a clear and effective way. You may wish to use the space that’s provided by your college or university (like a group discussion board), or you may prefer to work via email and/or conference call. The key is to understand your instructor’s expectations, and to develop a checklist that corresponds with the grading rubric.

Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re concerned about the project’s direction, or if some group members aren’t pulling their weight. Remember that group assignments are intended to prepare you for the working world and for the everyday collaboration that business professionals must accomplish. Get in the habit of taking your work seriously.

Projects

Project assignments vary a great deal. They are usually assigned to showcase the practical skills you are learning. So, depending on your major, projects may involve writing a new computer program, designing a new website, or inventing a new recipe. It’s okay to get creative with your class projects. After all, you should be enjoying the things you’re learning. But be careful not to stray too far from the assignment parameters. As your project evolves, check in with your instructor to make sure that you are on track.

Essays

Essays are formal papers that are required in many different courses. Essays are shorter than research papers, but their requirements can vary. Some essays are opinion papers; you can write them in the first person (using “I”), and base your arguments on your own beliefs and experiences. Other essays are comparison papers, summaries, or critiques that require scholarly references.

Before you start writing, make sure you understand the assignment and all of its required components. Draft an outline. Have a classmate review your first draft, and take advantage of your college writing center if one is available. Most importantly, do not wait until the last minute to start writing. Teachers can tell when a paper has been thrown together.

Research Papers

Research papers are a common form of assessment at the college level. Most research papers will require you to identify a research question, develop an outline, do research in online libraries, and write a paper that answers your original question. Some of the most common pitfalls are selecting a topic that is too broad, and becoming over-reliant on Wikipedia or online sources that are not peer-reviewed.

It is a good idea to let someone review your research paper at each stage of its development. In fact, some instructors will grade you on your research process (not just the end result.) Work through multiple drafts, and clearly document your research, so you can cite your sources in the final paper.

Portfolios

Electronic portfolios, also called e-portfolios, are like academic scrap books. E-portfolios are often assigned as capstone projects, towards the end of a degree program. They can contain a series of projects – including research reports, presentations, video clips of your work in action, or links to websites where your work has been featured.

Education majors often create e-portfolios to encompass all of their lesson plans, student teaching videos, teaching research, and more. Business majors and other graduate students might also complete portfolios in lieu of a senior thesis or dissertation.

You Are Ready to Go Back to School If ...

Traditionally, August is the month for "Back to School" preparation. Every year, millions of kids and parents welcome the first day of school by shopping for new clothes, new shoes, and backpacks filled with fresh supplies. As moms and dads wave good-bye from the bus stop, many think about going back to school themselves.

One of the greatest benefits of online education is that, in most cases, the "Back to School" vibe is available all year round. Many online schools run on accelerated semester schedules. So you don't have to wait until next August, if you're ready to start school now. In fact, it's never too late or too early to finish what you started.

The following indications are good signs that you're ready to pursue an online degree:

You have a clear understanding of what it is you want to accomplish, and you know that earning a degree will help you achieve that goal.

If you know that you can't qualify for a pay raise or move into a management role without a bachelor's degree, going back to school is a smart decision. However, if you are looking to strengthen specific professional or technical skills (say, project management skills or learning to program in JavaScript), you may not need a full, 4-year degree. A single course or a certificate program might meet your professional needs.

Remember, if there is any doubt as to why you need this degree, you might start to falter when courses are difficult. Without a clear objective, you'll question your decision and your motivation will suffer.

Your employer offers tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 50% of companies with 100 or more employees offer some kind of tuition assistance as part of their benefits package. For some reason, some companies don't advertise their tuition assistance programs, so it's up to you to find out if one exists at your workplace. Factors to consider:

• How much they will pay. IRS regulations stipulate that employers may provide an employee with up to $5,250 per year, tax-free. Additional compensation will be taxed, so it's safe to assume your employer will not exceed that amount. But you never know!
• What they will pay for. Does tuition assistance apply to your application fee or other costs? In addition to tuition and fees, your company might even pay for textbooks and other related course materials.
• Type of education. Some companies will pay 100% of the costs towards a degree or certification, but only 50% for personal interest courses. Make sure to ask!
• Type of institution. Typically, employers will verify that the institution you attend is accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA.) These are the only two organizations authorized to recognize accrediting agencies.
• Your grades. Find out how grades may affect your level of coverage. Your employer may foot 100% of the bill if you get an A, 90% if you get a B, and so on and so forth. Usually a "C" or better is required to be eligible for tuition reimbursement.
• When they will pay. Determine whether your employer will pay up front, at the start of the semester, or if you have to come up with money for tuition first, and then wait to be reimbursed after you receive your grades.
• Field of study. If you work at an advertising agency, it's highly doubtful they will pay for a degree in nursing. Most likely, you will have to study something relevant to your current job or future role.
• Length of employment. Thinking about earning your degree and then immediately quitting? Think again. Your employer will generally require you to be employed for a given length of time after completion of the degree. If you leave before that time, you may have to pay back any tuition or fees that were provided to you.

You have thought about the short-term and long-term financial impact of going back to school to earn your degree.

A college degree doesn't come cheap. But don't let the price tag of a college education stand in your way. Look at your personal budget and examine how paying for school may affect you and your family over the next few years. The flip side of this is to also think about your potential for increased earnings or job opportunities after you complete your degree. Going back to school is literally an investment in yourself.

You have the support of your loved ones.

Make sure you talk with your family about why you are returning to school, and about how things might be different around the house. Changes may include: increased chores for kids, rotating meal preparation responsibilities, guaranteed quiet time to study in the evenings, etc.

You understand the necessary time commitment that is required.

The general rule of thumb is that a 3-credit college course will require, on average, 10 to 12 hours per week. With this figure in mind, you need to be realistic about your schedule and your motivation. Can you find 12 hours after dinner and on the weekends? Will you actually get up early to complete your assignments? Are you willing to miss your favorite TV show, if you're up against a deadline?

You see yourself as being in control of your future.

Do you make things happen, or do things happen to you? There is a psychological concept that describes decision-making ability. It's called "locus of control." Students with an internal "locus of control" believe that their actions (such as studying on a regular basis) result in receiving A's and B's. Students with an external "locus of control" believe that their C's and D's were determined by forces beyond their control (such as an unfair professor.) If you identify with the former example, and you're willing to take responsibility for your learning, you are ready to go back to school.