Category Archives: Online Best Practices

MOOCs: The Adult Learning Renaissance

More and more it is becoming evident that the impact MOOCs will have is on adult (lifelong) learners and not on your typical undergraduate. I am currently participating in Kathy Davidson’s wonderful MOOC entitled, “History and Future of (Mostly) Higher … Continue reading

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Can CUNY Thrive with “Disruption”?

Clayton Christensen, the Harvard professor who coined the term “disruptive innovations,” has followed his book with a recent Chronicle article entitled, “How Disruption Can Help Colleges Thrive.” Although his theme is that such “disruptions” produce better outcomes in the long … Continue reading

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Re-envisioning the Vision (Part 2): The Vision of Ubiquity U

“A whole new kind of education for a whole new kind of world . . .” Quote from Jim Garrison (Founder and CEO of Ubiquity University) What does a transformative vision of education look like?  I can think of no … Continue reading

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Re-envisioning the Vision (Part 1)

In the past few months this blog has been in a hibernation of sorts.  I just have not been motivated to write any more about MOOCs, online learning, strategic planning for instructional technology or such things. There are many reasons … Continue reading

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Move Over MOOCs: The Real Revolution is Personalized Learning

Given the hype about MOOCs in the past two years, it was inevitable that a reassessment would happen.  In an article entitled, “The MOOC Disruption Proves Less Than Revolutionary After All” in last month’s Chronicle, some of the hot air … Continue reading

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Digital Pacifiers

There are certainly benefits to the new digital technologies — cell phones, tablets, eReaders and a host of other devices.  But this post looks at the shadow side of these developments. On any subway, bus, or sidewalk in New York … Continue reading

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MOOCs and Magical Thinking

During the dot-com bubble a decade ago, an astute trader decided it was time to get out of those heady stocks the moment he heard a cab driver speaking about them.  Recently I got a similar feeling upon hearing a professor at … Continue reading

Posted in Envisioning Online, Online Best Practices, Online Learning Policies, Procedures, Systems, Online Trends, Paradigm Shift, Strategic Planning for Online | 1 Comment

Top 10 Tips for Online Instructors

As one who makes lists, a list about online learning would be a natural for me.  Admittedly, my Top 10 List for online instructors is limited by a fault in all such lists; namely, it merely reflects the thinking of … Continue reading

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New York Times — Say It Isn’t So!

So the “paper of record” weighed in on online learning in its February 18th editorial entitled “The Trouble with Online College.” Overall, the editorial paints with a wide brush and distorts the reality of online teaching and learning. Below is … Continue reading

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Evolution of a Course

I have been fortunate to teach a capstone course for the CUNY Online B.A. program. Capstone courses in many programs are the culmination of work toward a B.A. degree, taught in small classes. Students are asked to produce a project … Continue reading

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