When I first started thinking about going to school online, I was completely clueless as to what I should expect. Of course, I knew what the internet was and the basics of how to use a computer, but I felt pretty intimidated about online classes because I honestly had no idea how earning a degree from a distance worked. Even if I was anxious and a little embarrassed about my lack of online skills, I was determined to finish my degree. Read more »
How do you create robust and engaging online courses that bring Oregon State’s faculty expertise to students worldwide? A deep dive into the course development process reveals a number of things. Each course development is a custom build, and we pursue quality throughout every stage, ensuring that students are presented with the best possible learning experience.
Lynette de Silva is co-director of Oregon State’s water conflict management and transformation program. She is one of many expert OSU faculty members looking at history through a new lens, asking important questions about things like how race played a part in disasters. Read about de Silva’s research into the 1948 Vanport flood.
Oregon State Ecampus associate provost Lisa L. Templeton shares her insights on why the professional, continuing and online (PCO) education community is uniquely positioned to lead in the world’s new education landscape. That begins by creating pathways to more affordable learning experiences and alternative credentials.
The field of business and communications is rapidly evolving. And employers need people with the relevant and in-demand skills to meet organizational needs. Enter: microcredentials. In a few short courses, you can gain skills in business and communications and earn a digital badge to signify to employers your unique skills.
Oregon State Ecampus spearheaded the university’s initiative to develop and launch microcredentials, which are for-credit sequences that consist of at least three courses and 8 credits. While all internal OSU partners were highly supportive, it was somewhat challenging for a four-year public institution that has offered traditional credentials for more than 150 years. Here are five lessons learned from the experience.
Microcredentials are a step toward shorter, more affordable offerings at Oregon State University for those who are not interested in earning a degree or completing a certificate. But with evolution often come questions, so let’s explore the basics and beyond.
Brent Wolf is a wildlife research biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He’s also a student in Oregon State’s online data analytics master’s program. He was drawn to the program as a way to get a leg up in his current role, and so far it has paid off. “Going for the M.S. in Data Analytics has opened some doors for me that were previously closed,” he said.
Justin Nelson says the topics covered in Oregon State’s online environmental sciences master’s degree program are ideal for helping students who want to change careers “break into new markets and industries.” Earning a professional science master’s led Justin to a new role working in corporate sustainability strategy.
Marcus Mateus is one of a growing number of working professionals in the United States enrolling online with Oregon State thanks to collaborations with organizations like Guild Education that offer their employees and members a tuition benefit. Mateus calls it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for workers like him who now have affordable access to an Oregon State education online.
Oregon State Ecampus developed Online Teaching Principles, a resource that helps paint a picture of what good online teaching looks like. These evidence-based principles point faculty to key resources for further reading and exploration, and, very importantly, they have been “road-tested” by experienced faculty who teach online to help promote buy-in.
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