One of the hottest debates surrounding the field of education today is how the so-called “data deluge” has affected student scholarship. Some experts argue that the overwhelming flood of information available to scholars and students has caused them to stop thinking in terms of meta-theories, algorithms, models, or even the scientific method. Instead, they think in terms of data bytes and clips of information that help them digest bits and pieces of information.

Distance learning degree programs have contributed to this shift in perspective. As students from online degree universities search through the Internet to find information for a course or project, they scan abstracts, browse summaries, or read excerpts of books. Rather than spending long hours in a library copying journal articles or reading reference materials, they turn to search engines to help them quickly find the information they need.

One approach that traditional and accredited online university degree programs are taking to alleviate this problem is to work together to establish data structures that can be shared, referenced, and are continuously available to students and educators alike. Although this solution has helped somewhat, issues concerning data ownership, author credit, and authorization of access continue to require resolution.

The goal of distance degree programs is not to diminish scholarship, but rather to make it more accessible to everyone. By taking it out of the libraries and off traditional college campuses, however, scholarship has become more informal and casual. Many scholars argue that this trivializes efforts at scholarship. Rather than making scholarship less important, however, educators have succeeded in making it possible for the common man or woman to access and understand scholarship, without making it an exclusive property of academicians.

In short, distance learning students aren’t causing a lower quality of education and scholarship. Instead, through the efforts of online degree universities, scholarly information is much more accessible to everyone. Distance education degree programs have not lowered the standards for education; rather, they have lowered the bar that prevents access to education for everyone.

For the first time in three years, an educational organization in the United States has been awarded the coveted Baldridge Award. Three different organizations received this award in 2008, and the North Carolina Iredell Statesville School District (I-SS) was among them. The other two organizations that were so honored including a healthcare business and a food industry giant.

The Baldridge Award was developed in 1987. It is given with the intent to honor service and performance excellence, as well as strategic planning and effective implementation, especially with regard to quality control and improvement. This award is designed to recognize the achievement of organizations that have made a serious commitment to quality and productivity.

School Superintendent Holliday believed that the school district’s commitment to distance learning made the organization stand out among the 88 other applicants. I-SS offers distance learning programs for secondary school students throughout the state of North Carolina. In the school’s first year, approximately 500 students participated in this distance degree program, while approximately 1000 students are enrolled in 2008.

Teachers use traditional and distance education degree program technology to interact with and educate their students. This online degree program also uses a variety of technologies, incluing podcasts, videos, and interactive learning methods. In addition, this top online school offers teachers the ability to meet and interact with one another, and to learn from one another, throughout the school year.

Distance degree programs for secondary students are becoming increasingly popular. This trend is underscored by the national recognition offered to I-SS with the Baldridge Award. Find out more about online degree courses and programs for secondary school students today!

President-elect Barack Obama claims to support distance learning degree programs, citing technological advances as one means of assisting students to enter 21st century classrooms and benefit from increased access to learning technologies. However, he vocally criticizes for-profit educational institutions, such as online degree universities, explaining that they are responsible for draining public education funds.

His approach to distance degree programs seem ambivalent at best. Further, he strongly advocates expanding the services of colleges traditionally serviced by the United Negro College Fund. I wonder whether he has taken a moment to review the educational research that clearly shows that African American and Latino students are enrolling in online degree university programs at a much higher rate than they are choosing traditional university degree programs?

Indeed, the rate at which these students are opting to attend top online schools is unprecedented, and has been increasing every year. According to education researchers, the rate at which minority students are leaving traditional campus degree programs and attending online degree programs has increased by as much as 500 percent in the last five years. Graduation rates among these students are also higher in distance degree programs than in traditional campus based alternatives.

One thing is certain: if Mr. Obama fails to take note of this important trend, he will limit the very students he is attempting to assist. Failing to account for the needs of students who want to earn a degree online could seriously decrease his ability to achieve his goals for education reform. Let’s hope he takes a moment to listen to and understand the needs and desires of all the American people instead of just assuming that he knows what’s best!

Imagine a 12% return on your investment. In today’s struggling economy, that kind of return is something like financial wizardry. Distance learning degree programs, however, are continuing to experience that kind of phenomenal market growth.

The latest distance learning degree program surveys, conducted by the Sloan Consortium, however, concluded that enrollment in online degree courses throughout the country had in fact increased by 12 percent during the last year. As a result, more than 4 million people nationwide are enrolled in distance learning classes.

Increasing fuel costs, job losses and economic uncertainties have contributed to these rising figures, according to the survey. As more people struggle to replace lost jobs during this recession, they turn to online degree universities to find distance education degree programs to help them gain an educational edge over their competitors.

In addition, many people find themselves working harder, or working more than one job, in order to meet the financial demands of their family members. Graduating from a traditional college degree program is almost impossible for these people, who turn to distance degree programs to help them achieve these objectives. And in the end, those who are motivated and dedicated do find what they are looking for - undergraduate and graduate degree programs that provide family and job security.

For more than a century, America has been referred to as a “melting pot” with regard to its cultural diversity. This diversity, however, is often not appreciated or understood. Now, a prominent legal organization is offering grants to primary and secondary school teachers interested in increasing their students knowledge of immigration and cultural issues.

The American Immigration Law Foundation has offered grants of up to $500 to teachers who develop projects designed to education students about current issues in immigration and cultural diversity. Distance learning secondary schools may be considered, but traditional classroom-based schools will receive the highest priority. The November 28 deadline for application submission is rapidly approaching.

Distance education programs are often a solution for many students who have difficulty dealing with issues related to ethnic diversity or interpersonal relationships. Distance degree programs in secondary education, however, don’t really resolve this issue, but rather help students who cannot at that moment confront the problems effectively.

Online degree programs for secondary students are an effective means of learning academics, but don’t often help students to resolve problems such as these. Although elementary and secondary teachers often face more conflict in traditional classrooms, this can be an effective venue for teaching about and helping to resolve issues of diversity.