The Future of Education: Online and Blended Learning

Online learning has become more popular because of its potential for providing flexible access to content and instruction at any time from any place.  Online learning often includes the following: increasing the availability of learning experiences for people cannot or choose not to attend traditional, face-to-face classes, assembling and distributing instructional content more cost-efficiently, and allowing instructors to handle more students while maintaining a high degree of effective teaching.  Additionally, online learning courses are being designed to enhance the quality of learning experiences and outcomes.  A common theory on education says that learning a complex body of information requires a community of learners, and online resources can expand and support these communities.

As technology continues to advance and become more available, both online courses and blended courses are becoming more popular. Sharon Roushdy, lead instructional designer with the learning technologies group at the University of Maryland, agrees with this notion, saying, "Both blended and online courses will continue to grow at the University of Maryland as technology gets better and better." Sharon Roushdy also explained that online classes have mainly been used in short semesters, such as summer and winter terms at the University of Maryland, while blended courses are becoming more widely used in courses during both fall and spring semesters.

For online and blended courses to be successful, the technology being used must be reliable and available to the entire class. With the explosion of laptops, tablets, and smart phones, many people are able to access the internet at all times. This is a big reason why blended and online class are increasing in popularity. In a study conducted by Educause Center for Applied Research in 2007, it was found that over 98% of college students responding to a survey own computers, nearly three-quarters of the respondents own laptops, and 83% had used a course management system that integrated an online component into their classes. Obviously, in the past four years, these numbers have increased to the point where virtually all college students either own a laptop or readily have access to them. Today, technology can easily be integrated in the classroom to any extent that the course calls for, enabling online and blended courses to be more practical and widespread.

Blended learning refers to a mixture of teaching techniques, including traditional, face-to-face meetings in addition to online components. Online courses take place entirely online, with no face-to-face meetings. Both blended and online learning styles have been found to be more effective than purely traditional ways of teaching. Based on a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, which can be found here, 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. Furthermore, students who took blended courses performed the best of all.  The study also said that online learning is much more conducive to the expansion of learning time than face-to-face instruction, which is a great advantage for promoting learning.  Of the report, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said "This report reinforces that effective teachers need to incorporate digital content into everyday classes and consider open-source learning management systems, which have proven cost-effective in school districts and colleges nationwide."  While both online and blended courses are useful, they each have their own advantages. Sharon Roushdy discusses these advantages in the following video.

In regards to blended learning, Sharon Roushdy points out the very important point that blended learning includes aspects of both traditional learning and online learning.  Blended courses appeal to a wider group of students because they can get a feel for the online aspect of learning, without completely relying on it.  Of course, some people do not have the ability to travel to a campus, but still want to take classes.  Online courses provide them with a great opportunity to take part in a learning experience at their convenience.  Sharon also points out that online courses are being improved by technologies, such as Web 2.0 and social media, which make them more similar to face-to-face classes.

In the following audio clip, University of Maryland student, Vas Blagodarskiy, explains why he thinks blended classes are the most effective.

listen to ‘Pros of Blended Courses’ on Audioboo
Vas agrees with Sharon Roushdy's comments on the advantages of blended courses; they are effective because they present information in a combination of ways, which better serves a
diverse group of learners.  In the next clip, Vas talks more specifically on 

Vas agrees with Sharon Roushdy's comments on the advantages of blended courses; they are effective because they present information in a combination of ways, which better serves a
diverse group of learners. In the next clip, Vas talks more specifically on why he thinks blended courses are advantageous and describes an experience he had with a blended course.

listen to ‘Blended Course Experience’ on Audioboo

Blended and online courses will continue to grow in the future because of more advanced technology, and because they are cost-effective, convenient, and, most of all, effective at helping students learn. As director of higher education at the American Federation of Teachers said, "Online learning and blended learning are growing components of higher education and, employed properly, can play a significant role in promoting student learning."

Interview with Composer Mark Nowakowski

I interviewed Mark Nowakowski, who is a composer and teaches my music theory class.  The focus of the interview was how music writing programs have changed the way music is written and distributed.  In the first clip, Mark describes the advantages of using music writing programs, such as Noteflight.

In the second clip, Mark talks about how writing music with computer programs has changed the way it is shared.

Using music writing programs have obviously had a tremendous impact on the music writing process. As Mark says, "Essentially, you're speeding up the entire process...you hear instantly what you have." Mark also says, "It makes it a lot more fun...you get to hear your work as you go on, and that's something very contemporary." Writing music with a program allows you to hear your work while writing it for the first time in history. Music distribution has also been effected by music composition programs. Mark calls the change "a complete paradigm shift in the way that mp3s have changed recorded music distribution...it's faster and cheaper." Using composer Jennifer Higdon, who does all of her publishing in-house, as an example, Mark explains that selling music directly through online publishing yields higher profit for the musician. Music composition programs have significantly changed how music is written and distributed, both to the advantage of musicians.

DC Radio is WTOP

I interviewed Doug Sutherland, who blogged about the history of radio in Washington D.C.  When you think of DC radio, you think of the news station WTOP, which first aired on September 25, 1926.  WTOP was one of the earliest stations in DC, and quickly became the region's primary news station.  WTOP has been there through the technological advancements and social changes which have made radio so popular.  WTOP is the most profitable radio station in the United States, generating $57.225 million in revenue in 2010, and is the highest rated radio station in Washington D.C.  Part of WTOP's success comes from the size of the radio markets where WTOP broadcasts can be heard.  Washington D.C. is the 8th largest market in the nation with a population of 4,479,400 people over 12 years old.  WTOP can also taps into another large market in Baltimore, which is the 21st largest radio market in the country, with a population of 2,308,900 listeners (source).  WTOP is able to reach many people because of the strong signal provided by broadcasting on 103.5 FM.  Up until 2006, WTOP had broadcast on AM, which is a weaker signal.  WTOP's quality of programming is another major reason for its success.  Over the past decade, the station has won numerous Edward R. Murrow Awards in such categories as, Best Radio Large Market Feature Reporting, Best Radio Large Market Feature Hard News, and Large Market Radio News Overall Excellence.  The station also won the  National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Major Market Station of the Year in 2010.  My interviewee Doug Sutherland pointed out a few other reasons for the success of WTOP and another station in the area, WHFS.

listen to ‘DC Radio market and WTOP’ on Audioboo

The Washington D.C. is a very large and important market, as it is home to the Federal Government, where news is always developing and there is a large audience that wants to be informed.  If WTOP continues its high quality broadcasting, the DC radio market is in good hands.

Investigating the Criminal Justice Major

As a student currently in Letters and Sciences, I am frequently thinking about potential majors.  Of course, I browse through the departmental websites, research the course requirements, and talk with my academic adviser, but I think it is also valuable to talk to students already in the major.  One major that I am interested in is Criminology and Criminal Justice. I am interested in Criminology and Criminal Justice because I think that is a very important aspect of American society that I want to learn more about, and I think it can be improved.  While I am taking CCJS100-Introduction to Criminal Justice this semester and enjoying it, I wanted to get some information on other classes in the major from a student.  Here is part of my interview of a Senior student in the Criminology and Criminal Justice major, which discusses his favorite and least favorite required class in the major. In the interview, I also asked his opinion on blended classes in relation to the Criminal Justice Major

listen to ‘Criminal Justice Classes Discussion’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Blended Courses’ on Audioboo

I asked him about blended courses because I believe that technology should increasingly be used for classes like they are in JOUR150. Blended classes are advantageous because they allow students to become more familiar with technology and methods of sharing information, such as twitter and blogging. The skills developed by being in a blended class are essential in many other fields, including criminal justice. The criminal justice system relies heavily on technology and I think it would be a natural connection to have blended criminal justice classes.

Sports Radio in Washington D.C.

The relationship between sports and radio began in September 1920, when Detroit radio station WWJ 

broadcasted the results of the Heavyweight Championship fight between Jack Dempsey and Billy Miske.   In the early years of sports radio, Boxing, Baseball, and College Football were the most popular, with the World Series being the most listened to sporting event for years.  Another breakthrough in sports radio occurred in July, 1987, when WFAN-AM in New York City became the first all-sports radio station.  The all-sports format quickly gained popularity, and within a decade of its existence, WFAN-AM was the first radio station to top the $50 million mark in advertising billing.  Soon after, many other cities had their own all-sports radio stations, and the sports radio industry took off (Source).  

Radio is a good medium for sports because sportscasters paint a picture of the action for the viewers and because radio can be heard at home, work, and on the road.  Sports radio gets many listeners to tune in to listen to live broadcasts of games, but also gains many listeners through daily sports talk shows, which allow listeners to speak to the anchors live on air through the phone.   In the vast world of sports, discussion and debate is constant and listeners want to hear the latest news and opinions of the experts on the air.  ESPN radio executives Pete Gianesini and Bruce Gilbert believe that sports talk topics are like records and that you have to keep finding the next hot topic (Source).

The two preeminent sports radio stations in the Washington D.C. market are WTEM, which is known as ESPN 980, and WJFK-FM, which is known as 106.7 The Fan.  Washington D.C. is a very large market and covers many sports teams.  In addition to the four major professional teams in D.C., many college sports from the surrounding area are also covered.   

WTEM became ESPN 980 on July 21, 2008.  ESPN 980 is the Flagship radio station for Washington Redskins play-by-play with Larry Michael, Rick "Doc" Walker and Hall of Famers Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff.   ESPN 980 is also the exclusive home of the Play-by-Play broadcasts for Maryland Terrapins Basketball and Football, Georgetown Hoyas Basketball,  University of Virginia Football, George Mason Basketball, MLB and World Series, NBA and NBA Finals, NFL and Super Bowl, NCAA Football and BCS, and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.  ESPN 980 is also the home of the Baltimore Orioles in Washington D.C.  ESPN 980 also carries many sports talk shows, such as The Mike and Mike Show, The Tony Kornheiser Show, The Sports Fix, The John Thompson Show, and more.  ESPN 980’s website can be  found here.   

On July 20, 2009, WJFK-FM assumed its all-sports format, naming itself 106.7 The Fan.  The Fan differs from ESPN 980 because it is more locally geared in its programming.  While ESPN 980 offers syndicated, nationally-aired shows, The Fan broadcasts local sports talk shows.  These shows include The Lavar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes, The Brian Mitchell Show, The Sports Junkies, The Mike Wise Show, and more.  106.7 The fan is the flagship station of the Washington Wizards and Washington Nationals, and is an affiliate station for Virginia Tech Basketball and Football.  106.7 The Fan’s website can be found here. 

In recent years, sports radio has become even more popular with satellite radio offering hundreds of stations dedicated to sports.  It's safe to say sports radio is here to stay.

The Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature, and musical composition.  It was established by the publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University.  In Pulitzer's will, he gave money to Columbia University to start a journalism school and establish the award.  $250,000 was allocated to the prize and scholarships.  Pulitzer specified "four awards in journalism, four in letters and drama, one in education, and four traveling scholarships."  After his death, the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded on June, 4, 1917.  However, the prizes are now announced in April.  Many more categories were introduced over the years such as, public service, criticism, and local reporting, and there are now a total of 21 categories.  In all categories, except public service, receives a certificate and a $10,000 cash award.  The prize for the public service category is a gold medal.  

The Pulitzer Prize does not automatically evaluate all applicable works in the media, but only those that have been entered with a $50 entry fee (one per desired entry category). Entries must fit in at least one of the specific prize categories, and cannot simply gain entrance on the grounds of having general literary or compositional properties. Works can also only be entered into a maximum of two prize categories, regardless of their properties.

Each year, 102 judges are selected to "serve on 20 separate juries" for the 21 award categories (1 jury for both photography awards). Most of the juries consist of five members, except for those of "public service, investigative reporting, beat reporting, feature writing and commentary categories", which have seven members.  For each award category, a jury makes three nominations. The board selects the winner by majority vote from the nominations or bypasses the nominations and selects a different entry with a 75% majority vote. The board can also vote no award. The board gets no compensation for its work. The jurors in letters, music, and drama get a $2000 honorarium for the year, while each chair gets $2500.

The 19-member board consists mostly of major newspaper editors and executives, along with four academics including the president of Columbia University and the dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The administrator and the dean cannot vote. The board elects its own members for a three-year term (excluding the dean and the administrator). Members of the board and the juries are selected with close attention "given to professional excellence and affiliation, as well as diversity in terms of gender, ethnic background, geographical distribution and size of newspaper." Each year, the chair rotates to the most senior member. The board presides over the judging process and makes all decisions related to the Pulitzer Prize administration.  

 In 2011, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama was awarded to Bruce Norris for his play, Clybourne Park.  The play was described as "a powerful work whose memorable characters speak in witty and perceptive ways to America's sometimes toxic struggle with race and class consciousness" on the Pulitzer Prize website.  Bruce Norris is an American actor and playwright associated with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago.  

Amy Ellis Nutt won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 2011 for her story of the mysterious sinking of a commerical fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean that drowned six men.  The first chapter of her work can be found here http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/9151.   

Blogging About Blogging

I think blogs are the way to go for journalists for several reasons, and I think blogging will become more and more prevalent in the coming years.  The two largest advantages blogs have over traditional newspaper and magazine articles are the abilities to post the latest information and to have communication between the writer and the readers.  Blogs can also conveniently share links to relevant websites so that readers can find the information they are interested in quickly.  Many people are connected to the Internet at all times and are easily able to keep up with a blog.  Another advantage of blogs is the ability to display videos and audio.  Personal blogs also have value for both the writers and readers.  Writing one's thoughts to a anonymous audience and getting feedback for some, and some people simply enjoy reading about the everyday events of others.
Some blogs that I enjoy reading are http://blog.redskins.com/ and http://blog.phish.net/.  They cover subjects of interest to me and have good presentation.
In respect to my potential field of criminal justice, blogs are another way in which information can be communicated quickly with a mass audience.  Police departments use blogs to post information about crimes and suspects.  Here is the link to the Los Angeles Police Department Blog http://lapdblog.typepad.com/.