APPLE: The world is the new classroom

From the Apple education website. Ok, they might be trying to sell their products but they are quite compelling. Here's some of their highlights:

"There’s no bigger or more important trend in education than mobile learning. Everyone’s talking about how it creates opportunities for learning outside classroom walls — and beyond classroom hours. Mobile learning can help make any subject more relevant and more “real” for students. And it lets institutions reach students scattered across a state or across the world." - Apple

"Think back to the reason you got into education: The chance to make a difference. But to make that difference — and this is more true today than ever — you have to be open to change. You have to be ready to adopt new ideas and recognize new opportunities. Of course, not everyone will embrace these changes. But for those who do, Apple will be there to make amazing things not just possible, but simple. So go ahead and think about what you want for your students and your school a year from now. And ten years after that. Think big. Think bold. Think ahead." - Apple

RULE #1: Keep a student's point of view

Let's be frank: The great majority of universities today use online tools to help the learning process. However, it is such a change in our normal education environment  that we have not yet been able to understand its full and right potential and we have definitely have not yet tamed it. The online world has great benefits like studying at your own time and it also has great challenges like student engagement. As this relatively new technology evolves it exposes new opportunities which we have to first reflect and establish a realistic and sensible strategy and  figure out how to best use it in an impactful & meaningful way for the student. 

We have to remember that technology is just a tool. The real benefit has to always be seen by the student's point of view.

FULLSAIL & LYNDA.COM:Introducing online learning to the skeptic audience

Here's two case studies that exemplify good introduction, expectations and, in a sense, myth busting capabilities to the onilne studying change:

Fullsail is a Media and Design University that has been around for over 30 years. They now have a very powerful marketing and introduction aura to their online degrees. They focus on making it learner driven and have multiple ways of navigating their courses. Their virtual tours compromise seven videos which are all very nicely done: What is fullsail Online? What is a typical week like? Engaging original content. Contacting Teachers. Staying on track. Your mac. Our story. This univeristy is by far the most insightful and 'mythbusting' online program website that I've seen out there. Kudos!

Lynda.com is an online software trainer which has tens of thousands of customers. It has rapidly grown to become the standard in software education and is an innovator in many areas including their financial model. Their introduction to their system is very human and simple: Two videos: 1. Lynda Weinman, the co-founder and CEO shows you why she created the school, what their goal is and how they might help you. It is very believable and probably cost them close to nothing. 2. A visual and easy to understand guide through how to use their learning platform. Top notch.

So how does your university get here? These are definitely stories to benchmark. Do you not have the production capabilities? Well, if you want to play in the online learning field, you might just have to start thinking about redesigning your team as it will shortly be the standard. Have it or get out of the way.