Rasmussen College Press Releases
Printer-friendly format (PDF) Online Learning Enhanced with Interactive Widgets
October 15, 2009
Contact:
Kristy Croom
Sr. Marketing Manager
Phone: (727) 942-0069
Cell: (785) 331-5422
Kristy.Croom@Rasmussen.edu
As reports show the effectiveness of online learning and the number of online students continues to grow, colleges are enhancing online curriculum to make it more engaging and interactive with widgets and online tools.
A recent report by Stanford Research Institute (SRI) International for the Department of Education suggests that on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.
In fact, Barbara Means, the lead author of the SRI study suggests that online learning today is not just better than nothing—it actually tends to be better than conventional instruction. Until fairly recently, online education amounted to little more than electronic versions of the old-line correspondence courses. Now, colleges are responding.
For the past eighteen months, Rasmussen College—a private, regionally accredited college—has increased its focus on delivering media for online classes. With an instructional design and development team, they have been able to build custom media pieces based on the needs of faculty and students and have also worked with marquee publishers who provide supplemental media.
“With today’s significant media influence, students expect to see material delivered in many different ways, Rasmussen College Director for Online Course Development Steve Wettergren said. “By providing diverse media tools, students can learn by watching videos, listening to audio samples, participating in digital discussions, and much more.”
At Rasmussen College the goal is to appeal to the widest variety of learning styles using various media formats. “We develop 25 new online courses every 3 months, and with 200 pieces of media integrated into those courses, there is something engaging for everyone.”
A major benefit of interactive widgets, better known as online quiz-based activities, is that students can function in a safe environment while gauging their mastery of content. Online colleges often use widgets as a content delivery platform, offering information, real-life scenarios and a corresponding quiz. With no penalty for incorrect responses, students’ learning is enhanced.
“We even use interactive widgets to provide practice for certain types of certification exams,” Wettergren said. “But we have gone well beyond widgets to create customized media to teach difficult concepts. By developing advanced media such as crime scene investigation modules and a sophisticated virtual hospital, we are actually setting the standard for top notch online learning.”
To schedule an interview with Steve Wettergren, please email Kristy.Croom@Rasmussen.edu.
For more information on Rasmussen College and its online offerings, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.
ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
Founded in 1900, Rasmussen College is a premier provider of online educational experiences, delivering regionally accredited Master’s, Bachelor’s, Associate’s, and Doctoral degree programs through its network of 17 Rasmussen College campuses and partnerships with leading universities. Rasmussen is an institution of higher learning dedicated to the growth and development of its students, employees, and the communities it serves. With more than 12,000 students, Rasmussen is able to offer its students a broad range of quality programs focused on the areas with the greatest occupation opportunities. To learn more about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.
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