Reflections from OLC Accelerate 2019

I recently went to my first higher ed technology conference, the 2019 Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Accelerate conference which was held in Orlando, FL. It was my first national conference in several years, so I was excited in general to get back but this was also an opportunity for me to see how something more directly connected to my current work felt. I was not disappointed.

The conference was a decent size, with over 1,000 people on site (and more attending virtually, more on that later). It had people from all over the country and from all aspects of digital education.

Here are a few of my major takeaways:

Parity for All (Almost)

A big difference with this event than prior student affairs conferences I’ve been to (ACPA from 2013-15) is that there was a good mixture of those who worked on campuses and with them. It wasn’t just the vendors, it was those who were interested in connecting with other professionals from the vast ecosystem of digital education. I was one of those people. Our programs utilize a deep and diverse stack of tools to augment our student experience so it was great to be able to talk with folks from our current partners as well as meet with those from organizations we’re considering working with. I even got to see some of my campus based colleagues. Higher education is made up of partnerships with outside organizations in pretty much every functional area. Digital education programs have some of their own unique aspects in this regard, but we also touch every aspect of student support as well. The only thing that bummed me out was that OLC still does differentiate registration price between campus based professionals and those with companies. I’m looking forward to going to SXSW EDU next year which is one flat rate for all registrants, which is refreshing.

Sponsor/Vendor Presence

So following up on my prior point, there was a ubiquitous presence of sponsors and vendor set up at the conference looking to make connections and build their business. There was a lot of interesting tools and organizations to check out, and there was a deep integration of sponsors into socials, programming, and different raffles incentivizing engagement. I feel like higher ed can be a little resistant to stuff like this, but OLC feels like it thrives on making meaningful partnerships with these organizations that partner with campuses. Seeing that this was possible in this way reframed this for me. It really helped to have this funding since the whole conference experience benefitted. There were fun social events put on by vendors, awesome raffle prizes, and even monitors provided for their “discovery sessions” (basically poster sessions but with your computer) so that the audience could more easily view the content.

Live-streaming!

Something else that was refreshingly ubiquitous at this conference that I haven’t seen as much myself was the proliferation of live-streaming for sessions. I know more and more “virtual tickets” for conferences are popping up, but the way it was done for this conference was having people volunteer to be Session Chairs for each live-streamed presentation. They were able to manage the chat and relay questions live to the presenter(s). I imagine this is becoming more common, but seeing it firsthand was new for me, and I appreciated how they integrated this in for sessions and as a meaningful volunteering opportunity.

Overall Relaxed Vibe

As one might expect with a technology conference, this event had a laid back style and flow. There was a lot of different stuff going on at once and people tended to show up in more casual dress. They also served snacks and drinks throughout the time of the conference, which was a nice touch. Since it was held at a hotel near the Disney parks, they utilized those as an evening option for attendees to have fun and socialize after full days of educational content. I felt very at home with this overall experience, which I hadn’t really encountered at any conference before.

I’m very grateful I had the chance to attend this conference. I was also able to present a few discovery sessions in addition to the presentations I attended. I got a lot of helpful context and information to add to my ongoing development in this space. I look forward to hopefully attending again next year as I work to make OLC my new professional home!

How You Can Make Extra Cash By Playing Games Online

If you’re a bit short on cash and you’re looking for a way to earn a little bit of extra cash, you probably start by looking at ways to earn money online. There are all sorts of things you can do like website testing or filling out surveys to earn a bit of extra money on the side. The only problem with that stuff is that it can get a bit boring. You don’t usually make that much money from survey sites and other similar money making schemes so you’ll have to spend a while doing the same boring tasks over and over before you get any real money out of it. But what if there was a way to earn money online while you’re doing something fun at the same time. It might sound too good to be true but you can actually do that.

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Playing games online is usually considered a fun pastime, not a good way to make money but what a lot of people don’t realize is that you can actually do both. There are plenty of different ways that you can play games online and earn money while you’re doing it. These are just some of the best ways to earn money online by simply playing games.

Streaming

Video game streaming sites have really exploded over the last couple of years, the most popular one being Twitch. All you have to do is set up a webcam and stream yourself playing your favorite games and people can drop in and watch. Then there is a donation section on there and if people like to watch you, they’ll send you some cash. You’ll also make money from ad revenue if you feature certain games. It takes a while to build a fanbase before you start making any big money but if you enjoy playing games anyway, that’s not really a problem. The most successful channels are the ones run by people with a big personality that people can relate to and the ones that do something interesting with their games. If you’re just playing through a game normally then people will get bored and switch off, but if you can think of a new and interesting way to play it, you’ll get lots of subscribers.

As well as streaming on sites like Twitch, you can start a Youtube channel to make money more directly. Once you hit a certain number of views on a video, you’ll start getting paid advertising revenue by Youtube. If you can build a loyal fanbase that watches all of your new videos, you can make a lot of money this way. There are popular Youtubers out there that have made millions just from playing games.

Esports Competitions

This one is a bit harder to get into and you really need to be good at a game to make money from it. There are a lot of new competitive gaming competitions out there and the prize money is in the millions for the biggest ones. Those are for the best players in the world and you’ll probably struggle to get into those unless you’re really good, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make good money from some smaller competitions. If there is a game that you play regularly and you think you’re pretty good, why not see if there is a local team that you could join?

Casino Games

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Getting into professional gaming or building a Youtube channel takes a lot of time and dedication and if you aren’t a serious gamer, you’re probably not going to manage it. That doesn’t mean you can’t make a bit of extra money by playing games though. Casino sites are one of the easiest ways to do it. There are plenty of online gambling sites where you can play with real money and sometimes win big. There are, of course, risks involved so don’t think that this is an easy way to make money fast. However, if you bet small and limit the amount of money you spend on there, you can use it as a way of making cash.

Bingo

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If you’re not too keen on the idea of casino games, why not try something simpler like bingo instead. There are so many bingo sites online where you can play with real money and you don’t have to spend that much at all. Some of them let you play with pennies per game so you’re not risking that much. Obviously, the more you play with the more you stand to win but ingo sites are often a cheaper and safer alternative to playing casino games.

Second Life

Second Life is a massively popular online game which, as the name suggests, lets players live out a completely virtual life of their own. You can do pretty much anything you want in the game whether that be working in a store, being a cab driver, becoming a businessman or even being a criminal. The most exciting thing about it though is that you can trade the in-game currency for real money once you’ve accumulated enough. There are people that have become millionaires from playing the game and, while you might not have that many hours to dedicate to the game, you could still make a lot of money.

One of the most popular ways to make money is trading in virtual real estate. If you build up enough in-game cash to buy some good properties, people will pay you a lot for them and you can then trade that for real money. Other people that own businesses in the game will pay you to work for them and you’ll earn a wage, just like in real life, which can then be swapped for real money. It’s a strange concept but there are plenty of people that are making a lot of real money just by playing a game online.

It seems too good to be true but if you put a bit of work in, it is possible to make some money on the side or even make your living from playing games online.

Reasons Why It Is Worth To Enroll In An Online PhD Program

Higher Ed Geek always strives to bring you the latest news and advice involving the role of education within the modern world. So, it only makes sense that we tackle the subject of online PhD courses. What makes them so popular and why do they represent great opportunities for advancement?

A More Economical Alternative

If money is a concern, you will be very happy to learn that online PhD courses are significantly cheaper than their real-world counterparts. With costs ranging between $4,000 and $20,000 dollars, even those on a limited budget will normally be able to make ends meet.

More Opportunities to Organize Your Time

As there are a growing number of institutions which offer online programs, you can enjoy a greater sense of flexibility. It is often possible to schedule the courses around your requirements, so those with full-time professions will still be able to obtain a quality education. This also helps to strengthen the learning curve; enabling you to absorb a greater amount of information when the time is right.

Preparation for the World of Teaching

Are you considering teaching as a profession? If so, online PhD programs can be excellent options. While you will be able to gain entry into public schools, a more advanced degree can open up additional doors such as positions as a university-level professor. Thanks to the prevalence of chat forums and immediate access to tutors, you can also learn powerful communication skills. Another factor to remember is that classes are becoming increasingly tailored to fewer students, so the level of attention that can be devoted to each individual has increased in recent years. Many credits can likewise be transferred into real-world institutions if necessary.

Additional Skills and Talents

Another lesser-known advantage of any online course is that you will naturally build your technical skills. Often referred to as a learning management system (LMS), these programs are becoming an increasingly important part of the digital world. Other traits which can be developed include:

• Understanding webinars and VoIP networks.
• Working with modern word processors.
• Sharing documents.
• Leveraging the power of digital audio/visual media.

Becoming More Resourceful and Independent

You truly are your own boss when registering for an online PhD program. You will therefore develop discipline and independence along the way. Such responsibilities will prove to be invaluable when you ultimately enter into the workforce. Many employers are eagerly searching for such traits and in return, you could very well find that a greater number of positions are available.

When you complete the training, be sure to speak directly with the specialists at Maxxima Group. Whether referring to occupational therapy jobs or a board-certified surgeon, this team offers flexible and high-quality staffing solutions which are specifically designed for the health care sector. Possessing a PhD will open up an untold world of opportunities and there is no better time than the present to begin this rewarding journey.

Exploring the Present Power and Future Facts of Online Gaming

When you look back to the 90’s there were limited options on where and how you could game. Computers and consoles were the primary gaming outlet that everybody used and that’s just what people dealt with. There were never any thoughts about gaming on the go or playing online; it was a winning formula. Nowadays the world of gaming has expanded its horizons hugely and online gaming is one of the most popular platforms there is. Whether it’s online card games or head to head battles, everyone now has access to compete against other players on the World Wide Web. It is true that the internet has been the biggest influence on the gaming world in the past ten years. The massive boost in online gamers is still on the rise and there is a valid reason behind it. Let explore the power of online gaming and what the future might hold for us.

The Vast and Varied Choices

The online world of gaming caters to all ages, abilities and interests. The multitude of genres is one of the most impressive elements of online gaming; people can dabble with new things and try out unexpected games they wouldn’t have explored before using a regular console. You will never be stuck for options when browsing online gaming libraries. You can find anything from this casino card games list to creative games you have never experienced before. Now is probably one of the best times to experiment with something new, so give it a go and you might just find a natural flair for a new gaming genre.

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On The Go Games

The number of smartphone users has catapulted in the last few years and that means a great deal to avid gamers. Being able to play your favourite mobile game when you are out and about is a real privilege, especially when you are trying to fill time on a commute to work or in a waiting room. There are literally thousands of apps that you can download from brain training games to puzzles, so the gaming world has opened up its doors to a whole load more users than there used to be. The target audience is much more widespread nowadays; children as young as three years old can play a puzzle game and eighty year olds are even playing Candy Crush!

Fantastic and Free

The online gaming world has given us the privilege of being able to try new things for free. Many of the top notch games will have a hefty price tag, there is no escaping that, but if you are looking for a fun and free game there are millions to choose from. Downloading a new free game to your phone is a daily occurrence for most smartphone users and it is an element of gaming that has allowed more people to try it out as a hobby.

Competitive Spirit

Another joy of online gaming is having the ability to play against your friends. The internet has allowed friends to connect online and play together even if they are thousands of miles away across the world. Introducing your friend to a new game is a modern day communicative form and it truly bonds friendships together for life. You don’t have to spend a fortune hanging out and doing expensive activities together; you can throw on your headsets, have a chat and immerse yourself into a new game that you both have a common interest in. You no longer have to battle against yourself or a computer; you can truly be challenged by real life, experienced gamers.

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Admittedly, gaming is now widely considered a natural part of modern society and the leisure industry. Millions of people enjoy playing a game every day and new developments are constantly making the gaming world a bigger and bigger thing to be a part of. Gaming is no longer seen as a ‘nerdy’ activity, whereby people hide themselves away in their bedrooms for months and months on end. There is a lot more understanding on the subject as more and more people are enjoying partaking in games every single day. Instead of gaming being an isolating hobby, it is now a lot more social, due to the catapulting popularity of the internet and online gaming. We don’t know what the future will hold for online gaming, but it can only get bigger and better than it already is. It is a fun activity enjoyed by people of all ages and its vast versatility is something that makes it truly unique.

Earning Extra Income Online - Ideas To Try

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If you’re looking for ways in which you could earn some extra cash or even launch a small business on the internet this year; you’ve come to the right place. While there are hundreds of different options on the table, the ideas on this page should help to point you in the right direction and give you some much-needed inspiration. Best of all? You don’t need previous experience to get started with any of these concepts. You just need a willingness to learn and the confidence to make yourself appear like you know what you’re doing during the early stages. Of course, you could end up becoming an expert in the industry in a few years.

Writing or Graphic Design

There are lots of opportunities for anyone with skills in writing or graphic design to make money online today according to experts like Anna Johansson. In most instances, you just have to register an account on some of the most popular freelancing websites. You can then begin to bid for jobs and make lots of useful contacts. As you become successful; it’s possible that some of your new clients will attempt to employ your services outside of those freelancing websites. When that happens, you are in the perfect position to launch a small business or something similar. You will earn extra income at the very least.

SEO or Marketing

If you want to follow in the footsteps of such industry celebrities like Danny DeMichele and other entrepreneurs of that caliber; you might consider launching a new SEO or online marketing firm. Again, you can do that from the comfort of your laptop during the early stages, and it’s possible to find clients using those same freelance websites. However, you will need to launch a dedicated domain for your brand as soon as possible. You can then use Google Adwords and other tools to drive traffic to your website. Offer services like SEO and social media management for the best results.

Affiliates or Drop-shipping

People with skills in web design who need extra income to pay their way through college or something similar can make a small fortune every year if they launch affiliate sites that promote products the general public wants to buy. There is also a lot of potential in the concept of drop-shipping, and so you might like to research some of the manufacturers and suppliers that provide that service. The idea is that you will advertise the products on your website, and then the manufacturer or another firm will handle all aspects of delivery while you make a small commission on each sale.

Now you know about some straightforward ideas for making extra income and perhaps even starting a small business online this year; nothing should stand in the way of your success. As with anything else in this world; you have the find the right levels of creativity and motivation to make a killing in any of those marketplaces. Still, compared to the effort you’d have to exert to start most other types of new business, the ideas mentioned here today are pretty easy. So, what’s holding you back?

The Very Many Mental Benefits Of Online Gaming

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Video gaming has become such a popular hobby in recent years that almost everyone enjoys the experience. From long, strategically dense games to story rich games and online twitch shooters, the genre has never known such breadth, diversity, and incredible scope. Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry, and for good reason. No other hobby can provide such a range of experiences outside of reading books. The tactile feeling a great video game gives, provided it’s quality and directed, can be almost incomparable to any other form of media.

However, the detractors still exist. To some extent, this is wise. Not everyone is able to control their gaming hobby, and many people are addicted, clocking up hundreds of hours a fortnight playing the latest releases. However, this is often a fringe group, and many people enjoy gaming responsibly, and we’d say beneficially.

For our reasoning on this last point, read the following article on the many cognitive benefits of online gaming:

Co-operation & Socializing

Many online shooters, from the wildly successful PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS to Rainbow Six Siege all require solid co-operation, teamwork and careful forethought. Even more importantly, they develop your social ability, as conveying the most important information in a small timeframe is essential to success. Even those who are otherwise socially shy will find this a platform to develop their social training. Of course, random online teammates can be a mixed bag, but if you find a good community or environment to play in, you will be sure to experience some wonderful social experiences. Over time, you’ll find that your confidence in speech grows greater, and you use more brevity in your sentence structure.

Reaction Times

We all know that reaction times are one of the main benefits of gaming. Even someone with no experience of console and PC play could watch someone handling themselves in game and recognize the skill on show. Reaction times are important, and they’re trainable through this medium. Online twitch shooters such as Counter-Strike Global Offensive or Quake can help a person’s hand-eye coordination to a great extent.

Accomplishment

Winning team matches can be profoundly satisfying from an achievement perspective. To get to grips with the games, using a service such as ILikeCheats can prevent you from being stomped online. Once you develop your skill and understand the mechanics, winning team matches might come naturally. Playing in ranked lobbies helps match you against people around your skill level. Slowly raising the ranks after solid, good play can help you progress towards something. While some might consider this a superfluous method of goal orientation, there are major parallels you can draw to real life. Overcoming an objective when you’re doing badly requires critical thinking, fast responsive solutions, and even thinking outside of the box. There’s truly no better microcosm to learning the value of small challenge achievement than achieving things in a video game.

Learning Alien Systems

New video games are often quite deep. They have systems that allow you creative freedom and expression in how you play, no matter the genre. Learning these alien systems and becoming competent in them can help you develop that attitude of competence in all areas of your life. Getting good at the unknown helps you develop tactics to research, practice and execute new skills well. There’s nothing that procedure can’t be adapted to.

So purchase an online game and try it today! You might just have more useful fun than you originally thought.

Everything You Need To Breed Success In Digital Education

Digital education is a fast-growing trend, and whether you are taking a full degree online or just topping up your knowledge in one of your life’s passions, you are in excellent company. Millions of people around the world are educating themselves online, and millions more plan on joining them in the foreseeable future.

So, if you are interested in investigating this learning medium, there has never been a better time than today. Whatever your interests, there are options, and the reality of online learning is that it’s not a question of ‘should you take a course,’ it’s more ‘where do I sign up.’

That said, there are a few things you should understand about educating yourself in the digital realm. And for this reason, I thought I would use today to explore some of the things you ought to be doing to ensure your success. The following ideas and strategies apply to virtually any course you can think of, so it makes no difference if you are doing a degree or taking part in a simple MOOC for fun. There is a reasonable amount to cover, so let’s get into it right away.

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The basics

You don’t need much to start learning online, but there are a few essentials. A computer is one of them, and, of course, you will need a reliable and speedy Internet connection. There’s more information here on why speed is important for everything from watching TV to enjoying the benefits of a fully connected home, but it’s also essential for online learning. You will be downloading a lot of course materials, and possibly need to take part in live video conferencing or lectures, too. It’s imperative that buffering doesn’t ruin your experience, so make sure your broadband connection is as fast as possible.

Get technical

Another critical thing to consider is how comfortable you find using technology. Ultimately, your success will be down to a couple of things: your knowledge of the subject, and your ability to use a broad range of computer software on a daily basis. The chances are that you know how to use email, set up accounts on forums, and use a webcam - as well as how to make the most out of your computer’s word processor. But not everyone finds it easy, and if you count yourself amongst those people, it might just be worth looking into a course in basic technology first. Even if you are well-acquainted with using computer programs and online technology, it might be worth increasing your expertise. At the end of the day, the more you can get out of your tech and the quicker you can use it, the more time you can spend learning.

Setting expectations

Before you even begin your course, don’t assume that online learning is any easier than going to a regular university. It’s not. If you do a reputable institution, you will find that your tutors and course leaders have almost exactly the same expectations of you as they do their traditional students. So, you should also have those same expectations for yourself. Half-hearted attempts at learning anything will almost always result in failure, so be prepared to put a suitable amount of time aside for your studies.

Try before you buy

If you are having doubts about starting an e-learning course, consider trying one of the many free ones out there first. While none of them will give you the scope of, say, an online degree, they will provide you with a deeper insight into whether or not the medium is for you. Not everyone is suited to online learning - some don’t have the time to put aside, while others find they bounce ideas better in a real classroom. So, starting out small is advisable for a variety of reasons, and I would suggest anyone with interest in doing something like a degree checks out a free course first. Not only will it give you a few ideas on how easy or difficult it will be to learn at home, but it will also make sure you don’t blow a lot of money on a course that might not be to your tastes after all.

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Do the research

As we discussed earlier, not every online course is equal. In fact, it’s fair to say that some are downright poor, but will still cost you a small fortune. The good news is that many of these borderline fraudulent online ‘schools’ are being smoked out, and people are cottoning on to the fact they might be ripped off and ending up with a non-certified qualification. It is vital that you do your research to ensure you don’t fall into a similar trap. For example, you could spend a lot of money and two years of your life doing a bunch of exams that aren’t recognized by any of the educational authorities. You should also understand that some of the free courses offered by the top universities won’t give you any qualifications, so if that is what you are looking for you will need to check the terms and conditions of every course you like the look of.

Have motivation

OK, so there are probably billions of people in the world who could look at a list of courses and think ‘I quite fancy that.’ But there is a chasm of difference between something piquing your interest and having the drive and determination to see it through to the end. And let’s be honest, learning in an online environment can be tougher than when you get to go to a classroom. It’s all down to you and your motivation, and you will need to propel yourself forwards to make sure your assignments are complete, and that you set aside enough time in the week to do some proper work. If you are umming and ahhing about taking the course, it’s probably best to wait a while until you have that steely determination in place.

Establish time management

When you are working on your education by yourself, you can be your own worst enemy. A lot of digital learning experts will tell you that the number one issue for e-learners is time management, and the reality is that it can be tricky to fit in dedicated time slots into a busy lifestyle. But the simple truth is that you have no choice. Unless you can establish a stable and regular working pattern - that you stick to for the duration of your course - you’ll find that you start slipping behind. And everything from the forum discussions you have with fellow students to understanding what your tutors are teaching will be a lot more difficult as a result.

Get involved

I covered communication between online learners in a previous blog post, and I’m going to repeat some of the thinking here, too - it’s that important. First of all, let’s clear something up. Online learning has something of a reputation for being a lonely experience, but these days this is not really the case. The truth is that whether you are joining forums with fellow students for discussions, or holding Skype feedback sessions with tutors, the digital education has a lot to offer when it comes to communication, comradery, and problem-solving. However, you do need to put yourself forward and get involved as much as possible. Shrinking violets can often hold back until it’s too late, and by the time they ask questions, the whole class has already moved on. Help is there for you if you need it, but you do need to speak up.

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Create a positive workspace

Most people who do online courses do so from the comfort of their homes. But it’s important to avoid getting too comfortable! The trouble with learning at home is that there are constant distractions, and it’s easy to develop bad habits, whether it’s working on the couch or deciding to play with the kids. So, just like it’s important to establish time frames to work, you also need to develop a good place to work. It needs to be quiet, free from distractions, and also have a good Internet connection. Hopefully, you will have a room that offers all of this in your home, but if not, there is another option. Public libraries are, perhaps, the best alternative, although if your course gives you access to a university or college library, it’s well worth finding a regular desk there. The quiet atmosphere and access to many different resources will prove to be incredibly valuable.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to educating yourself online. The research begins long before you even choose a course, and the time you put aside for learning and communicating with classmates and tutors is incredibly important. It’s not necessarily a cheap option, either. A quick glance at course fees for studying at Bachelors level in real life and online reveals there isn’t much difference in cost. However, as long as you are motivated, inspired by your subject, and choose the right course from the right provider, learning online can be a fantastic adventure. Good luck!

The Value of Student Engagement in Digital Education

We often write off online students as wanting to be anti-social and avoid people. But the reasons why people pursue digital education often deal with anything but. It can stem from work/life balance, not wanting to uproot your life to get a degree, family obligations, convenience, cost, not having to deal with commutes, and simply wanting to get the best degree from the best institution you can since you aren't limited by geography. The value of digital education is immense, so we're definitely seeing a lot of growth because of that both in terms of offerings from schools and student interest. You can learn on your own time, in your own way, at a price point you feel comfortable with.

Working for the past year and a half in digital education has been eye opening. I've learned so much about supporting students from afar and making sure they have a positive student experience. While we still have a lot to learn with the pursuit of digital education being so new, there have been some trends I've seen of what works well.

Student engagement in the digital realm takes more work when you can’t sit them all down in front of the same classroom digital displays each lesson. These students still want connections to their peers, faculty, and the institution. We can help make those interactions easier, and we can help coach students to navigate everything they want and need while they're studying with us.

What I've seen be successful is proactive communication via email and other channels with relative information about deadlines, resources, and course offerings. Also, regular check ins to make sure students know you're there for them and willing to talk about whatever they need. Some students won't need you as much, or will prefer email over calls. Regardless, I've found that it goes a long way to know someone cares and is in touching base with you, even if any conversations are short. Students regardless of whether they're on-campus or online, are going to have a lot of competing priorities, so we shouldn't take it personally if they don't talk to us all the time. That doesn't mean though we should ignore them and wait for them to come to us. A lot of what I've written before about great student support and increasing access to student support efforts holds true here with students in the digital space.

My main takeaway for you here is to maintain the same values with students online that you would with those students who happen to be in-person. Don't be afraid of reaching out. Make them feel like they're a part of your community, no matter where they are. Create opportunities for these students to meet with each other in person or connect them with on-campus students, faculty, and staff. These students are typically strongly connected to your institution's brand, that's why they sought it out to get an education from there. If they maybe happened upon your offering another way, then take it as a challenge to build the affinity in them with great service and inclusive practices. Once it all comes together, these students will be proud ambassadors all over the country (and perhaps the world) who are able to get an awesome education from your institution without disrupting their lives. 

If anyone is interested in learning more specifics of the work I do, or have cool ideas from the work they do in digital education, please connect with me! I always love talking shop.

Thanks for stopping by!

3 Great Online Time Wasting Options

There are moments in life when there just isn’t anything to do. You’re stuck waiting at a bus station; your friends are taking longer than normal to come over; you’re supposed to be working or studying but you’ve embraced procrastination into your life. Hey, we all do it. Don’t feel bad.

You find yourself with - for whatever reason - a spare slice of time. The internet is in front of you. The entire knowledge that humanity has ever amassed is at your fingertips; think of what the science and arts masters of old would have done with such a portal! And then think: yeah, but… I just want to do something fun instead.

Again: we all do it. Sometimes you don’t want to learn; you don’t want to use the time productively to catch up on your emails; you just want to waste some time and clear your head for awhile. If that sounds familiar, then here are a few ideas to keep you busy without you actually being very busy at all.

Online Games

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Flash as a whole might have died out in popularity (coming across a website built entirely from Flash is an immediate “back” button dealbreaker, for most of us) but it does still have a use: games.

They’re free - well, if you ignore the many ads that might be flashing across the screen. They’re not complicated and in-depth like your normal gaming choices might be. You can start, stop, forget they exist, or spend many hours going through the same repetitive motions. Or you can chance your hand if you’re feeling lucky, by tracking down the best online casino and seeing if your luck is going to bear out. Or if you just want something simple, it’s pretty hard to turn down a classic like Bubble Shooter when you just want something to distract you.

Help Solve Cold Cases

Think you might be a detective in the making? Then you could help solve cold cases, thanks to the Murder Accountability Project. For the moment it just features US crimes, but given that some of the most famous crimes of all time have happened in the States, that shouldn’t deter you. You can hunt for clues, read old files, and see if you can come up with a theory no one else has.

Citizen Science

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Citizen science seeks to harness the power of the internet for good. All sorts of scientific fields are involved, outsourcing the bulk work that would otherwise be done by overqualified researchers who are best turning their brains elsewhere. There are plenty of studies online; there’s a good overview here at the BBC for some ideas. Some of the most popular projects have helped identify galaxies in deep space images, understand the way we perceive age for psychology, or helped to map the neural connections in the human brain.

If that all sounds like you need a lot of time - you really don’t. This is the kind of activity you can pick up, do for awhile, then put down. And for once, your procrastination will have actually been useful - it’s hard to say fairer than that!

Advice For Streaming Online Video

Most of us stream videos and movies online these days because it’s cheap. However, lots of people don’t get the most out of the experience. That is either because their equipment doesn't fit the bill or they’re making mistakes in other areas. The last thing anyone wants is for a Netflix and chill date to go wrong because the film won’t stop buffering. That could seriously cramp your style and ruin your chances of taking things further. With that in mind, the simple advice on this page will ensure you can stream online video uninterrupted. So, make sure remember this information the next time you plan to binge-watch or invite someone around.

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Make sure you have a fast enough computer

Slow computers can cause issues when trying to stream TV and movies online. Ideally, you need something with an i5 processor or higher. Thankfully, machines of that spec aren’t as expensive as they were. That means you should manage to pick something up for only a couple of hundred dollars. However, you can make the process cheaper by upgrading your current system. Just bear in mind that you’d have to take the case off the unit and mess around inside. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you might want to pay a professional. Even so, they shouldn’t charge the earth for the installation.

Check your WiFi speeds

You know the situation. You’re watching a brand new episode of Rio Rainbow Gate, and suddenly, the screen freezes. Well, that tends to happen because you don’t have enough bandwidth to stream the video. That often means you have other devices connected to the internet at the same time. You could contact your internet service provider and complain about the speed. Companies of that nature can make your WiFi work faster with a little encouragement. At the end of the day, your internet should be fast enough to stream anything and play online games at the same time.

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Disconnect everything else from the internet

If all else fails, you just need to disconnect everything else from the web. Maybe your phone is performing an update or something similar? Perhaps a friend is playing Call of Duty in the next room? Either way, they’re using your bandwidth, and you need to stop them if you want to continue streaming. Maybe you could invite them to come and watch the move with you? If you don’t want to do that, just explain that your viewing habits are more important than their games…. And then run away fast! I joke.

You should have no issue streaming HD online video if you follow the steps mentioned on this page. Many movie and TV services will reduce the resolution of anything you watch to compensate for the lack of bandwidth. However, that just means you get a rubbish picture on the screen, and that can ruin whatever you’re watching. So, take my advice. Disconnect everything, upgrade your machine, and enjoy the show. If you do that, nothing should ever disturb your viewing time again.