“University to expand current online graduate programs (The Justice)” plus 1 more

University to expand current online graduate programs (The Justice)

Posted: 09 Mar 2010 01:07 AM PST

University to expand current online graduate programs

by Clare Churchill-Seder

News | 3/9/10
Posted online at 3:35 AM EST on 3/9/10

The University will focus on expanding its existing graduate distance learning programs and using distance learning to enhance other programs, according to the report released last Tuesday by the Working Group on Distance Learning.

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Distance Working Group chair Michaele Whelan explained that though distance learning works extremely well in Graduate Professional Studies within the Rabb School of Continuing Studies, it is not something that would easily transfer to undergraduate education. Whelan said that the typical undergraduate lifestyle is not very conducive to online education because distance learning courses require readings and responses to be completed in specific time windows.

The Working Group on Distance Learning was convened in July 2009 by Provost Marty Krauss to discuss the University's use of online learning tools. The committee consisted of administrators from different schools within the University and was charged to inventory the success of current distance learning programs at Brandeis as well as to research possibilities for expanding such programs.

Working Group on Distance Learning committee member and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong referred the Justice to Whelan to talk about the report. Krauss also deferred questions to Whelan.

Currently, Graduate Professional Studies within the Rabb School "offers five out of its six ten-course, part-time, graduate professional master's degree programs entirely online," according to the report. Whelan said that the GPS online courses are attractive because they are capped at 20 students, which makes them very interactive. These courses use a slightly modified and enhanced LATTE platform and also use the software Elluminate, which is widely used by schools to provide real-time online interaction among teachers and students, she said.

The Working Group on Distance Learning reported that other instances of distance learning on campus include Webinars or web conferences which are offered through the alumni office, and the use of Elluminate at the Executive Education program within the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Elluminate, in this case, is used to provide interaction with remote speakers and is supplemental to a more traditional course setting.

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Bridgepoint, Barstow college ink enrollment agreement (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Posted: 09 Mar 2010 12:18 AM PST

Business Briefing

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 12:03 a.m.

San Diego-based Bridgepoint Education has signed an enrollment agreement with Barstow Community College to allow students to transfer up to 90 credits to the for-profit company's online degree program.

Bridgepoint has an enrollment of nearly 53,700 students, of which all but 1 percent take their classes online. This is Bridgepoint's 37th "articulation agreement" spelling out what credits are transferable between institutions. Some agreements have been signed with San Diego community colleges, a Bridgepoint spokeswoman said.

A Barstow college spokeswoman said the Bridgepoint agreement was negotiated to allow its students to continue their interest in green technology and alternative-energy programs.

ROGER SHOWLEY

Isis secures $6 million for drug reaching clinical trials

Isis Pharmaceuticals said it has earned a $6 million milestone payment from partner Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The Carlsbad company said the payment results from the acceptance of initial regulatory filings to begin clinical trials of a drug the companies are developing for high cholesterol.

Isis said it was able to deliver a drug candidate within the first year of the collaboration, using the unusual "antisense" technology the company employs.

THOMAS KUPPER

Sales of shares to raise $24.2 million for Arena

Arena Pharmaceuticals said it expects to raise $24.2 million by selling shares to an investment firm.

The San Diego company, which has a weight-loss drug up for Food and Drug Administration approval, said the transaction falls under a stock-purchase agreement it previously entered with Azimuth Opportunity. Azimuth will acquire 8.3 million shares, and Arena said it expects this to be the last sale under the agreement.

THOMAS KUPPER

Panel to discuss how saving water can also save energy

How much power is in your water? More than you might think.

It takes electricity to get San Diego's water, to filter it, heat it, cool it and, ultimately, treat it. That means saving water also saves energy.

A panel of experts assembled by the Sustainability Alliance of Southern California will discuss the issue at 6 p.m. March 16, at the California Center for Sustainable Energy, 8690 Balboa Ave., San Diego. More information at tinyurl.com/sdwater-power.

ONELL R. SOTO

AIG sells unit for $15.5 billion to repay U.S. taxpayers

American International Group said it will sell its American Life Insurance division for $15.5 billion to MetLife. The government-approved deal, AIG's second big asset sale in two weeks, will give the insurer more cash to repay the billions of dollars it owes the government.

The purchase expands MetLife's presence in Japan and high-growth markets in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. It moves AIG closer to repaying taxpayers. As of Dec. 31, AIG owed the government nearly $130 billion.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Online Education

Tuesday, March 9, 2010