Survey

I am working on the module on surveys and evaluation as well as trying to catch up with previous modules.

I was quite interested in learning how to do online surveys with Survey Monkey as it is a tool I am expected to use in my new job.

I watched the tutorials provided by Survey Monkey and learned enough information to get started and then it was fairly intuitive. The design stage is pretty flexible and you can change the questions as often as you need to. I have only just sent out the surveys so I haven't got to the analysis stage yet. Here's my survey - it's all about the books you read - please feel free to complete the survey.


Click Here to take survey

Module 4 - podcasting

Our assignment for this module was to identify some podcasts that we enjoyed and subscribe to the RSS feed in Blogbridge - although I prefer to subscribe through Outlook. We also had to describe the characteristics of a good podcast.

Next we had to record our own podcast, upload it to Podbean and post it to our blog. I decided to do a podcast for my friends and family giving news about our recent move to Canada.

Voice from Vancouver 1 Listen to this episode

Using audio

I'm uploading this audio a second time - because I need the practice. For some reason I am struggling to find my way around Podbean - even though other people seem to find it easy. So I figured that I should practice more.

Here's my first audio recording - on why educators don't use audio - recorded in Audacity, uploaded to Podbean and embedded in my blog.

Listen to this episode

Degree Mills ... dog earns MBA

One of my concerns about online learning relates to the idea that anyone with a computer and a dishonest nature can set up a 'university' and there will always be some unsuspecting student who will buy-in. Now I know Melanie's cat has been checking out the cost of DE courses - but that was all in the spirit of market research! This was posted on GetEducated.com ... dog earns online MBA


GetEducated's mascot, pug Chester Ludlow, is the proud recipient of an online MBA, "earned" from Rochville University for the sum of $499.

Rochville advertises that it will award degrees based on "life and career experience." Rochville apparently did not investigate Chester's career claims (such as running the "Wolf it Down Diner") very carefully. Instead, one week after Chester submitted his application (and payment), a package arrived from Dubai with Chester's diploma, grade transcripts, and even a window decal for his car. (Don't worry - Chester is forbidden from driving.)

"Degree mills represent a billion dollar industry worldwide," says GetEducated CEO Vicky Phillips. "If you define a degree mill as any agency willing to award educational credentials without concern as to whether or not learning actually occurred, then it appears Chester the pug has been the victim of a degree mill."

Chester is starring in a short film about his educational adventures: "Dog Earns Online MBA: A Cautionary Tail." In this video, Chester and his sidekick Bixby, a rescue puggle, dramatize the canine quest for credible online education.

To help combat credential fraud, GetEducated.com operates a free service, The Diploma Mill Police. This service allows consumers to verify the accreditation status of any online college. It also helps employers screen resumes for fraudulent college credentials.