Monthly Archives: August 2013

08/31

Look – new iQ feature updates!

Posted 08/31/2013 in Interactive Technology, Mobile Technology, Online Education, Product Updates, Social Networking

Today iQ released several progressive updates to our unique business and education social media platforms! Among the additions are: – Podcast integration into the activity stream, including merging with SoundCloud – Share presentations easily with our integration with Slideshare – Easily integrate the viewing of live events and channels with Ustream TV – SMS text support, for phone updates of comments, messages and trending on users’ individual industry, corporate and educational sites. – Upgraded chat activity, as well as heightened integration with the platform’s core messaging system. In short, this means iQ platform users at corporations and agencies, universities and school districts, and government departments worldwide can now more easily find and view information in their activity stream, as well as receive quicker updates and connections to their business, school, or agency network. Check out iQ’s tech industry and social media platform innovations at iQ Technologies.

08/30

College costs driving students to the online campus – and driving innovative ways of funding a degree

Posted 08/30/2013 in Education Cost, Funding education, Online Education

We all know college and university tuition is skyrocketing – double the pace of inflation – not to mention the basic costs of campus life along with it. For those looking to enter college, whether for the first time or as a re-enrollment to upgrade work industry skills, the goals are threefold: 1. Cut tuition costs while minimizing living expenses As CNBC reports today, virtual classrooms – or “massive open online courses” – could slash college costs up to 33%, and perhaps more. That, on top of the flexibility to live off-campus with online resources, means that the virtual college experience also provides a way for middle- and lower-income students to access post-high school courses and a degree. It’s also a financial boost to colleges that, while trimming course fees, can also attract a much higher number of students. 2. Find new ways to pay for tuition and other expenses You’ve heard of Kickstarter, the online crowd-funding site that lets anyone donate to startup a business? Now college students are leaping on the trend and getting donors to fund their education. Pave, an online crowdfunding platform linking investors with approved applicants, is just one such resource for students. On the […]

08/29

The Higher Education Debate: Online – quality online – is the answer

Posted 08/29/2013 in Education Cost, Online Education

To strengthen our nation, and the professional potential of our youth in particular, President Obama has revealed his ambitious educational goal of raising the number of American college graduates to No. 1 in the world by 2020. On top of this, to fill upper-level jobs in fast-growing industries with the most qualified candidates, he has challenged every American to take at least one year of higher education or post-secondary training. http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/higher-education However, while the White House says that, “Earning a post-secondary degree or credential … is a prerequisite for the growing jobs of the new economy,” and that, ”Of the 30 fastest growing occupations, more than half require postsecondary education,” many of cost-conscious students are still wary of return on investment for the expense of a degree. Specifically, a recent U.S. News & World Report interview with conservative pundit William Bennett provided good banter about risks versus benefits on the issue. A couple of takeaways: in 2008, 81% of adults thought college was a worthwhile investment; today, only 57% do. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/05/09/why-a-college-degree-no-longer-guarantees-success That’s where online higher education comes in. So far, costs are less; no paper textbooks, activity fees, and subsidizing campus investments on building upgrades and landscaping maintenance. In fact, […]

08/23

Online campus vs on-site campus: 25 Key FAQs when considering colleges

Posted 08/23/2013 in Uncategorized

When you’re wondering whether getting an online college or university degree is an option– either via the full virtual experience or for just a few courses – here are some strong tips for finding the right fit. Two important points to note in the discussion: 1.) Scholarships are often just as available as they are for brick-and-mortar schools, and 2.) Companies consider online graduates for jobs as equally as those attend on campus. http://www.classesandcareers.com/advisor/25-faqs-about-online-college/ Other key thoughts: 6. Do employers discriminate against online educated graduates? Most employers do not discriminate against graduates of online colleges. In fact, many employers are now providing scholarships to employees who wish to attend an online school to better their education and to move up in employment opportunities. Distance learning, in large part, started because companies wanted a way to educate large numbers of employees at the same time. Many employers offer online students internships and work closely with the career placement offices at online colleges and universities. 7. Which costs more, online college or traditional college? … However, for the most part, online college costs less than traditional college. The main reason for this is that the online student doesn’t have to commute and […]

08/09

Your iQ – Testing 1, 2, 3 …

Posted 08/09/2013 in Uncategorized

Introducing something completely different and new to the world always melds excitement and challenge. It’s the thrill of completely fresh ideas being thrown out into the galaxy, tempered by the uncertainty of how they will be tossed around and reworked as they’re received. The important point is, though, that the ideas, the products, the services, the opportunities, are out there. And what’s coming for you from iQ Technologies are many good things. Starting with all the tools that together create the smartest, most complete professional online education solutions out there. What we’re introducing is a complete and collaborative “knowledge center” that takes students all the way through their education online. That means we can help your college or university guide and support students from the application process through graduation; or, we can simply take them from a single course or major track signup through its completion. In addition, we have more, and slicker, features than other professional online education options. Such as our innovative learning tools that let students pursue courses while connecting with educators and experts, collaborating with other students, finding research resources right at their fingertips, and posting reports and multimedia projects … and infinitely more capabilities to […]