UL's distance learning tops Best Schools' list

[NewsCopy]

The University of Louisiana is No. 1 on Best Schools’ “Top 10 Online Colleges in Louisiana.”

“We interviewed the No. 1 school, University of Louisiana and loved their extensive training program for any faculty member who will teach an online class,” according to the Best Schools website._

Best Schools evaluated 13 Louisiana universities and colleges that offer at least one bachelor’s degree that can be completed entirely online. It only considers schools that are accredited by a regional accrediting body.

Best Schools reviewed “the history and growth trajectory to gauge commitment to online education, about the student experience to find out what elements make students the most successful, and about faculty’s role in online education to explore what makes them engage with online learners,” the website states.

It notes that UL offers online self-assessments for potential students and is prepared to make accommodations for students with disabilities.

A Best Schools representative interviewed Dr. Luke Dowden, director of Distance Learning at UL.

He said UL faculty members who teach online classes can identify with students engaged in distance learning. “Our faculty have been online students, every one of them, because we require them to be. . . we have put them in situations to be online students. I think that experience transcends into their instructional approach.”

Dowden says graduate students who take UL online courses are usually adult learners who want to enhance their careers.

“Our undergraduate programs are different. We really have two groups of students. We have the adult learner that is coming back to earn a bachelor’s degree after they get an associate’s degree. But we also have true undergraduate students, who were in majors that they weren’t successful in, and so they’re seeking a different option. They’re also seeking flexibility because they’re working,” Dowden states.

Northwestern State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe are second and third, respectively, on Best Schools’ Top 10 list. Others cited are McNeese State University, the University of New Orleans, Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana State University – Shreveport, Southern University in New Orleans, Nicholls State University and Louisiana State University at Alexandria.

To learn more about the online degree programs offered at the University of Louisiana, visit online.louisiana.edu

Louisiana.edu

[cajun4life]

Come on, it's not like Louisiana has the academic ratings of the Ivy schools. It's great to be number one but let's please put this in perspective.

[Zeebart21]

YAY!!!! And we are the cheapest!!!

Z

[CajunEXPRESS]

Come on, it's not like Louisiana has the academic ratings of the Ivy schools. It's great to be number one but let's please put this in perspective.

No, not ivy league, but come on how would you feel to be no. 13?

You are too young to remember UL being the first to adopt computers in the sixties. Lets not poo poo everything we do well as a so what.

[cajun4life]

No, not ivy league, but come on how would you feel to be no. 13?

You are too young to remember UL being the first to adopt computers in the sixties. Lets not poo poo everything we do well as a so what.

Comparing it to adopting computers in the 60s is funny. Hell, Liberty has like 60,000 online students. We use to be a pioneering school who was bold and in the forefront of many fields. Now we are like Puxatony Phil, scared of our own damn shadow.

What I am saying is that being the best of 10 in Louisiana isn't that great. If it were top 10 in the south or nation I would be impressed.

Don't get me wrong, I may take full advantage of that and wrap up my degree for pride purposes.

[jric116]

Comparing it to adopting computers in the 60s is funny. Hell, Liberty has like 60,000 online students. We use to be a pioneering school who was bold and in the forefront of many fields. Now we are like Puxatony Phil, scared of our own damn shadow.

What I am saying is that being the best of 10 in Louisiana isn't that great. If it were top 10 in the south or nation I would be impressed.

Don't get me wrong, I may take full advantage of that and wrap up my degree for pride purposes.

Like it or not, Distance Education is growing and will most likely continue to do so. Having just completed a major study concerning Distance Education, UL will do well if they continue to promote this as an option to the traditional classroom. It could mean significant income for the university as long as they make sure it is quality instruction

[CajunJack55]

Like it or not, Distance Education is growing and will most likely continue to do so. Having just completed a major study concerning Distance Education, UL will do well if they continue to promote this as an option to the traditional classroom. It could mean significant income for the university as long as they make sure it is quality instruction

I agree and as more and more people learn that the for-profit online schools are complete shams, it opens up even more opportunities for those who want the online education.