Kaplan University presented a new take on the traditional classroom setting on its first commercials in 2009, depicting new variations on the value of an online education.  Attempting to demonstrate the shift from the traditional classroom setting to the technologically-sound online classroom, the commercials depict students from all demographics earning online degrees for a multitude of different reasons.  This ad campaign has helped solidify the fact that online bachelors degrees are here to stay. 

From the humble roots of online education in the 90s, to the 4 million students who are now enrolled in classes across the country, online bachelors degrees have revolutionized the manner in which students can receive degrees.  No longer do we have to trek across the country to move into a tiny dorm; rather, we can now work from the comfort of our own home and remain in any city we wish to live in.  This type of opportunity was unprecedented only a decade ago. 

Ads like the kind Kaplan University has put out have helped inform many citizens of the need for online education in our growing economy.  Traditional education does not work for everyone, the ads contend, and online classes offer stay-at-home moms, full time workers, and late bloomers to enroll in classes and earn an online bachelors degree where they otherwise would not have been able to.  These ads have helped influence a wide array of people to enroll in online classes and have furthermore instilled a new drive in many potential students who were unaware of the opportunities an online bachelors degree can deliver. 

Additionally, these ads strive to break free of the gloom the economy has pushed on all of us, and instead presents a more hopeful outlook for the future.  Online universities present the student with options for the future, perhaps even options they never knew they had.  Additionally, with our educational standards falling drastically behind that of the rest of the world, the fact that we have an alternative method of reaching out to students who could not enroll in traditional classes will only boost our economy and foster a growth of a higher education population.  Regardless of which ad you watch or which school you attend, the fact that online bachelors degrees are now readily offered is enough to cause many in the educational community to breathe a sigh of relief that every student will not have a better opportunity to succeed in school. 

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Online degree programs and online schools in general have grown exponentially in popularity over the past years, which is no surprise that their online courses have grown more extensive as a result.  Only a few years ago, students were not presented with very many choices in the online college community, but this has since changed.  Now, there are hundreds of different schools available for college credit and hundreds of degrees within every school.  Whether you are looking for a degree in the health field, science, business, art, even law, schools now offer online college courses and degrees in every field. 

Online college courses in education are offered at many of the accredited online schools, including University of Phoenix, Liberty University, and Ashford University.  More than simply gaining your education degree in a specified age level, these schools additionally allow students the opportunity to decide if they want to become more specialized within the education field.  Online college courses are offered to help students with curriculum assistance as well as educational technology.  These courses are helpful for many students because they allow them to get hands-on experience without having to develop these skills on their first day of teaching.  Additionally, the new field of distance learning has now becomes so widespread, even among a younger student base, that many online courses now deal specifically with this technological feat. 

Online college courses in the health field are a bit more complicated to grasp for those not involved with the distance learning concept.  Many people around the country are of the mindset that many fields such as health and law, are two industries that cannot be taught through a computer, requiring a more hands-on approach.  However, healthcare has now become so intertwined with technology, that online courses are the perfect medium in which to develop these skills.  Students of online courses are obviously well-equipped with skills necessary to manipulate the internet and other aspects that are now necessary within the medical field.  Many courses focus on medical billing and coding which has recently undergone a technical revolution.  Doctors now have updated their client records to be more easily accessible by using both the internet and other software devices.  Learning this type of technology through online courses allows students to go into the health field into positions that are in desperate need of fresh minds who understand how to manipulate software to their best advantage.

Furthermore, liberal arts degrees in the humanities are some of the most accessible online college courses for students to enroll in.  Degrees in the arts are offered by many accredited online schools which additionally allows students to pick and choose as to which program is better suited for their particular needs.  These degrees may require more outside work, but offer a wide range of online courses and degree, ranging from those in fashion design to photography.  The possibilities have become endless with online courses.  Even attaining a simple degree for a better understanding of interior design techniques has now become much easier than ever before.  Online college courses have opened up a wide range of opportunities for students around the world and offer better insight into many different fields.  

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Whether you are looking for a little added information on what you are already studying in school or would like to connect with others who share your interests as a business professional or avid hobbyist, these online communities all offer an excellent opportunity to continue your search for knowledge. From reading to learning a new language to becoming a financial wizard to travel to saving the Earth, these groups offer a chance for learning as well as reaching out to others online.

Books and Reading

These online communities are united around a love for books and reading. Find others who share your passion here.

1. Goodreads. Organize your books by shelves depending on whether or not you’ve read them, are reading them, or want to read them; share reviews; form virtual book clubs; and test your knowledge of book trivia at this popular social network for book lovers.
2. Library Thing. Another popular book site, here you can catalog your books virtually, find reviews from others, share your opinion, and more at this online book community.
3. Shelfari. Get a virtual bookshelf here where you can show the books you’ve read, what you want to read, and share your books and opinions with friends. This site has been rated as one of the most visually stunning social networking sites of any genre.
4. Bookarmy. Read reviews, get recommendations, read about authors, connect with others, and even read books online with this community that is devoted to preventing having to read bad books.
5. aNobii. Find members with the same book on their lists that you have and discover how others rate books, too. You can purchase books online and even get code to add to your blog to write about books.
6. ConnectViaBooks. When you first land on this social network, you discover an interactive map that shows the various activities of members around the world. Connect and share your love of books globally.
7. Booktagger. Add the books your like and tag them with descriptions, then join a book group or create your own. Make book lists organized by fun categories you create, keep track of books you’ve loaned, and more in this community.
8. Noting:books. Keep notes about the books you are reading, including the days you started and finished and your thoughts as you read. Share your notes with others and be sure to read members’ notebooks they keep, too.
9. ReadWhale. Make your book shelf, connect with others, and discuss books, with this social community. Rate your books and compare with others and share your books through Twitter.
10. Juicespot. Get the juice on books or spill the juice yourself at this social network for those who love books. Read articles and vote on whether you agree with the point made, see what critics have to say, and share your own reviews with others in the community.

Foreign Language

If you are learning a foreign language or would like to help others practice a new language, then check out these communities that are all about sharing a thirst for languages.

11. italki. This social network offers a combination of free resources and resources for a fee. Connect with other members to practice your language skills or find a teacher who is a native speaker of your target language.
12. Livemocha. The free options here include tips from native speakers, free online lessons, a community to practice your skills, and much more. Pay to get audio and video lessons as well as access to professional tutors.
13. MyHappyPlanet. Communicate with members to practice your language skills here. For an extra bonus, you can find lessons designed by other members to help boost your skills.
14. xLingo. Connect with others on this social network to practice a foreign language. You can also join in forums, blog, and create flashcards for practice.
15. VoxSwap. Participate in chatrooms and forums or connect with individuals to practice your language skills. You can also watch videos in nine different languages.
16. Babbel. This network offers fun language learning in English, Spanish, Italian, German, and French with community connections, online courses, videos, and more. Some of the services here are available at a fee.
17. Busuu. English, Spanish, French, and German are the languages of focus on this social network that provides an opportunity for members to learn together. Language courses and lessons are also available.
18. palabea. Learn a new language while also exploring a new culture by connecting with others in this online community.

Finance

From investing to personal finances, these online groups will help you learn the information you seek.

19. Zacks Investment Research. Create a portfolio, connect with community and more at this site that provides mathematically-based research to help you learn about markets and trends. Be sure to check out the Education section for investing guides and other resources.
20. MarketWatch Community. Members can create profiles to help connect with others, then share information, news, tips, and more to learn about the stock market and investing.
21. Covester. Covester allows members to watch the investment habits of other members in order to better learn how to make money through investing.
22. ZeccoShare. If you are learning about investing, then the community here is a great place to join. Get investment tracking, sharing of ideas and tips, and join groups where members can find support each other as they learn about investing.
23. UpDown. Practice investing with a $1 million portfolio while you gain experience without risking your own money. Get tips from others, and even earn real money along the way, with this community.
24. Minyanville Financial Infotainment. Join this financial social network to meet other investors while learning about smart investment strategies. Also participate in forums and read blogs and articles about investing.
25. Tip’d. For those interested in finance and investment, Tip’d offers news, tips, articles, and more. Members can vote for the most helpful resources to ensure only the best information is available.
26. InvestingMinds. This community offers everything from investing clubs to chat rooms and provides you the chance to learn from others and share your own investing experience.
27. Wesabe. Learn to manage your money while connecting with others with the same financial goals in this network. Find blogs, read news and reviews, and much more.
28. Kiplinger.com. Learn how to manage your personal finances wisely in this community with the tools, articles, quizzes, online forums, and more.
29. Art of Saving. This personal finance social network helps members reach their finance goals, such as saving for retirement or increasing net worth. Learn from experts, other members, and from webinars and events.
30. My.WallSt.net. Beginners can learn about investing on this social site that helps you find out about stocks, trading, and more through simulated trading. Participate in forums, read blogs and articles, and get to know the movers and shakers in the investment world.

Travel

Many say travel is the ultimate learning experience. If you love to travel, share your experiences, meet others, and plan your next adventure with these groups.

31. Exploroo. Explore the world via this social group before heading out in the real world. Find blogs, photos, videos, and more from members as they share their travel experiences. You can also find events, participate in forums, and read travel articles.
32. CouchSurfing. This unique and popular social community has members meeting online, then providing accommodations for each other at their homes after they become acquainted as they travel around the world.
33. PassportStamp. Track your travels on this social network. You can also get information on travel statistics and find travel tools.
34. TravBuddy. Share travel advice and meet other travelers on this social network. Share photos and blog about your adventures, too.
35. Travellerspoint. Not only can you find help planning trips here, you can also connect over past travels with photo and blog sharing as well as offering review and more.
36. WAYN. Whether you want to plan trips online or meet up face-to-face anywhere around the world, this social network will help you connect with others interested in travel and active lifestyles.
37. Driftr. Track your travels on the map at Driftr, then share with others via blogs, photos, and reviews.
38. tripwolf. Imagine a travel guide run by its members. tripwolf is just that, with members offering facts, tips, and more to help other members plan their perfect trip.
39. TripSay. Rate places you’ve been on the interactive map here and join in the community for discussions about your travels.
40. Dopplr. Billing itself as the social network for smart international travelers, this group allows members to share travel information, pick up on travel similarities between members, share insider tips on locations around the world, and much more.

Variety of Communities

Social justice, climate change, the arts, biographies and family history, science, and academia are all represented among these online communities.

41. Care2. This network focuses on environmental and social causes. MEmbers can read articles, participate in discussions, and stay on top of news and events to help promote their favorite issues.
42. WiserEarth. Find other people who share your passion for a just and sustainable Earth with this group. Create a group or join one that already exists to work towards issues important to you, including low impact development, ethical science, and coastal ecology.
43. deviantART. This community of artists share their work as well as follow other artists and participate in art critiques.
44. OneWorld. Filmmakers, video journalists, and anyone interested in social issues and hoping to raise awareness and affect change through visual media will find a home among the members of this network.
45. OneClimate. Climate change is the uniting issue of the members in this social network. Check out the newsroom, find out what actions you can take, or join groups to meet others interested in making a difference.
46. lifeknot. No matter what your hobby or special interest, you can find others who share your passion at lifeknot. From animal rights to candle-making to water sports, there is a group that matches your interests.
47. WebBiographies.com. Tell your life story or share a fascinating biography of a family member on this site that is all about sharing biographies and connecting with others. You can also create a family tree to share.
48. MyHeritage. A social network aimed at both families and reaching out to the community, MyHeritage allows you to connect with family members online and research your genealogy by reaching out to other members for information as well.
49. SciSpace.net. Scientists can collaborate and network on this social network that welcomes both scientists and non-scientists to join.
50. academici. For those in the business of knowledge, academici is a great place to share information, research, and more. Find others in your field of interest or upgrade to a paid membership for more advanced options here.

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Kaplan University presented a new take on the traditional classroom setting on its first commercials in 2009, depicting new variations on the value of an online education.  Attempting to demonstrate the shift from the traditional classroom setting to the technologically-sound online classroom, the commercials depict students from all demographics earning online degrees for a multitude of different reasons.  This ad campaign has helped solidify the fact that online bachelors degrees are here to stay. 

From the humble roots of online education in the 90s, to the 4 million students who are now enrolled in classes across the country, online bachelors degrees have revolutionized the manner in which students can receive degrees.  No longer do we have to trek across the country to move into a tiny dorm; rather, we can now work from the comfort of our own home and remain in any city we wish to live in.  This type of opportunity was unprecedented only a decade ago. 

Ads like the kind Kaplan University has put out have helped inform many citizens of the need for online education in our growing economy.  Traditional education does not work for everyone, the ads contend, and online classes offer stay-at-home moms, full time workers, and late bloomers to enroll in classes and earn an online bachelors degree where they otherwise would not have been able to.  These ads have helped influence a wide array of people to enroll in online classes and have furthermore instilled a new drive in many potential students who were unaware of the opportunities an online bachelors degree can deliver. 

Additionally, these ads strive to break free of the gloom the economy has pushed on all of us, and instead presents a more hopeful outlook for the future.  Online universities present the student with options for the future, perhaps even options they never knew they had.  Additionally, with our educational standards falling drastically behind that of the rest of the world, the fact that we have an alternative method of reaching out to students who could not enroll in traditional classes will only boost our economy and foster a growth of a higher education population.  Regardless of which ad you watch or which school you attend, the fact that online bachelors degrees are now readily offered is enough to cause many in the educational community to breathe a sigh of relief that every student will not have a better opportunity to succeed in school. 

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By Donna Scott

College is for expanding one’s intellectual horizons. Unfortunately, drinking and having fun can distract from learning about history’s great thinkers. From Mark Twain to Confucius, an educated individual should posses some knowledge of certain philosophers, artists and thinkers. Here are 25 great thinkers every college student should read, even if professors don’t assign them.

Western Philosophers

Western universities understandably tend to focus on Western philosophers and thinkers. Check out the works from these masters of Western philosophical thought.

1. Ralph Waldo Emerson: Emerson was an influential figure in the first recognized American school of philosophical thought. After marrying a wealthy widow, Emerson lived in relative comfort for most of his life, supporting other famous writes such as Henry David Thoreau.
2. John Stuart Mill: One of Britain’s most famous political philosophers, Mill was a member of Parliament who endlessly debated the nature of liberty and freedom.
3. Immanuel Kant: Kant’s work on the limitations and structure of reason shaped and influenced philosophical thought throughout the twentieth century. His "Critique of Pure Reason" remains a classic of philosophy and is taught in universities around the world.
4. Soren Kierkegaard: This Danish philosopher is one of the leading thinkers responsible for existentialism.
5. Niccolo Machiavelli: A must for aspiring politicians and wannabe despots, Machiavelli’s "The Prince" is the original guide to ruling an empire or corporate boardroom.

Eastern Thinkers

Eastern philosophies have proven influential on figures throughout history from Marco Polo to the Beatles. The sage wisdom offered by these Eastern thinkers still resonates with audiences separate by culture and time.

6. Confucius: A Chinese thinker and social philosopher, Confucius emphasized personal and institutional morality as well as justice and proper social relationships.
7. Avicenna: This Persian mathematician is perhaps one of the most widely known Muslim philosophers. His works discuss topics ranging from medical ethics to metaphysics.
8. Laozi: The philosophy espoused by this ancient Chinese philosopher eventually became the Taoist religion. Laozi has often influenced and served as inspiration for anti-authoritarian movements.
9. Siddhartha Gautama: Siddhartha was a price who gave away all his possessions to find a deeper meaning from life. After extensive fasting and meditation he achieved enlightenment becoming known as the Buddha. The teachings of this humble price have changed the course of history and philosophical thought.
10. D.T. Suzuki: One of the few modern members on this list, Suzuki is largely responsible for introducing Western audiences to Eastern religions such as Zen Buddhism.

Statesman

Polls show few people trust politicians. History tells a different story as great statesmen inspire courage and selfless action. These politicians are some of history’s great thinkers, speakers and individuals.

11. Winston Churchill: In his nation’s darkest hour, Winston Churchill served as a beacon of inspiration and support. Churchill’s writings and speeches are true testaments to the power of words.
12. Thomas Jefferson: Despite many hypocrisies from his actual life, Jefferson’s writings are beautiful tributes to the power of freedom.
13. Ataturk: The powerful, infamous Turkish leader responsible for ushering his nation into a modern era, Ataturk is a highly regarded figure from Muslim and Turkish history.
14. Mao Zedong: The leader of the Communist revolution in China, Chairman Mao’s impact on history is on increasing with time.
15. Nelson Mandela: After surviving 27 years as a political prisoner, Mandela became South Africa’s first black president beginning the healing process from decades of apartheid.

Writers and Artists

The creative representation of life presented by artists can be more truthful than anything presented by real life. These master writers and artists use characters, brilliant technique and artistic vision to boldly explore timeless questions.

16. Mark Twain: A genuinely clever wit, Mark Twain is best known for penning the classic, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Go beyond Twain’s best known works to discover a thinker centuries ahead of his Victorian time.
17. George Orwell: Modern audiences are often frightened by the remarkable foresight Orwell demonstrates in his writing. Indispensible phrases such as "big brother" and "doublespeak" were created by Orwell and are perfectly suited to modern society.
18. Gabriel Garcia Marquez: This Colombian writer focuses on themes of third world poverty and fantasy. His work is often based in history with elements of the fantastic brilliantly incorporated in the story telling.
19. Albert Camus: This French author brilliantly executed complicated existential philosophies into compelling narratives.
20. Khalil Gibran: This Lebanese philosopher, writer and painter was educated in the US before returning to his native land. Gibran’s 1923 book, "The Prophet" was extremely influential on 1960s counterculture.
21. Kurt Vonnegut: Zany, sharp and always funny, Vonnegut was one of the truly great science fiction writers of the 20th century. Even better, his works are extremely accessible and easy to read despite being a little whacky.
22. Gunter Grass: A German writer who won the 1999 Noble prize for literature, Grass writes literature exploring complex moral issues.
23. Marcel Proust: A brilliant French novelist, Proust’s most famous work contains over 2,000 characters over some 3,000 pages. No one could blame you for skimming the volume but the words from this genius are worth enduring.
24. Issac Asimov: One of the reasons for the popularity of science fiction during the 20th century, Asimov is best known for writing the "I, Robot" series.
25. Arthur Rimbaud: Rimbaud was a French philosopher that influenced the Beat Generation of American writers such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Something of a prodigy, Rimbaud produced his best known works in his late teens before giving up writing all together at 21.

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Online degree programs have become more specialized over the past few years, thereby allowing more students to enroll in programs that are better suited for their career goals.  Online schools have become aware that many of their students are seeking extra degrees in order to get ahead at work and have manipulated their programs to cater to this type of student. 

The many MBA programs that are offered cater both to new students and those students that are current executives and are seeking a further degree in their position.  Executive MBA online degree programs feature a way for students to gain the degree while still remaining at their current position.  MBAs have become increasingly popular within the business industry, which has led many current online degree programs to develop their courses to deal specifically with students who have already had years of experience with real-world business ideals.  Other online degree programs related to MBA degrees have additionally taken on new courses in order to deal specifically with this type of student who is returning to school after an extended leave of absence.

Other online degree programs feature an extensive array of courses that cater specifically to classes which deal with the more technical aspects of the field.  Many health industry programs teach courses that deal more with medical billing and coding, allowing students to gain access to one of the newer sections of the medical industry.  Additionally, health degree programs cater to students who may have already had some medical training and exist to give them extra degrees, in the same manner as MBA programs.  Many of these online degree programs also allow students to gain a degree at their own pace, thus allowing them to continue working while still taking their classes at night without the long commute to school. 

IT degree programs have additionally grown in prominence because they teach a program which has only grown over the years.  IT and computer degree programs offer a slew of courses which deal exclusively with programs that have become more applicable as technology has increased.  Degree programs relating to computer repair, software engineering, and different aspects of Microsoft can help students gain relevant technical experience in order to secure a well-paying IT job.  These online degree programs allow students to gain multiple degrees within the same industry, thereby gaining valuable knowledge about the computer industry. 

Many other online degree programs allow students to pick and choose which courses are most applicable, thereby creating their own specially-oriented degree program.  Depending on what job a student intends to receive with their degree allows students the flexibility to organize their degree programs within various online schools to better suit their specific needs.  Online degree programs have thus become a valuable tool for employers and employees alike, allowing them to receive additional degrees while still maintaining their work status. 

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By Donna Scott

As a modern day library student, you’re probably excited about discovering and experimenting with the new tools and systems that have changed the way we find, receive and catalog information. But with all of the new technology out there, it can be hard to keep track of everything beyond your own niche field of study. This collection of library and information technology blogs have changed that, and now you’ll be able to learn about all of the trends, developments, tools and resources available to librarians in every niche.

Technology and Education

Discover how technology is changing the way we learn in the classroom and in libraries.

1. Wired Librarian: Karen Kliegman is the Library Media Specialist at her elementary school and shares thoughts on library conventions, blogging, information literacy, and more.
2. Free Range Librarian: K.G. Schneider is Community Librarian for Evergreen open-source library software, and she blogs about writing, tech toys, and more.
3. Information Wants to Be Free: Meredith Farkas is the distance learning librarian at Norwich University. Learn about how libraries work in a distance learning environment from her posts.
4. Librarians Matter: This blog discusses how new technology systems can be used in libraries.
5. Libraryman: This young librarian likes stirring up new ideas and controversial new technology systems and trends for libraries.
6. LibrarianInBlack: Here, tech librarians will find all kinds of resources and discussions about keeping up with technology trends and developments.
7. ALA TechSource Blog: This multi-author blog contains information about ways to bring your library into the 21st century and beyond.
8. LITA Blog: The Library and Information Technology Association blogs here.
9. info-fetishist: Anne-Marie Deitering is the Franklin McEdward Professor for Undergraduate Learning Initiatives at Oregon State University Libraries, and she blogs about emerging web technologies and systems.
10. Theoretical Librarian: This blog reports on new technology systems and how they may or may not be able to be used in libraries.
11. iLibrarian: The OEDb’s Library blog is full of tech tips for librarians.
12. MichaelZimmer.org: For news and analysis on privacy, surveillance, new media, ethics and technology, check out this blog.
13. Peter Scott’s Library Blog: Peter Scott blogs about Google books, e-learning, web archiving, and more.
14. The Handheld Librarian: Librarians submit articles about computers and technology to this blog.
15. Blog without a library: Learn about library and tech news and trends from Blog without a library.
16. The Ubiquitous Librarian: Brian Mathews blogs about media, design, the future of libraries, and more.
17. Hey Jude: Follow this blog if you want to discover more about "learning in an online world."
18. Social Networking Librarian: Find out if social networking is something you want to encourage in your library or not.
19. Connie Crosby: This Canadian law librarian is up-to-date on social media, e-commerce and more.
20. Tame the Web: On Tame the Web, Michael Stephens and his guest bloggers cover library 2.0, librarians and leadership, and more.
21. Library clips: Here, a librarian blogs about wikis, blogging, and social media.
22. The Uncommon Commons: Visit this blog for "library and IT-related commentary" from an information commons "hub" librarian.
23. Disruptive Library Technology Jester: This blog comes from a library technologist who loves straddling the line between traditional librarianship and technology.
24. What I Learned Today: Librarians learn valuable web 2.0 and programming tips from this blog.

School and Academic Librarians

Librarians who work in schools and at colleges and universities will find plenty of resources for developing new programs from these blogs.

25. The Kept-Up Academic Librarian: Academic librarians visit this blog to keep up with the news and developments in higher education and libraries.
26. ALSC Blog: The Association for Library Service to Children blogs about children’s literature, technology, the Internet and children, and more.
27. YALSA: Get podcasts, technology posts and more from the Young Adult Library Services Association blog.
28. How the University Works: Academic librarians can better understand the changing landscape of the needs and demands of higher education here.
29. copy this blog: This blog tackles a range of issues relevant to higher education librarians including copyright, censorship, critical information theory, library policies, privacy, and more.
30. The Gypsy Librarian: The Gypsy Librarian covers topics relevant to wandering spirits and academic librarians.
31. Academic Librarian: Check out this blog from the Philosophy & Religion Librarian at Princeton University.
32. Library Grits: Dianne McKenzie is a lifelong learner and school librarian who shares tips for getting students involved in reading, research and technology.

Library Issues and Advocacy

From unions to the Library Bill of Rights to copyright issues to privacy and surveillance, these blogs cover important developments in the future of librarianship and information.

33. Ben’s Bytes: Ben is a public librarian in Wichita, KS, who blogs about the future of libraries.
34. Library Juice: Check out this intriguing blog for analysis and commentary "on the intersection of libraries, politics, and culture."
35. banned librarian: Librarians who support social activist groups and causes can find information, resources and allies here.
36. Librarian Activist: Keep up with the business and social trends impacting librarians.
37. Librarian.net: This blog covers everything from information developments, Library Bill of Rights, a day in the life of a librarian, book burning, and more.
38. collectanea: Learn about copyright issues, intellectual property and more.
39. Concerned Librarians of British Columbia: Stay current on the issues and crises affecting librarianship in Canada and beyond.
40. In the Library With the Lead Pipe: Six librarians from different niche industries maintain this blog to talk about the future of libraries, their jobs, and more.
41. The Green Library: Learn ways to make your library more energy efficient, user-friendly and generally green.
42. Library of Congress Blog: In addition to posts about Library of Congress news and exhibits, this blog has lots of great resources and stories about information literacy, technology, and the future of libraries.
43. Closed Stacks: Closed Stacks is a multi-author blog about library school, librarianship, technology, academic libraries, and more.
44. Designing Better Libraries: Find out how innovative design and new media can change the way your library operates.
45. The Society for Librarians Who Say Motherfucker: This community blog will help you stay in touch with the rants and ravings of librarians, patrons, technicians, library school students and more.
46. Resource Shelf: Librarians, journalists, educators and other information professionals can turn to this blog for news about their industries.
47. Library Law Blog: Learn about issues like privacy, public domain, new library technologies, and more.
48. Union Librarian: Librarians passionate about labor rights and the union should follow this blog.
49. Library Garden: Librarians with different perspectives blog about the future of libraries and the need to make them relevant again.

Research and Reference

These blogs serve as resources for reference and research librarians, as well as for librarians who want to learn about being published.

50. ACRL Insider: This is the blog from the Association of College and Research Libraries.
51. A Library Writer’s Blog: This blog contains resources for librarians who want to publish articles and network with the greater librarian community.
52. Blogging@NYPL: The New York Public Library blog highlights how libraries are sources of information and reference.

Innovation and Information

The future of libraries depends on the innovation of educators, librarians and technology professionals. Read all about what’s next from the people who are planning for the future.

53. Virtual Dave…Real Blog: This blog comes from Dave Lankes, associate professor at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies.
54. The Googlization of Everything: Find out how Google has impacted the way we retrieve information.
55. if:book: Discover the future of the book from this blog.
56. The Travelin’ Librarian: Michael Sauers is the Technology Innovation Librarian for the Nebraska Library Commission and has written books and articles about technology and education.
57. Derivative Work: Laura Quilter is a librarian and information activist. Read her blog for news and developments about authority, autonomy and more.
58. Open Access News: Keep up with open information and open source by following this blog.
59. The Other Librarian: This blog comes from a regarded library innovator, Ryan Deschamps, e-Learning Services Manager at the Halifax Public Libraries.
60. DIY Librarian: Tara Murra is a blogging librarian who promotes "librarianship for the people" and covers topics like open source, alternative information systems, and more.
61. Musings about librarianship: Follow this blog to keep up with the new methods libraries can use to help patrons find information.
62. From the Library Director’s Desk: This tenured public library director helps other librarians learn how to harness the power of technology.
63. Stephen’s Lighthouse: Stephen is the SirsiDynix Vice President of Innovation, and he blogs about how libraries can embrace technology, the Internet and social media.
64. Open Sesame: This blog is all about open source and information.
65. No Shelf Required: Find out how the ebook movement impacts your library and your patrons.
66. jandawson.net: Recent posts from this blog cover the information age, innovation, and more.
67. The Brewin’ Librarian: Matt Hamilton writes about emerging technologies, next generation libraries, and more.
68. in forming thoughts: This young librarian writes about web tools and sites for librarians, library camp, and other new library trends and developments.
69. Information Literacy Weblog: This blog brings readers all the information literacy news from around the world.
70. The Keyword Blog: Become more fluent in the language of the information age when you visit The Keyword Blog.
71. Planet Cataloging: This aggregated blog network shares news about cataloging and metadata.
72. Extensible Librarian: This blog comes from the Assessment Librarian for the University of Pittsburgh.
73. Library Bazaar: Learn about library issues like social media and technology from Library Bazaar.

Reading and Literature Blogs

Keep up with new literature and get ideas for encouraging your patrons to read from these bloggers.

74. Booklist: The Booklist blog contains resources and reviews for audiobooks, book awards, book lists, and more.
75. book/daddy: Jerome Weeks is an experienced book critic and arts producer for the NPR/PBS station in Dallas-Fort Worth.
76. Critical Mass: Critical Mass is the blog of the National Book Critics Circle Board of Directors.
77. Blogs on Criticas Magazine: Librarians, educators and booksellers connect on this blog to learn about Spanish-language and Hispanic interest books, authors and more.
78. Welcome to my Tweendom: Young adult librarians can learn about new books and children’s authors here.
79. So Many Books: Get reviews of entire archives and collections from this blog, with a few posts about librarianship sprinkled in.
80. Bookslut: Bookslut is a popular blog that features interviews and book reviews.
81. Paper Cuts: The New York Times book blog is a great resource for keeping up with new authors.
82. Ready Steady Blog: Get book reviews, author interviews and more.
83. Bryan’s Book Blog: This book blog covers a range of genres, and relates classics to worthwhile movie versions.
84. The Book Lady’s Blog: This young bookkeeper reviews fiction, memoirs, nonfiction and other books.
85. Sammy and Beckett’s Book Blog: Learn about modern and contemporary authors, genres and trends from Sammy and Beckett’s Book Blog.
86. Mark’s Contemporary Literature Blog: Become well-versed in the contemporary literature your library needs to stock by following this blog from Mark Flanagan.

Media and Communication

Learn how librarians can collaborate with media and other communication tools and methods from these blogs.

87. Connectivism: Learn about networking and social media in an education and library context here.
88. Public Knowledge: Learn how to prepare for the future of digital media and communications by checking out this blog.
89. TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home: This blog covers publishing, media and e-books.

Professional Blogs

Follow these library association and librarian blogs for official information and to find out what it’s like to work as a modern day librarian.

90. Librarian’s Rant: This reference librarian attempts to keep up with the changing library landscape.
91. The LibVocate: This blog promotes librarianship and information literacy.
92. ALA Weblog Service: The American Library Association blog covers news in politics, libraries, education, and from all other ALA blogs.
93. AL Inside Scoop: Follow the blog from the American Libraries magazine here.
94. The Days and Nights of the Lipstick Librarian!: This hip librarian is anything but the stuffy old stereotype.
95. Lauren’s Library Blog: Lauren Pressly is the author of So You Want to Be a Librarian and blogs about the future of libraries.
96. Accidentally Curious: This young librarian discusses modernizing your library and making it more appealing to a new generation of readers and researchers.
97. Attempting Elegance: Jenica Rogers-Urbanek is a library director and self-proclaimed geek who likes sharing what it’s like to work as a librarian.
98. 025.431 The Dewey blog: Brush up on your Dewey Decimal classification knowledge here.
99. Bilingual Librarian: Read this blog to learn about the collections and systems that make the world’s top libraries so special.
100. Head Tale: This librarian blogs about everything from library science to writing to the "spirit of librarianship."

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An online bachelors degree is not the debilitating force many people assume it to be, but can be the ticket to a lifelong career change for many students.  Online bachelor’s degrees offer students the opportunity to expand their knowledge from home and earn a degree without shifting their work or family schedule.  Employers understand this and recognize the devotion that comes with getting this type of degree and the hardships a traditional degree would cause many students.

Bachelor’s degrees are needed more than ever before to secure a job in this type of economy and any method you can use to get one is accepted by most employers.  The only thing that should matter is whether the school has accreditation, and with the increase of online schools, this is an important thing many employers consider in their hiring process.  The economy has opened up many new possibilities for people who have been laid off from their jobs: online education has offered them the chance to go back to school and earn a new degree for a fraction of the cost of attending traditional school classes.  With the easy flexible schedule of online schools, many students are additionally able to hold down a side job or career while still attending classes.

An online bachelor’s degree no longer carries with it the stigma of a lesser degree like it did only a few years ago.  As more and more students have enrolled in online classes, the popularity of online degree programs has risen to unprecedented levels.  As a result, more employers are open to hiring students from online universities because their degree programs are now more comparable to traditional university degrees.  Online university students no longer have to have a stigma of graduating from an online university, but instead have the pride that they have a degree in this economy and still managed to have a full-time job while attending classes.

The new emergence of online education has transcended education boundaries like never before and we have even begun to see online education for children in the elementary levels, an indication of how wide-spread and accepted these programs have become.  Because online colleges were the initial start of online education, they have evolved the fastest into a widely accepted program that is suitable for students from all walks of life and in any situation. 

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Whether you’re in school to become a comparative literature professor, fiction writer or just enjoy literature, you’ll find that it’s hard to fit into your schedule every kind of literature course you’d like to take. Luckily, in your spare time, you can take a look at these Ivy-League literature courses, lectures and reading lists to give you an edge in your studies or next book club meeting and allow you the opportunity to explore all the stories, poetry, authors and themes you want.

Classic, Medieval and Renaissance

Study the classics, medieval and Renaissance literature, including works by Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Christopher Marlowe in this list.

1. Foundations of Western Culture: Homer to Dante: In this course, discover what defines works, symbolism and ideas as being classical or Medieval. [MIT]
2. Literature and Ethical Values: This course was designed to help students analyze classical literature by applying an ethical philosophy. [MIT]
3. Classical Literature: The Golden Age of Augustan Rome: Readings in this course include works by Cicero, Horace, and Virgil. [MIT]
4. Medieval Literature: Dante, Boccaccio, Chaucer: Here you’ll study great writers by reading the Decameron and the Troubador. [MIT]
5. Renaissance Literature: By reading works by Christopher Marlowe, Francis Drake, John Donne and Vespucci, you’ll gain an understanding of the era’s major themes. [MIT]
6. The Homeric Odyssey and the Cultivation of Justice: Learn all about the culture, themes and significance of The Odyssey here. [Harvard]
7. Classics in Western Philosophy: Study the literature and philosophies of Plato, Aristotle and Descartes that ultimately shaped Western traditions. [MIT]
8. Classics Faculty: Get podcasts from the Classics department at Oxford covering classical literature, Roman comedy, and more. [University of Oxford]
9. The Bible: Study the Bible as a work of literature. [MIT]
10. Virgil’s Aeneid: Analyze each part of Virgil’s famous work here. [Stanford]
11. The Ancient World: Greece: In this course, you’ll gain an understanding of the political, social, religious and economic trends and values that shaped the works of Homer. [MIT]
12. Tales from Ovid: Interview: Listen to a discussion and analysis of the Ovid. [Stanford]
13. English Renaissance Drama: Theatre and Society in the Age of Shakespeare: Understand the social, economic and religious context of England at the time of Shakespeare. [MIT]

American Literature

This grouping of American literature courses covers the colonial era through modern times.

14. Staying Alive: This course covers the narratives of short stories, poems and novellas mostly from American writers like Stephen Crane, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Eudora Welty. [MIT]
15. American Literature: This American literature class is also an intensive writing class. [MIT]
16. Identity in American Literature: Keepin’ it Real Fake: Study the complicated themes surrounding identity, ethnicity and gender in American literature. [MIT]
17. The American Novel: Novels studied in this course range from The Scarlet Letter to Beloved. [MIT]
18. Studies in Fiction: Stowe, Twain and the Transformation of 19th-Century America: Learn how these revolutionary writers helped influence and document the transformation of America in the 19th century. [MIT]
19. Major Authors: Melville and Morrison: Compare and contrast the works, images, themes and styles of Herman Melville and Toni Morrison. [MIT]
20. Masterworks in American Short Fiction: Take a look at American short stories and novellas like "The Turn of the Screw" and "Old Mrs. Harris." [MIT]
21. Richard Wright, Native Son and the Beinecke Library: Being Brought to My Senses: This lecture explores Richard Wright’s controversial modern work. [Yale]
22. The Wasteland: Interview: Analyze "The Wasteland" when you listen to this lecture. [Stanford]
23. Major Authors: After the Masterpiece: Novels by Melville, Twain, Faulkner, and Morrison: Find out how these fiction writers’ craft changed after their most famous works. [MIT]
24. Plot Against America: Discussion: Listen to a discussion about Philip Roth’s novel here. [Stanford]
25. Studies in Fiction: Rethinking the American Masterpiece: Study major American texts in a new way when you follow this online course. [MIT]
26. Studies in Drama: Too Hot to Handle: Forbidden Plays in Modern America: Readings here include plays by Eve Ensler, Henrik Ibsen and George Bernard Shaw. [MIT]
27. Writing Early American Lives: Gender, Nation, Faith: Learn about the themes and values that populated early American literature. [MIT]
28. American Classics: Take a look at classic American texts like The Constitution and works by Betty Friedan, Allen Ginsberg, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Frederick Douglass. [MIT]

British and Irish Literature

Study Irish writers like James Joyce, as well as iconic English authors like Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf.

29. An Adventure with Words: James Joyce’s Ulysses: Uncover the techniques Joyce uses to create his own narrative in Ulysses. [Columbia]
30. Literary Studies: The Legacy of England: Find out why British literature is still so influential. [MIT]
31. Eighteenth-Century Literature: Versions of the Self in 18th-Century Britain: Read works that pay homage to the era’s idea that man cannot control his destiny. [MIT]
32. Major English Novels: Reading Romantic Fiction: The major English novels studied in this course include Sense and Sensibility, The Last Man and Great Expectations. [MIT]
33. Victorian Literature and Culture: Victorian literature includes important works by Dickens, Oscar Wilde, George Eliot, Robert Browning, and others. [MIT]
34. Milton’s Paradise Lost: Discover Milton’s infamous work here. [University of Cambridge]
35. Literary Interpretation: Virginia Woolf’s Shakespeare: Discover how Virginia Woolf used Shakespeare in her own writing. [MIT]
36. Major English Novels: Novels studied in this course include Moll Flanders, Tess of the d’Ubervilles, and Mrs. Dalloway. [MIT]
37. Special Topics in Milton’s "Paradise Lost": Take another look at "Paradise Lost" here. [MIT]
38. Major Authors: Oscar Wilde and the ’90s: This course profiles the works of Oscar Wilde. [MIT]
39. Tolkien at Oxford: This author profile of J.R.R. Tolkien involves his time at Oxford. [Oxford]
40. On Beauty: Discussion: Listen to a discussion about Zadie Smith’s On Beauty. [Stanford]
41. Arthurian Literature and Celtic Colonization: Study Medieval British history and societal themes by working with pieces from Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chretien de Troyes, and others. [MIT]

Women Writers

Discover how women writers have influenced fiction trends around the world.

42. Medieval Literature: Medieval Women Writers: Study works by Joan of Arc, Heloise of Paris, Margery Kempe and others. [MIT]
43. American Authors: American Women Authors: Read American women authors from the 17th century to the present, like Helen Keller, Edith Wharton and more. [MIT]
44. International Women’s Voices: Study contemporary works of literature by women authors from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. [MIT]

Regional and International Literature

Check out this list for literature from France, the Caribbean, South Asia, Japan and beyond.

45. World Literatures: Travel Writing: Study Columbus’s Diario as a way of understanding travel writing, journaling and exploration. [MIT]
46. Prizewinners: Take a look at prizewinning authors from the Caribbean and Ireland. [MIT]
47. After Columbus: Read writings from the New World, Caribbean, South America, and Europe after Columbus opened up the Americas. [MIT]
48. Foundations of Western Culture II: Renaissance to Modernity: Read works by Immanuel Kant, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Balzac and other important writers from the Renaissance to modernity. [MIT]
49. Major European Novels: Study major works by European authors as a way of analyzing European history and to track the changing style of European writing. Readings include Don Quixote and Madame Bovary. [MIT]
50. Introduction to European and Latin American Fiction: Learn about avant-garde fiction in Europe and Latin America in the 20th century. [MIT]
51. Passage to India: Introduction to Modern Indian Culture and Society: Learn about the transformation Indian culture is undergoing, and the literature that has been influenced by it. [MIT]
52. Introduction to Contemporary Hispanic Literature: Examine short stories, novels, poems and movies by Zoe Valdes, Manuel Rivas, Frederico Garcia Lorca, and others. [MIT]
53. Topics in South Asian Literature and Culture: This course examines topics like identity, politics, gender, castes, globalization and social change in writing from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more. [MIT]
54. Traditional Chinese Literature: Poetry, Fiction and Drama: This course was designed to introduce literature students to the themes, styles and symbolism in major Chinese works. [MIT]
55. Japanese Literature: Here you will examine the literature and film from the samurai, classical, wartime and post wartime eras in Japan. [MIT]

Literary Theory, Narrative and Practice

No literature program is complete without a class or two about literary theory.

56. Introduction to Fiction: Learn about different narrative styles and the meaning of texts in different cultures. [MIT]
57. Forms of Western Narrative: This course studies narratives from Homer to Poe to Marx. [MIT]
58. Popular Narrative: Masterminds: Here you’ll study the style and symbolism of deceiving readers and audiences through characters. [MIT]
59. Reading Fiction: Study how the language of short stories and novels vary. [MIT]
60. Introduction to Literary Theory: Study literary theory as it is applied to twentieth century works. [MIT]
61. Chance: Chance is a quantitative literacy course with videos and audio support. [Dartmouth]
62. Theory and Practice of Non-linear and Interactive Narrative: Compare traditional narratives found in novels and films against multimedia, non-linear narratives. [MIT]
63. Media in Cultural Contexts: Popular Readerships: Find out the issues and judgments that define low-brow and high-brow literature and media. [MIT]
64. Forms of Western Narrative: Consider how the Western narrative form has changed since Homer. [MIT]
65. Literary Interpretation: Literature and Photography: This course examines literary criticism. [MIT]
66. The Film Experience: Discover how stories are told in film and literature by taking this course. [MIT]

Modern and Contemporary Literature

Learn about modern and contemporary writers who have ushered in a new era of literature, like Kafka, Conrad, Nabokov, and others.

67. Learning form the Past: Drama, Science, Performance: Here you will gain an understanding of how the modern artistic and scientific world evolved through works by Shakespeare, Moliere, Rembrandt and Newton. [MIT]
68. 20th Century Fiction: Discover the changes in identity, theme, sexual experience and virtue in works by Woolf, Faulkner, Nabokov, Kafka and Kipling. [MIT]
69. Contemporary Literature: In this course, you’ll read contemporary Irish literature. [MIT]
70. Contemporary Literature: Literature, Development and Human Rights: Read novels, stories and news reports contributing to the discussion about human rights and economic development. [MIT]
71. Contemporary Literature: British Novels Now: Discover how British novels have been reinvented for the twentieth century. [MIT]
72. Foundations of Western Culture II: Modernism: This course follows the evolution of western literature and thought from the 17th century to the early 20th century. [MIT]

Poetry and Drama

For courses about poetry and drama, including Shakespeare, turn to this list.

73. Introduction to Drama: Study drama as a form of storytelling and as a challenge to social norms. [MIT]
74. Literary Interpretation: Beyond the Limits of the Lyric: Discover the moral, political and cultural implications of poetry when you study pieces by Whitman, Williams, Plath and more. [MIT]
75. Major Poets: Study English lyric poetry in this course. [MIT]
76. The Shakespearean Sonnet and the Modern Voice: This e-seminar studies Shakespeare’s sonnets. [Columbia]
77. Shakespeare: This Shakespeare class tries to uncover what makes Shakespeare so great. [MIT]
78. Tragedy: Discover how tragedy from drama influences the tragic style in literature as well. [MIT]
79. Romantic Poetry: Study the British Romantic poets Blake, Shelley, Byron, Coleridge, Wordsworth and Keats. [MIT]
80. Modern Drama: Study Beckett, Stoppard and Shaw in this modern drama class. [MIT]
81. Interpreting Poetry: Learn about different trends and techniques for interpreting poetry. [MIT]
82. Studies in Poetry: "What’s the use of Beauty?": Why do poets so often write about beauty? Explore why in this course. [MIT]
83. Studies in Poetry: Renaissance Men and Women Writing About Love: Study English love sonnets by Shakespeare, Sidney, Spencer, and Mary Wroth in conjunction with works by Thomas Wyatt and others. [MIT]
84. Modern Poetry: This course covers new imagery, ideas about identity and nationalism, and more from poems in the 20th century. [MIT]
85. Playwright Huzir Sulaiman Listen to playwright Huzir Sulaiman discuss the techniques of writing about social change. [Yale]
86. Remixing Shakespeare: Learn about the trends and techniques involved with modernizing Shakespeare. [MIT]
87. Studies in Drama: Stoppard and Churchill: Study topics like interpretation and literary history when you examine the works of Caryl Churchill and Tom Stoppard. [MIT]
88. Studies in Poetry: 20th Century Irish Poetry: The Shadow of W.B. Yeats: Consider the significance and influence of W.B. Yeats here. [MIT]

Miscellaneous

Here you’ll find even more free courses to round out your literature education, including classes about reading and writing fiction.

89. The Future of English: David Crystal’s e-seminar considers how globalization affects the English language in literature and communication. [Columbia]
90. Reading Fiction: Dysfunctional Families: Study dysfunctional family relationships in works like Jazz and To the Lighthouse. [MIT]
91. Writing About Literature: Learn tips for writing responses to and analyzing literature in this course. [MIT]
92. Bestsellers: Detective Fiction: Study the elements that made works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allen Poe and Agatha Christie so successful. [MIT]
93. Comedy: Study comedy styles from Moliere, Chaplin, Wilde, Cervantes and others. [MIT]
94. The Literature of Crisis: This course examines how characters in Plato, Shakespeare, Virgil and Voltaire embrace crisis. [Stanford]
95. The Craft of Science Fiction: This short course tracks the process of writing a science fiction piece. [MIT]
96. The End of Nature: This literature and philosophy class examines the Western interpretation of nature and its relationship to mankind. [MIT]
97. The Nature of Creativity: This art theory, psychology and philosophy course considers the nature of creativity. [MIT]
98. Writing Workshop: This creative writing workshop will help you become a better writer and literature student [MIT]
99. The Creative Spark: Discover how creativity is influenced here. [MIT]
100. Writing and the Environment: Follow this course to learn about popular science and environmentalist writers. [MIT]

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Online MBA programs have quickly become the most popular program within the online college community, as MBAs have become applicable in nearly every aspect of the career world. The Masters of Business Administration is one advanced degree which allows students the flexibility to apply it to nearly every industry.  Since the economy took a downturn last year, students began considering the possibility of returning to school in order to secure their chances of keeping their current job.  MBAs are one degree that is very attractive to employers which online colleges have taken note of. 

The different types of online MBA programs that are offered additionally appeal to a wide variety of students.  Students obtaining an MBA degree com from all different backgrounds, including students who have never before been out in the business world, the regular two-year MBA, and those students who are executives in their current position but need an MBA to continue their work, an Executive MBA program.  Additionally, there are accelerated MBA programs and part-time programs, both of which cater to students who have different schedules and are in different phases of their career-life.  One type of MBA program which has additionally grown in prominence has been a dual degree program that allows students to gain both an MBA and a JD or MS.  Therefore, students can work on their MBA through online courses while attending classes for another graduate degree.

Online MBA programs have additionally become a major aspect of every other type of MBA program, and exist as more of an umbrella over the other programs.  Online MBA programs allow students the flexibility to decide when they want to attend class and the ability to remain at work or at home, rather than commuting to a school which may take time away from family life or work life.  Online MBA programs are additionally intended to allow students to get ahead in their degrees, which explains why they have grown so much in popularity.  The economy has also offered online schools a new type of student who had never before considered the possibility of returning to school.  This return to school has thereby increased competition within many business, further encouraging business professionals to gain this valuable degree in order to hold onto their job. 

Online MBAs are much the same as other MBA programs which major universities offer, still requiring GRE or GMAT scores for acceptance into the program. Therefore, acceptance of online MBAs within the business world has become much more widespread due to the increase in popularity.  This trend will only be expected to increase as business degrees become more valuable in this type of economy. 

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