"Log in and Learn: Earning University Degrees Online"

What degrees are available? What would be the cost in terms of time and money of an on-line degree? What process do you follow to enroll? participate? What media is used? -- student interacts with computer? Interactive with a group? Support from an instructor? Is this a cost-effective option for your company and for you personally?

Some questions we hope to answer:

Range and type of on-line degrees (What degrees are available)
Quality of the degree in the eyes of the world
Process to begin and complete an on-line degree
Technology required for an on-line degree
Commitment of time to complete an on-line degree
Cost of an on-line degree

We have a panel comprised of an online MBA student, an online course designer/instructor and and online university president. They will answer these and more questions that you might have.

Keynote Presentatations by:

Dr. Pamela Pease -- serves as the President of Jones International University. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic, academic, and fiscal operations of the university. Under her leadership, the university became the first fully online university to receive regional accreditation. In 1999, she was awarded the United States Distance Learning Association's (USDLA) Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual in Higher Education.

Dr. Pease holds a Doctorate and Masters in Communications Theory and Research from the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California. In addition, Dr. Pease earned a MPS (Masters in Professional Studies) in Interactive Telecommunications from the New York University. She has been an innovator in implementing educational applications for new technologies including satellite, cable television, audio, and computer. Dr. Pease has presented and written extensively on issues related to implementing new communications technologies within the context of distance education.

Dr. Pease can be reached at: ppease@international.edu

Kevin McConnell -- is currently the Global Program Manager for Wireless Handheld Computing in IBM's CIO office. He provides leadership in IBM's usage of wireless devices, wide area wireless technologies and telecommuting. He has worked from his house in Austin, Texas for the past 5 years using DSL, Cable and wireless technologies. Kevin has been with IBM for nine years and is currently working on his online MBA in Global Enterprise Management. "Work is NOT a Place..... My other office is my Boat"

Kevin McConnell can be reached at: kmc@us.ibm.com

Bill Horton -- has been designing technology-based training since 1971 when, as an undergraduate, he designed a network-based course for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Advanced Engineering Study.

An internationally sought-after speaker, he recently delivered the keynote addresses for the Human Resources Association National Congress in Sao Paulo, the Information Technology Training Association conference in Barcelona, the Knowledge Management Seminarium in Stockholm, and delivered sessions at the 2003 Training Conference in Atlanta.

Bill Horton is also a prolific author. His books include Designing Web-Based Training, Designing and Writing Online Documentation, and Secrets of User-Seductive Documents. He is co-author of Getting Started in Online Learning and The Web Page Design Cookbook. He is also the author of three books to be published in ASTD's series on e-learning: Leading E-learning, Evaluating E-learning, and Using E-learning.

Bill is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) and Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication. He currently serves as a member of ASTD's commission on e-learning certification.

Bill Horton can be reached at: william@horton.com

Sean Robert Gallagher, Analyst -- is the lead postsecondary analyst with Eduventures. His research and advisory work have primarily focused on assessing higher education technology infrastructure, analyzing financial market activities and evaluating the competitive positioning and strategy of leading firms in the education industry. Mr. Gallagher brings broad technological expertise to his research and analysis, including experience web-enabling student record databases, developing educational web applications, and procuring and implementing hardware solutions.

Prior to joining Eduventures, Mr. Gallagher worked at high-tech public relations firm MS&L Global Technology and as a systems analyst and network administrator at Union International Systems. Mr. Gallagher also has several years experience as a technology consultant and website designer, having managed Kranberry Systems, a firm he founded in 1995 that served a variety of corporate clients including education and training firms. Mr. Gallagher holds a B.S. in Marketing from Northeastern University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Eduventures, Inc. is the leading, independent research and advisory firm dedicated exclusively to the coverage and service of corporate, postsecondary, and pre-K-12 learning markets. Eduventures helps education businesses, technology companies, services firms, and educational institutions execute more effectively in increasingly competitive and rapidly changing business environments to realize growth opportunities. Founded in 1993, Eduventures is privately held and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Visit www.eduventures.com for more information.

Eduventures, in partnership with Cenquest, has recently published a report titled "Tuition Assistance Plan Benchmark: Managing TAP as a Strategic Asset". Based on a survey of chief learning officers and human resources vice presidents, directors, and managers at more than 500 companies (most U.S.-based) from various industries.

Sean Gallagher can be reached at: sgallagher@eduventures.com

Founded in 1993, Jones International University was the first fully online, accredited university. JIU^TM offers more than 50 professional education programs and 28 degrees, including eight M.B.A. degrees, six Master of Education in e-Learning degrees, and three Master of Arts in Business Communication degrees.

Experts from some of the most respected colleges and universities in the world design the content-rich, highly focused curriculum. These unique educational programs take full advantage of the power of the Internet to enable online communications, learning, and skill acquisition.

Now, employees of LearnShare member companies can take advantage of special discounts on all JIU courses, certificates and degree programs. Enroll today, and be sure to identify yourself as a LearnShare member to save 10% on your tuition.