Inside This IssueU.S. News & World Report Rankings .................... Page 1New Virtual Student Resource Center .................. Page 1Adventures of the Red Towel ............................... Page 2New Online Elementary Math Endorsement ....... Page 3Watch your Mailbox! ........................................... Page 3Health Services Info ............................................ Page 3New Year, New Priorities? .................................... Page 4Other Points of Interest ....................................... Page 4Links to Distance Learning Social Media .............. Page 4Online Community for Distance Learners ............ Page 5Coming Soon ....................................................... Page 5Departments for Online Students ........................ Page 6

WKU online programs earn national ranking from U.S. News & World Report

In its first-ever ranking of the best online degree programs, U.S. News & World Report has named WKU among the Top 10 schools nationwide in the category of Student Services and Technology for online bachelor degrees.

WKU was also named among the top 15 online graduate degree programs in the category of Student Services and Technology – Education, the top 25 online graduate degree programs in the area of Faculty Credentials and Training – Education and in the top 12 public universities – South Region.

Other WKU programs were consistently ranked among the top 100 schools in the nation in the following areas: Online Business Graduate Degree ¬– Student Services & Technology, Online Business Graduate Degree – Faculty Credentials & Training and Online Education Graduate Degree – Faculty Credentials & Training.

U.S. News defines online programs as those with 80 percent or more required coursework available online. The ranking was released on Jan. 10 and included online bachelor’s degree programs combining data from all undergraduate level disciplines. U.S. News also ranked five disciplines at the master’s degree level: business, computer information technology, education, engineering and nursing. Within each graduate degree program there are four indicator rankings: Student Engagement and Accreditation, Student Services & Technology, Faculty Credentials & Training and Admissions Selectivity. Within the undergraduate ranking, there are three indicator rankings: Student Engagement & Assessment, Student Services & Technology and Faculty Credentials & Training.

For information about online degree programs at WKU, contact the Office of Academic Outreach at (270) 745-3067. The methodology used in these rankings can be found online.

Online Learning • 888-495-8932 • 270-745-5173 • learn.online@wku.edu • www.wku.edu/online Independent Learning • 800-535-5926 • 270-745-4159 • il@wku.edu • www.wku.edu/il

New Virtual Student Resource CenterOnline Learning is proud to announce the latest

addition to online student support services – the Virtual Student Resource Center (SRC). The Student Resource Center provides a centralized location where distance learners can access the support they need anywhere, anytime! Resources include library services and research assistance, an Online Writing Center, Online Tutoring, Career Services, organizational tools, time management tips, note taking strategies, social networking opportunities and much more – all easily accessible by visiting www.wku.edu/online/src.

There is also an Online Community for Distance Learners, designed to help students stay connected to WKU and stay informed of changes and deadlines without being on campus. If you would like to become part of the community email us with your student ID at learn.online@wku.edu.

We are here to help you succeed!

Adventures of the Red TowelReturning students may recall that last fall we asked

for you to submit photos from your Adventures of the Red Towel. A big thanks to each of you who participated!! It’s exciting to see the presence of WKU’s distance learners represented in this way.

Anthony Iles, Recreation & Sport Administration student, displays his towel at University of Louisville.

Maria Gallo, Marcella Fernandez, Keira Stewart and Leslie Rivera, Communication Disorders students at

St. Lukes in New York City.

Maria Montgomery, Communication Disorders student and former Miss Kentucky USA 2009, at the

9/11 Memorial in New York City.

Kadisha Currie and Pauline Meyer, Communication Disorders students, at the Henry Brooks Assisted

Living Facility in New York City.

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New Online Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement

WKU will offer a new online Elementary Mathematics Specialist (EMS) Endorsement beginning Fall 2012. WKU is Kentucky’s first university to offer the Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement, P-5, for teacher certification.

The EMS Endorsement is designed to give professionals both a deep and practical knowledge of the content and pedagogy of elementary mathematics and skills for working with other professionals to develop their mathematical knowledge for teaching in P-5 settings.

•Unique model with roots beginning the Toyota Math and Technology Leadership Academy

•State and national reputation for highly qualified teacher education graduates

•Highly qualified and dedicated faculty and staff• Integration of educational technology throughout

program•Educational Resources Center that contains library

resources dedicated specifically to education programs

This graduate endorsement program requires 15 hours and may be incorporated into the Elementary Education MAE program or other graduate programs for elementary teachers. For additional information about this program, and how you can start taking classes as early as this summer, contact Cindy Troutman at cindy.troutman@wku.edu or call 270-745-4087.

Watch your MailboxDuring the first two

weeks of the semester Distance Learning will be mailing out tools to help you stay organized. Students returning this spring will receive a spring academic calendar. New students will receive a support packet designed to connect distance learners with support services available online and at regional campus locations. So, watch your mailbox!

Health Services Offers Info on a Healthier You in 2012!

With the new year, many of us make New Year’s resolutions. Most Americans’ resolutions are centered on improved health and wellness. Maybe this is spurred from over indulging in holiday goodies and a slow-down in our exercise routines during the cold winter weather.

WKU Health Services has a great deal of information on tips to maintaining a healthy weight, getting better sleep, decreasing stress and advice on a host of other wellness topics and conditions. For more information, visit the following link: http://www.wku.edu/healthservices/health-ed/health-topics/health-topics.php.

Coming Soon to the Online Community: Health Services has recorded its Passport to Wellness series for distance learners. This series provides insight on topics such as sexual health and weight management, among others. The lectures are presented by WKU’s Health Services professional staff.

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A new year…. time for new priorities?Happy New Year, Distance Learners! Perhaps some of

you are just beginning college, just returning to school after a long absence or the new year has brought some new life changes. Whatever your circumstance, managing your time effectively is crucial.

The Academic Advising and R e t e n t i o n Center hosts a webinar that is great at giving useful and pertinent information for time management for students who are juggling many responsibilities at home, school and in the workplace. The webinar is presented by Jennifer Markin, Advising Associate for the Potter College of Arts and Letters. Jennifer has first-hand knowledge of continuing her education while balancing the joys and responsibilities of raising two children!

The webinar can be found at: http://www.wku.edu/tlc/tlc_videos.php. Visit this site often for valuable webinars on topics are pertinent to your success as a student!

Other Points of InterestContacting Faculty, Staff and Campus Offices at

WKU: To contact faculty, staff and campus offices at WKU visit the Campus Directory. If you need to reach your advisor and you don’t have their name contact the departmental office for your major, or call us at 888-4WKUWEB.

Top Tools for Online Learners: Going to school online can be a great experience, especially if you have the right resources. In our Student Resource Center there is a list of some of the best free and low-cost tools available designed to help you stay organized, conduct effective research, cite your sources and collaborate. Visit www.wku.edu/online/src and click on the Tools & Tips section to learn more!

Online Tutoring: Online tutoring is available in more than 200 subject areas through The Learning Center!

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To learn more visit The Learning Center online or call 270-745-6254.

Online Writing Center: We know that writers need feedback! The Writing Center can give you the feedback you need. Tutors will talk with you about your writing and help you brainstorm ideas, clarify main points, strengthen logic and support, integrate sources and credit them properly, and more! Visit http://www.wku.edu/online/src/writing-center.php to learn more.

Using Library Resources: The upcoming semester will include research projects and papers for many of you. We have online resources available through WKU Libraries that can help! Electronic journals, databases, e-books and more are available at http://www.wku.edu/library. If you need assistance getting started or tips on how to search visit the Library Services and Research Assistance section of the Student Resource Center at www.wku.edu/online/src.

We also have one-on-one assistance available through our Ask Your Librarian program. Ask Your Librarian provides easy access to a trained librarian through our Online Community. Roxanne Spencer, an Associate Professor in the Department of Library Public Services, is available to answer any questions you may have about your research. So, whether you have a specific question, or just need some direction on the best place to start just Ask Your Librarian!

Not a member of the Online Community for distance learners? Joining is easy! Just email us with your student ID at learn.online@wku.edu and let us know you would like to join!

Bookmark us! All of these resources and much more are available at www.wku.edu/online/src. Save us to your favorites to have one-click access to the support you need.

Follow us

Join our circle

Like us

wku.edu/online wku.edu/il

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The Online Community for Distance Learners – helping you stay connected!

The Online Community for Distance Learners houses a great deal of relevant information. Members can view announcements that serve as reminders for upcoming news and deadlines. There are also sections with study tips and helpful suggestions on time management.

In addition, there is a Library Resources section monitored by a WKU librarian, Ms. Roxanne Spencer. She is available to answer questions about research projects and point you in the right direction.

The discussion board allows students to connect with other online students in their program and is a great tool for discussing anything from assignments to personal interests.

A current work in progress is the Events section. Here we post videos of on-campus lectures, workshops and presentations that distance learners may find of interest.

If you have any suggestions of items you would like to see added to the online community or if you hear of any on campus lectures or presentations that you would like to view from the comfort of your home, please let us know! We will do our best to find a way to make them available through the community.

If you aren’t a current member of the Online Community and would like to become a member, simply email us with your student ID number and we’ll be happy to add you!

Ms. Roxanne Spencer, Coordinator, Educational

Resources Center

COMING SOON…

Online Learning will be implementing a new student

support feature.

Check our website on February 1 to learn more about this exciting

new addition!

http://www.wku.edu/online

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Student Support StaffDanita Reiger is the Student Support Specialist for Online Learning. She has been with Distance Learning since August 2009. Danita provides current and potential students with information regarding online courses and programs, helps

them get connected across campus and provides needed assistance with navigating the university at a distance. If you would like more information on online courses and programs email Danita at learn.online@wku.edu.

Tanja Bibbs is an Independent Learning Specialist. She has been with Distance Learning since February 2009. Tanja’s primary job responsibilities include processing Independent Learning registrations, attending and hosting student recruitment

events, and processing course exam requests. If you would like more information about independent learning courses email Tanja at il@wku.edu.

Online Learning • 888-495-8932 • 270-745-5173 • learn.online@wku.edu • www.wku.edu/online Independent Learning • 800-535-5926 • 270-745-4159 • il@wku.edu • www.wku.edu/il

Reminder! Summer registration begins March 12!

Access the Schedule of online classes here!

Key WKU Departments for Online Students

Admissions ........................................ 270-745-2551

Billings & Receivables .................... 270-745-6381

Bookstore ........................................... 270-745-2466

Career Services Center .................. 270-745-3095

Community College ....................... 270-780-2550

Counseling & Testing Center ...... 270-745-3159

Distance Learning ........................... 270-745-5173

Diversity Programs ......................... 270-745-5066

Financial Aid ..................................... 270-745-2755

Graduate Studies ............................ 270-745-2446

Independent Learning .................. 270-745-4158

Library Resources ............................ 270-745-6125

Online Tutoring ............................... 270-745-6254

Registrar ............................................. 270-745-3351

Student Disability Services .......... 270-745-5004

DELO Testing Center ...................... 270-745-5122