2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Virginia

With 115 colleges and universities, Virginia offers plenty of choices when it comes to higher education.

These institutions of higher education are among the oldest in the nation, and several of them are historically significant.

These are the 2022 best colleges and universities in Virginia, ranking in the top 100 schools at the national level:

University of Virginia – Tied for 25^th place nationally, this school was founded by Thomas Jefferson. It is well-known for its schools of engineering, business and administration, law, and medicine. Those who attend Mr. Jefferson’s university” experience outstanding undergraduate teaching, and the university is veteran-friendly. In-state tuition and fees are less than $17,350 per year.

College of William and Mary – Ranked at 38th in the nation, the College of William and Mary is the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Known for its programs in business, education, and law, this college is ranked #5 for undergraduate teaching, and #16 for veterans. Tuition and fees cost $21,830 annually for in-state students.

Virginia Tech – This school has tied for 76th place among top-notch universities across the nation. The focus at this school is on research. The College of Engineering has earned top marks for its innovative program. The tuition and fees are $13,620 annually.

Virginia is also home to some of the country’s best liberal arts colleges. These four took top honors in the best 100 schools.

Washington and Lee University – This private school is #11 in the nation among liberal arts universities. This university is a best-value choice and has a recognized business program. Washington and Lee accepts 22% of applicants. The annual tuition and fees run $52,455 annually.

University of Richmond – Ranked 25th in the United States, this private liberal arts school is also a best-value choice with a nationally-recognized business program. The acceptance rate here is 33%, and students find they have access to a variety of co-curricular opportunities, as well as the opportunity to study abroad. Annual tuition and fees cost $52,610.

Virginia Military Institute – This school is #81 among national liberal arts colleges. The cadets at this school live in military-style barracks, but their opportunities for learning are not as sparse as their living quarters; they can choose from 80 programs of study. Expect to pay approximately $18,862 annually in tuition and fees.

Hampden-Sydney College – At # 113, the college is the tenth-oldest in the country, and its legacy of remaining loyal over a long time is part of the heritage students experience. The men at this all-male school help each other over hurdles and often remain close friends for life. This school is also considered a best-value choice among similar colleges. The tuition and fees are approximately $45,396 per year.

Excellent schools and a rich history make up the higher ed landscape of Virginia.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

May 2, 2019

2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Washington

If you’re looking for a college or university in Washington, there’s a 50-50 chance that you’ll be in attendance at one of the schools in the Seattle-Tacoma area. That’s because half of the state’s institutions of higher education are in the city with the largest population.

These are the 2022 best colleges and universities in Washington – in Seattle and beyond.

Gonzaga University – At #4 among universities in the Western region, Gonzaga is also third place nationwide in undergraduate teaching. The university has a prominent school of law and is known for its legal writing program. This Roman Catholic school accepts students of all faiths, and the acceptance rate is 66%. The annual tuition and fees run $43,210.

Seattle University – Seattle University commands seventh place among similar school in the Western region of the United States. Affiliated with Jesuit philosophy, the school encourages community involvement. It is known as an excellent school for legal writing. It’s also a good choice for veterans and considered a best-value selection as well. The annual tuition and fees are approximately $44,610.

Whitworth University — Ranked at #8 among regional universities in the West, it’s also a best value choice and veteran-friendly. Whitworth integrates faith-based decision making into its academics. Tuition and fees here are approximately $43,640 per year.

University of Washington – Ranked nationally at #59 among universities, this university is known for its research as well as colleges of engineering and medicine, and it is an outstanding business school. The university’s acceptance rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees are less than $11,517 per year.

Whitman College – This college tied for 43rd place among nationally-ranked liberal arts schools, and in addition to offering rigorous academics, the school allows students to earn credits in wilderness activities. Whitman is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, and the college is a best-value choice. The annual tuition and fees cost $51,764.

Two Washington universities tied for 44^th place in the Western region of the United States: the public Central Washington University and the private Saint Martin’s University. Both schools are considered best-value choice for higher education.

University of Puget Sound – Ranked at #72 in the nation among liberal arts colleges, this school prizes creativity. Students are encouraged to take advantage of internships and to study abroad. Tuition and fees at this private school are $49,776 annually, and an education from this college is a best-value choice.

Washington state offers plenty of opportunities for earning a degree in regionally and nationally recognized colleges and universities.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

May 2, 2019

2023 Best Colleges and Universities in West Virginia

Students seeking higher education opportunities in West Virginia will find several regionally and nationally ranked colleges and universities.

These are the 2022 best colleges and universities in West Virginia.

Alderson Broaddus University – Tied for 30th place among Southern regional colleges, this school has an enrollment of 1,020 students and a 41% acceptance rate. The university is known for its programs in nursing, sports and fitness, and business administration and management. Alderson Broaddus is a best-value pick among school in West Virginia. The annual tuition and fees are $27,910.

West Liberty University – This school is tied for 37^th place among regional colleges in the South. Two-thirds of the classes offered have fewer than twenty students, and this school is veteran-friendly and ranked at #7 (tied) among top public schools. Expect to pay approximately $7,000 annually in tuition and fees if you’re an in-state student.

Ohio Valley University – Coming in at #43 among similar schools in the South, this private university is faith-based and traditional in academic offerings. You find a close-knit community of learners and small class sizes. Almost half the students attending the school are in the Greek system. The annual tuition and fees are $21,900.

Wheeling Jesuit University– This school takes 38th place in regional universities in the South. The focus here is on faith, academics, and public service, and it’s a best-value school. The annual tuition and fees are $29,290.

Marshall University – Marshall has captured 42nd place among Southern universities. The school has earned recognition for its business and engineering programs, and it’s a best-value choice among similar universities. Marshall offers 200 majors and a vibrant selection of co-curricular activities. The annual in-state tuition and fees are just under $8,128.

West Virginia Wesleyan College – The private school remains committed to providing small class sizes for higher engagement, and the college has an impressive 90% retention rate among freshmen. Ranked #58 amid Southern regional universities, the college is also considered a best-value selection in higher education. Tuition and fees are $31,640

West Virginia University – Ranked #205 in national universities, this large public school is home to fifteen colleges that confer a variety of degrees as well as professional programs. Students here will also find plenty of co-curricular activities to round out their college experiences. The university is recognized for is business programs and engineering programs. The annual in-state tuition and fees are $8,856.

Located in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia offers diverse opportunities in learning for those pursuing higher education.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

May 2, 2019

2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Oregon

Oregon has an impressive number of colleges and universities. Of the more than 90 higher ed schools, seven are public, and 67 are private. In addition, there are seventeen community colleges

This state educates almost a quarter of a million students each year.

For those seeking higher education opportunities, these 2022 best colleges and universities in Oregon will have you on your way to earning a degree.

Oregon Institute of Technology – Ranked at #5 among regional colleges in the West, Oregon Tech is a public school that has a highly respected engineering program that offers a variety of degrees. OIT also offers a degree in renewable energy engineering. Renewable energy is the first degree of its kind in America. The school is veteran friendly, a top public school and a best-value choice. The campus has a 61% acceptance rate. In-state tuition and fees are $9,987 annually.

Warner Pacific College – Coming in at #10 in Western colleges, Warner Pacific is a private school with a Christian liberal arts focus. The school prides itself on providing a personalized and well-rounded education. Annual tuition and fees here run $18,660.

University of Portland – Also ranked #6, but among western universities in the United States, this school is a private, Catholic institution of higher learning. The University of Portland offers 40 majors and is considered a best-value choice. The college also has a recognized engineering program and business program (The Pamplin School of Business) and has sixteen study abroad programs. Annual tuition and fees are approximately $45,904.

Pacific University – With small classes and a 84% acceptance rate, this school ranks #21 among western universities. Pacific University provides students with a well-rounded liberal arts education in a suburban setting. Annual tuition and fees are approximately $44,298. This school is also recognized for having low student debt rates.

Lewis & Clark College – Lewis & Clark is #68 in the nation among national liberal arts schools. The college has small class sizes, with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. The school is a best-value choice, and it has been recognized for the caliber of undergraduate teaching. More selective than some of the other universities in Oregon, the acceptance rate is 71%. Annual tuition and fees are just under $50,934.

Why not go to Oregon for your degree in higher education? This state offers stunning scenery, environmentally-friendly living, and regionally and nationally ranked institutions of higher education.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

May 2, 2019

2023 Best Colleges and Universities in New York

New York is a cultural epicenter, and it’s also well-known for superior colleges and universities of all sizes. These schools are scattered throughout the state. There are more than 130 institutions of higher learning in this state, and they vary in purpose and size. Several are located in New York City.

These are the 2022 best colleges and universities in New York.

Columbia University – Three prestigious schools make up the university undergraduate program: Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the School of General Studies. Columbia is ranked in 3rd place nationwide, and the school is a best-value university. Columbia accepts only 6% of applicants each year, and the annual tuition and fees are $59,430. The freshman retention rate here is 99%, which indicates an immense level of satisfaction with the school.

Cornell University – Ranked at #16 in the nation, Cornell is a private school that offers fourteen colleges of study. This university is part of the Ivy League, and it’s a best-value school that is also third in the nation for veterans. Cornell accepts 13% of its applicants, and 97% of freshmen return for their sophomore year of college. Tuition and fees run just under $55,188 annually.

New York University – This university, with an enrollment of 51,123 students, is the largest private school in the United States, and it’s ranked 30th in the nation. Students seeking a degree in theatre and film attend the famous Tisch School of the Arts. NYU is a city school that thrives in the heart of Manhattan. Annual tuition and fees cost $51,828.

University of Rochester – This elite research school is ranked #33 nationwide, and it’s one of the smallest universities in the nation dedicated to research. Rochester has a Take Five program that encourages students to take courses outside their majors. This is a best-value school, and it’s also great for veterans. Tuition and fees here are approximately $53,926 annually.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – The focus on studies at Rensselaer is in science, and the engineering program here is among the best. Student satisfaction runs high, and the university turns away 57% of its applicants. Tuition and fees are approximately $53,880 annually.

Fordham University – With campuses located throughout New York City, Fordham provides students with an authentic Big Apple experience. Fordham is ranked #70 in the United States. The most popular majors include Speech Communications and Rhetoric and Business Administration and Management. Annual tuition and fees are $52,248.

There are 129 other colleges and universities in New York state, each with something special to offer students.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

May 1, 2019

2023 Best Colleges and Universities in Wisconsin

The 2022 best colleges and universities in Wisconsin exemplify the state motto: forward. These schools offer dynamic and innovative programs for students interested in getting their bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or professional degrees.

Milwaukee School of Engineering – This private school tied for 10th place among Midwestern regional universities, and it’s considered a best-value selection in higher education. Nationwide, the program for electrical & electronic communications ranks 6th, the mechanical engineering program ranks #7, and the overall engineering program earned 10th place. MSOE students are encouraged to study abroad in university-affiliated programs in the Czech Republic, Germany, and India. The annual tuition and fees here are $40,749.

Wisconsin Lutheran College – This small, private school offers academics and character education in classes of fewer than twenty students. Wisconsin Lutheran teaches students the importance of serving others, and the college is considered a best-value choice among colleges. The tuition and fees at this private school are $29,275 per year.

University of Wisconsin – La Crosse – This public school is 32nd among Midwestern universities, and it offers nearly 100 undergraduate majors as well as plenty of co-curricular activities for a well-rounded education. It’s a best-value school, a top public school and has a recognized business program. In-state tuition is less than $10,000 per year.

University of Wisconsin – Superior – This university comes in at #35 among Midwest colleges in the region. The student enrollment is small, and therefore, degree candidates enjoy small classes and closer engagement with faculty. The university devotes time to community service projects and regionally relevant research. Annual tuition and fees (in- and out-of-state) are $8,126 and $15,699 respectively.

University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire – This school is ranked #38 in regional universities in the Midwest. The Eau Claire campus focuses on hands-on learning experiences in a variety of disciplines including STEM and education. Students are encouraged to student abroad, and some education majors student teach overseas. The university requires all students to complete a service learning project before graduation. Tuition and fees are $8,820 annually.

Carroll University – Ranked at #53 among Midwest universities, Carroll is a private school that offers 40 programs for a bachelor’s degree and several for graduate degrees. This university is an excellent choice for veterans and is also considered a best-value pick. Carroll has a 71% acceptance rate. The annual tuition and fees are $31,918.

Wisconsin is part of the Midwest Student Exchange, which permits student from nearby states to attend a Wisconsin college or university at in-state tuition and fees rates.

Click here to learn more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

December 27, 2017

106 Experts Share Their Thoughts on the Future of Education, Part 3: Higher Education

“The future of education is digital. We live in an increasingly digital world, where technology is a part of our lives in so many ways. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we incorporate digital technology into education. To prepare students for higher education and future jobs, we must ensure that they are familiar with technology. Administrators who want to prepare their K-12 school for the future of education should look at the ways they use technology in the classroom. Schools that are future-ready are those that blend technology with learning seamlessly and include technology in nearly every lesson.”

I just shared my thoughts on the future of education, but what do my peers think? To find out, we decided to produce an expert roundup on the topic of the future of education. We asked 106 education experts to answer one question: “What are your thoughts on the future of education?” In part 3 of this series, we will focus on the future of higher education.

Higher Education

*Numbering is for organizational purposes only, and does not denote a participants rank or level of influence.

1. D. Mark McCoy, President

Depauw University

“Higher education must reinvent itself to be relevant to the challenges of today’s world. When costs and debt soar while innovation and application lag, families struggle. We must do more than recognize change; we must lead it. To do so, we must think and act differently. “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present.” The future of work is changing. I use to say that we can no longer expect a sustainable future for bright but uneducated people. Now I feel that way about people educated via the methods of the past.”

Twitter: @DMarkMcCoy

2. Michael Desiderio

Executive Director of the Executive MBA Council

“Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), are all technological innovations that the education space is going to have to deal with in one form or another in the future. Some segments of education will embrace them, some will watch them and others will ignore them. Hybrid learning will continue to expand, and as it does AI, AR, and VR will be used to enhance the education experience. For example, using chatbots to field student queries affords 24/7 access, further increasing the flexibility of learning solutions. Education is here to stay, and so is technology – the convergence will continue.”

Twitter: @EMBACouncil

3. Donna Loraine

President of Carrington College

“Education is about making successful learning connections with students in a changing world. Just as our teaching techniques have changed to address our current learners, these will continue to evolve. The future will introduce even more sophisticated technologies adjusting our teaching models to match how our new generations of students are accustomed to connecting with information. Additionally, global and industry partner collaboration with the education environment will become the norm, and more flexible, virtual alternatives will add educational options to traditional brick and mortar learning.”

4. Dr. Pareena Lawrence

President of Hollins University

“While much of the education colleges and universities are providing is becoming increasingly specialized, cross-functional skills such as adaptability and critical thinking, and the ability to connect the dots and understand context will continue to be vital even with the changing nature of jobs. As technology rapidly evolves, knowledge base expands, and industries continue to automate, a narrow subset of specialized skills and knowledge may not apply to jobs five or ten years in the future. Simply put, there is no replacement for the value of a liberal arts degree.”

Twitter: @PresLawrence

5. Dr. Susan Bainbridge

Distance Education Specialist

“Higher education will adapt to a more sustainable model that produces graduates with practical skills for a functioning society. Universities in their current form will shrink. They will continue to produce medical doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers, etc., but there will be fewer people enrolling in degrees that offer no practical skills. Society also needs plumbers, electricians, police officers, firefighters, municipal workers, and they require training not philosophy. Distance education will continue to grow for learning and training as people will need to upgrade continually to maintain tech skills required for their jobs.”

Twitter: @eddebainbridge

6. George J. Hagerty

President of Beacon College, Leesburg, Florida

“If we are serious about issues of access, quality, accountability, and even financial efficacy, the educational community must embrace through common practice the imperative of universal design. Architecture, the construction of facilities and public spaces, and even technology have evolved in practice at a much more substantial scope and pace than has the delivery of the instruction and related services that these structural features support. Whether at the K-12 or collegiate level, the increasing diversity of students and the quest for improved learning outcomes will demand that policy-makers and practitioners create environments and common curricula that optimize the results and learning experiences for all modalities and profiles found in the classroom.”

7. Sean Graham, FNT Software

“To keep pace with the evolving education sector, schools must provide classroom settings that allow for more digital, mobile and technology-based learning environments. Educating the twenty-first century workforce and beyond requires modern IT infrastructure.

In the near future, institutions will have to transform their IT and cable infrastructure into a modern technological system that has the flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of student, faculty and administration. By providing both traditional and expanded services more efficiently and at lower costs, IT infrastructure will fully support the institution’s main mission of delivering quality education.”

Twitter: @FNTSoftware

8. Steven Klinsky

Founder and CEO

Modern States Education Alliance

“There will be new paths to affordable college. Five million people take online classes for credit now but at full tuition. It would be very inexpensive for a philanthropy or government to put one ‘best in class’ college course online from a great professor in each subject, available free to all and with a College Board style test attached to prove student skill and earn accreditation at traditional schools. The College Board AP and CLEP exam system and the exam system in the U.K are examples to build upon and expand.”

Twitter: @modernstatesed

9. Marybeth Gasman

Judy & Howard Berkowitz Professor of Education

University of Pennsylvania

“I think that education needs to become more nimble and flexible – it needs to provide content as well as skills in its delivery. For far too long, we have not concentrated on preparing college faculty that can actually teach —we privilege content knowledge, which is important, but creative and engaging delivery is essential. If we don’t change, we are going to lose students to non-traditional approaches. Higher education will become less relevant.”

Twitter: @marybethgasman

10. Grant Taylor

CEO, Quotanda

“Online and blended learning is enabling educators and allowing students to learn faster in and outside the classroom. New business models will continue to provide opportunities for students to take short courses for high-demand skills (i.e. code bootcamps, data science, online marketing etc.) with exceptional employment outcomes reflecting a high return on investment (ROI).

Affordability is the greatest barrier to educational access globally, particularly for tertiary education. Automated, digital financial aid (scholarships & loans) from educators and lenders, both public and private, will increasingly expand educational access.”

Twitter: @Quotanda

Conclusion

We would like to thank all our experts for contributing to this roundup. How is your school or organization working to prepare for the future? Let us know what’s worked and what hasn’t worked.

Click here to access all the parts of this roundup series.

February 6, 2017

The Edvocate’s List of 40 Must-Read Higher Education Blogs

*The Edvocate is pleased to produce its “Best of the Best” resource lists. These lists provide our readers with rankings for education-related blogs, twitter accounts, influencers, products, etc. These lists are meant to be fluid, and for that reason, they are regularly updated to provide up to the moment information.*

The world of higher education is unlike any other sphere. It is a place where young people strive to learn who they are and find a career path, where leading experts pass on knowledge, and many people simply try to figure out what they want to do.

There are so many thought leaders and experts in the realm of higher education. This can make trying to wade through a wealth of higher education blogs seem impossible. The following list can help you find some of the most insightful, educational, and entertaining blogs in higher education. We’ve even gone through and ranked them to help you determine which are the most helpful.

The rankings for are broken down into four categories.

Activity (25%). Blogs need to be regularly updated. The blogs that are updated daily (or almost daily) score well here.
Originality (25%). Sites should offer something new so that they have more value (otherwise, why would you read them).
Helpfulness (25%). There is a lot of information in higher education, so the sites need to be helpful for resolving problems and knowing what is happening. A high score here means that the site is almost universally helpful – if it deals more with a niche, the score could be a little lower as it will not be useful or helpful to everyone interested in higher education.
Authority (25%). The blogger or bloggers are experts or authorities in the field. If the blogger or bloggers are not experts (they could be in the media or writers who aren’t experts), the score will be lower.

The blogs are ranked first by their total score in these four areas. That will show you which ones are popular and are likely to contain information trending in your field. We also endeavored to give you a quick summary of what each blog covers.

Higher Ed: NPR

Managed by NPR, this is a blog that covers all of the latest news, both highly publicized and little-known topics, making it a must read for anyone in higher education. It has something for students, staff, faculty, and administrators, and can help you keep current with the rapidly changing world of academia.

Score: Active 25, Original 25, Helpfulness 24, Authority 24
Total: 98

Twitter: @NPR_ED

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

This blog provides a look at education from many different angles. The site is updated daily, but the blogs are updated a couple of times a month (sometimes more often based on the time of year). As the name suggests, it highlights the issues of concern to minorities in education.

Score: Active 24, Original 25, Helpfulness 24, Authority 24
Total: 97

Twitter: @DiverseIssues

Newsletter: http://diverseeducation.com/news/subform.html

Prof Hacker

This blog focuses on teaching, technology, and productivity within academia, but it does occasionally stray into politics when the latest news affects higher education.

Score: Active 25, Original 24, Helpfulness 22, Authority 25
Total: 96

Twitter: @ProfHacker

NACAC Admitted

The NACAC (or National Association for College Admission Counseling) is the place to go if you work in admission, or if you (or your kids) are getting ready to take the plunge into the admissions process.

Score: Active 25, Original 22, Helpfulness 24, Authority 23
Total: 94

Twitter: @NACAC

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

NAFSA focuses on the latest in news, from politics to holidays, around the world. They also offer advice on a number of different topics through guest bloggers.

Score: Active 22, Original 24, Helpfulness 22.5, Authority 25
Total: 93.5

Twitter: @NAFSA

Campus Technology

For the latest in news about available and upcoming technology on campus, you should have this blog bookmarked. Multiple posts are added daily, making it something you can make part of your regular routine.

Score: Active 21, Original 24, Helpfulness 23, Authority 25
Total: 93

Twitter: @Campus_Tech

Bryan Alexander

One of the best-known authorities for technology in higher education, this blog covers a wide range of tech-related topics that can be inspirational and informative. From finances to international higher education to the latest news in the US, it is always worth a look to see what he has to say on a weekly basis.

Score: Active 22, Original 23, Helpfulness 21, Authority 25
Total: 91

Twitter: @BryanAlexander

ACRLog

The blogs focus on things that matter to both librarians and academics. It takes a look at how best to reach students through the library setup, how to manage events and a host of other items that you may not think about when you talk about libraries. It is a niche subject, but it is incredibly helpful to those who need their libraries or who are interested in seeing how best to utilize them in a higher education setting.

Score: Active 23, Original 25, Helpfulness 19, Authority 22
Total: 89

Email: ala@ala.org

Inside Higher Ed

This is a site that everyone in higher education should bookmark because it has posts about virtually everything in the field. With an area that goes to other blogs and articles, it is like a search engine just for those in the industry.

Score: Active 25, Original 20., Helpfulness 21, Authority 22
Total: 88.5

Twitter: @InsideHigherEd

Confessions of a Community College Dean

Followers of this blog get a look into the life and experiences of a dean. With facts, answers, tips, tricks, and the occasional touching tribute, this blog is great for anyone in academia. There are also details about how he balances work with family life so you will get a look into his wit and witticisms on a wide range of subjects. It is done somewhat anonymously, so if you want to contact the blogger, you will have to go through the comments section of the blog.

Score: Active 25, Original 25, Helpfulness 15, Authority 23
Total: 88

Times Higher Education

A higher education blog staple, Times Higher Education takes in the news and events about and on campus on a daily basis. It is a great way to start the day catching up on events that you may have missed or to prepare for tomorrow.

Score: Active 25, Original 18.5, Helpfulness 23, Authority 20.9
Total: 86.9

Twitter: @TimesHigherEd

Coursera Blog

Though not specific to higher education, this site covers a lot of related areas (as well as a lot that specifically address higher education issues and ideas).

Score: Active 23, Original 20, Helpfulness 23, Authority 20.8

Total: 86.8

Twitter: @Coursera

Frontiers

If you are interested in staying current with the latest in elearning, this is the blog to bookmark. With several posts a week, the site covers a range of elearning topics, such as adaptive learning, policies, and the use of the latest virtual tools.

Score: Active 20.5, Original 21, Help 23, Authority 22
Total: 86.5

Twitter: @WCET_info

Top Hat Blog

Top Hat strives to keep students and professors working together. They cover a good bit of news and assessments about higher education edtech too.

Score: Active 23, Original 21, Helpfulness 20, Authority 22
Total: 86

Twitter: @TopHat

IIE Opening Minds

The focus of this particular blog is on the various international learning experiences, such as studying abroad and latest learning theories around the globe. It takes a unique look at how to open minds through higher education on the international stage.

Score: Active 16.9, Original 23, Helpfulness 22, Authority 24
Total: 85.9

Twitter: @IIEglobal

International Student Blog

Designed to help international students, this blog focuses on the issues, concerns, and news specific to the niche. Whether you need advice on socializing in a new country, tips on traveling, or what to expect over the various holidays around the world, it is a great place for those who are learning outside of their home country.

Score: Active 22, Original 23, Helpfulness 21, Authority 19.7
Total: 85.7

Twitter: @IntStudent

Faculty Focus

Dedicated to professors, assistants, and anyone who teaches in higher education, this blog provides a lot of information on a regular basis. It also stays focused on this area so you will not get sidetracked by news and other topics that tend to dominate other sites.

Score: Active 25, Original 19.5, Helpfulness 21, Authority 20
Total: 85.5

Twitter: @FacultyFocus

A Millennial Professor’s View of Higher Education

The blog focuses on many of the different aspects of higher education administration and staffing, from finding a job to creating and maintaining long-term relationships in the academic world. If you are an administrator, this is definitely a blog you should be checking out regularly.

Score: Active 18.3, Original 22, Helpfulness 23, Authority 22
Total: 85.3

Twitter: @drjtedwards

EricStoller.com

This blog highlights many different conferences, technologies, and methods that are instrumental to being successful in the academic world. As it is managed by a consultant in the UK, you can also find some wisdom and words about how to successful work for others around the globe. There is a nice dovetail between the two areas, making it a blog that is great for educators and business professionals.

Score: Active 18, Original 25, Helpfulness 18, Authority 23
Total: 84

Twitter: @EricStoller

EDUCAUSE Blogs

This blog has a focus on legal and administrative concerns. There is a hefty dose of privacy related information posted on a regular basis, which is great as it is one of the fastest changing areas of technology. There is also a considerable amount of policy issues addressed, making it a great site for admin and staff.

Score: Active 22, Original 21, Helpfulness 15, Authority 23
Total: 81

Twitter: @EDUCAUSEreview

University Business

If you are in administration, this is a must follow blog to keep you informed and help you plan for the future. With multiple blogs posted daily, there is always something new for your to learn or consider.

Score: Active 25, Original 17, Help 20, Authority 18.5
Total: 80.5

Twitter: @UniversityBusiness

High Ed Webtech

For administrators and staff who manage their school’s tech, this site is invaluable. Regular posts cover the latest trends, how to do them right, and what to avoid.

Score: Active 20, Original 23, Help 18.4, Authority 19
Total: 80.4

Twitter: @mrichwalsky

Academic Computing

A new blog posts about every other month, but it well worth the wait. The focus is on coding in higher education and new technology. It also touches on topics that matter to professors and students who would like to keep up with the way colleges are teaching computer basics and coding.

Score: Active 10, Original 25, Help 20, Authority 25
Total: 80

Twitter: @neilccbrown

Will Richardson

If you want a thought provoking blog that takes on random subjects, this one does not disappoint. While other blogs tend to repeat each other, this one is utterly unique and enjoyable when you want to cogitate about something different.

Score: Active 22, Original 25, Help 17, Authority 15.5
Total: 79.5

Twitter: @WillRich45

Academic Tech Tips

This blog takes a look at the newest tools and trends that professors and administrators can use in schools. It also provides some help on common tools and how to get the most out of them.

Score: Active 23, Original 19, Help 20, Authority 17
Total: 79

Email: helpdesk@luc.edu

UnCollege

This is a blog aimed at a very specific niche in higher education – student taking a year off of going to school. Since the point is to take a break, the blog gives you ideas and advice about how to make that year both productive and enjoyable so that you are ready to go back and finish your degree with enthusiasm.

Score: Active 20, Original 25, Help 15, Authority 18.6
Total: 78.6

Twitter: @UnCollege

Udacity

The primary focus is on data and technology, but there is also a heavy emphasis in how they change higher education. It is an interesting blog to track for those who are interested in technology or who want to see where edtech could take higher education in a few years.

Score: Active 19, Original 21, Help 18.3, Authority 20
Total: 78.3

Twitter: @Udacity

The College Puzzle

Geared more towards students, this blog focuses on how to adapt and thrive in college. They post regularly, making it a site to bookmark for regular perusal.

Score: Active 25, Original 19, Help 18, Authority 16
Total: 78

Twitter: @Michael_Kirst

The Theory Blog

This blog looks at some of the most entrenched ideas in higher education and questions them. It is thought provoking, even if you do not always agree, making it well worth a monthly check for updates.

Score: Active 15, Original 25, Help 18.5, Authority 19
Total: 77.5

Twitter: @BonStewart

On Campus

Covering the latest information on campus, this blog is a treasure trove of the latest news, trends, and statistics. It is a great resource for students, professors, and staff, and gives you a way to connect with others to get more information.

Score: Active 22, Original 16, Help 22, Authority 17
Total: 77

Twitter: @OnCampusWGBH

e-Literate

For the latest in initiatives, news, edtech, and other concerns in higher education, this is a great blog to visit often. With daily posts, there is a wealth of information on this site. When you have some extra time, dig into the archives for some additional learning.

Score: Active 22, Original 18, Help 19, Authority 17.5
Total: 76.5

Twitter: @mfeldstein67

Campus Overload

This is the site to bookmark if you want to stay current on any news that is either related to higher education or that can have a serious effect on the field. Many of the issues posted are related to activism and concerns on campuses across the country.

Score: Active 24, Original 15, Help 22, Authority 15
Total: 76

Email: jenna.johnson@washpost.com

Logorrhea

As the name suggests, this is a blog that tends to go all over the place, hitting both high profile and more obscure topics in higher education. There is a lot of advice in that can help you keep things in perspective through some of the most difficult situations.

Score: Active 17, Original 23, Help 18, Authority 17.5
Total: 75.5

Twitter: @DavidJHinson

HEDDA

HEDDA stands of the Higher Education Development Association, and their focus is on helping instructors and administrators. With postings about once a week, they provide details on events and news that can help you plan for future conferences or take lessons learned from recent academic events.

Score: Active 23, Original 16, Help 18, Authority 19
Total: 75

Twitter: @HEDDAhighere

Blog High Ed

Blog High Ed pulls blogs on higher education and puts them in a single space. The topics cover the gamut of what you need to know in higher education, from Google Analytics and teaching in the classroom to graduation to the latest news. Anyone attending, teaching, or attached to a college or university should bookmark the site and check back regularly for new information.

Score: Active 25, Original 10, Help 20, Authority 18.5
Total: 73.5

Twitter: @mherzber

Email: mherzberger@gmail.com

Higher Ed Live

The weekly posts to this blog cover the entire higher education gamut. From how to relate to students to dealing with social media to helping get parents engaged, this site has something for everyone who works in academia. They also offer a “Best of” list at the end of the year to help you sift through the wealth of blogs for the highlights.

Score: Active 19, Original 20, Help 18, Authority 16
Total: 73

Twitter: @HigherEDLive

Student Affairs & Technology Leadership

Take a look at higher education through the eyes of Joe Sabado. His blogs cover many of the challenges he has faced and experiences that have enriched him on his road to becoming the CIO of Student Affairs in Santa Barbara, CA. It is well worth the read if you aspire to become a higher education administrator, or simply want to improve in areas like public speaking and communicating across different departments.

Score: Active 15, Original 21, Help 19, Authority 17
Total: 72

Twitter: @JoeSabado

Campus Grotto

A great blog for students and educators, this site provides a lot of information on pretty much anything related to higher education. It is geared more towards those who are new to the arena, but it can give you some great insight no matter how long you have been in academia.

Score: Active 19, Original 20, Help 20, Authority 15
Total: 70

Twitter: @CampusGrotto

Email form: http://campusgrotto.com/contact-us

Totally Rewired

The tagline for the site says it all – “…education, technology and random stuff.” The site is a great source of information about higher education, and a bit of random news and trending topics to keep you entertained as well as informed.

Score: Active 12, Original 22, Help 18, Authority 16
Total: 68

Twitter: @Chri5Rowell

Higher Ed Management

With a focus on those in the management of higher education, this blog is a great read even if you are not in management. It can give you advice if you are a higher education leader, or it can let you see how to better work with the administration at your school.

Score: Active 10, Original 18, Help 16, Authority 20
Total: 64

Twitter: @HigheredMgmt

Conclusion

Whether you are a student, staff, faculty, or administrative, it can be incredibly difficult to stay current on the latest news and trends. By keeping track of a few of your favorite blogs, you can at least take research off of your to-do list.

June 21, 2016

What makes a good teacher?

John Croucher

Do you have a good university lecturer? What makes them good? Is it because they make their classes relevant? Are their lectures interesting or challenging?

Or maybe they’re just fun to be around?

Good quality teaching can be hard to define and there is no single way of measuring it. But all students, throughout their education, experience the highs and lows of teaching ability.

In my own case, my love of some subjects was destroyed by incompetent, boring and, at times, uncaring teachers. But others helped me develop a passion for a subject that I never thought I would be interested in. My good teachers were the most creative and served as role models. They mentored their class on a journey of lifelong learning.

In my own experience as both a teacher and a student, I’ve found there are some key skills that good quality teachers have in common. You need to be creative, enthusiastic, be clear and keep the information relevant. Those tired lecturers, who never vary from the same worn lecture notes or PowerPoint slides year after year until they reach retirement, do a great disservice to themselves, the students and their profession.

But is good (or bad) teaching something you can measure?

My field is statistics and the students I teach are, in the main, doing an MBA and have an average age of about 30, along with generally being in middle to high management positions. They do not want simply to be entertained, but actually want to learn something of substance that can be applied in the “real world”. Otherwise they see a course as a waste of their time and money.

Students surveys can be an imperfect indicator. But these mature students can distinguish a “quality” teacher from a “popular” one, who might present an easy course that can be passed with little effort. In this sense these students’ judgements generally coincide with what academic colleagues think about the teacher as well.

I undertook a five year study of these surveys that included an overall rating of the teacher, along with questions regarding the teacher’s knowledge, the class dynamics, the teacher’s preparedness, organisational skills, enthusiasm for the subject and teaching, availability outside class time and a number of other factors.

Although these responses all correlated to varying degrees with the overall rating given to the teacher, there was one question that was consistently most highly associated across all subjects areas over all the years.

This was the one that asked whether the teacher was able to explain the course material clearly. There were a number of instances where a teacher was rated enthusiastic, knowledgeable and well-prepared, but still was considered a poor teacher overall.

The conclusion from this study was that if you cannot explain the concepts in a way that the audience can understand, it doesn’t matter what else you do. In this case, they will not enjoy the experience but leave frustrated.

Whenever I introduce a new topic, particularly if it is complex, into the lecture room, I am fully aware that although I have been familiar with it for many years, it is the first time that most of them will have heard it. And during my explanation I think to myself, “if I had been hearing this for the first time, would I have understood what I just said?”.

Sometimes the answer is no, and so I then go through it again in a slightly different way. I need to be satisfied that at least the majority of students have understood the principles and, of course, I always encourage questions at any time.

Whether a teacher has been effective or not naturally depends on just what the student has learned from the experience. A teacher might rate well immediately after a course is completed, but several years down the track when the student looks back they may find what they learned of little value or relevance.

This often means that they have retained next to nothing not long after the final exam, did not develop a passion to explore the field further or find any use for it in later life. To me that is a great shame.

Although students may not always remember what you teach them, they will always remember their outstanding lecturers and how good they made them feel about the subject. That is their greatest gift and the mark of a good teacher.

This piece is appearing as part of a series on Choosing a University. Read more pieces in the series here. This topic will also be discussed on #TalkAboutIt on ABC News 24, iview and abc.net.au

John Croucher, Professor of Statistics at Macquarie Graduate School of Management

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.