New and Noteworthy in Effective Practices
. . . on Access

FlexNet: Improving Access by Maximizing Utilization of Physical Facilities
Hybrid course delivery models improve access by reducing the number of required campus visits. University of Phoenix 's FlexNet goes one step further by using a common model (1/3 classroom, 2/3 online) to maximize utilization of its classroom facilities. This improves access by increasing the number of available courses and thus number of students served.

Anytime Anywhere Chemistry Experience
Chemistry courses at UNCW and UCD utilize commonly available materials for conducting home-based laboratories that are meaningful learning experiences. Professors report that online students learn at least as much as their on-campus counterparts. Home-based laboratory experiences can overcome the problem of 'how do you do the labs?" in online lab-science courses.

Chemistry Laboratories for Science Majors in Distance Learning Courses
Some distance chemistry courses for science majors have a long and established track record of providing access and effective learning experiences. Since 1995, Northern Virginia Community College's distance chemistry courses have used a mixture of home-based, computer-based, field trip, and in-person laboratories to provide improved access and effective learning experiences.

Virtual Electronics Laboratories
Students in the early years of undergraduate science and engineering programs are often frustrated by the lack of "hands-on" experiences which help them internalize difficult concepts. Professor John Bean's virtual microelectronics laboratory at the University of Virginia uses visual representations of microelectronics devices and processes based on leading edge developments in 3D Web-based modeling, providing a gateway into microelectronics for first-year university and community college students.

To see details about these practices and to contribute your own effective, replicable and innovative practices, visit http://www.sloan-c.org/effective

Submitted by John Sener, Sloan-C Effective Practice Editor, Access

Higher Ed., Inc.: The Rise of the For-Profit University
Richard S. Ruch

Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution: Transforming Cultures and Communities in the Age of Instant Access
Howard Rheingold

Introducing a faculty development opportunity. . .
Online Case Writing Workshop

Offered by the Case Method Institute Sponsored by the European Case Clearing House and
supported by the Sloan Consortium

What is it and who is it for?
This online collaborative workshop is devoted to helping authors from virtually any discipline write and publish high quality case teaching materials. We believe that people learn both by offering and receiving constructive criticism from peers. This cost-effective forum joins case writers from widely divergent geographic areas who share similar interests.

Benefits:
• Peer Review - Work directly with peers to improve your case study.
• Support Materials - Access case development support materials.
• Expert Help - Learn from an expert workshop facilitator.
• Time - Have three months to complete revisions.
• Case Library - Use cases produced in the workshop with the authors' permission.

Learn More...
Please explore the workshop at http://www.casewriting.org.
If you have any questions, contact David Wylie, workshop facilitator, at casewriting@babson.edu or at 781-239-6181.

Cost: $295
Discount for first 50 participants: $195

Registration is now open and the workshop will be ready for action by June 13.