ProfNet Experts Available on Child Immigration Crisis, MOOCs

NEW YORK, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, send a note to [email protected] with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition. 

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EXPERT ALERTS

• Child Immigration Crisis
• Why Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Aren't Working

MEDIA JOBS

• Sports Reporter - The Daily Journal (NJ)
• Reporter/Editor - The Lake Gazette (MO)
• Assistant Managing Editor - Reminder Publications (MA)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Grammar Hammer: Validated by "Weird Al'
• Media 411: Avoiding Clichés
• Neutral vs. Regional Accents On-Air: How to Decide What Works Best for You

EXPERT ALERTS:

Child Immigration Crisis
Rachel Buff
Associate Professor of History
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
"This is a refugee/human rights crisis. These children originate in some of the most dangerous cities in the western hemisphere. There exist laws guaranteeing children travelling alone a hearing in immigration court; these laws were designed to prevent trafficking and abuse of children. These laws dictate due process rather than expedited deportation."
Buff is coordinator, Comparative Ethnic Studies Program; interim editor, Voces de la Frontera; and editorial board member, Nation of Nations Series, New York University Press. Recent publications include "Domestic Internationalisms, Imperial Nationalisms: Civil Rights, Immigration and Conjugal Military Policy" (University of Illinois, 2012) and "'The Undergraduate Railroad': Immigrant Rights in the Shadows of Citizenship" (New York University Press, 2008).
Website: http://www4.uwm.edu
Media Contact: Greg Walz-Chojnacki, [email protected]

Why Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) Aren't Working
Harman Singh
CEO and Founder
WizIQ
"In the future, MOOCs have the potential to completely transform education. However, as of right now, don't expect to see universities shutting down as a result, as some experts have begun projecting. Despite the recent rapid rise in MOOCs, this format continues to be an evolving model, and one that isn't quite established yet. Despite the seemingly unlimited access to free information through MOOCs, a 2012-2013 study conducted by MIT and Harvard revealed an overwhelming 95 percent of students dropped their online courses before completion, a rate substantially higher than traditional education's dropout rates. While some students have expressed satisfaction taking MOOCs, others give various reasons for dropping them. Among the most common reason cited behind this dropout rate: there is no live teacher engagement."
Since Singh founded WizIQ in 2006, the company has evolved to be the first and only online global education marketplace to offer live instructor-led learning. His career as a visionary e-learning innovator spans more than 13 years. He has successfully leveraged technology to replicate the classroom experience online making it more accessible, for both students and teachers. He has directed the company's growth, while developing and creating WizIQ's vision and business strategy. He's recognized for his expertise in conceptualizing, planning and developing specialized solutions for the online learning industry. He provides both strategic and tactical direction at WizIQ. His leadership and determination has enabled WizIQ to consistently excel at developing and implementing solutions that create value for working professionals, instructors and corporations. The company has received multiple leading awards for its innovative solution, including the Global e-Learning Awards 2012 for the 'Best Virtual Classroom Provider' from the World Education Congress (WEC).
Website: http://www.wiziq.com
Media Contact: Chris Navalta, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Sports Reporter - The Daily Journal (NJ)
• Reporter/Editor - The Lake Gazette (MO)
• Assistant Managing Editor - Reminder Publications (MA)

See more listings here.

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

• GRAMMAR HAMMER: VALIDATED BY 'WEIRD AL.' We counted ten grammar topics in "Word Crimes" that have already been covered by Grammar Hammer. Thank you, Weird Al Yankovic, for showing us that you can be stunningly creative and still employ good grammar to get your point across. Are you a stickler for grammar? Check out Grammar Hammer's take, as well as a link to an interview with Yankovic himself: http://prn.to/1pzKbea
• MEDIA 411: AVOIDING CLICHES. Do you use cliches in your writing? Although they are part of everyday conversation, they can be considered a lazy way of getting your point across. We've compiled a list of the most irritating cliches we've seen in writing. Which is your least favorite? http://prn.to/WftSLn
• NEUTRAL VS. REGIONAL ACCENTS ON-AIR: HOW TO DECIDE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU. The issue of whether or not a neutral accent works best in Spanish-language media is an ongoing debate. Although brands usually opt for a neutral voice-over narration for campaigns in hopes of reaching a broader audience, Spanish-language TV and radio are much more strategic. Whether or not you keep your natural/regional accent or learn a neutral accent is a career choice that you must make for yourself, but here are some things to consider: http://prn.to/1ymcjHf

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SOURCE ProfNet