UMassOnline Chief Academic Officer Unanimously Elected to University Continuing Education Association's Distance Learning Community of Practice

UMassOnline, University of Massachusetts’ virtual campus offering more than 1,300 accredited courses within 66 degree and certificate programs, announced today the appointment of Barbara Macaulay to Vice Chair/Chair-elect of the University Continuing Education's (UCEA) Distance Learning Community of Practice.

“UCEA is thrilled to have Dr. Macaulay involved with our Distance Learning Community of Practice (DLCoP),” said Clark J. Hickman, Ed.D., Associate Dean for Continuing Education and Associate Research Professor of Educational Psychology, Research and Evaluation College of Education, UM-St. Louis. “Barbara represents distance learning from a variety of perspectives that include learner, educator, and online course developer—this offers an invaluable advantage for this educational forum.”

Macaulay will assume this role at the UCEA annual conference in April 2007 and will continue until April 2009. In her role as Chair/Chair-elect, Macaulay will assume the responsibilities for overseeing the DLCoP at the annual UCEA meeting in New Orleans in 2008.

The University Continuing Education Association's Distance Learning Community of Practice is dedicated to researching and improving the design and execution of distance education amongst institutions of higher education. It is an international community, comprising universities from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. With the proliferation of distance education opportunities and the rapid advancement of technologies in the 21st century, this community serves as an international leader in guiding and creating the future standards and good practices of respected universities throughout the world.

“There are more people learning online and more programs and courses than ever before,” said Dr. Barbara Macaulay. “As a result, it is vital that we examine best practices and issues vital to the continued growth and effectiveness of online learning.” Macaulay also noted that through the work of the UCEA DLCoP, the industry is provided a forum to discuss issues and examine the various aspects of online program and course delivery. Such forums will shape the future of quality online education.

With nearly 30 years of experience in adult and continuing education, including 24 years in public higher education, Dr. Macaulay developed of one of the first system-wide initiatives for UMass, one that was created to bring UMass programs and services to the I-495 region in Central Massachusetts. Now as Chief Academic Officer for UMassOnline, she works with the campuses to grow online opportunities, develop single and multi-campus efforts, support faculty, and develop new opportunities with external organizations.

Dr. Macaulay's field of study is adult learning and she pursues this discipline via teaching and professional development efforts. She develops and teaches courses in adult learning, adult development, and program development for both graduate students and practitioners in adult and higher education. These courses are taught in both face-to-face and online environments. She also currently serves as a doctoral advisor in the AEGIS Program at Teachers College.

For more about UMassOnline and Dr. Barbara Macaulay, go to www.umassonline.net.

About UMassOnline

UMassOnline, the University of Massachusetts’ virtual campus, provides the highest quality education offered by the UMass system in a flexible, online format enabling students, professionals, and lifelong learners to take courses anywhere, anytime. With 66 undergraduate and graduate degree, certificate and professional development programs and more than 1,300 individual courses, UMassOnline offers one of the largest accredited online programs available. Programs span the disciplines for which the University is best known: liberal arts, education, management, nursing, public health, information technology, and other disciplines. All UMassOnline courses are taught by the same award-winning faculty who teach on-campus, offering online students the same rich experience as the face-to-face classroom. Students from around the world and from almost every state are among our 26,627 enrollees. Learn more about UMassOnline at http://www.umassonline.net.

ClassesUSA.com Launches Exclusive Online Education Tips & Advice Section

New initiative by the leader in online education information provides users
with 100 tips in 21 categories

ClassesUSA.com(R), an Experian
company and the Web's leading provider of online higher-education
information, announced the launch of its online education Tips & Advice
section. This newest addition to ClassesUSA.com offers 100 online education
tips in 21 categories of education, from understanding accreditation and
information for members of the military to suggestions for pursuing
business degrees, Web and graphic design programs, financing college and
more.
Users can determine which educational route is right for them with this
detailed feature that provides facts about associate, bachelor's, master's
and doctoral degrees that can be earned online, along with information
about certificate programs, career choices, financial aid, trade and
vocational school offerings, and how to successfully apply to an online
school.
"This new advice-based resource center further emphasizes
ClassesUSA.com's commitment to helping adults fulfill their education and
career-advancement goals," said Carole Caliendo, vice president of
marketing for ClassesUSA.com. "Site users will be empowered by having even
more detailed information at their fingertips, enabling them to develop
confidence in the choices they make regarding their education endeavor."
The Tips & Advice section of ClassesUSA.com rounds out the already-
extensive directory of 250 accredited colleges and universities that the
Web site maintains for adults interested in learning more about online
degree programs and certificates as well as campus-based career school
programs. ClassesUSA.com's Tips & Advice also supplements the Web portal's
position as the premier destination for users to discover information about
online higher education. This latest initiative will enhance the content
syndication partnerships that ClassesUSA.com maintains with such top
Internet sites as MSN, AOL, Salary.com, Inc.com and Google.


About ClassesUSA.com
ClassesUSA.com is part of Experian Interactive(SM) and the Web's
leading higher-education portal online. Each month, more than 1 million
adults visit the site, which boasts more than 250 accredited college and
university partners. Since entering the online higher-education marketplace
in 2001, ClassesUSA.com has fostered strategic content partnerships with a
multitude of portals and Web sites and has built a reputation as the most
trusted and recognized brand providing professional adults with access to
online educational opportunities. ClassesUSA.com also publishes Online
Degrees(R) Magazine, a biannual national publication designed to empower
adults considering distance learning as the tool to use to advance
themselves both personally and professionally.

For more information, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.classesusa.com.

About Experian
Experian(R) is a global leader in providing analytical and information
services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward
of commercial and financial decisions. Combining its unique information
tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies,
Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and
strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with
competitive advantage. For consumers, Experian delivers critical
information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions
with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from
financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities,
media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property
and government sectors.

Experian Group Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN)
and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has corporate headquarters
in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and
Nottingham, UK. Experian employs more than 12,500 people in 34 countries
worldwide, supporting clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales are
in excess of $3.1 billion.

For more information, visit the Group's Web site at
http://www.experiangroup.com.

Online College Classes - The Cure For The Common Education

Equipped with only a computer and an internet connection, many college students have found that attending class is not nearly the ordeal it used to be. No longer bound by the shackles of location and time, students enrolled in online college classes can attend school from virtually anywhere, at anytime that fits within their busy schedules. With the explosive increase in distance learning courses, its now possible to get a college degree from a major institution of higher learning without ever having to step foot on the actual campus. Furthermore, online college classes allow students to get their degree without having to sacrifice job, family or social life.

There are hundreds of schools now offering internet courses, creating a virtual smorgasbord of educational choice. The vast number of available e-learning classes are enough to overwhelm any prospective student. For anyone searching for a school, the task at hand is to determine which distance learning program provides the very best chance of success. Earning a college degree requires a sizable investment of both time and money, so selecting the best program should not be done hastily. To find a good program it will be necessary to do some research.

Perhaps the easiest method of conducting research on distance learning programs is on the internet itself. Many institutions have their own websites that offer information about their programs and contact information for getting directly in touch with a school representative. There are also a large number of third-party websites that provide a list of links to online schools where the student can read up on different programs, and make a request for further information if desired.

When doing your research, some of the questions you need to get answers for include the following:

1. Is the program properly accredited?

2. Do the degrees offered by the school fit educational goals?

3. How much is tuition?

4. How long will it take to complete the program?

5. What are the computer hardware and software requirements?

6. Is financial aid and scholarships available?

7. Is there job placement assistance after graduation?

Upon getting all questions satisfactorily answered, the choice of whether or not to enroll is up to the individual. It is important to realistically examine your ability to meet the challenges you will face with an online program. The fact is, e-learning is a unique method of learning that may not be the best choice for everyone. However, if you decide to learn online, take the program as seriously as you would a traditional campus-based program. Do your very best to finish all coursework as directed by the school, and you can rest assured you will finish the course with a degree in hand as a reward for all of your efforts.

Appalachian State University Online Degree

Appalachian State University, founded in 1899 and a member of tbe University of North Carolina system, is a comprehensive university offering undergraduate

~ ans and sciences, business, teacher education, fine ·c. There are 5 undergraduate schools and I graduate me above capsule and in this profile are approximate. In addii__accreditation, App State has baccalaureate program accreditatio _~~CSB,AAFCS,ADA,ASLA,ASHLA,CAAHEP,CSAB,CSWE,NAA- .ill. l'ASM, NCATE, and NRPA. The 2 libraries contain 544,299 volumes. 1,-f81,544 microform items, and 77,899 audio/video tapes/CDs/DVDs, and subbscribe to 40,275 periodicals including electronic. Computerized library services include the card catalog, interlibrary loans, and database searching. Special learnning facilities include a learning resource center, art gallery, radio station, TV staation, an Appalachian cultural center, and the Dark Sky Observatory. The 13377acre campus is in a rural area in northwest North Carolina. Including any resiidence halls, there are 86 buildings.

Programs of Study: App State confers B.A., B.S., B.F.A., B.M., B.S.B.A., B.S.C,J., and B.S.W. degrees. Master's and doctoral degrees are also awarded. Bachelor's degrees are awarded in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (biology/biological science, ecology, and nutrition), BUSINESS (accounting, banking and finance, hospitality management services, insurance and risk management, marketing/ retailing/merchandising, and recreational facilities management), COMMUNIICATIONS AND THE ARTS (advertising, art, arts administration/management, communications, dramatic arts, English, French, graphic design, journalism, mulltimedia, music business management, music performance, public relations, Spannish, and studio art), COMPUTER AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE (chemistry, commputer science, geology, information sciences and systems, mathematics, physics, and statistics), EDUCATION (art, business, drama, early childhood, elementary, foreign languages, health, industrial arts, middle school, music, physical, science, secondary, social science, and special), ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENNTAL DESIGN (construction technology, drafting and design, electricall electronics engineering technology, environmental science, graphic arts technoloogy, industrial engineering technology, and interior design), HEALTH PROFESSSIONS (clinical science, exercise science, health care administration, health science, and music therapy), SOCIAL SCIENCE (anthropology, child psycholoogy/development, clothing and textiles management/production/services, criminal justice, economics, family/consumer studies, geography, history, interdisciplinary studies, philosophy, political science/government, psychology, religion, social work, and sociology). Elementary education, management, and information sysstems are the largest.

SpecmZ: App State offers co-op programs in clinical lab sciences, crosssregistration with Auburn University, Wake Forest University, and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, internships, work-study programs, B.A.-B.S. deegrees, dual majors, and study abroad. Student-designed majors are possible il) some programs, and a 3-2 engineering degree is possible with Clemson and Auuburn Universities. There are 25 national honor societies, a freshman honors proogram, and 14 departmental honors programs.

Admissions: 66% of the recent applicants were accepted. 39% of recent freshhmen were in the top fifth of their class; 79% were in the top two fifths.

Requirements: The SAT or ACT is required. In addition, applicants must be graduates of an accredited secondary school; the GED is also accepted. They must have completed 4 course units in high school English, 3 in math and sciience, and 2 in social studies. AP and CLEP credits are accepted. Important facctors in the admissions decision are advanced placement or honor courses, extraacurricular activities record, and evidence of special talent.

You Deserve Bigger Paychecks! Learn How Getting a Degree Online Can Help

Online education generally refers to computer-enhanced learning, but is often extended to comprise usage of modern mobile technologies such as PDAs and MP3 players. The concept also includes teaching through web-based methodologies, hypermedia, multimedia CD-ROMs/websites, collaborative software, discussion boards, e-mail blogs, computer-aided assessment, educational animation, learning management software, wikis, electronic voting systems and much more. At times, a combination of various methods is used to enhance the learning experience. Online education also involves learning through websites that offer worksheets and provide interactive exercises for adults and children.

There has been a significant rise in online schools and colleges in the United States (US), which is indicative of the increasing popularity on e learning. Online education is very popular in the business segment, where it entails cost-effective learning for the employees.

A number of physical universities and only-online colleges have started offering particular set of academic degrees as well as certificate programs through the internet at various levels and disciplines. To cater to the students necessities, these institutes also offer online registration, e-counseling, and enable online textbook purchase. They also provide students governments and student newspapers online.

Types Of Online Education

Online education is in the vogue in the learning circuit as it offers flexible distance learning. Perhaps, another concept making rounds these days is blended learning, meaning e learning with face-to-face learning. Such kind of a concept is useful, particularly for students pursuing higher education. The beauty of blended learning is that it is instrumental in creating a Virtual Learning System (VLS), wherein all aspects of modules are handled using a consistent user interface that remains standard throughout an institution.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Undoubtedly, the perception about online education has changed from an alternative to serious study to an efficient and cost-effective instructor. A majority of the online educational institutions are well established and are experienced in providing students with in-depth learning in their respective modules. So much so that, some of the most reputed educational institutes in Europe and North America are offering courses to their students online.

However, before taking a plunge into the online pool, weigh its advantages and disadvantages well.

Flexibility of scheduling and convenience of learning are among the major advantages that online education offers. It however needs dedication and patience from the students to bless them with superb results. It is advisable that the students first patiently and persistently familiarize themselves with the online technology. You will have to be always on your toes to keep yourself updated with the online requirements, since there is no instructor to guide you in this respect. Be prepared to dedicate yourself completely to online education to be able to complete it on time.


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Investing in My Future with EarnMyDegree.com

I haven’t participated in ReviewMe offers to date because they’ve all been credit card and pay day loan sites. I recently received a request to review a site that catalogs online degree programs, EarnMyDegree.com, and took them up on their offer because I’m down with continuing education.

Investing in My Future
During the latest IT outsourcing craze I looked ahead at the future of software development in the US and decided it was wise to hedge my bets. I went back to school to earn a Masters degree in Project Management with an emphasis in Information Technology so if my company does outsource their software development someday I can always stick around and manage the projects.

Finding the Right School
When I was looking for a masters program several years ago I started off by asking for referrals then checking out their programs on the school websites. Once I narrowed it down to several schools, I talked with someone from each institution to gauge how it would suit me. Obviously getting the degree was a big time commitment so I wanted to pick the right school. After several weeks of comparison and thought, I finally found a school that had the things I was looking for: close proximity, a good reputation, online courses, and had a practicioner’s approach (focusing on the practical rather than the theoretical).

EarnMyDegree.com
The website is described as “Helping connect prospective students with online colleges and universities.” After looking it over, it seems the way they connect students and colleges is by providing a directory of schools. This is all information you could obtain from a quick Google search, however, they do organize it several different ways.

Site Features
The site allows you to browse its featured schools by degree level, degree subject, online colleges, and campus programs. It also breaks the schools down by the various types of programs offered such as Associates, Bachelors, Masters, PhD, and Certificates. There is also a “Learning center” that covers online education topics, financial aid tips, and career information, such as the fastest growing jobs.

My Opinion
This is probably not a site I would have used when looking for a school because I already knew which industry I wanted a degree in, which type of program I was looking for, and wanted to stay local so my set of potential schools was already pretty well defined.

If someone was looking for a career change and wanted to browse the variety of degrees available this might be one place to look. As I mentioned, the organization of the site does lend itself to a good categorization of the different options. However, there are many degree programs available so I wouldn’t limit myself only to the ones found at EarnMyDegree.com. It could be one resource you might use in researching your options.

Summary
If you found this review while searching for online degree programs, then congratulations, you’re on the right track. Investing in your future with continuing education is a wise move. Make sure you research your schools thoroughly; earning a degree takes time and commitment so you want to choose the right place to study. Good luck!


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How Scam Online Education Are

7 Points To Check Out Distance Learning

Can you really get an online computer science degree or a business degree online that is the real deal? Is online education real education? The benefits of attending a virtual classroom instead of a physical classroom range from convenience and affordability to better collaboration and accessibility through the multi-media now available. But, being a relatively new format for the delivery of classroom instruction there are still a number of potential students out there who are reluctant to give it a try.

It is possible to check out if online study is right for you. While traditional colleges and universities normally require you commit to a full semester or even years of courses, that is not the case with most online schools. Without any commitment, and very little or no expense, you can decide firsthand whether or not you can get that business degree online and if it is a good fit for your own personal learning style.



→ Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Today ‘Personal growth’ ranges from discovering your inner peace and improving your positive thinking to photography, screenwriting or that next promotion. While not all online courses directly enhance your resume, the impact they can have on you and your life can be profound. You won’t find a more convenient or affordable way to pursue your serious and seriously fulfilling goals and just plain old self-improvement.



→ Big Dream or Just the Next Step Up

You could be wondering for years down the road whether you should have taken the chance on a career that you really would have loved. So, do a little research into that dream job or career you would want most out of life? That online computer science degree is only one of the countless options online that is within your grasp. Becoming a private eye, trial lawyer or heart surgeon maybe your big dream that starts with online study. Maybe you just need a degree in order to qualify for that next promotion at work and a business degree online would be your ticket up.



→ Creative

Online learning isn’t just about getting a degree or improving your technical skills. It’s an educational arena people are turning to for art, music, photography, and almost all other creative endeavors. Minimally you’ll liven up your current life with a fulfilling creative release or maximally your creative passion might be able to lead to a whole new career! The flexibility of online colleges lets you tailor your own higher education to what you need and want on your terms.



→ Try Something New

That is easy for someone to say but it also has to be worth your time and investment even if that investment is only time. As mentioned, online colleges can be a convenient and affordable way to investigate a new passion, learn a new skill, or sample a new career direction with no risk and little expense. Maybe you’re a receptionist that’s always wanted to try graphic designer or a paralegal itching to be the trial lawyer? Statistics show that most people change careers at least once in their lives, and gaining expertise in a new field is a great way to test-drive a new career. Online colleges and courses let you sample a new field without leaving your current one, and can generally be worked into your busy schedule with ease.



→ Taking That Step Up

Where you’re already happy with your job and chosen field, but you just need a quick career boost, you’d likely be surprised at how much learning one new skill can impact your job standing. The accountant learning a new bookkeeping program or a graphic designer getting a grasp of the newest cutting-edge software can make all the difference in the world when a promotion is at stake. Each course you take brings you closer to that business degree online but also improves your job performance as you study.

Additionally, your employers will almost certainly be impressed with your drive and initiative as well as your tangible new skills. Some businesses will even cover the cost of your tuition if the course directly applies to your work with them. You can work and get your online computer science degree.



→ Improving Yourself and Your Strengths

If you’re a small-business owner, there’s a perfect online course just waiting out there for you. What shopkeeper, e-commerce seller, or innkeeper couldn’t stand to improve their bookkeeping skills, know more about saving on their taxes, or gain crucial knowledge on business management through online colleges?

Look at the money you could save by handling your own financial ledgers, or dealing with your own tax filing at the end of the year! Given everyone has at least one weakness, be it the technically handicapped to the financially clueless to those who struggle to communicate better or run their office in a more organized manner, it's time do something about it. Give that monkey, who has been on your back too long, the boot with one thorough online course. You’ll feel a weight off your shoulders and won’t feel so much at the mercy of your bookkeeper, office staff or technical consultants.



→ The Scam Part

Regardless of your choice be it the full business degree online or just a couple online courses, there’s no time like the present to give it a try. The field as a whole has grown to be so extensive there is literally no end to your online options.

For someone who's unsure whether or not they want to start pursuing a full degree online, a certification or personal development course can be ideal for getting a true feel for what online learning is all about. If you like it and feel you can succeed at it, then you can take the plunge and move on to a legitimate degree program. If it’s not your cup of tea, no big deal, since the monetary and time commitments are fairly nominal.

As in all business activity there are a few crooks out there who are mudding things up and just out to rip people off. The field of Online Colleges is no different; you will have to check the history, perpetuation, accreditation, and statistics on job placement of the school or program you are thinking about signing up with. But this information is available and worth your time and energy to check out. It is After all, an investment in YOUR future.

Florida Metropolitan University Online

Florida Metropolitan University Online offers practical, career-oriented courses in a friendly online environment. As a student, you’ll enjoy a flexible course format, quality content, skilled instructors and personalized support to help you reach your educational goals.

FMU Online student-focused educational philosophy makes it possible for you to earn your degree and still balance the demands of your life.

FMU Online programs are designed to prepare students for employment in today’s careers. FMU Online know the skills and knowledge employers are looking for, and they tailor their curriculum accordingly. Through Powerpoint presentations, chat rooms and other forums, FMU Online classes make learning fun and interactive.

Learning can be done in the comfort of your own home. There is no need to go out of your way to drive to a traditional campus and attend a traditional class.

FMU Online offers programs in the following fields:

Business
Business (AS)
Medical Insurance Billing/Coding
Business (BS)
Bachelor of Applied Management
MBA

Accounting
Accounting (AS)
Accounting (BS)

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Programs
Criminal Justice (AS)
Criminal Justice (BS)
Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Criminal Investigation Programs
Criminal Investigations
Paralegal Programs
Paralegal (AS)
Paralegal (BS)

Homeland Security Programs
Homeland Security (AS)
Homeland Security (BS)

Information Technology
Computer Information Science (AS)
Computer Information Science (BS)

Click here to get more information

At FMU Online, you can:

* Participate in your classes any time, day or night.
* Transfer eligible credits from other accredited colleges and universities.
* Apply to receive credit for past professional training or work experience.
* Learn from experienced instructors who are experts in their fields.
* Receive assistance from our friendly and knowledgeable student services staff.
* Get to know other online students from across the country and around the world.
* Research, study, buy books and more with the help of FMU Online resources.
* Apply your coursework immediately in your work environment.
* Receive help applying for financial aid (available for those who qualify).
* Possibly deduct a portion of your tuition costs on your taxes.

FMU Online is nationally accredited. It is part of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (CCI), one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America.

FMU Online are dedicated to helping students gain marketable skills and assisting graduates with securing employment in their field of choice.

start your career now

Click to get an information pack

Florida Metropolitan University - Jacksonville
8226 Phillips HWY
Jacksonville FL 32256

College students think they're so special

Study finds alarming rise in narcissism, self-centeredness in ‘Generation Me’

A new study of college students concludes they are more self-centered than any generation in history. But as kids on campus aren't buying it.

NEW YORK - Today’s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.

“We need to stop endlessly repeating ‘You’re special’ and having children repeat that back,” said the study’s lead author, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. “Kids are self-centered enough already.”

Twenge and her colleagues, in findings to be presented at a workshop Tuesday in San Diego on the generation gap, examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006.

The standardized inventory, known as the NPI, asks for responses to such statements as “If I ruled the world, it would be a better place,” “I think I am a special person” and “I can live my life any way I want to.”

The researchers describe their study as the largest ever of its type and say students’ NPI scores have risen steadily since the current test was introduced in 1982. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.

We're all above average!
Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people “or auditioning on ‘American Idol.”’

“Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others,” he said.

The study asserts that narcissists “are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors.”

Twenge, the author of “Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before,” said narcissists tend to lack empathy, react aggressively to criticism and favor self-promotion over helping others.

The researchers traced the phenomenon back to what they called the “self-esteem movement” that emerged in the 1980s, asserting that the effort to build self-confidence had gone too far.

‘I am special, I am special’
As an example, Twenge cited a song commonly sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques” in preschool: “I am special, I am special. Look at me.”

“Current technology fuels the increase in narcissism,” Twenge said. “By its very name, MySpace encourages attention-seeking, as does YouTube.”

Some analysts have commended today’s young people for increased commitment to volunteer work. But Twenge viewed even this phenomenon skeptically, noting that many high schools require community service and many youths feel pressure to list such endeavors on college applications.

Campbell said the narcissism upsurge seemed so pronounced that he was unsure if there were obvious remedies.

“Permissiveness seems to be a component,” he said. “A potential antidote would be more authoritative parenting. Less indulgence might be called for.”

The new report follows a study released by UCLA last month which found that nearly three-quarters of the freshmen it surveyed thought it was important to be “very well-off financially.” That compared with 62.5 percent who said the same in 1980 and 42 percent in 1966.

Yet students, while acknowledging some legitimacy to such findings, don’t necessarily accept negative generalizations about their generation.


Hanady Kader, a University of Washington senior, said she worked unpaid last summer helping resettle refugees and considers many of her peers to be civic-minded. But she is dismayed by the competitiveness of some students who seem prematurely focused on career status.

“We’re encouraged a lot to be individuals and go out there and do what you want, and nobody should stand in your way,” Kader said. “I can see goals and ambitions getting in the way of other things like relationships.”

Kari Dalane, a University of Vermont sophomore, says most of her contemporaries are politically active and not overly self-centered.

Enough about me, what do you think about me?
“People are worried about themselves — but in the sense of where are they’re going to find a place in the world,” she said. “People want to look their best, have a good time, but it doesn’t mean they’re not concerned about the rest of the world.”

Besides, some of the responses on the narcissism test might not be worrisome, Dalane said. “It would be more depressing if people answered, ‘No, I’m not special.”’


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