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University of Phoenix scholars examine how faculty define rigor in online college courses

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Published in the Journal of Educators Online, the literature review examines teaching, grading, course management and faculty support in online learning environments for nontraditional students.

PHOENIX, June 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies announces the publication of a new article by scholars Jennifer L. James, Ph.D., Karen Myers, DNP, and Olivia Miller, M.A., in the Journal of Educators Online. The article, “Studying Faculty Perceptions of Rigor in Online College Courses: Compromising or Accommodating? A Literature Review,” examines how faculty perceive academic rigor when teaching, grading and managing online courses for nontraditional students.

The systematic literature review used the PRISMA 2020 method to organize peer-reviewed literature published from 2018 to 2023. The authors examined faculty perceptions of online teaching rigor before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including perceptions related to course management, academic integrity, student engagement, assessment practices, technology and institutional support.

“Rigor in online education should not be reduced to whether a course is hard or whether faculty make accommodations,” said James, lead author and research fellow in the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. “Our review suggests that rigor is shaped by course design, assessment practices, faculty preparation, student engagement and the realities of teaching nontraditional students online. When institutions support faculty with clear expectations, training and resources, rigor and responsiveness can work together rather than compete.”

Key findings based on five main themes in the literature reviewed

The literature review found that faculty perceptions of rigor in online courses are shaped by multiple factors, including course design, student engagement, academic integrity concerns, technology access, workload and professional development. The article identifies five main themes in the literature reviewed:

Experience with online teaching: Faculty varied in their comfort with online teaching and technology, with some reporting opportunities to learn new tools and others noting technical challenges and increased workload.Perceived effectiveness of online learning: Faculty perceptions were mixed, with some studies indicating online learning outcomes could equal or surpass face-to-face courses, while others reflected concern that online learning may be less effective in some contexts.Challenges and support needed: Faculty reported challenges related to technology, broadband access, workload and the need for professional development and institutional support.Benefits of online teaching: Faculty recognized benefits including flexibility, accessibility, opportunities to share materials and new ways to engage students.Future of online education: Many faculty indicated online and blended learning would continue to grow after the pandemic, while also noting the need for clearer expectations and sustained support.

The authors note that despite extensive research on academic rigor for students, there is less common ground on how faculty perceive the challenges of facilitating online courses for nontraditional students.

The study also points to areas for future research, including how deadline extensions affect faculty workload and perceptions of rigor, how faculty approach student requests to resubmit assignments, and how faculty manage emotionally challenging online course facilitation. The authors recommend further examination of student perceptions of rigor in online classes and the instructor’s role in shaping student expectations.

The publication contributes to broader research on online higher education at a time when institutions continue to evaluate how course quality, academic integrity, flexibility and student support intersect in digital learning environments.

About the authors

The authors are affiliates of the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR), housed within the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies, which supports scholarly research and collaboration on topics related to teaching and learning, online and in-person education, educational technology strategies, and educational policies, practices and theories.

Jennifer L. James, Ph.D., is a research fellow in CEITR at the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. She is an English professor, researcher and subject matter expert with more than 24 years of experience designing and teaching developmental, introductory and advanced writing courses. Dr. James earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from University of Phoenix in 2019 and is a published scholar, certified journal reviewer, guest speaker, workshop designer and faculty mentor.

Karen Myers, DNP, is a research fellow in CEITR and an online nurse educator. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus in Nursing Education from Duquesne University. Myers teaches Leadership and Management for RN to BSN and MSN students and is a DNP Project Chair at University of Phoenix College of Nursing. She has been recognized with University of Phoenix Phoenix500, John Sperling Distinguished Faculty Award and Faculty of the Year honors.

Olivia Miller is a research fellow in CEITR and an online media educator. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Memphis with a focus on documenting the early digital divide in Memphis City Schools. Miller teaches online entry-level and media courses in the College of General Studies at University of Phoenix. She has been recognized with the University of Phoenix John Sperling Distinguished Faculty Award and Faculty of the Year honors.

The full article, “Studying Faculty Perceptions of Rigor in Online College Courses: Compromising or Accommodating? A Literature Review,” is available in the Journal of Educators Online, 23(1), at https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2026.23.1.22.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix 

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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The United States Golf Association Selects Gupta Media as Paid Media Agency of Record

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57 minutes ago

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October 17, 2026

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The appointment comes as the USGA looks to continue to strengthen brand equity and increase awareness and engagement with golfers nationwide

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The USGA, the non-profit governing body of golf in the United States, has named Gupta Media its paid media agency of record following a competitive pitch process that began in February. Gupta Media will lead paid media strategy, planning, buying and reporting in support of the USGA’s Championship ticketing and broader commercial initiatives, while helping grow brand equity, awareness and engagement across the organization. Its work will span key USGA priorities, including golf’s official Handicap Index® and GHIN app; the Rules of Golf and the USGA’s governance of the game; Membership; and initiatives that advance golf through sustainability, research and innovation, and greater access and inclusion. The relationship expands beyond media execution to include audience strategy, first-party data integration, measurement and optimization.

“Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

The relationship comes at an important moment for the USGA, with the organization focused on continuing to expand its reach and deepening brand affinity across the ever-growing, diverse golf community. Gupta Media will help drive ticket sales for some of the sport’s biggest events, including the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the 2027 U.S. Women’s Open at Inverness Club, the 2028 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club and the 2028 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club. The agency will also support the USGA in creating greater awareness and brand recognition for its corporate Partners through co-branded content and paid media.

Golf has an enormous network of people who love the game, creating a growing opportunity to build a deeper, more direct relationship between golfers and the organization. That challenge is exactly what Gupta Media is built to strategically address — from growing membership and promoting ticket sales for major live events to reaching new audiences and understanding customer lifetime value. By bringing together audience insights, first-party data and media performance, Gupta Media will help the USGA create more relevant, effective marketing that drives measurable business results while strengthening its connection with the next generation of golfers.

“We were looking for an agency that could bring a deep understanding of our audiences, a genuine enthusiasm for our mission and the strategic expertise to work with us through this next phase of golf’s growth,” said Lynn LaRocca, USGA’s Managing Director of Brand & Marketing. “Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

“There’s a personal element to this partnership that makes it especially rewarding. My golf journey began 30 years ago when I first visited Pebble Beach as a teenager, long before I could imagine actually playing on the course,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder, Gupta Media. “To now have the opportunity to connect that lifelong passion for the game with the work we’ve spent years building and fine-tuning our agency to do feels like kismet. We’re eager to bring our proficiency to an organization that plays a leading role in the great game.”

The relationship brings together Gupta Media’s deep experience in sports marketing with its data-driven approach to audience strategy, media and creative. The agency has developed a specialized set of tools and processes to address data and analytics challenges of sports and live events, including TallyTickets.com, its proprietary ticketing analytics platform that helps teams understand sales trends, forecast demand and make more informed marketing and media decisions. Gupta Media’s experience spans sports, entertainment, premium events, and pop culture, giving the agency a comprehensive understanding of the audience models and fan behaviors that shape the industry.

About the USGA:

The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability.

About Gupta Media:

Gupta Media, a certified Minority Business Enterprise, is a strategic consultancy at the intersection of creative strategy, digital media, advanced analytics, and performance marketing. We drive growth for professional sports franchises, global tech leaders, DTC brands, major music labels, and other high-profile organizations by building intelligent media plans, best-in-class reporting tools, and custom enterprise technology. Founded 25 years ago by Cornell grad Gogi Gupta, the agency is known for developing new methods of maximizing advertising efficiency in a digital-first world. Harvard Business School’s case study on Gupta Media was taught to all incoming students for three years and is still taught around the globe.

Media Contact

Carly Carioli, Gupta Media, 1 617-682-3733, ccarioli@guptamedia.com, guptamedia.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-united-states-golf-association-selects-gupta-media-as-paid-media-agency-of-record-302911621.html

SOURCE Gupta Media

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China Mobile Hong Kong Establishes Hong Kong’s First U6G Network

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October 17, 2026

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Expanding Next-Generation Network Capabilities and Accelerating the Innovative Convergence of Communication, Computing, and AI Laying a Solid Foundation for 6G Development in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (“China Mobile Hong Kong”) announced that it has taken the lead in realising a U6GHz network, successfully completing network testing and validation at its Mong Kok flagship store and advancing the exploration of Upper 6GHz band applications in mobile networks. Implementing China Mobile Group’s strategy of “strengthening the network foundation and full-stack innovation”, China Mobile Hong Kong aims to enhance network capabilities through new frequency band applications, drive collaborative innovation between terminals and the wider industry, and lay a robust foundation for Hong Kong’s future 6G development.

Strategic Early Deployment of New Spectrum to Build Momentum for a 6G Future
U6GHz, or the Upper 6GHz band, can provide continuous wide bandwidth and is a crucial spectrum resource supporting 5G-A and future 6G evolution. On 29 November 2024, Hong Kong completed its 6/7GHz spectrum auction, becoming the first region globally to auction this frequency band for public mobile services. China Mobile Hong Kong successfully bid for 100MHz of continuous spectrum and has made appropriate forward-looking deployments, advancing network capability validation and terminal adaptation to accumulate experience for future 6G commercialisation.

Expanding Network Capacity to Enable Smoother Smart Applications
The newly added U6GHz spectrum can be utilised synergistically with existing frequency bands. Through various combinations with current spectrums, it can achieve download speeds of 3Gbps. The increased availability of spectrum helps enhance data transmission capabilities, accommodating more simultaneous user connections, improving the internet experience in highly congested areas, and supporting high-definition video and large-capacity data transmission.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into production and daily life, the demand for data transmission from devices such as smart glasses and AI robots continues to rise. China Mobile Hong Kong will promote the synergistic development of U6GHz and intelligent computing services, enhance connectivity between terminals and intelligent computing platforms, and explore AI image analysis, immersive interactions, and industrial applications. This will allow smart services to better integrate into everyday life and corporate operations.

Aligning with Mainland China and Hong Kong Blueprints to Consolidate the Foundation of Digital-Intelligent Development
China Mobile Hong Kong will actively align with the Nation’s “15th Five-Year Plan” and Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan. Focusing on “AI+”, computing infrastructure, and new industrialisation, the company will enhance communication and smart services through network upgrades to assist Hong Kong in building an international innovation and technology centre. Concurrently, China Mobile Hong Kong will collaborate with industry partners to accelerate the research, development, and testing of U6GHz products. By expanding hotspot coverage according to demand, it aims to drive the maturity of the industrial ecosystem and accelerate Hong Kong’s 6G development. Looking ahead, China Mobile Hong Kong will continue to leverage its strengths as a central state-owned enterprise, providing high-quality digital infrastructure to serve Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, thereby fully contributing to the building of a cyber superpower and a digital China.

About China Mobile Hong Kong Limited
China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (“China Mobile Hong Kong”) is the wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Limited (HKEx: 941), which is listed on the Fortune Global 500. China Mobile Hong Kong was incepted in January 1997 and was the first mobile network operator to launch PCS services in Hong Kong.

As the world’s leading mobile network brand with the largest customer base*, The Company offers innovative and comprehensive 5G communications services, including voice, data, IDD and international roaming. The Company is committed to the development of 5G with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, cloud computing and big data, integrating 5G applications in different industries, promoting the construction and development of smart city groups in Greater Bay Area.

* China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Limited. As of 31 December 2025, China Mobile Limited had the largest number of mobile network subscribers in the world.

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SOURCE China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited

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LG Electronics Kicks Off UAE Winter Roadshow for the All-New LG OLED EVO W6 Wallpaper TV

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3 hours ago

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October 17, 2026

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UAE residents can spot the ultra-thin 9 mm True Wireless OLED evo W6 at iconic destinations across the country, with interactive social contests and a chance to win the flagship television.

LG Electronics is launching a winter-long roadshow across premier UAE destinations to showcase the all-new flagship LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV.The tour officially kicks off at The Lotus Lounge, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, running from 16 to 19 October 2026.Secret upcoming locations will be teased on Instagram via @lg_gulf. Guests who visit one of the spot and post an Instagram Story tagging #LGW6spotted and @lg_gulf will enter a grand draw to win an LG OLED W6 TV.

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has announced the official launch of its nationwide UAE Winter Roadshow, showcasing the groundbreaking LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV. Commencing this weekend, the showcase will invite residents and visitors across the Emirates to experience the future of ultra-premium home entertainment firsthand in some of the country’s most scenic and luxurious lifestyle venues.

The roadshow marks the regional debut of the LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV, celebrating the much-anticipated return of LG’s iconic “Wallpaper” aesthetic. Measuring an ultra-slim 9.95mm in depth, the W6 mounts seamlessly flush against the wall with zero gaps, transforming the living space into a high-tech art gallery. Equipped with LG’s proprietary Zero Connect wireless transmission technology, the screen delivers lossless 4K video and audio from an untethered AV box placed up to 10 meters away, completely eliminating visible cable clutter.

First Stop: The Lotus Lounge, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

The LG OLED evo W6 winter journey kicks off with an exclusive opening pop-up at The Lotus Lounge at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, running from 16 to 19 October 2026. Guests visiting the venue will see the display blending seamlessly into an upscale seaside hospitality environment.

A Gamified Winter Tour: #LGW6spotted

Throughout the winter season, the LG OLED evo W6 will pop up at surprise footfall lifestyle destinations across UAE.

To engage consumers and tech enthusiasts, LG Gulf is introducing an interactive social campaign:

Ahead of every pop-up, upcoming secret locations will be teased on @lg_gulf on Instagram. Followers who correctly guess the venue can win exclusive on-the-spot giveaways.Visitors who embark on the city-wide trail and spot the installation at locations can enter a lucky draw to win their very own LG OLED evo W6, True Wireless Wallpaper TV at the conclusion of the campaign. To qualify, participants simply need to capture a photo of the TV, upload it to their Instagram Story, tag @lg_gulf, and use the hashtag # LGW6spotted.

Next-Generation Picture and AI Performance

Beneath its ultra-thin profile, the LG OLED evo W6 is driven by LG’s most sophisticated brain yet: the α11 (Alpha 11) AI Processor 4K Gen3. Engineered to analyze content frame-by-frame, the processor utilizes deep learning to upscale imagery with astonishing spatial depth, refine facial realism, and map multi-channel virtual surround sound tailored to room acoustics.

Complementing the processor is LG’s next-evolution Hyper Radiant Color technology alongside Brightness Booster Ultra, delivering luminous peak highlights that push conventional OLED boundaries while preserving the iconic inky, Perfect Blacks that define the medium. To suit the light-filled, open-plan spaces characteristic of modern homes in the region, the screen incorporates an advanced Reflection Free Premium coating that dramatically suppresses ambient glare without muting color vibrancy.

Setting an industry first, the LG OLED evo W6 also stands as the world’s first True Wireless TV capable of transmitting 4K visual clarity at an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate. Complete with full support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and leading gaming technologies, including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium, the LG OLED evo W6 ensures uncompromising performance whether playing host to high-octane gaming or an intimate, theater-grade cinema evening.

For more information about the LG OLED evo W6, visit:
https://www.lg.com/ae/tvs-soundbars/lg-oled83w66la. To follow the roadshow schedule, decipher location clues, and enter the contest, follow @lg_gulf on Instagram.

About LG Electronics Media Entertainment Solution Company

 The LG Media Entertainment Solution Company (MS) is a recognized innovator in televisions, audio, displays and smart TV platforms. The MS Company enhances the media entertainment experience with its OLED TVs, renowned for perfect black and perfect color, and premium LCD QNED TVs, all powered by the personalized webOS smart TV platform. The MS Company also offers Information Technology solutions (gaming monitors, business monitors, laptops, projectors, cloud devices and medical displays) as well as Signage solutions (Micro LED signage, digital signage, hospitality displays and signage software solutions) that are designed to maximize customers’ work efficiency and deliver strong value. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com. 

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SOURCE LG

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