Mar 17
Think back...where were you 25 years ago today? Well 25 years ago the internet made its debut as being available for public use. This is a significant point in our history! So happy 25th birthday internet!
Entries Tagged as 'Current Events'
Mar 17
Green. Is there any other color that carries so many iconic meanings? Today is St. Patrick's Day and thus it is fitting to discuss the color green. Are you green with envy? Seeing green? Going green? Do you have a green thumb? References include being envious, needing money or being greedy, have a knack for growing plants, and recycling or trying to preserve mother earth. When I think of green, I think of distance education. See the connection? No?
The color green is defined to represent growth, life, and renewal. Wouldn't we all agree that getting an education is a path to growth? Secondly distance education is one of the largest green initiatives currently available. Online learning boasts decreased commuting, fewer buildings to house students, and more screen work resulting in less paper. Lastly, an education generates new skills which can translate in job offers, promotions, higher pay or more opportunities. Getting a green degree encapsulates an environmentally friendly education.
So today have a happy St. Patrick's Day, wear your green and promote distance education. It is the greenest thing you can do!
Feb 18
All is a buzz at eLearningToolBox. With 2010 in full swing we are planning one of the biggest changes ever! Over the past several years, our client base has grown, our products have improved, and the market has evolved. To serve you better we are changing our company name and the names of our product line. We will still be offering you the same great service and nothing will change about our current products.
Although the new name won't be announced until early March and change over will begin in April, it is so hard to keep this exciting news to ourselves! Join our facebook fanpage, watch Twitter and the blog for updates.
The only hint I can share is that it appears we are getting SMARTER!
Feb 2
Today is Groundhog Day and that means many are anxiously waiting to see if the groundhog will see his shadow and thus sentence us to another six weeks of Winter. In researching where the Groundhog Day celebration came from I stumbled upon a clever piece from GKLife with some history. It turns out that it originates from folks looking for something...anything...to celebrate in the dead of Winter.
Have you ever thought about how much power the groundhog has in his shadow? Whether fact or fiction, it is something to think about. This is a great lesson for us all to ponder on a personal level. What do others see in our shadow? Are we leading them to greatness or mediocrity? Are we leaving behind a shadow that is powerful, shows ambition, and organized brilliance?
What about your organization? Your school? Do your practices leave you in the shadows of other's greatness? Businesses that carefully plan, look at market trends, and have a committed workforce generally leave the shadows that others find themselves in.
eLearningToolBox is making some changes in 2010. After a strategic planning session, we found ourselves wanting to create a stronger shadow that others can see and imitate. We are in the process of changing the company name and product line. Details will be coming soon so pay careful attention and don't forget to follow our fan page on facebook for up to the minute updates!
Jan 25
In February 2009, President Obama stated in his speech to Congress, one of his goals was to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. Since then monies have been moved into grant programs to increase technology in the classrooms and promote alternative learning that includes distance learning. However, what has been done to increase enrollments of adult students?
Some would argue it has already happened as a by-product of the poor economy and loss of jobs. Layoffs have forced much of the workforce back to school to improve their skills, get new skills, or rethink their futures with a new career path. Community Colleges have seen record enrollments and report that their non-traditional student population is growing.
Now what? So yes, schools do show increasing enrollments of adult students that will ultimately help reach the President's goal for 2020. But what is being done to retain these students? What is the plan to provide student services that are meaningful and helpful to this population? Schools that weather this influx of new enrollees will pay attention to the demographic of their audience. They will get a strategic planning team together and create systems to support the adult learner.
A recent discussion on Capitol Hill, highlighted the need for such services. Plans will include looking at the current job market and futuristic trends (example: green initiatives). Getting to know the students and their needs. Providing flexible schedules to accomodate families, illnesses, and work schedules (example: distance learning). Also, paying attention to the common challenges associated with an older student (example: perhaps low technical competency, stronger level of commitment, more needy or less needy of personal help from instructor, etc).
Once a plan is put in place it will be crucial for schools to implement services that make sense. Doing so will create a supportive environment that promotes successful students with completed degrees. In particular a school may consider having an online counselor available to help adult students juggle all the demands of work, school, and family. While a traditional student may need an individual on-campus to provide counseling on how to handle being away from home, managing money, and help with prioritizing.
With a calculated effort, not only will enrollments continue to rise, but more non-traditional students will re-enter the workforce with new skills, confidence, and that much closer to a nationwide goal!
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