NBC News’ recent announcement “It’s time to reinvent America as an Education Nation”, has created a nationally broadcast, in-depth conversation about improving education in America.  Highlighting a Learning Plaza, Teacher Town Hall, and The Summit with top leaders in education, the conversation has officially started.  University of Phoenix, a sponsor, wanted to be a part of this historic event and joined the discussion.  With their recently launched campaign to individualize the learning experience for their students and provide personalized learning paths, UofPX is getting more serious about making education personal.

Personalized learning sounds like a good idea, but how does it work?  We must remember that education is not only about the content to be learned, but about the one who learns it.  As we learn, we began to see others differently, analyze choices from multiple perspectives, and become enlightened to our own self.  Knowledge is a set of facts and information.  Education is the way in which the learner applies the knowledge he has obtained.  That is why one individual who has a degree in education may become a teacher while the other may publish textbooks.  The knowledge is the same, just applied in different ways.  

University of Phoenix first approached SmarterServices a few months ago about using our learning styles portion of the SmarterMeasure learning readiness indicator at the BlogHer conference in New York City. Utilizing intense graphic design, touch screen iPADS and uniquely designed collateral for the event, attendees enjoyed taking a break in the lounge area sponsored by University of Phoenix and discovering their personal learning style.  Having success, University of Phoenix invited SmarterServices to join them in conveying the same message to visitors of Education Nation.  Utilizing touch screen technology, individual kiosks are set up in the learning plaza to engage visitors as they have fun learning about themselves.  Asking the learner “How do you learn?”, University of Phoenix provides the SmarterMeasure learning styles assessment in graphical detail.  So, how do you learn?  Join the fun and find out here.

SmarterServices is excited to have a portion of our SmarterMeasure assessment featured in a grand way to such a large audience!  We recognize the importance of creating an Education Nation and are honored to be a part of the conversation.  Let’s keep talking!

Personalized Learning - How Do You Learn?

Does anything work to improve retention rates among distance learners?  In a recent article from The Chronicle of Higher Education by Marc Parry, citing a study done by Kennesaw State University, the answer is no.  However, Stacey M. Campbell, assistant professor of management at Kennesaw State and co-author of the retention study, does suggests the problem may not be with the structure of the class but the students themselves.  Fellow co-author, Elke Leeds, believes identifying which students have traits such as time-management and motivation could be the key.

We couldn't agree more.  After reading the article I wanted to email everyone it mentioned and educate them about SmarterMeasure learning readiness indicator.  Research does indicate that poor student readiness contributes to attrition rates in online classes.  SmarterMeasure measures student readiness for online learning or technology rich classes in 6 areas.

1. Individual Attributes (time management, procrastination, etc)
2. Life Factors
3. Learning Styles
4. Technical Competency
5. On-Screen Reading Rate & Recal
6. Typing Speed and Accuracy

Based on extensive research and taken by over 600,000 students from 300+ schools all over the country, SmarterMeasure is a strong piece of the retention puzzle.

Online Retention - Does Anything Work?

Today is the premier of the highly controversial TV sitcom - Outsourced.  NBC is under high scrutiny for the "unintentional" poor timing in the current economic situation in the U.S.  Will this show be comedy relief or a reason to boycott the network?  PR analysts report the buzz created by the trailers and mere title of the show has generated enough interest for millions to take a peek tonight.  Bloggers and columnists have been talking about it for months.

A recent article from The Chronicle ties in with the sore subject of outsourcing.  The article identifies colleges and universities who are outsourcing the building of their online courses to some corporate organizations.  Although doubtful creating online course content will be outsourced to India anytime soon, the question remains...is outsourcing bad?

My biggest hope is that "outsourcing" doesn't become a "bad" word in the English language.  We've all been frustrated by a foreign voice on the line trying to help us make our home computer work, but without outsourcing I'd be overwhelmed with daily chores that have an adverse affect on my efficiency.  Running the risk of sounding insensitive, outsourcing should be a word of empowerment. Outsourcing to some means loss of income, broken dreams, and starting over.  But to others outsourcing simply means to maximize productivity by delegating.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to place the word "perspective" by the word "outsourced" in the dictionary.  That way you could choose the definition that most closely matches your life experience and thus being the most relevant.

Outsourced - What Does it Mean to You?

If you haven't heard about Education Nation yet, maybe you've been hiding under a rock!  Brought to you by big name sponsors like University of Phoenix, Members Project American Express, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Blackberry, and Scholastic (full list of sponsors), NBC News announces "It's time to reinvent America as an Education Nation". Beginning next week on September 26th, the iconic Rockefeller Plaza will be converted to a state of the art Learning Plaza that promises visitors an educational experience like no other.

According to the website, the Learning Plaza "will be an energetic and engaging spectacle that captures the importance and joy of learning.  The Learning Plaza experience will promote active involvement in pressing educational issues by empowering its visitors with accessible data, personalized information, and a view into the future of education in the United States". 

If you haven't heard the news, be sure and read up on the incredible event and "educate yourself" about it.  Check back this week and learn more about the Learning Plaza, Teacher Town Hall and The Summit.

Education Nation

Check out these pictures of the keyboard I use at my desk daily!

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