Big Colleges Vs. Small Colleges - What Say You?

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Small vs. Big Colleges
Via: OnlineSchools.org

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Big Colleges Vs. Small Colleges - What Say You?

Thinking Smarter - November/December

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Looking Back and Ahead!

What a year!  It is hard to believe that it is swiftly coming to a close.  The final quarter of 2011 turned out to be a record breaking year for us in many ways, thanks to our clients and partners. Our mission this year was to focus on business intelligence to improve our products and services.  We've made great strides to increase value to our products to serve you better! Recently released are several research documents and case studies that leant validity to our tools and services in an unpresidented way.  The 2011 Student Readiness Report showed three year trending analysis to help online programs understand what makes a successful online learner.  The white paper released with Noel-Levtiz showed a direct correlation between measured areas of SmarterMeasure and retention, proving predictive qualities of the assessment.  In addition we published case studies that outline how individual schools have increased retention, shown improvement in academic success, and made strides in student satisfaction. We successfully launched our exclusive partnership with the University of North Texas and their well known research project SETE (Student Evaluation of Teacher Effectiveness).  As sole source providers, we are working with a growing client base who are using SmarterSurveys and SETE to improve their end of course evaluation systems.  As the client base grows, so has the functionality boasting new reports, more custom options, reminders, notifications, and a full suite of support objects.   

How Are You Supporting Adult Student Success?

Do you have a unique way that you support your adult student success?  Are you using SmarterMeasure as one of those resources for support?  Academic Impressions is a well respected organization who gathers data and provides training on many topics focusing on student retention and support.  They are currently conducting a survey and want your feedback.  Would you take this 5 minute survey and tell them about what resources including SmarterMeasure that your school uses to promote student success.

Conference Schedule for 2012

SmarterServices exhibits at over 20 educational conferences every year.  Recently we have finalized our planning for 2012. In most cases we submit proposals to make a presentation at these conferences on topics relating to student readiness or using student perception data to improve academic programs. These presentations are strengthened when persons from our client institutions can share how SmarterMeasure and/or SmarterSurveys have been beneficial to their students and school. To see a list of our conferences for 2012, click here. If you plan on attending one or more of the conferences listed, please email mac@SmarterServices.com.  If our presentation proposal is accepted and you co-present with us, we will provide either a $400 honorarium to you or if you cannot personally receive the honorarium we will issue a $400 credit to your next license renewal. 

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The SmarterServices family would like to wish you and all those dear to you, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  As we reflect on 2011, may we all grow from our mistakes and look toward the new year with resolve to make a difference in the life of another!  See you next year!

Tis the Season to Give to Others
We believe it is our responsibility as a company to give back.  Throughout 2011, we donate to a number of charities including St. Jude Children's Hospital, Cancer organizations and patients, PawPals Organization, AGAPE, various college scholarship funds, and World Vision, just to name a few.  This holiday season may we reflect on our own blessings and pay it forward to someone less fortunate.

Mention in Presentation
If you mention one of our products in a presentation, we want to hear about it.  Contact your Account Manager and you may qualify for a discount on your annual license at time of renewal!

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Thinking Smarter - November/December

Looking for Presentation Inspiration and Tips

FREE Resources , SmarterServices
If you are looking for a quick review on what to include in presentations to make them engaging, thorough, informative, and entertaining, check out the slide share below from Edward Tufte.  A great reminder of what it takes to present sometimes boring data in a format that gets people to think.  We must focus on turning our audience in to contributors and not robot bystanders. Check it out!
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Looking for Presentation Inspiration and Tips

Reflecting on 2011

SmarterServices

So what does your past year look like?  Was 2011 amazing, tragic, boring, or inspiring?  What events do you remember most?  Make a list of what you remember and reflect on why it made an impact on your life.  Vow in the new year to make every effort to increase those kinds of moments.  Every encounter we have comes at a cost.  What will that cost be?  Decide what 2012 will look like for you and make it happen!

 

 

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Reflecting on 2011

Growth in K12 Online Learning - Not Just a Trend

Current Events , open learning , Secondary K12 , SmarterServices 3 Comments »

Did you know that in 2010, more than 4 million K-12 students participated in formal virtual learning programs?  The continued growth in K12 online learning is not just a trend.  As enrollments in non traditional learning environments grow, states are working on proposing mandates that students take at least one online course prior to graduating from high school. according to a recent article in eSchool News,  in 2006, Michigan was the first state to implement such a requirement followed by Alabama in 2008. Soon Florida and Idaho are were on board while it appears Indiana willl be next in line.

One challenge states are faced with when proposing required online education is defining what that is and what it looks like.  Most states recognize that a fully online course is not the only way for a student to experience an alternative learning environment.  Like any organization, the end goal must be examined in order to determine the path to reach it.  Guidelines allowed include technology rich courses, a hybrid model of using a laptop onsite to take an online class, using live webinar teachings, participating in web chats about course content, and using learning management systems to access content and assignments among others. 

K-12 online learning is about a decade behind the same concepts in higher education.  However, it seems to be growing at a much more rapid pace.  There seems to be less controversy about the usefulness of it, pedagogy discussions, and academic integrity that has plagued higher ed for so long.  Rather, it seems educators in the K-12 space are embracing the new found freedom to assist their students in learning through technology and pushing the boundaries of traditional learning.  Is that because we've already fought the battle in higher ed or do you think it is because K12 administrators are less resistant to change?  Interesting topic for discussion.

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Growth in K12 Online Learning - Not Just a Trend