August 25th, 2011 by Robin Green

A college education is becoming unattainable for many without the financial means to make it happen. The U.S. government is proposing cuts to financial aid and unsubsidized student loans, leaving many out in the cold when it comes to obtaining the college degree that will help secure that well-paying job.

Students are Beginning to Rack up Credits Online

In an article that appears in today’s online edition of the New York Times, Tamar Lewin addresses the fact that online e-learning entities are gaining not only steam, but credibility, in today’s uncertain economic climate. Students are looking for ways to obtain the education they need, as inexpensively as possible, while gaining the experience they must have to survive in the workforce. Lewin compares e-learning to Wikipedia and iTunes for initiating the same type of paradigm shift that has given us a different perspective about encyclopedias and music. Many students are becoming hip to the fact that they can complete coursework online for a fraction of what it would cost at a traditional college or university, parlaying those credits into advanced degrees and better-paying jobs.

Students Young & Old are Taking Advantage of E-Learning

The article cites examples of traditional college-age students, as well as students in their 30s with full-time careers and family commitments, taking advantage of e-learning courses to facilitate career changes or increase their knowledge bases to obtain certifications to better their chances at earning higher salaries. The tuition savings are substantial, and some online outlets provide mentoring to keep students motivated to complete their studies.

Traditional Institutions Scoff at E-Learning

Chester E. Finn, Jr., a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute believes an emphasis on e-learning does not give students the same quality education they would receive in a traditional college environment: “Instead of a full entree of four years in college, it’ll be more like grazing or going to tapas bars…with people piecing together a postsecondary education from different sources.”

Meanwhile, a study conducted by Teachers College at Columbia University tracked 51,000 community college students in Washington State for five years, found that those with a good number of online course credits were not likely to go on to transfer to traditional four year institutions or obtain degrees.

Learning is What You Make of It

Of course the traditional higher learning crowd is going to claim that e-learning will never replace the student-professor relationship that can only be found in a classroom. The problem is, not everyone can afford to spend four years in a college atmosphere, especially as funding to public universities gets slashed to the bare minimum, and the tuition at private universities continues to skyrocket. Despite all the scoffing, academics are eventually going to need to accept that online coursework is likely to become the only means of obtaining an education for many American students if our educational system does not undergo some significant changes.

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Coggno.com offers a wide variety of e-learning  courses for users worldwide.

August 18th, 2011 by Robin Green

The clinical and administrative realms of healthcare are in a constant evolutionary state in order to keep up with demand and global development. This means that continuous professional development has never been more vital for physicians and administrators. Hectic schedules and training don’t often mesh well; many healthcare systems are investing in e-learning tools to facilitate necessary training and avoid the negative impact under-staffing has on patient care.

The Present State of Continuous Professional Development

Right now, there are several options available: Experts travel to facilities to conduct training of  clinicians and administrative staff; a group of staff members travel to off-site seminars and conferences to receive training; the “Train the Trainer” method is utilized by sending one or two staff members representative of a group to receive training and then pass it along to others who did not attend sessions. These methods are outdated; not to mention costly and and inefficient. Absent staff members impact productivity and stress those left behind to care for patients.

The E-Learning Solution

Medical professionals and administrative support staff must not only keep current with licensing and accreditation, they must also be aware of global development. Today’s patient is willing to seek care anywhere in the world, and this means domestic facilities must keep abreast of global best practices in order to accommodate patients. Internet access is virtually everywhere, and it is crucial to keeping track of the latest procedures and technologies.

The Internet offers a training alternative to clinicians and administrators in that they can complete necessary coursework anytime, anywhere. Staff members can complete training during slow periods at the office, at home or just about anywhere. This avoids staffing issues and allows facilities to keep their level of care consistent. Extra staff requirements and shortfalls can be avoided by keeping employees on-site, rather than having them travel to inconvenient conferences and seminars.

Physicians can take advantage of e-learning tools to get up to speed on new surgical techniques, procedures and medications, giving them the ability to pass the latest information on to their patients without having to attend costly seminars.

E-Learning Can Improve Care

High quality e-learning courses combined with an LMS platform will ensure that participants understand the material and educators are satisfied with their comprehension. Documentation can be provided to validate training, making patients aware that clinicians are well-versed in the type of care they seek.

E-learning is the most economical, efficient alternative to traditional training that will keep medical professionals apprised of cutting-edge technologies, procedures, pharmaceutical products and management techniques.

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Coggno.com is an Learning Management System platform that offers a wide range of online courses.

August 11th, 2011 by Robin Green

E-learning has changed the educational landscape and opened up a world of new opportunities for educators. Those who no longer want to teach in the traditional classroom can put their skills to use in challenging and exciting positions outside the usual academic grind.

What Types of Jobs are Available?

Currently, there are a wide variety of e-learning positions. The most in-demand are instructional and curriculum designers, along with training consultants who help coordinate LMS platforms at the corporate level. Regardless of which position you choose to pursue, the traditional educational skill set must be augmented with technical knowledge that will allow for use of Web tools and applications. The science of learning must be combined with strong business skills, as well as the ability to be flexible.

Prepare for a Paradigm Shift

Most e-learning positions are not permanent. If you can shift your thought process to embrace a career as an e-learning contractor, you’re halfway home. Many e-learning positions are temporary,  but require a commitment to see them through to their completion. If your area of interest lies in working with companies to develop LMS strategies, you’ll need to possess vision, creativity and the ability to get the job done in the allotted time frame. Today’s corporate culture wants to keep costs in line while getting the biggest bang for their buck. Many are looking for professionals who are “specific generalists” that are not locked in to a specific job description.

Be the Total Package

Updating and increasing your knowledge base is always worthwhile. Many e-learning and LMS professionals have advanced degrees in education, as well as various certifications. Developing a strong stable of personal contacts is a must; networking through your personal connections is where the opportunities lie. Attending conferences and seminars is crucial, as is joining professional organizations and familiarizing yourself with the latest technology. Keep in mind that educational design principles tend to remain static, but technology moves at a much faster pace. It is always prudent to keep up with it.

Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses; update your resume; use Web tools to facilitate your job search. Search engines are today’s classifieds, and they can lead you to a wealth of opportunities. Most importantly, keep an open mind and embrace the possibility of change. It could lead you to a career you never thought was possible.

Good luck!

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At Coggno.com you can choose a variety of specialized e-learning courses that are created by industry experts.

August 4th, 2011 by Robin Green

Many school districts are beginning to realize the benefits of e-learning for their students. But, what about the benefits for teachers, or so-called “life-long learners”? School boards in many states have professional development requirements that educators and staff must adhere to in order to keep their certifications and licenses valid. E-learning makes the task of updating certifications and indulging a passion for learning that much easier.

E-Learning Helps Defray Costs

Let’s face it; continuing education can be expensive. E-learning courses are cost-effective for both school boards and teachers because they eliminate the need for attending classes at expensive colleges and universities. Looming government budget cuts will be slashing funds for students wanting to embark on graduate level degrees, eliminating many government subsidized education loans. E-Learning allows students and teachers who cannot afford to attend traditional schools to continue their education, whether its required for professional development, or if it is pursued voluntarily.

“Virtual Attendance” is Convenient

In addition to saving money, e-learning helps teachers make better use of their time. Instead of traveling to an inconvenient campus to sit in a classroom, distance learning can be accomplished from almost anywhere. This allows teachers to obtain the training they need without having to take time away from lesson planning and actual classes. Educators remain where they need to be - in their own classrooms, instead of having to turn them over to substitute teachers.

Seminars and Presentations are Evolving into Webinars

The traditional professional development seminar is evolving into a Webinar. As with continuing their personal education, teachers no longer need to leave the classroom in order to attend important seminars and events that are crucial to keeping certification and licensing up-to-date. These events can be attended “virtually”, which is another cost-cutting measure for many school boards. Many professional development providers are already on-board with e-learning, and more are joining every day. Making good use of technology not only broadens audiences, it allows educators to focus on their jobs while still being able to achieve their career goals.

Now is the time for students and providers to consider the benefits of e-learning. The new school year is upon us; considering implementing an e-learning program will not only save time and money, it will provide a fresh and rewarding approach to education by embracing technology.

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Coggno.com offers a variety of online courses for users world wide.