December 1st, 2011 by Robin Green

We’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t admit to raising our eyebrows at the notion of home-schooling children. But, what about the idea of an online high school? What if we said that high school was being run by Stanford University? Well, the eyebrows are going up anyway, but the clout carried by the school that regularly produces Nobel laureates and technological wizards isn’t just running any old online high school.

Last month, the New York Times reported on Stanford’s new venture, which has quietly been operating under the radar for the past five years.  Little did anyone know that the online program was turning out graduates who were themselves getting accepted to top-flight schools just like the one that issued their high school diplomas. Now, other universities are considering coming on board to educate high school students online.

A Significant Development

Although online education is not yet taken seriously by many, Bill Tucker, the director of Education Sector, a non-partisan policy institute, feels this development is “significant,” especially because it is associated with such a highly respected institution. “One of the country’s most prestigious universities feels comfortable putting its considerable prestige and brand behind it,” he said. Prestige and reputation have a lot to do with perception, especially when the program costs $15,000.00 per year.

Other universities are throwing their hats into the online high school ring, although none with as much caché as Stanford. The University of Nebraska, Lincoln and the University of Missouri have awarded a few hundred online high school diplomas over the past few years, and The George Washington University Online High School opened its “doors” in January. Middlebury College worked with a not-for-profit company to develop online language courses for 50,000 students, but the school is not ready to go the Stanford route just yet. “The risk is great and I’d be silly if I said otherwise,” Middlebury College president Ronald Liebowitz said.

Stanford Aiming to Be Online Destination for Elite Students

While the market for online education at the high school level is still in its infancy, Stanford is already angling to be the premier destination for students who are motivated to excel. Of the school’s 75 graduates, 69 of them have gone on to enroll at four year colleges. Eight of them went on to take courses at Stanford, and 25 others are at Ivy League schools and other elite institutions. John Etchemendy, Stanford’s provost said, “I don’t see this for a second competing with quality high schools, but for some people this could be an education they can’t get. I’m quite impressed with it, and they are clearly attracting capable students. It’s something that does make me comfortable making Stanford’s ownership of it more prominent.

An Early Start Can Influence the Future

The earlier our kids get comfortable with online education, the better prepared they’ll be when they enter the workforce. The problem is, how do us older folks increase our comfort level with the medium? When we think about all the technological advances we utilize now, we must remember that today’s high schoolers have have them all their lives. If we can tuck away our memories of what life was like before the Internet and the smart phone and the tablet computer, we can allow ourselves to embrace advances in online learning. Hey – we had to learn “new” math to help our kids with their homework; how would it look if would couldn’t cut it in an online classroom?

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Coggno.com is a leading provider of high quality Learning Management System platforms.

November 24th, 2011 by Robin Green

It’s that time of year again; we take time to give thanks for our health, our family, friends and a job that pays the bills.

Now that we’re stuffed from Thanksgiving dinner and about to move into the craziness of holiday shopping and the inevitable list of new year’s resolutions, we should also take some time to extend a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T to our fellow colleagues.

Workplace Bullying is More Common Than You Think

We’ve all had to deal with a co-worker who reminds us of the schoolyard bully we thought we left behind in our youth. Some of us have to deal with more than one. Still more of us will let a workplace bully take over our lives to the point where we can’t focus on life outside of our jobs. Not good…

There are quite a few organizations that exist specifically to try to eradicate bullying from the workplace. You hear much more about bullying in schools, but unfortunately, it does not end there. Adults can be just as childish and wreak havoc on their co-workers psyches long after they leave the schoolyards of their youth.

Now more than ever, workplaces need to adopt the culture of respect in order to preserve the sanity of everyone involved. In the best of times we never stop stressing about how to make ends meet and make sure our families are provided for. Add worrying about hanging on to the very job you depend on and it can bring out the worst in all of us. Bullies don’t usually need an excuse, but when things get tough, the claws become even sharper.

LMS Can Help Squash the Workplace Bully

With another new year upon us, companies that utilize an LMS platform can give a very valuable gift to their employees: the training and education they need to put a stop to bullying in the workplace. If you’re already utilizing online training to save money while giving your employees the knowledge they need to succeed, why not supplement their coursework with some practical information on how to identify, prevent and report abusive, manipulative and disrespectful behavior? We’ve all experienced the occasional “melt-down”, or witnessed another co-worker having one, but if you don’t know when yourself and others have crossed the line, things will devolve into a snake pit nobody wants to work in.

Your LMS platform can educate all your employees about the threat of workplace bullying and give everyone a chance to start fresh in the coming year.

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Coggno.com is a premier LMS software platform for both publishers of educational content and learners

November 17th, 2011 by Robin Green

Before I sit down to write my weekly blog post, I read countless articles about online learning and training, learning management systems, and why online learning is the key to our future educational success. And you know what? It can get confusing and more than a little overwhelming. If I’m just putting the information out there, imagine how all the prospective students feel!

The article that got me thinking was this one, published in the November 4 online edition of The New York Times. For those of you who have yet to click on the link, the title of the article is, “The Online College Crapshoot.” I’m sure I’ve got your attention now, because that title certainly got mine in a hurry.

Having received my degrees the “old fashioned” way, I have to admit that I had a healthy amount of skepticism about online learning until I learned more about it. Now, I feel confident enough to not only write about it, I would not hesitate to take an online course or two myself. But, I am in a position to experiment; what if I was counting on an education to help me find a better job in order to support my family? Then, I wouldn’t have quite as much time to research my decisions. The thing is, you have to; if you don’t you might as well be playing craps with your future, because many of these educational entities are counting on their students not being particularly diligent in their research.

Read the Fine Print and Think It Over

I suggest to everyone reading my words to go back and click on the link I provided. In the first section of the article, author Laura Pappano talks about How US News & World Report attempted to compile a list of quality online schools, similar to their trusted version of bricks-and-mortar institutions. They ran into some significant roadblocks, and to date, the list remains unpublished. Many of the online institutions refused to cooperate and provide the data US News required. Things like SAT scores, number of students, graduation statistics – you know, important stuff that is vital to figuring out if a particular school is suitable for your needs. But, the average online student may not care so much about the same information a tradition student does. Still, as your parents always told you, it pays to do your homework.

Having a clear-cut goal is crucial for getting the most from online courses. Make sure you have a specific plan of action before choosing a school. Pay attention to the reception you receive when you contact your institution of choice. Many of the for-profit online universities tend to engage in the “hard sell” because they have quotas to meet. If you choose one of them, you’d better be 100 percent certain the institution has the exact courses you need. If you’re going for a degree, make sure it is exactly the degree you want to receive. Remember, you’re embarking on enrollment with little to no guidance, so it’s up to you to make sure you kick the tires and look under the hood before you agree to anything and enter those credit card digits.

More and more traditional colleges are starting up online programs, so if there’s a school in your area you’ve always wanted to attend, investigate that one first. In other words, go with the devil you know, rather than the one you don’t. It’s a good place to start.

Always keep in mind that education is a lifelong process. As a lot of questions and think about the answers you receive. It’s only a matter of time before you find the right path.

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Coggno.com is a premier LMS software platform for both publishers of educational content and learners

November 10th, 2011 by Robin Green

Many small businesses still view employee training as the dreaded “optional expense”, only to be relied upon when absolutely necessary. In today’s roller coaster economy, that could be viewed as sound judgement, but in reality, it is counterproductive. There are so many qualified individuals looking for work that proper training is all they need to embark on a new career path. A diamond in the rough could very well be your next star employee with the right form of guidance.

Training Should Be a Priority

According to statistics from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), companies with fewer than 500 employees devote less time to training their employees than larger companies. Ironically, that decision ends up costing more money. Historically, smaller companies shy away from large-scale training sessions due to the expenses and time involved. But, the lack of training proves costly because employees that don’t have the knowledge to perform efficiently will cost more in the long run for things like seasonal labor and additional bodies to do jobs one person can handle. All that’s needed is proper, cost-effective guidance to ensure employees are making the contributions they are capable of.

Ability and Innovation are Key

An employee who feels valued by his or her employer is one who will do a great job. In today’s workforce it is crucial to make employees feel they are making a significant contribution, and there is no better way to ensure that than by offering quality training.

Online training gives employees the opportunity to increase their skill levels and expand their knowledge bases. When you offer an employee the opportunity to conveniently sharpen their skills either at their desks or at home, you are empowering them to travel outside their comfort zones. Effective online training will boost morale, increase profits and allow employees to reap the benefits of working for a more efficient operation. Learning allows everyone to enrich their lives, be it at work or on their own time. Regardless of where or when, it is always a good thing.

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Coggno.com is a premier LMS software platform for both publishers of educational content and learners

November 3rd, 2011 by Robin Green

It’s no secret that the state of California is in a state of serious financial crisis. Everything from jobs, funding of social programs and services have been cut in an effort to close the budget gap.

Last month, one of our favorite online resources for e-learning news, InsideHigherEd.com, reported that one of the ways California is looking to save money is to increase the number of online courses the state’s public universities offer.

Teachers Feeling Threatened by Specter of Online Courses

UC teachers and administrative staff are said to be working in fear of a “bloodletting” as the state evaluates innovative ways to raise itself out of the budgetary mire it is stuck in. According to a declaration posted on its Web site, the UC chapter of the American Federation of Teachers said, “We believe that if courses are moved online, they will most likely be the classes currently taught by lecturers, and so we will use our collective bargaining power to make sure that this move to distance education is done in a fair and just way for our members.” Lecturers make up nearly half of the active teachers of undergraduate courses in the state’s system, and they seem to have gotten their way with a compromise from UC: a new provision to the collective bargaining agreement was added to protect members, barring the system from creating online courses or programs that would result in “a change to a term or condition of employment” of any lecturer without first consulting the union.This gives the teachers the power to veto the creation of online coursework without the union’s approval.

Does the UC-AFT Understand the Future of Learning?

While across-the-board budget cuts have been affecting learning in the U.S. for time immemorial, are the UC teachers really afraid of losing their jobs to budget cuts, or are they afraid of technology invading the hallowed halls of academia? And, are they preventing the access to education that many Californians need in order to make necessary career changes that they need to undertake due to their own employment issues? Many unemployed Americans have endeavored to facilitate career changes through first time forays into higher education, or returning to it in order to strengthen their skills in order to recapture gainful employment. Many job-seekers need the flexibility of online learning so they can accomplish these goals; so do traditional college-age students who may not be able to afford full or part-time course loads because of the same budget cuts affecting state employees.

Online Push Still in its Infancy

It remains to be seen how the teachers and the state will fare in this battle to balance the budget while keeping education standards in place. Other states have been working on plans to make their university systems more cost-effective, and the most sensible way is by offering more online learning courses. Stay tuned…

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Coggno.com is a premier LMS software platform for both publishers of educational content and learners

October 27th, 2011 by Robin Green

At Coggno, we’re always looking for exciting ways to spread the word about new concepts in education and training. After all, learning is a lifelong process and it should be fun, right?

One of the most tedious things we have to endure in the workplace is training. Think about it – how many times have you been stuck in meetings and seminars that are about as exciting as watching paint dry? Not only is the content boring, the planning is no picnic, either. On the whole, that equals a pretty unpleasant experience for all involved.

Old vs. New: It’s Time for a Change

Putting together a training seminar means hours of work; if you do it the old-fashioned way. You have to ascertain the compliance level of each employee, figure out who needs what to maintain regulatory standards, divide them up into groups and then hunt down the trainer or trainers you need to get everyone up to speed. There isn’t enough caffeine in the world to keep you awake through all that. Plus, we’re forgetting the laundry list of other tasks you have to accomplish in addition to finding those elusive trainers to get the job done. There has to be a better way.

The Better Way Has Arrived

We all know people who refuse to embrace technology. They’ve been dragged kicking and screaming into the information age, and are still not comfortable with the Internet and all the associated gadgetry assaulting their senses. Well, the time to stop kicking and screaming has arrived; all this technology can actually make your life easier.

Take a look at our snappy Information Graphic, or “infographic” for short. We have given you a way to obtain training for your employees in 4 simple steps – as opposed to 11. You really can eliminate 7 time consuming steps by creating a learning management system with help from the pros at Coggno. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a lot more fun than the old way. And let’s not forget the best part: it’s not only efficient, it’s cost effective. You’re saving time and money. What could be better than that?

Take a few moments to look over our infographic. Go ahead, stare at it for a while. We think the longer you look at it, the more you’ll see that our way – the new way – is the best way. And your employees will thank you for not making them sit through boring seminars with monotone speakers droning on until everyone’s heads hit the tables. They can accomplish their training anywhere, on almost any device they choose.

Technology is a good thing. If you don’t believe us, feel free to ask us why.

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Coggno.com is a premier Learning Management System platform

October 20th, 2011 by Robin Green

Facebook and the U.S. Department of Labor have announced a collaboration, the Social Jobs Partnership, geared towards helping America’s job-seekers via social networking. Also included in the mix is the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), DirectEmployers Association (DE), and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). By joining forces with these agencies, Facebook hopes to make job searches more productive by providing resources via a social media platform.

Partnership Provides Access to Employment Programs as Well as Education and Training

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said in a statement, “By leveraging the power of the social Web, this initiative will provide immediate, meaningful and ready-to-use information for job seekers and employers, and a modern platform to better connect them.”

Also in the press briefing held earlier today, Facebook’s Vice President of Global Policy, Marne Levine, commented that 92 percent of employment recruiters have either already used social networks or are planning to use social networks to engage individuals who are attempting to find work.

Although jobless claims declined slightly in September, the total unemployment rate in the U.S. is holding steady at 9.1 percent.

One Partner Provides Access to Online Learning

One of Facebook’s Social Jobs partners is the Web site Careeronestop.org, which provides users access to information about education and training options. There are many useful links in the “Career Training and Education” section that will lead users to information about e-learning courses, financial aid, skills training and even scholarships.

The information on Facebook’s Social Jobs Partnership page will provide a helping hand to anyone looking for work, plus the networking capabilities of social media at their fingertips. Users can take advantage of all types of resources located in one convenient place, plus the added benefit of sharing information and experiences with other users.

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Coggno.com is a premier LMS software platform for both publishers of educational content and learners

October 13th, 2011 by Robin Green

According to the Web site, GetEducated.com, two American schools have recently launched online doctoral programs in education.

If you want to obtain a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Instructional Systems Technology (IST) entirely online, Indiana University is the place to go. If you love Idaho, Boise State University is also offering an online doctoral program in Educational Technology. Since we all know technology is becoming an educational staple, I say, hurrah! I would have loved to have attended grad school online.

Indiana U. Sets the Tone for Its First Online Doctorate

Gerardo Gonzales, the Dean of the School of Education, said in a press release, “The IST program has an outstanding international reputation for quality and innovation. Our graduates are employed in leadership positions in a variety of settings throughout the world. The new online degree will make available a program with a proven track record to people we could not have reached otherwise. It is in itself an application of the innovative teaching for which our faculty is known.”

While all coursework will take place online, students in this program will be required to visit the school’s Bloomington, IN campus three times over the course of their studies. The qualifying exam and the oral dissertation defense will occur in person, on campus.

The traditional campus-based IST doctorate Indiana University offers is a Ph.D. The online version is an Ed.D, which focuses on applying theory to practice.

According to university officials, the online doctoral program was launched due to student demand; many students who participated in the school’s online masters programs who wanted to conduct further research and obtain doctorates at the same institution.

Boise State Also Expanding from Online Masters Programs

Boise State University’s online masters program for Educational Technology has been in existence for about a decade. The online masters program has been so successful that the school decided to seek accreditation for the online doctoral program. The first students will be accepted into the program beginning in 2012.

Students taking part in the online doctoral program will explore emerging technologies for effective and efficient teaching. Their areas of focus will include online teaching, technology integration, educational software development and more. The Educational Technology Department at Boise State is responsible for some of the most groundbreaking research in K-12 classroom technology systems, and the new doctoral program will give students the opportunity to research new technologies as part of their coursework.

Boise State has a long history of embracing distance learning to deliver higher education to remote areas of its own state as well as neighboring communities. The new doctoral program is expected to draw educators from all across the U.S. who are interested in combining research with practical experience they’ve already acquired in their own local school systems.

These advancements may have many traditional educators quaking in their boots, but isn’t technology what it’s all about now?

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Coggno.com is an LMS that allows the online publisher of educational content connect with learners worldwide.