Many software providers like learning management system vendors and eLearning platforms understand that difficult times call for inspired measures.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts in education programs this week came as a heavy blow to the public school system–and, as a consequence, our country’s youth.
“The two budget proposals the Governor released today offer a choice between devastating and horrific cuts to public schools,” said state superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell last week in response to the release of Governor Schwarzenegger’s May Revision.
Of course, it’s not a phenomenon unique to California. States across the country are announcing stark budget cuts for public schools. Today, the New York City Education Department announced a $405 million cut–an average of 4.9% per school. Tomorrow, principals will receive the actual amounts.
High school seniors across the country are faced with tough choices. The annual Princeton Review survey gave a sobering report on the mental state of soon-to-be college students.
According to the survey, which polled over 15,000 students and parents, over two-thirds of high school seniors have experienced high levels of stress over college admissions this year, and claim the economic downturn has directly influenced where they applied. Thirty-eight percent applied to colleges with lower tuition than they would have otherwise. And nearly nine out of ten respondents said financial aid will be essential to their attending.
With budget constraints looming over school districts across the country, eLearning courses and online collaborative technology provide a cost-effective enrichment to school curricula. Despite the challenges that schools face in terms of obtaining such technology, with some creativity and basic knowledge of eLearning tools, educators are being given an opportunity to try new educational methods.
President Obama’s goal–announced way back in February–targeted that by 2020, the U.S. will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. In order to get to that point, some creative thinking-out-of-the-box will be required.
Schools will need to think about ways to obtain the learning material and technology they need to keep America in the game. And software providers will also need to think outside the box.
That’s why Coggno is now providing free LMS service to public schools. Coggno has responded to the need for cost-effective eLearning tools in every U.S. classroom.
Across the country, a pedagogical shift is taking place from information-dispensing, to the facilitation of projects and activities that help students develop 21st century skills. Learning management systems are often deployed to organize activities that ask students to gather information and work collaboratively.
In order to enter into a service-oriented, entrepreneurial, global workplace, students are being called upon to develop critical thinking, technological, communication, and analytical skills. Many school systems have tried and found learning management systems and online collaboration tools key to encouraging and developing such skills.
LMSs are also an effective way to keep costs down and students enrolled. Coggno allows public educators educators to easily create, update and distribute courses to students–absolutely free.
Coggno’s video and text tools, SCORM publisher, question bank and template, quiz and assessment tools make safety training courses customizable and flexible. Coggno also provides straightforward and useful functionality to help teachers, and an easy-to-navigate interface to make the LMS easily integrated into any school.
Combined with face-to-face instruction, learning management systems like Coggno help to enrich student experience and develop the IT skills they will need to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market. Coggno understands that when the tough gets going, the going get organized, collaborative and creative.
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Coggno.com offers high-quality online training.
