November 9th, 2009 by Melissa

Colleges around the nation have begun to revolutionize their curriculum by implementing a Learning Management System into their course work. Specialty schools such as Full Sail University, South University, Strayer and numerous other universities have based entire degrees off of the Learning Management System and offer eLearning courses for their students who are located nationwide. Interactive courses, high tech videos taking place of seminars, as well as group projects, still allow the student to receive a higher education with the same quality as learning inside the classroom.

One student, Jim Miller, an Internet Marketing Major, talks about his experience attending Orlando based Full Sail University, while living on the West Coast. He states that having to work full time for a living and go to school full time makes it difficult, but the flexibility of his classes is what makes it possible for him to seek higher education while establishing a career. “It’s great because class is wherever you are. The convenience and flexibility of when you attend your class enables you to work your education around your career which helps to facilitate both endeavors.”

The Learning Management system provides a platform where students can seek help if they have questions about any of the concepts covered within the courses. Professors or Counselors open their availability to their students in the case they may need support, and a 24/7 mentorship with highly trained Counselors is offered, or students can contact their Professors directly via email. Another additional benefit to implementing distant learning programs into College’s curriculum is that it allows students to experience and experiment with different learning methods to see how they learn best.

However, with every pro there must be a con. Some courses within Universities may require their students to participate group projects. This can make it difficult when factoring in work schedules, time differences, and less motivated students that could hinder the integrity of their projects. Assessments are constantly underway to ensure that the curriculum is being delivered in a way that students fully comprehend the concept as well as the technique that is being used within that course is effective and successful.

When asked how he felt about the quality of the Learning Management System in regards to curriculum and teaching of “in classroom” courses in comparison to online courses, Jim Miller states, “The only difference that I have experienced is that you are not physically in the classroom. I feel the quality of the curriculum and the concepts I am being taught are held at the same standard and uphold the same quality at any other University attending an in-person course.”

Other Colleges, while still may not have implemented an all inclusive Learning Management System online learning program, have implemented certain components into their curriculum. To spice up some of the classes, Professors will hold class online in a chat room and do the whole class in video slides and hold discussion in a chat box hosted on the School’s secured website. People are starting to recognize the ease in online learning and the fascination, and slowly but surely they have started to implement Learning Management System into their own curriculum.

November 2nd, 2009 by Melissa

Online training has revolutionized the learning and training experience as we know it. Not too long ago we were still using windows dos, dial up, computers the size of an entire room, and big floppy disks. Now we live in an age where we have streamline laptops, portable computers that we can take with us. We have internet on our smart phones, and wireless internet connection. The internet has slowly but surely become an indispensible resource that most of us use continually throughout the day. It has been created into a streamline convenient instrument for us to gain minute by minute updates, and enable continuous communication with people all over the world.

So if we are able to take the internet with us, why can’t we take learning portable too? This advanced technology has enabled learning to take place in the home with various online training curriculums, whether it is for higher education, organizational or government training. The variety in courses is vast, making it easy to find credible courses that pertain to the need for any specific individual. Some specialty Colleges have based degrees on the online learning platform, and various content creating or eLearning companies are receiving government grants for organizational training as well as school training to educate them on health and safety via online training.

New advances within online training module’s are state of the art, bringing 3D graphics, interactive courses, quizzes, and videos with sound and picture into the mix, as well as 24/7 mentorship with highly trained instructors who are available at the learner’s disposal to ensure full comprehension is achieved. With so many style options that these courses provide, learners are exposed to different types of training that could enhance productivity, comprehension, and creativity.

Among the revolution of online training in the education systems, Organizational training is receiving revisions as well. Organizational training no longer means outdated, long, and uninteresting training videos that are played in an isolated room. Online modules and interactive curriculum enables employees to gain working experience as they learn new systems and make the mundane training something that is enjoyable and effective.

As efficient and convenient online training has proven to be, an additional bonus to this new method of learning is the varietal topics of courses made available on the web. For students looking for higher education, they have multiple options of language courses, science courses and math courses. For those in the IT industry they have various system training courses that stay current as new updates within systems and platforms are created. Certifications, such as A+, Network +, Security + in the IT industry, as well as driver, helicopter, first aid and safety certifications are just a few certifications that are offered.

Online training truly is changing the way we think about learning and the mundane training that normally is included when we enter into new positions in the workforce, new systems are implemented or those annually required safety or corporate training seminars. Just as computers and the internet has been streamlined and made portable, training and education is following suit.

January 16th, 2009 by Learning Systems

One basic criterion for your online course is a thorough course syllabus, which should be presented before any online learning begins. Especially for students who have never taken an online course before, and for whom collaborative learning, LMSs and other elements may be untypical, they need to know as early as possible what to expect from the course. 

A syllabus should show, minimally, the number and title of the course; the instructor’s email, office or phone number; the course date, length, and expected involvement; the textbooks and other LMS materials needed for the course; an outline of the LMS and course format and a clear description of navigational aids in the course; a concise description of the course content; an evaluation plan; an exam and project schedule; an explanation of instructor expectations regarding participation; and an outline of how students are expected to interact using discussion boards, wikis, and other collaborative learning tools. 

December 30th, 2008 by Learning Systems

In recent years, learning from LMS courses has expanded beyond its previous demographic of working people who are trying to better their opportunities. However, some sources claim that it still hasn’t blown up in the way we might expect. Some figures taken by a study conducted by the University of West Florida might surprise you. 

According to the study, three-quarters of LMS learners are working full or part-time. Three quarters of online learners are working towards a degree. Two-thirds are female. More than half are married with dependents, and half are 35 years or older. Twenty percent of learning management system users are new students. 

However, these numbers are undoubtedly changing as more and more schools begin to find out about LMSs and implement online learning into their school systems.

December 22nd, 2008 by Learning Systems

Are online high school learning systems a good idea? Who should consider online high school? It’s essential to consider if a student truly needs the flexibility of an online high school. For example young professionals like athletes, actors and musicians who spend much of their time on the road might take high school online.

Young people who tend to be shy and introverted sometimes consider online high school learning systems, but this probably isn’t a good idea. A regular human connection is very important in developing social skills and experiencing the “real world.” 

The first year of high school can be tough, and transition from middle school to high school is often a challenge. Change of any kind can be difficult at this sensitive age. But the benefits of attending a face-to-face high school learning system are worth the effort. Additionally, in an online high school students need a great deal of self discipline and motivation–something many young people aren’t quite prepared for.

November 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems

A recent Writers Gateway article describes how creators can develop their courseware systems like a video or computer game. Sound crazy? It may be more feasible and simpler than you imagine. Every game follows a similar pattern that can be emulated in your courseware system. 

All games have a goal and steps to reach it. The player’s challenge is to solve a series of problems and complete the steps quickly and efficiently. 

Students who are asked to conquer levels and solve problems in a game-like format will be more engaged and interested in the course. But how does one actually go about creating a courseware system based on a game model? Start by telling a story.

November 4th, 2008 by Learning Systems

Wouldn’t you prefer straight and objective learning material, unshaped and unfiltered by a professor’s personal views? Of course, it’s impossible to achieve 100% objectivity. And good professors foster discussions and reward well-developed arguments, no matter how different their perspectives may be. However, there are always the exceptions who can’t help but let their own biases color their opinions (and grading) of students. 

One advantage many courseware systems have over traditional higher learning system courses is that they avoid professor bias. Students can learn and complete courseware system assignments without having to worry whether or not their work is being unfairly assessed by an opinionated professor. When courseware systems are completed in a self-guided fashion, the only authority is the learner. The learning content becomes the only relevant point, and politics are set aside. 

October 21st, 2008 by Learning Systems

When choosing a learning management system for your school or company, you’ll want to make sure its privacy policy is sound. Personal information will probably be asked of all learning management system users. What are the people with access to that data going to do with it? 

Some acceptable purposes for personal information might be products and services provisions, identification and authentication, contact purposes, and services improvement. The revealing of information to third parties should never take place. Of course, if the user is not going to be paying for something, his or her credit card information shouldn’t be requested. 

To secure the privacy of all users, looking into the privacy measures taken by your learning management system choice is of utmost importance. For a secure syndicator, enter Coggno. From now until November 15, Coggno is offering a great promotion: we’ll migrate your content for you, free of charge.