Sales Performance International Announces Solution Selling(R) Online Sales Training Program

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

Sales Performance International (SPI), a global sales training and performance improvement firm, announced today the launch of its Solution Selling(R) Online Sales Training Program. The comprehensive online program provides sales organizations with everything they need to successfully implement a world-class training program and integrate best practices into their business -- without having to retain outside services. In addition to comprehensive online training for sales and management roles, the program provides the necessary resources for sales leaders to effectively implement a complete "sales system" for their organization.

According to Keith Eades, CEO of SPI, "While eLearning provides a cost effective approach for distributed learning and mid-enterprise companies, training alone is not enough for improved sales performance. We've created this program for organizations that want world-class sales training, but who also want to completely integrate the new skills and methods into their business -- at their own pace and with their own resources."

Cisco and University of Phoenix Team Up to Deliver New Network Programs for Students

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

 University of Phoenix today announced an agreement with Cisco that will create new programs dedicated to providing the body of knowledge needed to attain the Cisco CCNA(R) certification. Cisco is an industry leader in network support, and the associate-level CCNA certification is vital to those seeking to enter or advance in the high-growth field of system networking and support.

Job growth for network administrators, network support specialists and computer network architects is projected to grow by more than 20 percent by 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With this opportunity comes a need for highly trained workers familiar with the latest networking technology and systems.

Single-District Virtual Ed. Seen Growing Fastest

This article is from Education Week

Single-district online learning programs were the fastest-growing sector of virtual learning in the United States in 2011. Whether it is to provide more options for students, keep more students from seeking virtual learning options outside the school district, or simply to move toward 21st-century teaching and learning, many districts are launching and sustaining their own virtual learning programs.

As districts move in this direction, they are taking a harder look at how they will evaluate their local models of virtual education, which is gaining popularity even though reviews on its effectiveness compared with that of more traditional approaches are still mixed.

Columbia University Medical Center's Program in Narrative Medicine Partners with VA to Improve Veteran Care

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

Health care professionals require specific training if they are to successfully treat veterans who have experienced the unique physical and psychological traumas of war. In an effort to increase the satisfaction of veterans and their families with the care they receive at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics, Columbia University Medical Center's (CUMC) Program in Narrative Medicine is hosting a first-of-its-kind three-day workshop, "Challenges in VA Health Care: A Narrative Response," from March 9-11, 2012.

The workshop aims to equip VA doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists with the narrative techniques to form therapeutic alliances with veterans and their families and improve communication and respect among members of the VA health care team. Participants will learn narrative approaches to clinical interviewing, ways to develop enriched therapeutic relationships, and reading and writing interventions that will enable them to better hear and understand patient experiences.

Texas District Selects Android Tablet for ESL Students

This article is from The Journal

A Texas school district is deploying 100 education-oriented tablets across several middle schools specifically to assist with ESL programs.

Garland Independent School District will distribute Brainchild’s Kineo tablets for use with the company's Achiever! software to help English language learners prepare for STAAR testing, the Texas state assessments.

The ESL students will use the tablets for individualized instruction. When Achiever! is used online, students can view lessons in both English and Spanish. The company's remedial software, Mechanics, will also be used with some students to help build fundamental skills.

MCN Learning Launches Interactive ECG Competency Series for Healthcare Professionals Worldwide

This article is from Sun Herald 

MCN Learning, announces the launch of imPULSE^® ECG Competency Series by Apex Innovations, Inc. As a web-based ECG and chest pain education and competency program, imPULSE was designed to meet the educational needs of all levels of medical staff.

“Our healthcare customers will find that imPULSE offers an amazingly interactive online learning experience,” said Frank Morello, Vice President of Business Development at MCN Learning. The series has been added to the MCN edept® Training Solutions Online Learning Management System (LMS), and will be available to more than 25,000 customers worldwide. “We are excited to partner with Apex Innovations and distribute their interactive content through our LMS to healthcare organizations worldwide,” stated Mr. Morello.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/03/07/3801145/mcn-learning-launches-interactive.html#storylink=cpy

Announcing I CAN Learn® Online Version 2.0

This article is from Bradenton Herald 

JRL Enterprises, Inc. has just released the next-generation version of I CAN Learn® Online. This brand new, highly advanced interface greatly expands the online learning possibilities offered by this powerful, proven math program.

Accessible 24/7, I CAN Learn® Online offers full-curriculum math instruction tailored to the K-12, Home School, and Higher Education markets. As a bonus, new online users can get a 50% discount through March 2012 by using the coupon code ICLHALFOFF when prompted in the shopping cart. Customized learning models include:

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/03/06/3921051/announcing-i-can-learn-online.html#storylink=cpy

Pushing Free Online Learning in a New Direction

This article is from Bloomberg Business Week

Business professors from several top universities in the U.S. are among a dozen instructors participating in one of the online education market’s latest experiments, a new website called the Faculty Project. Like many free online course offerings, the program, launched in late January, allows professors to upload free courses and supplementary course material. What makes it unique is that it also allows professors to interact with students, and students with each other, via online discussion boards. It is an offshoot of Udemy, a for-profit company launched in 2010 that lets people design and sell courses through its online platform.

MCC's Adult Education Program Gets Financial Boost

This article is from Huntley Patch 

McHenry County College is getting $20,000 from the Chicago Tribune Charities to develop a new class for its Adult Education program.

The Friends of MCC Foundation received the funding through the charity’s Holiday Campaign_ a fund of the  McCormick Foundation, according to an MCC press release.

MCC will be able to develop a first year student orientation class for Adult Education students transitioning from GED or ESL classes into post-secondary education.

Publicly Traded Ed. Companies Are Rare

This article is from Education Week

K12 Inc., the nation's largest provider of online precollegiate education, was launched in 2000 and went public seven years later after raising about $140 million in revenue. Like other companies, it moved from being privately held to being publicly traded to raise more money quickly, increase brand awareness, and accelerate business goals.

The company now works with more than 2,000 U.S. school districts and reported $522.4 million in revenue last fiscal year. "No school district could ever invest what we do and get the productivity we get," said Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Packard. He said his company invests about $40 million a year in new technology and programs.

Missouri Approves Anthem College Online Healthcare Programs

This article is from PRWeb 

The State of Missouri has approved online healthcare education programs offered by Anthem College Online for its residents.

“Online learning has become an important component for adult students,” says Darcy Richardson, Division President for Anthem College Online. “Many of the students who come to us for education and training lead very full lives, so the flexibility and convenience of online learning allows them to pursue their educational goals without disrupting their jobs and families. We are pleased to open our virtual doors to Missouri residents looking to further their careers with the help of higher education.”

Online school advocates sue over funding cuts

This article is from The Bellingham Herald 

Advocates of online learning programs have sued Washington state in a bid to piggy back on the recent state Supreme Court ruling that said the Legislature had failed to meet its constitutional duty to fully pay for basic education. 

The online learning lawsuit was filed in King County and is linked here. In a news release issued this week by Washington Families for Online Learning, which is linked here, former state Republican lawmaker Gigi Talcott of Lakewood and fellow activists say: 

Since the establishment of online public school programs in 2005 via HB 5828, there has been no question that online learning is a delivery model for basic education under state law. Accordingly, students enrolled in state-approved online public schools have received the full Basic Education Allocation (BEA) per FTE student as students enrolled in traditional public schools—until the Legislature decided it could “save” money with a 15% cut in 2011. Now students enrolled in online public schools receive just 85% of BEA while students in traditional public schools continue to receive 100% funding.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/02/15/2395038/online-school-advocates-sue-over.html#storylink=cpy

BlueVolt Wins Gold In Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Technology Awards

This article is from PRWeb

BlueVolt (http://www.BlueVolt.com), the leading provider of online learning management systems (LMS) for the manufacturing, construction and service industries, is the winner of the Brandon Hall Gold Award for the Best Advance in Rewards and Recognition Technology for its innovative $BlueBucks rewards program.

$BlueBucks is a built-in, pay-for-performance system that excites and rewards learners as they successfully complete training through their company’s LMS or online University powered by BlueVolt. Proven to increase online course enrollments up to ten times, adding $BlueBucks to training ensures more learners successfully complete the courses companies often spend hours developing and promoting. Learners may redeem their $BlueBucks rewards for virtual gift cards at hundreds of retailers nationwide, the purchase of future courses, or donate to charity.