#2. Cost-Effective: Traditional classroom training can be expensive due to travel and accommodation costs. With SAP HCM online training in I

[rhsofttech2023]

A Guide to SAP HCM Online Training in India

[millaphleb]

Online Phlebotomy Classes: How to Train for a Career in Healthcare from Home

With‌ the increasing demand for healthcare⁢ professionals,‌ pursuing ​a career in ⁢phlebotomy can ‌be ‍a rewarding and fulfilling choice. Phlebotomists are responsible for drawing blood⁢ from patients for ⁣medical testing, transfusions, donations, and research purposes.‌ If you are interested in joining this essential field but have limited time or ​resources to attend traditional classes, online ​phlebotomy classes can be the perfect‍ solution for ‍you. In this article, we will discuss how you can train for a career in healthcare from ‍the comfort of your own⁣ home through online phlebotomy classes.

### Benefits of Online Phlebotomy⁤ Classes Online phlebotomy classes offer⁢ numerous‌ benefits for individuals looking to kickstart their ​career in healthcare. Some of the key advantages ​include:

1. **Flexibility**: Online classes allow you to study at your own pace and schedule,⁣ making⁢ it ideal for working professionals or⁢ individuals⁤ with other commitments. 2. **Cost-Effective**: Online courses⁤ are often ‌more affordable than traditional in-person classes, saving you money⁣ on⁢ commuting⁢ and accommodation expenses. 3. **Accessibility**: With online classes, you can access course materials and lectures from anywhere with⁣ an internet connection, eliminating the need to travel to a physical classroom.

### How ⁣to Train for a Career in Healthcare ​from Home Here are some practical steps to help you get started with online phlebotomy classes:

1. **Research Accredited Programs**: Look for​ accredited online phlebotomy programs that ⁤meet industry standards and‌ requirements. 2. **Create a Study Schedule**: Develop a study‌ schedule that fits your daily routine and allows ⁢you to dedicate sufficient time to coursework and practice. 3. **Invest in Quality Equipment**: Purchase high-quality phlebotomy kits and practice materials to hone your skills ⁣and familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade. 4. **Seek ‌Hands-On Training Opportunities**: While online classes provide⁢ theoretical knowledge, consider seeking ⁤hands-on training through ​local⁤ healthcare facilities or ⁢clinics to gain practical⁢ experience. 5. **Stay ⁣Engaged**: Actively participate in online discussions, review course materials ⁤regularly, and seek⁤ help from instructors or classmates when needed.

### Case Study: Emily’s Journey to Becoming a Certified Phlebotomist Emily, a full-time mom, always ⁢had a passion for healthcare but found it challenging to pursue ⁣a traditional education due to her ⁣responsibilities at home.⁤ She decided to enroll in an⁣ online phlebotomy program, allowing her to balance her studies with her family commitments.‌ Through hard work and dedication, Emily⁢ successfully completed her online classes,‍ passed the certification exam, and is now working as a certified⁣ phlebotomist at a local hospital.

### First-Hand⁣ Experience: ​John’s Testimonial on Online Phlebotomy Classes John, a recent ⁣high school graduate, was eager​ to start his career in healthcare but was unsure where to begin. After ⁤researching online options, John enrolled in an accredited ‌phlebotomy program and was impressed by the quality of instruction and ⁢support he received. Despite initial doubts about online learning, John found the experience rewarding and now works ⁤as a phlebotomist at a ‌reputable medical facility.

online phlebotomy classes offer a convenient and ​flexible way to train for a career in healthcare from home. By choosing accredited programs, creating a study ‌schedule, investing in quality equipment, seeking hands-on training opportunities, and staying engaged, you can prepare‌ yourself for a successful career as a phlebotomist. ⁣Whether‌ you⁤ are a busy professional, stay-at-home parent, ⁢or recent graduate, online phlebotomy classes can help you achieve your career ⁢goals ‍in the healthcare industry. Embark on‍ this exciting journey today and take the first ‌step towards a ‍fulfilling and ‍rewarding career in phlebotomy.

https://phlebotomycertificationcourse.net/online-phlebotomy-classes-how-to-train-for-a-career-in-healthcare-from-home/

[maxlearn-microlearning-platform]

Evolution of Regulatory and Compliance Training: Embracing Microlearning Platforms

In today's corporate environment, regulatory and compliance training are indispensable for ensuring legal adherence, mitigating risks, and fostering a culture of ethical conduct within organizations. Traditional training methods often struggle to engage employees effectively and keep pace with evolving regulatory landscapes. However, the emergence of microlearning platforms presents a dynamic solution to these challenges. This article explores the transformative impact of microlearning in regulatory and compliance training, drawing insights from the MaxLearn blog on risk mitigation through compliance obligations.

 The Role of Regulatory and Compliance Training

Regulatory and compliance training serves critical purposes within organizations:

- Legal Compliance: Educates employees about laws, regulations, and industry standards to prevent legal violations and penalties.

- Risk Management: Identifies and addresses compliance risks to safeguard organizational reputation and operational integrity.

- Ethical Standards: Promotes ethical behavior and corporate governance, reinforcing organizational values and principles.

 Microlearning: Redefining Training Delivery

Microlearning involves delivering educational content in short, focused modules typically ranging from 5 to 10 minutes. This approach is particularly effective in regulatory and compliance training due to its:

- Accessibility: Enables employees to access training modules anytime, anywhere, using various devices, facilitating continuous learning and flexibility.

- Engagement: Delivers information in concise segments, maintaining learner interest and enhancing knowledge retention.

- Interactivity: Incorporates quizzes, simulations, and case studies to reinforce learning outcomes and practical application of compliance knowledge.

- Scalability: Facilitates scalable training initiatives across large organizations, ensuring consistent delivery of compliance education.

 Benefits of Microlearning in Regulatory and Compliance Training

Microlearning platforms offer numerous advantages that enhance the effectiveness of regulatory and compliance training efforts:

1. Flexibility: Allows employees to complete training modules at their own pace, accommodating diverse learning preferences and schedules.

2. Personalization: Tailors learning experiences to individual employee roles and responsibilities, ensuring relevance and engagement.

3. Cost-Efficiency: Reduces training costs associated with traditional methods, such as travel expenses and classroom rentals.

4. Real-Time Updates: Enables prompt dissemination of updates on regulatory changes and new compliance requirements, ensuring timely adherence.

 Practical Applications of Microlearning Platforms

Integrating microlearning into regulatory and compliance training can be implemented through practical strategies:

- Modular Content Development: Breaks down complex regulatory topics into manageable modules, facilitating easier comprehension and application.

- Interactive Assessments: Embeds quizzes and assessments within modules to evaluate learner understanding and provide immediate feedback.

- Gamification Elements: Incorporates game-like features such as badges and leaderboards to incentivize participation and enhance learning engagement.

 Challenges and Considerations

While microlearning platforms offer significant benefits, organizations must address certain challenges during implementation:

- Content Design: Developing concise yet comprehensive microlearning modules requires expertise in instructional design and regulatory knowledge.

- Technological Integration: Ensuring seamless compatibility with existing learning management systems (LMS) and IT infrastructure for optimal delivery.

- Evaluation and Adaptation: Monitoring learner progress and assessing the effectiveness of microlearning modules in achieving compliance objectives.

 Insights from MaxLearn Blog

The MaxLearn blog underscores the critical role of compliance obligations in mitigating risks and enhancing organizational resilience. By leveraging microlearning platforms, organizations can streamline compliance training efforts, reduce compliance risks, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

 Conclusion

Microlearning platforms represent a revolutionary approach to regulatory and compliance training, offering flexibility, engagement, and scalability that traditional methods often lack. By delivering targeted content in bite-sized formats, microlearning ensures that employees acquire and retain essential compliance knowledge while adapting to regulatory changes effectively. As organizations navigate increasingly stringent compliance requirements, integrating microlearning into training strategies becomes essential for maintaining compliance, managing risks proactively, and upholding organizational integrity.

[projectmanagement123]

Navigating the Learning Curve: Online vs. Classroom Training for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Introduction

Embarking on the journey to becoming a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is a decision full of personal and professional growth possibilities. One of the most important choices aspiring Green Belts must make is the type of training – online or traditional classroom sessions. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of both options, to help you decide on the best way to obtain your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

1. Flexibility and Convenience: The Online Advantage

Online Training:

In an age where time is a precious commodity, online training offers unparalleled flexibility. Students can access content, lectures and research at their own pace, and fit education into their schedules with ease. This is especially beneficial for working professionals or those with family commitments.

Classroom Training:

Traditional classroom training follows a specific format, requiring participants to commit to a specific amount of time. While a structured environment can be beneficial for some, it can pose challenges for those with multiple responsibilities.

2. Interactivity and Collaboration: The Classroom Experience

Online Training:

Critics of online learning often cite the lack of face-to-face interaction as a drawback. While advances in virtual classrooms and platforms mitigate this to some extent, the experience can still be isolating. Collaborative projects may need additional effort to coordinate with peers spread across geographies.

Classroom Training:

The traditional classroom environment allows for real-time interaction with teachers and peers. Discussion, group activities and immediate clarification of doubts contribute to an active learning environment. This can be crucial for those who succeed in interpersonal communication.

3. Cost Considerations: Balancing the Budget

Online Training:

Online courses are generally much more cost-effective. With no expense in terms of material resources, travel or accommodation, students can access quality Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training without breaking the bank. This can be particularly attractive for individuals on a budget or looking to maximize returns on their investments.

Classroom Training:

Conversely, classroom training tends to be costly due to the associated office space, instructor fees, and logistics. However, some students may justify the investment for an immersive learning experience and direct access to experienced teachers.

4. Learning Styles: Tailoring Education to Individual Needs

Online Training:

Online courses address a variety of learning styles through multimedia presentations, quizzes, and immersive modules. Individuals who prefer autonomy in their curriculum may find online training more aligned with their preferences.

Classroom Training:

Classroom training provides a structured, directed learning experience. This traditional approach may be more appropriate for the learning style of students who thrive in the classroom, with immediate feedback and hands-on activities

5. Technological Proficiency: Embracing the Digital Age

Online Training:

To be successful in online training, students need to be comfortable navigating digital platforms, accessing resources, and participating in virtual conversations. Those with strong digital literacy will find online learning a simple and efficient option.

Classroom Training:

While classroom training does not require the same technical skills, it does require the physical presence of participants. For individuals who may encounter difficulties with transportation or transportation, online courses are an attractive option.

Conclusion: The Right Fit for You

In the debate between online and classroom training for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Ultimately, your choice depends on your personal preferences, learning style, schedule, and budget constraints. Whether you choose to offer a convenient online course or an immersive classroom environment experience, the key is choosing an approach that aligns with your goals and puts you on the path to success with Lean Six Sigma . 

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Mastering Your HR Management: SAP HCM Online Training in India

In the fast-evolving landscape of human resources management, businesses are constantly seeking efficient solutions to streamline their processes. This is where SAP HCM (Human Capital Management) comes into play, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to manage various HR functions. With the rise of online education, SAP HCM online training in India has emerged as a convenient and effective way to master this essential system.

Why Choose SAP HCM Online Training?

SAP HCM encompasses a range of critical HR processes such as payroll, talent management, workforce planning, and employee administration. Mastering these functionalities demands a thorough understanding of the software, and online training brings several advantages to the table.

1.Flexibility: Online training allows you to learn at your own pace, fitting seamlessly into your existing schedule. Whether you're a working professional or a student, you can access the course content when it's most convenient for you.

2. Cost-Effective: Traditional classroom training can be expensive due to travel and accommodation costs. With SAP HCM online training in India, you can save on these expenses while still receiving high-quality education.

3. Comprehensive Curriculum: Reputable online training providers offer comprehensive courses that cover all aspects of SAP HCM. From basic concepts to advanced modules, you can gain a deep understanding of the system.

SAP HCM Online Training in India: What to Expect

India has become a hub for online education, and SAP HCM training is no exception. When enrolling in such a course, here's what you can expect:

1. Expert Trainers: Reputed online training platforms collaborate with industry experts to deliver high-quality instruction. You'll receive guidance from professionals who understand both SAP HCM and the HR domain.

2. Hands-on Experience: Practical exposure is crucial when learning SAP HCM. Look for courses that offer hands-on exercises and simulations to reinforce your understanding.

3. Certification: Many online courses provide certification upon completion, which can significantly enhance your resume and job prospects.

Conclusion

As businesses recognize the importance of effective HR management, proficiency in SAP HCM has become a valuable skill. With the convenience and flexibility of SAP HCM online training in India, aspiring HR professionals, existing HR personnel, and even business owners can acquire the necessary expertise to manage their human capital efficiently. By choosing a reputable online training platform, you can embark on a journey to master SAP HCM, boost your career prospects, and contribute to the success of your organization's HR endeavors.

[iesonlines-blog]

Importance of E-Learning

Overview of e-learning.

It is a digital education that is done outside of the class/instituted/universities using modern technologies with the internet and laptop. Anyone who is using e-learning will be aware of the impact and convenience it is. Today people first research whatever the doubt is rather than physical queries or practical checking.

Emails and lectures for student-based, video conferencing for official and corporates to participate and to give their view on a particular topic and discuss further.

E-learning in India

E-Learning is a platform for sharing knowledge at one channel such as e-books and webinars and more.it has revolutionized the conventional method of chalk and blackboard style, this makes user easy by accessing any time, anywhere, with few or many users with some restrictions. whether you’re an expert or beginner its popularity has reached skyrocket over the past number of months after the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is affordable, cost, and time-efficient to guide students and to train employees, in return employee benefits from convenient training that enhances there silks and knowledge.

E-learning Education

An Analytical look at the benefits of online training will make us consider how students, teacher, and institute want to get relevant and easily accessible content

❖ It can accommodate everyone's needs.

❖ Can take time based on student or teacher.

❖ It ensures quick delivery of the lesson, compares to the traditional form of classroom education, whereas e-learning provides an expeditious and exclusive delivery lesson.

❖ The method of learning made available at the lowest cost, e-learning is the quickest form of education, the long training period. Infrastructure, stationery costs also traveling expenses will be reduced.

❖ It makes information easy to grasp and absorb, the audio and video helps in remembering knowledge for a longer period of time

Benefits /Advantages of e-learning

Technologies have the best impact on various industries, Markets, Schools, institutions,s, and universities. Advancement has introduced changing the way we live, work, and study.

Higher education has gone significant upgrades since the expansion of e-learning trends.it seems that work progress is going in the right direction.

1)Accessibility

Access to study material unlimited times, you can study your courses anytime and anywhere. For students moving to a different country is not only an option. E-learning eliminates all restrictions allowing all individuals from all over the world to complete the courses and training.

2) Effective result

Digital education can be more effective, the students can grapes more information and flexibility increased, the positive impact of E-learning practice also brings better results for an organization.

3) Self-paced Learning

E-learning courses help an individual to enjoy a self-paced learning schedule, they can study according to their own time, Being easier to incorporate learning in their busy life regardlessly of the specific.

4)Quick lesson delivery

Digital learning facilitates a reduction in learning time by even up to 60%, Compare to the classroom method of learning, It also reduces the study time by the following consideration

● A single section can wrap up the entire lesson.

● A student does not require to maintain quick grasping power compare to the class method of learning.

● Student can focus on study material en numbers of time which they find them difficult

● The learner does not have to travel to a certain institution which eliminating travel computing.

5)Environmental Impact

The impact of E-learning has a promotional value of Eco-friendly environment, Activists are encouraging sustainability practice in all educational institutions, Industries, and market.

It is a paperless form of learning Education system, According to statics e-learning reduces 90% of consumption.

6)Improved matrics

Keeping a close tab on student progress and taking action based on the result can be possible in a physical classroom. E-learning on the other hand provides an effective learning system and is a cost-effective management system.

7)Resources scalability

Its been continuously noticed it has a wide range of resources requirements, A single instructor isn’t able to teach a high number of students in one classroom or at corporate training institutions. With e-learning on the other hand they reach the educators in virtual infinite with money and time saved more resources can be prevented as well. It enhances the productivity of both the learning and teaching process.

Student helpful guide of E-learning

Online training can accommodate everyone's needs, learning makes us consider how students, teachers, and institutions get relevant and easily accessible content.

★ It offers access to an exclusive portfolio on study material,

★ E-learning helps you to maintain sync with the modern learner and updated trends.

★ Recorded lesson and written content to collaborative learning software and webinars, possibilities to log in multiple times with easy access to the internet.

★ Retain information for a longer period of time.

★ Improved scores on evolution (test, certification)Etc

★ Students can focus solely on learning material areas relevant to them.

★ Learning through e-mode is fast and easy so it’s naturally decreased expenses occur.

★ We lived in a fast-paced world, traditional learning is often an obstacle, due to outdated learning resources, digital learning makes it possible to update the study materials fast and in real-time, Keep content fresh in quickly changing environments.

[gyrussystemm]

Everything about a Learning Management System

A Learning Management System is an innovative software application used by businesses and organizations to train their employees and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. A cloud-based Training Management System gives you a full platform to manage all eLearning, Instructor-Led Training (ILT) – in Classrooms and Webinars, Assessments and Certifications in a scalable and cost-effective solution

A Learning Management system is no more a luxury but a necessity for a successful organization.

Here in this blog, you will find all the necessary information regarding the usages, features, benefits, implementation, and need of a Learning Management System.

How Do You Know That Your Organization Needs an LMS?

With an increasing need to train and develop employees, organizations are continuously looking for ways to deliver training efficiently. As a solution, the use of learning management systems has become a major trend that you too can take advantage of as a business owner.

Below mentioned are a few signs indicating the need to invest in an LMS:

1. You are unable to analyze the effectiveness of training - If your current training method is not helping you evaluate training effectiveness, an LMS can help. It helps you analyze how well your employees are grasping the knowledge and determine productivity improvements.

2. You have a huge burden of costs - Classroom training can be very expensive, due to venue costs, trainer fees, travel, and related expenditures. However, all of these costs can be minimized by using an LMS.

3. You are revamping your product line - If you are planning to completely revamp your product line or even making smaller changes, you will need to re-educate your employees, and an LMS can help you manage the process.

4. You wish to provide compliance training - An LMS helps you deliver effective compliance training to all your employees more efficiently than classroom training. A good LMS will also help you track your employee’s compliance.

5. You wish to train employees in a remote location - Many organizations now have a diverse workforce working at different locations around the world. An LMS that is easy-to-log-in from potentially any remote location creates a central point from which to provide training no matter where your employees are.

The Benefits of a Learning Management System

The Benefits of a Learning Management System (LMS) are quite wide and can contain everything from basic functionality to cool recently implemented features.

1. An LMS Compliments the Learning Strategy - LMS is not only for E-learning activities! When establishing an appropriate blended learning strategy and increasing departmental efficiency, the LMS should be the first place you look. Learning Management Systems have the unique ability to act as an actionable content repository, in which you can assign learning object status to a wide arrangement of file types, host Instructor-led Training (ILT) offerings, and quickly reference all the available learnings accessible to your organization. Aligning all of this functionality into one place an LMS is truly a powerful offering for any organization. Ultimately reducing time spent in content production by avoidance of unnecessary redundancy and through the accessibility of vastly approachable materials.

2. It Benefits the Accessibility - A properly configured LMS can be reached from anywhere in the world, allowing for a large commitment to utilization. Modern-day LMS, also often fully support Mobile functionalities, allowing the user to select their preferred platform when accessing their learnings. The LMS has made it so that learning is no longer confined to computer labs within organizations. All that is required is a device, a browser, sign-in credentials, and a domain.

3. An LMS Offers Advanced Reporting Functionality - A Learning Management System gives you the capability to monitor and evaluate all of the actions conducted within the system, who has undergone what training? Who needs additional learning? What learning plan can be assigned to close an overall gap within roles within particular organizations? These are all questions that can be answered, concisely, and immediately within an LMS platform.

4. An LMS Benefits the Personal Development - An LMS is a virtual playground for learning and development personnel. A modern-day LMS needs to have the foresight to accommodate innovative new features such as gamification (in all of its potential forms), social learning, and file types as they become more and more regulated going forward.

How to Find the Right Learning Management System for Employee Training?

Employee training has always been one of the most important concerns of businesses around the world. But traditional training methods consume much time and costs in the process. This is why modern-day entrepreneurs are getting inclined towards the LMS or learning management system’ which is known to create a virtual learning environment for the perfect delivery of online training courses.

Below-mentioned is some tips to choose the right LMS for your employees’ training:

1. Look Towards Your Enterprise Goals - Before you make the purchase, you should clearly define your goals, as to why you need to have an LMS. Such as for improving employee productivity, lowering the training costs, increase compliance, or for any other allied reason. You won’t be able to buy the right LMS if you don’t have an ultimate goal in your mind.

2. Determine Administration Needs for e-Learning - To make sure that the online platform offers you the maximum out of it, you need to analyze your administrative needs, and keep a check on the following: User Interface Easy options to upload organization data and course materials An online library where all the e-content (such as reference materials) can be stored A reporting panel to show which employees have completed the lessons and what amount of time they spent in the module. Analytics on your training program

3. Determine the Learning Needs of Enterprise - To select the most effective platform for your employees, you must determine the size of the user base, i.e. the number of employees, who would be using the LMS for learning new skills. Not just this, you will need to make sure that the employees get access to a range of content types, such as video, written, and audio content.

What Feature to Look for While Buying an LMS?

Purchasing a new online learning platform? You must keep a check on the important features of an LMS and ignore all the unnecessary ones.

1. Responsive Design - First of all, you must ensure that the LMS has a responsive design, so that the learning material is easily accessible on any device, for example, smartphones or tablets.

2. eLearning Assessment Tools - The LMS must have inbuilt features that support a variety of eLearning assessment methods or tools, such as eLearning templates. Also, there must be an assessment tracking feature to determine the progress of learning among users.

3. Intuitive User Interface - If the users aren’t able to navigate through the LMS platform or use the UI, there’s no point in investing in an LMS. Hence, always choose an LMS that has an intuitive user interface.

4. Reports and Analytics - To make sure that your online training objectives are met, you must purchase an LMS that has both a ‘reporting and analytics’ feature.

5. Data Security - Always invest in an LMS that has data security measures in place, for example, encryption protocols and protected servers.

How to Efficiently Choose and LMS?

Confused about which LMS to choose for your project or your organization? Choosing a Learning Management System is no easy task. To do so, one must identify the needs of their organization and which features are necessary.

1. Determine your objectives in advance - Ask yourself this set of questions before choosing an LMS: What are your development objectives?? What skill-sets are required? What sort of content are the learners expecting? Answering these questions will help you shape the correct direction for your organization to meet all of its learning and development needs. Most importantly keep the need of the audience in mind throughout the selection process.

2. Make a list of key features you need- Identifying the features you need is the most important step in choosing an LMS, as it will allow you to shortlist the solutions that will create the most effective e-learning course for your audience.

3. Consider the technical limitations - When you choose a new LMS you need to know how the new learning system will be integrated with your current software. When you choose a new LMS you need to know how the new learning system will be integrated with your current software.

4. Observe a demo - In modern business, we are afforded the ability to check and double-check before selecting a product or service. Almost all LMS vendors will provide a demo or trial period for testing their products before your purchase. Do not hesitate to ask for a live demonstration or trial period that will allow you to see your potential LMS in action.

How to implement an LMS successfully?

The Implementation Process of an LMS does not have to be frustrating, and we here at Gyrus do all that we can to help our clients in any manner we can.

• Tune your Product, Process, and Content - Set the interaction parameters within your environment, how do you want it to look with attention to branding and reports? Have you taken the steps to prepare your content for the impending migration?

• Define Organizational Roles and Permissions - Take this time to identify system users and define their roles and permissions. In this step, you can identify key stakeholders required to test the system.

• Test Your System in a Secure Environment - By setting up a test environment, users can identify issues from migrating data from a legacy system, which can be corrected and enhanced before the Organization’s Go-Live date.

• Perform Final Tune-up - Correct any entry issues and utilize stakeholder feedback to determine any necessary changes before the product launch.

• Launch your LMS Platform - After your system has been filled with organizational data, branded, tested, tested again, and the stakeholders have been trained. You are ready to Go-Live!

Do you already have an LMS but with an older version? Time to Replace it.

If you already own an LMS, but it has outdated with the time, it is important to replace it with the latest version. Below mentioned are the reasons to replace an outdated LMS.

LMS Lacks Integration with Other Systems

LMS' User Interface Is Non-Intuitive

LMS is Non-Compatible with Mobile

LMS is Missing Valuable Reporting and Analytics

Wondering what is the future of an LMS?

The LMS market over the last 10 years has seen an incredible uptick in innovations. From how materials and content are written, all the way to how they are being hosted. A shift has occurred seemingly overnight in the way we learn on the job. The following are some of the reasons why coupled with exploratory prose as to where these endeavors could take the LMS industry in the very near future:

• Gamification - Gamifying learnings is an incredibly unique approach that demands the attention of a user when executed appropriately, the learning output can be on par with just about any other manner of knowledge transfer in existence.

• Social Learning - Companies are now starting to realize the interrelations of social media platforms and the ability to carry over some of the training and development to after hours, as well as using public badging as a reward, allowing for employees to proudly display some of their accomplishments externally.

• E-learnings - E-learnings are here, and they have been here a while. It seems that even agency-based Marketing firms are jumping on the developmental platform, and that is a very good thing. E-learnings have transitioned quite well into our daily lives. E-learnings at this moment are one of the most exciting aspects of the Learning Industry. Some recent ideas that are currently exciting developers are the inclusion of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality environments.

• Mobile Content - Mobile eLearning content is possibly some of the most under-utilized in the field. M-Learning is here and getting better every day. For the business professional on the go, spending 100+ days on the road, there is now the ability to stay up to date on product changes and advancements that have never existed before. As smartphones and tablets constantly evolve, the abilities of the content can as well, causing a bright future of smarter on-the-go instructional design, and app creation which can make apps as quickly as the educational program at your organization requires.

[corpasa]

14 Education Advancements in a Year

When I went to school, it was all about the 3Rs, desks in rows, and a teacher lecturing from the front of the room. The past decade saw significant improvements in the application of technology to learning and 2017 became a tipping point where embedding technology into education finally moved from fringe to mainstream, remaking classrooms in the image of the future. Following is a list of fourteen such changes that have set 2018 up to be the most student-centered, transformative year ever.

1. More Chromebooks than iPads

Chromebooks and iPads have become the two most popular digital devices in classrooms (with laptops, 2-in-1 devices like Surface Pro, and Macs next). Because they serve significantly different student needs, it seemed they were destined to share the education market. What changed in 2017 is that 1) Chromebooks improved considerably from when they first entered the education market. They are now more durable, easier to use and access, and continue to be a low-cost serviceable option. 2) Cloud storage became common and affordable (or free). Classrooms now are more likely to store student files in the cloud (OneDrive or Google Drive for example) than on school servers allowing students to access their work from school and home. This is the Chromebook’s sweet spot–it predominantly works in the Cloud. What was a disadvantage five years ago is now an advantage.

For a comparison of iPads vs. Chromebooks, here’s a comprehensive look from Lifewire and here’s Forbes’ experience after 30 days with a Chromebook.

2. More online access to class materials

Where students used to rely on school servers to store classwork, which couldn’t be accessed at home, now Cloud storage is common, cheap, and easily accessed. Whether it be via Google Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, or another option (like Box), it’s much easier for students to start a project at school, finish at home, and then submit it via the Cloud. No worries about losing it in a backpack or having it eaten by a rambunctious dog.

3. Dedicated teacher training

A 2014 study conducted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found many teachers felt learning in a seminar or workshop — what is commonly referred to as the “sit ‘n’ get” model of professional development — didn’t work for them.  It required wasted time traveling, expensive hotels and plane fares, and then sifting through too much generalization to find what suited their specific needs.  In 2017, it became common to replace this sort of all-in-one training with microbadges, online courses, and personalized plans created by the teacher. Educators can access sites like Bloomboard, Annenberg, and Kyte Learning, find courses specifically suited to their needs, and take them from the comfort of their home according to their schedule.

4. Personalized student learning

Differentiated learning traditionally means offering lesson plan options that suit varied student needs. Frankly, it hasn’t been popular with teachers in the past. While the concept is great, the implementation is prohibitive in the one area teachers already don’t have enough of: time. How do they identify specific student needs, create a dozen different lesson plans to accommodate those, and then roll each out to only the student who would benefit from it?

In 2017, this was solved. Treating students as partners in learning meant teachers presented material in a variety of ways (audio, video, written, games, and more). Students then selected the approach best-suited to their individual learning style. Sites such as Kiddom made the roll-out easy by automating the general steps and letting teachers fill in the specifics. For example, a book report can be shared as a podcast, a video, or a comic as long as it satisfies standards and provides evidence of the student learning.

5. Less about textbooks and more about authentic resources

Textbooks used to be de rigueur in a classroom. Now, they’re reference material. 2017 lessons were enriched with teacher-curated resources shared through intuitive programs like Edmodo, Google Drive, and PearDeck. Teachers provided links, PDFs, videos, and other materials with the lesson plans that could be quickly changed year-to-year. No more waiting for the expensive update to a textbook. Now, teachers find the right materials (say, through sources like Teachers Pay Teachers and StructuredLearning) and push them out immediately to students.

6. Greater acceptance of technology as a tool

Using technology in teaching has long been delegated to the digitally-adept teachers. The surprise of 2017 was that 75% of teachers incorporated technology into lessons. One reason is that teacher tech training has systemically and diligently filled in the knowledge holes. Another is that digital tools are much more user-friendly, intuitive to use, and easier to setup than at any time in the past. Me, I only recommend tools that are easily understood and implemented.

7. Easier to adapt for the differentiated needs of students

Differentiating for varied student needs has always been a dream resting on a shaky foundation. Teachers would love to do this but [fill in the blank]: Who has time? Where are the resources? Don’t most students learn best with reading and lecturing? 2017’s wide breadth of tech tools makes it much easier to differentiate quickly and effectively. As tools became more user-friendly, as schools and Districts devoted more time and money to training in the use of technology, as online self-directed learning became more common (think of YouTube), teachers started to find exactly what they needed and then use it productively.

8. Focus on product rather than process

Where teachers used to provide a checklist of required pieces for a project, now, that rubric focuses on goals. Teachers provide the guidelines and suggest methods. Students select what suits their individual learning and communicating style. In this way, teachers support higher-order thinking like critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills serve students throughout life rather than just within the walls of the schoolhouse.

9. Teacher as guide

Where “guide on the side not sage on the stage” used to be a maxim thrown out to show a teacher’s commitment to change, in 2017, the former became more common than uncommon in classes. Rows of desks facing forward have been replaced with grouped “tables” where students collaborate and the teacher walks around to assist. Rubrics that focused on a ToDo list now call out the higher-order thinking required to solve problems. Teachers became less focused on answering a question (acting the part of keeper of knowledge) and more likely to help students think through the process. Proof of this change is the over 100 million students who have participated in Hour of Code, a programming activity where students learn to create a process, troubleshoot, try again, and repeat until they get the desired answer.

10. Shared responsibility

Where classrooms used to be the purview of teachers, now schools expect parents and students to participate as fully-committed partners with the teacher and school. Educators are accepting what business learned long ago: To reach student goals requires teamwork. That means collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

For ideas on how that is happening, check out this list of parents-as-partners articles.

11. 24-hour help

Teachers used to arrive at school around 7 (ish), leave at 4 (ish) and schedule truncated and often awkward office hours. No matter work demands, parents had to accommodate that schedule. Now, teachers and parents can meet when it suits everyone’s schedule even if it’s evenings or weekends. Teachers have long worried that such an arrangement would make them on call 24 hours a day. In truth, that doesn’t happen. Most parents can meet traditional hours but those that work late now have an easier time catching up with the teacher via Google Hangouts, Skype, or another online virtual meeting forum, thus becoming committed partners in their child’s academic success. In 2017, more teachers accepted this as they would monitoring a school dance or sporting event. And, some schools even offer a stipend to offset the extra time spent in the off hours.

Additionally, with increasing availability of the Internet, students and parents can access classwork and schedules online, from anywhere, twenty-four hours a day. The stress of leaving a required book at school, losing the homework sheet, or forgetting a due date became a thing of the past in 2017 for many schools.

12, Snow days too will soon be a thing of the past

Where the inability to reach school due to weather used to mean lost class time to the teacher and a vacation day for students, 2017 marked a turning point with the acceptance among administrators that there are alternatives. Many began to treat snow days as regular school days albeit through a virtual classroom. Teachers invite students to an internet-based classroom and run the lesson plan from their snow-bound home. Virtual schools have taken the lead in this, proving that online study can be as rigorous and effective as face-to-face activities.

Here are ten places that have replaced snow days with virtual school.

13. Virtual participation

When students are incapacitated through sickness or injury or out of town for unexpected reasons, teachers used to give them a pile of papers to complete. Now, 2017’s inclusive technologies make it possible to invite them to join the class virtually. Through programs like Google Hangouts (free with Google accounts), students can see what’s going on in the class, participate, even screenshare their contributions so they are fully involved in the activity.

Alternatively, some teachers tape classes and make them available to students who couldn’t attend or those who simply want to revisit concepts.

14. Gamification of classes

In the past, gamifying lessons annoyed administrators and frightened parents. By 2017, the gamification of learning finally had the successful track record that allowed it to be accepted as an effective and engaging approach to teaching. Developers stepped up to meet the education interest in teaching history, math, literature, and more. Some of the most popular focus on critical thinking, problem-solving (through choose-your-own-adventure options), and perspective-taking (such as the differing colonial viewpoints on the American Revolution) and ask students to make decisions based on the information they receive.  Studies show that gamifying learning grabs and keeps student attention, inspires them to learn, and sticks with them longer than any other traditional method.

***

Did I miss a trend that motivated you in 2017? Let me know in the comments!

— published first on TeachHUB

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 25 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning. She is also the author of the tech-thriller series, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days.

14 Education Advancements in a Year published first on https://medium.com/@DLBusinessNow

[endevia]

14 Education Advancements in a Year

When I went to school, it was all about the 3Rs, desks in rows, and a teacher lecturing from the front of the room. The past decade saw significant improvements in the application of technology to learning and 2017 became a tipping point where embedding technology into education finally moved from fringe to mainstream, remaking classrooms in the image of the future. Following is a list of fourteen such changes that have set 2018 up to be the most student-centered, transformative year ever.

1. More Chromebooks than iPads

Chromebooks and iPads have become the two most popular digital devices in classrooms (with laptops, 2-in-1 devices like Surface Pro, and Macs next). Because they serve significantly different student needs, it seemed they were destined to share the education market. What changed in 2017 is that 1) Chromebooks improved considerably from when they first entered the education market. They are now more durable, easier to use and access, and continue to be a low-cost serviceable option. 2) Cloud storage became common and affordable (or free). Classrooms now are more likely to store student files in the cloud (OneDrive or Google Drive for example) than on school servers allowing students to access their work from school and home. This is the Chromebook’s sweet spot–it predominantly works in the Cloud. What was a disadvantage five years ago is now an advantage.

For a comparison of iPads vs. Chromebooks, here’s a comprehensive look from Lifewire and here’s Forbes’ experience after 30 days with a Chromebook.

2. More online access to class materials

Where students used to rely on school servers to store classwork, which couldn’t be accessed at home, now Cloud storage is common, cheap, and easily accessed. Whether it be via Google Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, or another option (like Box), it’s much easier for students to start a project at school, finish at home, and then submit it via the Cloud. No worries about losing it in a backpack or having it eaten by a rambunctious dog.

3. Dedicated teacher training

A 2014 study conducted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found many teachers felt learning in a seminar or workshop — what is commonly referred to as the “sit ‘n’ get” model of professional development — didn’t work for them.  It required wasted time traveling, expensive hotels and plane fares, and then sifting through too much generalization to find what suited their specific needs.  In 2017, it became common to replace this sort of all-in-one training with microbadges, online courses, and personalized plans created by the teacher. Educators can access sites like Bloomboard, Annenberg, and Kyte Learning, find courses specifically suited to their needs, and take them from the comfort of their home according to their schedule.

4. Personalized student learning

Differentiated learning traditionally means offering lesson plan options that suit varied student needs. Frankly, it hasn’t been popular with teachers in the past. While the concept is great, the implementation is prohibitive in the one area teachers already don’t have enough of: time. How do they identify specific student needs, create a dozen different lesson plans to accommodate those, and then roll each out to only the student who would benefit from it?

In 2017, this was solved. Treating students as partners in learning meant teachers presented material in a variety of ways (audio, video, written, games, and more). Students then selected the approach best-suited to their individual learning style. Sites such as Kiddom made the roll-out easy by automating the general steps and letting teachers fill in the specifics. For example, a book report can be shared as a podcast, a video, or a comic as long as it satisfies standards and provides evidence of the student learning.

5. Less about textbooks and more about authentic resources

Textbooks used to be de rigueur in a classroom. Now, they’re reference material. 2017 lessons were enriched with teacher-curated resources shared through intuitive programs like Edmodo, Google Drive, and PearDeck. Teachers provided links, PDFs, videos, and other materials with the lesson plans that could be quickly changed year-to-year. No more waiting for the expensive update to a textbook. Now, teachers find the right materials (say, through sources like Teachers Pay Teachers and StructuredLearning) and push them out immediately to students.

6. Greater acceptance of technology as a tool

Using technology in teaching has long been delegated to the digitally-adept teachers. The surprise of 2017 was that 75% of teachers incorporated technology into lessons. One reason is that teacher tech training has systemically and diligently filled in the knowledge holes. Another is that digital tools are much more user-friendly, intuitive to use, and easier to setup than at any time in the past. Me, I only recommend tools that are easily understood and implemented.

7. Easier to adapt for the differentiated needs of students

Differentiating for varied student needs has always been a dream resting on a shaky foundation. Teachers would love to do this but [fill in the blank]: Who has time? Where are the resources? Don’t most students learn best with reading and lecturing? 2017’s wide breadth of tech tools makes it much easier to differentiate quickly and effectively. As tools became more user-friendly, as schools and Districts devoted more time and money to training in the use of technology, as online self-directed learning became more common (think of YouTube), teachers started to find exactly what they needed and then use it productively.

8. Focus on product rather than process

Where teachers used to provide a checklist of required pieces for a project, now, that rubric focuses on goals. Teachers provide the guidelines and suggest methods. Students select what suits their individual learning and communicating style. In this way, teachers support higher-order thinking like critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills serve students throughout life rather than just within the walls of the schoolhouse.

9. Teacher as guide

Where “guide on the side not sage on the stage” used to be a maxim thrown out to show a teacher’s commitment to change, in 2017, the former became more common than uncommon in classes. Rows of desks facing forward have been replaced with grouped “tables” where students collaborate and the teacher walks around to assist. Rubrics that focused on a ToDo list now call out the higher-order thinking required to solve problems. Teachers became less focused on answering a question (acting the part of keeper of knowledge) and more likely to help students think through the process. Proof of this change is the over 100 million students who have participated in Hour of Code, a programming activity where students learn to create a process, troubleshoot, try again, and repeat until they get the desired answer.

10. Shared responsibility

Where classrooms used to be the purview of teachers, now schools expect parents and students to participate as fully-committed partners with the teacher and school. Educators are accepting what business learned long ago: To reach student goals requires teamwork. That means collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

For ideas on how that is happening, check out this list of parents-as-partners articles.

11. 24-hour help

Teachers used to arrive at school around 7 (ish), leave at 4 (ish) and schedule truncated and often awkward office hours. No matter work demands, parents had to accommodate that schedule. Now, teachers and parents can meet when it suits everyone’s schedule even if it’s evenings or weekends. Teachers have long worried that such an arrangement would make them on call 24 hours a day. In truth, that doesn’t happen. Most parents can meet traditional hours but those that work late now have an easier time catching up with the teacher via Google Hangouts, Skype, or another online virtual meeting forum, thus becoming committed partners in their child’s academic success. In 2017, more teachers accepted this as they would monitoring a school dance or sporting event. And, some schools even offer a stipend to offset the extra time spent in the off hours.

Additionally, with increasing availability of the Internet, students and parents can access classwork and schedules online, from anywhere, twenty-four hours a day. The stress of leaving a required book at school, losing the homework sheet, or forgetting a due date became a thing of the past in 2017 for many schools.

12, Snow days too will soon be a thing of the past

Where the inability to reach school due to weather used to mean lost class time to the teacher and a vacation day for students, 2017 marked a turning point with the acceptance among administrators that there are alternatives. Many began to treat snow days as regular school days albeit through a virtual classroom. Teachers invite students to an internet-based classroom and run the lesson plan from their snow-bound home. Virtual schools have taken the lead in this, proving that online study can be as rigorous and effective as face-to-face activities.

Here are ten places that have replaced snow days with virtual school.

13. Virtual participation

When students are incapacitated through sickness or injury or out of town for unexpected reasons, teachers used to give them a pile of papers to complete. Now, 2017’s inclusive technologies make it possible to invite them to join the class virtually. Through programs like Google Hangouts (free with Google accounts), students can see what’s going on in the class, participate, even screenshare their contributions so they are fully involved in the activity.

Alternatively, some teachers tape classes and make them available to students who couldn’t attend or those who simply want to revisit concepts.

14. Gamification of classes

In the past, gamifying lessons annoyed administrators and frightened parents. By 2017, the gamification of learning finally had the successful track record that allowed it to be accepted as an effective and engaging approach to teaching. Developers stepped up to meet the education interest in teaching history, math, literature, and more. Some of the most popular focus on critical thinking, problem-solving (through choose-your-own-adventure options), and perspective-taking (such as the differing colonial viewpoints on the American Revolution) and ask students to make decisions based on the information they receive.  Studies show that gamifying learning grabs and keeps student attention, inspires them to learn, and sticks with them longer than any other traditional method.

***

Did I miss a trend that motivated you in 2017? Let me know in the comments!

— published first on TeachHUB

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 25 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning. She is also the author of the tech-thriller series, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days.

14 Education Advancements in a Year published first on https://medium.com/@greatpricecourse

[evnoweb]

14 Education Advancements in a Year

When I went to school, it was all about the 3Rs, desks in rows, and a teacher lecturing from the front of the room. The past decade saw significant improvements in the application of technology to learning and 2017 became a tipping point where embedding technology into education finally moved from fringe to mainstream, remaking classrooms in the image of the future. Following is a list of fourteen such changes that have set 2018 up to be the most student-centered, transformative year ever.

1. More Chromebooks than iPads

Chromebooks and iPads have become the two most popular digital devices in classrooms (with laptops, 2-in-1 devices like Surface Pro, and Macs next). Because they serve significantly different student needs, it seemed they were destined to share the education market. What changed in 2017 is that 1) Chromebooks improved considerably from when they first entered the education market. They are now more durable, easier to use and access, and continue to be a low-cost serviceable option. 2) Cloud storage became common and affordable (or free). Classrooms now are more likely to store student files in the cloud (OneDrive or Google Drive for example) than on school servers allowing students to access their work from school and home. This is the Chromebook’s sweet spot–it predominantly works in the Cloud. What was a disadvantage five years ago is now an advantage.

For a comparison of iPads vs. Chromebooks, here’s a comprehensive look from Lifewire and here’s Forbes’ experience after 30 days with a Chromebook.

2. More online access to class materials

Where students used to rely on school servers to store classwork, which couldn’t be accessed at home, now Cloud storage is common, cheap, and easily accessed. Whether it be via Google Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, or another option (like Box), it’s much easier for students to start a project at school, finish at home, and then submit it via the Cloud. No worries about losing it in a backpack or having it eaten by a rambunctious dog.

3. Dedicated teacher training

A 2014 study conducted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found many teachers felt learning in a seminar or workshop — what is commonly referred to as the “sit ‘n’ get” model of professional development — didn’t work for them.  It required wasted time traveling, expensive hotels and plane fares, and then sifting through too much generalization to find what suited their specific needs.  In 2017, it became common to replace this sort of all-in-one training with microbadges, online courses, and personalized plans created by the teacher. Educators can access sites like Bloomboard, Annenberg, and Kyte Learning, find courses specifically suited to their needs, and take them from the comfort of their home according to their schedule.

4. Personalized student learning

Differentiated learning traditionally means offering lesson plan options that suit varied student needs. Frankly, it hasn’t been popular with teachers in the past. While the concept is great, the implementation is prohibitive in the one area teachers already don’t have enough of: time. How do they identify specific student needs, create a dozen different lesson plans to accommodate those, and then roll each out to only the student who would benefit from it?

In 2017, this was solved. Treating students as partners in learning meant teachers presented material in a variety of ways (audio, video, written, games, and more). Students then selected the approach best-suited to their individual learning style. Sites such as Kiddom made the roll-out easy by automating the general steps and letting teachers fill in the specifics. For example, a book report can be shared as a podcast, a video, or a comic as long as it satisfies standards and provides evidence of the student learning.

5. Less about textbooks and more about authentic resources

Textbooks used to be de rigueur in a classroom. Now, they’re reference material. 2017 lessons were enriched with teacher-curated resources shared through intuitive programs like Edmodo, Google Drive, and PearDeck. Teachers provided links, PDFs, videos, and other materials with the lesson plans that could be quickly changed year-to-year. No more waiting for the expensive update to a textbook. Now, teachers find the right materials (say, through sources like Teachers Pay Teachers and StructuredLearning) and push them out immediately to students.

6. Greater acceptance of technology as a tool

Using technology in teaching has long been delegated to the digitally-adept teachers. The surprise of 2017 was that 75% of teachers incorporated technology into lessons. One reason is that teacher tech training has systemically and diligently filled in the knowledge holes. Another is that digital tools are much more user-friendly, intuitive to use, and easier to setup than at any time in the past. Me, I only recommend tools that are easily understood and implemented.

7. Easier to adapt for the differentiated needs of students

Differentiating for varied student needs has always been a dream resting on a shaky foundation. Teachers would love to do this but [fill in the blank]: Who has time? Where are the resources? Don’t most students learn best with reading and lecturing? 2017’s wide breadth of tech tools makes it much easier to differentiate quickly and effectively. As tools became more user-friendly, as schools and Districts devoted more time and money to training in the use of technology, as online self-directed learning became more common (think of YouTube), teachers started to find exactly what they needed and then use it productively.

8. Focus on product rather than process

Where teachers used to provide a checklist of required pieces for a project, now, that rubric focuses on goals. Teachers provide the guidelines and suggest methods. Students select what suits their individual learning and communicating style. In this way, teachers support higher-order thinking like critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills serve students throughout life rather than just within the walls of the schoolhouse.

9. Teacher as guide

Where “guide on the side not sage on the stage” used to be a maxim thrown out to show a teacher’s commitment to change, in 2017, the former became more common than uncommon in classes. Rows of desks facing forward have been replaced with grouped “tables” where students collaborate and the teacher walks around to assist. Rubrics that focused on a ToDo list now call out the higher-order thinking required to solve problems. Teachers became less focused on answering a question (acting the part of keeper of knowledge) and more likely to help students think through the process. Proof of this change is the over 100 million students who have participated in Hour of Code, a programming activity where students learn to create a process, troubleshoot, try again, and repeat until they get the desired answer.

10. Shared responsibility

Where classrooms used to be the purview of teachers, now schools expect parents and students to participate as fully-committed partners with the teacher and school. Educators are accepting what business learned long ago: To reach student goals requires teamwork. That means collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

For ideas on how that is happening, check out this list of parents-as-partners articles.

11. 24-hour help

Teachers used to arrive at school around 7 (ish), leave at 4 (ish) and schedule truncated and often awkward office hours. No matter work demands, parents had to accommodate that schedule. Now, teachers and parents can meet when it suits everyone’s schedule even if it’s evenings or weekends. Teachers have long worried that such an arrangement would make them on call 24 hours a day. In truth, that doesn’t happen. Most parents can meet traditional hours but those that work late now have an easier time catching up with the teacher via Google Hangouts, Skype, or another online virtual meeting forum, thus becoming committed partners in their child’s academic success. In 2017, more teachers accepted this as they would monitoring a school dance or sporting event. And, some schools even offer a stipend to offset the extra time spent in the off hours.

Additionally, with increasing availability of the Internet, students and parents can access classwork and schedules online, from anywhere, twenty-four hours a day. The stress of leaving a required book at school, losing the homework sheet, or forgetting a due date became a thing of the past in 2017 for many schools.

12, Snow days too will soon be a thing of the past

Where the inability to reach school due to weather used to mean lost class time to the teacher and a vacation day for students, 2017 marked a turning point with the acceptance among administrators that there are alternatives. Many began to treat snow days as regular school days albeit through a virtual classroom. Teachers invite students to an internet-based classroom and run the lesson plan from their snow-bound home. Virtual schools have taken the lead in this, proving that online study can be as rigorous and effective as face-to-face activities.

Here are ten places that have replaced snow days with virtual school.

13. Virtual participation

When students are incapacitated through sickness or injury or out of town for unexpected reasons, teachers used to give them a pile of papers to complete. Now, 2017’s inclusive technologies make it possible to invite them to join the class virtually. Through programs like Google Hangouts (free with Google accounts), students can see what’s going on in the class, participate, even screenshare their contributions so they are fully involved in the activity.

Alternatively, some teachers tape classes and make them available to students who couldn’t attend or those who simply want to revisit concepts.

14. Gamification of classes

In the past, gamifying lessons annoyed administrators and frightened parents. By 2017, the gamification of learning finally had the successful track record that allowed it to be accepted as an effective and engaging approach to teaching. Developers stepped up to meet the education interest in teaching history, math, literature, and more. Some of the most popular focus on critical thinking, problem-solving (through choose-your-own-adventure options), and perspective-taking (such as the differing colonial viewpoints on the American Revolution) and ask students to make decisions based on the information they receive.  Studies show that gamifying learning grabs and keeps student attention, inspires them to learn, and sticks with them longer than any other traditional method.

***

Did I miss a trend that motivated you in 2017? Let me know in the comments!

— published first on TeachHUB

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 25 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning. She is also the author of the tech-thriller series, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days.

14 Education Advancements in a Year published first on https://medium.com/@DigitalDLCourse

[statrano]

14 Education Advancements in a Year

When I went to school, it was all about the 3Rs, desks in rows, and a teacher lecturing from the front of the room. The past decade saw significant improvements in the application of technology to learning and 2017 became a tipping point where embedding technology into education finally moved from fringe to mainstream, remaking classrooms in the image of the future. Following is a list of fourteen such changes that have set 2018 up to be the most student-centered, transformative year ever.

1. More Chromebooks than iPads

Chromebooks and iPads have become the two most popular digital devices in classrooms (with laptops, 2-in-1 devices like Surface Pro, and Macs next). Because they serve significantly different student needs, it seemed they were destined to share the education market. What changed in 2017 is that 1) Chromebooks improved considerably from when they first entered the education market. They are now more durable, easier to use and access, and continue to be a low-cost serviceable option. 2) Cloud storage became common and affordable (or free). Classrooms now are more likely to store student files in the cloud (OneDrive or Google Drive for example) than on school servers allowing students to access their work from school and home. This is the Chromebook’s sweet spot–it predominantly works in the Cloud. What was a disadvantage five years ago is now an advantage.

For a comparison of iPads vs. Chromebooks, here’s a comprehensive look from Lifewire and here’s Forbes’ experience after 30 days with a Chromebook.

2. More online access to class materials

Where students used to rely on school servers to store classwork, which couldn’t be accessed at home, now Cloud storage is common, cheap, and easily accessed. Whether it be via Google Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, or another option (like Box), it’s much easier for students to start a project at school, finish at home, and then submit it via the Cloud. No worries about losing it in a backpack or having it eaten by a rambunctious dog.

3. Dedicated teacher training

A 2014 study conducted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found many teachers felt learning in a seminar or workshop — what is commonly referred to as the “sit ‘n’ get” model of professional development — didn’t work for them.  It required wasted time traveling, expensive hotels and plane fares, and then sifting through too much generalization to find what suited their specific needs.  In 2017, it became common to replace this sort of all-in-one training with microbadges, online courses, and personalized plans created by the teacher. Educators can access sites like Bloomboard, Annenberg, and Kyte Learning, find courses specifically suited to their needs, and take them from the comfort of their home according to their schedule.

4. Personalized student learning

Differentiated learning traditionally means offering lesson plan options that suit varied student needs. Frankly, it hasn’t been popular with teachers in the past. While the concept is great, the implementation is prohibitive in the one area teachers already don’t have enough of: time. How do they identify specific student needs, create a dozen different lesson plans to accommodate those, and then roll each out to only the student who would benefit from it?

In 2017, this was solved. Treating students as partners in learning meant teachers presented material in a variety of ways (audio, video, written, games, and more). Students then selected the approach best-suited to their individual learning style. Sites such as Kiddom made the roll-out easy by automating the general steps and letting teachers fill in the specifics. For example, a book report can be shared as a podcast, a video, or a comic as long as it satisfies standards and provides evidence of the student learning.

5. Less about textbooks and more about authentic resources

Textbooks used to be de rigueur in a classroom. Now, they’re reference material. 2017 lessons were enriched with teacher-curated resources shared through intuitive programs like Edmodo, Google Drive, and PearDeck. Teachers provided links, PDFs, videos, and other materials with the lesson plans that could be quickly changed year-to-year. No more waiting for the expensive update to a textbook. Now, teachers find the right materials (say, through sources like Teachers Pay Teachers and StructuredLearning) and push them out immediately to students.

6. Greater acceptance of technology as a tool

Using technology in teaching has long been delegated to the digitally-adept teachers. The surprise of 2017 was that 75% of teachers incorporated technology into lessons. One reason is that teacher tech training has systemically and diligently filled in the knowledge holes. Another is that digital tools are much more user-friendly, intuitive to use, and easier to setup than at any time in the past. Me, I only recommend tools that are easily understood and implemented.

7. Easier to adapt for the differentiated needs of students

Differentiating for varied student needs has always been a dream resting on a shaky foundation. Teachers would love to do this but [fill in the blank]: Who has time? Where are the resources? Don’t most students learn best with reading and lecturing? 2017’s wide breadth of tech tools makes it much easier to differentiate quickly and effectively. As tools became more user-friendly, as schools and Districts devoted more time and money to training in the use of technology, as online self-directed learning became more common (think of YouTube), teachers started to find exactly what they needed and then use it productively.

8. Focus on product rather than process

Where teachers used to provide a checklist of required pieces for a project, now, that rubric focuses on goals. Teachers provide the guidelines and suggest methods. Students select what suits their individual learning and communicating style. In this way, teachers support higher-order thinking like critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills serve students throughout life rather than just within the walls of the schoolhouse.

9. Teacher as guide

Where “guide on the side not sage on the stage” used to be a maxim thrown out to show a teacher’s commitment to change, in 2017, the former became more common than uncommon in classes. Rows of desks facing forward have been replaced with grouped “tables” where students collaborate and the teacher walks around to assist. Rubrics that focused on a ToDo list now call out the higher-order thinking required to solve problems. Teachers became less focused on answering a question (acting the part of keeper of knowledge) and more likely to help students think through the process. Proof of this change is the over 100 million students who have participated in Hour of Code, a programming activity where students learn to create a process, troubleshoot, try again, and repeat until they get the desired answer.

10. Shared responsibility

Where classrooms used to be the purview of teachers, now schools expect parents and students to participate as fully-committed partners with the teacher and school. Educators are accepting what business learned long ago: To reach student goals requires teamwork. That means collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

For ideas on how that is happening, check out this list of parents-as-partners articles.

11. 24-hour help

Teachers used to arrive at school around 7 (ish), leave at 4 (ish) and schedule truncated and often awkward office hours. No matter work demands, parents had to accommodate that schedule. Now, teachers and parents can meet when it suits everyone’s schedule even if it’s evenings or weekends. Teachers have long worried that such an arrangement would make them on call 24 hours a day. In truth, that doesn’t happen. Most parents can meet traditional hours but those that work late now have an easier time catching up with the teacher via Google Hangouts, Skype, or another online virtual meeting forum, thus becoming committed partners in their child’s academic success. In 2017, more teachers accepted this as they would monitoring a school dance or sporting event. And, some schools even offer a stipend to offset the extra time spent in the off hours.

Additionally, with increasing availability of the Internet, students and parents can access classwork and schedules online, from anywhere, twenty-four hours a day. The stress of leaving a required book at school, losing the homework sheet, or forgetting a due date became a thing of the past in 2017 for many schools.

12, Snow days too will soon be a thing of the past

Where the inability to reach school due to weather used to mean lost class time to the teacher and a vacation day for students, 2017 marked a turning point with the acceptance among administrators that there are alternatives. Many began to treat snow days as regular school days albeit through a virtual classroom. Teachers invite students to an internet-based classroom and run the lesson plan from their snow-bound home. Virtual schools have taken the lead in this, proving that online study can be as rigorous and effective as face-to-face activities.

Here are ten places that have replaced snow days with virtual school.

13. Virtual participation

When students are incapacitated through sickness or injury or out of town for unexpected reasons, teachers used to give them a pile of papers to complete. Now, 2017’s inclusive technologies make it possible to invite them to join the class virtually. Through programs like Google Hangouts (free with Google accounts), students can see what’s going on in the class, participate, even screenshare their contributions so they are fully involved in the activity.

Alternatively, some teachers tape classes and make them available to students who couldn’t attend or those who simply want to revisit concepts.

14. Gamification of classes

In the past, gamifying lessons annoyed administrators and frightened parents. By 2017, the gamification of learning finally had the successful track record that allowed it to be accepted as an effective and engaging approach to teaching. Developers stepped up to meet the education interest in teaching history, math, literature, and more. Some of the most popular focus on critical thinking, problem-solving (through choose-your-own-adventure options), and perspective-taking (such as the differing colonial viewpoints on the American Revolution) and ask students to make decisions based on the information they receive.  Studies show that gamifying learning grabs and keeps student attention, inspires them to learn, and sticks with them longer than any other traditional method.

***

Did I miss a trend that motivated you in 2017? Let me know in the comments!

— published first on TeachHUB

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 25 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning. She is also the author of the tech-thriller series, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days.

14 Education Advancements in a Year published first on https://seminarsacademy.tumblr.com/

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 Mastering Your HR Management: SAP HCM Online Training in India

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