Category Archives: eLearning

NCC Launches Food Hygiene At An Exceptional Price Of £9.99

Learners are now able to access training for less than £10.00 in the crucial business area of Food Hygiene. NCC has just released a self contained portfolio which can be studied at home, or in a work situation.

NCC’s workbook contains appropriate and up to date underpinning knowledge and activities/questions which will help to determine that sufficient knowledge has been understood by the learner. In addition, learners are required to complete a short multiple-choice end test to confirm that a satisfactory grade has been achieved. For all learners who are successful, a Certificate of Achievement from NCC will be provided. For those learners who wish to receive a certificate from an external Awarding Body, for an additional fee of £15 a certificate from the Awarding Body NCFE can also be applied for.

Tony Smith, Managing Director NCC, confirms that a significant amount of interest has been received following news that food hygiene training for can now be achieved for an unprecedented price of £9.99. At NCC we are always looking to add value to our ever growing portfolio of home learning courses and at this time many popular programmes are on offer to help learners progress with their education, whether this is to support a job application, such as for a Teaching Assistant or Events management diploma or to update qualifications such as distance learning A Levels.

The Food Standards Agency state that: “Food handlers must receive appropriate supervision, and be instructed and/or trained in food hygiene, to enable them to handle food safely. Those responsible for developing and maintaining the business’s food safety procedures, based on HACCP principles, must have received adequate training”.

“The requirements for training should be seen in the context of the nature and size of the business. There is no legal requirement to attend a formal training course or get a qualification, although many businesses may want their staff to do so. The necessary skills may also be obtained in other ways, such as through on-the-job training, self-study or relevant prior experience. The operator of the food business is responsible for ensuring this happens”.

With over 250 courses available and with programmes starting at £9.99 there has never been a better time to study home courses with NCC. There is also a standard fee of £9.99 for shipping and posting so we advise to buy in bundles to save on pennies!

Via EPR Network
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Able Skills To Open New Renewable Energy Centre In Bradford

Able Skills is to open its first training centre away from its headquarters in Dartford, Kent. The new centre is the first evidence of a national expansion from the company and the latest development in Able Skills’ partnership with Vokera.

The new centre, which will open on January 9th, 2012, will offer courses in ground source heat pump training, solar thermal training, a MCS workshop and a route to accreditation, product training on Vokera boilers, renewable energy awareness training, onsite and offsite support from design through to installation and commissioning and a route to the Vokera installer network with additional benefits and rewards.

With Able Skills’ firm reputation for renewable training and quality and Vokera’s excellent reputation established from its boiler production and sales, and their range of renewable technologies such as solar thermal kits and air to water heat pumps, the partnership provides excellent resources for those seeking to work in the renewable energy industry.

Jed Smith, Head of Renewables at Able Skills, said: “Both Vokera and Able Skills are forward thinking organisations, the partnership almost formed itself as both companies were aiming for the same levels of quality and services within the renewables industry. Vokera have good quality products and we have good quality training delivery and possibly the best training facility in the UK.”

Able Skills and Vokera will also exhibit at PHEX: The Plumbing and Heating Exhibition, which takes place on October 11th/12th at Old Trafford and on November 23rd at Stamford Bridge. Stamford Bridge is the largest and the most popular of the annual PHEX Exhibition venues where over 110 stands will feature the sector’s top suppliers and manufacturers will demonstrate their latest products and services. Old Trafford will feature over 80 stands displaying the latest industry products.

The announcement of the new centre in Bradford follows the news that Able Skills is to open a new solar PV centre at its Kent headquarters. The company also opened a renewable energy centre in November last year dedicated to delivering training in various aspects of Renewable Technology.

About Able Skills:
Able Skills was launched in 2002 and is now firmly established as one of the leaders in the delivery of Construction Training and is currently in the position of being able to offer qualifications in every subject it covers, right up to NVQ level 3. Programmes include electrical courses, intensive plumbing courses, painting and decorating courses and gas courses and commercial gas courses.

Via EPR Network
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Able Skills Opens New Solar PV Centre

Able Skills has opened a new solar photovoltaic (PV) centre at its headquarters in Dartford.

The new centre has bigger roofs and the latest technology, providing students with a more realistic learning experience and helping Able Skills deliver the latest solar PV qualifications. The investment in new solar PV centre demonstrates the company’s dedication to renewable energy training, with Able Skills committed to teaching the next generation of engineers.

With the growing popularity in renewable energies and the cost of such technologies becoming more and more affordable, the demand for Solar Photovoltaic installer and maintenance qualified electricians is forever increasing. Able Skills now provided two courses, one catering for fully qualified electricians and the other catering for fully qualified domestic electrical installers.

The City & Guilds 2399 (11-12) is a Photovoltaic training programme aimed at any qualified electricians. To apply for this course, applicants would be required to hold a C&G 2330 Level 2 & 3 with the 2391 Inspection & Testing or a City & Guilds NVQ Level3 or a Term served validation from a company stating their work and time served as a qualified electrician.

Alternatively, interested parties can undertake the NICEIC route which is aimed towards Domestic Electrical Installers. Able Skills currently offers a package deal that will take applicants from the very beginning, right the way through to becoming a fully domestic Solar PV installer.

Gary Measures, Director of Able Skills said: “Able Skills are proud to open this new cutting-edge centre which demonstrates our commitment to renewable energy training. With bigger roofs and better facilities, students will benefit from a more realistic learning experience.”

As well as the solar PV courses, Able Skills offers a number of other programmes for those interested in working within the renewable energy industry. With a purpose built Renewable Technology centre, Able Skills is perfectly equipped to demonstrate every aspect of renewable technology for those on electrical courses or plumber courses, including ground source and air source heat pumps, underfloor hot water heating systems, rainwater harvesting and wind turbines among others.

Via EPR Network
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Flexible Options For Language Classes At SGI

Now in its 50th year of teaching, St George International (SGI) is offering more flexible and student-orientated ways to learn a language than ever before. These new courses build upon the school’s already broad programme, which includes chances to learn across the UK and other locations.

St George International’s latest course packages allow for flexible learning by letting the learner purchase nine hours of lessons, which can then be used as and when the learner wishes. New pricing also provides more options for a range of budgets; students can have private lessons with one or two friends or colleagues and a teacher, with prices starting from £11 plus VAT each an hour. One-to-one private lessons start at just £28 plus VAT an hour.

It is not only the lessons that are designed to fit around the learners. SGI’s main school is located in Fitzrovia, central London. The school is well equipped with the latest range of learning tools. But for anything from Russian to French courses London is not the only location students can choose. SGI has a 2,000-strong team of highly qualified teachers based around the UK, offering classes both in the daytime and the evening. Fancy getting away from it all? Study in Nice, Barcelona or Berlin with SGI’s partner schools to learn a language in the native country.

Via EPR Network
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Product Design Course Attracting Lots Of Student Enquiries Says Distance Learning Provider

The Interactive Design Institute, the UK’s leading provider of online qualifications in Art & Design is experiencing a high level of interest in their innovative online Product Design course. “Our admissions team is receiving a significant number of enquiries from students looking for an online degree course in Product Design and ultimately, a career in Product Design” reports Michael Stewart, a director with IDI.

“Our Product Design qualification has been specifically developed by the Institute and is accredited by the University of Hertfordshire, one of the UK’s leading universities. At IDI we are confident that our course suits the requirements of students who are aiming to become the Product Designers of the future”.

Throughout the world, the UK is recognised for its strong tradition of excellence in design education. UK Product design courses are based on a combination of sound educational methodology and industry practice that, in turn, generates highly sought after designers, hence the demand that is being experienced by IDI staff.

The Interactive Design Institute is a collaborative partner of the University of Hertfordshire and currently delivers their Product Design qualification to the level of Certificate in Education following one year’s online study, with the Product Design diploma being awarded after two years online study and finally, the degree after three years online study. Product Design students can opt to study all or part of the degree programme online as they also have the option to study any part of their course on an attendance basis at the University of Hertfordshire. In addition, students can choose to study product design on a full or part time basis.

Michael Stewart, director of IDI continues, “Our online Product Design course has been especially written by professional designers, industry practitioners and highly qualified academics for online delivery. Our course is specifically designed to prepare students for employment in a wide range of product design based professions”.

Essentially, IDI’s online Product Design course enables students to study towards a universally recognised degree and therefore entry to a competitive but often lucrative career. Throughout the course students are encouraged to adopt a professional attitude to their studies and the working environment is simulated through a sequence of practical projects which enables them to gain a range of technical skills and professional knowledge. As with all IDI courses, students are encouraged to be experimental and take risks in order to push the boundaries within their own practice. However, this innovative approach is underpinned by solid research work into historical and contemporary practices.

Michael Stewart concludes, “The Interactive Design Institute’s online Product Design degree programme emphasises professionalism and industry relevance. We have experienced a significant demand to provide such a course online and following extensive development work, are delighted to offer our Product Design course for students across the UK and internationally”.

Via EPR Network
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Online Graphic Design Degree Students Graduate With The Interactive Design Institute

The UK’s leading provider of online qualification in Art & Design, the Interactive Design Institute (IDI) is preparing to celebrate the graduation of the first groups of students from their innovative BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree course. This is the first time students have graduated from a UK BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design delivered entirely online and the IDI team are delighted:

“At the Interactive Design Institute we are thrilled that our course, which was specifically developed for online delivery and accredited by the University of Hertfordshire, has proved so successful”, says Michael Stewart, director of IDI.

As a collaborative partner of the University of Hertfordshire, one of the UK’s leading universities, the Interactive Design Institute developed the online BA (Hons) in Graphic design over a number of years, with expert input from a variety of sources. IDI also went through a rigorous validation process with the University of Hertfordshire in order to ensure that the quality and standards of their online courses matches the requirements of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) “At IDI, we are aware that the UK has a long tradition of innovation in design and a reputation for the quality of teaching and high standards of research activity in its universities and colleges”, continues Stewart.

“Consequently, we tasked a specially selected group of industry professionals, design practitioners and highly qualified academics with creating course content that would prepare students for entry into a career in the Graphic Design industry”.

The results speak for themselves. Every student in the first group of graduates has not only passed, but achieved commendable grades with two first class, four upper second and two lower second degrees being awarded. Indeed, the independent, external assessors responsible for appraising the students’ work were unanimous in their praise for the high standards achieved.

“This is a remarkable achievement when you consider that only four of these students are based in the UK with the others living in Moscow, Hungary and Trinidad & Tobago”, says Stewart. “To date all communication between students and tutors has taken place within IDI’s bespoke online study environment, IDI-Study, so all are equally keen to attend the University of Hertfordshire’s graduation ceremony scheduled for November 2011”

The Interactive Design Institute is confident that this high level of student achievement is not only an endorsement of their Graphic Design course but for online delivery as a viable alternative to attendance based study.

Michael Stewart continues, “IDI’s BA (Hons) Graphic Design course is our response to the significant number of enquiries we have received over the last few years for a flexible, affordable alternative for those who want to take control of how and when they study. Many of our applications come from working professionals who wish to upgrade an existing design qualification or from those working in other disciplines who would like to retrain but need the flexibility that online study can provide.

Via EPR Network
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Choosing a Home Learning Company

NCC Home learning commenced delivery to its first learners in May 2006 and has been built on a pedigree of delivery with Colleges of Further Education for over thirteen years and to hundreds of thousands of successful learners.

Over recent years many new home learning organisations have emerged and tempt interested learners with a variety of offers and describe and present their business extremely well. On the flip side, some may have an exciting, interesting and a visually appealing website but it would appear little substance.

Prospective learners could save themselves heartache and money by making a few checks before signing up, including: Does the home learning website have an appropriate business address and can you establish how long they have been providing education? Can they be found on independent review sites with testimonials (good and bad) from learners who they have supported? Do they offer full Awarding Body accreditation with their courses if this is important to the learner? Is their fee policy transparent, or does the learner have to pay for additional items such as reference materials, accreditation etc? Is their a cooling off period?

Many organisations also offer a ‘free learner goody bay’ including additional items such as a pen, note pad, highlighter pens, bag to keep course work in etc. These items are inevitably a cost to the provider and must be factored into the overall cost of the course – ask if a discount can be offered if the ‘free goody bag’ is not required.

The most important aspect of all though is to conduct thorough research as impulsive purchases may not always suit the learner’s needs fully. Many home learning companies offer similar courses and at wildly differing prices. Once a learner has decided upon a course subject area, an appropriate search in Google, or other search engines, will throw up many organisations offering a solution. It is recommended that learner’s contact a number of organisations and satisfy themselves that they have sufficient information, before committing to make a purchase.

NCC Home learning offers learners a professional solution with Awarding Body accreditation included within the course price for over 90% of the course offered. We have approximately 250 courses available, many of which are targeted at improving employability skills such as our Teaching Assistant Diploma, Distance Learning A Levels, and Computerised Book Keeping etc.

Tony Smith, Managing Director at NCC Home Learning, said: “Learners should consider as many education development options as possible before making a decision which could ultimately change their career options.”

He also stated that: “Learners should undertake appropriate research and if not totally satisfied, take a step back before making a purchasing decision and only commit when they know that they have found the right course, and that they know that they can commit the time necessary to achieve their goal.”

Via EPR Network
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Beat the Rush and Get Your A-Levels Today!

NCC Home Learning is currently providing an impressive range of A-Level courses, ideal for those who choose to learn from home. This is perfect for those who can’t afford the new tuition fee increase but want to further their education.

September 2012 sees the rise in tuition fees for university student’s which is why now more than ever it is important to start thinking about further education. University may not be on the cards for most people but having A-Level qualifications will help to achieve potential career goals.

A-Levels could become more desired due to the increase in tuition fees. Less people will go to university and will start looking for other qualifications, so now is the best time to achieve A-Level qualifications without having to fight for the course you want.

NCC Home Learning provide courses such as Psychology courses online and Business Studies, as well as Law and Mathematics which can be completed in the comfort of your own home, so there is no need to worry about the disruption of attending any classes.

99% of NCC Home Learning learners surveyed agreed that they: “learnt a lot while studying their chosen programme” proving that studying A-Levels at home is worthwhile and now is the best time to do it in order to beat the high demands of A-Levels in the future.

Tony Smith Managing Director of NCC Home Learning, said: “The courses offered through NCC Home Learning are a fantastic way of achieving qualifications without the need to attend college.”

The course you choose to study at home will have all the correct learning materials needed to complete the course and all NCC Home Learning A Levels are awarded by national accrediting bodies including Edexcel, AQA and OCR.

NCC Home Learning aim to provide the option of further education for everyone, they enable you to learn around your busy life style making it easier to gain an education.

If you are interested in furthering your education or would like more information then please visit: www.ncchomelearning.co.uk/cart.php.

Via EPR Network
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Online Education Provider Interactive Design Institute Introduces the Employers Discount Scheme

The UK’s leading provider of online qualifications in Art & Design has introduced a scheme that enables those already in employment, the opportunity to gain the degree they’ve always wanted.

Spokesperson for the Interactive Design Institute, Michael Stewart, says, “Our admissions team was frequently approached by working professionals keen to upgrade existing design based qualifications and those looking for a means to retrain for an alternative career in design. At the Institute, we already have the type of courses that suit the learner who is looking for a flexible mode of study but we were prompted to look for ways in which we could make these courses even more affordable and that’s when we came up with the “Employers Discount Scheme”.

The idea behind the scheme is simple; both the employer and the employee are responsible for the overall course fee but because this is shared, the cost is minimised. The scheme is designed to assist both the employer and their employees, not only through generous discounts on course fees, but also by providing cost effective, in service training and career development opportunities. Employees are encouraged to enhance their qualifications at a fraction of the usual cost while employers may be able to offset their portion of the fees against tax, safe in the knowledge that the service provider, IDI, is a collaborative partner of the University of Hertfordshire, one of the UK’s leading universities.

“It really is a “win win” situation”, says Stewart. “IDI is widely recognised as a provider of high quality design based courses and we take the burden of organising continued professional training away from the employer and provide a comprehensive educational programme that leads to a universally recognised, UK based qualification”.

Praise for the scheme is already flooding in to the Institute in form of unsolicited testimony;

“Without the employer discount I don’t think it would have been possible for me to study with IDI” said student James Latham.

Uniquely, IDI’s Employers Discount Scheme is also available to those who are self employed.

“I am part owner in the company, I will personally benefit and my company will also benefit from my newly gained knowledge and its implementation into our company” said student Josh Grindal.

For several years now The Interactive Design Institute’s online learning courses have enabled students to combine their studies with other commitments, such as family obligations or work related issues. IDI students can study flexibly, at times which suit them, and can combine their studies with full or part time employment.

This latest initiative from IDI, The Employers Discount Scheme, is straightforward, uncomplicated and intended to provide access to an even wider range of prospective students. For every contribution an employer makes towards an employee’s course fees, the Interactive Design Institute will contribute a further 35%. The combined savings for employees are considerable as can be seen from these illustrative examples:

For employers paying the maximum on behalf of their employees, the fees are broken down as follows:

For Higher Education courses, the course fee is £4,000 of which the employer contribution is £2,963 while IDI contributes £1,073. The student pays nothing and therefore saves £4,000.

For Foundation courses, the course fee is £3,000 of which the employer contribution is £2,223 while IDI contributes £778. The student pays nothing and therefore saves £3,000

Naturally, the admissions team at IDI is excited about this latest product from an Institute that prides itself on providing high quality educational courses to an ever increasing student market.

Employers who have already taken advantage of the scheme include Bread & Butter Design, Layla Lingerie and Siuin Design.

For more information on individual circumstances, or to make an application through the IDI Employers Discount Scheme, please contact Carolyn Hall on 01875 320 597 or Freephone 0800 917 1118 or by e-mail at: carolyn.hall@idesigni.co.uk.

Via EPR Network
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Online Education A More Attractive Option For Students As Universities Continue Increasing Tuition Fees

The Government’s decision to allow universities in the UK to set their own levels of course fees has had an unexpected knock on effect for providers of distance learning.

As the dust begins to settle on the furore surrounding many universities plans to increase course fees to the maximum level permitted, distance learning organisations look poised to cash in – literally.

Established companies such as the Interactive Design Institute have remained largely unaffected by the scrabble to establish record levels of tuition fees across the UK’s higher education sector. “The cost of providing higher education courses need not be prohibitive” according to Michael Stewart, director at IDI, “Distance learning providers are able to deliver the many of the same courses with the same high levels of student support but at a fraction of the cost”.

For example, universities in Wales are proposing to charge student tuition fees of up to £9,000 per annum after their original applications were rejected by the Higher Education Funding Council. The HEFCW stated that the universities would be required to show that their proposals demonstrated how they would allocate a proportion of the new fee to the promotion of higher education and the encouragement of equality of opportunity.

The cost of the new scheme could result in long term financial difficulties for university level education in Wales.

In England, the fees will be paid directly to the university as a government loan. The university then recoups this loan from students following graduation. However, in Wales the government are planning to cover the increase by providing a grant to fund the difference between the current course fee and the proposed higher fee.

Consequently, 75% of Welsh students will be unaffected by the increase as they will be in receipt of this government grant. The cost to the Welsh Assembly will be in the region of £1.5 billion and this explains why the Welsh Assembly is anxious to ensure the maximum return on this investment.

Some commentators feel that the delivery of higher education requires a major overhaul but in the interim, innovative providers such as the Interactive Design Institute are generating significant enquiries from students seeking other modes of learning.

For these new providers, issues of affordability, flexibility and inclusion can be tackled quickly by re-evaluating the way in which education is delivered. Face to face interaction at an attendance based university is a resource heavy, inflexible and expensive model that requires the provision of an extensive infrastructure.

The physical classroom is no longer the centre of the educational universe, fact recognised by the collaborative partnership between The University of Hertfordshire’s and the Interactive Design Institute.

Distance learning providers such as the Interactive Design Institute deliver their courses to students through an online learning environment where each student has their own studio and can communicate with their tutors and fellow students in a series of dedicated forums.

Via EPR Network
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NCFE Level 2 Award in Nutrition and Health launched by NCC Home Learning

Home learning company, NCC Home Learning, is pleased to launch a brand new qualification to add to its existing extensive portfolio of courses available as correspondence or online learning materials.

NCC Home Learning are an established training provider who specialise in the delivery of education to remote learners who find it difficult to attend

conventional training due to constricting factors such as location, attendance time, number of training days required etc. By delivering education at a distance, NCC Home Learning are able to support learners irrespective of their location and at a time and pace which means that a balance can be maintained to run alongside additional necessary activities including work, home, leisure, recreational etc. Price may also be a considered factor and in many instances, a home learning methodology can be far more effective as their will be limited requirement for overheads such as delivery accommodation.

This qualification is ideal for a wide range of learners who are interested in improving their understanding of nutrition and healthy eating. It is further pointed out by the Foresight Study that if current trends continue, by 2050 about 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children in the UK will be obese. The rising levels could cost the country £45 billion a year by 2050 through increased care requirements and missed working hours.

It is of particular note, that Food Technology will become a compulsory subject at Key Stage 3 within schools from September 2011and the NCFE Level 2 Award in Nutrition and Health could be of particular benefit to all concerned.

The programme covers three key Units of learning as detailed:
• Explore Principles of Healthy Eating
• Consider Nutritional Needs of a Variety of Individuals
• Use Food and Nutrition Information to Plan a Healthy Diet

Tony Smith Managing Director of NCC Home Learning, said: “The courses offered through NCC Home Learning are a fantastic way of achieving qualifications without the need to attend College on a prescribed day and at a time designated by the College which may not be appropriate to the needs of the learner”.

“NCC has approaching 250 courses available covering a great many subject areas fromCriminal Psychology to Events Management Diploma’s and is suitable to all budgets. NCC also offer payment plans to help learners who may find it difficult to pay for their course in one payment”.

Via EPR Network
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Texas Students To Receive State-Of-The-Art Supplemental Science Learning Materials

Students from 5th through 12th grade will, this school year, have internet learning assistance to improve their science grades.

In June, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) had panels of assessors reviewing internet learning submissions from a number of companies. The subject matter review experts on these panels determined which submissions were compliant with the new science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) statements, which include 5th through 8th grade as well as high school Biology, Chemistry, Physics and IPC. Following the reviews the Commissioner, Robert Scott, recommended a list for adoption by the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE). On July 22, 2011 the SBOE voted to adopt a number of submissions. From the adopted list, schools can elect to purchase access to the software that they feel will suit their students best.

For students, these interactive learning programs will include; virtual experiments, animated simulations and instantly marked assessments, all designed to motivate students to explore the world of science.

In the present economic climate it must be good news that this dynamic learning material is available to Texas students at a fraction of the cost of traditional textbooks.

One of the systems adopted has been created by Texas entrepreneur, Tim Brown.

Tim, the President of Technical Laboratory Systems, has funded a partnership between his Texas-based team and a world leading company in the design of e-learning materials, to produce learning programs for all eight grade levels that are totally compliant with the new science TEKS*.

It is Tim’s opinion that this new TEA initiative creates a real possibility that more Texas students will succeed in school science and then choose to follow careers in science, technology or engineering.

Tim says;

“As a provider of technical education equipment to Texas schools and colleges for more than thirty years, I have been saddened to see the decline in the number of quality students opting for careers in technology and engineering. Middle and High School science is the bedrock for college studies in science, technology and engineering. Science teachers, who do their utmost to motivate students, will find that difficult task so much easier with this software. It was a logical step for me to invest in new technology to improve the prospects of our young students. Here in Texas we have world leading companies in all the technological areas, if we cannot provide them with the skilled and innovative workforce that they require, they will be forced to go elsewhere.”

Academics have lobbied hard for our policymakers to address the state’s declining SAT scores and maybe their message is being heard. Perhaps this new initiative by the TEA will go some way to ease the concerns of many in Texas, that the present financial constraints will damage the prospects for our schoolchildren.

Via EPR Network
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Mimi Jett Joins Avant Assessment as VP Business Development for K-12 Education

Avant Assessment, pioneer in web-based proficiency assessment, announces the appointment of Mimi Jett as Vice President of Business Development for K-12 Education.

Avant Assessment is pleased to announce the addition of Mimi Jett as Vice President of Business Development for K-12 Education to its leadership team. Ms. Jett brings more than 25 years of educational technology and corporate leadership experience to Avant as it expands its efforts in the personalized learning arena with new, authentic-evidence, competency-based learning support systems.

As VP of Business Development, Ms. Jett will focus on building channel partners, strategic partnerships, and alliances that promote Avant’s products and services in the K-12 market. As a member of the Executive Team, she will collaborate with product, marketing, sales, and technology teams on strategy and operational implementation of initiatives to bring competency focused solutions to the education market.

Prior to joining Avant, Ms. Jett was the General Manager of netTrekker, a leading provider in the organization and delivery of digital K-12 educational content and tools, where she led the development of new products and services. Her record of success also includes strategic management positions with Renaissance Learning and IBM Research, where she was appointed to the elite Institute for Advanced Learning leadership council. As an entrepreneur, Mimi Jett was the founder and CEO of Electronic Technical Publishing, leading delivery of advanced technology solutions to higher education publishers in the fields of mathematics and engineering. Ms. Jett was an elected delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business and served as the Technology Advisory Committee Chair for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Ms. Jett serves on the Software & Information Industry Association’s Education Division Board of Directors, is co-chair of the Global Strategies working group, and a member of the Open Educational Resources working group. In addition, she sits on several industry advisory boards and acts as a mentor for innovative entrepreneurs.

“Ms. Jett has an extraordinary talent of expanding the impact of a company’s work through development of key partnerships”, said Mike Patterson, CEO, “and we at Avant are excited to apply that talent to our efforts in bringing a more personalized learning environment to every student.”

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The Market Development Training Program hosted by the Headquarters of the MLDEX, was held in Melbourne, Australia in the week of 12-19 June 2011

The Market Development Training Program hosted by the Headquarters of the MLDEX, was held in Melbourne, Australia in the week of 12-19 June 2011.

This program was designed as a forum for the exchange of best practices in the development and regulation of capital markets presented through a series of lectures, roundtables and case studies.

Senior experts from different International Regulatory Agencies and the Capital Markets Board (CMB), as well as speakers from the region shared their insights on capital market development, enforcement, and examination of market participants. The Program also explored responses to crises and market abuses, provided observations comparing and contrasting approaches by regulatory systems around the world, and highlighted international best practices.

The presenters used real-world examples of market abuse and inefficiencies to explore the regulatory, statutory, and other tools that capital market regulators need to address.

Besides CMB representatives, many international exchange representatives and market professionals attended the event that was also sponsored by MLDEX.

Via EPR Network
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Distance learning providers to benefit from university fees controversy

Distance learning providers could be well placed to capitalise on the furore surrounding many universities plans to increase course fees to the maximum level. Established distance learning companies such as the Interactive Design Institute have remained unaffected by the scrabble to establish record levels of tuition fees across the UK’s higher education sector. “The cost of providing higher education courses need not be prohibitive” according to Michael Stewart, director at IDI, “Distance learning providers are able to deliver the same courses with the same high levels of student support but at a fraction of the cost”.

Currently, universities in Wales are desperately revising their proposals to charge student tuition fees of up to £9,000 per annum after their original applications were rejected by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. The HEFCW stated that the universities would be required to allocate a proportion of the new fee to the promotion of higher education and the encouragement of equality of opportunity.

The cost of the new scheme could result in long term financial difficulties for university level education in Wales. In England, the fees will be paid directly to the university as a government loan. The university then recoups this loan from students following graduation. However, in Wales the government are planning to cover the increase by providing a grant to fund the difference between the current course fee and the proposed higher fee. Consequently, 75% of Welsh students will be unaffected by the increase as they will be in receipt of this government grant. The cost to the Welsh Assembly will be in the region of £1.5 billion and this explains why the Welsh Assembly is anxious to ensure the maximum return on this investment.

The Welsh universities have until the end of June to submit their revised plans and a final decision from Higher Education Funding Council for Wales is expected on July 11th. Some commentators feel that the delivery of higher education requires a major overhaul. Issues of affordability, flexibility and inclusion can be tackled quickly by re-evaluating the way in which education is delivered. Face to face interaction at an attendance based university is a resource heavy, inflexible and expensive model that requires the provision of an extensive infrastructure.

The physical classroom is no longer the centre of the educational universe, fact recognised by the collaborative partnership between The University of Hertfordshire’s and the Interactive Design Institute.

Distance learning providers such as the Interactive Design Institute deliver their courses to students through an online learning environment where each student has their own studio and can communicate with their tutors and fellow students in a series of dedicated forums.

And IDI is subject to the same rigorous quality assurance procedures as any institution. “All our courses have been especially developed for online delivery”, states Stewart, “But we are still reviewed annually and our students receive the same qualification as those attending the University of Hertfordshire”.

“What we provide is choice” says Michael Stewart, “We offer our students the opportunity to choose what, when, where and how they study and their learning experience is tailored to meet their needs – online study enables us to be flexible”.

This flexibility means that online study is inclusive; “We pride ourselves in providing the opportunity for everyone to study toward gaining a university degree. If you fulfil the entry requirements, you can study with IDI” says Stewart.

“Because we don’t have to support a massive infrastructure, IDI is able to maintain its course fees at the same level as last year, fees that are already well below those charged by other universities”, says Stewart, “and students who study with us are able to apply for course and fee grants to help with funding”.

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Avant Assessment leaders’ experience on national language standards and assessment committees will support U.S. interests at the international level

Avant Assessment CEO Mike Patterson has been appointed to lead U.S. delegates to the International Standards Organization TC232/WG2 (learning services for non-formal education and training technical committee workgroup focused on language learning services) meetings in Beijing, China this week.

Workgroup delegates to ISO TC232/WG2 represent over a dozen countries and have the task of ensuring that the views and positions of their country are known and understood by the committee. The goal of the international committee is to develop consensus and an international standard for providers of language learning services in the non-formal sector (outside the mainstream school and higher education curriculum).

Mike and Avant Vice President of Research and Assessment, Paul Tucker, have participated in three previous international meetings and have been delegates to the workgroup since its inception. Both bring critical experience to the U.S. delegation having served on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Testing Committee which is a network of Federal, academic, private business and NGO language specialists and managers who share a common goal of improving the nation’s capacity to learn, teach and effectively use foreign languages in the national interests.

Additionally, Paul Tucker served as the Lead Writer for the ASTM Standards of Practice for language education and now chairs the testing subcommittee (F43.04) which is looking at differentiating standards per testing purpose. Mike Patterson served as a committee member at the U.S. Department of Education National Educational Technology Planning Sessions in 2003 and 2004, and has been actively involved with SIIA, CoSN, SIF, Software Association of Oregon and other industry organizations where he has served as a presenter and panelist at national and regional conferences.

“It is an honor to represent the interests of our country in the field of language acquisition” says Mike Patterson, Avant’s CEO. “As a country, we are a leader in developing thorough and rigorous standards on language training. It is important to the future of global communication that international standards meet or exceed those same standards. I look forward to these experiences working with colleagues from around the world on common goals. They are as rewarding as they are educational and challenging.”

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Swami Balendu criticizes Baba Ramdev in an open letter to him

In one of his latest blog posts Swami Balendu, who describes himself as ‘former guru’, addresses Baba Ramdev, the popular Indian yoga teacher, business owner and politician. In the direct manner which prevails in his complete blog, Swami Balendu elaborates why he and, in his opinion, millions of Indian people, have doubts on who Baba Ramdev actually is and what his aims are.

“People don’t understand him anymore. Is he a Sanyasi ? A yoga teacher? Is he a businessman? Or is he a politician?” asks the author of the letter, Swami Balendu, who in his blog post gives examples of Ramdev’s contradictive behavior.

“There are people doubting his own financial situation, questioning his political direction and agenda and even asking for investigations into his past. He accuses the Congress party of corruption while he himself gives donations to the opposition party, the BJP. Publicly however he has nothing to do with that party. Why does he hide his support? Another loud question by many is: Are you still a Sanyasi, Baba Ramdev?”

Before Baba Ramdev’s planned protest on the Ramleela Ground in Delhi on the 23 rd March, Swami Balendu explains the Baba in detail how he himself has created such questions in people’s minds. Swami Balendus himself has, after more than three years of isolated meditation in a cave, left the life and profession of a guru. He explains this change with the feeling that ‘nobody is higher or lower than anybody else’. He is now a married businessman and additionally running children charity projects in Vrindavan , India .

This is not the first blog entry in his ‘online diary’ in which Swami Balendu questions the new and old gurus of India . In his outspoken manner he doesn’t mince matters when he writes about the magic tricks of Sathya Sai Baba, the escapades of the ‘Sex Swami’ Nithyananda, the sexual harassment and rape charges against Jagadguru Kripalu and his disciple Prakashananda or the strange religious habits of the devotees of ISKCON.

His letter to Baba Ramdev is the latest of such attempts to reveal more about hidden activities and sometimes even unlawful actions of India ‘s so-called religious leaders and gurus. When asked about his aim, Swami Balendu tells: ‘I hope when I write about them, it helps people to realize their own responsibilities and helps them go their own ways instead of blindly following a guru who is only seeking power and wealth using the pretext of religion and God!’

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uCertify’s Big Spring Sale – Save Upto 43%

uCertify, is offering truly green savings in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Spring! Get any 3 IT certification test PrepKits for just $219.99.

This offer is valid upto 21st March, 2011. All PrepKits are backed by our 100% money back guarantee.

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Our mantra is ‘Learn Smarter Not Harder’. There are a number of reasons why you should choose uCertify for your exam preparation. To list a few:

· Outstanding pass rate of over 97%
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Education in America: Homeschooling on the Rise

The homeschooling movement continues to gain momentum as home-educated students and graduates demonstrate success academically and socially.

Gray, TN, March 7, 2011, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC — Boasting an increase of 74% since 1999 and now in its fourth decade, the modern homeschooling movement is gaining followers at an astonishing rate. Homeschool, for the most part an unfamiliar term only thirty years ago when the movement began, has become a household word. U.S. educators from both public and private school arenas are very much aware of the movement and its impact, and today popular media frequently make mention of “homeschoolers,” from characters in CBS’s #1 show, NCIS, to homeschool grads who appear as contestants on shows such as Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Homeschooling has firmly established itself as a mainstream education alternative.

Homeschoolers are here to stay, because homeschooling works:

• Homeschoolers (K–12) score an average 37 points above the national average on standardized achievement tests. (HSLDA, 2009)

• “Homeschool students possess higher ACT scores, grade point averages (GPAs) and graduation rates when compared to traditionally-educated students.” (Journal of College Admission, citing a 2010 survey of homeschoolers)

• Homeschool grads are “more likely to vote, volunteer for political campaigns, participate in boycotts or write letters to the editor. . . . Seventy-one percent of homeschool graduates participate in an ongoing community service activity compared to 37% of U.S. adults of similar ages.” (NHERI) Homeschoolers are definitely impacting the political scene, as evidenced not only by the recent election of Jaime Herrera, formerly a homeschooler, as a U.S. Representative (R-WA) but also by the enthusiastic participation of homeschooled students in grassroots organizations such as HSLDA’s Generation Joshua.

• Research conducted by multiple sources has found “the home educated to be developing as well or better socially, emotionally, and psychologically than institutionally schooled children and youth.” Homeschool graduates are excelling in their occupations, contributions to their communities’ welfare, and their own families.

The U.S. economy is benefiting too. For example, homeschooling families obviously are committed to equip their students to keep abreast of technological advancements, as statistics show that the use of computer technology in their families nearly tripled that of the average U.S. family, based on national norms. As homeschoolers graduate and enter the workforce, U.S. industries who hire these well-prepared, independent thinkers are thriving.

And there are even more winners—taxpayers benefit as well, because home educators receive no government funding, thus reducing the burden on taxpayers. “If there were 2 million homeschool students in the United States in 2009 and the direct per-pupil expenditure was $10,100, then the homeschool community saved American taxpayers $20.4 billion . . . .” (Dr. Brian Ray, NHERI).

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Launch of Students Cloud Network, Learn, Distribute and Advance

Launch of StudentsCloud.com : Students Cloud is a platform where Students, Parents, Teachers, Schools and Administrators of Campuses, Colleges and Universities can network and collaborate worldwide

Students Cloud strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts. Students Cloud is collaboration and networking tool that helps you discover inside connections to Professionals, Students, Parents , Teachers and Administrators, Service Providers, Customers, Prospects, Partners and Industry experts. Professionals Use Students Cloud platform to build their own students focused education ecosystem. Members use the Students Cloud platform to discover a new way to manage their profile, answers , and groups, eLearning, Distance Education, Training and Events . Use the platform to build a network, share ideas, and improve opportunities, share students reviews, ratings and customer case studies, Perfect Teacher Index

Features:
Students Cloud platform supports a fundamental shift In the way Students, Parents, Teachers, Schools, Campuses, Colleges and Universities communicate and collaborate worldwide. The main features of Students Cloud are as given below.
1. Global Networking of Students, Parents, Teachers and Administrators of Schools, Colleges, Universities worldwide
2. Cloud of eLearning, Distance Education, Training and Events. Build your Students-Focused and Community-Powered Education Ecosystem
3. Get Answers From Experts, Parents, Teachers and your Peers. Share Reviews, Ratings and Case studies

About Students Cloud

  • Get the most from Your Networking and Efficient Collaboration
  • Community-Powered Education Ecosystem help Institutions, Companies and their Partners build their Education Ecosystem
  • Perfect Teachers index, Reviews, Ratings and recommendations help Teachers and Administrators to showcase their Service Offerings in a better way
  • CRM Pro, Mail Box and Collaboration Pro features help Teachers and Administrators to build their Network with Students and Parents Community
  • Latest Updates from many News Channels – News
  • Students Cloud Profile Management System enables Individuals, Students, Teachers to maintain their Integrated Profile Information System

You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnNF-okH9ug

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