Category Archives: Education

AssessmentTA from ExamSoft Helps Faculty Members Give Students More than Just a Grade

September 25, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Leading provider of intelligent assessments offers new way for faculty to enrich the feedback students receive, improve the way exams are created, delivered, and analyzed, saving faculty valuable time, so they can focus on instruction instead of grading

Dallas, Texas, September 24, 2013 – ExamSoft, the leading provider of intelligent embedded assessment solutions, today announced, AssessmentTA, a combination of easy-to-use software and dedicated services that will help faculty focus on teaching, provide direct-evidence of student learning, and spend less time grading. Assessment TA streamlines the creation and delivery of exams and enables faculty to track and measure performance across learning objectives. Provided at no cost to faculty or the institution, AssessmentTA includes personalized help from ExamSoft’s assessment experts to ensure faculty members are fully supported as they use the system. A software fee for students is less than most college-level textbooks and covers unlimited exams per semester.

AssessmentTA enables faculty to tag questions to various learning objectives, which are stored in a database so they can be tracked across an exam or course. This helps instructors see a blueprint of each exam broken out by learning objective, making it easier to get a full picture of student performance and reduce grading time. This means faculty members can make the most of office hours or other individual guidance sessions with students and adjust exams for use in future courses. Every exam created with the intelligent assessment platform can also be delivered securely on iPads and laptops without an internet connection or via paper (Scantron).

“We are dedicated to helping faculty help every student by providing a real-time connection to direct evidence of learning. AssessmentTA provides more than just a grade, it provides personalized, real-time feedback after every assessment,” said Daniel Muzquiz, Chief Executive Officer of ExamSoft. “Essentially this platform enables faculty to easily close feedback loops with students and administrators while proving the equivalent of a full time teaching assistant to create, deliver and grade exams, quickly and easily.”

AssessmentTA is designed to expedite a process that has traditionally been arduous. When faculty members register for AssessmentTA they will work with an assessment expert from ExamSoft who will provide support, insights, and best practices for creating and analyzing assessments. ExamSoft experts can help with uploading test questions, tagging questions to learning outcomes, creating reports with meaningful feedback for students, faculty and administrators by mapping curriculum back to course and institutional learning outcomes.

“The ExamSoft platform is definitely an upgrade from the Word documents and fill-in-the-bubble system we formerly used to create exams,” said Jenifer Van Deusen, Curriculum Director at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Students appreciate the snapshot the ‘Strengths and Opportunities’ report provides. We use it to cover not only what topics but also what types of questions students are exceling at or struggling with, so they can understand how to prioritize their studying. Plus, the assurance of having the knowledgeable ExamSoft team only a phone call away provides me some peace of mind.”

The platform is free for institutions. The $25 per semester, per student fee is assessed similar to a textbook and is paid for by the student. AssessmentTA is transferable, meaning students do not have to pay multiple times if the platform is used in more than one of their classes, and includes unlimited exams. Faculty members at major institutions have already started signing up for AssessmentTA so they can give their students even more insight into their own path to success.

Individuals interested in registering their course for AssessmentTA or learning more can visit http://assessmentta.com.

About ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc.
ExamSoft provides scalable and flexible intelligent assessment solutions that give educators actionable outcomes data and insights to help every student. Its software puts the data back in the hands of faculty and enables clients to more efficiently and practically administer direct assessments and analyze resulting data to improve curricular design, test design, and accreditation compliance. ExamSoft has served hundreds of prominent academic, certification, and licensing institutions for more than 15 years and has successfully administered millions of exams. For more information, please visit www.examsoft.com, or follow ExamSoft on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact:
Anne Jenkins
Communication Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
703-624-6125
ajenkins@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

Bryant & Stratton College Online Webinar Offers Career Advice for Starting a New Job

September 12, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

September 20 webinar offers tips and ideas for standing out at a new job

Buffalo, NY, September 11, 2013 – First impressions count, even after landing a dream job. To help current and prospective students and job seekers build a lasting career, Bryant & Stratton College Online today announced a new session focused on the first 30 days of a new job. The webinar titled “Your First 30 Days on the Job,” is part of its ongoing free employability series and will be held on Friday, September 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Career expert Stephen Krempl will lead the webinar. Mr. Krempl is the President of Krempl Communications International (KCI), a company that focuses on management and executive development. Before starting KCI, Mr. Krempl was the Vice President of Global Learning at Starbucks Coffee Company and served in senior training and education roles at Fortune 500 companies such as YUM Brands, PepsiCo and Motorola.

“Once you’re hired it can be easy to rest on your laurels and assume the work on your career brand is less important – a feeling that can last until you are ready to look for a new job,” said Krempl. “But, green and seasoned employees alike need to remember getting the offer is just the start. Seeking out the right kind of interactions and striking a strong tenor at a new company within the first 30 days can make a big impact on an individual’s career trajectory.”

The “Your First 30 Days of the Job” webinar will highlight career advice and guidance for students and professionals. Attendees of the webinar will learn how to:

* Understand why the first few days are crucial and what information they need to seek out from the get-go

* Where to focus to fit in fast during the first 30 days at a new company

* How to look confident, communicate effectively, and stand out quickly

* Identify the three key elements for getting to know the company

* Know what type of introduction to have ready to use at all times

“Our outcomes-based education prepares students with the skills they need to be effective employees and past employability series webinars have helped them navigate the job search. This webinar is a great way to extend what we are already doing to help attendees excel in their careers,” said Scott Traylor, Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. “We are thankful to be able to connect current and prospective students and other job seekers with Mr. Krempl’s deep career expertise at no charge.”

The webinar is offered for free by Bryant & Stratton College Online and is open to current students, prospective students and others seeking information career advice. Those interested in attending are invited to register at http://online.bryantstratton.edu/webinar/. Additionally, following the webinar, attendees will be able to download a hand-out recapping the top strategies addressed in the session.

To learn more about Bryant & Stratton College and for information about its online degree programs, go to http://online.bryantstratton.edu. Bryant & Stratton College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center. For almost 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and professional certificates. Bryant & Stratton College Online offers five online bachelor’s degree programs, twelve online associate’s degree programs and eleven online certificate programs in a variety of fields including business, criminal justice, financial services, healthcare, human resources and information technology. Some online programs are not yet available in all states. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of graduates and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures. General information about Bryant & Stratton College and its online degrees can also be found at http://online.bryantstratton.edu.

Contact:
Anne Jenkins
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
703-624-6125
ajenkins@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education, Software, Web 2.0

Webinar on “eLearning: Where do serious games make the most sense?” to be presented by Ross Smith from Microsoft Skype Division and Raptivity

September 5, 2013 hkpmarketing Leave a comment

Raptivity, the leading interactivity building tool, will be organizing a highly interactive and insightful webinar on how serious games in eLearning offer an opportunity to accomplish organizational goals. To speak on this interesting topic, Raptivity has on board Ross Smith Director of Test – Microsoft Skype Division. Ross has 25 years of experience in software and 10 years in the domain of productivity games, organizational trust, and management innovation.

In this session, Ross will throw light on how serious games are developed to assist learners achieve a very specific performance or skill based objective with effective assessment strategies as their core driving force. In addition to this, Jamaica Glenn, Raptivity Expert, will demonstrate how Raptivity’s range of games interactions can be used to develop serious games and help you make your eLearning content exciting.
Details of webinar:

Day: Thursday, September 12, 2013.

Time: 10 AM PDT

To register for this exciting webinar, please visit: http://www.raptivity.com/webinar-serious-games-ross-smith.

About Ross Smith

Ross Smith is the Director of Test – Microsoft Skype Division and has 25 years of experience in software and 10 years in the domain of productivity games, organizational trust, and management innovation.

About Raptivity

Raptivity® allows you to quickly and easily create learning interactions such as games, simulations, brainteasers, interactive diagrams, virtual worlds and more. Instructors can add the interactions conveniently to their eLearning content.
Raptivity® has won numerous awards in various categories, including the 2011 Best Educational Software Award in the Online Technology Tool category and three 2011 LearnX E-learning & Training Awards from Training Australia Magazine. For more information, please go to www.raptivity.com or contact Harbinger Knowledge Products at 425.861.8400.

About Harbinger Knowledge Products

Harbinger Knowledge Products is recognized as a global leader in interactivity solutions for knowledge-sharing applications including learning, presentation and web development. Harbinger Knowledge Products is a part of Harbinger Group, which serves customers in over 57 countries through its offices in Pune (India), Redmond (WA, USA), Pleasanton (CA, USA) and through its partner network worldwide.

For three consecutive years, Deloitte has named Harbinger Knowledge Products among the fastest growing technology companies in its Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific and Technology Fast 50 India programs. Red Herring named Harbinger amongst world’s top 100 private technology companies. Harbinger’s patented technology and sound thought leadership have resulted in groundbreaking products, including market-leading Raptivity®, innovative YawnBuster, and cutting-edge SiteJazzer and TeemingPod.
For more information on Harbinger Knowledge Products, please visit
http://www.harbingerknowledge.com.

Education

Infographic by Varsity Tutors Dissects the ‘Anatomy of a College Dorm Room’

August 29, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Infographic Offers Tips and Tricks for Ideal Campus Living to Incoming Freshmen and Their Parents

St. Louis, MO, August 28, 2013 – In an effort to ease students’ transition into their first year of college, Varsity Tutors, a premier one-on-one private tutoring and test prep provider, today released an infographic that details the ins and outs of dorm living. Entitled “Anatomy of a College Dorm Room,” the infographic highlights the basic essentials that every student needs to achieve the ideal campus housing experience.

2.46 million students elect to live on campus each year, a population that includes 78 percent of all college freshmen. Most new students are living independently for the first time, and adjusting to life on campus can be difficult.

“As a student, your living arrangement affects every aspect of your life, from your social experience to your academic performance,” said Varsity Tutors founder and CEO Chuck Cohn. “Varsity Tutors aims to help students more easily navigate their first year of college so they can achieve success all around.”

The infographic from Varsity Tutors features the layout of a typical dorm room and calls out tips and tricks for every element of dorm life, from hygiene and storage to study time and entertainment. Advice for those who are new to campus housing includes:

* Making sure to check whether your school provides regular or extra-long mattresses before you buy sheets for your bed.

* For extra security, buying a laptop tether to secure your computer to your desk when you’re not in your room.

* Remembering to bring extension cords to accommodate potential problems with room layout and limited outlets.

The infographic also highlights other key statistics on college students living on campus. View the full infographic at http://www.varsitytutors.com/blog/anatomy+of+a+college+dorm+room+infographic.

For more information about Varsity Tutors and its services, visit www.varsitytutors.com.

About Varsity Tutors:
Varsity Tutors is a premier private academic tutoring and test prep provider designed to help students at all levels of education achieve academic excellence. Varsity Tutors delivers in-home, personalized, one-on-one instruction in any subject from STEM to the humanities and customized preparation for all standardized exams, including ISEE, SSAT, SAT, ACT and graduate exams such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT and GMAT. Students from elementary to graduate school are expertly matched with an exceptional tutor who is best able to address their unique needs and goals. To ensure satisfaction and safety, only the highest caliber tutors are selected to join Varsity Tutors following a rigorous screening process. Varsity Tutors currently serves 25 cities nationwide and offers a variety of tutoring packages. Students and their families interested in learning more about Varsity Tutors should visit varsitytutors.com.

Contact:
Cathryn Sloane
Marketing Coordinator
Varsity Tutors LLC
St. Louis, MO
314-740-6075
cathryn@varsitytutors.com
http://www.varsitytutors.com/

Education

Provost Academy Colorado Hosts Information Session For Denver Area Students & Parents on August 28

August 23, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Online high school meets students where they are to ensure students have the flexibility they need to achieve their academic goals

Denver, CO, August 22, 2013 – Provost Academy Colorado will host an informational session for prospective students and their families on Wednesday, August 28 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Dave and Busters in Denver. Provost Academy Colorado is a tuition-free online public charter high school serving students in grades 9 through 12, statewide. Attendees will be able to speak with staff, meet current students and learn more about Provost Academy Colorado. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and free game play will be provided.

“Provost Academy Colorado is designed for the realities of today’s high school students. Whether they are busy, bombarded, brilliant or bullied, Provost delivers high-quality online education in a flexible learning environment that empowers students to succeed,” said Ian Jones, Executive Director of Provost Academy Colorado. “We understand that a traditional, classroom-based high school experience isn’t for everyone and offer an alternative that meets students where they are, helping students achieve their academic goals.”

Provost Academy is a state-authorized public online high school that is free of charge to Colorado residents and offers high school students an engaging, flexible and highly personalized online learning experience.

Students enrolled in Provost Academy work toward their public high school diploma – recognized by colleges and employers – just as they would in a traditional school, but at their own pace and on their own time. Students can complete their coursework from any location using the Internet to connect to a virtual classroom equipped with the latest technology, robust resources and common core-aligned curriculum.

“I encourage any student who needs more flexibility, wants a more personalized education or is dissatisfied with their current educational environment to come to the information session in Denver on August 28,” said Jones. “Provost Academy is an excellent option for high school students in Colorado and they can learn more about how Provost can not only enable them to be successful in school, but also prepare them for college or a career.”
For more information about the Denver informational session or to enroll in Provost Academy, call 1-888-472-2656 or visit www.co.provostacademy.com.

EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Provost Academy Colorado Informational Session
WHEN: Wednesday, August 28 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dave and Busters, 2000 S. Colorado Blvd Denver CO, 80222

About Provost Academy Colorado:
Provost Academy Colorado is an Online Public High School serving grades 9 to 12. It is uniquely designed to offer a challenging and flexible education option for students who want or need something different from traditional high schools. Provost Academy Colorado is the only Online High School in Colorado backed by EdisonLearning, the nation’s largest partner to public school districts and communities, with nearly 20 years of proven experience driving academic results in the K-12 classroom. For more information or to enroll, call 1-888-472-2656 or go to www.co.provostacademy.com.

Contact:
Lindsey Read
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
937-408-9321
lread@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

Bryant & Stratton College Announces The Lori Appleford Administrative Excellence Scholarship

August 23, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

New scholarship honors College’s longest-serving employee, Lori Appleford; eligible to new students interested in enrolling in administrative programs

Buffalo, NY, August 22, 2013 – Bryant & Stratton College announced today the launch of the Lori Appleford Administrative Excellence Scholarship. The Scholarship recognizes Bryant & Stratton College’s longest-serving employee, Lori Appleford, who is retiring from the College at the end of this month after 45 years with the College. It honors her commitment to academic and professional excellence and is available to eligible students interested in enrolling in the College’s administrative programs.

Ms. Appleford started her career at Bryant & Stratton College as a student and has worked for the College longer than any employee in the institution’s history. Prior to graduating, she began working in a temporary capacity for Bryant Girl, a subsidiary of the institution, which provided temporary secretarial assistance to area businesses. She graduated from Bryant & Stratton College in September 1968 and that November was hired as a full-time keypunch operator for the College.

In the years to follow, Ms. Appleford was promoted to a position in the payroll division and served as Executive Administrative Assistant to Francis (Fran) Gustina, Treasurer at Bryant & Stratton College. In 1980, Mr. Gustina became President of Bryant & Stratton and Ms. Appleford continued as his Executive Administrative Assistant. Subsequently, Ms. Appleford served in this position for five different presidents. While supporting the respective Presidents, Ms. Appleford provided assistance for a number of Vice-presidents, Directors and professional staff. In addition, Ms. Appleford has been responsible for all administrative matters related to the Board of Directors.

“Lori’s absence will be felt when she retires at the end of the month and by creating the Lori Appleford Administrative Excellence Scholarship, we not only honor her service, but her legacy as well,” said Dr. Fran Felser, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Bryant & Stratton College. “The Appleford Scholarship is a fitting tribute to our friend and colleague whose dedication and commitment to the College is an inspiration to all. The significant contributions she made over her 45 year career with the College will continue on as the Appleford Scholarship helps future generations of administrative professionals realize career success as well.”

The Lori Appleford Administrative Excellence Scholarship may be awarded to new students enrolling in administrative programs at any of the New York State campuses. To be eligible, students must submit a written essay prior to their third week of their first term. Full and part-time students, who maintain their academic standing in accordance with the College’s established scholarship guidelines, may be awarded up to $1,000 per term not to exceed $5,000. Up to 10 scholarships may be awarded in each semester. Students interested in applying for the Appleford Scholarship should contact their local campus.

After retirement, Ms. Appleford plans to stay involved in the Buffalo community by volunteering at the Botanical Gardens as well as spending time with her family and traveling.

To learn more about Bryant & Stratton College, its degree programs and available scholarships visit http://www.bryantstratton.edu.

About Bryant & Stratton College:
Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college delivering outcomes-based education and training through a flexible, contemporary curriculum in a personalized environment. The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division and a Professional Skill Center. For almost 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and professional certificates in the fields of healthcare, technology, legal, business and graphic design. For more information about the College’s graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures. General information can also be found on the College’s website at www.bryantstratton.edu.

Contact:
Lindsey Read
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
937-408-9321
lread@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

Bryant & Stratton College Online Hosts Webinar that Gives Tips on How to Find and Work with a Mentor

August 21, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

The August 28 webinar will offer advice on finding and establishing a mentor-mentee relationship, which is critical for new graduates starting their careers.

Buffalo, NY, August 20, 2013 – Bryant & Stratton College Online today announced a new session in its ongoing free employability webinar series. Titled “Are You My Mentor? How to Find and Work with a Mentor,” the free webinar is available to job seekers, prospective students and current Bryant & Stratton College Online students. This session will take place on Wednesday, August 28, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Acclaimed career coach Kim Dority will lead the webinar. Ms. Dority has been a presenter at many past career webinars for Bryant & Stratton College Online and has been writing about and teaching courses on career design for more than a decade.

“Professional mentors deliver many benefits both professionally and personally at any stage in a career, but offer distinct advantages to those individuals just starting out,” said Dority. “Finding the right person or people to serve as a mentor can be tricky if you don’t know where to look or what characteristics make a good fit. In this webinar I’ll take attendees through some helpful considerations on how to find a mentor and how to work with him or her once you’ve found that person.”

The “Are You My Mentor?” webinar will highlight advice and guidance for students and professionals looking to find a mentor. Attendees of the webinar will learn how to:

* Identify who might be a good fit as a mentor

* Approach an individual with a request for mentoring

* Structure a mentoring relationship for maximum career benefit and mutual reward

* Ask for guidance, including what specific questions to ask

* Handle and move past potentially awkward mentoring situations and circumstances

* Pay it forward and become a mentor yourself, when you’re ready

“Mentors can be a powerful career resource but many people don’t know how much the relationship can offer. At Bryant & Stratton College Online we spend a great deal of time ensuring students have the skills and knowledge that will make them ready for a career. Understanding how to identify a mentor and why finding one is important is part of that mission,” said Scott Traylor, Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. “Ms. Dority has an incredible amount of knowledge to offer on the topic and we are happy to be able to provide this session at no cost to attendees.”

The webinar is offered for free by Bryant & Stratton College Online and is open to current students, prospective students and others seeking information on professional mentors. Those interested in attending are invited to register at http://online.bryantstratton.edu/webinar/. Additionally, following the webinar, attendees will be able to download a hand-out recapping the top strategies addressed in the session.

About Bryant & Stratton College Online:
Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college delivering outcomes-based education and training through a flexible, contemporary curriculum in a personalized environment. The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center. For almost 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and professional certificates. Bryant & Stratton College Online offers five online bachelor’s degree programs, twelve online associate’s degree programs and eleven online certificate programs in a variety of fields including business, criminal justice, financial services, healthcare, human resources and information technology. Some online programs are not yet available in all states. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of graduates and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures. General information about Bryant & Stratton College and its online degrees can also be found at http://online.bryantstratton.edu.

Contact:
Anne Jenkins
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
703-624-6125
ajenkins@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

Ecotech Institute’s First Free Online Course, “Introduction to Sustainability,” Receives Positive Student Feedback

August 20, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Course Provided New Ways of Looking at Sustainability to U.S. and International Students

Denver, Colorado, August 19, 2013 – Descriptions such as “inspiring” and “eye-opening” were included in student feedback from Ecotech Institute’s recent free online “Introduction to Sustainability” course.

Students came from “all walks of life and from around the globe,” according to Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s Program Chair and Manager of Environmental Operations, who led the course. There was a diverse mix of men and women in the class, ranging in educational background from high school to Ph.D., about half of whom had never taken an online course before.

“Many participants were so engaged that they actually requested that the class continue beyond the ten weeks,” said Crider. The course was designed to help participants think critically about environmental sustainability and how it impacts people at all levels, from corporate behavior to personal lives.

The course was Ecotech Institute’s first “massive online open course” (MOOC) through the Canvas Network, a popular way for educational institutions to offer free courses to the public. Based in Aurora, Colorado, Ecotech Institute is the only college entirely focused on sustainability-related job training.

The course explored various definitions of sustainability used by governments, businesses and individuals to address environmental, societal and economic problems around the world. In addition, students learned ways to apply sustainable concepts in their own lives, including the capstone project of writing their own sustainability-focused mission, vision and goals.

Some of the feedback includes:

“I’ll always remember it as the course that gave me the push I needed in deciding to continue study in a master’s program in Sustainability.”

“I learned a lot, removed some general misconceptions about sustainability, and am truly inspired to continue learning and reading more about these topics. Plus, I am taking actions to change my personal habits.”

“It was a much needed eye opener and has inspired me to open a consulting business (which I did last week) and have a little fun helping people save themselves…well, from themselves!“

MOOC instructor Crider continued, “I was invigorated by the engagement and passion that came from the course attendees and we were able to explore a wide variety of critical topics together. The diverse student population supports the fact that regardless of our differences we all live on the same planet and collectively need to play our part.”

Due to the overwhelming positive feedback, Ecotech Institute plans to offer future MOOC courses. The school will provide updates on future courses through its Facebook page, which users can “like” to access. For more information on Ecotech Institute visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

Bookmarking: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecotech-institutes-first-free-online-131000093.html

LinkedIn:
Subject: “Introduction to Sustainability” Receives Positive Student Feedback
Body: Ecotech Institute’s first massive online open course (MOOC), “Introduction to Sustainability,” was designed to help participants think critically about environmental sustainability and how it impacts people at all levels, from corporate behavior to personal lives. After the 10-week course was completed, it received glowing feedback from participants. “Many participants were so engaged that they actually requested that the class continue beyond the ten weeks,” said Kyle Crider, program chair and manager of environmental operations for Ecotech and who led the course.

Ecotech plans to offer future MOOC courses and provide updates on future courses through its Facebook page, which users can “like” to access. For more information on Ecotech Institute visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

Contact:
Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
jfoust@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

Bryant & Stratton College Offers New Degree Programs and Certificate in Western New York

August 15, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Prospective students can now enroll in Medical Assisting, Financial Support Services, or Security Guard programs at the Amherst, Buffalo and Orchard Park locations

Buffalo, NY, August 15, 2013 – Bryant & Stratton College announced today the addition of two new program offerings and the expansion of one degree program in the Western New York area. All three campuses in the area, located in Amherst, Buffalo, and Orchard Park, will offer the College’s Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Financial Support Services and a Security Guard certificate program.

“We are very excited to be able to offer these programs at all three of our area campuses. Our mission is to provide outcomes-based education to individuals who want to start, grow or change their careers. These new programs help us bring that mission to more of the Western New York community,” said Paul Bahr, Director of the Western New York Campuses of Bryant & Stratton College.

Information events will be held for all three programs. More details about the events and the degrees are below.

AAS Medical Assisting
Individuals interested in the medical assistant field will find growing job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates a 31 percent increase in employment of medical assistants between 2010 and 2020. This growth and the success of programs at the Southtowns and Buffalo campuses have spurred the decision to offer the degree program at the Amherst campus as well. Students in the Medical Assisting program participate in classroom and laboratory activities that include typing/transcription, communications, taking vital signs, microscopy and vision testing. Upon graduation, students must be able to complete the necessary external performance objectives as set forth by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). There will be an informational event on August 19 at the Amherst campus, for those individuals interested in enrolling in classes or learning more about internship and job placement opportunities. The event will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is open to the public. A complimentary dinner will be provided during the event. The Bryant & Stratton website also includes more information about the medical assisting degree.

AAS Financial Support Services
Individuals interested in finding positions as a finance service representative, a customer service representative, a billing and posting clerk, a brokerage clerk, a loan processor, or a banking specialist should consider enrolling in the AAS Financial Support Services degree. Many of these career fields are predicted to grow by 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. In the degree program, students will learn how to process client financial transactions, generate reports that support client needs, judge appropriate ethical behaviors that follow the laws and regulations applicable to the financial services industry and formulate useful solutions to clients’ financial and business related needs. There will be an informational event on August 27 at the campus located in Orchard Park for those individuals interested in enrolling in classes or learning more about internship and job placement opportunities. The event will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is open to the public. More information about the financial support services degree can also be found here.

Security Guard Certificate
There are two Security Guard certification courses now available through the Bryant & Stratton College Western New York campuses. The first is an eight-hour course required by New York State as the first step in obtaining a security guard card from the New York State Department of State. Topics covered in this course include the role of security guard, legal powers and limitations, emergency situations, communications and public relations, access control, and ethics and conduct. The passing of an examination is required for successful completion of this course. Individuals interested in becoming a security guard are required to complete this pre-assignment training class only once in their career.

The second is a 16-hour course that must be completed within 90 days of employment as a security guard. The course provides the student with detailed information on the duties and responsibilities of a security guard. Topics covered in this course include the role of the security guard, legal powers and limitations, emergency situations, communications and public relations, access control, ethics and conduct, incident command system, and terrorism. The passing of an examination is required for successful completion of this course.

There will be an informational event about both courses on September 10 at the Buffalo campus for those interested in enrolling in the course or learning more about job opportunities. The event will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Individuals interested the Security Guard certificate can also call the campus nearest them for more information: Amherst: 716-625-6300; Buffalo: 716-884-9120; Orchard Park: 716-677-9500.

To learn more about Bryant & Stratton College and its degree programs go to http://www.bryantstratton.edu. Bryant & Stratton College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

About Bryant & Stratton College:
Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college delivering outcomes-based education and training through a flexible, contemporary curriculum in a personalized environment. The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center. For almost 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and professional certificates in the fields of healthcare, technology, legal, business, & graphic design. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures. General information can also be found on the College’s website at www.bryantstratton.edu.

Contact:
Anne Jenkins
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
703-624-6125
ajenkins@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

ExamSoft Makes it Easier than Ever to Access Direct Evidence of Student Learning

August 14, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Designed by faculty, ExamSoft’s latest release sets the standard for ease-of-use, when it comes to creating, delivering, and analyzing embedded assessments to help every student with direct, real-time evidence of learning.

Dallas, Texas, August 14, 2013 – As students and the accreditation bodies that regulate colleges and universities demand direct-evidence of student learning, being able to connect learning outcomes to assessments is increasingly important. ExamSoft, the leading provider of intelligent embedded assessment solutions, today announced updates to its platform that will help faculty members and institutions get information in real time and intervene earlier with students. Purpose built for faculty, the new release offers simpler navigation, streamlined question creation, the ability to blueprint exams by learning outcome, and easier student management and report creation.

“Every faculty member wants to better understand his or her students’ strengths and weaknesses and measure how well they are grasping key concepts. But, without the right support technology, using assessment to do that can be tedious,” said Patrick Chadd, Manager?of Academic Systems and Educational Technology at Rowan University’s?School of Osteopathic Medicine. “When we first started using ExamSoft our ability to provide students timely feedback greatly improved. We are excited that the updates to the platform will help us create, deliver, and evaluate assessments more easily and give us unprecedented access to assessment data to connect students to their academics in even more meaningful ways.”

Well-thought out assessments can be powerful instruments. By blueprinting assessments to match key learning objectives faculty members can determine what has or has not been mastered by students. Additionally, robust assessment data helps evaluate curriculum, instruction, and the assessment itself. The enhancements in the latest release from ExamSoft facilitate an easier implementation of these processes. Individuals interested in how the platform works can visit the ExamSoft website.

ExamSoft worked closely with faculty members throughout the entire development process including them in focus group studies, conducting hundreds of one-on-one interviews, and having faculty work directly with user design experts to create vastly simplified and streamlined process. Improvements to the assessment solution include:

* Simpler navigation
– An improved workflow that brings all system aspects to one screen;
– One-screen question creation and faster import tools to build a question database for entire courses, departments, or colleges;

* Reduction in training time
– Quicker access to help functions, like tips on hover-over and pop-up screens, support videos and easy to find reference guides, so new users can move past learning into practical use faster;

* Increased flexibility and scalability
– Enhanced system for exam building that provides pre- and post-exam management on one screen;
– Exam blueprinting for assessments to evenly cover all learning objectives and work in undergraduate- as well as graduate-level courses;

* Robust reporting and data collection
– Simple exam taker management that allows faculty members to track how well students perform and where and when tests were taken as well as provides opportunities to communicate directly with students during the exam;
– More robust reporting that provides longitudinal analysis at the student, class, course and institution levels.

Later this year, ExamSoft will release additional updates including rubric building functionality.

“Access to actionable outcomes data and insights is important to faculty members. But, the last thing they need is another cumbersome piece of technology that eats up time. The enhancements included in this release will help faculty get to the most valuable data – data that’s often buried in answer sheets that are thrown away after grades are recorded – and do so in less time,” said Daniel Muzquiz, Chief Executive Officer of ExamSoft. “Everyone is talking about big data today, but big data doesn’t mean anything if it is not relevant, timely, and a simple click away from faculty fingertips. ExamSoft gives faculty access to smart data to support data driven decisions and to help better engage students in their own learning.”

This initial round of updates is available to customers now. Current customers can upgrade at no extra cost. For more information about these updates or to learn more about ExamSoft visit http://www.examsoft.com.

Contact:
Anne Jenkins
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
703-624-6125
ajenkins@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com