EDUCATION editorial NETWORK
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FALL 2013
AN eMAGAZINE FROM THE COLLEGE NETWORK
A Report Card on
What’s your LEARNING STYLE? Find out inside!
eLearning
See how online education compares to traditional education, how online education is growing and where online education could stand to improve.
Back-to-School Financial Shape-Up Simplify your financial life and get tips on how to get on the correct credit track.
4 CAREER-
ENHANCING BENEFITS OF EARNING A FACEBOOK CERTIFICATE
Remote Possibilities Discover the impact of education technology solutions and important issues in the edu-tech field.
6 ESSENTIAL
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE VIRTUAL STUDENT
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EDUCATION editorial
EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
FALL 2013
6 BACK-TO-SCHOOL
FINANCIAL SHAPE-UP A credit union expert offers tips for shaping up your finances and improving your credit.
8 Q&A WITH ALBERT MORRIS An Academic Advisor from TCN discusses the role of Academic Support and offers advice for customers.
10 WE WANT YOU FOR MEDICAL CODING
The CEO of The CODESMART™ GROUP Inc. discusses upcoming healthcare changes and the growing need for trained medical coders.
12 WHAT’S YOUR
LEARNING STYLE? Take our short quiz to find out how you learn best.
14 THE IMPORTANCE OF
OPTIMIZING CLASS SIZE IN ONLINE EDUCATION A Regis University professor discusses the importance of monitoring enrollment size for online classes.
16 HOW HAS GOING BACK
TO SCHOOL TO EARN A PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE IMPACTED YOUR CAREER? Four paralegal certificate holders describe how their careers have been impacted by their pursuit of a professional certificate.
18 SUCCESS STORY:
DAVID BELLIVEAU Read about a TCN customer who boosted his credentials in just two months with a project management certificate.
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FEATURE STORY
A REPORT CARD ON eLEARNING
We evaluate the successes, failures and growth of online education.
24 SPOTLIGHT ON AN “A” STUDENT
Sheila Blackmur successfully completed her master’s degree online and was able to advance her career.
26 REMOTE POSSIBILITIES The COO of B Virtual Inc. discusses education technology solutions and other important issues in the edu-tech field.
28 4 CAREER-ENHANCING
BENEFITS OF EARNING A FACEBOOK CERTIFICATE A professor at Splash Media U discusses how you can benefit from completing the Facebook Certificate program.
33 NOTEWORTHY Learn about updates on TCN’s revamped continuing education courses and Project Management Certificate Program.
34 SCHOLAR 6 We’ve compiled a list of six essential school supplies for the virtual student.
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
College Corner G
reetings, and welcome to the back-to-school issue of The College Network’s Education Editorial. You may notice that we’ve made some changes to our eMagazine, and we hope you enjoy the fresh look! The back-to-school season is undoubtedly busy for many people, but we hope you’ll find time to peruse the Fall 2013 issue of Education Editorial. To help you get into the back-toschool spirit, we’ve packed this issue with study tips, a learning styles quiz, an eLearning report card and a fun list of the most important school supplies for virtual students. You’ll also find tips for starting the school year with your finances in tip-
top shape as well as inspiring stories from our customers who have returned to school to earn advanced credentials. For this issue, we tapped into the minds of top experts from Regis University, B Virtual Inc.,
The CODESMART™ GROUP Inc., Splash Media U and City County Credit Union. To learn more about these experts, visit our Featured Contributors section. Before you turn the page, I’d like to leave you with a quote by Malcolm Little that captures the spirit of this issue: “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” Enjoy!
Abby Nieten Editor-in-Chief
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FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
EDUCATION editorial VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1
BARBARA W. BERG Barbara W. Berg is a doctor of nursing practice, a registered nurse, a clinical nurse specialist, a pediatric nurse practitioner and a certified nurse educator. She currently works as an associate professor and the coordinator of the MS Leadership Program in the nursing school at Regis University.
PUBLISHER The College Network EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Abby Nieten DEPUTY EDITOR Sarah Owens
TIM DEWEY Tim Dewey is an information technology expert and a public speaker. He currently works as president and chief operating officer of B Virtual Inc.
SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR Emily Ungar MARKETING DIRECTOR Jason Walter
IRA SHAPIRO Ira Shapiro is a healthcare entrepreneur and an innovator in leadership recruiting and training. He currently works as chairman and chief executive officer of The CODESMART™ GROUP Inc.
CONTENT DIRECTOR Amanda Gentry DESIGN DIRECTOR Scott Ungar
PAUL SLACK Paul Slack is a social strategist, consultant and trainer. He currently works as an adjunct professor at Splash Media U.
SANDRA SPENCE Sandra Spence is a communications expert with experience representing a credit union. She currently works as vice president of advertising and public relations at City County Credit Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
3815 River Crossing Parkway Indianapolis, IN 46240 Contact: editor@collegenetwork.com
www.collegenetwork.com
EDUCATION editorial
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FALL 2013
Back-to-School Financial Shape-Up How Credit Unions Can Revitalize Your Fiscal Wellness
are called), and they concentrate on products that benefit these owners. Like banks, most credit unions offer a wide range of financial products. These include savings and checking accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards, car loans, mortgages and ATM services. However, unlike your mega bank, credit unions typically pay higher rates on deposit accounts (i.e., savings, certificates of deposit, etc.) and offer lower rates on loans.
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By S andr a Sp ence
I
t’s that time of year again: back-to-school season. And the season brings with it the usual stresses—most of which involve money management. But never fear! I am here to help simplify your financial life and offer tips for how you can get on the correct credit track. For over 90 million Americans, the path to fiscal wellness begins when they join a credit union. But what is a credit union?
Simply put, credit unions are small, local, personable financial institutions that offer services (with a smile) at lower costs than a traditional bank. Unlike banks, which exist mainly to drive up earnings for their shareholders, credit unions are not-for-profit institutions. Credit unions are owned by their customers (or members, as they
Are you continually being hit with fees from a big bank? At credit unions, fees for trivial services are usually lower or nonexistent. No, you cannot bounce a check without consequences, but such a mistake will cost you less. Also, most credit unions will show you how to manage your finances to avoid this situation in the first place. Can anyone join a credit union? A few years ago, only a relatively small number of people who worked for certain companies were allowed to join credit unions. However, membership requirements have changed for the better. Most credit unions are now open to anyone who lives or works in a certain com-
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munity or geographic area. Just walk in or call and open a savings account (sometimes with as little as $5), and you are on your way! Another difference between mega banks and credit unions is the matter of financial education. This has become a mission for credit unions. As they develop a rapport with members, representatives are always asked two basic questions: “Why is
good credit important?” and “How can I improve my scores?” Good credit is, of course, increasingly important as society uses credit checks to award jobs, distribute loans, determine loan rates and even establish utility services. Your credit score—a three digit number ranging from 300 to 850—indicates your creditworthiness. The higher the score, the more creditworthy you are.
How can a credit score be improved speedily? Unfortunately, there is no quick fix. The way to a great score is more of an endurance marathon than a 100-meter dash. Even the great Usain Bolt could not win this one. There are, however, certain actions that an individual can take to make a good score more of a reality. Here are some tips to push you in that direction:
How to improve your credit score >>Review your credit reports regularly. These are available for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com. >>Always pay bills on time. If forgetfulness is a problem, consider setting up bills for automatic withdrawal from a checking account. >>Pay down credit card balances. Never max out credit cards. Try to keep balances below 30 percent of your credit limit—even if you pay them off in full each month. It’s better to have two cards with balances that are each below 30 percent of your limit than to have one card that you consistently max out. >>Don’t close out unused credit card accounts. A long credit history helps to increase your score. Cancelling a card can actually lower it. >>Check for rates quickly. If you are researching rates (to buy a car or house, for example), do so quickly. A lot of inquiries will decrease your score, but multiple inquires in a short time period should not make a great difference. >>No credit history? Get a secured card. With a secured card, your financial institution will hold on to cash that you provide as collateral. As you make charges and pay on time, your collateral will be released, and the bank or credit union will report favorably to the credit agencies.
Exercise your credit muscle with these simple tips, and you’ll be on your way to shaping up your finances!
If you’d like more information about credit unions, visit mycreditunion.gov.
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EDUCATION editorial
Q &A with
ALBERT MORRIS HOW CAN THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT DEPARTMENT AT THE COLLEGE NETWORK (TCN) MOTIVATE YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL JOURNEY? Read our Q&A with Albert Morris, Academic Advisor for TCN, to find out! Albert has been with TCN for two years and has helped scores of customers get started on their studies. Read on to see how he can help you, too.
FALL 2013
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What made you want to work for The College Network? The ability to help those who are working and have kids. Helping those people get their degree—I thought that’d be pretty rewarding.
What motivates you to come back to work every day? Each day is different. I take a multitude of calls, whether it’s somebody I’m trying to get re-engaged to someone who is struggling with a certain course. If it was the same thing over and over, it would get boring!
How do you customize each learning experience? We’ve developed study plans that we can email to customers. If someone’s having a hard time planning their studies, we have a template that’s like a syllabus. We have them for many courses. Also, we take an in-depth look at the Resource Center account for each customer to see how he or she is progressing.
What advice do you offer to customers who are returning to school? The key thing that I usually tell people is set realistic goals. Many people set unrealistic goals. That’s a recipe for failure. One, you’ll get frustrated. Two, you’ll in turn push this program
to the side. We understand you’re busy, so if you can put in 30 to 45 minutes a day and that’s it, that’s perfectly fine. We try to emphasize this a lot, because people are used to having a teacher in front of them guiding and directing their studies. They really have to look at the Center for Learning Empowerment and understand the learning process from an online learning perspective. When you don’t have a teacher anymore, you’re ultimately in the driver’s seat.
Do you have any favorite customer success stories? In my current job duty, one of my tasks is calling customers who don’t pass exams. One of my strong suits (since I took a few courses in college) is religion. I’ve actually called several people about failing our Introduction to World Religions module. Some of them were pretty down. So I tell them to connect the dots and focus on the quizzes. I give them my direct extension; that way they can call me with any study questions. I’ve had customers pass the exam after I helped them.
What is the biggest service that Academic Support provides to customers? Ultimately, we listen. We’re the customers’ go-to persons for
anything and everything. If they call us for something that we don’t handle, we’ll get them to the person they need to talk to. We’re here as guides. We’re not teachers, but we all have our bachelor’s degrees. We’re here to help guide them by answering their questions and setting study plans.
Where did you go to college? Ball State University. My degree is in marketing.
What are your top study tips for virtual learners? People who call us on a more regular basis are going to progress through the program a lot better than somebody who doesn’t call us. There are… many people out there who do well just not calling us and are successful online learners. But some people need a little bit more help, and they should be calling us more. Anytime you have a question, call.
What do you do on your day off when you’re not helping customers? I enjoy movies and sports. I’m restoring a ’92 Mustang GT, so I like to work on my car also. —EMILY UNGAR
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
By Ira Shapiro
WE WANT YOU
FOR MEDICAL CODING CURRENT AND FUTURE MEDICAL CODERS, LISTEN UP! BIG CHANGES ARE COMING TO HEALTHCARE, AND THE INDUSTRY WANTS (AND NEEDS) YOU.
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T
he next year will bring sweeping changes for the American healthcare industry. One of these major changes involves the world of medical coding. We’ve all seen the medical codes that appear on bills from our physicians and other healthcare providers. You may not have given much thought to these very specific medical codes, but they are vital to healthcare. Current medical codes are set to be overhauled in 2014, so industry leaders will be on the lookout for well-trained coders. The ICD-9 code sets are expected to be replaced with the ICD-10 code sets on October 1, 2014, and that means significant changes for healthcare professionals.
What is ICD? The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) is the coding system currently used in the healthcare industry. The system was set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is an agency of the United Nations. According to WHO’s web site, ICD “is used to classify diseases and other health problems recorded on many types of health and vital records including death certificates and health records.” Implementing the Tenth Revision (ICD-10) will require an extensive training program for members of
the healthcare team. In fact, every person who touches a patient or a patient’s chart will have to have some form of ICD-10 training. By now, hospitals and doctor’s offices are surely talking about an ICD-10 transition and implementation plan—and if they’re not, they should be! There is no question that getting physician documentation up to speed to address the need for greater specificity has been a focal point of the buzz surrounding ICD-10. Clinical documentation improvement by our doctors, nurses and IT systems and training of health information management professionals present the most significant transitional challenges. However, many of
us in healthcare are discovering that readiness and preparation goes much deeper. In fact, the impact and trickle-down effect of ICD-10 will touch nearly every
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
A recent estimate indicates that ICD-10 coders can expect to have an annual income of nearly $60,000 to $80,000.
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
What’s your
LEARNING STYLE?
When you encounter new learning material, do you initially want to understand the big picture, or do you prefer to hear the details first? Have you ever really thought about it? We all learn in multiple ways, and the more you know about how you learn, the better you can manage your personal learning experience. A learning style is a tendency or preference of an individual to process information in a particular manner. So what’s your primary learning style? To find out, take the short quiz (right). Briefly read each statement and choose the answer that fits you best. Don’t think too hard about your answer. Your first reaction will be the most accurate!
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1
What are your study preferences? a. I enjoy taking breaks and studying in different places.
b. I often reflect about what I am learning by talking out loud.
c. My surroundings and environment are important to me: where I live, work and study.
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How do you learn best? a. It helps me to touch or see the actual item I am studying. b. I learn best by hearing and discussing.
c. When I study for a test, I feel it is most helpful to read notes, chapter headings, charts and illustrations.
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Which of the following statements describes your memory or concentration? a. Chewing gum helps me concentrate.
b. I have an especially good memory, especially when it comes to spelling words or telling a story. c. I often close my eyes when trying to remember something.
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Which of the following activities describes you best? a. I enjoy hands-on activities. b. I find reading very enjoyable.
c. I would rather look at pictures and books than listen to a lecture.
If you got mostly a’s,
you may be a tactile learner. Tactile learners learn best by doing. The more they can attach instructional material to physical movement, the better. Active learning helps tactile learners to process information more thoroughly.
If you got mostly b’s,
you may be an auditory learner.
Visit our web site and
take the full Learning Styles Survey.
Auditory learners learn best by hearing, listening and reading out loud. Auditory learners’ special strengths are language, literature and writing.
If you got mostly c’s,
you may be a visual learner. Visual learners learn best when information is communicated using graphs, pictures, tables and images of all types. Creativity in their work helps visual learners concentrate.
Receive customized recommendations on the ideal study environment and techniques to help you learn and study for the best shot at success!
EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
The Importance of Optimizing Class Size in Online Education By Barbara W. Berg What is the appropriate enrollment size for an online class? As online classes and programs expand, an increased examination of distance education has been initiated. Research results vary for determination of ideal class size, and the recommendations are often controversial. Most studies have suggested that an online class size of 15 to 30 students is optimal. When online class size increases, students experience less direct individual attention from faculty in the course, and limited facultystudent interaction can affect the quality of the education.
The disadvantages of inappropriate class size Online classes have been taught with 100 or more students. Some subjects or disciplines lend
themselves to classes with a large number of students. Those subjects generally require the learning of objective or factual scientific information that students passively learn as faculty communicate the information. The learning environment in these large classes is more impersonal and usually involves one-way communication with fewer faculty-student or studentstudent interactions. Learning is more independent and individual for the student. Too few students in an online class poses its own set of issues. The strength of online education often lies in the opportunity to work with other students who contribute diverse opinions. Working with students from different backgrounds offers a
“ Most studies have suggested that an online class size of 15 to 30 students is optimal.
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broader view of the subject matter—and perhaps even the world. In a too-small online class, the interactions tend to become more homogeneous and stale over the length of the course.
Opportunities to connect with faculty Students in advanced professional nursing classes have the opportunity to apply complex material. This application requires interaction between students and course faculty. The optimized class size allows for increased faculty-student interaction—the one best predictor of positive student learning. Students in small classes also are able to connect with each other and network on a professional level. These students tend to do
better in their studies and have opportunities to contribute to the class—experiences that will serve them well as they advance their education and career.
The perfect balance Regis University’s online nursing programs limit classes to 18 students. Selected courses may occasionally increase enrollment to a maximum of 20 students. Faculty members are experienced in facilitation of online learning activities and are aware of the importance of immediacy in providing timely and detailed feedback. Class size is just one of the many reasons to advance your education and select the online nursing programs at Regis University.
Please contact a Regis University enrollment counselor if you have specific questions about Regis University, its nursing programs or its partnership with The College Network.
303-458-4344 email:
healthcare@regis.edu
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
How has going
to earn a paralegal certific
KAREN
RENICK
I did the job of a paralegal for 35 years; I just didn’t hav the money that went with it...Being a certified paralega meant everything to me. I work with attorneys now, bu hire the attorneys—they don’t hire me—which makes even better. So it’s been a win-win situation for me.
Crawfordsville, Ind.
Going back to school to earn my paralegal certificate has awarded me the opportunity to advance in my field of running a private investigation company. The knowledge I gained in the short amount of time I spent online better prepared me to work hand in hand with attorneys on their cases. My company assisted in the tuition and, at the end of the program, was able to renegotiate my salary.
BRENDA
MCGINLEY Indianapolis, Ind.
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g back to school
cate impacted your career? JOHN
ve al has ut I it
SUERMANN St. Louis, Mo.
My life changed rather quickly upon completion of the online paralegal certification. Within three weeks of completing the program, I was given an offer with one of St. Louis’s top law firms.
SHANNON
BOOTH Watertown, N.Y.
I’m pursuing a career to be a family law mediator, and eventually probably a family law attorney, and I figured [becoming] a paralegal would be a stepping stone into that…If you are a paralegal, you can be what they call a guardian ad litem, which is like a child law guardian.
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
Success Story DAVID BELLIVEAU HOW ONE MOTIVATED MAN BOOSTED HIS CREDENTIALS IN JUST TWO MONTHS
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H
ow soon can a certificate program in project management be completed? For some people, it takes as little as two months. David Belliveau of Leominster, Mass., was able to complete his program in project management—a certificate program that is an estimated 108 hours long—in just seven weeks! Belliveau has been in the project management field since the ’80s, but he knew it would be beneficial to have a certification to accompany all his know-how. “Given all the experience that I had in project management, I thought it was smart to get my PMP certification since it is the gold standard for the industry,” Belliveau said. Completing the program so quickly was no easy task. Belliveau was dedicated and studied all day, seven days a week. Passing the PMP exam also was no easy task, but because of Belliveau’s hard work and the program’s guidance, he was ready.
Two weeks after completing his coursework, Belliveau took the PMP exam and passed. “The program was very detailed and comprehensive. It prepared me very well for the PMP exam,” Belliveau said. “I have my MBA, and the PMP exam is, by far, the most difficult and stressful exam I’ve ever taken. I couldn’t have been more prepared. The course went over and above, providing additional knowledge. It gave me what I needed to pass the exam and more. I could not have passed the PMP exam otherwise.” Although Belliveau had many years of experience in project management before he started the program, it was his certification that opened doors for him. He was offered several interviews and consulting opportunities after he completed the program. “In my experience, this course is tried and tested,” Belliveau said. “I highly recommend this course for anyone who is serious about pursuing PMP certification. It is a significant and rigorous effort but well worth the time invested.” —SARAH OWENS
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A Report Card on eLearning EVALUATING ONLINE EDUCATION
T
here’s no question about it: Online learning works. While distance education has been around for decades, its impact has become more widespread in recent years. As advanced technologies continue to make their presence known in the world of education, it’s important to evaluate the effectiveness of eLearning.
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
eLearning
R
esearch shows that students who complete courses online are just as successful as those who complete courses through traditional means. Research also indicates that courses delivered via the Internet are not going away anytime soon. In fact, many academic leaders report that online learning is a key aspect of the future plans for their institutions. However, navigating the eLearning landscape is not without obstacles. Preparing for online courses can be a challenge, and retention rates tend to be lower for online courses than for traditional courses. TAKE A LOOK AT OUR eLEARNING REPORT CARD to see how online education compares to traditional education, how online education is growing and where online education could stand to improve.
ONLINE EDUCATION VS. TRADITIONAL EDUCATION No Significant Difference
Several studies have shown that there is no significant difference in learning outcomes when comparing online programs and traditional programs. The various studies have compared overall student performance (GPAs), student performance on exams, ACT composite scores, credit hours completed, student satisfaction and student perception of course quality.
83%
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72%
Percentag online co 21st-cent
Percentage of respondents to the 2012 ITC survey who identified their online courses as equivalent to traditional courses
Number of least one
77%
90%
Percentage of academic leaders who rate the learning outcomes in online education as the same or better than those in face-to-face education
6.7 mi
Percentag survey wh offering degree pr
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g Report Card
H OF eLEARNING
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
%
age of top academic leaders who ine learning is essential to their rm strategy
Retention
%:
A majority of top academic leaders at all types of institutions believe lower retention rates for online courses are a barrier to the broad adoption of distance education.
%:
50%
Percentage of college idents who predict a majority of r students will be taking classes ne in 10 years
Percentage of college idents who predict more than half heir undergraduate textbooks will xclusively digital in 10 years
ge of faculty who say ontent is vital for a tury classroom
Percentage of respondents to a 2012 survey who said retention is lower for online classes than for traditional classes at their institution (down 3 percentage points from 2011)
Orientation/Preparation
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f students who were taking at e online course in fall 2011
A 2012 distance education study shows that over the past nine years, one of the greatest challenges for students enrolled in distance education has been orientation/preparation for distance education classes.
ge of respondents to a 2012 ho reported that they are at least one distance education rogram
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S: SOURCE artford. ww.cs.h /w :/ • http rs/ e rn/pap edu/~do f d .p 5 0 ISECON ww. • http://w antdifference. c nosignifi #Q1 sp .a q a /f . org sortium loancon /s :/ p tt h survey/ • s/ n o ti a lic org/pub e_2012 g_cours changin .gov/ ww2.ed • http://w val/tech/ t/e es/ rschsta -practic e-based evidenc ort.pdf finalrep
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FALL 2013
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SHEILA BLACKMUR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAM. SHE EARNED HER MASTER’S DEGREE IN NURSING COMPLETELY ONLINE AND WAS ABLE TO ADVANCE HER CAREER. CHECK OUT HER STORY:
S
heila Blackmur worked as a nurse educator but wanted to broaden her nursing career. In pursuit of her career goals, Blackmur decided to enroll in Regis University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program with help from The College Network. “They provided all the information necessary to begin school in a clear, concise manner,” Blackmur said about her experience working with The College Network. “I was able to keep track of my completed classes by using the...paperwork they provided in the very beginning. Services were prompt, Comprehensive Learning Modules came quickly and information about prerequisites was up front.” According to Blackmur, online education made returning to school more manageable, but it wasn’t easy. It required commitment, mo-
tivation, self-discipline and hard work—especially considering her other responsibilities. While working to earn an online master’s degree, Blackmur had a full-time job and a family to nurture.
It was very comforting to know that your classmates were experiencing some of the same happiness, stress and anxiety! It was also great to work with classmates from all over the United States.”
“My family was very supportive and understood my goals and desires,” Blackmur said. “As a matter of fact, my two sons were in college too and often proofread my papers for clarity from a layperson point of view.”
Through her hard work and determination, Blackmur earned her master’s degree in nursing and reached her goal of expanding her nursing career.
Along with her family’s support, Blackmur also had plenty of collaboration with other students in the Regis University online program. “I interacted with other students in every course I took, such as through group work and projects,” Blackmur said. “We interacted via chat rooms, telephone conversation, email and discussion boards.
“Since completing my Master of Science in Nursing, I have experienced working in two areas requiring an MS degree: education specialist and blood management coordinator,” Blackmur said. “My salary increased, and my scope of nursing practice broadened.” —ABBY NIETEN
EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
Remote Possibilities Q&A with Tim Dewey
T
imes have changed from the days when exams were given exclusively in a classroom with a teacher walking around answering questions, monitoring for distractions and ensuring no one was cheating. Now, some schools and institutions are using the latest technology to have their exams completed online. B Virtual Inc. is an online proctoring services company that provides examination programs tailored to fit the needs of its customer organizations. Using the latest technology to offer remote monitoring, highly-trained proctors and authentication processes, institutions can now remotely manage the issues a teacher would traditionally address on an exam day. Tim Dewey, the chief operating
officer of B Virtual Inc., explains the impact of the company’s education technology solutions and discusses important issues in the edu-tech field.
What contributions has your company made to the educational technology field with the products and services you provide? B Virtual offers live online proctoring to institutions, schools and organizations that require a secure examination program. Our solution’s technology platform creates a secure connection between our online proctors and the students taking exams. We use a leading remote monitoring technology as our core technology to deliver this service.
“ A digital learning center where students from anywhere in the world will share knowledge and information to grow in a more expansive “learning eco-system” will replace the traditional classroom.
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efficiently. Our remote monitoring service offers the unique opportunity to utilize screen sharing and presentation options for collaborative learning. We also provide the means to share learning experiences by inviting learners and educators into single learning environments digitally. As learning becomes more digitized, educators will need the availability of ease-of-use technologies that offer transparent access to students and learners. The use of remote monitoring by B Virtual exemplifies how educators can directly access and provide support to students actively taking online exams.
How has your organization made a difference in education and the learning outcomes of students? How have your company’s contributions made a difference in educational technology? Educators can use our innovative technology platform to focus on the delivery of quality content, while our organization validates and secures the examination process for students who want to learn from home. All levels of academia should embrace available technology platforms to present and manage learning experiences more
We have a 91 percent satisfaction rating for our online proctored exams. Students are more successful when taking their exams in a quiet, secure location rather than a crowded and noisy classroom or proctored facility.
In addition to products and services, what contributions has your company made in the edutech field? B Virtual often speaks at association meetings about the need for authentication and integrity-
based learning. This includes ways to ensure that all students are successfully qualified in their fields of study.
What is a challenge faced by the education system and student learning? Current statistics show online learning in higher education is growing by more than 18 percent per year while traditional, brick-and-mortar learning is flatlining or declining. With this transformation, and the addition of online learning through K–12 charter schools, more educators will use technology as their primary educational tool. Most school districts and institutions are not equipped to understand the technology available to them. This results in limited funding for technology that produces little return on learning investment. Educational administrators should understand the available commercial technologies and invest in them to meet the needs of learners, regardless of age.
What trends have you observed in the educational technology field? Today, distance learning dominates as an education platform.
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EDUCATION editorial
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Career Benefit -Enhancin g s o f E Facebo a r ok Cer ning a tificat e
By Paul Slack
FALL 2013
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I
N THE WORLD OF SOCIAL NETWORKING, FACEBOOK IS THE 800-POUND GORILLA. The other networking sites in the U.S. (e.g., Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn) don’t even come close. The numbers speak for themselves: • Facebook has over ONE
through trial and error where one bad mistake could be damaging to your employer.
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PROVIDE AN UNBIASED BAROMETER of your skills. Certification is an inexpensive way to prove that you’re an expert and that your skills are up to date.
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PROVE TO YOUR EMPLOYER that you have the determination and ability to complete a complex process. Earning this certificate shows hiring managers that you have made an investment of time, effort, money and brain power to pass a series of assignments and an exam to validate your skills and knowledge within the largest social media network.
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STAND OUT FROM YOUR PEERS. Nothing will make you stand out to management like taking on additional education.
BILLION users.
• 10% of the people online right now are on Facebook.
• Facebook has 15
MILLION business pages. • By the end of 2013, over 70% of U.S. businesses are predicted to be on Facebook.
It’s no shock that Facebook is important to companies because advertisers go where their customers and prospects are. But did you know that on top of being the place to be, Facebook is one of the best advertising and marketing values around? According to Datalogix, an online market research firm, businesses that are implementing solid methods and tactics to engage their market on Facebook are seeing an average of 300 percent to 500 percent return on investment (ROI), which is much greater than traditional advertising and marketing. There is no owner’s manual for Facebook, and businesses will have to lean on experts to help guide them through the process of connecting with their targeted customers. Becoming an expert means acquiring the skills, methods and best practices that achieve results in the fastest way possible. The Splash Media U Facebook Certificate program provides students with breadth and depth in the full range of methods, best practices, tactics and skills required to be successful within the Facebook environment. The reason it works is that the methods and best practices taught come from tens of thousands of hours of practical hands-on expertise in performing social media marketing day in and day out for hundreds of full-service clients. Here are four of the program’s greatest benefits:
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GAIN PRACTICAL SKILLS you can use on the job. You will develop the skills needed to perform real-world job responsibilities. This is much better than self-education
Businesses are anxious to tap into the ROI potential Facebook has to offer, but employers need to know that their employees will implement best practices on Facebook. No company wants to get a social media “black eye,” and since Facebook is the largest social network, the potential harm from poor execution could be great. Students in the Splash Media U Facebook Certificate program learn the skills necessary to build effective social media communities and produce leads and new customers with a lower cost per acquisition.
IF YOU LOVE TO SPEND TIME ON FACEBOOK, CONSIDER TURNING THAT TIME INVESTMENT INTO A NEW CAREER. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SPLASH MEDIA U FACEBOOK CERTIFICATE PROGRAM, VISIT:
www.collegenetwork.com/programs/ Certificates/SocialMedia/Facebook.aspx
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 From K–12 charter schools to higher education, distance learning is quickly becoming a viable option for any learner worldwide. In addition, the massive open online course era, or MOOC, is now here. The combination of online education, free online education through a MOOC provider and the quality of such programs presents great challenges and opportunities for educators. By using technology platforms, within the next decade students will be able to complete college-level courses, earn credits and learn online from prestigious faculty throughout the world, at little or no cost, from the comfort of their homes.
How will these trends affect education as a whole? As digital replaces traditional brick and mortar as the primary delivery of learning, a balance of quality and impact will have to be determined. Even today, obvious advances, such as Google, mean young learners are wired differently. Their need to learn in a traditional classroom setting has already been replaced as K–12 educators begin to use online learning to supplement their existing curriculum.
What are some important historical milestones in education technology? Educators should be aware of three important historical milestones in education technology. The first is the digitization of learning, known as rapid eLearning development. Rapid eLearning moves print content quickly to online or web-based platforms, allowing faculty to supplement learning by converting their physical learning assets to digital form. The second is accessibility and collaboration. One-to-many is the core concept in brick-andmortar learning. That same approach to sharing learning can be accomplished digitally. Third is the measurement and validation of learning principles. Technology allows educators to ensure learning objectives are met through qualitative assessments by validating them through testing in authentic environments.
How did these milestones affect education and student learning? The primary result of advances in technology is accessibility. The reality that a third-grade educator can teach students in the classroom, sitting at home
Educators who embrace technology as the center of learning can become leaders in knowledge exchange. or anywhere in the world is now possible. Geographical limitations are literally removed should that teacher have special expertise or speak on a topic that has broad value. The learning experience has extended beyond the classroom’s
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four walls. The core premise of a book published a few years ago, The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman, is that technology has reduced or eliminated real and perceived views of how to do business globally. Education stands at those same crossroads, as learning is no longer “flat,” but instead far reaching and collaborative.
What do you think will happen in the educational technology field in the future? Educators who embrace technology as the center of learning can become leaders in knowledge exchange. Utilizing technology solutions can broaden their reach so they educate deeper and wider, providing more cohe-
sion to the learning process. Educators have a unique opportunity to combine their knowledge and experience with available technology to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
How will these future trends affect education as a whole? A digital learning center where students from anywhere in the world will share knowledge and information to grow in a more expansive “learning eco-system” will replace the traditional classroom.
What are currently the most important ideologies in educational technology? Transparency and collaboration through digital learning
must be core ideologies for any technology solution afforded to education today.
Why are these ideologies important? Learning can no longer be viewed as “flat.” There cannot be perceived barriers to learning by educators. Technology must be a facilitator, rather than an inhibitor, to learning. By focusing on technology as the center of learning, rather than just a tool, educators can focus on delivering learning in a broader, more efficient way without losing quality.
What are your thoughts about these ideologies? Transparent access to knowledge and collaboration through the learning process are central elements to this and future generations of learners. Traditional classroom learning is no longer a viable option given the way children are wired digitally today. Studies already indicate students learn in vastly different ways, and we have to accommodate those ways through the technology available to us.
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EDUCATION editorial
FALL 2013
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 single department in a hospital or doctor’s office and all software systems.
The biggest mistake ICD-10 has a much higher level of specificity than previous versions of the ICD, and it requires knowledge in areas such as anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. The biggest mistake we are making in our ICD-10 adoption is underestimating the amount of training needed and the broadness and complexity of the new code set. This new code set will create new positions for nurses and other clinicians in clinical documentation and in coding and a new curriculum for the coders of the future.
With training comes opportunity Today’s coders do not have the necessary clinical knowledge as part of their current skill set. In order to continue working as medical coders—and there are an estimated 172,500 people in the field—they all must be retrained. Forbes magazine estimates that ICD-10 coders will be in short supply and in great demand. In fact, a recent estimate indicates that ICD-10 coders can expect to have an annual income of nearly $60,000–$80,000 because of the retirement of today’s coders who may be unwilling to learn the new curriculum and code set or who are unable to master the clinical knowledge.
For a smooth transition, inpatient and outpatient coders, clinical documentation improvement specialists and professional staffers need to start training early to give themselves time to master the intricacies of ICD-10 and get enough practical experience before the October 2014 start date. Today’s nurses will be able to bypass part of the new curriculum because they have a solid understanding of the core competencies of the new coding structure and should be able to transition easily into the roles of clinical documentation improvement specialists. There are only a few reliable programs offering ICD-10 training. CODESMART™ UNIVERSITY offers ICD-10 training for existing coders and new coders in an easy-to-use, online format. CODESMART™ UNIVERSITY’s program helps physicians, nurses, clinicians and those specializing in clinical documentation prepare for the new era of ICD10. Whether you’re currently employed in the healthcare industry or interested in getting started on a new and promising career path, training is essential to prepare for the impending healthcare changes.
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Noteworthy Project Management Certificate Program Gets Facelift with New Partnership and Updated Courses IN RECENT MONTHS, the Project Management Certificate Program offered through The College Network has undergone some positive changes. Previously, the certificate was issued solely through Corporate Education Group, a provider of corporate training and consulting services. Now, a prestigious name in education has been added to the certificate: Duke University. Duke University Management Training has joined Corporate Education Group as a joint issuer of the certificate, giving the program even stronger brand recognition.
Duke University is located in Durham, N.C., and has repeatedly been named one of the top higher education institutions in the United States and even the world. Just this year, Duke University has received recognition as the best school in the Southeast by The Princeton Review, the No. 8 best national university by U.S. News & World Report and the No. 20 leading global university by QS World University Rankings. In addition to the new alliance between Duke University Management Training and Corporate Education Group, some changes have been made to the Project Management Certificate Program courses and materials. In August 2013, the text A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) shifted from the fourth to the fifth edition. Also, a new knowledge area was added recently to one
of the current nine courses: Project Communications Management is now Project Stakeholder and Communications Management. This keeps the total knowledge area courses at nine, with the final course—Preparing for the PMP Exam—still reflecting on all material.
Continuing Nursing Education Courses Feature New Interactive Experience THE COLLEGE NETWORK’S three continuing nursing education courses have been completely redesigned. In addition to a content update, these courses now feature a fresh look with more graphics and increased interactivity to deliver a better learning experience. These three courses—Ethics in Nursing, Medication Safety, and Patient Rights— are ANCC-accredited to help you meet licensure requirements and receive contact hours toward state requirements. The College Network is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
EDUCATION editorial
6 FALL 2013
SCHOLAR
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ESSENTIAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE VIRTUAL STUDENT
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ARE YOU GEARING UP FOR ONLINE SCHOOL? We have a back-to-school supply list that is tailor-made for the virtual student. Position yourself for success with these six essential tools.
Access coursework and helpful study tools with a reliable laptop or desktop computer (with Internet connection capability).
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Take notes with pens or pencils, and color-code your notes or pinpoint important textbook passages with highlighters.
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Print hard copies of course materials or typed notes with an inkjet or laser printer.
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Record notes or work out math problems in a notebook. Bookmark pages in a textbook or create flashcards with notecards or sticky notes.
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Keep yourself organized and track your study schedule with a planner.
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Keep your supplies together, organized and mobile with a backpack.