Do you have an online orientation that your students complete? 
SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator fits well as an assignment into orientation courses.  We recommend doing so as a best practice.  Several of our clients have found it to be the most beneficial to students when taken at the beginning of their online courses.  If you'd like more information about how to embed it into your orientation program, contact your Account Manager today.

Friday Facts - Embed SmarterMeasure into Your Orientation

Yes, you read that right. A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted a MOOC in which students are encouraged to cheat.  What's the catch?  The students have to then disclose to the class exactly what they did to cheat.  The idea behind the course was to learn how students are cheating and be able to then use that information as research. 

Testing integrity is an issue that is on the forefront of school's minds around the country as their enrollments for distance classes increase.  Having students taking exams in their own home begs the question, will they cheat?  Another article in The Evolllution, gives several options to decrease the likelihood of cheating but goes on to say, most of these will "discourage academic integrity violation but proctored examinations still rank highest in ensuring it". The article goes on to discuss the cumbersome issue for faculty of trying to find and vet neutral proctors for their exams. 

An up and coming solution called SmarterProctors.com is a database that allows the student to locate a neutral proctor in their area.  The faculty member can then approve the proctor and the student pays the fee online through a secure site so no cash exchanges hands during the exam. If you'd like to know more go to SmarterProctors.com.

Teaching Students How to Cheat

I found this recently and just had to share it.  This 3rd/4th grade teacher jokes about removing her teacher hat and putting on her proctoring hat.  Apparently being able to spell is not a requirement.  Enjoy!

http://thinkbrit.tumblr.com/post/44832233131/i-have-been-proctoring-our-state-standardized

Proctors - Correct Spelling Not Required

We provide a lot of resources to support our SmarterMeasure clients.  Often K12 schools need information to give to parents, students and teachers about the tool.  We provide documents that are customizable for schools to suit this purpose.  Ask your Account Manager about these resources.  The teacher flyer serves as an advertisement that promotes the tool and offers training sessions to the teachers.  While the parent flyer educates them about the tool and how to best use it with their child.

Friday Facts - Promotional Collateral for SmarterMeasure

We are pleased to announce our Summer Webinar Series! This summer, we are offering webinars that address the challenges elearning leaders face and the importance of creating a strong orientation for students.  Join guest presenters Dr. Fred Lokken - Truckee Meadows Community College, and Ghazala Hashmi - J. Sargeant Reynolds as we talk about these hot topics.  All webinars are FREE but space is limited so register today!

A Conversation About the Challenges Facing eLearning Leaders: A Review of ITC’s Distance Education Survey
Dr. Fred Lokken, Truckee Meadows Community College
Wednesday June 19th 1:00-2:00 pm CDT (2:00-3:00 EST)

Orienting Students to Learning Online: Why the Emphasis upon Learning Matters
Dr. Ghazala Hashmi, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Wednesday, July 24th 1:00-2:00 pm CST (2:00-3:00 EST)

Summer Webinar Series