Version 6.0 of READI soon to be released
eLearningToolBox.com is pleased to announce that version 6.0 of READI is targeted for release in early January, 2009. Jason Fill, Lead Developer for READI, stated that Version 6.0 will be one of the most beneficial new releases ever. Expanded functionality of READI in Version 6.0 will include:
- Update on the images and wording in the Technical Competency section.
- The ability for schools to add their own readiness items in addition to the current ability to add demographic items.
- Addition of the school specific variables to the score report.
- Automated monthly reporting by email of READI usage to the school READI administrators.
- Expanded ADA compliance.
- Expansion of READI into the secondary school and corporate environments.
A more complete listing of enhancements with explanations is provided at the bottom of this newsletter. All of these enhancements were suggested by schools which are using READI and are being provided to all users at no additional cost. You will receive another email from us with complete information about all upgrades before Version 6.0 is released. If your institution has an idea for the improvement of READI please let us know by emailing support@readi.info.
Beta testing of TestProctors.com is underway
One hundred persons have been invited to participate in a beta test of TestProctors.com. This beta test is now under way and upon completion we will announce the full launch of TestProctors.com in early 2009. TestProctors.com will be a searchable database of neutral testing proctors. Many schools have criteria which their proctors must meet, but they assign the student to find the proctor. This process could compromise the objectivity of the proctoring process. Using TestProctors.com schools will be able to identify neutral test proctors within a specified range of the student’s address.
10,000th faculty member creates profile on FacultyFinder.com
The recent spike in fuel prices and the slowing economy have signaled an increase in distance education at many institutions. Interest in distance education is also evidenced by the fact that recently the 10,000th faculty member created a profile on FacultyFinder.com. FacultyFinder.com is a searchable database of persons who are available to teach online courses. As the distance learning programs of colleges and schools continue to grow they need academically qualified, experienced online faculty. Using FacultyFinder.com schools can efficiently find online faculty who meet their criteria.
Receive a stipend for being a co-presenter at a conference in 2009
In 2009 eLearningToolBox.com will be exhibiting at about 20 educational conferences. Often at these conferences we also make a presentation about the tools which we provide. These presentations are enriched when we can include someone from one or more of our client schools to share how that they are integrating our tools at their school. In exchange for your participation, we are offering a $400 travel stipend/honorarium. In today’s economic climate travel budgets are being restricted and this stipend could prove useful.
Please take a look at our 2009 conference schedule at http://www.decadeconsulting.com/dc/conferences.htm. If you plan on attending one of these conferences and would like to join us as a co-presenter, please send an email to mac@eLearningToolBox.com letting us know which conference(s). We will then be back in touch with you as the conference approaches. Even if you can’t be a co-presenter, stop by out booth and say “hello.”
Initial usage of PostCourse.com is very positive
In 2008 eLearningToolBox.com launched a new service called PostCourse.com. Many of our client institutions were so pleased with the way that we managed their student readiness data and their online faculty data through READI and FacultyFinder.com that they asked us to manage their end-of-course perception data as well. Out of this need grew PostCourse.com. Because the response to this tool has been so strong we have currently suspended accepting any new clients until additional functionality can be developed to make the process totally manageable through a web-based administrative control panel. If you would like for your school to be on the waiting list of client schools for PostCourse.com, please send an email to sales@eLearningToolBox.com.
New branding scheme for eLearningToolBox.com
We are not your father's tool box any more. Early in 2009 we will release a new branding scheme for eLearningToolBox.com. You will see the new scheme on the website, in our conference display booth and on all printed and electronic communications. Here is a sneak peak at the new logo:
Corporate offices moving December 15, 2008
In an effort to be a more "green" company the corporate offices of eLearningToolBox.com will be moving out of the urban, downtown offices in Montgomery, AL to a bedroom community where several of our employees live – Prattville, AL. This move will allow for a shorter commute plus this office suite has more windows. This move will be transparent to most of you. All phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. The new mailing addresses will be PO Box 681025, Prattville, AL 36068 or 696 N. Silver Hills Drive, Suite 110, Prattville, AL 36066.
READI Version 6.0 Enhancements
| Item Name |
Explanation |
| Section Re-set |
There will be the ability for the instructor/ school READI administrator to be able to clear and reset a section for a student so that they can re-take it. |
| School specific variable management |
There will be the ability for school-specific variables to the integrated into the student’s score report and guide to interpretation. |
| Enhanced Login Procedure |
There will be clarification of login procedure for new and returning users. |
| New Administrative Interface |
An updated administrative interface that is easier to use and manage will be provided. |
| National Averages Option |
Schools will have the ability to turn on/off the national averages component of the student report. The national averages will only apply to their organization category, not all users as a whole so it is more of an “apples to apples” comparison. |
| Flag Bad Emails |
When a student uses a bad email address it will be checked while they are taking the exam and then they are notified of this and asked to use another address. |
| Enhanced ADA Compliance |
We are working with a third party to review READI and implement their recommendations for ADA compliance. |
| Categories of Organizations |
Currently almost all organizations using READI are colleges and universities. One of the major parts of Version 6 is that categories of organizations will be created. The assessment itself will be modified to fit the needs of the category. Categories include Secondary Schools grades 8 – 12, Career Colleges, Corporations, Faculty members (readiness for teaching online, Real Estate Schools), Employees (readiness for working from home). |
| Redesign of Technical section |
The technical component of READI will be revised including new screen captures based on the platform of the user, alt text behind all screen captures, and the addition of social networking to the technology in your life section. |
| Problematic Email Warning |
Text will be inserted at an appropriate place so that persons using MindSpring, EarthLink or PeoplePC email addresses will not receive emails from us because of spam blockers. In that statement we will say that if any user does not receive our emails to check their spam blocker or junk file. |
| Support Portal |
Integration of the new Support Portal including statistics on the usage of the knowledge base, etc. |
| Grading Thresholds |
We will use the recent grading threshold analysis and set the grading thresholds for new higher education clients to mirror those findings. |
| Login Group Maintenance |
We will create the ability to make login groups inactive so that they do not appear on the drop down list of possible user names yet the data remains in the database. |
| I don’t know answer choice |
On the Technical Vocabulary section we will add a choice of “I don’t know” to cut down on guessing. |
| Country Variable |
There will be the addition of Canada on the countries list allowing for integration of Canadian addresses. |
| Drop Down Menu |
Schools will be given the ability to choose whether or not the user names for the groups are displayed in the drop down box at the login screen. |
| Report Formatting |
We will provide better summary results at the top of the score report and collapse some of the comments on the full report. |
| Customizable Text |
Text in key areas of the assessment can be customized for each school. Example: text on the login page. |
| Codebase Upgrades |
Application codebase will be optimized to improve overall performance. |
| Product Blog |
We will integrate a blog so that the company and users can collaborate to enhance the product. |
| Usage Statistics |
On the public website of READI we will provide statistics which show how many READI assessments have been taken Today / This month / This year / Last year. Also show, as is currently reported on the client’s page, the number of schools using/piloting READI. This will be prominently displayed on the home page of the READI general web site. |
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Here is an interesting idea for those of you looking for new resources to help with blended or online courses. AliveTek's release of their CourseCity website on December 1, 2008 marks the beginning of a new concept in the e-Learning market. CourseCity bridges the gap between full-service course developers (like AliveTek) and self-service sites that lack quality standards, subject matter experts, or controls.
The CourseCity model bridges the price gap between these, as well – with a nominal course commitment fee. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with an existing course, or an idea for a course, work with Course City designers to create a curriculum. CourseCity course designers handle the aesthetics and flow of the course, using the SMEs content, quiz questions, etc. and apply best practices in pedagogical design to complete the highest quality online courses available. CourseCity hosts the course online, provides a secure e-commerce function for customers to buy, and provides all the facilities for learners to communicate & collaborate from anywhere in the world. The SME is asked to have an existing market, and to facilitate the course, which simply means answering any student questions through e-mail or discussion boards online.
Perhaps best of all, it provides a significant revenue stream to the SME. CourseCity splits sales revenue for each course – as much as 50% - with the SME. Compared to book royalties, that’s a huge difference, and with online course fees ranging from $30 to over $1000, online courses can be very lucrative.
Current courses include topics such as:
- Avoiding plagiarism and cheating in online courses (“How to Cheat Online” – by John Krutsch)
- Grammar rules for high-school seniors to college sophomores (“Grammar Grand Prix”)
- Regulatory mandates for pharmaceutical manufacturers (“Intro to Laboratory CGMPs: A Quality Systems Based Approach”)
- Becoming a certified Grant-Writer for a non-profit organization (“Writing Winning Grant Proposals”)
As their library of courses builds, CourseCity plans to target non-credit workforce training in several areas, potentially granting CEUs as appropriate.
If you are interested in submitting a proposal for your course at CourseCity, please visit www.coursecity.com or email to help@coursecity.com.
For those of you involved in blended or online courses, you can sign up for John Krutsch’s entertaining and informative course on avoiding academic dishonesty online by clicking here. |
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