Ensure your Franchise’s Success with Online Training

Posted on October 13, 2011 by simplydigi100

Owning a franchise can be a very profitable, but very stressful venture. Franchises work differently than other businesses because your product and services are dictated by the larger corporation. Many successful franchises rely heavily on training programs that help ensure that the operations, procedures, service and quality are all up to company standards.

Take McDonald’s, for example, who realized very early that training was an important part of franchising their business out. McDonald’s has over 31,000 restaurants in 118 countries, according to their website, and they continue growing. They instituted a new idea back in 1961 called Hamburger University, which was built to emphasize the importance of consistent restaurant operations. They taught company procedures, service and cleanliness to franchise owners and employees.

While training programs and company “Universities” were a breakthrough idea back in the 60’s, many franchises are now turning to online training to assist with their training programs. A learning management system is one of the best ways to train franchise owners and employees, because the company is able to create and deliver specific, detailed training. This training is not only designed and full created by the company itself, but it can keep procedures and training constant across the board, ensuring better, more branded businesses.

Another reason an LMS is so useful is because it can cut down on the confusion of owning and managing a franchise. There are often updates and changes to programs and operations that can be overlooked or misunderstood. If each franchise is not following the most up-to-date training and procedures, then your business is no longer uniform and consistent. An LMS will update automatically and keep managers and owners informed of any and all changes.

Learning Management System are also great for trainees as well. Trainees are no longer sent off-site or even out of the state to train company procedures, and can learn from a back room, an office or even the comfort of their own home, based on your business. An LMS can track an employee’s training progress, which allows managers to know when they are ready for more responsibility. Lastly, online training is beneficial for the company itself, and allows for more flexibility and adventure. A company using an LMS can easily try new things with training and procedures, and adjust their systems accordingly. If a procedure isn’t going over well, or is misunderstood, feedback and tracking can help them make quick changes and corrections.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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How Online Learning is filling the Education Gap

Posted on October 7, 2011 by simplydigi100

Online learning has been more than just a replacement for in-class learning. It has been a supplement to our education system and adds value to each student’s education; by allowing them to think differently, to acquire computer skills for themselves and to expand their knowledge base by offering many more options for core and elective classes. Not only is online learning a great resource for everyday students, but it’s becoming obvious that it can help to advance our students with trouble with achievement.

One education advocate in Contra Costa, Lance Izumi, is trying to convince the county school board that more online education is a must. Izumi is the senior director of education studies at the Pacific Research Institute and co-authored a book titled Short-Circuited: The Challenges Facing the Online Learning Revolution in California. Izumi believes that charter schools and online learning are the best chance Contra Costa has to turn around underperforming schools. He feels it’s a statewide problem that many schools are not preparing their students well enough to compete for college admission, especially for the more competitive and highly-ranked schools.

One school, in particular, was Clayton Valley High School in Concord, whose 11th graders took the Early Assessment Program exam last year and proved to have far too many students who are unprepared for college. Only 29% were college-ready in English and only about 1 in 10 met the target goal for math. Izumi recently said at a “Saving our Schools” luncheon that, “in a recent survey, three quarters of Americans surveyed said that college is important to achieving success in life. However, less than half believed that their local high school was doing an excellent or good job at preparing students for college.”

Izumi feels that government regulations and union contracts have delayed the expansion of online education programs. This is where some people may be opposed to Izumi’s thinking, as the Pacific Research Institute is a free-market public-policy “think tank” that encourages policies for a free economy, private initiative, and limited government. While some people disagreed with his reasoning behind what’s limiting our schools online education, most participants felt that online learning makes the most sense in getting their children ahead of the curve. One attendee said that the luncheon gave her hope and was very open to the idea. She acknowledged that they are, indeed, “in an education crisis.” She continued, “If these children don’t get educated, we’re really out of luck.”

For more online education and LMS information, please visit us at SimplyDigi.com.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Web-based Learning Encourages Parent Involvement

Posted on October 3, 2011 by simplydigi100

Online learning programs are the education of our future. More than 100,000 of the country’s 125,000 schools rely on some sort of web-presence. They provide students with a wide range of curriculum options, while mixing multiple teaching styles and allowing access to students all over the country. While some parents worry that an online education leaves them out of the picture, many programs are adapting to allow for complete parental involvement.

Many schools are installing complex learning management systems, which education being only one prong of the multi-faceted approach. These systems are now considered “learning community management systems”, which not only allow parents to review their children’s assignments and grades, but are also handling school scheduling, immunization records and emergency contact information. Some schools even offer meal schedules and nutritional breakdown of the planned lunch of the day.

One of the first schools to implement this system has made an option to request lunch for your child before you even take them to school on an online ordering system called orderlunches.com. If a parent is interested in volunteering in the library or chaperoning a school trip, they can sign up at volunteerspot.com. These management systems have replaced the need of back and forth e-mails and possible miscommunication.

As with any new program, there are a few kinks to work out. The first concern is that parents are allowed too much access to their children’s school work and grades, which can allow for an intrusive and overbearing presence. Going from a system of grading periods and report cards to allowing access to each and every grade can be hard on students, especially when kids reach Middle School, and are learning to take responsibility for themselves. A missed assignment or bad day can add more stress to your child’s life, when they feel their every academic move is being watched.

While most school’s goals are to move to a completely paperless system, this may alienate the less tech-savvy parents who would like to still be involved. While it’s nice to think that every household is equipped with an up-to-date computer and internet access, this isn’t always the case. One parent said that their home computer is too outdated to allow access to the school’s community system and that she has to borrow her daughter’s laptop to even login. She used to hang the monthly lunch schedule on the refrigerator to make daily decisions for her children, and no longer has time to check online each day to know what meals her children will be fed.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Kenya Plans to Roll out E-Learning Initiative

Posted on September 28, 2011 by simplydigi100

The United States has access to the most advanced technologies; we have education resources and training tools as well as various electronics and gadgets for our amusement. We are so used to having the newest and next best thing that we forget how technologically advanced we are compared to the rest of the world. Many countries are just now realizing the benefits of offering online learning for academics and skills training. Many other countries know the benefits but have not been able to find room in their budgets for the advancements.

Kenya is one of the hopeful countries looking to establish a web-based society in the near future. One report from 2006 explained how the New Department for Africa’s Development was working closely with Kenya’s government to introduce an e-learning primary and secondary school. They had selected six secondary schools to serve as demos for the project. The Ministry of Education pushed for e-learning to prepare young people for a more technologically advanced future. Supporters of the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy recognize that young people are creators and early adopters and that “they must therefore be empowered as learners, developers, contributors, and future decision makers.”

Just this month an article in the Nairobi Star interviewed Lydia Nzomo, Director of the Kenya Institute of Education, who said the project should roll out in the next three years. While it may seem on-track, Nzomo said that any delays will increase the cost of the project. She said the program has had some hiccups because some schools only have outdated and obsolete computers. The program has been launched using about 20 pilot schools so far.

The stakeholders of the Kenya Institute of Education held a meeting to hear suggestions on improvements to the digitized curriculum and the e-learning strategy. One of the biggest problems so far is that internet access in schools remains low at 42.5% as well as teachers that will need training with ICT themselves. The strategy integrates knowledge of South Korean and Malaysian strategies, who implemented the same programs in their schools.

This is a large project for the country, and Education Secretary George Godia said that the Ministry of Education has allocated roughly $4.8 million to the ICT Initiative. It has been estimated, however, that the whole project will cost around $30 million to ensure that the schools are equipped with computers. Their ICT initiative will expand the country’s education resources, offer an interactive education and a more student-centric curriculum.

To learn more about learning management system (LMS) and web-based learning news, check out our blog at SimplyDigi.com.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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National Education Fund Offers Millions to Disadvantaged Schools

Posted on September 22, 2011 by simplydigi100

We’ve all read about school funding issues; some states favor the wealthier districts, while others offer achievement-based funding. More often than not, the schools that need the most help are often overlooked. Luckily, the National Education Fund (NEF), the national nonprofit leader in bridging academic, digital and job divides through digital education, has stepped in with a solution.

Just last week, NEF announced a nationwide initiative to offer grants up to $2 million to 300 school districts, focusing on schools with lower-income students. The districts chosen for grant funding will need at least 35% of their students on the free or reduced lunch plans. The NEF grant program will enable school districts to set up a state-of-the art Learning Management System that will help a student to go up a grade level in math or reading in just 25 learning hours.

Dr. Appu Kuttan, Chairman and Founder of the NEF had a lot to say about the grants. “School districts across the Nation are faced with serious budget cuts at a time US rankings in math, reading and science are still going down. Twenty four countries are ranked ahead of us in math.” He continued, “Our $300 million grant program would enable school districts to receive $3 billion in Federal funds to improve energy efficiency and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and reading skills.”

Many other leaders and program directors have shown their support for the NEF and the millions of dollars in grant money. Former President Bill Clinton was very impressed with Dr. Kuttan’s efforts, simply stating “I salute you for your ongoing commitment for creating a better and stronger America.”

The National Education Fund was founded in 1989 and has set up three projects to make sure quality education is available to everyone. Their projects include:

CyberLearning Academy – Which provides 21st century skills, including 5,500 web-based learning courses to disadvantaged students across the U.S. Their goal is to set up these Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in the most disadvantaged schools in the U.S. by the year 2020. The $300 million in grants is a huge step towards achieving this goal.

NEF University – Provides workforce training solutions. This project’s goal is to train one million U.S. jobseekers in 2010, which will help to close the skills gap.

NEF International – The National Education Fund also provides academic and workforce training to other countries, again, focusing on disadvantage students and adults. Some of these countries include India, Egypt and Jordan.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Virtual Learning Saves Educators Thousands

Posted on September 19, 2011 by simplydigi100

The emergence of online learning has shifted the way we look at education. Children can now learn in the classroom, at home, or a mix of the two. While the initial technology purchases has created some controversy; advanced learning management systems and iPads or laptops for school work, we are quickly seeing that the technology is paying for itself quite quickly.

One instructor, Juliebeth Farvour, of East High School in Wisconsin, spoke out about her pilot AP calculus class that uses blended learning techniques. The school falls in the Wauwatosa School District, who paid for the consignment of iPads for Farvour’s class. Many taxpayers weren’t thrilled with the purchase of 1,000 iPads at the cost of $250 apiece, but the iPads have already proven their worth in allowing the class to become completely paperless. More importantly, these iPads eliminate the need for expensive and bulky textbooks, some of which cost $165 and are updated every couple years. They have been replaced by inexpensive applications and e-books that can be downloaded onto the iPad. Farvour thinks the iPads will have paid for themselves entirely by the end of the year.

Learning management systems have also proven their worth in saving schools money. One study conducted by the University of Florida found that in 2008, a survey of 20 virtual schools in 14 states yearly cost of online learning per full-time student was about $4,300. Compare that to the more than $9,100 per full-time traditional student in 2006 and it’s easy to see how virtual learning is saving major dollars. While the most recent traditional education data was from 2006, the cost savings are estimated to be in the course development and teaching, as well as administrative and technical expenses. If the number has changed any from 2006, it most likely increased, as the cost of inflation will have affected teaching salaries, as well as staffing and managing the properties.

Catherine Cavanaugh, an associate professor at the University of Florida’s College of Education, strongly supports the use of virtual education, especially in conjunction with traditional methods. She believes that virtual learning allows for access to non-stop education, without adding million dollar buildings and expanding operating costs. According to Cavanaugh, “over the next decade, we expect an explosion in the use of virtual schooling as a seamless synthesis between the traditional classroom and online learning.” She expects online learning to become the norm, stating “schools that don’t embrace online learning soon will be viewed as limiting the learning opportunities of their students.”

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Learning Management Systems for Associations

Posted on September 16, 2011 by simplydigi100

Learning Management Systems are a great training and educating tool for many companies, corporations and associations. Web-based learning has become such an important instrument to associations that there are many management systems directed fully on their needs.

These management systems are known as Association Management Systems (AMS) and are generally linked to an association’s web site. This allows members and customers to sign in and purchase memberships, products, RSVP for events and so forth. While AMSs come in all size and functionality, these management systems are generally targeted towards simple association activities; most include a purchasing tool, calendar and newsletter at the very least.

Larger and more involved associations may want to opt for an additional Learning Management System to make sure they’re web-based needs are fully covered. Integrating an LMS into the existing AMS can turn your association web site into a training, conferencing, tracking tool, instead of just a monthly planner. There are quite a few reasons an association would consider adding in an LMS when they already have an AMS:

Course Management – Some LMS vendors provide tools to convert your old documents into new, interactive material. Others may have pre-made learning material or downloadable versions to piece together your courses. This can be very helpful for associations with continuing education requirements. The more an association can help you study and prepare for your exams, the more valuable it is to its members.

Progress Tracking – Progress tracking, scoring and record keeping are some of the most valuable tools for LMSs. You can monitor your members’ attendance, their progress on continuing education and whether they’re scoring high enough to pass their exams.

Train Foreign Languages – Associations have access to the most relevant news in their industries. If Spain suddenly has job openings or there’s a new emerging market in Germany, an LMS will have you covered. Offering foreign language training for your members is important in helping them keep their skills sharp and marketable to as many opportunities as possible.

Web Conferencing – Networking is a huge part of many associations. Association members, especially the executive boards, are usually very knowledgeable and driven members of that industry. With actual conference numbers boasting a small 20-30% attendance rate, an LMS allows members to interact and network without needing to travel or take off work.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Learning Management Systems and HIPAA Compliance

Posted on September 9, 2011 by simplydigi100

Learning Management Systems have become versatile tools for educating and training your employees. One major way LMSs have revolutionized an entire industry is through the creation of HIPPA Compliance tools.

HIPAA Background

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 and enacted by the U.S. Congress.

Title I – protects worker’s health insurance coverage for when they change or lose their jobs.

Title II – also referred to as the Administrative Simplification (AS) provisions, helped establish a national standard for all electronic health care transactions. Title II also addresses the privacy and security of patient health information.

Privacy Rule – HIPAA provides federal protection for personal health information and guarantees patients with a right to their privacy. Many health care providers have always made sure to protect patient confidentiality by:

  • Avoiding using patients’ names in public hallways and elevators
  • Not talking with their outside friends or family about patients
  • And by locking or securing record file cabinets

The Privacy Rule also outlines the allowable uses of patient health information for the covered entities. This rule also specifies what safeguards the covered entities must use in order to insure confidentiality and availability of electronic health records.

This is where the Learning Management System comes into play. An LMS can help streamline your Privacy Policy and HIPAA Compliance by performing the following for you:

  • Alerts employees when their HIPAA training deadlines are approaching
  • Stays current with new rules and regulations, some LMSs will even automatically revise information and update employee alerts for you.
  • Monitors the network and alerts administrators of any security breaches or unusual activity. Administrators can be notified of any changes were made to the content (copied, deleted, modified) and whether the change was made legally or illegally.
  • Records all attempted logins, both authorized and unauthorized. A learning management system can record the time and nature of the login, helping to deter hackers from attempting to login.

HIPAA requires health care services to ensure compliance of their networks. If a provider chooses not to comply, they can be facing severe penalties and criminal convictions. Ensuring a safe and secure portal for your patient’s health information is very important and the right LMS can make a huge difference in the way you operate. If you plan on upgrading your system or switching to an LMS for your organization, please make sure to research each system to find which one is the best for your company.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Part II: Web based Learning for Special Needs Children

Posted on September 6, 2011 by simplydigi100

Unfortunately there is no single law or court decision that requires educators to provide online courses to be easily accessible to students with disabilities, only a scattered handful of state and federal laws that apply to the overall treatment of disabled persons seeking education, some of which were enacted before the Internet even existed.

There are three major laws that apply to higher education for the disabled:

1. Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which was passed in 1973, before the internet and web based learning we know of today. This Act requires that federally funded institutions cannot exclude or discriminate against people with disabilities.

2. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it illegal for programs and services provided by public entities to discriminate against students with disabilities or to exclude them from equal access to their services.

3. Title III of the ADA is similar to Title II, but further applies to places of public accommodation.

One report by Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education proved that a lot of online courses are not very welcoming to the disabled population and that some classes are not made accessible to them or even offered at all. While the state schools cannot exclude disabled students from using their services, it seems that the larger problem is that these schools are not tailored for persons with disabilities. Tailoring classes is where the problem lies.

While online learning and learning management systems can offer a variety of learning tools, such as videos and graphics, these enhancements may be useless to students with visual or hearing problems. In order to truly cater classes to disabled groups, there has to be a lot of proactive and “outside of the box” thinking. The creation of these classes will take a considerable amount of time and money.

Luckily, Project Forum at National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), which is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education, is making strides to improve online learning for the disabled. In a recent report, they note their key issues as addressing the high cost of research and development for these programs and to set aside state and federal funding to ensure access to students with disabilities. Furthermore, the department is in the process of creating a Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities and they plan on putting over $1.5 million behind into the project.

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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Part I: Web based Learning for Special Needs Children

Posted on September 1, 2011 by simplydigi100

Web based learning is a continuously growing means of educating our youth; it provides a variety of education choices for kids whether they live in a heavily populated, major city or out in the more rural U.S.A. Not only does it give kids an array of curriculum and teachers to choose from, but it also helps kids who may not feel comfortable in a classroom setting. Many children who suffer from autism, anxiety disorders or dyslexia and can feel overwhelmed by answering questions in front of classmates and potentially embarrassing themselves.

The anxiety and fear alone can become a major distraction from the lessons at hand. Distraction is another major interference for learning. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder can be easily distracted by the often colorful and exciting classrooms they’re sitting in. Even in a less exciting setting, children affected by A.D.D. may direct their attention towards other children, especially if they are not feeling engaged in the lecture.

According to the U.S. Department of Education (2009) students in online learning courses are performing better than average over those who are receiving face-to-face instruction. The difference in achievement was even greater when “blended” learning was used—which blended both face-to-face and online learning into one course.

While this is great news for the future of online learning, there unfortunately aren’t as many courses offered for children with learning needs and disabilities. Only about 17% of students are enrolled in the Florida Virtual School with disabilities. Students with disabilities in Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools make up about 3,000 children (at 13.7% of enrollment) and students enrolled in North Carolina’s Virtual Public School made up only 9.6% of the total enrollment at 2,400 children.

Far behind are both Alabama and Kentucky’s state learning programs, with Alabama (one of the largest state-run virtual schools in the U.S.) having only 217 students with disabilities enrolled in classes. In Kentucky, the state-run virtual school that opened in 2000 has yet to collect information regarding disability status and plans on doing so in the 2011-2011 school year.

Many of these schools collect disability information only if it is volunteered. Florida Virtual School’s more than 90,000 students were only asked to volunteer their disability status. While the documented number is 17%, one overseer of the disability program thinks the number is more around 40%, as he learned from later conversations with students, teachers and parents. With some states having major gaps in data and others having no data at all it’s easy to see how schools are overlooking the need for courses geared towards students with disabilities.

To continue reading, please visit our LMS blog on our website SimplyDigi.com

About the Author: Logan Smith is a Marketing Associate at SimplyDigi.com, a leading learning management system provider. The LMS is a secure, web-based training and e-learning solution that employs a simple user interface. For more information please visit http://www.simplydigi.com.

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