A Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that aims to adjust costs under an online education law passed last year, but not before hearing a number of objections to both the changes and the original law itself.

Under the original law, public school students in grades 9-12 may take up to two classes online, offered by other school districts and charter schools, instead of at their regular high schools. For each full-year course a student takes from a provider outside his home district or charter school, the student’s home district or charter must send about $727 to that provider.

SB178 would change the amount of money districts and charters would pay providers. Under SB178, districts and charters would instead owe between $400 and $700 for each full-year course, depending on the type of class. Also, providers would get bonuses of $50 to $100 for each student who scores well on end-of-course tests.

"A little bit of bonus can move the world," said bill sponsor Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. He said he also had planned to amend the law to allow private schools and companies to act as providers, but realized there’s no need, as some school districts are already contracting with private entities to offer online courses.

"This is just incredible to me to see what these professional educators have done in response to the freedom to compete in an online world," Stephenson said.

Many, however, questioned and criticized the proposal Wednesday.

Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-South Jordan, along with several other speakers, asked why the state should set prices as opposed to allowing districts and charters to negotiate costs with providers. He also questioned whether the online courses would end up costing more than traditional school classes, though he said he supports the direction of the bill.

Stephenson responded that the online courses would cost less. He also said that he hopes, in the future, to let prices be decided in the free market and allow students to have education savings accounts that they could spend on the classes of their choosing. But he said, "To keep from strangling this in its infancy we need to provide for some way of having this tiered structure."

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Several charter school leaders also expressed concerns about a portion of the bill that prohibits counselors from advocating for one online course over another. They said they worry that lack of guidance could lead students to take online courses that don’t meet their schools’ standards of rigor.

Also, a number of people criticized the original law behind the bill.

Patrick Colclough, Granite online credit coordinator, said if online providers get bonuses for high-scoring students then traditional programs should get those bonuses as well "if we’re going to level the playing field in education."

He also said "it is really important the public knows we are funneling public dollars to private entities."

Others, however, spoke in favor of the bill. "We believe it will lead to higher quality instruction and progress in academics," said the Sutherland Institute’s Matt Piccolo.

And Robyn Bagley, a founding board member of the Open High School of Utah, which she said has served about 50 students through the program this year, said "This is about choice — choice for parents, schools, students and empowering them with options that will best meet their needs." Bagley, who is also Parents for Choice in Education board chair, said she was "fascinated" to hear charter officials testifying against the bill, as similar arguments have been used in the case against charters.

Stephenson said he’s open to tweaking the bill when it hits the Senate floor to address some of the questions raised Wednesday.

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Bill to change costs under online education law advances

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Feb. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QuinStreet, Inc. (Nasdaq:QNST - News), the leader in vertical marketing and media online, announced the addition of direct-to-school placements for education clients, available with the latest release of the QuinStreet Media Platform, QMP. The new product allows online and campus-based schools, colleges and universities to purchase traffic directly to their websites from relevant pages of QuinStreet's industry-leading education media network. Payment for placements is either per click or per inquiry generated from the traffic.

The hub of the direct-to-school placement product is the QMP optimization engine that ensures clients appear on website pages aligned with relevant topics, programs, qualifications and geographies. Further, the optimization engine uses proprietary performance data and algorithms to continuously improve the predictability of inquiry volumes and conversions for every placement. This allows clients to spend their marketing dollars more effectively and with greater confidence.

The addition of the direct-to-school placements also dramatically improves the experiences of visitors to QuinStreet media properties. Individuals researching education possibilities are able to more quickly find schools and programs that meet their needs, and now have the option of connecting directly with the schools they select.

"We are delighted with the launch of the direct-to-school placement product," said Pete Brooks, QuinStreet vice president and manager of the company's education client vertical. "This product broadens and improves client access to the tens of millions of student prospects who research education opportunities on our network each month. It also gives website visitors a better experience and new path for connecting with schools and programs matching their requirements."

About QuinStreet

QuinStreet, Inc. (Nasdaq:QNST - News) is one of the largest Internet marketing and media companies in the world. QuinStreet is committed to providing consumers and businesses with the information they need to research, find and select the products, services and brands that meet their needs. The company is a leader in visitor-friendly marketing practices. For more information, please visit QuinStreet.com.

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QuinStreet Announces the Launch of Direct-to-School Placements for Education Clients

Two school districts in the state of Iowa are working to get their new curricula approved by state legislators, marking a turning point in their teaching style.

In contrast to the traditional style of teaching — where learning is face to face and the teacher is physically present — CAM Community School District and Clayton Ridge Community School District are set to become Internet-based with classes taught primarily online starting this fall.

State legislators are questioning the legality of this move because the schools would be sponsored by the school districts but operated by private companies. The CAM school district serves Iowa students in Cumberland, Anita and Massena, while Clayton Ridge is based in the northeast Iowa towns of Garnavillo and Guttenberg.

Staci Hupp, communications director for the Iowa Department of Education, said these schools have been approved by the state.

"Iowa Code gives school districts in Iowa the authority to deliver education online as long as the education is not delivered exclusively online," Hupp said. "The CAM and Clayton Ridge districts have demonstrated in good faith that they intend to meet all legal requirements by combining online with traditional materials and instruction. We will closely monitor how the districts implement their online programs."

Jeffrey Brooks, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies, said online schools should be allowed in Iowa.

"Online schools are increasingly common around the country," Brooks said. "They should definitely be allowed in Iowa, especially because underfunded rural schools may be able to offer their students courses they would not otherwise be allowed to deliver. Moreover, high-quality online teaching can offer students other opportunities to make up missed credits or to engage the materials and instructors via formats that may be more conducive to their learning."

Hupp said that state law gives school districts the authority to start online schools without approval from the Iowa Department of Education and that there is no state process for approval or denial.

"The department's concern is that quality education is delivered within the confines of the law" she said. "That can happen in an online format, and, in some cases, it's the right choice for students."

Online schools are an increasingly popular trend in Iowa as well as across the nation.

"Online schools are a growing trend that cannot be ignored," said Lily Compton, lecturer of educational leadership and policy studies. "They can offer students access to more opportunities and learning options. There are organizations that offer supplemental courses to students enrolled in traditional schools."

Compton used Iowa Learning Online as an example of such an organization, which offers Advanced Placement classes, postsecondary enrollment options and additional courses not offered by school districts.

Brooks said the education program at Iowa State should be getting ahead of the curve with online learning and teaching.

"Educator preparation programs at universities like Iowa State University shouldn't be reacting to the coming of online teaching, they should be leaders of innovation," Brooks said. "We have all the capacity and know-how to do amazing things, but are stuck in many outmoded ways of thinking about teaching and learning

"ISU has always been a leader in distance education, outreach and extension — it's time for us to also lead in terms of online instruction."

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Iowa schools begin to adopt online-education practices

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2orUsL3aVZ4

02-12-2011 08:50 info.wheelock.edu Wheelock College students and alumni have been improving the lives of children and families since 1888 when the College was in Boston by education pioneer Lucy Wheelock. This video describes the Wheelock story and illustrates some of the many ways that members of the Wheelock community have inspired a world of good across the globe and across generations. Now, we want you to tell us your story! Tell us what have you done -- large or small -- to improve your school, your town, your local community, or the world beyond. Your story will be added to My Story, a new page on the Wheelock website that we hope will inspire even more people to make a difference. We believe that together, we can change the world! Go to info.wheelock.edu to submit your own story and help Wheelock continue to inspire a world of good!

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Change the World with Wheelock College - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciswctKBblY

05-01-2012 13:05 http://www.atitesting.com Nurse's Touch is an exclusive online nurse-development product line designed to help students sharpen the social and personal skills they'll need to face the emotional and physical demands that come with being a nurse. Students will gain knowledge on how to stay healthy and manage work-related stress, convey professional behaviors and attitudes, use nursing informatics and technology, as well as how to be a leader of the healthcare team and a client advocate. Nurse's Touch features a variety of online products such as: interactive simulators, tutorials, case studies, practice and proctored assessments and a faculty support package. For more information or to pre-order, contact your Healthcare Education Consultant.

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Nurse's Touch™ - Full Overview - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ6IjZkBwoI

07-02-2012 12:09 Visit http://www.nta.motorcarriertraining.com to enter the NTA Online Institute

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NTA Online Safety

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48USqKcFIfg

14-02-2012 04:57 Episode four is a scenario from the Swedish Armed Forces where online learning is used in Debriefing in Crisis Intervention. Press "CC" under the timeline for subtitles.

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Episode 4 - Case Study - Debriefing in Crisis Intervention.mp4 - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lYj28zZ9ms

14-02-2012 05:21 The fifth episode is a scenario from the Finnish Defence Forces where they use blended learning in a pedagogy course for officers. Press "CC" under the timeline for subtitles.

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Episode 5 - Case Study - The FNDU Blended Learning example.mp4 - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQMGJ6x7XOw

15-02-2012 08:42 The presentation cover Western Governors University's unique blend of academic and professional credentialing for ICT students and reviews opportunities for closer collaboration with community colleges across the country.

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WGU's competency-based model for ICT education - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18jJmV4fOhc

15-02-2012 22:39 Cindy Mortensen from TMCC shares how working with the Destination: Problem-based Learning (DPBL) grant, has infused her teaching with PBL in both face-to-face and online formats.

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A Tale of Transformation: Problem-Based Learning - Video