In the past, online courses and degree programs were viewed as low quality or financially unsustainable, but a variety of factors are now allowing online programs to flourish. Universities throughout the country are adopting School as a Service (SaaS) programs, which offer a way to build, market, and manage online degree programs. A number of technological advancementsas well as a new generation of tech-savvy studentshave made it easier for professors and students to work together online.

These programs are attractive because they allow students to access higher education in a more affordable, convenient way. Online learning makes it possible for professors and students to share information and work together via collaborative workspaces, chat features, social networking, and mobile devices.

In the last decade, the online education market has grown significantly and actually outpaced university enrollment. The Babson survey found 6.1 million studentsor 31 percent of total post-secondary enrollmentwere taking at least one online college course in Fall 2010. In addition,data from Eduventuressuggests that in 2010, nearly 14 percent of college students took more than 80 percent of their college courses online, and nearly 30 percent of graduate students are enrolled in online classes.

These numbers show the growing popularity of school-as-a-service programs. But which companies are leading the pack? While some have been offering online educational services for years, most have sprung up only recently. Check out a few of the top organizations making waves in SaaS:

1. 2tor

This startup is the first of its kind to offer full degree programs online at top-tier universities, and it comes highly funded. In April, 2tors total investments were just under$97 million. The service partners with universities to help them build, market, and manage their own online degree programs.

2tor creates programs only for top-tier universities and has partnered with just four universities to date the University of Southern California, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Washington University in St. Louis, and Georgetown University. So far, 2tor has built six online masters degree programs in business, nursing, social work, law, public administration, and education. 2tors exclusivity is allowing it to lead the way as a top-tier SaaS provider.

2. Academic Partnerships

Academic Partnerships works with post-secondary institutions to develop and market online programs, much like other SaaS startups. But this company is distinguished by the fact that it focuses exclusively on public institutions. In the past, public universities werent apt to adopt the online model, but in recent years, theyve been using SaaS to reach a higher number of learners.

Since 2008, Academic Partnerships has partnered with nearly 25 public universities across the country, including Arkansas State University and Ohio University. Its web-based, public model stands to play a significant role in increasing access to higher education for all in the coming years.

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Online education has gotten better. Here are 4 companies that may make you smarter

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ANALYSIS/OPINION:

No words can convey what Andy Reid is feeling right now, after his oldest son Garrett was found dead Sunday in a dormitory room at the Philadelphia Eagles training camp. But lets talk about it for a bit, anyway, because, well, its a story for our times.

At some point, as youre probably aware, Garretts life went off the rails, and he was trying, as an unofficial assistant with the Eagles, to get it back on track. His younger brother Britt ran into trouble around the same time, five years ago. Both ended up going to prison Garrett, then 24, for drugs (he admitted being a dealer), Britt, then 22, primarily on weapons charges (though drugs also figured into it). The judge who sentenced them said the Reid household sounds more or less like a drug emporium with the drugs all over the house. There isnt any structure there that this court can depend on. This is a family in crisis.

It was bizarre to hear a football coach, whose professional life revolves around structure, accused of running a loose ship at home. And frankly, well never know what went on inside the walls of the Reid manse. But its certainly fair to say, without being judgmental, that being a Super Bowl coach and a super-duper father is, in this day and age, a trick worthy of David Blaine. The first job is just too demanding and worse, seems to ask more of you every season.

Joe Gibbs once called winning the third most important thing in my life. God is first, he said. Family and loved ones are second, and then my occupation is third. While that might be the pecking order, though, it isnt how the hours tend to be apportioned. During the season and even offseason wife and kids can get short shrift as dad attends to his various duties. Nowadays, after all, a head coach is rarely just a head coach. Hes usually also a club president (Gibbs) or an executive VP of football operations (Reid), his fingers in every pie.

It can be a closed-off existence, to say the least. At the beginning of each game week, Gibbs and his staff would disappear into a conference room they called The Submarine and wouldnt come up for air until they had a plan for beating the opponent. The close quarters, the mapping out of strategy, the feeling of being out of touch with the Real World, made it all feel very Red October-ish. About the only thing missing was the periscope.

Gibbs wife Pat used to send him audio tapes from home, recordings of his sons J.D. and Coy talking about their various activities, so he could keep abreast of what was going on in the family. Such are the lengths coaches have to go to retain some normalcy in their lives, a sense of connectedness beyond the boundaries of the football field.

And it can be a tenuous connection, indeed. Barely a year before the Reid boys were arrested, James Dungy, the 18-year-old son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, committed suicide in an apartment in Tampa. It makes you realize nepotistic as it might appear why coaches often hire their kids as assistants. Its probably more than just giving them a leg up in the profession. Its probably also an attempt to make up for lost years, years spent bouncing around the country, from one assistants position to another, so dad can climb the coaching ladder.

When Gibbs returned for a second stint as the Redskins coach, he brought Coy along as an offensive quality control assistant. A few years earlier, one of his predecessors, Marty Schottenheimer, named his son Brian the quarterbacks coach. And Mike Shanahans son Kyle, of course, is the current offensive coordinator. Thats right, three of the past five Redskins coaches have had their offspring on their staffs. Interesting, no?

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DALY: Coaching and family: A tenuous connection

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ICElNpuCw

06-08-2012 09:43 Introduction to some of the facilities and services available at BHB Health and Fitness. Whilst showing demonstrations on main pieces, with Helens private gym

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BHB Health and Fitness - Video

Well-being enhancement company Healthways (HWAY) recently revealed that it is providing its Prime Fitness Program to First Coast Service Options located in Jacksonville, Florida and to Novitas Solutions based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The two companies will provide access to Prime Fitness to their staff as a benefit paid for by the employer.

Periodic exercise helps manage health problems and leads to improved productivity and reduced systemic costs. Research results indicate that physical exercise three or more times a week (instead of zero to once a week) leads to a significant curtailment of healthcare costs.

Participants in Healthways Prime Fitness Program can avail of over 8,000 fitness centers across the country. Other benefits include access to an online site capable of designing fitness regimens. In addition, the company also provides telephonic support.

The Healthways model encourages people to make favorable lifestyle changes that lead to enhanced well-being, reduced healthcare costs, improved performance and economic value for customers. The company has invested in technology platforms that provide scalable support with large populations. It has tie-ups with a large proportion of U.S. health plans and counts many millions of lives in its customer base.

Due to its unique scalable business model, Healthways shares may present a long-term investment opportunity, although it may face many challenges in the short term.

Healthways is the leader in a strategically critical and rapidly evolving part of the health care services market. Its fitness program (SilverSneakers) for seniors is available at 14,000 centers across the U.S. and caters to several million eligible enrollees.

We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Healthways. The stock retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating.

Zacks Investment Research

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Healthways Acquires Users for Prime

Julie Culley knew she'd probably have to deliver a personal-best performance to take first place in the U.S. Olympic Trials back in late June.

She also knows she'll have to do at least that well merely to remain a blip on the radar during tomorrow's first 5000-meter preliminary heat at the Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

The 1999 North Hunterdon High graduate and Annandale resident will be in a field featuring the world's ultimate and elite distance runners, exceptional athletes who long ago surpassed a milestone like 15:13.77, which is what Culley attained while winning the 5000 during the U.S. Trials in Eugene, Ore., on June 28.

"There will be incredible competition from all over the world," said the 30-year-old Culley.

To put the situation in some perspective, the world record in the 5000 is more than a minute faster than Culley's PB. Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba, 27, holds the standard for her 14:11.15 effort in Norway four years ago, although she probably won't be among those at the starting line in Olympic Stadium 10:55 a.m. (British Summer Time) for Tuesday's prelims.

Dibaba, who was sidelined almost all of 2011 because of severe shin splints, is the defending Olympic champion in the 5000 and 10,000 but only qualified as a reserve in the former this time around. She will be back in the 10,000 again.

The world's top showing so far this year is the 14:35.62 posted by Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot in May. One of Culley's teammates, Molly Huddle (who was second at the trials), is the U.S. record-holder at 14:44. The Olympic record is 14:40.79, set by Romania's Gabriela Szabo eight years ago.

All that being stated, it's going to take a superb performance by Culley just to advance to the finals, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 10. The field for the championship race could have between a dozen and 14 runners.

"It will be a tremendous accomplishment for her to make the finals," said Frank Gagliano, her coach with the Asics/New York Track Club. "But the way she's been running, there's no doubt she can do it, if she has the day she can have.

"She knows she can't beat the best in the world but her ultimate goal is to make the finals and run a personal best. She may have to run a personal best to make the finals and come back and run another personal best to medal."

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2012 Olympics: Julie Culley competes in 5000m preliminary tomorrow in London

In an old hangar at the Santa Monica Airport, Louise Anne Marler, a graphic designer who specializes in pop art-style imagery of vintage manual typewriters, is showing off her next subject - a Bing No. 2 compact portable.

This relic of 1920s German ingenuity was a gift from her father.

"He has a cellar and a barn full of these things," says Marler, recalling how her dad's collection would spill over into different rooms of the house and become part of the d cor as she was growing up. But that was before the word processor and personal computer brought an end to the typewriter.

In fact, of all the machines destined for the history books the manual typewriter should probably top the list. But like vinyl records

Call it a push back against technology.

"The typewriter does one thing and it does it well: It types," says filmmaker Gary Nicholson, who documents the trend in "The Typewriter (in the 21st Century)." It opens in select theaters and film festivals starting in September, including a screening at 4 p.m. Sept. 1 at Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice - beyondbaroque.org.

The film, directed by Christopher Lockett, explores the trend from the viewpoint of typewriter repairmen, high-end collectors, teachers, journalists and students.

"A lot of people think it's just the hipsters using typewriters but what I found is it's a lot of tech people," Nicholson says. "We feature one programmer who talks about how the power went off one day while he was in the middle of writing code, trying to figure out a function, so he just started typing up code on his typewriter."

The film also showcases bloggers who type their posts the old-fashioned way, scan the page into the computer and upload it to their blog, authors who

Santa Monica-based graphic artist Louise Marier with her German Bing No. 2 typewriter. Marier turns old mechanical typewriters into art. (David Crane/Staff Photographer)

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Keys to Success: Fascination with typewriters becomes the write stuff for creative venture

GENEVA, August 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Mekong Development Bank triples current account base with launch of Vietnam's first biometric debit card, through TEMENOS T24 Biometrics, at NCR ATMs across Vietnam

Temenos (SIX:TEMN), the market leading provider of banking software, today announces the launch of Vietnam's first fingerprint-enabled debit card, at Mekong Development Bank. The bank has implemented Temenos T24 Biometric fingerprint authentication to provide the 'unbanked' population of Vietnam with access to banking services. Mekong Development Bank is already running the bank on T24, this was a simple modular upgrade to incorporate biometrics into the system seamlessly.

Biometric authentication lowers the risk of fraudulent transactions, whilst providing a more convenient banking service for both the rural and urban populations of Vietnam - of a population of 86 million people, only 20% of Vietnam has a bank account. Since the initial launch in June, Mekong Development Bank's current account base has tripled, and the deposit balance per debit card account is two times higher than a regular account without a debit card. Customer fingerprints will be captured by Mekong Development Bank at the point of opening an account - and then used at any one of 33 NCR SelfServ ATMs across Vietnam. This will be extended to other touch points in the near future in line with Mekong Development Bank's proposition to make things simple for the customer.

Nicholas Chee,deputyCEO and head of consumer business,Mekong Development Bank says: "Being the first bank in Vietnam to bring biometric fingerprint authentication to its customers confirms Mekong Development Bank's commitment to providing the only truly convenient and personal banking experience available in the region. Temenos delivered us a state of the art capability in less than six months, which simply plugs into Temenos T24 - our existing core banking system. Incorporating the technology at NCR SelfServ ATMs across Vietnam ensures that customers experience consistent biometric fingerprint capabilities throughout the country. Preliminary research shows that an overwhelming 91 percent of customers surveyed after activating their debit card would recommend that their family and friends sign up for the product."

Lee Volante, director business solution group for APAC,Temenos says: "For decades, banks worldwide have used biometrics for security and access control - to access vaults, etc. But this technology is only starting to permeate the consumer experience on a mass scale in developing countries, where it has commercial value as a means to customer acquisition. Mekong Development Bank is a true pioneer in its adoption of this technology, which will help the bank to continue to build market share with its easy-to-use and convenient consumer technology. We're delighted that T24 Biometrics is enabling this new banking paradigm in Vietnam."

Mike van der Wal, managing director of NCR in Southeast Asia, comments: "More than half the world's population - concentrated in developing markets such as Vietnam - does not access formal banking services. Mekong Development Bank's biometric NCR ATMs, which identify consumers by their fingerprint in place of a personal identification number, represent a major step forward in bringing banking services to the entire population of Vietnam. Mekong Development Bank's customers can now enjoy convenient access with increased security."

Founded in 1992, Mekong Development Bank re-launched in 2009 under a new dynamic, modern, professional and convenient brand. Pivotal to this ethos is biometric authentication, which will revolutionise the way banking is undertaken in the country and grow Mekong Development Bank's market share.

Volante, Temenos continues: "Mekong Development Bank's experimental nature in the field of biometrics is something for other banks to sit up and pay attention to. With such innovative technology available, the opportunities for banks to capture market share are enormous, and the future of biometrics across multiple channels such as mobile and online banking is now a possibility."

Temenos is one of the only core banking systems with integrated biometric capability. It is a component of the T24 system, which has a larger installed base than any other banking software provider. T24 Biometrics is in use at financial institutions across Africa, with Mekong Development Bank being its first Asian customer to adopt biometric authentication.

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Vietnam's First Fingerprint-Enabled Debit Card Launches With TEMENOS Biometrics

Home business Soul-searching journey led to exec-coaching career

PICHAYA CHANGSORN THE NATION August 7, 2012 1:00 am

Pelzer was formerly the site manager of the Chon Buri factory of Cognis, a German additive maker that was later taken over by global chemical firm BASF. Now 44, he said the unfortunate loss more than two years ago of one of his valued colleagues launched him on his "soul-searching" journey. Pelzer got into a coaching session with Jean-Francois Cousin, a leading executive coach in Thailand, who helped him realise that coaching might be the new career he had always looked for. He eventually quit Cognis in August 2010 and took on an International Coach Academy course to become a certified coach and set up his Vivo Consulting.

"It was not an easy decision," Pelzer said during an exclusive interview with The Nation. "As an expat, I had nice salaries, car, drivers. Leaving this to start my own business from nothing is not easy. You need to overcome your fear. "But so far, I don't regret [it]. I love coaching. It's rewarding - even though now I don't make as much money as I had been." Although language is a barrier here, Pelzer said he foresaw a huge opportunity in the executive-coaching industry in Thailand, where there are currently fewer than 100 executive coaches, or roughly one to 1 million population, compared with 1:30,000 in Singapore. He also finds his executive coach career most rewarding for giving him the ability to help people transform their lives and contribute to changes and improvements of their organisations. "One big advantage I have as a coach [is that] in the corporate world, people wear masks. They pretend to be somebody they are not. As a coach, once you have developed trust with your client, they feel they can open up and be [their] true selves. "It's amazing. I feel very privileged because people share with me concerns they have at work ... their personal lives. They share very intimate details," he said. Recently elected vice president of the newly formed Bangkok chapter of the International Coach Federation, Pelzer is currently one of the only six ICF-certified coaches in Thailand. There are three levels of ICF credentials: associated certified coach ("practised coach" with at least 100 hours of client coaching experience), professional certified coach ("proven coach" with at least 750 hours of client coaching experience), and master certified coach ("expert coach" with at least 2,500 hours). According to the ICF website, there are five coaches who have the ACC credential in Thailand: Pelzer, Ruth Grace Corlett, Matthias Holighaus, Anne-Marie Machet, and Chinrinee Weerawutiwong. There is only one PCC-level coach, Jean-Francois Cousin. There is currently no ICF master coach in Thailand. The ICF's Bangkok chapter, which has a mission to educate the general public to gain a better understanding about the coaching profession, plans to hold its official launch on September 19. Dr Terdtoon Thaisriwichai is president of the Bangkok chapter. Pelzer said the most effective way to explain about coaching is to allow people to experience it. Therefore, he has offered a one-month money-back guarantee for his clients, who don't have to pay if they are not satisfied with the results within the first month. "It's easier for clients to make their decision. And so far there is nobody asking for a refund," he said. In making his career shift, Pelzer was inspired by the book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, who wrote: "To be alive is the biggest fear humans have. Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive - the risk to be alive and express who we really are." Many people are just too scared to make their ideas come true, Pelzer said. "If in the future I'm diagnosed with cancer, I will look back on my life, what I would need to do to avoid regrets. I'm not too scared to try this idea [of being an executive coach] ... at least I try," he said.

pichaya@nationgroup.com

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Soul-searching journey led to exec-coaching career

Arthritis Foundation Program Introduction to Tai Chi: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (Aug. 7-30) at St. John's Episcopal Church (Parish Life Center), 3245 Central. $35/month or $5/class. Call 901-230-9427.

The Wolfpack Triathlon: 20th annual multisport 400-meter swim, 7-mile mountain bike, 2-mile trail run. 6 p.m. Friday at Herb Parsons Lake in Fayette County near Eads. Registration fees: $45 in advance, $55 by Thursday, $70 race day. Relay $75 in advance, $95 by Thursday, and $110 race day. Online registration closes at midnight Aug. 9. Call 901-274-2202.

Annie Oakley Super Sprint Triathlon: 7 a.m. Saturday at Herb Parsons Lake in Fayette County near Eads. Registration fees: $75 in advance, $80 by Thursday, $105 race day. Relay $145 in advance, $150 by Thursday, and $175 race day. Online registration closes at midnight Thursday. Call 901-274-2202.

Elvis Presley 5K Run: 8 a.m. Saturday on Elvis Presley Blvd. (near Graceland) Pre-registration, $30. Register online until 8 p.m. Thursday. In-person at Packet Pick up locations, $35. Race day, $40. Registration between 6:30 and 8 a.m. at Elvis Presley Park (corner of Craft Road and Elvis Presley Blvd.). Registration will be accepted after 7:30 a.m. but must be registered by 7:30 a.m. to receive an official time. 30th annual 5K Run benefits LivItUp, Inc. 901-316-0377.

Strategic Financial Partners 5K: 8:30 a.m. Aug. 25 outside the Strategic Financial Partners building at 795 Ridge Lake Blvd. $20 in advance, $25 after Aug. 18. $12 in advance and $15 after Aug. 28 for ages 5 to 18 ($2 discount for Memphis Runners Track Club members). The 4th annual event benefits Le Bonheur Children's Hospital Neuroscience Institute. Race-day registration and packet pickup 7:30-8:20 a.m. Race-day fee $25 ($15 children). 901-767-5951. sfp5k.racesonline.com

Health Events

American Cancer Society's Look Good ... Feel Better Program: Free service teaching female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore self-image. Call 800-227-2345.

Monday: 2-4 p.m. at The West Clinic, 1588 Union.

Aug. 13: 10 a.m.-noon at Baptist Centers for Cancer Care, 55 Humphreys Center Drive, Suite 100.

Aug. 20: 2-4 p.m. at Baptist Memorial Hospital, 7601 Southcrest Pkwy., Southaven.

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Health and fitness calendar: Aug. 6, 2012

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You dont have to be a gym buff to get your daily dose of exercise; take advantage of the great summer weather and head outside! The countless benefits of physical activity transcend the treadmill and surpass the stair climber. Engaging in exercise beyond our houses four walls will free your mind and expand your horizons. Consider visiting Mother Nature the next time you put your sneakers on and go for fit!

Breathing in fresh air and surrounding yourself with natures garden can increase your strength and boost your health. Scientists in the Finnish Forest Research Institute reported that stress, anger, and aggression decrease when individuals are exposed to natures green environment. Spending more time outdoors can instantly improve your mood and help strengthen your immune system as well.

Save Money

Todays economy makes joining a gym a challenge for your wallet. Taking your workout to the trees will save you from expensive membership and studio fees. In addition to cashing in, you have the leisure of exercising at any time. Mother Nature is open 24/7 and she wont kick you out because you forgot to pay your dues! Other benefits include:

Boost in energy from increased oxygen intake and more fresh air

Reduced distractions from computers, phones, and televisions

Escape from crowds of people waiting to use gym machines

Improved sleep

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Dr. Mao's Wellness Central: Head Outside For Better Health And Fitness