Education Transformation: Collaborize Classroom
Posted: March 14, 2012 at 5:35 pm
SANTA ROSA, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Democrasoft, Inc. (OTC: Pinksheets: DEMO) today announced two major milestones for Collaborize Classroom, the company's flagship online collaborative education platform.
The first milestone, the launching of over 20,000 individual Collaborize Classrooms by teachers around the world, has been accompanied by an equally significant advance: the delivery of nearly 1.5 million individual topic-based lessons to students via the Collaborize Classroom platform. Many of those lessons were shared via the Collaborize Classroom Topic Library, a free, growing global repository of over 2,500 lesson topics that enables teachers to share the best and most effective individual lessons they create with other teachers around the world. This sharing capability includes a peer-rating system to help teachers quickly identify the most interesting and appropriate lessons for their own students.
With just a few clicks, topics on almost any subject from the Collaborize Classroom Topic Library (http://library.collaborizeclassroom.com) can be copied to any Collaborize Classroom anywhere in the world for all grade levels.
Since its official launch in January of 2011, Collaborize Classroom has been steadily gaining recognition and high marks from teachers, students, the education industry and technologists.
"Collaborize Classroom has quickly become part of a worldwide effort to adapt education to the 21st century needs of students everywhere," says Richard Lang, CEO of Democrasoft. "Reaching these milestones validates for us and for the education and technology communities that Collaborize Classroom is recognized by teachers themselves as a way to increase their effectiveness and make their jobs easier."
Collaborize Classroom (http://collaborizeclassroom.com), available free of charge to all grade levels, gives teachers the ability to extend in-class conversations to private and secure online sites accessible by any Internet browser or from any iPhone, iPad or iTouch. Teachers post topic-based lessons on any subject in their own Collaborize Classrooms and invite their students to participate in online group discussions, usually after school.
The Collaborize Classroom platform has sustained a 25% average monthly growth rate since its official launch in January 2011, and its momentum has been noticed by District Administration Magazine, which named Collaborize Classroom one of its Readers' Choice Top 100 Products for 2011. Edudemic.com readers also called it one of the Top 100 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools.
"These awards are particularly satisfying because they originate from good teachers who feel helped rather than threatened by 21st century technology in their classrooms," said Lang.
Good Magazine's "Future of Learning" series also featured Collaborize in a video called "Sharing the Wisdom of We" that highlights Collaborize Classroom's contribution to education. The video is part of a documentary series entitled "Future Learning".
For more information about Collaborize Classroom, or to schedule an interview with Democrasoft senior management, please contact Mark Kithcart at: mkithcart@collaborizeclassroom.com or call 888-993-8683 x 706.
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Education Transformation: Collaborize Classroom
House OKs some education reform, limits scope of online classes
Posted: at 5:35 pm
DES MOINES The Iowa House rejected online education as proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad in the final vote of a marathon debate on education reform Tuesday night.
Instead, House members adopted a plan that limits the number of school children that can enroll in fully-online courses to 900 students statewide and restricts outward open enrollment from any single district to 1 percent of its total enrollment. It also requires the Iowa Department of Education to develop a statewide online education program.
This does show some good-faith compromise, said Rep. Jeremy Taylor, R-Sioux City, an English teacher who has been skeptical of the 100 percent online leaning proposal since debate on the education reform package began in earnest earlier this year.
House members rejected an amendment from Democrats that required a student receive a maximum of 50 percent of their coursework online.
But lawmakers delayed a vote on the overall reform package until this morning when they are supposed to run a technical amendment to the bill.
Lawmakers took up the bill just after 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and didnt finish debate on the measure until 11:49 p.m. House rules dont allow for votes to take place between midnight and 8 a.m. The package, if approved today, would go to the Senate which has its own reform bill but could choose to pick up the House version.
In addition to online learning, House members rejected Branstads proposal that required prospective teachers to have a 3.0 GPA for admission to a teacher preparation program and required teachers to maintain that GPA for graduation by a 77-20 majority.
Rep. Guy Vander Linden, R- Oskaloosa, said the requirement was an unnecessary intrusion by the Legislature into the decisions that are best left up to the people who run the programs.
Cecil Dolecheck, R-Mount Ayr, said raising the requirements to get into teaching programs could help raise the public perception of teachers and help teachers garner public support for wage increases.
The House plan did keep a controversial third-grade retention option as part of an overall early childhood reading program and it kept a series of tests as proposed by the governor, despite the attempts by Democrats to make changes from on both plans.
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House OKs some education reform, limits scope of online classes
Online Learning Leader Advanced Academics Named Innovator of the Year for Text-to-Speech
Posted: at 5:35 pm
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Advanced Academics, a nationally recognized provider of online education for secondary students, has been named Innovator of the Year by The Journal Record, a leading Oklahoma City business publication. Advanced Academics was recognized for adding text-to-speech capabilities to its proprietary R.O.A.D.S.TM learning management system (LMS). The company will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center in Tulsa, Okla., on April 5, 2012.
Advanced Academics added text-to-speech functionality to R.O.A.D.S. 3.0, the companys newest version of its learning management system, released this fall. Based on technology from leading online text-to-speech provider ReadSpeaker, this innovative text-to-speech tool improves the online learning experience by reading documents and written course content aloud. This allows students to match the delivery of course content to the way that they learn best. The text-to-speech feature is especially important for visually impaired students, those with aural learning styles, or students for whom English is a second language.
"Advanced Academics is honored to be named an Innovator of the Year by The Journal Record, said Jeffrey A. Elliott, Advanced Academics president. Finding new and better ways to use technology to help students graduate from high school and succeed in life is primary to our mission. Adding text-to-speech capability to our learning management system broadens access, allowing more students to thrive in an online learning environment.
The Journal Record Innovator of the Year award is intended to recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify the innovative spirit by taking a great idea and turning it into a functioning business. Past awards have gone to non-profit organizations, biotechnology companies and agricultural enterprises.
For more information about Advanced Academics online learning programs, call 1-866-235-3276 or visit http://www.advancedacademics.com.
About Advanced Academics
Advanced Academics, a leader in the field of online learning, partners with schools and districts in 30 states across the country to offer customized online solutions that uniquely serve each customer. Advanced Academics programs have proven to be successful in providing flexible learning opportunities for students in grades 6 through 12 and increasing overall academic performance. Since 2000, Advanced Academics has offered comprehensive middle and high school courses, highly qualified and state-certified teachers, and a web-based learning management system that enhances student learning. A part of DeVry Inc. (NYSE:DV - News), Advanced Academics is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and meets the standards for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility. For more information, visit http://www.advancedacademics.com.
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Online Learning Leader Advanced Academics Named Innovator of the Year for Text-to-Speech
Iowa House OKs some education reform, limits scope of online classes
Posted: at 5:35 pm
DES MOINES --- The Iowa House rejected online education as proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad in the final vote of a marathon debate on education reform Tuesday night.
Instead, House members adopted a plan that limits the number of school children that can enroll in fully online courses to 900 students statewide and restricts outward open enrollment from any single district to 1 percent of its total enrollment. It also requires the Iowa Department of Education to develop a statewide online education program.
This does show some good-faith compromise, said Rep. Jeremy Taylor, R-Sioux City, an English teacher who has been skeptical of the 100 percent online leaning proposal since debate on the education reform package began in earnest earlier this year.
House members rejected an amendment from Democrats that required a student receive a maximum of 50 percent of their coursework online.
But lawmakers delayed a vote on the overall reform package until this morning when they are supposed to run a technical amendment to the bill.
Lawmakers took up the bill just after 3 p.m. Tuesday and didnt finish debate on the measure until 11:49 p.m. House rules dont allow for votes to take place between midnight and 8 a.m. The package, if approved today, would go to the Senate which has its own reform bill but could choose to pick up the House version.
In addition to online learning, House members rejected Branstad's proposal that required prospective teachers to have a 3.0 GPA for admission to a teacher preparation program and required teachers to maintain that GPA for graduation by a 77-20 majority.
Rep. Guy Vander Linden, R- Oskaloosa, said the requirement was an "unnecessary intrusion" by the Legislature into the decisions that are best left up to the people who run the programs.
Cecil Dolecheck, R-Mount Ayr, said raising the requirements to get into teaching programs could help "raise the public perception" of teachers and help teachers garner public support for wage increases.
The House plan did keep a controversial third-grade retention option as part of an overall early childhood reading program and it kept a series of tests as proposed by the governor, despite the attempts by Democrats to make changes from on both plans.
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Iowa House OKs some education reform, limits scope of online classes
Mauricio your life coach.m4v – Video
Posted: March 13, 2012 at 11:14 am
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Mauricio your life coach.m4v - Video
NLP Training and Life Coach Certification – Video
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Hermiston coach dies
Posted: at 11:14 am
Tom Bequette devoted much of his life to creating winners not only on the softball field, but outside the lines as well.
The softball community lost one of its most dedicated and knowledgeable warriors Sunday night in Richland when Bequette died at Kadlec Medical Center. He was 53.
"A few of them out there can (coach), some of them think they can but shouldn't. He was one I was hoping could do it until the end," said Dave Dickmeier, a friend and former assistant coach. "Tom Bequette was pretty much the guru of women's fastpitch. He pretty much lived and breathed it, and he contributed at multiple levels.
"In cultivating that competitive spirit, he probably did that more effectively with young women than anybody I've seen."
Hermiston athletic director Mike Kay said he met with the team and its coaches to give them the news of their coach's death and provide the opportunity for support from school counselors.
Kay said today's junior varsity softball game against Echo/Stanfield will be moved to Wednesday. The Bulldogs varsity doubleheader at Post Falls, Idaho, on Friday will go off as planned.
Hermiston pitching coach Saul Castro will take over the head coaching duties on an interim basis, according to Kay.
"This is a huge loss in the coaching fraternity, when you lose a person with the incredible ability to develop relationships with kids," Kay said. "In my 20-some thing years in athletics, you come across unique individuals who are able to project their passion into what they do."
Bequette coached at Hermiston for eight seasons, from 1999-2006, before coaching for four seasons at Blue Mountain Community College. He led the Bulldogs to five Intermountain Conference championships and eight state appearances.
Four times, Bequette was named the IMC coach of the year and twice was named the statewide 4A coach of the year. In 2002-2003, the Oregon School Activities Association named him the coach of the year for all female athletics.
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Hermiston coach dies
Probyn ready to retire after 37 years coaching for Nordhoff
Posted: at 11:14 am
Back in 1975, when Nordhoff High's veritable coaching legend, Dick Sebeck, needed a JV coach for the boys basketball program, he chose 25-year-old Mike Probyn for the job.
It came with a provision, for both sides: Probyn would see if he enjoyed coaching before committing past one season.
Safe to say, Probyn and coaching became a match.
Thirty-seven years later, at age 62, Probyn has announced that he is retiring as the Rangers coach.
His 37 years with with the basketball program has included the last 10 seasons as the head varsity coach.
"Nothing lasts forever," the genial coach says. "It just feels right, the timing is good. And I know if I get out now, the new coach will have plenty of time to take over."
That's so like Probyn, who always put the interests of the team and his players above all else.
Probyn never was a coach who rated wins and losses as ultimate accomplishments. He always knew his players moved onto life after basketball.
"The biggest thing for me is when a former player comes back, just to say hello and to say he enjoyed his time playing basketball at Nordhoff," he said. "I like to think that a coach can help prepare his players to be a success in life.
Not that Probyn, a graduate of Nordhoff High and Ventura College, couldn't find success on the basketball court, too.
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Probyn ready to retire after 37 years coaching for Nordhoff
Hulk Hogan is Challenged to Propose to a Fan’s Girlfriend for him | #ChallengeHulk – Video
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Hulk Hogan is Challenged to Propose to a Fan's Girlfriend for him | #ChallengeHulk - Video
Centurion Sikh shows fitness provides good health – Video
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Centurion Sikh shows fitness provides good health - Video