A must watch for all educators.  For the next nine minutes, watch, listen, believe, and commit to make a difference.

Get Infected with the "I Can" Bug

In February 2009, President Obama stated in his speech to Congress, one of his goals was to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.  Since then monies have been moved into grant programs to increase technology in the classrooms and promote alternative learning that includes distance learning.  However, what has been done to increase enrollments of adult students? 

Some would argue it has already happened as a by-product of the poor economy and loss of jobs.  Layoffs have forced much of the workforce back to school to improve their skills, get new skills, or rethink their futures with a new career path.  Community Colleges have seen record enrollments and report that their non-traditional student population is growing. 

Now what?  So yes, schools do show increasing enrollments of adult students that will ultimately help reach the President's goal for 2020.  But what is being done to retain these students?  What is the plan to provide student services that are meaningful and helpful to this population?  Schools that weather this influx of new enrollees will pay attention to the demographic of their audience.  They will get a strategic planning team together and create systems to support the adult learner. 

A recent discussion on Capitol Hill, highlighted the need for such services.  Plans will include looking at the current job market and futuristic trends (example: green initiatives).  Getting to know the students and their needs.  Providing flexible schedules to accomodate families, illnesses, and work schedules (example: distance learning).  Also, paying attention to the common challenges associated with an older student (example: perhaps low technical competency, stronger level of commitment, more needy or less needy of personal help from instructor, etc). 

Once a plan is put in place it will be crucial for schools to implement services that make sense.  Doing so will create a supportive environment that promotes successful students with completed degrees. In particular a school may consider having an online counselor available to help adult students juggle all the demands of work, school, and family.  While a traditional student may need an individual on-campus to provide counseling on how to handle being away from home, managing money, and help with prioritizing.

With a calculated effort, not only will enrollments continue to rise, but more non-traditional students will re-enter the workforce with new skills, confidence, and that much closer to a nationwide goal!

Reaching Obama's 2020 Goal

In a recent article, published in Ventura County Star, serviceman Wallace Larson earned his MBA from California Lutheran University taking online classes while serving in Germany and Iraq.  Technology allowed him access and with flexible assignments and instructors, Larson was able to obtain a degree in finance that gave him a new career path after retiring from the military.

In a similar story, The University of Wisconsin-Stout, reports their military students as a whole seem to have a higher level of commitment to complete their online classes.  Targeting these students could be a good move for retention in online programs. 

With new government funds from the GI bill to support soldiers in their quest to further educational goals, it is becoming a viable option for military personnel. Some analysts report having soldiers engaged in schoolwork, can help them stay connected to their lives they left behind.  Also, continuing to pursue one's life goals in the midst of chaos, can increase morale and limit discontentment.  Success stories are unlimited of opportunities soldiers have to complete or continue their education even though they've been deployed out of the country.

Fighting for an Education

Most of the time a new year is accompanied by a fresh perspective.  It allows everyone to take a look back and plan for a better future.  Maybe to change your ways, add new skills, improve relationships or decide to "make things happen"!  In 2010, eLearningToolBox is determined to make things happen!  We are planning great things and can't wait to share with you what is on the horizon. 

While the political power hangs in the balance, as the economy see-saws and the housing market flip flops, when education budgets are being slashed, as unemployment stabilizes, one thing remains...if you keep doing what you've always done, then you'll keep getting what you've always gotten.  It's time to look at things differently in 2010. 

As we work hard in 2010, to close out this decade, it is time to ramp up our efforts to increase product awareness, establish closer relationships with clients, and find more meaning in the services that we provide.  We are ready to make 2010, look different...are you?

2010 Looks Different

Edutopia is an organization founded through The George Lucas Educational Foundation. According to their mission, "no previous generation has experienced anything like the current pace of transformational societal change. Yet, in light of extraordinary advancements in how we interact with each other and the world, our system of education has been frustratingly slow to adapt.

The George Lucas Educational Foundation was created to address this issue. Our vision is of a new world of learning. A place where kids and parents, teachers and administrators, policy makers and the people they serve, all are empowered to change education for the better. A place where schools have access to the same invaluable technology as businesses and universities -- where innovation is the rule, not the exception. A place where children become lifelong learners and develop the technical, cultural, and interpersonal skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. A place of inspiration, aspiration, and an urgent belief that improving education improves the world we live in.

We call this place Edutopia. And we provide not just the vision for this new world of learning but also the leading-edge interactive tools and resources to help make it a reality."

When I first read this it kind of sounded like, well, a perfect educational world.  Then it hit me...hence the name, Edutopia! 

Designed to support educators in their role to transform education, their website and publications provide resources and include a multitude of research to back the claims. Edutopia's success stories revolve around six Core Concepts.  If you are looking for new ways to open a world of learning to your k12 students, Edutopia is the place to be.

Perfect World of Education