Adult Learners Demand Education On Their Terms.

A new study released by Eduventures says, "Flexibility is a hallmark of continuing and professional education. This is particularly clear when it comes to adult learners' growing preference for nontraditional scheduling and delivery formats, according to a recent nationwide survey of more than 25,000 current and prospective continuing and professional education students. According to the research, the perfect schedule for adult learners consists of classes held in the middle of the week, Tuesday through Thursday, during late afternoons and early evenings (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.). In addition, Eduventures found great interest among adult learners in courses and programs delivered in an accelerated summer session, 100 percent online, or hybrid format, with approximately half of surveyed consumers reporting that they are likely to consider these special continuing education formats.

"The 'most convenient schedule' is the single most important reason students cite for choosing to enroll at their current institution," said Sean Gallagher, program director and senior research analyst for Eduventures' Learning Collaborative program in Continuing and Professional Education. "To meet demands for flexibility, the pendulum is continuing to swing toward more flexible delivery modes and course and program formats. The institutions that are able to optimize their scheduling patterns and formats for the appropriate audiences will be best positioned for success and growth."Assessing Consumer Preferences for Adult, Continuing, and Professional Education: Scheduling, Formatting, and Delivery Mode Preferences is the third in a series of reports released this winter analyzing continuing and professional education consumers' preferences and educational purchasing process. This research is a product of Eduventures' Learning Collaborative in Continuing and Professional Education, a member-based research program designed to help college and university administrators of continuing and professional education departments address critical strategic, marketing, and operational challenges.

For more information on the Learning Collaborative programs or the report, contact Blair Walker at 617-532-6060.ABOUT EDUVENTURESFor more than a decade, Eduventures has been the most trusted name in the education market for research, consulting services and peer networking. Its clients include senior administrators and executives from leading educational institutions and companies serving the K-12, higher education and corporate learning markets, as well as decision-makers in government agencies and the investment community. For more information, visit www.eduventures.com.

Delays, designs diminish ed-tech research.

Delays, designs diminish ed-tech research. Today's post is from eSchoolNews. Delays in the publication of federal ed-tech studies, as well as the design of certain research projects and even the circumstances under which some results are released, have fueled concerns from ed-tech advocates who question whether the Education Department is making good use of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded research intended to explore the correlation between technology and learning. Click here to read the remainder of this article.

UCEA 92nd Annual Conference April 11 - 14 is in Vancouver.

We highly recommend attending the University Continuing Education Association's 92nd Annual Conference this April 11 -14th. The conference is being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The preliminary conference agenda is now available. Click here to review the agenda and to learn how to register.

Symantec Launches Free Online Sales Training for Channel Partners.

CUPERTINO, Calif. - February 25, 2002 - Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in Internet security technology, today announced the availability of online training resources for Symantec channel partners and customers. Symantec will provide channel partners participating in Symantec's partner program with free, self-paced online sales training, offering the knowledge necessary to sell Symantec security solutions. In addition, Symantec is also rolling out a limited number of online classes for fee-based technical and security solutions training, available to customers and partners.

"Symantec has created a one-stop-shop for all Symantec educational products and services," said Allyson Seelinger, vice president of channel sales for Symantec. "With a significant shortage of security expertise in the marketplace, Symantec is committed to providing our partners with the tools they need to successfully implement the security solutions that today's IT environment requires."

The sales training is free and available exclusively to Symantec partners. The self-paced online training will increase a partner's knowledge of Symantec security solutions and the security market in general. Product courses include general security, antivirus and content filtering, firewall and VPN, intrusion detection and vulnerability management and integrated security.

Fee-based online and instructor-led technical training is also available to Symantec partners and customers and includes courses in firewall and VPN technologies, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, virus protection and content management, and security essentials. Successful completion of these courses along with appropriate certification exams will help partners and customers earn Symantec certification credentials at three different levels:

Symantec Product Specialist (SPS): focuses on a single Symantec security product and its functionality in an overall security system;

Symantec Certified Security Engineer (SCSE): has, in addition to product specific training and certification, a high level understanding of a broad range of security solutions plus in-depth knowledge and skills within a specific focus such as vulnerability management; and

Symantec Certified Security Practitioner (SCSP): is a senior consultant with in-depth knowledge and expertise across the complete range of security disciplines who has achieved SCSE certification in all security categories. Symantec Certification Exams are available at Prometric sites around the world (www.prometric.com). AvailabilitySymantec's channel partners can access the online training resources via PartnerNet at http://partnernet.symantec.com. Customers can access the technical and security solutions training at http://educationonline.symantec.com.

Symantec Partner Program: The Symantec Partner Program focuses on providing enterprise partners - such as proven Internet security experts, value-added resellers and other channel partners - with the expertise and resources necessary to plan, implement and manage complex security architectures for their customers using Symantec security solutions. In addition to comprehensive sales expertise and award-winning technical support, Symantec offers enterprise partners extensive fee-based training and certification on the operation and installation of Symantec solutions in four technical areas critical in today's networked environment: virus protection and content management, firewall and VPN technologies, intrusion detection systems and vulnerability management. For more information or to sign up for the Symantec Partner Program, partners should visit www.symantecpartner.com.

About Symantec: Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises and service providers around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.

New online database publishes online college rankings.

The new Online Education Database just published their 2007 online college rankings. According to them, "Online higher education is growing, but a lack of transparency is preventing it from reaching its full potential. Even though online colleges are now receiving increased respect from top employers, diploma mills and the like limit the prestige of a legitimate online degree. We think more transparency is a good thing; a set of objective, quantitative rankings — however imperfect — should help shed some light on the relative attractiveness of the most popular accredited online colleges.

These rankings have been produced by OEDb, a database of accredited online education programs. In our rankings we included the most significant degree-granting undergraduate online colleges that operate nationally, as determined by our selection criteria. To our knowledge, these online college rankings are the first of their kind." Click here to read the rest of this article and view their rankings.

A North Carolina Contininug Education Program is challenged by budget cuts.

Today's post comes from The Independent Tribune. Smaller budget expected for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 2007-08. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s operating budget is getting tighter this fiscal year, but its leaders also expect to get less money from the state in 2007-08 because of a 3.7 percent decline in enrollment. After record-enrollment increases from 2003 to 2005, RCCC’s enrollment has leveled off given the improvement of the local economy and availability of more jobs, said President Richard Brownell. And since state-operating funding is tied to enrollment, RCCC stands to receive $400,000 less during the 2007-08 fiscal year. RCCC’s 2006-07 state operating budget stands at $25.5 million. Click here to read the remainder of this article.

Adult Learners Tend to Rely on Cash and Employer Assistance.

A recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education states, "Adult Learners Tend to Rely on Cash and Employer Assistance to Pay for College, Survey Finds."

"Most students in adult, continuing-education, and professional programs at American colleges and universities rely on personal savings and employer-provided tuition assistance to pay for their education, according to a new report based on a survey of 25,000 current and prospective students."

"Of those surveyed, 50 percent said they used or planned to use cash and nearly half (48 percent) said they used or planned to use tuition assistance to pay for at least part of their college courses, while about a quarter identified federal student loans (28 percent) and scholarships (22 percent) as financial resources. Responses in those categories overlap because most of the respondents used at least two financial sources."

OCHEA annual conference in Newark, Ohio next month.

Gatlin Education Services will be attending the Ohio Continuing Higher Education Association's annual meeting being held in Newark, Ohio on March 15 -16th. OCHEA is a not-for-profit organization of accredited, non-profit, degree-granting institutions of higher education in Ohio dedicated to human resource development through continuing education.

Mississippi online high school experiences rapid growth.

This post comes from the Clarion Ledger. Enrollment in Mississippi’s Virtual Public School that lets high school students learn via online classes has seen rapid growth. "Projections are the 2,500 to 3,000 students taking online classes now will climb to 10,000 students in a couple of years." This is according to Mississippi Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds. Click here to read this entire article.

New online Pay Per Click Marketing course now available.

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of another great online career training program. This nationally recognized Pay Per Click Marketing (PPCM) online course and training program has been developed because of the high demand for Pay Per Click marketing specialists. Pay Per Click Marketing (PPC) is a sub-set of Search Engine Marketing, and refers to a specific type of advertising where you pay a search engine every time a potential customer clicks on your ad. These ads appear on search engine results pages and sometimes on the pages of sites within a search engine’s network of partners.A job in the paid search industry can be unbelievably lucrative.

As noted recently by Jennifer Laycock of Search Engine Guide, "There are quite literally more jobs than there are skilled marketers and salaries can skyrocket to almost embarrassing levels." This extreme demand means Pay Per Click Marketers can pick and choose their jobs and/or clients. Experts in select specialties such as Pay Per Click Advertising are currently enjoying even higher demand than usual, as advertisers out-bid each other to have their site shown for popular keyword searches on Google, Yahoo! and MSN. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges and universities.

Search engine optimization (SEO) online training program now available.

We have two more new online career training programs to announce this week. The first course is our search engine optimization (seo) online training program. Search engine optimizers (SEOs) increase their company’s Web site traffic by improving its search-engine page rankings. This is an especially important task in today's Internet-driven world, where many customers first learn of an organization and its products or services through the Web. Indeed, this SEO program was created in direct response to the skyrocketing demand for paid search engine industry professionals. Because of a shortage of experts in this area, many top SEOs receive multiple job offers. This 3-part program will teach you how to tailor your website to achieve better search engine ranking, incorporate dynamic technology such as Flash, and make the most of your website’s content. Go here to learn more or to find a school offering this program.

New Search Engine Marketing certificate program now available.

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of another new online career training course. Our Search Engine Marketing training and certificate program has been developed in direct response to the skyrocketing growth of the search engine industry. Search Engine Marketers improve their company’s search engine page rankings.

Because of a shortage of qualified personnel in this relatively new field, many Search Engine Marketers receive multiple job offers. This comprehensive program will show students how to create, monitor and maintain successful search engine rankings, take advantage of pay-per-click advertising, and much more. This Search Engine Marketing program combines both the Search Engine Optimizing and the Pay Per Click Marketing programs into one extended program. Go here to learn more or to find a school offering this program.

New Fine Arts Training online certificate program now available.

Gatlin: online career training courses is pleased to announce the immediate availability of another new online certificate program. Our Fine Arts Training certificate program will help you build a foundation in drawing and painting, deepening your knowledge of the fine arts. You’ll begin by looking at art through the ages in its historical contexts, and learning how to analyze it, critique it, and assess what techniques the artists utilized. The class then moves on to introductory drawing, figure drawing, and oil painting. Along the way, you will learn about critical concepts such as line, mass, perspective, and composition, all under the guidance of our expert instructors. This program is instructor-led, project-based, and completed at your own pace. Expert faculty provides critique and feedback on projects within 1-2 business days, helping you build a creative portfolio for prospective employers. Go here to learn more or find a college offering this program.

Video game art online certificate program is now available.

Gatlin is pleased to announce the newest edition to our online career training courses catalog. Our new Video Game Art online certificate program is designed to help gain the skills and knowledge to get you started as a digital artist in today's fast-paced game development industry! This Video Game Art program builds technical and artistic skills in 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and animation using Autodesk Maya and Photoshop. Challenging, practical projects put you through your paces, helping you develop a high-quality portfolio of game art. Experience mentoring and feedback from an industry-leading faculty of game art professionals. This program is instructor-led, project-based, and completed at your own pace. Expert Faculty provides critique and feedback on projects within 1-2 business days, helping you build a creative portfolio for prospective employers. Go here to learn more or to find a school offering this program.

Troubles Grow for a University Built on Profits.

Today's article comes from the New York Times. The University of Phoenix became the nation’s largest private university by delivering high profits to investors and a solid, albeit low-overhead, education to midcareer workers seeking college degrees. But its reputation is fraying as prominent educators, students and some of its own former administrators say the relentless pressure for higher profits, at a university that gets more federal student financial aid than any other, has eroded academic quality. To read the rest of this interesting article click here.

Wedding planner online training and certificate program now available.

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of Wedding Planner our newest online career training program. Wedding planners are in demand as more and more sophisticated brides discover they cannot be the bride and the wedding planner on the day of their wedding. The Wedding Planning Certificate Program is perfect for the individual who wants to immediately start making money as a wedding planner.

Whether you plan on working part-time, planning only a few weddings a year, or a full-time career, this program will provide all the tools necessary to work as a professional wedding planner or start your wedding planning business. To address the demands of the industry this program is created for real-world application including experiential learning. This includes role-playing, vignettes and other ways to practice for actual business objectives or work settings in the day-to-day of wedding planning. Go here to learn more or to find a school offering this program.

Criminals, CEOs, and First Graders Share Online Education Experiences.

As Online Classes Go Mainstream, Individuals and Business Leaders Learn How to Use Them And How to Avoid Scams!

Mount Jackson, VA (PRWEB) -- With the mainstreaming of online education, individuals and businesses are learning how to take advantage of economical, convenient education. "It's not just individuals who are considering the viability of online education," says Susan Deane, author of "Online Education: Is It for You?", who was recently interviewed on The Inside Business Success Show, "many businesses are using online classes as an economic way to train their workers." To read the rest of this interesting press release click here.

McGraw-Hill Higher Education Extends Reach of Online Testing.

McGraw-Hill Higher Education, a premier provider of print and digital teaching and learning solutions for the post-secondary and higher education markets, and Respondus Inc., a leading provider of assessment tools for learning management systems in higher education, have entered into an alliance that will make hundreds of McGraw-Hill test banks available in Respondus format at thousands of colleges and universities around the world. To read the remainder of this article click here.

Online charter school facing legislative struggles.

This article comes from TheWorldLink.com. The Oregon Connections Academy, a Scio-based virtual charter school, has been up and running for less than two years now, but it's already on pace to become one of the largest schools in the state, with about 1,200 students so far, who live everywhere from Bandon to Burns.But that growth could screech to a halt in just a few years, if lawmakers don't reconsider a bill passed in the final hours of the 2005 legislative session.That bill requires at least 50 percent of the students at an online charter school to live in the district where the school is based. To read the rest of this article click here.

Online Classes: Opening a Door to Primary Education.

This is an interesting article by the Ecommerce Times.......Now that online classes have made significant headway in the college arena, K-12 educators are beginning to give the concept a closer look. Internet-based classes can serve a wide range of uses, from supplemental courses for advanced placement students to full-time online schools for kids with special needs.

Click here to finish reading this article.