6 steps to successfully launch your first online course

Launching your online course can be confusing. After all, this is the first step that you are taking towards your customers and it should be done right. You have probably heard that there are several strategies to do it – through soft launches, quick launches, pre-launch strategies, etc. But which method should you choose and where should you start from?If you are launching an online course for the first time, we advise you to have a launch strategy written down and to stick to it. Preparing a strategy in advance will make the entire launch process much easier and less stressful. So let’s go through the steps you can follow to execute your successful launch strategy.

Spotlight

The Coaching Institute (TCI)

Life coaching is now one of the fastest growing professions in the world and demand for qualified life coaches in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Asia and Australasia is growing each year as more and more individuals and organisations are realising the amazing results that can be achieved through the use of proven coaching methodologies and principles.

OTHER ARTICLES
Education Technology

Finding a New Passion Through Online Teaching

Article | July 27, 2022

Salsa steps to the side. Quick hip turns. Smile through the sweat. That’s Teacher Dashia’s routine as she leads another one of her high energy Zumba classes in Las Vegas. Naturally, Latin dance-inspired fitness was a great fit for Dashia as it tapped into her passion for health, dance, and her Dominican heritage. Being a mother of two young kids requires a lot of attention and many trips to the park. Helping others shake it up and slim down gave Teacher Dashia the creative outlet she needed for 8 years.

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Online Education

What is the Future for AI in EdTech

Article | July 19, 2022

Education Technology, or EdTech as it is colloquially known as is a term that refers to the practice of deploying technology to impart education. As it is highly adaptive and progressive; the education industry has always adopted new technologies, quite readily. Many types of education are already commonly used for educational purposes. These include search engines, live webinars, video streaming, and even specialized training applications.

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Online Education

Top 7 Features to Look for in a Classroom Management Platform

Article | July 12, 2022

Modern classrooms have evolved into digital learning spaces. Even though schools have re-opened, online education is gaining pace. Anywhere classrooms are not just limited to higher education courses and educational institutes need to be able to keep up with the demand for hybrid learning. However, even though online learning models aren’t new, they haven’t been implemented extensively like never before. Hundreds of learners are empowered to attend classes. This in turn has made the student-to-teacher ratio redundant. Modern education is now underlined by the need for accessibility, and online learning tools are making it easier to help retain knowledge. It still begs the question, are schools and high-ed institutes fully equipped for this new phase of education? Smart classroom management is now a need of the hour. At any rate, technology is at the helm of this transformation for the education industry. Edtech has contributed massively to the transition towards mass hybrid learning. With so many tools, teachers and learners may just be able to achieve the ideal learning environment online that simulates the interactivity, collaboration, and social elements that traditional classrooms are known for. One way to accomplish a richer anywhere classroom is by implementing a classroom management solution. Classroom management solutions assist educators in delivering a meaningful classroom experience. How Classroom Management Software Address Learning Challenges? eLearning has become a mainstream educational concept. In the age of remote learning. Today, students are accessing the classroom through a multitude of devices, and educators must be able to accommodate, encourage, and foster learning in the face of the many challenges that come with it. Classroom management tools ensure that the learning experience isn’t hampered. It offers tools that enable teachers to keep attendance, plan courses, draft lesson plans, and implement teaching strategies, track student progress, and so much more. In this article, we explore how the right classroom management platform enables smart classroom management. We also talk about the benefits of classroom management software, the features of classroom management software that are must-have for effective learning, and what tools address the most common hurdles in online learning. Eliminate Paperwork Paperwork is a big challenge for many educators and administrators. From documenting student information to managing and storing student grading, assessment, and exam information, paperwork takes up a significant portion of day-to-day tasks. Classroom management platforms enable educators to reduce paperwork and any repetitive tasks associated with documentation. Manage Overuse of Personal Gadgets Excessive screen time is a major deterrent to engaged learning. Even though screen times will increase due to eLearning, teachers will have the ability to manage distractions during classes with classroom management platforms. Evaluate Students With the increasing gap between teachers’ to students’ ratio, there is no doubt that the educators are burdened and stressed. Evaluating each student and giving her the attention she needs to perform well is affected. Classroom management comes in to assist teachers to monitor students with classroom management and review details like their attendance, leaves, assignments and more. Maintain Class Records Maintaining class records and class progress is just one of the many responsibilities of a teacher. It isn’t wrong to say that it takes up a huge chunk of the teacher’s time. However, these records are essential in order to track student progress and keep an eye on individual as well as group performance. The 7 Best Features that Address Classroom Management Challenges Student Performance Management How students perform, their attendance details, grade and assignment history are all administrative duties that good educators understand they must track. Classroom management platforms offer easy and digitalized access to all this information. It allows educators to track their collective class progress as well as individual performance. This in turn helps in managing the class better and enhancing learning activities. Teachers and professors can store the data and access it at any time. This also allows them to identify individual students who are lagging, areas of learning that the class finds difficult. It empowers educators with the information they need to bring them up to speed while also encouraging other students to improve. Virtual Whiteboard A whiteboards is a classroom essential. Online classrooms may not completely accommodate them, but they can be a powerful fixture. Many smart classroom management tools offer virtual whiteboards that simulate the classroom setting. They are known to be an effective aid in helping students retain information and concentrate in class better. Virtual whiteboards go one step further. They can be downloaded, saved, and even printed. Some tools also allow educators to gamify the classroom experience through quizzes, videos, and other interactive formats. Traditionally, whiteboards were used to project images, presentations and even movies to keep the class engaged. Today’s virtual whiteboard help in doing the same but without restricting a classroom to four walls. Browser and mobile support Accessibility is fundamental to online learning models, and making classroom management tools easy to use on basic systems is key to ensuring inclusivity. If they are too complex or cause technical difficulties, they aren’t serving their purpose. Mobile support is one way to enforce accessibility. Remote learning classroom management solutions that take cross-device support into account offer a classroom experience for both educators and learners that isn’t hampered by technicality. Since they are designed to integrate smoothly with any device as well as the most popular browsers, they ensure parents don’t have to configure their systems or buy new devices for their children to learn online. Being able to use their existing devices allows both privileged and underprivileged students to easily continue their education. Course Planning and Management Digital tools have been able to change the game completely for educators. Some smart classroom management platforms boast features like course planning and management that encompass lesson planning, course content management, grading schema creation, assessment scheduling and much more. It allows for teachers to better plan their course as well as individual lessons. In addition, it empowers the assessment process and scheduling by ensuring one is conducted at regular intervals. The resulting grades reveal insights on the class’ progress and retention of the course material. Communication and Collaboration Classrooms offer the ability for learners to interact with their peers and their educators. The easy collaboration allows for ideas to thrive and facilitates them to grasp difficult concepts quicker while retaining information. The one-on-one interaction with educators is significant for many students. A collaborative classroom management platform that offers seamless ways to communicate provides a thriving environment where all parties are able to discuss new ideas, spark conversations, share feedback, team up with peers, and learn social and interpersonal skills. While some students may have more questions than others, teachers are better able to spread their attention across the class while answering, to individual queries. Unlike in a traditional classroom, one student’s question doesn’t keep the whole class waiting but provides a controlled forum for such discussions to take place. Blended Learning Options Hybrid models are becoming common in education and especially so in higher-ed. With both online and offline learning in the mix, flexibility and enrolment is off the charts. Blended learning allows students to interact with the coursework in a myriad of ways. Many classroom management tools provide support for tracking both online and offline learning journeys. This ensures students overcome stagnation and monotony, while teachers can follow their students’ progress. From registering for classes to conducting workshops and other interactive sessions, support for blending learning lets students and educators take control of their learning journey. Reporting and Analytics Data analytics is one of the best areas of tech to have happened to decision making. With digitalization, classrooms are now a huge source of data that empowers educators with the information they need to enhance the classroom and the remote leaning classroom management approach. Reporting capabilities combined with data analytics tools, educators are able to uncover insights at a granular level and make informed decisions about the course, lessons, grading, and assessments. Some tools offer dashboard functionalities that allow both students and teachers to be on the same page about the class, assignment submissions, deadlines, and exam dates. Conclusion Education is evolving as the cradle of learning, and classrooms need to follow suit. Now that learning is rapidly becoming a hybrid experience, classroom management software is more essential now than ever. With the complete classroom sometimes accessing lectures online, educators and school administrators have a responsibility to ensure that learners have the right tools, resources, and know-how to attend online classes. In addition, they must ensure that all technical abilities receive troubleshooting in time. A remote learning classroom management software will contribute to an anywhere classroom that enables learning no matter where the educators and learners are located. With documentation, tracking of student progress, lesson planning, attendance mapping, and other features of classroom management software, educators and administrators can save a lot of time and money. With an abundance of options to choose from, the features in this article will help schools find the right classroom management platform for them without making a dent in the school’s technology budget. Frequently Asked Questions How much does classroom management software cost? Many classroom management systems offer pricing on per-seat basis. This means schools can easily scale their software as required by adding one or more seats whenever students enrol. How is a classroom management platform implemented? Classroom management platforms offer custom implementation as well as standard implementation of their software. Do classroom management platforms integrate with other classroom software? Most classroom management platforms are designed to integrate with a host of other classroom solutions used for communications and collaboration, like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and more.

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What has a global crisis taught us about the future of higher education?

Article | June 29, 2020

The public response during COVID-19 has demonstrated both the perpetual value of education and a renewed appreciation of Australia’s research capability and expertise. At a time when everything has been stripped back to basics and our understanding of ‘essential services’ has been redefined, university education and research have endured.

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Spotlight

The Coaching Institute (TCI)

Life coaching is now one of the fastest growing professions in the world and demand for qualified life coaches in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Asia and Australasia is growing each year as more and more individuals and organisations are realising the amazing results that can be achieved through the use of proven coaching methodologies and principles.

Related News

Education Technology, Online Education, Continuing Education

2U Partners with University of Surrey to Launch 15 Online Master's Degrees

PR Newswire | February 01, 2024

2U, Inc, the company behind global online learning platform edX, today announced a new partnership with the University of Surrey to launch and support the delivery of online master's degrees and online professional certificate programs. An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master's degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026. This will expand access to this highly ranked UK university for students worldwide. Surrey's partnership with 2U will deliver Surrey Online Learning: an acceleration and transformation of the university's provision of online learning. 2U's expertise will help Surrey establish a scalable model and quickly expand its digital capabilities to worldwide audiences. The collaboration aligns with the university's mission to expand access to life-changing education and personal and professional success. "We're partnering with 2U and their edX platform to accelerate Surrey Online Learning provision," said Professor Tim Dunne, Provost and Senior Vice-President at the University of Surrey. "The University of Surrey has global strength in innovation and research, and is renowned for being one of the best universities in the UK for delivering excellence in teaching and employability. Through Surrey Online Learning, we will offer flexible and affordable educational pathways that are compatible with and relevant to modern careers, combining accessibility with strong student outcomes." Surrey's suite of online degrees will build on the success of its on-campus programs, with the online curriculum developed in partnership with LearningMate. The first five degrees expected to launch in 2024 will be in the areas of artificial intelligence, business, psychology, marketing, and sustainability. The professional certificate programs, which will focus on technology, healthcare, business, communications technologies, and sustainability, will provide learners with an opportunity to build and enhance critical professional skills on their way to determining if a full degree in a corresponding subject is part of their educational journey. "2U prides itself in being a digital transformation partner that can support strategic long-term thinking, accelerate innovation, and help drive positive student outcomes across new formats and modalities," said Andrew Hermalyn, President of the Degree Program Segment at 2U. "The University of Surrey has major ambitions to expand its online learning capabilities, and we are honored to be their partner to help build their online presence from the ground up." "LearningMate is honored to partner with the University of Surrey on its transformative online learning initiative in collaboration with 2U. We're excited to contribute to the development of cutting-edge online master's degrees and professional certificate programs that align with Surrey's commitment to excellence," said Prasad Mohare, Senior Vice President at LearningMate. "Our focus on innovation and accessibility will be showcased in the initial offerings. LearningMate is dedicated to supporting Surrey in expanding access to impactful, career-relevant learning opportunities in the evolving landscape of online education." Today's announcement builds on the continued demand for 2U's flexible degree partnership model, which gives universities the choice of selecting different bundles of services according to their needs.

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Online Education

HMH Launches the Center for Model Schools™ to Drive Transformational Change in Districts Across the Country

PRnewswire | August 18, 2023

Learning technology company HMH today announced the establishment of the Center for Model Schools. Building on the legacy and work of the International Center for Leadership in Education, the Center for Model Schools provides K-12 school systems with ongoing leadership support through its namesake Model Schools Conference, leadership cohorts and shoulder-to-shoulder consulting. "Now more than ever, every student must be part of a school community that enables them to thrive in an increasingly complex world," said Dr. Joshua P. Starr, Managing Partner, Center for Model Schools. "I am thrilled to introduce the Center for Model Schools as a place where districts can deepen the skills needed to transform insight into action and create environments where all learners succeed. Every child deserves a Model School, and leaders make that happen." Leaders can engage with the Center for Model Schools in three key ways: • Transformational Leadership Network: The Transformational Leadership Network, steered by experts and practitioners, connects leaders who share similar challenges. Year-round cohorts give network members opportunities to learn from and with each other via inter-district cohort sessions facilitated by specialists in improvement science, personalized 1:1 collaboration focused on meeting specific goals and flexible engagement options, including a range of in person, synchronous and asynchronous opportunities. • Leadership Consulting: Leadership consultants from the Center for Model Schools partner with school and district leaders to bring their visions to life. Partnerships are customized based on the school or district needs and helps leaders enact practical strategies that drive system-wide transformation. Strategies may include development and support for principals, leadership coaching, strategic planning, curriculum alignment, PLC-powered data teams, effective teaching and learning and keynote speakers. The Center for Model Schools' leadership consulting also supports school improvement initiatives via an exclusive partnership between UChicago Impact® and NWEA, a division of HMH. Structured around the 5Essentials® Framework and Survey, which are based on over 30 years of research by the UChicago Consortium on School Research, this approach provides a holistic, evidence-based system that defines, measures and utilizes the most important organizational conditions to improve student outcomes. • Model Schools Conference: The Model Schools Conference is the nation's largest gathering for rapidly improving K-12 schools and districts. The conference brings over 5,000 educators together for a powerful slate of workshops and sessions focused on making a difference within learning communities. From networking to sharing best practices to inspiring keynotes and panel discussions, the conference experience gives attendees a toolkit to implement meaningful change when they return home. About HMH Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a learning technology company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions, and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries.

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Online Education

Flatiron School Introduces Pivotal AI-Powered Chatbot Learning Aid

Businesswire | August 10, 2023

Flatiron School, a global provider of technical education, introduced an innovative AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance learning experiences across their software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product design courses. Flatiron Schools chatbot comes at a critical time, where demand for adaptive learning and general AI fluency is at an all-time high. Embedded into learning materials so it has an awareness of the curriculum, this 24/7 learning aid is focused on facilitating independent thinking and will support students with a more personalized experience. The chatbot will make use of analogies, diagrams, and code challenges, helping students better understand complex concepts and hone problem-solving skills. Additionally, the chatbot will allow students to interact in their native language. The chatbot is a value-add to Flatiron School’s existing support system, so students will still have the opportunity to connect with a live, dedicated technical coach during regular office hours. Chatbot benefits include: • 24/7 Access. A complement to regular live support, students have access to the chatbot round-the-clock, allowing them to study on their own schedule, irrespective of time zone. • Multilingual Support. Students can facilitate chat in their native language, breaking down language barriers and fostering deeper understanding of course material. • Learning Assistance. Common roadblocks and questions are promptly addressed; students can overcome challenges and grasp difficult subjects quickly. “Flatiron School has always been committed to dynamic learning, flexing our courses and instruction based on individuals' unique styles and needs. The chatbot is another resource for student success and aligns with our vision to foster a holistic and inclusive learning environment,” said Pete Barth, Chief Product Officer. About Flatiron School Since 2012, Flatiron School has been an education innovator, training over 10,000 graduates in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product design. Flatiron School works with students, universities and colleges, and industry-leading companies around the world to provide essential technical training. When it comes to landing a job, Flatiron School graduates have a proven track record of success thanks to experienced instructors and dedicated career coaches.

Read More

Education Technology, Online Education, Continuing Education

2U Partners with University of Surrey to Launch 15 Online Master's Degrees

PR Newswire | February 01, 2024

2U, Inc, the company behind global online learning platform edX, today announced a new partnership with the University of Surrey to launch and support the delivery of online master's degrees and online professional certificate programs. An initial five online degree programs will welcome students in 2024, with a portfolio of at least 15 master's degrees and at least 15 professional certificate programs being delivered by 2026. This will expand access to this highly ranked UK university for students worldwide. Surrey's partnership with 2U will deliver Surrey Online Learning: an acceleration and transformation of the university's provision of online learning. 2U's expertise will help Surrey establish a scalable model and quickly expand its digital capabilities to worldwide audiences. The collaboration aligns with the university's mission to expand access to life-changing education and personal and professional success. "We're partnering with 2U and their edX platform to accelerate Surrey Online Learning provision," said Professor Tim Dunne, Provost and Senior Vice-President at the University of Surrey. "The University of Surrey has global strength in innovation and research, and is renowned for being one of the best universities in the UK for delivering excellence in teaching and employability. Through Surrey Online Learning, we will offer flexible and affordable educational pathways that are compatible with and relevant to modern careers, combining accessibility with strong student outcomes." Surrey's suite of online degrees will build on the success of its on-campus programs, with the online curriculum developed in partnership with LearningMate. The first five degrees expected to launch in 2024 will be in the areas of artificial intelligence, business, psychology, marketing, and sustainability. The professional certificate programs, which will focus on technology, healthcare, business, communications technologies, and sustainability, will provide learners with an opportunity to build and enhance critical professional skills on their way to determining if a full degree in a corresponding subject is part of their educational journey. "2U prides itself in being a digital transformation partner that can support strategic long-term thinking, accelerate innovation, and help drive positive student outcomes across new formats and modalities," said Andrew Hermalyn, President of the Degree Program Segment at 2U. "The University of Surrey has major ambitions to expand its online learning capabilities, and we are honored to be their partner to help build their online presence from the ground up." "LearningMate is honored to partner with the University of Surrey on its transformative online learning initiative in collaboration with 2U. We're excited to contribute to the development of cutting-edge online master's degrees and professional certificate programs that align with Surrey's commitment to excellence," said Prasad Mohare, Senior Vice President at LearningMate. "Our focus on innovation and accessibility will be showcased in the initial offerings. LearningMate is dedicated to supporting Surrey in expanding access to impactful, career-relevant learning opportunities in the evolving landscape of online education." Today's announcement builds on the continued demand for 2U's flexible degree partnership model, which gives universities the choice of selecting different bundles of services according to their needs.

Read More

Online Education

HMH Launches the Center for Model Schools™ to Drive Transformational Change in Districts Across the Country

PRnewswire | August 18, 2023

Learning technology company HMH today announced the establishment of the Center for Model Schools. Building on the legacy and work of the International Center for Leadership in Education, the Center for Model Schools provides K-12 school systems with ongoing leadership support through its namesake Model Schools Conference, leadership cohorts and shoulder-to-shoulder consulting. "Now more than ever, every student must be part of a school community that enables them to thrive in an increasingly complex world," said Dr. Joshua P. Starr, Managing Partner, Center for Model Schools. "I am thrilled to introduce the Center for Model Schools as a place where districts can deepen the skills needed to transform insight into action and create environments where all learners succeed. Every child deserves a Model School, and leaders make that happen." Leaders can engage with the Center for Model Schools in three key ways: • Transformational Leadership Network: The Transformational Leadership Network, steered by experts and practitioners, connects leaders who share similar challenges. Year-round cohorts give network members opportunities to learn from and with each other via inter-district cohort sessions facilitated by specialists in improvement science, personalized 1:1 collaboration focused on meeting specific goals and flexible engagement options, including a range of in person, synchronous and asynchronous opportunities. • Leadership Consulting: Leadership consultants from the Center for Model Schools partner with school and district leaders to bring their visions to life. Partnerships are customized based on the school or district needs and helps leaders enact practical strategies that drive system-wide transformation. Strategies may include development and support for principals, leadership coaching, strategic planning, curriculum alignment, PLC-powered data teams, effective teaching and learning and keynote speakers. The Center for Model Schools' leadership consulting also supports school improvement initiatives via an exclusive partnership between UChicago Impact® and NWEA, a division of HMH. Structured around the 5Essentials® Framework and Survey, which are based on over 30 years of research by the UChicago Consortium on School Research, this approach provides a holistic, evidence-based system that defines, measures and utilizes the most important organizational conditions to improve student outcomes. • Model Schools Conference: The Model Schools Conference is the nation's largest gathering for rapidly improving K-12 schools and districts. The conference brings over 5,000 educators together for a powerful slate of workshops and sessions focused on making a difference within learning communities. From networking to sharing best practices to inspiring keynotes and panel discussions, the conference experience gives attendees a toolkit to implement meaningful change when they return home. About HMH Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a learning technology company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions, and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries.

Read More

Online Education

Flatiron School Introduces Pivotal AI-Powered Chatbot Learning Aid

Businesswire | August 10, 2023

Flatiron School, a global provider of technical education, introduced an innovative AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance learning experiences across their software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product design courses. Flatiron Schools chatbot comes at a critical time, where demand for adaptive learning and general AI fluency is at an all-time high. Embedded into learning materials so it has an awareness of the curriculum, this 24/7 learning aid is focused on facilitating independent thinking and will support students with a more personalized experience. The chatbot will make use of analogies, diagrams, and code challenges, helping students better understand complex concepts and hone problem-solving skills. Additionally, the chatbot will allow students to interact in their native language. The chatbot is a value-add to Flatiron School’s existing support system, so students will still have the opportunity to connect with a live, dedicated technical coach during regular office hours. Chatbot benefits include: • 24/7 Access. A complement to regular live support, students have access to the chatbot round-the-clock, allowing them to study on their own schedule, irrespective of time zone. • Multilingual Support. Students can facilitate chat in their native language, breaking down language barriers and fostering deeper understanding of course material. • Learning Assistance. Common roadblocks and questions are promptly addressed; students can overcome challenges and grasp difficult subjects quickly. “Flatiron School has always been committed to dynamic learning, flexing our courses and instruction based on individuals' unique styles and needs. The chatbot is another resource for student success and aligns with our vision to foster a holistic and inclusive learning environment,” said Pete Barth, Chief Product Officer. About Flatiron School Since 2012, Flatiron School has been an education innovator, training over 10,000 graduates in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product design. Flatiron School works with students, universities and colleges, and industry-leading companies around the world to provide essential technical training. When it comes to landing a job, Flatiron School graduates have a proven track record of success thanks to experienced instructors and dedicated career coaches.

Read More

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