SUMMER 2007
Core Competencies & Learning Objectives
Coming Soon – A Trainer Retreat!
ETL Trainers
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES::
Contact: Gail Mahr
651-290-9704 ext. 200
Not by Chance:
Contact: Gail Mahr
651-290-9704 ext. 200
Ounce Scale MN Child Care Project
Contact: Mary Scott
651-433-2182
Surge Support Child Care Project
Contact: Julie Wasiluk
651-290-9704 ext. 119
Contact: Cory Woosley
651-746-4024
Eager-to-Learn Updates
Congratulations to Instructors that have taught their first class!
- Barb Wagner
- Kelly Painter
Course Options
We have begun to incorporate the new course options into our 2008 schedule. It has been very rewarding to spend time speaking individually with so many of you about your courses. This process will continue as we move forward with the state curriculum. As you think about possible future courses for Eager-to-Learn, keep in mind the new options as you develop courses. I encourage you to keep at the forefront of your planning the goals and objective of the course not the hours. CEU options will be available for all courses.
New course options:-
Building Awareness - provides a broad overview of the topic, presenting essential “need to know” information. (8 hours/3 Weeks)
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Building Knowledge –presents information in a way that increases knowledge and promotes understanding. (12 hours/4 weeks)
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Applying Knowledge - designed to increase knowledge and understanding, and address hands-on ways the new learning can be used. (16 hours/5 weeks)
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Developing Skills - takes knowledge, understanding and application of knowledge one step further by developing skills that are consistent with “best practices” principles. (32 hours/6 week
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Licensors: As we continue to try to meet the needs of providers throughout our state, we are disappointed to still have counties that do not accept online learning. If you have relationships with your county licensors we would love to talk with them. Mary and I are in the process of developing a three week informational course on quality online learning that will be free to all licensors.
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Higher Education: This summer has been fruitful for Eager-to-Learn in terms of higher education articulations. We have agreements either in place or in process at Pine Tech, Central Lakes, Metro State, University of Cincinnati and Concordia. We are initiating discussions at other colleges. Your support in this process is also welcome.
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Reaching Out: We are continuing to reach out to new audiences, including work with FFN providers, MNTRECC, Directors and Spanish speaking audiences.
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CEU’s: We are beginning the process of accreditation through IACET. For more on this see article below
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Marketing: This summer with the assistance of Elizabeth, the Network’s communications director, we finalized our two-year marketing plan. This will guide us in our efforts to market Eager-to-Learn locally and nationally. We are also sending out a variety of E-Announcements on a regular basis.
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Student Satisfaction Report: Thank you for encouraging your students to fill out the survey at the close of the course. The results are very promising and show the dedication that our instructors have for our program. Thank you so much from the whole Eager-to-Learn team. I am sharing the results of survey below.
Student Survey Results Overview
80 Responses out of approximately 300
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Technology Support: Communication:
69 percent, Very Satisfied
14.3 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
16 percent, Did Not Use
0 percent, Rarely Satisfied
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Technology Support: Knowledge
63 percent, Very Satisfied
14.6 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
23 percent, Did Not Use
0 percent, Rarely Satisfied
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Technology Support: Organization:
61 percent, Very Satisfied
16.4 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
21 percent, Did Not Use
0 percent, Rarely Satisfied
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Instructor Support: Communication:
90 percent, Very Satisfied
6.9 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
1 student was Rarely Satisfied
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Instructor Support: Knowledge
94 percent, Very Satisfied
3.6 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
1 student was Rarely Satisfied
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Instructor Support: Organization:
87.3 percent, Very Satisfied
10.9 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
1 student was Rarely Satisfied
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Program Support: Communication:
83 percent, Very Satisfied
9.1 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
5.5 percent, Did Not Use
1 student was Rarely Satisfied
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Program Support: Knowledge
87.3 percent, Very Satisfied
3.6 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
9.1 percent, Did Not Use
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Program Support: Organization:
81.8 percent, Very Satisfied
9.1 percent, Somewhat Satisfied
7.3% Did Not use
1 student was Rarely Satisfied
Additional Survey questions:
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Were there places in the classrooms where instructions weren’t clear?
47 comments
The majority of the answers were “no.” There were a few that were either confused about technology needs, how to turn assignments in or use of classroom homepage.
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Other comments about ETL?
69 comments
These were overwhelmingly excellent comments. The biggest concern voiced was that the courses need to be longer. There was one comment made about wanting online learning without chat. Several instructors mentioned by name as EXCELLENT.
CEUs - Why Become Accredited through IACET (International Association for Continuing
Education and Training)?
Eager-to-Learn has been offering CEU’s since its inception and this has been a benefit to many of our providers, especially those seeking CDA renewal. We continue to get questions on CEU’s; the language around the term continuing education units is very ambiguous. To continue to grow as an organization we feel it is time to move forward with accreditation. Not only will this provide Eager-to-Learn with more credibility it will provide us with the clear language needed to promote CEU’s in our program.
Why IACET? The IACET Criteria were created by a National Task Force on Continuing Education in 1968. Standards are based on educational research and revised periodically. The criteria can be applied to any continuing education and training course offering. IACET's Criteria and Guidelines are used in all forms of education. IACET approval is the standard learners seek for quality. Following IACET standards will allow us to deliver programs of the highest quality.
Once we complete the process our CEU’s will be recognized by the IACET standards that “One (1) IACET CEU is equal to ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.” We are looking for this type of professional recognition for Eager-to-Learn.
In the past we have administered CEUs, and followed the criteria designated by IACET, however we had not formally sought accreditation. At this juncture we feel that IACET will provide us with a “stamp of approval” that gives us the recognition we deserve for our quality program.