Susan Chiaramonte

Students have a choice. This is a simple sentence. Everyone claims to be aware of this fact, but if this statement is true, why are students not always treated as a customer? If you are a school who treats their students with a customer-focus, then could you be doing a better job? Just like students have choices when it comes to education, schools have a choice to provide excellent, even superior, student service which sets their school and programs apart from the growing pack.

It is important, first of all, that schools know who makes up their target market or… >>>

Did you know that 30 seconds of a good belly laugh gives up to 3 months of physical immunity? I’m not talking about a little chuckle. I’m talking about a good, doubled-over, tears-in-the-eyes, hurting-cheek-muscles-kind of laugh. Did you know that smiling instantly causes your brain to give a feeling of wellness for 5-7 seconds? Even if the smile is forced,you can walk around with a pen placed horizontally between your lips, forcing the corners of your mouth into an upward position and get the same exact effect. Did you also know about the 11 to 1ratio? It takes 11 positive… >>>

It has become increasingly important for educational institutions to be more transparent in their daily activities. Some believe this has been brought about by changes in federal and state regulations, but really the driving force behind these changes centers on the consumer, or in this instance the student. For years, students applied to colleges or universities of their choice, received acceptance letters from some, made a decision, enrolled in a school, and earned a degree. When it comes to education, students today have more choices than ever before and with the increasing number of choices, students are becoming savvy consumers.… >>>

In today’s educational culture amid buzzwords of “flipped classroom”, “gainful employment”, and “MOOCs”, the basics of online and distance education can get lost in the mix. Sometimes getting back to the basics can help refocus a school’s vision on their established mission, goals, and objectives. One of the basics in reviewing course/learning objectives is to re-evaluate how assessments are used to measure outcomes. Although fundamental and easily overlooked, it is important that student performance and course assessments are reviewed at regular intervals to ensure the consistent delivery of quality education.

The type of assessment(s) incorporated into an online course… >>>

I think this course was overall a helpful reminder as to why it is so important for schools to foster a culture of transparency. This is especially useful in this day and age of diploma mills and when it is imperative to build a solid competitive advantage. The rabbit may experience short term success, but it is the tortoise who ultimately wins the race and in our race...the goal should be to serve students well and provide them the best possible advantage to be successful in their community.