A look at the successful transition of Laureate Education Inc. from a technology-enabled tutorial business for high school students to a full-fledged international online university.
Abstract This paper describes the transition, acquisition, integration, and mission of Laureate Education Inc. The paper first explains Laureate Education's position that it is not a technology company, even though it uses the best technology to develop and deliver its product, namely, nontraditional, long-distance education. The paper then describes Laureate's goal as an educational institution that provides a seamless student experience from the time a prospective student inquires about a program until the time that he or she becomes an alumnus. The paper then looks at how Laureate has been able to achieve this goal by maintaining an exclusive focus on the customer while, at the same time, considering the organizational needs of the company. Finally, the paper covers Laureate's supply chain management system, since this was an important part of the successful evolution into a long-distance learning institution.
From the Paper "In July of 2000, Sylvan Learning Systems acquired OnlineLearning.net, the first "online" business purchased by Sylvan in what would become part of an acquisition strategy designed to develop an international university system with both online, traditional, and "hybrid" programs. Previous to the acquisition of OnlineLearning.net, Sylvan had purchased several other businesses and universities with some experience in online technology, but none of them were exclusively focused in online education. All of the acquisitions bolstered Sylvan's strength in non-traditional university education; the challenge would be integrating the right mix of marketing, technology, product development, and product delivery."
Abstract This paper explains that SPAM, originally the name of a disgusting canned substance, is annoying junk email or mass, unsolicited commercial email; the use of the term as repetitive junk comes from a Monty Python skit. The author relates that the first SPAM was originated when two lawyers named Canter and Siegel hired a programmer to write a program script that would post the lawyers' advertisement to thousands of newsgroups on "USENET", which at the time was the world's largest online conferencing center. The paper contends that SPAM is the absolute worst way to get a message across because these junk emails are never read, only deleted yet they cost society millions, if not billions, of dollars and are very difficulty to control through software and legislate.
From the Paper "Aside from being annoying, Spam is costing people big bucks. Saul Hansell of the New York Times explains how in the year 2000, Indiana University spent approximately 1.2 million dollars on a new network of nine computers, with their sole purpose being to process email for over 115,000 students and faculty members across the state. This network was believed to be sufficient until 2004, but with the exponential increase in Spam email, the school had to upgrade their system in 2001, at a cost of 300,000 dollars. The cost to universities is chump change compared to what it is estimated to be costing the United States."
Abstract This paper discusses theories of classroom behavior management and B.F. Skinner's theories on behavior as applied to a 7th grade classroom. The paper further looks at how to break up teaching into successive steps and reinforcements for each stage. The paper's focus is on positive reinforcement.
Tags: B.F. Skinner, Thomas Gordon, William Glasser, Lee Canter
Abstract This paper analyzes the classroom discipline system that was developed in 1976 by Lee and Marlene Canter, assertive discipline. The paper discusses the approach of assertive discipline and how the use of the assertive discipline program allows for the easy use of strategies that are practical for successful behavior management in the classroom when used by a teacher who works at building personal and trusting relationships with students.
From the Paper "In addition, some things that will be helpful if you begin to use the Assertive Discipline approach would be to speak in a firm tone of voice, make eye contact with students, and be responsive to students when the proper behavior is exhibited. Assertive Discipline does not seem to be a difficult plan to implement and studies show that it is effective in classrooms for students with special needs and behavioral problems. Consistently giving the students the opportunity to think logically about what the results of their actions would be, should they choose to engage in a behavior that is not appropriate, will only increase the likelihood that they will develop into self-reliant adults."
