NYSSBA to revamp online training |
On Board Online • April 27, 2015
Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief
On June 22, NYSSBA will launch a new "eLearning" program targeted at newly elected school board members.
"NYSSBA is the state's leading provider of state-required courses in fiscal oversight and governance," said Barry Entwistle, director of leadership development. "Our new eLearning system will take advantage of new technology to provide a more interactive and dynamic experience. Board members will be able to access it using a variety of platforms including tablets and other devices."
When NYSSBA first began offering online training in 2007, the industry standard was a presentation of bullet points of information accompanied by narration to replicate an in-person PowerPoint presentation. The new system will be more sophisticated, Entwistle said.
The platform was developed by Loud Cloud, a company founded by Marc Andreesen, best known as the creator of the Netscape web browser.
Users will be able to register and immediately begin taking a class, which was not always possible with NYSSBA's old system. Users can begin a course on their smart phone, and pick up where they left off on a computer or tablet. They will be able to consult analytics on their mastery of the material.
"Providing the best quality training available anywhere has long been NYSSBA's forte," said Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. "Now we have an online platform that is as good as our content."
For members who prefer in-person training, NYSSBA will also continue to offer its course in Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals and its course on Essentials of School Board Governance as part of its New School Board Member Academies at five locations: Latham (May 29 and 30); Buffalo (July 17 and 18); Long Island (Aug. 14 and 15); Albany (Sept. 25 and 26); and Lake Placid (Nov. 6 and 7).
State law requires newly elected board members to complete six hours of state-approved training in fiscal oversight and six hours of state-approved governance training within a year of taking their oath of office or risk removal from office by the commissioner of education.