November 2009 Newsletter

ed2go's Featured Article: Important Technology Updates

We recently sent out an important email regarding our upcoming technology updates. We'd like to remind you of the new and exciting changes that are coming soon and our scheduled system downtime.

Overview
Our technology team is upgrading our platform architecture and infrastructure to allow greater flexibility in meeting today's growing online learning needs.

This conversion allows us to make improvements to the underlying infrastructure and several improvements to the Online Instruction Center and Online Administration Center. 

In order to convert the system, we have a scheduled "down time" at 8:00PM Saturday, November 28th through 8:00PM Sunday, November 29th. The Online Instruction Center, Classroom, and Online Administration Center will be down during this time. Students visiting the Online Instruction Center will see a message stating that the site is down and when it will be available again.

Enhancements/Improvements
Online Instruction Center Improvements Include:

• New layout for catalog and course detail―more user-friendly and attractive
• Removal of Orientation link in the top and bottom navigation to eliminate student confusion

Online Administration Center Improvements Include:

• New Marketing page where you can search for catalog templates, ads, flyers, and by size or keywords
• Improved search functionality for student comments and evaluations

To view the complete list of changes, click here.

We will do our best to minimize the amount of system downtime. As always, if you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager.

NOTE:  This does not affect students currently enrolled in GES Career Training Programs. 

ed2go's Featured Partner - Central Oregon Community College

This month, our Featured Partner is Central Oregon Community College (COCC). Natalie Kimmel from COCC's Community Learning department submitted an essay in response to the contest announced in the last ed2go Partner Newsletter. The essay detailed all the ways her institution is using social media to increase enrollments. Natalie's department will receive lunch compliments of ed2go. Congratulations, Natalie!

How is COCC using social media?

• Instructor Blog: allows instructors to engage with each other and build their networks. In 2008, COCC received the International Award for Excellence from the Learn Resources Network (LERN) because of the blog's content.
• Facebook Page: showcases upcoming classes, instructors, and class videos as a tool to build enrollments.
• Facebook Advertising: successful, cost-effective way to create and post targeted ads within minutes. The interactive ads take potential customers directly to the COCC Web site where they can learn more about the classes.

To read the full article, please click here.

Check out the Tips page above to learn how other ed2go partners are using social media to increase their Web presence and course enrollments.