Latest news with #onlinelearning
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Miami Country Day School Expands Online Education Through Faculty-Led Innovation
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2025) - Miami Country Day School (MCDS) has announced the continued growth of its Spartans Around online program, an online learning initiative designed and led by MCDS faculty and academic leadership to support students in grades 6 through 12. The expansion reflects the school's commitment to creating flexible learning models that uphold the same academic standards and student-centered values found on campus. A student engages in a live online class through the Spartans Around program, blending academic rigor with real-time connection–anywhere in the world. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Initially developed as a series of virtual elective options, the program has evolved into a full-time online academic offering that allows students to remain fully engaged with MCDS while traveling, training, or residing abroad. With small class sizes, high faculty interaction and personalized support, Spartans Around offers a high-quality education without geographic limitations. "We built this program because we recognized the changing landscape of education and wanted to offer students something truly exceptional," said Dan Bronish, Chief Academic Officer at MCDS. "Spartans Around is a natural progression of our commitment to meeting students where they are—both academically and geographically." School Values Embedded in Every Course Rather than relying on generic virtual learning platforms, Spartans Around was developed in-house by MCDS faculty and instructional leaders, with input from administrators such as Mariandl Hufford, Miami Country Day School's Head of School. Each course reflects the school's academic expectations, relational approach, and emphasis on whole-student growth. Courses blend live Zoom sessions with independent assignments, and are intentionally capped at a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. The curriculum spans traditional subjects and specialized electives, such as Digital Filmmaking and Financial Literacy for Athletes, enabling students to explore niche interests while staying on track for college admission. "From the very beginning, we wanted Spartans Around to be a natural extension of MCDS, not an add-on," said Bronish. "It was essential that the program reflect the same values and academic rigor that define our school." Enabling Students to Learn Without Limits Students enrolled in Spartans Around include high-performing athletes, performers, and globally mobile families seeking stability in academic continuity. Annual enrollment in online coursework through Spartans Select—a precursor to Spartans Around—has averaged 200 students. The full-time program continues to grow, supported by both student success outcomes and family demand. Nationwide, online education continues to gain momentum. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 64% of U.S. school districts now offer online learning, with independent schools increasingly adapting to modern student needs. "The world of education is evolving, and together we are leading that evolution," said Bronish. "The future of Spartans Around is about creating even more opportunities for students to learn in ways that work best for them." A Strategic Vision for the Future Looking ahead, MCDS plans to expand Spartans Around by offering more elective courses, integrating online and on-campus experiences, and extending access to students outside the local community. The program is seen as a permanent part of the school's academic ecosystem—not a temporary pivot, but a future-ready solution. About Miami Country Day School Founded in 1938, Miami Country Day School is an independent, college-preparatory institution serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Through its robust academic programs and forward-thinking initiatives like Spartans Around, MCDS supports student growth in academics, character, and global citizenship.
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
Your Daily Career Tarot Card Reading for June 27th, 2025
27.6.25 The Pope: Your skills and experience are in demand, meaning you could be put in a teaching role or be required to act as a coach or mentor. You're ideally placed to share your knowledge and to help others or another to flourish. Additionally, creating an online tutorial that allows folks to benefit from your experience without it costing much, if anything, might also be a beneficial proposition.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Balochistan youth swap trees for tech as Internet lab bridges digital divide
LASBELA, Pakistan: When Abrar Roonjha returned to his hometown near Bela in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province during the COVID-19 lockdown, he was faced with a major dilemma: how would he attend online classes without reliable Internet connectivity. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, accounts for nearly 44% of the country's landmass but only around 6% of its population. Despite its mineral wealth and geostrategic location, the militancy-plagued region remains the country's most underserved in infrastructure and connectivity. Combine that with the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on education across Pakistan, with prolonged school closures affecting more than 40 million students nationwide. According to a 2021 UNICEF report, around 23 million school-going children were unable to access remote learning during the pandemic due to limited or no Internet connectivity and a lack of digital devices. The situation was especially dire in rural and underserved areas like Balochistan, where infrastructure gaps meant many students were entirely cut off from their lessons. 'I used to hang my mobile phone on a tree and try to connect to its hotspot to continue my studies but it was very difficult,' Roonjha, now 21, told Arab News. That changed in 2021 with the launch of the Wang Lab of Innovation (WALI), a free Internet and digital skills center in Roonjha's village, supported by the Internet Society and run by the Welfare Association for New Generation (WANG), a grassroots organization in Lasbela district. Since then, nearly 650 youth in the region, many from low-income families, have gained access to high-speed Internet and basic tech education. For young people like Roonjha, the lab has become a portal to the wider world. 'When the Wang Lab of Innovation was established here, I was able to access high-speed Internet. This brought a major positive change in my life,' said Roonjha, who now leads creative programs at the lab. The connectivity also enabled him to attend international forums, including the World Youth Festival in Russia in 2024 and a UN regional conference on sustainable development in Bangkok earlier this year. DIGITAL DIVIDE IN PAKISTAN'S LARGEST PROVINCE Despite its vast size, Balochistan remains Pakistan's least connected province when it comes to Internet access. According to Freedom House, around 60 percent of the region lacks any Internet coverage, and in areas with service, mobile speeds are often well below the national average of 6.2 Mbps. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority reports broadband penetration in the province sits at just 15 percent, compared with the national average of 45.7 percent. Infrastructure challenges, like mountainous terrain, sparse population, and frequent security-related shutdowns, have consistently deterred investment in fiber and mobile networks . While government-backed initiatives like the Universal Service Fund have begun extending 4G and broadband over limited areas of Balochistan, the majority of rural communities still struggle to connect, reinforcing the importance of local projects like the WALI lab. 'WALI has created a vital space, especially for girls, to access knowledge and skills they would otherwise have no means to acquire,' said Aftab Ahmed, 26, a co-founder of the lab. The initiative is also one of the few local digital literacy efforts led by young people from the region. While national programs like Pakistan's 'Digital Pakistan' campaign have focused on major urban centers, grassroots projects in remote provinces are rare and often underfunded. The lab is housed in a modest building in the village and is now a daily destination for schoolchildren, university students, and aspiring content creators. Its impact is visible in the confidence and creativity of its youngest users. Fawaz Qadir, 16, began coming to the lab a year ago. 'I would come here and learn about different AI tools,' he said, describing how he creates music and short films using Suno AI and Meta's animation tools. 'I talk about climate change and how humans have damaged our environment.' Abdul Hadi, 14, walks two kilometers each day to reach the lab. In just a year, he's learned to design YouTube banners and navigate the Internet. 'Things are no longer the way they used to be,' he said. For Rifat Wasim, 13, a student at the local girls' school, the lab is her only access to a computer. 'There's no laptop or such devices at my home, so I come to the lab, and I enjoy it,' she said. 'I've learned to browse the Internet, use a computer, and create videos.' RETHINKING THE FUTURE Roonjha, the sociology student who once studied under a tree, now teaches children to use artificial intelligence tools. 'I see that children as young as ten or twelve are creating music using AI, they are making films,' he said. 'They've started to understand the possibilities the Internet offers, and how, through AI, they can showcase their work to the world and make their presence felt.' The WANG initiative remains one of few rural digital labs in the province. Other recent government-supported efforts include the USF, which has launched projects to expand 4G coverage in parts of Balochistan. But for many villages in districts like Lasbela, such access remains a distant promise. Ahmed, the WALI co-founder, hopes the model can be replicated. 'Digital inclusion is not just about connectivity, it's about opportunity,' he said. 'When children in remote areas have access to the same tools as anyone else, it transforms how they see their future.'
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Babson College Meets the Market with New Professional and Executive Education Course Portfolio and Plan for World-Class Conference Center
Babson On-Demand ™, the College's First Online Learning Platform, Addresses Global Talent Gaps Identified in the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report 'Early Entrepreneur's Toolkit' Equips Aspiring Business Founders with Babson's Expertise Wellesley, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2025) - Babson College announced the launch of an expansive Professional and Executive Education portfolio building on its proven approach to delivering entrepreneurship curriculum to corporations and individuals around the world. Babson's new portfolio is now available to a broader audience-from corporate clients seeking to upskill and reskill their workforce to individual learners seeking personalized professional development. These custom, flexible, stackable offerings can be delivered online, in person, or a blend of both. Babson has a successful track record of working with organizations across an array of industries to help them solve substantial business problems, supporting their growth and evolution as dictated by shifting market demands. Flexibility through Babson On-Demand™ Included in the new rollout is Babson On-Demand™, a collection of entirely online, flexible courses with an emphasis on cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, innovation, and practical, in-demand business skills. This growing suite of online and in-person courses, which can be purchased in bundles that stack up to badges and certificates, addresses the ever-evolving needs of organizations and individuals seeking to upskill, reskill, or successfully launch a business. According to the World Economic Forum 2025 Future of Jobs report, competencies including analytical thinking, resilience, and agility are considered the most essential for workers in 2025, yet, to develop these skills, more than half of today's workforce will require training over the next five years. Babson's Professional and Executive Education (formerly branded Babson Executive Education) offerings equip learners with the most essential workplace skills as outlined in the report, preparing current and aspiring business leaders for successful futures. 'Babson's enhanced approach to professional and executive education represents a significant advancement of our strategic plan and its core focus on supporting entrepreneurship education across a lifetime,' said President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA'92, PhD. 'Our history of success providing executive education offerings to an array of organizations and professionals in 80 countries around the world positions us well to reach new markets with Babson On-Demand™. These offerings will provide audiences of all sizes-from individuals seeking to advance in their career or develop new leadership skills to largescale organizations supporting the evolution of their workforce-with the tools and thought leadership to create substantial economic and social value around the world.' The Early Entrepreneur's Toolkit One of Babson's newest signature offerings is the Early Entrepreneur's Toolkit, a curated collection of online courses that helps aspiring business founders keep their dream on track. This advanced certificate gives individuals the opportunity to learn from world-leading business faculty at the #1 institution for entrepreneurship. With courses on topics including prototyping, financing and pitching your start-up, business models, market evaluation, and social impact, the toolkit guides and supports budding entrepreneurs as they look to bring their ideas into reality. Meeting the Market with Flexible Courses and Historic Capital Investments 'At Babson, we believe entrepreneurial leadership is a lifelong journey,' said Executive Vice President Kelly Lynch. 'We are excited to launch our first online learning platform-built to empower business leaders at every stage of their careers and lives. Babson On-Demand™ makes Babson's top ranked entrepreneurship and business courses accessible anytime, anywhere. Through these self-paced courses taught by top Babson faculty, learners gain the tools, skills, and insights to immediately transform their careers and drive impact within their organizations.' Investing in a New Executive Lodging and Conference Center In support of the launch of its new portfolio, Babson has initiated a historic capital plan to build a flagship Executive Lodging and Conference Center, a facility that will provide a state-of-the-art environment for professionals, executives, academics, and the broader community for their event and lodging needs. The boutique-style executive lodging space will allow Babson's campus to better support these increased executive education offerings both in person and virtually and is slated to open in mid-2027. About Babson College Babson College is a global leader in entrepreneurship education. Through its proven Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology, the College prepares entrepreneurial leaders who create, grow, and steward sustainable economic and social value around the world. Founded in 1919 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Babson has empowered more than 45,000 entrepreneurial leaders to impact communities and industries of all kinds. Babson is recognized as the No. 2 best college in the United States by The Wall Street Journal and has maintained its place as No. 1 atop U.S. News & World Report's entrepreneurship rankings for decades. The College offers an array of undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs and partners with organizations around the world to support global entrepreneurship initiatives. Through the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Babson's centers and institutes, the College empowers accomplished and aspiring entrepreneurs to advance the study and practice of entrepreneurial thought leadership around the world. Media Contact: Kate Chaney, Manager of External Communications, Babson College Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Accreditation, recognition and results: Why trust matters in online education
Over the past few years, CambriLearn has helped students gain admission to top universities, launch entrepreneurial ventures, and excel in competitive athletic or creative fields There's no shortage of options when it comes to online learning. A quick Google search will show hundreds of platforms promising flexible education, digital innovation, and affordability. But as online schools become more common - especially among expat families in the UAE, the question is no longer can you go online, but should you trust who you're enrolling with? Because not all online schools are created equal. And when it comes to your child's future, vague promises and pretty websites don't cut it. Why accreditation is non-negotiable In an era where anyone can build a website and call themselves a school, accreditation is one of the few objective standards that separate credible institutions from the rest. It's not just a formality - it's proof that the curriculum, teaching quality, assessments, and overall operations meet the strict requirements of internationally recognised education bodies. CambriLearn, for instance, is accredited with Pearson Edexcel, a gold standard in British education. This means students can earn International GCSEs and A Levels that universities recognise in over 160 countries. For families in the UAE, many of whom are planning their children's education across borders, that level of global portability matters. For families leaning toward the American education system, CambriLearn also offers a US curriculum path that ensures learners can stay on track, whether their goals include local universities or institutions abroad. Don't take the school's word for it - Take the parent's If accreditation is one half of the equation, real-world results are the other. And no one knows what it's like to enrol, learn, and grow within an online school better than parents and students themselves. This is where review platforms, not just testimonials hand-picked by the company, play a critical role. CambriLearn's high satisfaction ratings across Trustpilot, Google, and Facebook tell a consistent story: this is an online school that not only delivers on academic outcomes but also shows up with real human support. Parents praise the responsiveness of teachers, the clarity of the learning platform, and the way the school nurtures individual progress - not just exam results. A track record of outcomes, not just content Lots of online schools offer "content." However, content alone doesn't prepare a student for real-world success. CambriLearn stands out because it combines accredited content with personalised teacher support, progress tracking, and academic mentorship. In a system designed for flexibility, students can progress at their own pace and families can track real-time progress through a dedicated parent dashboard. Over the past few years, CambriLearn has helped students gain admission to top universities, launch entrepreneurial ventures, and excel in competitive athletic or creative fields - all while maintaining academic excellence. A safer choice in a crowded market With the global explosion of edtech, it's easy to get distracted by flashy features and low fees. But parents in the UAE are starting to ask sharper questions: These are the right questions. And increasingly, CambriLearn is the right answer. Because when you combine international accreditation, proven satisfaction, and a flexible curriculum tailored to individual potential - you're not just picking an online school. You're choosing a long-term partner in your child's success. Explore CambriLearn's internationally accredited British and US curriculum options today. Book a free consultation or visit
