? The American College announced today, the appointment of Billy Williams as Executive Director for online learning. Williams will be responsible for creating interactive web-based learning experiences, equal to those available in classrooms. Williams will help shape how financial service professionals embrace the online experience. In addition, Williams will be responsible for managing the editorial, production and instructional design department.
"Billy's interaction with faculty to influence change in Web-based applications has led to national acclaim for the ASU model, and we look forward to his serving as an online champion for the College's efforts in this area," said Larry Barton, Ph.D, President and Chief Executive Officer of The American College. ?Rather than a static lecture over the Internet, this format will keep the student engaged through interaction.?
The college has aligned with Blackboard Inc., a leading enterprise software company for online education, to deliver online course offerings, at the college, as part of an initiative to move the institution to the next level in interactive learning. One reason Blackboard was selected was that it meets the standards of the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). Since Blackboard can be easily tailored to individual learner?s needs, it facilitates access to education and training materials by students.
?Blackboard offers advantages,? said Williams, ?For example, a manager can suggest that one of his employees pursue courses in a particular designation. As the student progresses through the courses, the learning management system of the client company can get updates from the College using the SCORM standards.?
Before joining The American College, Williams most recently served as program manager of the online MBA program at Arizona State University (ASU). Prior to his position at ASU, Williams instructed and served as chair of computer operations at Lamson Junior College. Williams? duties entailed consulting with various clients on computerized accounting assessment tools, and software utilization.
Williams has a Bachelor?s Degree in sociology from Texas Tech University and a master's degree in information management from ASU. He is currently a doctoral candidate in computer information systems at ASU.
?Web-based learning is the future of higher education,? continued Barton. ?The American College is the nation?s number one educator of insurance and financial service professionals and a robust interactive online learning program will keep us on the forefront of innovative distance education.?
The American College is the nation?s oldest and largest academically accredited educational institution devoted exclusively to financial services. Located on a 35-acre campus in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the College serves over 35,000 students predominantly on a distance education basis. The American College offers an array of specialized designation programs, a Master of Science degree in financial services and customized continuing education programs for those pursuing a career in financial services. For information, visit http://www.amercoll.edu.
Contact:
Pete Kulick
Public Relations
(610) 526-1318
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