BizEd

NovDec2014

Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/406930

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 66 of 76

64 November/ December 2014 BizEd TAB LET: POJOSLAW/TH I N KSTOCK; CITY: DM ITRY I DANOV/TH I N KSTOCK technology Subscribing to Subscription- Based Courses EDUCATIONAL PROVIDERS AT all levels are experiment- ing with new models for course delivery, and that's no different for the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) in New York City. This year, the NYIF, which is part of the Financial Times group of companies, launched a subscription-based model of executive training. For a yearly fee, financial professionals can access in-person and online courses on an ongoing basis. NYIF offers 630 online courses, grouped into more than 150 learning modules, which are taught by prac- titioners. Users can mix and match to create their own programs, or take the courses in pre-selected groupings designed for their job titles. The NYIF has adopted a subscription model because of the finance sector's swiftly changing regulatory and legislative environment, says its CEO Lee Arthur. "For financial professionals, staying up to date is a job in itself. A subscription model is suited to that." ExecSense, another Financial Times group service, has been subscription-based for several years. Aimed at high-level executives, ExecSense charges executives a fee of US$1,000 a year, which gives them access to execu- tive education, an online resource library, webcasts, and short-form education "alerts" that offer quick exposure to topics of interest. "This follows the idea that learning is something executives must do every month, not just once or twice a year," says Arthur. A subscription model also reflects an increasing demand for shorter learning experiences. The same demographic that could sit for three-day courses a few years ago is now looking for half-day sessions, says Arthur. "We're being asked for 'shorter and snap- pier,'" he adds. "These individuals are so busy, they want condensed, efficient learning experiences. We give them materials ahead of time and make the education as practical as possible, so that they can use what they learn the next day." Educational delivery will continue to evolve as stu- dents demand formats that fit their changing needs, Arthur emphasizes. "We have to stay close to our cus- tomers if we are going to pick up on what they want and give them what they need," he says. Read more about NYIF at www.nyif.com. IN SEPTEMBER, THE University of Central Florida and its College of Business Adminis- tration opened a 5,000-square-foot facility in downtown Orlando for technology startups. Part of UCF's Office of Research and Commercialization, the facility was created in conjunction with UCF's Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA). Housed at UCF's Center for Emerging Media, the FIEA Ventures facility will support the city's plan to launch a "Creative Village" in the downtown area. UCF initially will open the facility to FIEA alumni, whose projects will vary from video games and simula- tions to mobile and web-based technolo- gies. Entrepreneurs will be chosen based on their applications, in which they outline their concepts, technology and staffing needs, market analyses, and business plans. Those selected will be provided with offices, meeting space, and a 20-seat theater; access to faculty, staff, and mentors; and use of audio, motion capture, and film studios. They will be granted space in the facility for up to one year. New Space for Startups

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of BizEd - NovDec2014