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NativeBiz Learning Center

The NativeBiz Learning Center is an 'online' Learning Management System providing instructors with the tools and resources to develop virtually any type of educational course imaginable for 'remote' and 'on-site' learners. It's the best of both worlds!

Powered by the Generations Learning Network, our learning platform’s flexibility allows for solutions that can be scaled from single-instructor classrooms to robust Private Label Learning Centers capable of serving the diverse needs of more than 50,000 students, instructors, administrators and content builders simultaneously.

Students.....Already enrolled? Go straight to the Course Directory.
New to our Learning Center? Visit the tabs below to learn more.

New to Online Learning? Check out Online Learning Essentials and get answers to a few commonly asked questions about online learning.

Low-Cost Student Courses

Jobing Smarter Not Harder - $75.00
Money Management 101 - $29.99
Public Speaking - $29.99
Email Etiquette - $29.99
Conflict Management - $29.99
Emotional Intelligence - $29.99

Low-Cost Training Series

Train the Trainer - $499.00
Marketing Essentials - $29.99
Coaching Skills - $29.99
Team Dynamics - $29.99
Foundations of Management - $29.99
Finance - $29.99

Students
Instructors
Course Development Services

Student Overview - FAQ's - Tips for Online Learning Success

Student Overview

Students, you will appreciate the uncluttered and seamless layout of the courses in the NativeBiz Learning Center. Our simple and browser friendly interface will allow you to become familiar with our layout, tools, activities and resources and start working on courses in no time at all.

You can consider the courses in our Learning Center as your virtual classrooms. They are a place where you’ll receive messages and course material from your instructor(s), where you’ll meet and interact with other students, and where you’ll work on assignments, activities and quizzes.

Students can study at school, home or the office on their computers or from multiple other locations - anywhere there is an Internet Connection or Wireless Hub. Many activities such as select quizzes or assignments can be completed on your mobile phone or iPod.

When you are ready to start enrolling in courses, simply register as a free Community Member at the top right corner of any site page, then visit our Course Directory.

NOTE: Courses offered here are both free and fee-based. Enrollment fees and payment transactions are between the Student and Instructor, not the NativeBiz Learning Center, unless the course is offered directly by the NBLN. Any course fees are required to be shown on the Course Details page, prior to course registration. If you are ever asked to pay an enrollment fee for a class that is listed as free, click the Help Desk link at the top right of any page and submit a Support Ticket.

The Basics - Things you will need before using our Learning Center

You will need to have access to a computer and have basic knowledge of how to use it, including using a mouse and keyboard, navigating in Windows, and basic file management.
You must have a valid email account and know how to send and receive email messages. You should also have a basic understanding of how to send and receive file attachments by email.
You must have access to the Internet, and be comfortable navigating between web pages or “surfing” on the World Wide Web. The Learning Center works best when you use the most current version of one of the following web browsers:
- Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox

The following is information about your current web browser:

The following is information about your Internet connection speed:

Note: Most online courses here are intended for hi-speed (Cable, DSL, T-1) internet delivery. Users who access activities and resources via a dial-up connection, may experience slight to moderate delays when viewing certain presentation, media, etc.

What kind of support is available?

Learning Support

Your course instructor is the key person for learning and content support.

Technical Support

Questions about your course and content should always be directed to your instructor(s), but if you need technical assistance related to the operation of the website click the Help Desk link at the top right of any page and submit a Support Ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

== Access & Content ==

Is it really free to enroll in the NativeBiz Learning Center?

Answer: Yes. Enrollment in the NativeBiz Learning Center is free to anyone with access to the Internet. Simply register as a free Member at our homepage and you will be automatically enrolled in our Learning Center. You may then search for courses in our Course Directory.

NOTE: While many of the courses are offered free of charge, certain fee based courses are also available. Make sure you read course summaries to determine if there is a registration fee for a certain course.

Does the NativeBiz Learning Center develop the courses?

Answer: While the NativeBiz Learning Center does occassionaly develop courses for use in the Learning Center, many of the courses are developed by third-parties that have licensed course space in our Learning Center.

Why can't I login?

Answer: The most likely thing is that you have simply forgotten your username and/or password or you are entering them incorrectly.

Some other things to think about include:

Do your username and/or password contain a mix of upper and lower case letters and numbers? They should both be entered exactly the way you created them when you registered.
Are your web-browser cookies enabled?

Why don't I see any courses in my homepage after I have registered in the NativeBiz Learning Center?

Answer: Once you have enrolled and you login, you should visit the 'course directory'. Your My Courses section will be 'empty' until you begin to enroll in courses.

To find courses that you are not currently enrolled in, you can 'search' by name and/or description or simply 'browse' courses in our Course Directory.

How do I navigate between my courses?

Answer: Once you have completed the free registration and are logged in you may easily navigate to courses by:

Using the Course block if it has been added to the course you are viewing.
Click the 'Homepage' link in the top left navigation trail and then use the main course block.

How do I find other courses to enroll in?

Answer: To find courses that you are not currently enrolled in, you can 'search' by name and/or description or simply 'browse' courses in our Course Directory.

== Emails & Forums ==

Why am I not receiving emails and forum notifications from the Learning Center?

Answer: Chances are the email address you listed in your profile is either wrong or currently disabled. Check these setting in your 'profile settings'.

It may also be that you are not subscribed to any forums that are generating email notifications at this time.

== Assignments & Grades ==

Why can’t I access certain assignments, activities or elements?

Answer: It may be because:

The assignment, activity or element is not available yet.
The assignment, activity or element is closed and no longer accepting submissions.
You have already uploaded something and the course, assignment, activity or element settings prevent resubmissions.

== Quizzes ==

Why don’t all my quiz scores count toward my Course Average?

Answer: Instructor’s have the option of adding several different types of quizzes to a course.

While many quizzes will track student scores and accumulate them for the overall Course Average, many quizzes are intended as stand-alone quizzes.

Note: You will still receive scores for all stand-alone quizzes taken in a course.

Overview - Features - Plans/Pricing - Technical Overview - Testimonials

Instructor Overview

Our plans provide cost-effective, secure access to web based tools and features that allow instructors with minimal to no programming experience to easily create dynamic, engaging and interactive courses for financial management skills, job skills enhancement, GED studies, continuing education, adult education, personal and professional development, staff training, emergency preparedness and much more.

Getting Started

Option 1. License
a Pre-Developed Course

Need a fast solution? Want to utilize an existing off-the-shelf course?

At the NativeBiz Learning Center we are aware that for many instructors and trainers time restraints don't allow for the development of the quality course material that dedicated educators prefer.

That's why we are proud to offer more than (50) low-cost, pre-developed solutions from the Generations Course catalog and more than (80) from education industry leader McGraw-Hill.* (McGraw-Hill courses coming soon).

That's right! Instructors can save time on course development and start teaching almost instantly by utilizing these pre-developed courses - any of which can be uploaded into your Learning Center classroom(s) and ready to use in just a few days. Courses may be offered as 'self-paced' and/or instructor lead, the choice is yours!

Option 2. Build a Course

Our platform enables instructors to build rich learning environments that can be used to teach classes completely online, enhance traditional face-to-face classes, or support hybrid learning environments.

Publishing Tools

Mouseover the Services tab above and click on the Authoring Tools link to learn more about downloadable authoring tools that allow you to create dynamic, engaging and interactive learning content in minutes.

These intuitive template-based publishing tools integrate with multiple programs and applications and give non-technical instructors, trainers and content providers an easy-to-use format for creating and publishing educational content directly to our learning center from their desktop and web browser.

This means that instructors throughout the country can develop, submit and manage educational material and update information quickly and easily. To learn more about licensing course space, Click here.

Features

The NativeBiz Learning Center offers an aggregate of powerful e-learning tools. We provide and manage fully functional e-learning systems with innovative training and testing options (self-assessments) and advanced conferencing applications.

Integrated conferencing with a collaboration whiteboard. Record events and view later.

Groupware tools such as discussion forum, chat, etc.

Quiz module. Features include Ajax-style quiz-taking; tracking of results; question pool; 8 types of questions.

Surveys allow you to easily create professional surveys, collect information and analyze data.

Collaborative resources include live conferencing, real-time chat, discussion forums, email and announcements.

Efficient production. Allowing organizations to create and maintain their courses and content in a simple and intuitive manner.

A balanced solution. Provides a balance between broad functionality, ease of use and a cost effective offering.

Learning paths. Import SCORM packages with powerful and customizable learning paths with embedded media and built-in quizzes.

Interactive content. WYSIWYG editor for preparing course content.

BlackBoard converter. Your system manager can export courses from BlackBoard into your learning center.

Reporting and tracking system. Activity reports for each student are available with graphs and details about their activities in the various course modules.

Document tool. Upload and publish many types of documents; documents can also be steps in a learning path.

Reliable help. With a designated site manager you only have to concern yourself with course and content development. We monitor your learning center around the clock for technical issues and provide support to your users for technical related issues.

Earn money with your learning center. Using your established 'online merchant' or 'PayPal' account users can self-register for courses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of course, you can also offer an offline payment option.

Multiple subscription options. If you have multiple courses that you wish to offer as a package, no problem. Your site administrator will setup as many subscription options as you wish. Maybe you want to offer a discount to students who purchase special 'package' subscriptions?

Easy to access online help guides for instructors and students.

Certificates. instructors can create custom certificates/diplomas for courses.

Integrated mailbox. Possible to send emails between students and instructors/trainers; mass mail function available to instructors/trainers for sending emails to select student or instructor groups.

Reliable, fast and easy access to your course(s), content and data from any computer with internet access.

Announcements. Keep everyone informed.

Grade book. Easy management of grade book items.

Multiple Instructors per Course. Any number of instructors can teach in a given course.

No Java Plug-Ins. Our LMS has no need for client-side Java, which eliminates the need for users to have Java installed on their computer.

Student/instructor toggle modes. Instructors can toggle between instructor and student views in order to preview the course and any content from the student's perspective.

Payment features. Course and subscription pricing can be updated by your system manager at any time.

Payment gateways. Students may elect to pay online or offline for course(s) and subscription(s); automatic payment validation for online instant payments; real-time payment statistics are readily available from your system manager.

Partner Program

Do you have knowledge to share with tribal communities?

If you are an experienced instructor - with a passion for education, a commitment to excellence, and a sincere desire to share your expertise with Indian country; we have a program for you!

The NativeBiz Learning Center is seeking instructors interested in offering their course(s) in our Learning Center. Qualified candidates should be an expert in their field, with appropriate credentials for the course being proposed. We are interested in offering courses covering many areas of interest to tribal communities, including but not limited to:

Financial Management
Tax Planning and Preparation
Starting a Business
Career/Vocational Training
Buying/Selling Real Estate

We are especially interested in courses that are or can be developed in 'native' languages.

If you have a course you are interested in developing and teaching, we invite you submit the form below after completing the following steps:

Register as a free Community Member at the top right of any page on our site.
Read the Instructor guide.
Visit the Instructor Demo Course and familiarize yourself with the tools and resources. Make at least (2) posts for others to read in the course forums.
Check out our list of Requested Courses that have been submitted by our students and get a feel for the type of courses that are in demand.
Read and accept our Partner Agreement.

You will be required to submit a resume and detailed description of the course you are proposing to develop and teach.

Note: Not all submissions are accepted. If we do not accept your submission, it is no way a reflection on the course or you. Acceptance is based an many factors including but not limited to, course content, types of activities and resources needed to complete course, student demand for content, existence of courses with content similar to your submission.

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to working with you.

APPLICATION AVAILABLE SHORTLY

Technical Overview

High Availability

Our Learning Management System is robust enough to serve the diverse needs of thousands of students, instructors, administrators and content builders simultaneously.

Our usage patterns will vary, but in general, the NativeBiz Learning Center presents a high-availability web-based interface, allowing students, instructors, tutors, administrators and content builders to routinely log in and carry out their daily tasks. See the scalability section for other relevant information.

Scalability

The infrastructure has the capability to easily expand or scale to meet future growth, both in terms of the volume of content and the size of the student body.

The NativeBiz Learning Center is run on a variety of web servers and database technologies. To ensure the system can cope with constant levels of high demand, we have carefully refined the choice of hardware, operating systems, and database systems that we utilize.

Each Linux-based web server runs Apache, with PHP installed as well as a PHP accelerator and currently has the capacity for approximately 50,000+ students and 7,500+ courses.

We load-balance our platform which allows for easy increased scalability when necessary. Basically our separate web servers have the ability to query the same database and refer to the same file store area, also there is a complete separation of the application layers which makes this kind of clustering feasible. Similarly, the database could be a cluster of servers (e.g. a MySQL cluster).

Basically, the NativeBiz Learning Center architecture makes it easy to respond to future demand, by adapting the technologies upon which it already operates. This is possible even in a live setting, allowing us to improve and upgrade services without major disruption to site users.

Usability

To support a host of automated and personalized services, such as self-paced and role-specific learning, the access, delivery and presentation of material is easy-to-use and highly intuitive - like surfing on the Web or shopping on Amazon.com.

Perhaps the best sentence to describe the NativeBiz Learning Center usability is: "simple and powerful".

Interoperability

To support content from different sources and multiple hardware/software solutions, the NativeBiz Learning Center exchanges data using open industry standards for Web deployments.

For authentication, the NativeBiz Learning Center supports authenticating against LDAP, which is the most widely-used standard protocol for this purpose. It also supports authentication based on direct database lookup (e.g. in an external Oracle database), or on the Shibboleth protocol, or alternatively using IMAP, NNTP, CAS or FirstClass.

For enrollment, the NativeBiz Learning Center supports the use of an LDAP server (e.g. Active Directory), and the IMS Enterprise standard (via downloadable plug-in).

For content, there are a number of aspects:

The NativeBiz Learning Center supports the import/export of Reusable Learning Objects packaged according to the SCORM/IMS Content Packaging standards.

Quiz questions can be exported in the international standard IMS QTI 2 format.

RSS news feeds can be integrated into a NativeBiz Learning Center site or course.

Forum discussions can be accessed as RSS news feeds, and therefore integrated into other RSS-capable websites or systems.

The use of XML for import/export is standard in the NativeBiz Learning Center. The "web services" method of exchanging data with other systems (e.g. via SOAP or XML-RPC) is not yet standard - but is in active development.

Stability

The NativeBiz Learning Center infrastructure can reliably and effectively manage a large enterprise implementation running 24 x 7. This is the same issue as discussed in Availability and Scalability above.

Security

As with any outward-facing collaborative solution, the NativeBiz Learning Center can selectively limit and control access to online content, resources and back-end functions, both internally and externally, for users in the community.

Our current system of roles includes administrators, instructors and instructors without editing privileges (sometimes called teaching assistants), students, and guests. Each has a clearly defined set of privileges and cannot act beyond those privileges.

The basic unit of organization is the course. An administrator can assign any number of instructors (with or without rights to edit content) to a given course, which has its own file area as well as its own discussions forums and other activities. instructors can decide whether content is visible or hidden to students.

The NativeBiz Learning Center is designed and audited to be secure for its purpose.

Course Development Services - Authoring Tools - License a Pre-Developed Course

Professional Course Development/Review Services

Need help building your course? Need a simple course review and assessment?

Our professional course designers and programmers are available to provide course reviews and assessments on an hourly basis ($90 hr.) to plan licensees. Development teams for complete course development are available on a contract basis.

Ongoing return

Remember, the time and money that you invest in initial course development will continue to show a return as once you have created a course you can use our backup function to save a copy that you can use over and over with minimal work.

That means you have the capability of educating hundreds if not thousand of students with the course(s) you develop.

Course Review/Assessment Services

We provide (4) options to meet your needs. Note: Development and Review/Assessment plans are 'course specific' and non-transferable.

Simple (10) hours $900 This is the option for those who need a simple review and assessment during the design and development of their course as well as basic testing of course features, activities and other available resources.	Detailed (20) hours $1,800 This is the option for those who need more detailed review and assessment during the design and development of their course as well as more in-depth testing of course features, activities and resources.
Comprehensive (40) hours $3,600 This is the option for those who need comprehensive review and assessment during the design and development of their course as well as extensive testing of course features, activities and resources.	Complex (60) hours $5,400 This option is for those who need review and assessment for a course that is complex in structure and utilizing extensive multimedia and resources requiring extensive design and programming review.

Course Development Services

Custom course development services are available from our team of experienced instructors and content developers.

Custom Course Development Request a Course Development Proposal

We have the ability to develop custom courses based on your needs. Custom course development is a practical and cost-effective solution to many organization's learning needs.

Custom courses range from elegant and well organized presentations to interactive courses delivered via a Learning Management System. We offer a variety of support services including course facilitation, grade reporting, instructor assessment tools, and learner assessments as well as electronic participant materials.

Whether you need a complete e-learning project or you are missing a much needed element in your presentation, We can help! We offer the following ala carte services:

Storyboarding
Written content
MS PowerPoint to Flash conversion
Web copy
Stock photography
Custom photography
Voice talent
CG Voice
Learning Management System
Course hosting

E-learning Authoring Tools

The e-learning authoring tools market is filled with a wide array of tools which range from easy-to-use template-based tools to powerful technical authoring systems. Below we have provided links to (2) authoring software solutions that we have reviewed and tested. Each software solution allows you to create dynamic and interactive content compatible with our learning center.

Rapid Authoring Tools allow you to use existing content to create online courses in minutes

Software: Adobe Presenter	Software: Adobe Captivate
User Level: Basic/Intermediate	User Level: Advanced
Commercial: $500 View Product Educational: $150 View Product \| Who Qualifies?	Commercial: $799 View Product Educational: $249 View Product \| Who Qualifies?
View a Sample Course created using Presenter. (Free registration required) Rapidly create high-impact Adobe Flash presentations and eLearning courses from PowerPoint. Adobe® Presenter 7 software is a rich media and eLearning authoring tool that enables virtually anyone to transform drab presentations into engaging Adobe Flash® Player compatible multimedia experiences and eLearning courses. With just a few clicks, you can transform your Microsoft PowerPoint file into an engaging multimedia presentation complete with narration and interactivity. With just a few clicks in PowerPoint, you can transform drab presentations into engaging Adobe® Flash® multimedia experiences. Easily add narration, animations, interactivity, quizzes, and software simulations to eLearning courses. Key capabilities Easily create professional Flash presentations and self-paced courses complete with narration and interactivity. Import and edit video in any format and export as SWF. Record and edit high-quality audio. Help ensure consistency with branding and customization. Deliver advanced quizzes and surveys with question pooling and randomization. Publish content as a PDF file, preserving all of your animations. Create AICC and SCORM-compliant content.	View a Sample Course created using Captivate. (Free registration required) Go beyond screen capture to author rich eLearning experiences. With Adobe® Captivate® 4 software, you can rapidly author professional eLearning content with advanced interactivity, software and scenario simulations, quizzes, and other engaging experiences — no programming or multimedia skills required. Boost your productivity with templates and collaboration workflows. And deliver content virtually anywhere by publishing to Learning Management Systems. Top new features in Adobe Captivate SWF commenting Professional project templates Customizable widgets Roundtrip PowerPoint workflow Table of Contents and Aggregator Text-to-speech functionality Variables and Advanced Actions Expanded output options Adobe Photoshop® layer support Streamlined workflows and enhanced usability

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