Decision Partners Announces the Next Generation of Financial Literacy 101
Boston, March 1, 2011Decision Partners today announced the availability of an all-new Financial Literacy 101, the next generation of the world's first online financial literacy course. Based on feedback from tens of thousands of users and incorporating groundbreaking e-Learning technology, the new Financial Literacy 101 offers ten times more content, all new multimedia, and an even more engaging, personalized learning experience.
"We've taken everything we've learned about educating students since 2004 and used that knowledge to redefine what's possible in financial education," said Austin Jackson, CEO of Decision Partners. "True learning happens when abstract content is made relevant, and the new Financial Literacy 101 is unique in its ability to deliver compelling content while promoting responsible decision making."
The new Financial Literacy 101 is based on a proprietary modular e-Learning platform - meaning it is not a single course, but many content modules, each with their own exercises and assessments. These modules may be assembled into courses intended for campus-wide use by thousands of students or select modules may be assigned by an administrator to individual students. Financial Literacy 101 is designed to meet the wide range of financial education scenarios used by educational institutions - from one-to-one counseling to "in the classroom" courses to campus-wide university 101 courses. The new modular platform allows institutions to choose the content and type of course deployment that's most appropriate to their students' needs.
Boston, A New Core Program
The new Financial Literacy 101 is launching with an updated and expanded 90-minute "core" financial literacy course as the default course option, and new courses and administrative tools will be added over the coming year. Compared with the previous version of Financial Literacy 101, the new course is even more interactive, incorporates multimedia with higher production values, and includes new content topics such data backup strategies for online account management.
After completing the course, students will have completed:
- Over a dozen content modules on topics including financial health, budgeting, managing accounts, understanding credit, recognizing financial trouble, plus more.
- A personal financial plan including short, medium, and long-term financial goals.
- A monthly budget that can be referenced on an ongoing basis (includes budget-to-actual capability for financial tracking).
- A financial self assessment, including financial stress, spending habits, credit cards, employment, and other factors based on dependent or independent financial aid status.
- ID theft and financial trouble screening exercises, and a "Real World" expectancy challenge exercise based on each student's field of study.
- A graded assessment and secure course completion certificate.
Unlike most student-focused financial literacy programs, Financial Literacy 101 incorporates content and course customization for the many non-traditional students seeking higher education today. No student will feel that the course is "not for them" because of references to stereotypical student experiences.
Boston, Self-Directed Learning Options
In addition to over a dozen content modules incorporated into the standard Financial Literacy 101 course, there are now nearly 50 additional content modules available to all students. These new modules incorporate over 50,000 words of original content designed for young adults, and are intended to address the changing financial needs of students as they transition to, through, and beyond college.
Topics include everything from financial aid to getting married to buying a car to understanding the different types of insurance products available today. For a complete list of topics, please visit Decision Partners' Resources area at www.decisionpartners.org.
Boston, Assessment and Reporting
Like the original Financial Literacy 101, the new program includes the industry-leading reporting and assessment capabilities that institutions have come to expect from Decision Partners. Course administrators may view and export student-specific course completion information in real time, making Financial Literacy 101 an idea part of any required education program. The program may also be integrated with popular student management programs such as Blackboard with Student ID tracking and "single sign-on" course creation.
Financial Literacy 101 also includes a robust aggregate data reporting toolbox with advanced multipage graphical reports and complete cross-tab functionality on gender, year in school, financial aid status, plus more. There's never been an easier way to understand the aggregate financial knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of students on any campus.
Like all Decision Partners programs, student privacy is a top priority and no personally identifying data beyond course completion information is ever released to anyone. Financial Literacy 101 also includes tools that allow administrators to choose what types of data are collected from students, ensuring complete compliance with all federal, state, and university privacy requirements while providing a personalized, engaging experience to each student.
To learn more about bringing one of our services to your organization, please contact us.