Great River Technologies

Working toward a GReaT Labor Day!

Friday, September 3, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

To some people Labor Day signifies the unofficial end of summer. To the folks at GRT, Labor Day means working to ensure your custom learning system is functioning at its peak performance for you and your students. From the digital components and interactive exercises to the on-line publication of your title, we are here for you!

The staff at GRT takes great pride in helping our partners reach their short- and long-term goals, and through our blended learning approach we are able to do just that. Our web support services team has been working diligently so that each on-line course creation not only meets, but exceeds the expectations of the user as well as our partners.

If you or your students have questions regarding your web based publication, you can call 800-344-9051 or email us at websupport@greatrivertech.net. One of our Web Project Editors will be happy to assist you. If you're not currently a partner, contact us today to learn more about our GReaT blended learning approach.

Until next time, have a safe and GReaT Labor Day weekend!

It's back to school time again...

Friday, September 3, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

It's hard to believe it's September already...where did the summer go? Time to close the pool and open the library - school is in session!

For those instructors and students who are utilizing web based publishing through Great River Technologies, you understand the blended learning approach and how important classroom collaboration can be. From interactive exercises to our instructional technology software, GRT provides the enhanced learning environment needed for a more customized education. Whether you are teaching or learning, GRT has the instructional technology and digital publishing tools you need to succeed.

For instructors, GRT allows you to create your material and update it in real time. Our web support services team will be there to help develop, create, and maintain your enhanced learning environment with design, planning, and content preview. Once your project has gone live, our Web Project Editors assist you and your students with any questions regarding your on-line course creation. It's that type of personalized training and consulting services that sets us apart from other digital publishing companies, and it will help your product stand out as well. Hear first hand what your colleagues are saying about GRT and how multidimensional learning has worked for them.

Before you know it the snow will be flying and the fall semester will be a thing of the past. Contact us today for more information regarding our multi-modal learning approach and how you and your students can and will benefit.

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

GReaT benefits of on-line learning

Monday, August 23, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

Of course, those of us who work at GRT know the benefit of web based publishing and we'd like to share that information with you! Taking a blended learning approach not only creates a customized education for your students, it's the digital publishing solution you've been looking for!

From digital components to personalized course material, your on-line publication is customized to fit your needs as well as the needs of your students. How? Well, with functionality to enhance learning, your students are able to participate in pre-and post assessment that compliment on-line assignments and reading. You are also able to incorporate interactive exercises to ensure your students are truly learning your course material.

Our web support services team provides professional training and consulting services, but it doesn't stop there. Your designated Wed Project Editor is with you every step of the way throughout the life of your personalized course creation to help grow and enhance your on-line publication. GRT accommodates the specific needs of you as the instructor, as well as the needs of your students and provides customized views and functions along with easy navigation. Sound complicated? Hopefully not, but I can tell you it's the multidimensional learning tool for you AND your students!

For more information, contact us today!

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

The proof is in the pudding...or in this case, the finished product!

Friday, August 20, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

It's easy for me to talk about how terrific GRT is because obviously I believe in our company and the digital publishing solutions we provide.

It's the relationships we've built between ourselves as colleagues, the relationships we've not only built but have maintained with our partners, and the enhanced learning environment providing personalized course material that sets GRT apart. It's like a recipe where all these ingredients come together to form the perfect blended learning approach. But you don't need to take my word for it, listen to what our partners say and you'll realize that the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the finished product.

Dr. Wayne E. Allen, Associate Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State University, recently shared his comments regarding INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES: A NEW APPROACH, the on-line publication created in conjunction with Kendall Hunt Publishing Company with co-author Dr. Kebba Darboe, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State University.

Dr. Allen stated, "To all the folks who have worked so hard on this endeavor to deliver students cutting edge curriculum, as well as a fun and really neat way to learn, we extend our deep appreciation. Our colleagues and TAs were amazed and jazzed after our training session yesterday and we are all excited to apply it all in the classroom."

As we like to say in the Midwest, "well there you have it!" For more information on enhancing your classroom collaboration, contact us today!

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

A better custom publishing solution

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

Great River Technologies defines comprehensive, custom publishing that takes a different approach to on-line course creation. From site development to on-going maintenance, our dynamic content delivery supports you throughout the life of your on-line publication.

We partner with you to create your own on-line course creation, digital components and interactive exercises. Not only do we build, maintain and host your custom learning system, we also provide the instructional design and technology consulting. Our web support services team will professionally copyedit, typeset, clear permissions, and upload your personalized course material. Once your custom learning system is complete, our Web Project Editors provide professional training to maximize the use of your on-line publication.

GRT will help you and your students make the most of the educational experience with our hands-on learning capabilities. This allows more valuable class time by offering on-line quizzes and exams, the opportunity to interact with your material anytime, anywhere, and provides a more customized education with our blended learning approach.

Hear what our partners have to say about GRT, and what their students are saying about their personalized course material. Want to learn more, contact us today!

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

Campus visits heat up like an Iowa summer!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

It's that time again, students loading up their belongings and heading back to the dorms while instructors prepare their personalized course materials for the start of the fall semester.

This also means it's time for GRT Acquisitions Managers to head back on campus to discuss digital publishing solutions and multi-modal learning. Web based publishing and digital components? You have questions, we have answers...and we have the digital publishing technology for you and your students!

Acquisitions Managers Michelle Smith, Alison Horrocks, and Raquel Cavazos will be on campus the week of August 23rd. Let them demonstrate how on-line course creations will elevate your classroom collaboration offering your students a more customized education.

MICHELLE SMITH
# 512-663-2834
msmith@greatrivertech.net

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

ALISON HORROCKS
# 248-459-8591
ahorrocks@greatrivertech.net

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

RAQUEL CAVAZOS
# 305-978-5145
rcavazos@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Our web support services team works with you to create a custom learning system that will benefit you and your students. Let GRT help you provide the enhanced learning environment and custom publishing solutions specifically created for your class. We not only build, maintain and host your product, we provide prompt and competent support throughout the life of your course product.

Acquisitions Managers Rachel Harding, Jack Young, Tim Shade, Lorna Hill and National Acquisitions Manager Brian Behnke and will be on campus the week of August 30th.

RACHEL HARDING
# 213-407-4093
rharding@greatrivertech.net

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - LONG BEACH

JACK YOUNG

# 404-788-0489
jyoung@greatrivertech.net

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

TIM SHADE
# 563-552-6179
tshade@greatrivertech.net

IUPUI: INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS

LORNA HILL
# 302-382-2811
lhill@greatrivertech.net

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

BRIAN BEHNKE
# 303-775-1739
bbehnke@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - DENVER

Talk to GRT about the benefits of our training and consulting services. We're not one of those cookie-cutter digital publishing companies who has you conform to our product - we work with you to provide personalized course material and on-line course creations based on your needs and the needs of your students. For more information, contact us today!

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

Web Project Editors wear many hats!

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

With the fall semester just around the corner, our GRT web support services team is busy consulting, creating interactive exercises, and building personalized course material and digital components for each of their assigned web based publications. In addition, they are the people that instructors and students directly speak with when they have questions regarding their personalized course material.

Once the enhanced learning environment goes live, the Web Project Editors conduct training sessions with the instructors either on-line or in person traveling to various campuses.

This month, we have the following WPE's traveling to a campus near you:

JADE SPRECHER

August 10-13, 2010
University of North Carolina-Greensboro

August 25-26, 2010
Kent State University

BECCA KRAPFL

August 12, 2010
University of Northern Iowa

CHRISTIE RUNDE

August 25-26, 2010
Kent State University

ALISON PARKINS

August 16-17, 2010
University of Alabama

August 18-19, 2010
Youngstown State University

SARAH BRADFORD

August 16-17, 2010
Johnson & Wales University

August 17-20, 2010
University of Dayton

JOANNA FINCH

August 16-17, 2010
Johnson & Wales University

August 17-20, 2010
University of Dayton

One of the benefits of multidimensional learning is that you can conduct meetings, instructional technology consulting and training either on-line or in person. The blended learning approach frees up time spent in the classroom for instructors and students, and also allows the on-line course creation to be updated in real time. But you don't have to take our word for it, check out what our partners have to say in videotaped author interviews!

If you are an instructor searching for classroom collaboration that offers the instructional technology tools you'll need for a custom learning solution, contact GRT today!

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

Training gets rolling at the River

Thursday, August 5, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

With the addition of two new Acquisitions Managers to the GRT sales team, training sessions were held in the Dubuque, Iowa home office August 2-13, 2010.

National Acquisitions Manager Brian Behnke and Instructional Technology Consultant Stacy Beyer Raap prepared training and consulting services sessions to provide team members with the digital publishing solutions needed to help our partners create web based publishing materials for their on-line course creations. These sessions also provide insight as to the blended learning approach used in classroom collaboration which helps instructors teach through multi-modal learning. One example would be the interactive exercises created by GRT which help students learn their personalized course material.

Pictured from left to right:

Michelle Smith, Southern Territory
Acquisitions Manager & Instructional Consultant

Stacy Beyer Raap
Instructional Technology Consultant

Lorna Hill, Mid-Atlantic Territory
Acquisitions Manager & Instructional Consultant

Raquel Cavazos, Florida Territory
Acquisitions Manager & Instructional Consultant

Brian Behnke
National Acquisitions Manager

The sales team members also met with the web support services team to discuss the enhanced learning environment and digital components used through multidimensional learning. Demonstrations of GRT's instructional technology software were provided by members of the web support team. The group then gathered for lunch and shared stories of previous campus visits and company sales meetings.

Having all the tools necessary to provide our partners with the custom learning system for their personalized course is what GRT is all about. As our Mission Statement proclaims, "We take pride in delivering personalized service and support that helps our partner reach their short- and long-term goals."

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

GRT welcomes author Mary Elizabeth Camp

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

GRT welcomed author Mary Elizabeth Camp to our home office in Dubuque, Iowa last week. Dr. Camp is with the Department of Economics at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Pictured beside Dr. Camp are Acquisitions Manager Tim Shade and Web Project Editor Alison Parkins who conducted some preliminary training sessions in preparation of the project going live later this month.

The trio also worked on storyboarding learning objects as well as brainstorming ideas for future additions and enhancements to Dr. Camp's project Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics.

As with all GRT products, the web support services team is available should Dr. Camp and/or her students have any questions regarding this enhanced learning environment.

If you are an instructor looking for personalized training and consulting services for your own custom learning system, contact us today.

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

21st Century Business video focused on GRT!

Friday, April 23, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

Great River Technologies is proud to present the video, 21st Century Business featuring our President, Chad Chandlee, and National Sales Manager, Keith Kropp. In this video you'll hear directly from Chad and Keith as to who GRT is, what we do and how we do it.

At GRT, we pride ourselves on our custom learning solutions, instructional technology tools and consulting, and customer service. Knowing that each instructor has different needs and expectations, GRT helps create customized teaching tools focused on their learning goals.

By integrating technology through online course creation and multidimensional learning, the students are more engaged since the material is created specifically for them. In addition, the instructor receives personalized course material developed for their specific teaching needs.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Sam Wallace, Ph.D., University of Dayton, and Barbara Hugenberg, Ph. D., Kent State University, for taking the time to share their GRT experience. Both Sam and Barb are long-time partners with GRT and we value our relationship with each of them.

To view the 21st Century Business video, visit the Great River Technologies web site or view directly on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFluAhpaklM.

For more information on how GRT can help you create a personalized course for your students, contact us today.

GRT celebrates National Volunteer Week

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

April 18-24, 2010 is National Volunteer Week, and Great River Technologies would like to congratulate and thank everyone who volunteers to make a difference in their community.

At GRT, our employees are given the opportunity to volunteer through our business school partnership. As the mentor of two students, ages 12 and 5, I am able to see firsthand the customized teaching approach used to engage these students in learning. Whether in elementary school or higher ed, students are utilizing technology and multi-modal learning for a more hands-on approach.

As a member of the publishing industry I often talk about personalized courses and customized education, and mentoring offers students just that. What better way to utilize your life skills focused on educating and engaging someone in learning. Volunteer, you'll be glad you did.

Until next time, have a GReaT day!

Earth Day both educational and inspiring

Friday, April 16, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

It's been 40 years since the first Earth Day, which was created to inspire awareness of the environment. This year, Earth Day will be celebrated on Thursday, April 22nd. In many ways, digital publishing solutions and multidimensional learning are helping the environment by teaching through online publications.

While Great River Technologies prides itself on our interactive exercises and digital components, we are a publisher of both printed and online materials. We have the instructional design consulting and technology tools to fit any needs.

For more information on custom learning solutions, contact our GRT Acquisitions Managers. They will be at a campus near you the week of April 26th:

BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

Alison Horrocks
# 248-459-8591
ahorrocks@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA

Tim Shade
# 563-552-6179
tshade@greatrivertech.net

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Jack Young
# 404-788-0489
jyoung@greatrivertech.net

For more information, contact us today! Until then, have a GReaT day!

Annual Persuasive Speech Competition held at Kent State University

Monday, April 12, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

GRT employees Billee Jo Hefel, Alison Horrocks and Sheena Reed recently packed up and headed to Ohio to visit with our partners located in the buckeye state. While there, the trio served as judges for the Hyde Park Forum, the annual persuasive speaking competition at Kent State University.

The COMM 15000 course at Kent State organizes the annual Forum under the leadership of GRT partner and program coordinator Barbara Hugenberg. Dr. Hugenberg coordinates the basic communication course, COMM 15000 - Introduction to Human Communication and the annual Hyde Park Forum public speaking contest.

GRT values our partnership with Dr. Hugenberg whose teaching tools include a customized learning system which uses technology to engage students in learning.

Great River Technologies is proud to support the Hyde Park Forum and we congratulate all of the winners!

For more information regarding the Forum check out www.kent.edu/news/newsdetail.cfm

Have a GReaT day!

Brent Zaprowski takes us to EARTH & BEYOND

Thursday, March 25, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

GRT partner and Salisbury University Associate Professor Brent Zaprowski recently surveyed his students and shared the results regarding his online geography publication, EARTH & BEYOND: AN INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SPACE SCIENCE.

Overall the reaction to Brent's e-book was not only positive, he found that he was able to engage students in learning through digital publishing technology. Digital components featured on the EARTH & BEYOND online course creation include graded quizzes, module practice questions, and flash cards to name a few.

We know that Brent has a unique multidimensional learning tool, but you don't need to take our word for it. Here are a few comments from his students:

"I really enjoy the e-book. It is extremely helpful and should be used in more classes in my opinion."

"Great experience - only purchased and printed out chapters needed for lectures."

"Loved the flash cards / practice Q's"

"I like it because I can access it from any internet source, and it's environmentally friendly!"

Great River Technologies thanks Dr. Zaprowski for sharing his survey findings with us and we wish him continued success.

GReaT job Brent!

Engage your students with customized teaching.

Monday, March 22, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

As an instructor, you know what works in your class and what doesn't. If you're struggling with the notion of custom learning solutions but don't know where to start, let GRT help.

We can provide the instructional technology tools to help you create the personalized course you're looking for. In other words, not only are you creating a customized teaching approach for yourself, but you're also engaging your students with multi-modal learning.

Want to learn more? Look for our Acquisitions Managers the week of March 22nd:

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Brian Behnke
# 303-775-1739
bbehnke@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO
Michelle Smith
# 512-663-2834
msmith@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-SANTA BARBARA
Joe Sorquist
# 510-227-0629
jsorquist@greatrivertech.net

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Jack Young
# 404-788-0489
jyoung@greatrivertech.net

Let our experts demonstrate custom publishing solutions that utilize technology to engage students for a more customized teaching approach. At Great River Technologies, we have the enhanced learning environment you're looking for.

For more information, contact us today!

Until then...have a GReaT day!

GRT AM's spring forward to campus - time to meet them!

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

Sunday, March 14th is Daylight Saving Time and 2:00 A.M. marks the hour to set your clocks ahead to take advantage of the longer and later daylight hours.

While the GRT Acquisitions Managers might not be up at 2:00 A.M. they are preparing to discuss instructional technology solutions at a campus near you.

Look for the following individuals the week of March 15th:

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Rachel Harding #213-407-4093 rharding@greatrivertech.net

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Alison Horrocks # 248-459-8591 ahorrocks@greatrivertech.net

Rachel and Alison will show you how to engage your students with an enhanced learning environment featuring your own online course creation. Our AM's know that students want a more customized education while instructors want the custom publishing instructional technology tools to teach them. Let GRT help showcase your vision to achieve the excellence you and your students desire.

Don't let time fly by, contact us today for more information about the GReaT Acquisitions Manager in your area.

Until then...have a GReaT day!

NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL PRACTICUM available for direct examination.

Saturday, March 6, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

The National High School Mock Trial Championship in partnership with Great River Technologies presents:

THE NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL PRACTICUM
The Mock Trial Practicum is an enhanced learning environment developed to help coaches start a new program or build on the current program already in place.

This online course creation engages students with digital components such as interactive learning exercises, video clips, quiz questions, flash cards and more! The Mock Trial Practicum custom learning system enhances the Mock Trial experience for students, teachers, coaches, and judges.

Philadelphia will host the 27th Annual National High School Mock Trial Championship Tournament May 6-9, 2010. There is still time to purchase this multidimensional learning tool for your team so don't delay, check out this online publication today!

Contact our GRT representative for a demo or more information:

Stacy Beyer Raap
Instructional Technology Consultant
Office # 563-581-4597
Cell # 563-589-1270
sbeyer@greatrivertech.net

Have a GReaT day!

March Madness is GReaT!

Friday, March 5, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

It's March Madness time! No, I'm not talking basketball, I'm talking custom learning solutions to engage students with interactive exercises and instructional technology tools! Instructors can shoot and score with a personalized approach to teaching that will assist their students in multidimensional learning.

The week of March 8th, we have members of the GRT Dream Team traveling to a campus near you!

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Brian Behnke # 303-775-1739
bbehnke@greatrivertech.net

TEXAS A&M
Michelle Smith # 512-663-2834
msmith@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA
Jack Young # 404-788-0489
jyoung@greatrivertech.net

Don't pass on the chance to learn more about an enhanced learning environment for your team, visit Great River Technologies today!

Until then...have a GReaT day!

GReaT AM's MARCHing back on campus!

Friday, February 26, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

Finally, March is here! In a few weeks spring will arrive and winter will be a thing of the icy past. If any of you instructors are looking for fresh ways to customize teaching, let Great River Technologies shower you with our personalized instructional technology tools. GRT's online course creations include digital components such as interactive exercises, grade books, and other custom publishing solutions.

The week of March 1st, some of our GReaT Acquisitions Managers will be coming to a campus near you!

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-DOMINGUEZ HILLS
Rachel Harding #213-407-4093 rharding@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Tim Shade #563-552-6179 tshade@greatrivertech.net

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA & VALENCIA
Jack Young #404-788-0489 jyoung@greatrivertech.net

Let GRT help you plant the seeds of success by engaging your students with personalized online course material. Not only does GRT provide the instructional technology and consulting but we continue our long-term support by helping you grow and enhance your custom publishing project.

For more information, contact us today!

Until then...have a GReaT day!

Why Custom Publishing Solutions? Why not?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Debbie Brandel

Are you an instructor looking for ways to engage students in learning? Maybe you're a student looking for a more customized education. At Great River Technologies, our personalized service and support not only helps the instructors to teach, it also helps students to learn.

With custom learning solutions that incorporate interactive exercises, online publications, and digital components, students are engaged through enhanced learning environments customized to fit their educational needs. As more and more instructors utilize digital components in their class its no surprise the need for instructional technology solutions and consulting has increased.

At GRT, our instructional technology software incorporates a highly developed interface which recognizes that instructors and students want to use their online publication in different ways. For more information about instructional design consulting and our professional personalized training, look for us online and contact us today!

Until then...have a GReaT day!