Welcome to Issue 24 of NACTEL News – February 2008
with news, info, and insights from the National Coalition for Telecommunications and Learning.

Registration | Program Information | Today's Chuckle
Online Learning Tip | Techie Word | Partner News | Student Story

Registration Information

Sign up now for the NACTEL program at Pace University. Registration is open for late-Spring 2008 classes and ends February 13. Classes begin March 6.

Become a student!

Online Telcom Education -built by the industry for the industry

Today’s Chuckle

The Top 5 Responses if you’re found sleeping on the job:

5. "Boy, that cold medicine I took last night just won't wear off!"

4. "Ah, the unique and unpredictable circadian rhythms of the workaholic!"

3. "Its okay. I'm still billing the client."

2. "This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people!"

And the #1 response if found asleep at your desk:

1. "... and most importantly, please bless my excellent boss. Amen."

Online Student Learning Tip – Time Management

“To excel with online learning, you must have discipline, dedication and focus. You have to learn how to budget your time.”

From the outset, Juan worked hard to systematically fit his coursework into his life. Juan finds that his improved time management skills not only apply to his education, but also to her personal and work life.

“Part of my success comes from staying on track.”

Thanks to:
Juan Villion
NACTEL Graduate

Find out more about online learning.

Speed Matters, developed by the Communications Workers of America, is an initiative to create more affordable and accessible high speed internet in the United States. Speed Matters provides speed tests that can be utilized nationwide and that have been used in the creation of programs such as Connect Kentucky and Connected Tennessee.

This month the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) President Robert Atkinson, an advocate of Speed Matters, sponsored a discussion promoting a "national universal high speed internet policy". Atkinson highlighted the social benefits of a more robust broadband policy including:

"I am curious by nature and want to understand how things integrate and operate. NACTEL provided the perfect platform for me to continue my quest for knowledge with telecom-specific information that is both current and robust."

Pamela earned a degree in Business Administration and wanted to expand her knowledge with a better understanding of emerging telecommunications technologies. When she received an email from her employer outlining NACTEL, she thought, "Why not? I have to go to work every day, I may as well know as much as I can."

In addition, Pamela noticed that top-craft was hiring people with AS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Networking. She saw NACTEL as her entrée for advancement.

Through NACTEL, Pamela has gained the knowledge she sought. Today, she works in the construction field as a Technical Specialist. "NACTEL gave me a solid comprehension of how things operate. I have ownership of the end-to-end process of service delivery to our customers. In addition, when a higher-level position opens-up, I now have the credentials necessary to be a forerunner for advancement."

After Pamela graduated with her A.S. degree in May 2007, she planned to take some time off from her educational endeavors. "With all this extra time, I will plant some flowers, work in the yard and maybe paint a few rooms in my house."

Read more student stories on the NACTEL website.