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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

Northern State Praises E-Learning Program

Officials at South Dakota’s Universities met with lawmakers to discuss future plans. James Smith is the President of Northern State University in Aberdeen. He says universities need to continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the students. He says E-Learning or Online Courses is an area he’s most proud of.

"98 percent of the students, who take the course, pass the course. So that pass rate is exceptionally high. Then we add to the student surveys that we’ve done in the last few years. 4.55 is a marker out of 5, a total point scale, is the rating of the teacher in their knowledge ability of their subject area. So we know that we’re hiring the best and brightest master teachers to be part of this E-learning process for young people in our state," President Smith says.

Smith says not only are kids doing well in online courses taught at Northern State, but they also enjoy the process of taking a courses through the use of technology. Smith says there are only six counties in South Dakota, who don’t currently have a student enrolled in one of Northern State’s E-Learning courses. He says NSU plans to explore new options and opportunities for E-Learning classes.

Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and three sons, Braxan, Jordy, and Anders live in Canton, SD.