BEST EDUCATION

5 Tips Write A Winning Resume

2011-02-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

Are you wanting to write a winning resume, but don't know exactly how to go about getting started? There are some essential tips that you need to know to achieve that goal.

You just have to be smart and keep these tips in mind as you write your own. Here are the tips that will allow you to have confidence that you will write one that will impress employers.

1. Determine what job you want to apply for - It is always smart when you write to make it specific for the job you are applying for. This may mean that you have to write it more than one time, but it is also the best way to ensure you have the best chance possible to get the job that you want.

2. Use it as a way to market yourself - When you want an employer to hire you, it is important to provide them with vital information. The information you give will allow them to understand why you are the best person for the job.

Put down any information that makes you unique so that you stand out above all of the other applicants.

3. Bulleted sentences - It is a good idea to use bullets when you write. This will help you keep the sentences short and not long paragraphs.

You have to remember that resumes are read quickly, so keeping your sentences short will benefit you when the employer reads it.

4. Put your strengths first - Since your resume will be read very quickly, you have to be sure that you lead with your strengths. Decide which bullets will most strongly support your objective and put them first. This will make sure that this is the first thing seen by the employer.

5. Highlight the positives - You don't want to add negative or irrelevant points when you write. Always highlight the positive points that will help you get the job.

Putting negative or irrelevant points will only hurt your chances of getting the job, so just don't include them. It is smart to focus on the duties that you have done in the past that will help support your objective for the job you are applying for.

To write a winning resume, these are the most important tips that you need to know. This is not every tip that you need to understand, but you can easily learn the others will a little research. Just remember as you write to take your time, be sure to include everything and proofread to be sure it is correct before submitting it to an employer.

Exam Preparation Tips

2011-02-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

For many people, exam time is the most stressful part of the school year. With so much riding on the outcome, there can be a high degree of pressure to perform well. Here are some exam preparation tips to help you excel in school.

Getting Started

The earlier you start, the more time you will have to prepare for the exam. You don't have to wait until exam time approaches; try to set the stage from the beginning of the course by reviewing the material after each class. By starting early and studying on a regular basis, you will have a better opportunity to absorb the information and life will be a lot easier when it's time to put it all together for the exam.

Make sure all of your course material is well organized so you can find and fill any gaps. If you miss any classes, get the notes from your friends right away instead of scrambling at the last minute. Proper organization will help you to get a better picture of the material that has to be covered and improve the flow of the study process.

Creating a Study Plan

As the exam nears, you will need to create a plan to help you study effectively and minimize stress. The first step is to figure out how much time and effort you must dedicate to studying for the exam by asking the following questions:

How much material do you need to cover?
How difficult is the material?
How much time is available?
Do you have any other priorities during the study period?
What is the format of the exam?
How important is the exam?
What is your performance target for the exam?

To prepare the study plan, map out all of the material that has to be covered and make a schedule showing what, when and how much you will study each day. If you have kept up with the course work, studying will involve revision of the material that you have already covered. If you are behind in the course, you will have to finish the readings and other uncompleted work before starting the revision (if there isn't enough time to go over everything, you must decide what is most important for the exam).

Here are some tips to follow in creating your study plan:

budget your time realistically;
allocate the study time into several manageable study sessions;
divide the course material into small segments and assign them to the study sessions;
set clear and specific goals for the study sessions;
prioritize to ensure that material weighted more heavily in the exam gets sufficient study time;
take into account your familiarity with the material and the difficulty level;
don't make the study sessions too long;
study sessions should have enough variety in terms of topics and activities to prevent boredom and loss of effectiveness;
avoid cramming before the exam; and
don't forget to include regular breaks.

Studying for the Exam

You are now armed with a plan and ready to start studying for the exam. Try to study in a location where you can concentrate and won't be interrupted. You can work with others or join a study group if you find it helpful, but be careful to keep it from turning into an inefficient use of your time. Some proven study tools and techniques are listed below - people respond to different learning styles, so use what works for you.

Revising with Summary Notes

Make a condensed version of your readings and class notes by creating summary notes. Pinpoint the key terms and concepts and make sure that you understand them. You can identify key terms and concepts by paying attention to what has been emphasized in your classes, textbooks and course syllabus. For example, if a particular topic has taken up a lot of time in the classroom, it is more likely to be on the exam and you should have a good understanding of it.

The process of making summary notes can help you to retain more information. By writing the information thoughtfully instead of just seeing it, you can develop a greater perception of the material. To take this further, activate your other senses: you can recite the summary notes aloud, and even record and listen to them.

Memorizing with Flashcards

Flashcards (or "index cards") are a good memorization tool. Reduce your summary notes into bullet points, keywords, lists, formulas and diagrams and place them onto a card for each topic. (Some people like to use flashcards to prepare their summary notes in the first place, while others find that it leads to information overload.)

The items on the flashcards act as memory triggers. By memorizing the flashcards you can enhance your ability to recall larger bits of information referenced by the triggers. You can carry the cards with you and review them even when you have only short bursts of time available.

Practicing under Exam Conditions

Knowing the course material is necessary but not sufficient to guarantee success on the exam - you also need to be able to communicate the answers effectively under exam conditions. Practice using sample questions in the same format as the exam and answer them in a simulated test environment. The sample questions can be sourced from old exams and assignments, which are often similar from year to year with small changes. Even though you are only practicing, it is better to write full answers to the questions so you can work through the entire thought process.

The practice session should serve as a feedback loop. Check the answers to the practice questions to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. If you are weak in an area, go back and study it further to address any gaps.

Taking Care of Yourself

Don't forget to take care of yourself during the exam preparation. It is very important to be in good mental and physical condition for the exam. A small amount of stress can get you psyched, but too much mental or physical strain can be detrimental to your performance. The last thing you want to do is to sabotage your efforts by ignoring your well-being.

After you finish studying, take some time to relax. Don't stay up too late if you can help it and try to get a good night's sleep. Eat before the exam to build your energy, but avoid heavy foods that can make you drowsy.

Keep a positive attitude about the exam. Think of it as a way to demonstrate your knowledge and not as some imposing challenge. Go to the exam focused and relaxed - you have done the work, now it's time to reap the rewards.

Tips for Getting a Degree Online

2011-02-01T00:27:00.000-08:00

Online classes are getting more popular every day and many more universities are sprouting up. So this might be an option for you. But get the right information before you make the big decision. There are many ways you can go.

Not everyone enjoys online classes but some people would never do anything else once they try it. It may or may not be the best move for you. But you will make these decisions on your own as you learn more about the options and the differences.

While online degrees are becoming more popular, they might not be viewed in the same manner as more traditional degrees depending on who you ask about it. So know before you go what to expect in the future.

So many schools offer online degrees. Some have been developed specifically for this purpose and others just add additional online courses as a supplement to their regular classes.

When you get online, expect a very different experience than what you have become used to. There won't be anyone to see or talk to as everything will be done online. You should know this but it might not really sink in until you are there.

This style might suit you but it also might not. It is a tough decision to make without trying it out first but if you have the right information it will make the choice an easier one.

The internet can provide many resources to you but you must find the right sites. Then you will be able to choose the right online degree for your interests.

Once you have all of the information you need, you can make a good decision. Get your major in place and move from there.

Once you have the information you can make an informed decision. Good luck.

Find the Best Online Help With Math Homework

2009-04-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

Google 'help with math homework' and your search engine will come up with so many sites; it will take the rest of your natural life to review them all. However, if you have a child that is struggling with mathematics, you do not have any time to waste. You need to find the best online help with math homework, now.

It is possible, without taking too much of your valuable time, if you know what to look for in qualified online tutors dedicated to your son or daughter's academic success in mathematics. You will find the best online help with math homework, if they offer the following:

Individualized lesson plans
Affordable Tutoring plans
Teacher consistency
'Voice over Internet' and real time visualization
Verifiable credentials

Individualized lesson plans

If your child needs help with math homework, it needs to be applicable to lessons learned today. For example, if your son or daughter uses a specific textbook in the classroom, that should be the same material used to form the tutoring lessons. Ideally, the lessons will concentrate on staying a step ahead of the class, so every session will reinforce the concept being taught by the regular classroom instructor. Thus, individualized lessons are a must, if your child is to reach his/her full potential mathematically.

Affordable Tutoring plans

Although a good math education is priceless, and you want the best for your child, money is always a concern. You need to find affordable tutoring plans that will meet your child's needs regarding math homework, without destroying the family budget. So, it is important to find instructors that are dedicated to affordably teaching math concepts, using an adjustable plan of your choice.

Teacher Consistency

Understandably, when a student needs help with math homework, tutoring comes best from someone he/she has grown to trust. Finding a teacher that knows his/her learning style is so important. In addition, children learn best from a teacher who has developed a positive academic relationship. So, having the same instructor for every lesson, who has grown to care for your child's academic success in mathematics, is vital, if you are looking for the best in online tutoring.

Voice over Internet and real time visualization

With today's advancements in technology, why settle for a site that simply pops up equations followed by the correct answer? With voice over Internet and real time visualization, using whiteboards for both student and teacher, you can find affordable, online help with math homework that is the next best thing to being there in person. Your child can learn and ask questions, while getting immediate help in understanding difficult math concepts.

Verifiable credentials

Finally, if you truly want to find the best online help with math homework, make sure the instructor has verifiable credentials. While some providers may simply have an inflated opinion regarding their math skills and want to make some easy cash online, there are qualified teachers, with graduate or Masters Degrees, that genuinely want to make a difference in the life of your child. Thus, they are dedicated to helping your son/daughter reach his/her full potential in math.

So, as the parent, it is up to you. You can skim thousands of sites for help with math homework or, you can refine your search and look for the best in online help, looking for the qualities and qualifications that will ensure your child has the best tutor available online.

About the author:
Shalabh Agrawal is an ex- Navy officer and has been in the field of information technology and education for the past 14 years. He is the CEO of Synergy Education International Pvt Ltd and has contributed tremendously towards bringing affordable online tutoring to the parents through their venture http://www.1-1tutor.com in association with SSDEI Inc, NY, USA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shalabh_Agrawal

Aiming to be the best

2009-04-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

By PRIYA KULASAGARAN

The objective of a healthcare college is not to provide quality education alone but to ensure that its student are compassionate and caring.

MAHSA University College chief executive officer and principal Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Haniffa Abdullah is adamant in producing competent and caring healthcare professionals.

“Our theory is that while you might not be able to cure a patient, you can at least make his or her life better by providing adequate care,” he said.

MAHSA University College chief executive officer and principal Prof Datuk Dr Hj Mohamed Haniffa Hj Abdullah in an interview about MAHSA held at its Pusat Bandar Damansara campus.

“A healthcare college must take the responsibility of instilling the attributes of being caring and loving in its students. Prof Haniffa explained how Mahsa managed to achieve a university college status in just four years.

“It’s all about taking care of the basics; we provide quality education, possess a strong team of academic staff and ensure that our campuses are equipped with state of the art facilities,” he said, adding that the vision of the college is to produce healthcare professionals of a high standard who have international recognition.

Mahsa was established in 2004 and commenced its first intake in early 2005 with 38 students enrolled in the diploma for nursing.

Currently, the institution conducts 16 programmes for a total of 8,000 students.

Courses range from diploma to masters levels in fields such as dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, environmental sciences and radiotherapy.

It also runs a foundation in science programme which enables students to progress to any of the degree courses offered in Mahsa.

The foundation year qualification is also accepted in other local colleges.

One of Mahsa’s unique points is its focus on providing the latest technology available to enhance the learning environment on campus, investing RM20mil each for its dental and medical faculties.

Second year pharmacy students during class at a medical lab in Mahsa University College, Pusat Bandar Damnsara.

“We want to make sure that our teaching methods are interesting and innovative, and that our students are exposed to all the equipment and machines that are used in clinical practice,” says Prof Haniffa.

“For example, in our medical school, we have updated the way students can observe a doctor at work,’’ he added.

There are 18 teaching aisles which are all connected to each other through information technology.

The doctor will examine a patient in one of the aisles provided for students.

This will be telecast live to all the other rooms, so that students are able to see the examination process and hear the doctor’s conversation with his patient. These procedures are also transferred onto compact discs as archive material that students can later access from the library.”

Aside from simulated wards, skill labs and an e-library, the college also houses an anatomy museum that contains real human specimens.

“This is to allow students to see and feel for themselves, say, the difference between a diseased liver and a normal one, which will help them diagnose real life patients in the future.”

Among the college’s efforts at nurturing the culture of care among its students are through its provision of free medical treatment to the community.

Mahsa’s dental college at the Pusat Bandar Damansara campus offers free dental treatment to members of the public, regardless of their financial background.

The college had also set up an eye clinic in collaboration with Lions Club International earlier this year. The eye clinic provides free cataract operations to the poor and needy, but also offers its services to paying customers for all sorts of eye ailments.

A subsidised physiotherapy centre is scheduled to be opened at Mahsa’s Jalan Universiti campus on May 15.

Help for the needy

While the current economic crisis paints a bleak outlook for students trying to finance their studies, Mahsa is continuing to give out scholarships to students who are academically qualified and in need of assistance.

With around RM3mil worth of scholarships awarded annually, deserving students may apply directly to the college itself.

So what are Mahsa’s future plans?

“We are in the process of building a permanent campus in Selayang Heights, which will be able to accommodate 15,000 students once it is completed. It will house facilities such as sporting centres, a shopping arcade as well as an indoor cinema,”

The college is also introducing host of new courses in September, such as medicine, nutrition and dietics and psychology.

“Our long term goal is to become a full fledged university and put simply, be one of the best medical and healthcare universities in the world,” he said.

Education Online

2009-02-15T02:52:00.000-08:00

Education online is the method of educating people through the means of the Internet. A large number of physical universities, colleges, and schools offer education online. There are also virtual online colleges. Online education enables a person to earn a degree sitting at home. The concept of education online has brought a revolutionary change in the life of many people.

Online education is a boon to those people who have a desire to educate themselves but are not able to go to a traditional college because they cannot afford to attend or afford to spare the time to go. Also, traditional courses are more time-consuming and expensive. One can earn an associate, bachelors, master’s, or even doctoral degrees in various disciplines through online education.

Education online is free from time and space constraints, as anyone from anywhere in the world at any time can utilize the various programs available online. A wide range of educational tools and resources are available on the internet. These resources can serve as a library and research center for students taking online education. Professors and teachers can be reached through e-mail, which is the main means of correspondence on the internet. Students can take part in online forums with other students studying the same course or subject. A student taking online education can learn at his own pace.

In spite of all these advantages, online education has a few disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that the student has to work on his own, and no one will be there to verify the progress. Another major disadvantage is the lack of interaction, such as the question and answer session in a traditional classroom.

There are thousands of online programs listed in Internet directories from which one can choose the best and the most appropriate organizations for his requirements. Some universities also offer student support services such as online counseling and registration, and purchasing of textbooks online.

Education Online provides detailed information on Education Online, Continuing Education Online, Online College Education, Online Accredited Education and more. Education Online is affiliated with eLearning Companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Miller

English the way to go

2009-02-13T06:27:00.000-08:00

I BELIEVE English must remain the medium of instruction for the teaching of Maths and Science at all levels. Policy-makers must ensure the policy stays for the sake of future generations.

People have hailed the new policy, saying it will bring about positive results in the long run. Unfortunately, there are also people who are demanding that the teaching of these subjects in English be stopped.

We cannot deny that English is a global language, not just used in trade, media, entertainment and politics, but also in the fields of information technology, medicine and engineering.

In this day and age, many non-English speakers are now encouraging their children to learn the language at school knowing that being proficient in English helps them to compete globally, and to “see” the world differently.

Look at Finland, Sweden, Korea and Germany. What do these countries have in common? They are all not native English speakers, yet, they have made great strides in learning English.

If they had not made the effort in doing so, would it be possible for brands like Nokia, Volvo, Samsung and Siemens to exist globally today?

I believe English must stay as the medium of instruction for both Maths and Science. Let us not deprive children of the competitive edge they will get if these core subjects continue to be taught in our schools.

The generations to come are only going to thank us for our far-sightedness in keeping this policy when they attain global success in various fields.

Article Source: http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2009/2/8/education/3188119&sec=education

UTM’s new look

2009-02-13T01:57:00.000-08:00

UNIVERSITI Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has come out with a new look that will make it stand out from the rest.

UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said several changes had been made to the university’s logo and slogan in line with the dynamic role it wants to play in higher education.

Dr Zaini at the launch of the new logo and slogan. — Bernama

UTM, he said would use the logo with its name to the right of its insignia at its campuses.

“The change will make it easier for people to identify the logo with the university.”

He said this after lauching the new logo at the Sultan Iskandar Hall at the university’s campus in Skudai, Johor, last Tuesday.

Dr Zaini added that with 61 institututions of higher learning in the country, identifying each logo with the intitutions they represent was a dauning task.

The UTM slogan also saw some changes.

It now reads: “Inspiring Creative and Innovative Minds from Malaysia’s Premier University in Engineering and Technology”.

The new image would allow UTM to receive the recognition it deserves through team work and ethics, academic idealism and knowledge, he said.

He also announced the appointment of Prof Dr Mohd Tajudin Ninggal, 48, as deputy vice-chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs).

Prof Mohd Tajudin’s three-year tenure starts from Feb 16.

He has been UTM counselling and career centre director since 2001, and replaces Datuk Prof Dr Alias Mohd Noor.

Born in Masjid Tanah, Melaka, Prof Mohd Tajudin obtained a bachelor’s degree in counselling from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 1989, and was conferred the UPM Chancellor’s Gold Medal as the best overall first degree student the same year.

He then pursued postgraduate studies and received a master’s degree in counselling psychology from Western Michigan University in the United States, in 1994 and a PhD in counselling and supervision from the same university four years later. — Bernama

Eight new Master's programmes at AeU

2009-02-12T22:38:00.000-08:00

ASIA e University is offering eight new Executive Master's Programmes for its February intake. The courses are offered by the School of Management and the School of Information Communications Technology.

These include the Asian Executive Master's of Business Administration; Executive Master's in Strategic Human Resource Management; Executive Master's in Public Administration and Executive Master's in Islamic Banking and Finance under the School of Management.

Under the School of ICT, AeU, in collaboration with industry partners is offering the Asian Executive Master's in Open Source Computing; Asian Executive Master's in Open Source ERP (ADempiere); Executive Master's in Service-Oriented Architecture and Executive Master's in Business Process Management.

These are one-year programmes which are meant for career and knowledge development, especially for those who want to upgrade their skills in their respective areas.

Deputy Registrar Sahrul Haslan Hassan said upon registration, students will be briefed on the university and its guidelines, and on its Learning Management System (LMS) which allows them to access the digital library and allow them to conduct academic and financial transactions online.
The registration will be held at AeU's brand-new library, on Feb 8, from 9am to 1pm.

The chief librarian, T. Munisah Yusoff, said the library at AeU was a library with "soul". "We did not want to create a conventional library where it's only shelves and books. This library promises to be more than that," she said.

The library is spacious. The facilities include wireless Internet access for laptops and PDA users; group discussion rooms for discussion or study; 30 computer workstations; reading areas, as well as a multi-purpose room for talks and presentations.

There is also a cafe which will allow students to take a break and continue with their discussions. In keeping with the friendly and social ambience of the library, the gallery provides highlight and colour. Art pieces from local artists will be displayed there.

AeU is an international university that was set up in Malaysia with the support of 31 member countries of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

It benefits from the resources of the members of the ACD, through collaborations with institutions of higher learning and training centres in all 31 member countries, to offer its academic programmes and training courses.

Based in Malaysia, the university is a dual-mode university, which means it can offer programmes both in the open & distance learning (ODL) mode as well as the full-time on-site mode. Students will have the option to migrate from the ODL mode to the full-time on-site mode and vice-versa.

AeU will collaborate with institutions of higher learning (IHL) and training centres in the 31 ACD countries to offer academic programmes and training to all participating countries. Its programmes and products are focused on flexibility and relevance to the industry and, most importantly, it hopes to impart an Asian-centric flavour to its teachings.

There is a 75 per cent rebate on total tuition fees for the disabled and senior citizens. Flexible payment schemes are available, including PTPTN loans and EPF withdrawal options.

The registration exercise is being held at three venues: its KL learning centre at Ground Flour, Main Block, 4, Dataran Kewangan Darul Takaful, Jalan Sultan Sulaiman; the Kuching centre at Borneo E-Learning Consultant, 2nd Floor SL, 19 Lot 745 Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli, 3rd Exchange Commercial Centre, Kuching; and in its Kota Kinabalu centre at Borneo E-Learning Consultant, Suite 305, 3rd Floor, Wisma Sabah in Kota Kinabalu.

For more information call the hotline at 1300300238 or (03)27850088. You can email enquiries@aeu.edu.my or visit its website at www.aeu.edu.my

UM Students For Antarctica

2009-02-12T01:28:00.000-08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Two Universiti Malaya (UM) students will for the first time be setting foot on Antarctica to conduct research on the ecology at the South Pole.

Behavorial Biology student Munira Shaipudin Shah, 24, and Ecology and Biodiversity student Thary Gazi,21, would be joining 69 students from Japan, South Korea, China, Canada, Europe and United States in the expedition.

UM deputy vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaluddin said the expedition, with cooperation of the National Antarctic Research Centre, was aimed at exposing Malaysian students to global issues at the South Pole.

"The expedition will hopefully help upgrade UM at international level, particularly in research," he told reporters here Tuesday.

Malaysian Science Academy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor hopes that the expedition would give Malaysia the chance to become a member of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).

"Although many local researchers are actively involved in research on Antarctica, we have yet to become a member," he added.

The two UM students would be leaving for Antarctica at 1am tomorrow (Feb 11) and scheduled to return on March 3.

-- BERNAMA

USM Produced RFIR System May Replace Smart Tag

2009-02-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

PENANG, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has taken a step forward in the field of invention by producing a 2.45Ghz integrated Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) device using the zigbee (wireless technology developed as an open global standard to address unique needs of low-cost, low-power, wireless sensor networks).

Dr Widad Ismail, a lecturer in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering said the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation had granted RM20 million for her team to produce three products related to RFID.

"We had active and passive RFID which came with a system software that can suit the product that is expected to be a big hit in the country soon to replace the current Touch and Go and Smart Tag systems," she told reporters here today.

She said the usage of active RFID was something similar to the current usage of Smart Tag toll but the Smart Tag needed a point-to-point contact which used Infra Rate technology.

"We tested our active RFID in our School campus and the result showed that it can detect within the range of up to 30 meters indoor and 45 metres outdoor," she said, adding that the active RFID does not require manual touch on its reader.

She said the battery powered active RFID can be programmed and the system supports the reading from serial connector, communicates and interacts with MySQL server, tracking and monitoring for items in specific areas according to hardware distance-covering specifications.

"Additionally, the integrated module also supports cross platform functionalities as well as work with heterogeneous system," she said.

However, she said in collaboration with the ALIYA Technologies Sdn Bhd, a passive RFID was developed with the same usage, which comes with a tag, but the detection range was about three metres.

She said after proper installation of the software system, it would be nearly impossible for someone to miss the high-speed range point on the censor.

"We will launch the product during the Malaysia Technologies Exhibition next week in Kuala Lumpur and we are aiming for more companies to invest in our product," she said, adding that the fully local-made RFID product will be the cheapest in its field, in the market, today.

-- BERNAMA

Why Choose Online Degree?

2008-06-14T02:47:00.000-07:00

After the discovery of the Internet the life style of a every common person is changing according to the technology, software's and new facilities are producing on the internet. One who gets acquainted with the advantages of Internet and started using the facilities smartly can begin their career with the trend. We can share our files, send electronic mails, chat online , talk online, work online and now also study online. Nowadays, there are varieties of ways by which we can complete our education. One of the most suitable ways is online learning or taking online degree classes from the home.

An online degree is also available in a variety of ways and there are so many courses such as Associate degree, diploma courses, Certificate courses, Bachelor degree courses, Master degree courses and also some Doctorate and PHD courses in almost every field are available. There are so many institutes providing facility of online courses are well reputed and also affiliated to very old and popular universities. Also due to technology used in online learning the study material and books are also available on the internet. So, why we don't choose online degree even online courses having so many advantages which are following.

Good news for the Indian students: The talented and intellectual students of India who deserve to go but cannot afford for the abroad studies now easily grow their career with the online education. So, for the Indian students it is great opportunity we don't need to take loans. Instead of taking loan for the fees and living expenses you need to buy a computer with internet connection.

Less expensive: Online education system is low cost as we don't need to buy any admission form, uniform, shoes, bags, notebooks, pen, pencils and books etc from the market. We don't need to spend money on bus fees or in petrol .What we need is just a personal or laptop computer having internet connection. So, online learning is less costly than traditional education.
Time consuming: This system is time consuming as we don't need to get up early , taking bath , wearing well dress and polish your shoes and ready for going to institute, we don't need to wait for the Bus that will take you to the college.

Don't need to go outside the country: It becomes easy for the students who want to go outside the country for their Higher education. Today, many reputed universities are offering the courses online in very low tuition fees. Some institutes are making pathway programs online which enable student to go foreign after three or six months for the further education. We can attend online classes from anywhere around the world whether it is home city or any other city or country. We don't need to stay in one city or place we can continue our studies as a traveler with the help of laptop computer with wireless internet connection. Live in north region and attend colleges of south.

Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://best-online-degree-schools.com/ A website that specializes in providing information on Online Degrees that you can research right on his site. Please Visit now and try our FREE schools search.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Londrie

5 Ways to Improve YOUR English without even Trying! for people who speak English as a second language

2008-05-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

By : Kim Rogers

Learning a second language can be a very stressful and arduous task if you let it. Somehow, the words you learn in the books don't seem to apply very well to real life situations. Those small and seemingly un-important elements the show a person to be in command of not only the language, but the culture of the people who speak it cannot be adequately expressed by words on paper.

So, how do you learn these little secrets of mastering the ability to articulate yourself in another language?

Here are 5 proven techniques that will help you improve your English without even trying, if you are learning to speak English as a second language. Do they really work? Yes. I've tried them myself as I've had opportunity to live somewhere where English wasn't the primary language. I found it to be a fun, exciting, and painless way to learn both the language and the culture. The culture is simply learning the way the natives express their own words. The genuine accent, facial expressions, hand gestures, sighs, moans, groans, laughter, smirks, and other things that go along with everyday conversation.

Regardless of how extensive or not your vocabulary is, if you master the ability to "sound" like you know the language and can speak it, people will be more than generous to assist you.

1. Watch Movies!

Watching movies is always a fun thing to do. In order to get the most out of your movie watching experience, if your vocabulary is limited, watch a movie in English that you are very familiar with in your own language so you always know what's going on. Try not to translate as you go because you lose blocks of conversation this way. Instead, watch the picture and listen. Hear all the words, but determine what's going on by the pictures you see and the words you're hearing that you already know. Believe it or not, other words will sink in too, and so will the accent and everything else that went with what you saw and heard.

As your vocabulary grows, expand your movie selections to other movies you'd like to see but are only available in English. Try to be able to see the film more than once if possible.

According to the location and type of film you intend to view, you will be able to experience different accents, and other cultural expressions of the English language. Pick and choose the things that you think will suit you best. If it doesn't work out, pick and try something else! Have fun with yourself and your efforts.

2. Watch Soap Operas

The place where extreme expression and limited vocabulary meet! This is such a fascinating way to learn a foreign language. Every accessory that goes with the expression of a word is demonstrated on a soap opera. "Outrage" expressed with a word, facial expression or two, and perhaps even a subsequent face slap, all of that being understandable in any language. "Love", another universal subject, or violence, good versus evil can all be discerned quickly and easily on a soap opera. Plus, soap operas are naturally designed to allow anyone just tuning in to pick up the story quickly. The characters are easily loveable and deliciously "hate-able" so you turn to it again and again to see what's going on, and not only improve your English each time, but reinforce what you've already learned.

3. Read the Comics/Funny Papers

Very non-stressful! Pictures with words, or words with pictures, however you want to look at it, it's a great way to learn! For each thought presented there are words that match a picture, and vice versa. It doesn't matter if you read comic books, or the comics in the Sunday newspaper, read whatever will make you laugh and cause you to enjoy learning at the same time.

4. Read Children's books

If you know any little kids between the ages of 5-8, try reading one of their books to them. Usually little kids know their favorite books by heart, so if you stumble a little, they'll be able to help you.

If you enjoy this method of improving your English, and you find yourself to be pretty good at it, then try reading a few Dr. Seuss books. The rhyming will challenge you, but once you master it, your pronunciation of English, and your delivery will have been considerably refined and improved.

5. Take a service job like waiter or waitress; bartender, or sales person.

This type of job can be done if you have a decent vocabulary of verbs, and know how to say "I, we, she, he, they", etc. The only other thing necessary is a working vocabulary of things relevant to your specific tasks and goals.

For example, as a breakfast waitress, you want to be able to ask if they want their eggs, "scrambled or fried", if they want "more coffee", if everything is "alright", do they want "anything else", and the total of their bill in their own language!

If you sell real estate, you'll want to incorporate words like "mortgage, loan, co-sign, 30 year fixed", etc.

If you sell shoes, you need words like "how does that feel", are they "too tight, too loose, to short in the toe, to big", etc.

The longer you work at your job, the more your working vocabulary will improve.

6. Learn these two sentences and you'll be set for life . . . seriously!

"How do you say (blank)", in English (Spanish, French, etc.), and "What is that called?" (Point if you have to, and smile too). Smiling is a universal language. Once I learned how to ask these two questions, I was on my way to being conversant in the language of my choice!

I could use my limited vocabulary to ask the question and then when I got my answer I would repeat it a few times to make sure I was saying it correctly, and "BAM" I had a new vocabulary word. And, because I asked my question to the best of my ability in the native tongue, the natives realized my sincere desire to learn, and helped me!

7. What happens if you make a mistake?

Nothing. The world won't come to an end, and you haven't embarrassed yourself to the point where you can't show your face again. Just apologize if that's what's called for, or laugh at yourself, make the correction, and count it as a learning experience.

Once I was in a restaurant and I wanted to ask the waiter for a "to go" box, however, I was speaking to my kids in English, and trying to think of what I wanted to ask for in Spanish, and I promptly and incorrectly asked him for a "house to go". He looked at me kind of funny, but he was very courteous, and didn't laugh until I laughed.

I've committed other language faux pas as well over the years, all of which have been a learning experience, and if given enough time, will become a humorous story as well.

Imagine… Proven Way To Become An Educated And Respected Person In This Society With Online Education!

2007-01-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

By : Everaert Patrice

Not so much time ago people had to travel days, months, even years just to go and search for a little bit of knowledge. The day of today we have all this technology at our sides but it seems that we don’t use this benediction. In only one mouse click we can download as we desire all the books, articles, courses, software's and such, but do we really use our minds as we should?

With online education we can go very far in our path to gain knowledge so lets get focused on that. Any kind of knowledge is findable on the web with its history and all of its details. We have at our disposition online software’s to research the oldest sayings and cultures. To discover how they where living, eating, dressing, learning, and so on…

There’s nothing that you really want to learn without finding it on the web. If you could only have the passion to build a car, a plane, a house, an empire… The web is going to teach it to you. Showing to you step by step how to handle, where to buy, why to build…

It’s a universal project to ease a lot of things to human kind. From grand-mothers to new born babies, they all find their interest with online education. For example a granny is able to learn how to make baby clothes and the baby will have a warm winter!

The World Wide Web is really a very big school where everything is offered to you for a little amount of money but most of the time it's even for free. Isn't that a wonderful thing? You don't have to make any efforts to educate yourself or your children. It's even surprising that using the web doesn't costs a lot of money.

It's really cheap and easy so use this chance to take knowledge and be useful for yourself and for others by spending your time to use what you've learned and to teach it to others. Please be modern, go on the web and surf on the "online education" forums, blogs and sites to gain what you really need to be integrated in 2007.

The only thing I know is that the clock is ticking while we aren't really progressing as we should. As I said before: "Not so much time ago people had to travel days, months, even years just to go and search for a little bit of knowledge." Shouldn't we be ashamed to be ignorant of the simplest things such as a second language, a foreign culture or even our own history…?

It isn't hard to become respected and educated in this society but you have to really want it. Just go and surf on the web to find the best of online education and get started…

Online Schools: the Changing Face of K12 Student Learning

2007-01-18T03:03:00.000-08:00

By : Susan Bond

With each decade the face of education has changed to reflect the current trends in education. The policy initiatives of each president, governor, community leader and parent have been aimed at transforming children's learning environments into the ideal situation. While these initiatives may never succeed to meet every child's needs the combined result of their work has created an environment where education can now be tailored to meet the needs of every child through online schools.

Much like the advent of the search engine and booking our own airline travel, the Internet has introduced the nation to online education. To many, the commercial products available from higher education degree granting giants like the University of Phoenix define online learning. However, to a growing population of Americans, online schools have come to define the middle ground between home schooling and personalized public education.

While charter schools continue to spring up across the country, there are a select few that have been created in the charter school mold simply because the education establishment can not keep pace with today's innovations. In Ohio for example, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) was created in 2000 not to revolutionize charter schools, but to bring to Ohio's children and families leading education content in a format designed to enable every child to succeed. ECOT provides every child with an education option that delivers to each student exactly what they need while providing the comprehensive state standards based education that is the hallmark of successful public and private schools.

Other online schools and content companies such as the Florida Virtual Academy and K12 Education are part of a growing trend that brings together the real-life education community and the technology community. In many instances this partnership is a thorn in the side of traditional education and educators who see only standard classrooms as the answer to the ills of the American k-12 system

Online schools have revolutionized the workplace for skilled teachers and administrators. The result of this union is the ability to create a tailored classroom for gifted, struggling and needs-based students that, until the advent of online learning, were often segregated to specialty teaching groups to meet their potential.

The education landscape has changed and for many brick and mortar school districts this is a hard fact to face. The local school boards and education departments in America have begun to realize that business as usual isn't he solution to a rapidly advancing world and have begun to embrace the assets of online education.

Unlike the as-we-know-it classroom the online environment can be adjusted to meet the needs of every child and instill the state standards required of students since the advent of the No Child Left Behind Act without stagnating the classroom experience. From thousands of courses to graduation test practice sessions and immediate intervention opportunities, online schools offers to the students and families of 2006 what the computer breakthroughs of the past several decades offered to the business community. Simply put, online schools have the ability to provide every individual with the right information in the right format at the right time for optimal success.

Online schools were once considered the wave of the future. That future is now and the online revolution continues to shape the world of real life education without the boundaries of classroom walls.

Home Schooling: Determining The Length Of Your Child's School Year

2007-01-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

By : Phil Kuermam

A practical alternative or replacement to schooling institutions is Home schooling. In conformity with your state laws concerning this kind of education, parents teach their children to study and learn themselves.

Parents have different explanations as well as justifications as to why they want their children to be educated through home schooling. Parents are concerned regarding the safety of their wards, as well as the quality of education that provided in public schools. The costs of private schooling and the struggle that the child undergoes to keep up with the entire class is one of the major factors in favor of such alternatives.

Most parents feel defenseless when their kids are labeled as ‘slow learners’ by their peers, or other such emotional baggage.

In a large class, usually teachers have limited options and remedies to act on such children who might be “slow learners” compared to others. This leads to the need for tutoring, where they are provided the attention they seek, and can learn at “their own pace”, without having to compete with others children even while maximum attention is being paid by the teacher.

Again, a student who is very enthusiastic about learning and who generally does well in class is a good candidate for home schooling, since he can successfully juggle the absence of interacting with his friends and encouragement for excellent work that are components of a regular classroom.

A home schooling teacher must be have suitably eligibility, which suggests that he or she has at least had a “high school education” to educate lower elementary students.

The parent or teacher must be inspired and encouraged enough to educate the students, since home schooling entails hard work as well as rewards; it is, nevertheless, a satisfying job, when the results are for you to see.

Parent or teachers should be available for each day of schooling, there should be no interruption due to daily chores, and dedication to the program is a must.

Plan what the child needs:

The child will need a certain study area that is quiet, with no disturbances at all. Study time should be well scheduled and well planned.

Have a focused attitude towards the child; this is essential, as your child realizes that you are committed and enjoy your time together rather than acting irritable or unsatisfied with your child’s limitations.

A reward is a must to encourage and stimulate your child to create an affirmative emotional and informative experience. You should provide your child with basic school materials such as textbooks, encyclopedia, globe, and dictionaries. Try out the resources the internet provides as an addition to your home schooling program; such information is forever updated.

Store up on educational games of different varieties, art materials and supplies and create an environment for reading books. After your home school hours the kids can do crafts, play games, and read books as and when they like.

How do you define your “home school period?”

To begin the process of lesson planning, you have to determine a timetable or what is the “school year for your program”

Begin, by knowing the total number of “school days” in a formal school.

While determining this there are two main factors that one should understand. Firstly, the certain number of teaching or tutoring days as obliged by the State you are resident of. Usually, 180 days are needed, although some States require more and some less. Consequently, this is the minimum number of days recommended for your program.

Another factor is the total number of days necessary to complete the longest type of curriculum planned by you for the coming academic session. When the particular “longest” session necessitates less than the lowest number of teaching days, then it need not be a reason for outlining your home school yearly curriculum.

If it should need more than the lowest or minimum days, its time will conclude the time span for your year of home school. For example, if your State requires a minimum of 180 days of teaching, you discover in your curriculum, for example that algebra, will need 200 days of teaching to complete. Then 200 days would suffice for your home school year.

Once you have finalized and resolved which days are more, than that of the lowest number of your State's or your longest duration of program, then you should estimate the “actual number of days” of your home school year. That will then be the total number of days that your lessons should be based on.

Looking For Free Online Distance Education?

2006-11-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

By : Ras Reed
Is there anything like free online distance education? Yes and no. Want to know what I mean? I said yes because it’s available online. If you log on to the internet now and conduct a search using google, you’ll discover that there are lots of online institutions offering people like you free online distance education. This means that it does exist. I said no because nothing is free in this world. You have to pay the price before you can get anything good. In other words, there is no free lunch. It must be paid for.

Because of the power of the word ‘free’ many institutions are using it and luring many people into what they term free online distance education. Many of the institutions doing this are online fraudsters. I believe you know them. They have a way of getting their victims. Many times I have received mails in my Inbox and bulk box offering free online distance education. I don’t normally waste time about this. I delete them immediately. I advise to the same.

If any school claims to be offering you free online distance education, kindly and politely ask them who will pay for the downloaded materials, the building and maintenance of the website, the online instructors, the certificates etc. their answers will help you know the type of school they are. The fraudulent will have no answer while the reliable ones will give you good answers.

What you’ll get from free online distance education won’t benefit your career in the long run. This is because the certificates you’ll be issued will not only be bogus but won’t be useful for getting those good jobs you’ve always dreamt of. And moreover most employers of labour out there are very skeptical of online certificates. And they won’t waste time contacting the online school you get it from. If the school is not genuine, they won’t spend their precious time interviewing you for the job.

Once you’re sure that somebody somewhere has to pay for everything used in transferring knowledge and skills online, you won’t have detecting fraudulent free online distance education institutions.

Instead of frantically searching for free online distance education, its advisable you do comparison shopping in order to get affordable online institutions. There are online schools whose fee is quite affordable. Some exist that can even give you a loan for the duration of the program you want to enroll for. However, I urge you to consult your attorney before putting to such papers.

About The Author

Ras Reed provides more detailed and free information on his website. Get more info at http://distanceeduguide.com/sitemap.html.

Simple Homeschool Success Tips

2006-10-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

By : Mary Joyce
There certainly is an abundance of homeschooling information available and this is a good thing… for the most part… as long as you don’t get bogged down in overload and suffer paralysis by analysis. There are a lot of wonderful articles and tips to help you insure your homeschool success.

So, through the experiences of my own and reading about those experiences and advice of others, here are some of, not only the best, but most universal home school success tips.

First of all have fun. Make learning fun. It should be for kids. And by the way, enjoy learning new things with your kids. There is some much in this world that we cannot control, so let’s let control what we can… our attitude and how we approach each and every day. Children will absorb your attitude and mood like a sponge, so stay upbeat and enthusiastic and your successes will reflect it.

Next, limit (or eliminate) your interruptions. This was my nemesis.

In this communication age in which we live, interruptions come at you from every direction, so you’ll need to stay focused. If don’t have an answering device, get one. Turn the ringers off.

Educate your family and friends as to your homeschool schedule. And it’s not just the phones (cell included); it’s the drop by visitors as well. Keep your time you spend homeschooling your kids very sacred.

And while I’m on this subject, this means that you can’t be a distraction to your kids. By this I mean you can’t be running around doing other things while your kids are trying to study and complete their assignments and projects. Stay focused on your children’s education during this time.

I mentioned paralysis by analysis earlier and this one dovetails off of that. Keep your teaching and homeschooling simple. With so much information and programs readily available to you, it’s easy to find yourself using an educational buffet of plans, curriculums, and approaches. Ultimately your kids and you won’t like nor benefit from this.

Be flexible, be pragmatic if something isn’t working, but don’t be mercurial. And when it comes to being a homeschooling parent, you must take steps to organize and simplify your life. During your homeschooling year limit your commitments and outside activities… keep your life simple and you’ll be happier; and with happiness comes success.

Don’t beat yourself up! Have confidence. Know that you can do it. Your faith is your beacon. Reward is directly related to effort. If you are doing all that you can, your children will learn and be successful. Children learn throughout the world in all kinds of environments. Be enthusiastic with each new day, get help when you need it, stay on a path continual improvement, and your children’s educational success will follow.

If you get stuck… read. Without reading skills your children will never reach their full potential. If your day becomes shot full of holes with life’s unplanned and uncontrollable events… then take some time and read to and read with the kids. There is no better life preserver for a day that has spun out of control than to cuddle up and read with your children.

There are so many wonderful people involved in homeschooling, and with today’s technology it is so easy to get in touch with these invaluable resources, you should not go wanting for advice, answers, or just some rejuvenating conversation and reassurance.

Online there are forums and support groups. Offline there is your church or library. Get in touch and be a part. As a homeschooler, you are in a sense a professional educator. Find yourself a couple of good publications and subscribe, or opt in to a few of your favorite newsletters. The message here is that you need not tackle everything solo.

When it comes to resources there is one out there that is often shadowed by the prevalence of the internet… and that is your local library. Your library is a wonderful resource. Libraries are a tremendous resource for videos, audio tapes, learning materials for all subject matter… (And of course books!). If you could only pick one resource and one resource only… choose a library.

Take breaks. For me, taking shorter more frequent day breaks as opposed to less frequent longer breaks always worked better for my family and kids. Of course, the dynamics of every family is different, but if you’ve haven’t tried this approach you should. I think you and your kids will like it. Of course, I’m not talking about a day off every other day… but shorter more often day breaks give you a chance to re-energize and catch up.

I mentioned family dynamics; and since you will be homeschooling you will naturally be introducing a very different and time consuming aspect into your family dynamics.

There will times when there just aren’t enough hours in the day. This is why it is very important to stay focused and plan as best you can. Avoid those activities that steal your day away. Remember, you are homeschooling. Try to organize outside activities all into a day or two instead of spreading them out across your week and having constant ‘little’ interruptions on a daily basis. I would much rather have longer days of outside activities, if it meant I could keep my homeschooling days uninterrupted. I found that my kids and my family appreciated this approach.

Unless you are an incredibly organized and efficient person that operates like a well oiled machine, you’ll find that all of the above won’t come together for you over night. Don’t feel disheartened… it doesn’t for anyone that I know of! No schedule is perfect all the time and no two schedules and organizational skills are the same. Work to sand, buff, and polish what works for you and over time you will find your stride.

The Popularity Of Learning Online

2006-10-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

By : Lucy Bartlett
Online courses help students to further their learning abilities and education. No matter where a student is located, the resources are available at their fingertips when one studies online courses. There are innumerable online courses and training methods available.

A course on personal development, to continue with a hobby, training for a new career or enhancing business skills are just some of the possibilities available in online courses. Their area of interest can be explored at the students own pace. There are thousands of online courses covering hundreds of topics.

Online Courses in Business among others include a course to start your own business or training in time management. Other available online courses include leadership skills, techniques on conducting interviews and marketing courses – online or offline.

Online courses in training includes programming languages, marketing through internet, personal computer hardware, Linux, training in office software, graphic designs, web design and other certificate courses in information technology.

Online courses for training in a specific career are also possible. The available resources includes various vocational training programs in wedding planning, carpentry, bookkeeping, real estate, automotive courses, medical transcription and lot of other options to get a diploma. Find more info at http://www.online-courses4u.info

Professionals who would like to continue their education have various options available in online courses. Engineers, architects, lawyers, physicians, real-estate professionals, social workers, teachers and massage therapists and others, can pursue online CEU and CE courses.

Online courses in personal development are meant for developing a hobby or pursuing a personal interest. Home improvement, investing, gardening, cooking, art and design, digital photography and traffic school and many others are included.

Languages can be learned through various online courses available on the internet. Expanding the existing language skill or learning a foreign language is made easy. Supplementary help for courses such ESL, TEFL are also included in various online courses. Languages such as Japanese, Spanish, Italian, French or German can be easily learnt through online resources.

Convenience and flexibility are the advantages in online learning. This is more so if the students have other commitments. Depending upon on the needs of the student a greater adaptability is also possible along with enhanced communication between the student and the teaching resources online. Some of the advantages of online courses include the teaching materials presented in non-verbal mode and the varieties of learning experience, using multimedia.

E-assessment or assessments made with the aid of a computer includes multiple choice tests which are automatically generated, gearing towards the specific mistakes made by the students and to navigate through a series of questions to find out what the student has learned or not learned.

How To Help Your Kids Do Algebra

2006-10-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

By : Kenneth Williams

"Mom, I just can't do Algebra."

Of course you'd love to help. But 'Algebra'?

It's a bit outside of a parent's Job Description isn't it?

The good news is you CAN help.

And you don't have to be mathematically minded, either.

All you need is some patience, a little creativity, and being able to see the world through your child's eyes.

Imagine being led into an Egyptian temple, being shown a wall full of weird-looking hieroglyphics, and being asked to translate them.

That's how Algebra feels to some kids.

Your mission is to help your kid understand why we're using hieroglyphics. And then how to use them to solve simple problems.

Here's how you do that:

*** PHASE 1: Get used to the language ***

Algebra uses abbreviations.

It's therefore vital your child is comfortable using abbreviations in daily life.

Explain what abbreviations are and how they're used.

For example, the name Frederick is abbreviated to Fred.

The United States is often abbreviated to the USA or even just the US.

And US states are also abbreviated. New York becomes NY, New Jersey becomes NJ.

Once the basic theory is understood, start introducing abbreviations around the home. There are many ways of doing this. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

~~ Throw a party ~~

Use abbreviations to build up a guest list of invitees.

Bill becomes B.

Marcy becomes M.

And if there's a Jim and a John, use J1 and J2. Or Ji and Jo. Or use surnames to get JW and JS.

~~ Try some home cooking ~~

Teach your child how to make pancakes and give them the recipe as a formula:

2f + 2e + m + s

Where: f=flour, m=milk, s=sugar, e=eggs.

(Okay, I'm no chef, but you get the idea.)

~~ Design a 'healthy eating' schedule ~~

Yes, a little home algebra can even help your family eat more healthily.

Create abbreviations for oranges, apples, bananas, broccoli, celery, etc.

Then plan out your weekly schedule:

Mon: o + a + ba + 2br
Tue: 2ce + p + o + a
Wed: m + 2o
etc.

Once your schedule is drawn up, ask your kid to add up how many of each item you need to buy at the grocery store.

You'd never have guessed a shopping list could make such great algebra training, but it does.

When your child is comfortable with the basic language of Algebra, it's time to move on to the next stage:

*** PHASE 2: Solve some problems ***

Much of Algebra involves finding an unknown value, also known as the "x factor".

The best way to develop problem-solving skills in kids is by playing simple games and puzzles.

Here are two particularly useful games for developing the algebra mind.

~~ "Dollars & Dimes" ~~

The idea is to give your child a formula, and they tell you the amount of money.

So you say something like:

"2d plus n plus i".

This means two dollars plus a nickel plus a dime.

(Notice how the letter 'i' has ingeniously been used to represent a dIme. This is because the letter 'd' has already been reserved for the Dollar.)

The answer should be "Two dollars and fifteen cents."

Play this a few times using several combinations of notes and coins.

You can also tell your child an amount of money, and ask them to give you the formula.

So if you say, "Four dollars and five cents",your child replies: "4d plus 5c".

Ideally they should give you the answer using the least amount of coins possible. So for "fifteen cents", they should say "n + i" or "i + n". Not "15c"!

~~ "Think of a Number" ~~

This is a classic you can play anywhere. Try it on long car journeys.

The objective is to guess the mystery number.

You say: "I've thought of a number, added 3 to it, and the result is 7. What is my number?"

Make the questions as easy as possible to start with. As your child gains confidence, make the questions are little harder.

At some point, say you're going to call the mystery number 'x'. Then ask the question in equation form.

Now don't panic. It's simple.

Suppose your question is: "What number plus 3 makes 17?"

You call the mystery number 'x'. And so your equation is:

x + 3 = 17

You ask your child "if x plus three is seventeen, what's x?"

You can also reverse roles and ask them to give you some puzzles. Most kids enjoy this. And it trains them to think more creatively about algebra too.

*** Summary ***

Just a few subtle changes in the way your child thinks can have profound effects on their results in the math class.

Don't overload your child. Go in very small steps with lots of similar examples to give practice and confidence.

Even the smallest thing may be a stumbling block. Like understanding that 'x' means '1x' (the '1' is not usually written down).

Give lots of praise and reward to create and reinforce the 'feel good' factor.

As in any kind of teaching, it's better to ask lots of questions rather than keep telling someone something.

Take enough little leaps and at some point your kid will experience the "Aha!" moment when the whole algebra thing suddenly clicks into place.

Online Instructor - Is it for You?

2006-10-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

By : Mark Stricklett, MBA

The computer and internet age has pushed the envelope of traditional educational formats. Just a few years ago, Online education was a second thought, maybe not a thought at all, in the minds of traditional brick and mortar schools. Today, if an educational institution does not have online programs – they are missing thousands of opportunities and dollars from traditional and non-traditional students.

With some extra time on my hands, I thought I would explore the world of online educators – some easy extra money – Right?

Wrong! Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

Let me share my journey to becoming an Online Instructor.

To begin the journey, I set criteria for selection – 1. Must be an accredited school, regionally and national accreditation – no diploma mills! 2. Offer degrees that match my skill and experience areas. 3. User friendly online education format. 4. Good record of accomplishment in online education – good reviews from students/peers. 5. A quality training and/or orientation program for new instructors.

From these starting points, I performed web searches and identified six potential schools. By visiting their web sites, I discovered a wealth of information regarding the schools, accreditation and online degrees offered. Next, searches included using the schools name and various criteria e.g. satisfaction, alumni, etc. These queries revealed web sites and blogs dedicated to specific topics on the subject of the school. Some were positive sites; others were dissatisfied students with an axe to grind.

The next step involved telephone contacts. Making contact with the schools online experts was a challenge – most referrals were to a website or email account. At two schools, I actually spoke to a live person! (This added some points to their score!)

With information assembled – I was now ready to move forward to the application process. The information packages requested were very similar in nature for each school. They included, a detailed educational history, including submission of college and graduate school transcripts, detailed work history resume and any experiences in teaching/training of adult learners. Three references, preferably from academics were the expected norm. (It’s been so long for me, most of my professors are retired or no longer with us!)

Two schools rejected me off-hand. Their criteria for online instructors included an earned doctorate. My MBA did not fit with their instructional criteria, for graduate or undergrad instruction. Two schools requested that I develop a course – prior to any reimbursement. They required their instructors to select a textbook from their lists, develop a curriculum and all instructional supports for an online course. These schools failed my selection criteria both in terms of instructor support and remuneration. The final two schools both had good records of accomplishment in online instruction, user-friendly learning environments and good matches for my skill areas.

The final decision key- training and orientation for new instructors. School 1 presented an online manual for instructor’s preparation. Study the manual, take an online test, pass, and you were ready to go. School 2 presented a different approach – one that set it apart from all the others.

For School 2 , I was enrolled in an online instructors training course. A month long course in which I became the student/learner. All of the requirements expected of students applied to the potential instructors. Weekly assignments were graded, participation and discussion expectations were set, and methods of instruction were tested. The course was facilitated by an experienced online faculty member – one who was dedicated to quality education and setting the bar for future expectations.

A few of the class members washed out after a week – they did not realize the instructor commitments of 16-20 hours per week were the norm – not the exception.

After passing the instructors training course, I was offered the opportunity to team teach a course. This process involved working with a mentor – an experienced online facilitator. The facilitator provided a systematic process for setting up the class. The then reviewed each instructional component prior to my posting in the classroom environment. Constructive feedback on work products was frequent and appreciated. The mentor monitored all components of instruction; feedback to students, individual and team work assignments, grading of assignments and instructor online interactions.

Weekly performance evaluations were provided by the mentor. These documents provided feedback for needed improvement areas or kudos for a job well done. The students provided formal evaluations of the instructor/mentee at week three and the conclusion of the course during week six. These anonymous evaluations shared some excellent insight into my performance as an instructor. Since the majority of the students are practicing professionals – they are experienced in providing feedback for performance appraisals.

The final step included an evaluation by the Universities online faculty committee. This evaluation included all the steps in preparation for the course work, mentor evaluations and student feedback. Having successfully passed all the requirements, I was promptly offered a position to provide instruction for future classes.

The Online instruction format is not for everyone. Students must be dedicated to a level of professionalism that has not been expected in the typical classroom. Time management is crucial for success in the online environment. Both individual and teamwork skills are tested – the experience is not just an individual effort. Working in teams to solve challenges in today’s work world is critical for the success of the organization.

For instructors, the same criteria hold true. To approach this instructional methodology is not an easy task. It requires dedication to the model and a true enthusiasm for sharing your acquired skills and experience. Personally, I have found my online instructional experience both rewarding and challenging. A vocation I look forward to enjoying for many years to come.

How To Receive An Education And Training Online

2006-10-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

By: Mark Woodcock

It is not unusual for a person to grow apathetic toward his or her current job. Lack of stimulating work, low pay, and limited growth potential within an organization are all excellent reasons to seek out a way to make a change. One of the best, and easiest, ways to achieve this is to explore furthering your education and training online. This innovative and exciting method of personal and professional improvement has the benefit of allowing you to enhance your career opportunities by either earning a degree or by taking advantage of continuing education options. This is also an ideal option for you if you want to change your career entirely. Education and training can be sought online without interfering with work and family commitments.

In order to get that promotion you’ve been working so hard for, it’s often necessary to further your education and training. Doing so online allows you do achieve your full career potential at your own pace, without interfering with work. In many professions, such as pharmacy, it’s often required to stay up to date with new technologies and pertinent information. A convenient way to do this is to take your continuing education courses online. Some employers are even willing to pay for a portion or all tuition and fees. After all, investing money in their employees can provide long-term benefits for employers.

There are many advantages of choosing an online education and training facility if you wish to further your education and training. There is no need to live near or commute to a school or training facility when all classes can be attended and all coursework submitted online. Attending school online is a great option for those who might have misgivings about going to college as an older student or returning after many years. Furthering your education and training at an online school can make it easier to ease into the routine of class work and projects, an can reduce the stress of feeling the need to fit in with younger college students. Further, the course availability is often convenient for those who work full time and/or care for a family. Frequently, institutions offer evening and weekend sections of courses. It is also very appealing to “go to school” from the comforts of home.

The type of education and training available online is seemingly limitless. The entire spectrum of college degrees is available to a student, including Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and PhD degrees, as well as professional certificates. These degrees are available in many different fields, including Business, Social Sciences, Humanities, Mathematics, Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, and Healthcare programs. In addition to college diplomas, continuing education for professionals is available in many areas, including Healthcare programs, Business, and Information Technology.

Affording to further your education and training online is no different from doing so in a traditional face-to-face institution. Often, financial aid is available to students in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships. It is important to check with the individual institution of interest for requirements and guidelines. Also, many employers may be willing to pay for part or all of an employee’s continuing education. Investing in an employee’s future is also investing in the employer’s future.

The misconception of continuing your education and training online is that the experience might not be as enriching or legitimate as attending face-to-face classes at a traditional college or training facility. Programs offered online present the same opportunities for group work, independent study, and interpersonal communications as their traditional counterparts. In fact, continuing your education online might help to facilitate the learning process as well as develop time management and self-motivation skills. With the prevalence of the Internet and advancements such as teleconferencing in both education and the business world today, it is possible to come away from the experience not only with a degree, but also with greater knowledge and comfort with technology. Continuing your education and training online is a valuable, convenient, and flexible way to broaden your career opportunities.

Life Experience and Online Learning

2006-10-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

by Nancy Lambert

Many online programs now offer college credit for life experience. What does this mean? Basically, you can use skills you’ve learned in your life through work, the military, or other experiences and turn them into life experience credits. These credits will reduce the amount of time needed to complete your online courses.

Different universities offer different life experience college credit, so it’s worth searching several programs to determine which one will benefit you the most. It’s also important to ensure that it’s a fully accredited program that can give you a proper degree or certificate and not a scam.

Demonstrating Knowledge for Life Experience Credit

You will have to prove that you have sufficient knowledge to get this life credit, but there are a variety of means to do this. Sometimes it will mean taking an exam, or providing a reference letter from a previous employer, military supervisor, or community service organization.

Any previously obtained certificates might count, as may books or articles you’ve published. It’s worth checking with your individual program to discuss what in your past qualifies you for credit for life experience.

All of this removes one major problem adults find when seeking to continue their education – the amount of time involved.

Now that reputable universities and institutions have begun offering life experience credit it can significantly reduce the amount of time you must spend on your studies. And it may allow you to bypass beginner-level courses teaching skills you’ve already learned in life.

Not all education occurs in a university setting. Giving college credit for life experience recognizes this fact and greatly aids adult learners in continuing their formal education.

http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/credit-for-life-experience.htm

Smart School

2006-10-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

'Smart School' has now become a buzzword among educator, parents and students. The smart schools are schools that are well-equipped with suitable resources including instructional media such as the computer and Internet facilities which can be utilised by the teaching staff who incorporate appropriate instructional methods to facilitate and maximise developement such as high order thinking skills, multiple intelligences etc. in the learning of the subject matter in their students. What is new in the syllabus is perhaps the elements of information technnology, which has to be cleverly integrated into the teaching and learning process of different subject areas across the curiculum.

There are seven key principles in a Smart School.

Generative knowledge. Schools must examine carefully what disciplinary and interdisciplinary content will most benefit students. Identifying and structuring content which has the greatest potential for students' development is an important starting point for the Smart Schools model.
Learnable intelligence. Contrary to a psychological tradition that tends to view intelligence as a fixed quantity, much of the research of Project Zero and others' indicates that students can and do learn ways of thinking that can boost their performance. The integration of the teaching of higher order thinking into subject matter instruction and the creation of a school culture that champions and scaffolds such thinking can have a significant effect on students' own views of their abilities and on their learning.
Focus on understanding. While there are many legitimate goals for students, often a focus on deep understanding gets lost in the day-to-day life of the school. In the Smart Schools model, we place an emphasis on student work that builds and demonstrates deep understanding in contrast to rote or narrowly defined outcomes.
Teaching for mastery and transfer. A simple but powerful maxim of education is that students learn much of what they have a reasonable opportunity and motivation to learn. Teaching techniques that explicitly model, scaffold, motivate, and help students to bridge what they learn to new contexts (i.e., transfer) greatly enhance the likelihood that students will learn well and actively use what they learn.
Learning-centered assessment. Assessment at its best functions as a reflective and evaluative tool for learning. It involves students as well as teachers and creates a dynamic in which students take on the ultimate responsibility for the quality of their work and their learning.
Embracing complexity. Insightful thinking and deep understanding require students to be able to deal with and even thrive on complex situations and problems. The Smart Schools model involves learning situations that help students build skills and tolerance for complexity and begin to develop a sense of excitement in the face of intriguing and difficult problems. It also supports teachers in managing the complexities of new viewpoints and practices.
The school as a learning organization. Just as schools are places of growth for children, they should be places of growth for faculty and administrators - places where the pursuit of intellectual interests and professional collaborations are supported and encouraged. In addition, the successful learning organization institutes structures that enable all members of the school community to collaborate in the processes of direction-setting and self-monitoring, creating a dynamic system that changes as the needs and the vision of the community changes.