tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57724344016810818212024-02-20T14:50:56.065-08:00Education ArticlesAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-42133516587405108422013-03-13T07:49:00.000-07:002013-05-01T07:49:42.649-07:00A Sample Letter for Appealing an Identification or Placement Decision<div style="text-align: justify;">
School Boards are required to establish committees for the purpose of Identification and appropriate Placement of students with special needs. These committees are called IPRCs (Identification, Placement and Review Committee). Any student has a right to an IPRC, even if the student is in Kindergarten. Once the child is enrolled, an initial IPRC meeting or a Review can be requested by either the parent or the principal of the school.<br /><br />What does Identification mean?<br /><br />Special needs students can be formally identified under one or more of the Categories of Exceptionality. There are 5 categories under the Education Act: Behaviour, Communication, Intellectual, Physical, and Multiple. Specific diagnoses are included under these categories. For example Autism, Learning Disability, Deaf, and Speech Impairment fall under the Communication category. Under the Intellectual category, falls Gifted, Mild Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disability.<br /><br />What are the Placement options?<br /><br />School boards must provide a range of placement options to meet the needs of all their students. Examples are: Regular class, Regular class with indirect support, Regular class with Resource assistance, Regular class with withdrawal assistance, Special Education Class with partial integration, Special Education Class full-time, Provincial and Demonstration schools, Care and Treatment facilities.<br /><br />What's the next step if the Parent Agrees or Disagrees?<br /><br />Parents have the right to participate in the meeting and must state their agreement or disagreement of the decision within 30 days following the meeting. If the parent agrees with the IPRCs decision, he/she should sign the form indicating agreement. The Identification and/or Placement will then be implemented or continued as the case may be. But what if the parent disagrees with either the Identification or the Placement decision or both? He/she must file a Notice of Appeal with the Director of Education stating which decision they disagree with and why.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />Below is a sample of such a letter.<br /><br />Mr. John Brown, Director of Education<br /><br />My District School Board<br /><br />1 First Avenue<br /><br />Your Town, Ontario<br /><br />X7Y 8Z9<br /><br />Dear Mr. Brown;<br /><br />Re: Adam Jones; Date of Birth: 2008/08/08<br /><br />IPRC DECISION - NOTICE OF APPEAL<br /><br />I would like to appeal the decision of the Identification, Placement and Review Committee regarding my son, Adam. The committee originally met on April 5, 2013 at ABC Public School, and at my request, was reconvened on April 16, 2013. The meeting notes for both meetings are attached for your review.<br /><br /> I disagree with the IPRC's recommendation for placement which is "Regular Class with indirect support". This placement is inadequate to meet Adam's educational needs as set out in the Statement of Needs document (attached).<br /> I agree that Adam's identification is Exceptional Communication - Autism<br /><br />My representative for the Special Education Appeal Board is Mary Smith. She can be reached at 905-555-6789. For Adam's benefit, I expect that this appeal will proceed within the timelines as set out in Ontario Regulation 181/98.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janet Jones<br /><br />100 Main Street<br /><br />My Town, Ontario<br /><br />A1B 2C3<br /><br />Phone: 905-555-1234<br /><br />Encl.<br /><br /> My School Board, IPRC Decision/Parental Consent Form, April 5, 2013<br /> Adam Jones - Statement of Needs, IPRC Meeting, April 5, 2013<br /> Adam Jones - IPRC Meeting Notes, April 5, 2013 & April 16, 2013<br /><br />Karen Robinson at AFASE at school http://www.afase.com provides special education advocacy training and consulting services to parents and guardians whose children are challenged by autism and other developmental disabilities.<br /><br />I develop my clients into informed, proactive advocates for their children's educational needs. They are empowered by current, customized information that enables them to articulate their children's needs to school staff and school board administrators in a way that is both assertive and collaborative.<br /><br /><br /><br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-13443446295457165392013-02-05T07:47:00.000-08:002013-05-01T07:48:11.387-07:00All About Preschool Education<div style="text-align: justify;">
Preschool education is a special learning process prepared for kids that are not matured enough to enroll in the compulsory education system. It's also referred to as "infant education." It's mainly meant for kids that are between the ages of 0 to 3. In some locations, it's meant for children that are between the ages of 1 to 5.<br /><br />There are diverse forms of preschool education obtainable in various cities and nations across the globe. In the US for instance, preschool comes before the kindergarten stage. In Europe, both kindergarten and preschool run concurrently. They have the same programs and processes in most cities. In African nations, infant education is highly cherished by parents. It's quite different from kindergarten and nursery school levels.<br /><br />In any case, infant education is generally tailored to meet the needs of kids at their very tender ages. There are unique programs offered at the infant education level. Among them include day-care services. Working parents benefit a lot from the programs. They can easily enroll their kids while still maintaining their jobs. All they need is to drop the kids at the available facilities every morning and then pick them up in the evening.<br /><br />Meanwhile, preschool education is meant to develop the child in diverse ways. There are several areas that are usually covered. Special programs are normally offered to develop the kid. There's a special focus on emotional development of the child. There's also special focus on social and personal development. The kids are taught how to communicate and use sign language. They are also taught how to speak and listen attentively.<br /><br />Furthermore, there are several facilities that are usually provided in a reliable infant education system. Among them include playing grounds, recreational facilities, and toilet and bath facilities. There are also special rooms for daily teaching. There are equally rooms for daily feeding of the kids.<br /><br />To make infant education very proactive, well trained teachers are usually engaged. They are always well groomed to handle kids on daily basis. They have to be with the kids all through the daily training sessions.<br /><br />In all, preschool education comes with diverse benefits. It helps a lot in developing a child's mental faculty. It improves the thinking ability of the kid. It enhances the social development of the infant. It's also prepares the child to face further educational processes in his or her life. It's indeed a vital level that can launch a child to greater heights.<br /><br /><br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-34169046757887126122013-01-21T07:46:00.000-08:002013-05-01T07:47:23.372-07:00How To Effectively Help Children Overcome Their Learning Disability<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dyslexia is a well-known learning disability that occurs when the brain recognizes, processes, and interprets symbols or information in another way. It is a lifelong challenge that many children go through as it prevents them from acquiring the proper skills of reading, writing, spelling, and to some degree, speaking. And oftentimes, such learning disability is mistaken for poor intelligence and also laziness.<br /><br />Understanding dyslexia will help parents recognize the essential symptoms of the learning disability and this can be a great factor in effectively treating it should specialists confirm such a condition in their child. Once the symptoms are recognized, the family as well as the teachers of the child with dyslexia should come together and think about the best intervention programs that will promote dyslexia treatment.<br /><br />Dyslexia symptoms in children may include difficulty in pronouncing words, recognizing letters as well as matching letters to sounds, problems with learning and accurately using new vocabulary words, troubles in rhyming, and many more. Since there is no known cure for dyslexia yet, the only solution is to seek literacy programs that are designed to address the many symptoms of the learning disability and help the child overcome certain difficulties associated with it.<br /><br />Educational tools are generally used as treatment as opposed to medication. Basically, an initial assessment should be conducted to evaluate the child's weaknesses and strengths. Parents should approach a specialist or perhaps an innovative education establishment that are centered on treating dyslexia. Then expert teachers together with assessors will work hand in hand to formulate an individualized education program that will address the child's difficulties in reading, writing, spelling, and speaking. Such intensive literacy program must enumerate in detail the child's particular disabilities along with the specific teaching methods.<br /><br />Well-structured programs created by professionals with countless experiences with children with dyslexia usually apply a multi-sensory approach that may focus on vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, reading and writing, synthetic and analytical phonics, and phonemic awareness.<br /><br />When it comes to treating dyslexia, it does not solely depend on the teachers at school, the tutors, and other educators who specialize in the learning disability. An effective treatment of a child's dyslexia should also include the responsibilities of the parents. Having a structured environment at home can definitely motivate a child to work on his or her skills in reading and writing. Parents and other family members can instrumentally reinforce the child's comprehension by helping him or her to maintain focus and also by emphasizing certain lessons.<br /><br /><br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-85121848697964771392012-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:002012-11-08T08:22:01.397-08:00Continuing Business Education Considered<div style="text-align: justify;">
Is now a good time to upgrade your business education? Are you working in the military and you wish to move up in rank, if so then you'll need a degree. If you work in logistics services or you manage a military unit's financial affairs then it would sure help to have a business degree. In many companies and corporations if you have a business degree you have upward mobility, and if you already have the job, it makes sense to get the degree so that you stay with the company, and someone else the one that gets laid off, while you receive the promotion. This is where ongoing education comes in, and this might be a very good time to get a business degree. Let me explain.<br /><br />It appears that there are seats available in some of the top business schools in the country right now, and they need to fill those seats, and therefore they may be offering deals. Does it matter where you get your business degree? It does, it matters on your resume, and not all business schools are the same. Some of the most popular ones may not be the best, so you'd still have to do some shopping around.<br /><br />On September 17, 2012 there was an article in the Wall Street Journal titled; "B-School Applicants Decline for Fourth Year," by Melissa Korn. The article showed as much as a 20% drop in the last 2-years in some very well-known business schools. Even Yale's School of Management was nearly a 10% decline in the last two-years.<br /><br />Now then, that might be a very good article for you to read, as you consider some of what I'm saying here. You see, if you are just entering college and thinking about getting a business degree you may not wish to spend the hundred thousand dollars in student loans obligating yourself for a decade or more of payments without guaranteed employment. But if you are already employed, all of a sudden it's a totally different ballgame, your education isn't your first degree rather, it is continuing education, up in beyond whatever you have already.<br /><br />Companies, corporations, and government agencies must run their business units efficiently, with a Six Sigma style strategy. It's imperative. In the future there will be significant budget cuts in government, and they will have to have the best people possible to maintain efficiency, provide maximum services, and do it as inexpensively as possible. Obviously you can understand that reality is coming forth very quickly. My question to you is are you ready for it? If not you might consider some continuing business education for your future. Please think on it.</div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-49109833356424972122012-11-02T08:19:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:20:11.708-08:00Is Preschool Education As Important As It Is Believed to Be?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Parents are so concerned about the education of their children; they start to prepare them from a very early age. It is in Kindergarten that children really begin to learn the basics of education. However, before entering Kindergarten, parents should ensure children are equipped to enter it by sending them to Preschools.<br /><br />However, according to experts in early child care, parents are doing more harm than good by pressurizing children to learn to count, identify letters, learn to read etc, which they will do easily when they enter Kindergarten. They insist there are other important and beneficial skills children require when they enter Kindergarten, for which Preschool can prepare them.<br /><br />Children enter school from various backgrounds, with diverse levels of social as well as emotional maturity. A preschool should provide your children chances to start and develop positive qualities like confidence, independence, motivation, curiosity, persistence, cooperation, self-control, empathy and much more.<br /><br />It is important that children believe in their abilities and dare to take new tasks. They should not give up upon failure, for which confidence in them is required. Preschool can do a lot to boost confidence level in the little ones. When children enter Preschool they are dependent on their parents so much, it is the Preschool preparation that should teach them independence so that they can do things on their own.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Children must learn out of their own will and not through pressure. Preschool should motivate them to learn with interest. Similarly, Preschool should be able to retain the natural curiosity of children so that they can acquire the most from all the learning opportunities they get.<br /><br />Persistence is another quality that makes a successful person. Many of us start a project or work with enthusiasm, but lack the persistence to complete it successfully. Work left half done speaks poorly of a person. Children should be taught to finish an activity for which persistence is a must.<br /><br />Man is a social being. In order to be successful in our daily life we should be able to move along with others in a pleasant and effective way. Preschool teaches qualities like cooperation so that the child get along with fellow students, take turns and learn the art of sharing.<br /><br />If your child has the habit of throwing tantrums and making a fuss when he does not get what he wants, Preschool is the instrument to teach him self control. Here children are taught to express anger in an acceptable and good way. Hitting and shouting are bad ways of expressing anger.<br /><br />Above all children should have empathy for others. Understanding the feelings of others and respecting a second opinion makes a good human being. Preschool education should help children attain all the basic qualities to be a good human being and move on to advanced learning in Kindergarten.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-44567595296056142152012-10-29T08:17:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:17:18.437-08:00Major Things Expected From An Overseas Education Consultancy<div style="text-align: justify;">
Education is one thing that is worth investing at any point of your life. The value of a good education is too precious and you will never regret for spending your time and money for education. Majority of us focuses more at getting better education and make our life more solid and secure. If you have got the proper education and talents they you are bound to succeed in any part of this world and this is what makes education more important in ones' life.<br /><br />A lot of students are forced to go to different places in search of better education as most of the countries are not having quality higher educational institutions. The lack of quality education in a country forces the students to go for abroad education and there are a lot of countries which offers better education system in different branches. Depending upon the various educational branches, students opt for different countries for pursuing their higher education.<br /><br />A student always faces the difficulty of choosing the right country for his or her higher education. This is mainly due to the reason that there are a large number of countries offering higher education in different areas and each of them has different properties and advantages. This makes utter confusion to the students and they will find it really hard to select the best country and university for his or her higher studies.<br /><br />This is an area where an overseas education consultancy can make its mark and provide the students with ample help and support in identifying the best place for higher education. A well reputed educational consultant can really seize the opportunity and come up with helping hands for the students. Being a reputed and reliable overseas education consultant is not an easy task and it requires years of hard work and dedication which helps in creating a branding abroad education consultant.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Here I will like to discuss about some of the major things that we expect from an overseas education consultancy.<br /><br />1) Reputation<br />2) Reliability<br />3) Trust<br />4) Good Hospitality<br />5) Good Staff Behaviour<br />6) Exceptional Office Etiquette<br />7) Great Assistance<br />8) Good Follow up and Updates<br />9) Open Minded<br />10) Good Response Speed<br /><br />These are just some of the major things that we expect from a education consultant and these things form the backbone of any education consultant. If any of the above things are missing, then we might not wish to continue with the education advisor and hence it is important for the consultancy to make sure that these things are followed. Since the case is of abroad education, students usually has to invest a good amount of money and they will do everything to make sure that they are investing their money in the right place.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-90203390310215436462012-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:15:00.109-08:00Insurance Continuing Education<div style="text-align: justify;">
Insurance continuing education is a necessary requirement in almost any insurance environment, from Casualty and Life to Personal Lines and Accident and Health. Each state's Department of Insurance determines how much continuing education is applicable and provides venues for acquiring the necessary additional training. Since laws, rules and regulations are constantly shifting, it is critical for agents to keep up-to-speed with new developments to more competently serve their clientele.<br /><br />The insurance environment is a constantly shifting environment that presents sets of complex regulations that must be adhered to in order to stay within legal limits. The only way for agents to remain up to date on new insurance products, laws and issues is to receive yearly instruction in the form of continuing education.<br /><br />Who is Required to Participate in Continuing Education?<br /><br />Generally, Property Broker-Agents and/or Casualty Broker-Agents, Personal Lines Broker-Agents, Life-Only and/or Accident and Health licensees must take a certain number of continuing education classes each year to maintain their licenses, whether or not they are actively selling insurance. The more lines of insurance you carry, the more education you must receive to keep your license. If you offer subcategories such as Credit Property, Travel Ticket or Involuntary Unemployment you can rest easy -- these lines generally do not require yearly education. However, some subcategories such as Long Term Care and Annuities do require some additional education, although usually not as much as the major categories. You must check with your state's Department of Insurance to determine your particular licensure requirements.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />How Do I Fulfill My Requirements?<br /><br />Courses are offered in two formats: a sit-down, classroom environment and online. Some agents prefer a classroom environment because it focuses their attention and allows them personal access to teachers and other students. It is a great way to network with other agents. However, online classes can be attractive due to the convenience of being able to take them at your leisure and without having to commute to a class. Classes like these are often offered by professional development companies as well as colleges and universities.<br /><br />Which Class Style is Better for Me?<br /><br />If you are a hands-on individual, taking classes at a local college or university or a remote location might be the best way for you to learn. You will have the opportunity to "pick" the instructor's brain for tips and hints and also learn from your fellow students. Taking a "classroom style" class can also expose you to a new environment if you have to travel to take the class, and therefore new people with different ideas. It is a way to make new contacts to grow your business and share helpful information with other agents that are facing the same struggles and concerns.<br /><br />However, if you like the convenience of studying on your own schedule, then online classes offer a great benefit. Some agents don't want to take up valuable time listening to others ask questions or give feedback, and wish to work at their own pace. Online learning also lets you schedule your education around your business day, so that you have less downtime. This is particularly important to some agents who like to focus on customer service.<br /><br />Whichever style you choose, continuing education is an industry standard for insurance professionals, and will serve to enhance your knowledge, ability and skills so that you can be a more competent, effective insurance agent.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-88582963410819271262012-10-17T08:12:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:12:42.305-08:00Tips to Increase Your Visibility<div style="text-align: justify;">
How many times have we heard of people getting jobs with competitive salaries, amazing benefits and the chance to take on challenging projects simply because of the people they knew? Though hard to admit, the fact is that in today's competitive job market, one cannot find a reasonable job without good contacts.<br /><br />Harvey Coleman, a well-known management consultant, conducted a research on what is needed to land a good job. He concluded that performance and education, (that is, whether the candidate has earned a university degree, be it from an online university or a traditional university), although crucial, accounted for only 10% of what is needed for a particular job. A person's image (i.e. the way a person dresses or how well he/she fits in) accounts for 30% whereas visibility accounts for a staggering 60%. These numbers, however surprising, did accurately represent the state of conditions in the job market today. So how does one make oneself visible? The following tips should help:<br /><br />Talk to People about Your Work/Education: The importance of this point cannot be stressed enough. Every chance you get, you should talk to people about yourself as a brand. This would include telling them what you do. For example, if you are studying at an internationally accredited online university programs, such as MUST University, then talk about the programs offered and the services provided, both of which aim to optimize the learning experience for its students.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Be Vocal at Seminars and Conferences: Conferences are great places to build your network as corporate executives and managers generally frequent such events. By being vocal about your ideas related to a certain topic, you stand to gain a lot of attention from individuals belonging to the business community, thereby creating a positive image.<br /><br />Volunteer to Give a Talk: Though slightly daunting, it is a great opportunity to increase your visibility as it displays confidence and poise, two aspects many prospective employers are looking for. You can give a talk on your particular field of study or any subject of interest. For example, if you have earned an online degree in computer science from a university, you can not only talk about the various aspects related to the field of computer Science but also about the experience of studying at an online university. This will portray you as someone who is well-versed in his/her subject area and is willing to use the knowledge gained to benefit other individuals and corporate entities.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-82554884360452446812012-10-04T08:09:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:09:50.671-08:00Tips On Becoming An Early Childhood Teacher<div style="text-align: justify;">
If education is a passion and you love working with kids, early childhood education might be the perfect path for you. There's nothing more fulfilling than teaching children, and the impact you make on them now will last a lifetime. Teachers are highly sought after at an early education level and there are plenty of opportunities for you to make a career out of your passion for working with kids, helping them to develop skills and preparing them to be enthusiastic about learning.<br /><br />Not sure if you're right for the job? Don't know where to start? Read on for all the information that you need about becoming an early childhood educator.<br /><br />What Skills Do I Need?<br /><br />Being an early childhood teacher requires a different set of skills than are needed at a primary or secondary level. Creativity, patience and the ability to make learning fun are all crucial to help shape the young minds that you will be working with. A lot of the job is very hands on - you'll be creating routines for your students and helping them to play and discover through lots of interaction and activity.<br /><br />Early childhood education is different in the way that every day is unique. You'll learn how best to work with each and every one of your students as you begin to understand their individual personalities and what they respond best to.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Qualifications<br /><br />Like most education jobs, becoming a registered early childhood teacher requires some level of tertiary study. There are three different types of relevant qualification you can get at different levels that allow a focus in early childhood education; Diploma of Teaching, Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Bachelor of Teaching<br /><br />It's also very important to continue training and acquiring experience on the job. Many courses have placement programs that you will take part in during your studies, and you'll be expected to continue developing skills and learning new techniques from additional teaching courses throughout your career.<br /><br />You may also be required to attain a Certificate in Nanny Education before you take part in a diploma or degree course, but this will be outlined in the entry requirements for any institution that you look to apply to.<br /><br />Employment as an early childhood teacher can be incredibly rewarding if you're passionate about the job. Education is one of the most important processes that our children go through - having the right people there to facilitate beneficial learning is crucial to positive development and a bright future. Make a difference with your career in early childhood education.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-9005424830699257722012-09-29T08:08:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:09:03.229-08:00Importance of College Education<div style="text-align: justify;">
Students begin questioning the importance of a college education from high school itself. Some feel that being able to earn immediately after school is a more attractive proposition and they convince themselves that a college education is not that imperative in the long run. Others may find the costs of a higher education prohibitive and have other responsibilities to take care of. But, more than ever, students need to understand that attending a college provides opportunities and advantages that others might find lacking later on in life. Today, the global economy is becoming more and more competitive and in order to improve the chances for a well-paying job, a college education is extremely important.<br /><br />According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs of the future will require some post-secondary education or training. College graduates also earn nearly twice as much as high school diploma holders. The U.S. economy has shifted from being a manufacturing-based one to knowledge-based. Unlike with past generations, high school graduates are unable to qualify for the high-paying jobs that are now available. A college education undeniably serves as a gateway to better options and more opportunities.<br /><br />There are a number of other reasons as to why it is important to go to college. Attending lectures from experts in the field, reading and researching encourages students to think, to ask questions and to explore new ideas. All this adds to student's development and growth and provides college graduates with an edge over those who have only graduated from high school. College life also provides one with valuable connections and resources adding to the number of options available after completing graduation. Long after college is over, the people you have met may prove useful.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />The variety of courses and programs available can be as specific or generalized as you require. From the arts and the humanities to pure science, business management to information technology, health care to graphic arts - the list is endless. Depending on one's interests and aptitudes, a number of exciting career options are possible.<br /><br />A college education is the best possible way to insure a higher earning power after graduation. There are a number of different majors to choose from, all paying differently but on the whole, a college graduate will earn more money than those who do not have a college education or degree. Companies are also looking for well-rounded employees. Those that can hold a conversation with confidence and a college degree signifies the level of discipline, effort and intelligence that most employers look for.<br /><br />In fact, in keeping up with the increase in demand by mature students, colleges are offering more options for students who wish to return to their education even after they have entered the work force. People now realize that it is never too late to increase your earning potential or improve your chances of being promoted by seeking a higher education. Whether its people taking a break from their jobs or switching careers and resuming their education or those adults who are returning to complete an education that was left unfinished the first time around, schools now offer special online and accelerated courses as well. This allows even more options for those students who are juggling careers, family, and their education.<br /><br />There is no doubt that colleges and universities today carry a heavy price tag along with them, but this should not discourage anyone from obtaining a college education. As the cost of tuition increases, so do the financial aid options. These could include local, corporate, federal and college specific loans, funds, and grants. Potential students need to explore all avenues of assistance before planning for degree program.<br /><br />The truth of the matter is that there are no disadvantages to graduating with a college degree program. Along with increasing one's earning potential and promotion potential, the most important improvement occurs with one's self-image. A college education gives one a sense of accomplishment and confidence that may be just what is needed in your professional and personal life.<br /><br />CollegeAmerica was established in 1964. It has six campuses with comfortable facilities in Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona. It has trained generations of graduates for new careers in high demand jobs through its high-value degree programs.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-2715400789921392062012-09-25T08:11:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:11:17.026-08:00Top Trends in Education<div style="text-align: justify;">
There have been a lot of changes in the education world over the past few years. The government has been cracking down on for-profit schools and their enrollment practices. Large Universities have started to launch more online degree programs and competition is fiercer than ever before. There have also been budget cuts in state schools leading to layoffs in multiple departments. Most schools are doing more with less. In many schools enrollments have increased so it is weird to see the budget cuts taking place. For schools that have not developed online courses they are hurting the most. The education industry is counter-cyclical; meaning when the economy is doing well and people have jobs enrollments in schools actually decrease. On the other hand, when the economy is in a slump or recession more students go back to school. They feel they have to get a degree to be more competitive when searching for a job or impress their boss to keep their job.<br /><br />Even though online education has increased over the years, there were a couple of schools doing business unethically, according to the United States Government. The government felt Kaplan University and University of Phoenix were enrolling students that were not necessarily qualified for their online degree programs. They would admit the students and help them with all of their financial aid paperwork. Unfortunately, the students were not passing the courses which led to them defaulting on their student loans. So the students were incurring debt, late fees, and not receiving their degrees. This was a big issue according to the government and their investigations. They went in and cleaned house so to say. Both schools had to lay off employees due to the government's findings.<br /><br />Online degree programs have had their share of criticism over the years, but that hasn't slowed them down. Now that state Universities are launching online programs the public view an online degree as equivalent to a campus program the majority of the time. Because schools like Boston University, Penn State, and University of Cincinnati offer online classes and degree programs employers are starting to accept more and more degrees completed online.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />In summary, even though enrollments in online degree programs are up some schools are feeling the heat. They have since altered their enrollment practices to stay compliant with the United States Government. State schools are offering more and more online programs to stay competitive in the market and increase their revenue. And finally, remember the education industry is counter-cyclical so if enrollments are down it could be because the unemployment rate is also down.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-15609948521326778642012-09-20T08:04:00.000-07:002012-11-08T08:04:10.179-08:00How Has Technology Improved Education?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Teaching and learning have taken on a whole new dimension due to the major impact of technology in schools. Teachers now have a medium to communicate effectively with one another and share ideas to better their teaching skills. They now have a pool of endless resources they can utilize to offer students the assistance they need to develop their ability and advance. The computer has improved education in many ways. There is now the reduced use of paper, which plays a role in environmental conservation. This positively supports what teachers are trying to instill in their pupils; it is important to preserve the natural environment and take care of our surroundings. There is no better way to do it than putting a stop to cutting down trees.<br /><br />Other notable areas of improvements as a result of technology are;<br /><br />- Information on different subject matter is readily accessible. This is not only beneficial to teachers, but students as well. There is no limit to the knowledge one can attain from the internet. What's more, the material available is diverse since it's presented by people from different parts of the world. This opens up a student's viewpoint and allows for fresh, new ideas to arise.<br /><br />- There is a lot of software that schools can use to create far more interesting presentations and programs. Students can use the software on projects thus they have a way to express their tasks effectively and in detail.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />- Technology has helped do away with distance and time restrictions. Online education has opened numerous possibilities for students and teachers alike. You can now school or teach from anywhere in the world. Many online schools are accredited and registered with the necessary government bodies. This means that every individual interested in acquiring a higher education has the opportunity to do so now. Many people who have jobs also have the chance to pursue further studies without giving up their careers.<br /><br />- The introduction of schools online has made education more enjoyable and achievable. Because this allows a visual and audio mode of communicating, everyone can share ideas, knowledge, as well as information and make others the better for it.<br /><br />Through technology, education has been transformed. Learning and teaching has become more interactive. It has also done away with barriers as knowledge can now be shared across borders. Different cultures can now openly appreciate one another as they learn the various ways of life. Technology has undoubtedly improved the scope of education and through this there will be more technological advancements. Thus, technology and education are correlated; they work together to develop each other.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-73083679864117933762012-09-05T07:07:00.000-07:002012-11-08T07:07:36.766-08:00Educational Furniture and Some Tips for Buying It<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are a number of things to think about when it comes to buying educational, school and classroom furniture. School furniture needs to be sturdy and well built so that it will last for quite some time, but it also needs to be affordable considering the state of the current economy. So when it comes to buying educational furniture, what do you need to consider? The following are a few tips for anyone thinking about buying furniture for educational purposes:<br /><br />You probably have a strict budget that you have to stick to and if this is the case, then you need to shop around. There are many companies offering educational furniture these days and you will probably find that the internet is the best place to look if you want competitive prices.<br /><br />The type of furniture that you buy should conform to health and safety standards. Remember that students spend a lot of time at their desk so it is important that the chairs and desks that you buy encourage good posture and musculoskeletal health.<br /><br />You also have to think about your teaching staff when choosing educational furniture because it is important that they can arrange the furniture in such a way that it will not affect with learning. For that reason, it is important that the furniture you buy is not too heavy, so that it can be moved about with ease depending on the teacher.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />You will have to think of the size of the classroom so that you can be sure you are buying the right desks. You do not want the classroom to appear cramped but you need to be able to accommodate the maximum number of students that you might have in a classroom.<br /><br />All educational furniture must meet certain standards of safety so bear this in mind when you buy. It is important that the desks are sturdy and that they are flame resistant. Make sure that all parts such as screws etc, are fixed tight and that they are then checked regularly so as not to cause injury to a student.<br /><br />Because educational furniture is not something that you will want to replace on a regular basis, you need to make sure that you buy furniture that is durable. Students can put a lot of wear and tear on school furniture so it is vital that whatever you buy can withstand this sort of treatment.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-19771134392404608322012-08-29T07:06:00.000-07:002012-11-08T07:06:39.635-08:00Early Childhood Education Planning Tips<div style="text-align: justify;">
While no child is alike and each family is unique, a common tread run deep in the heart of every home - the desire of parent is to give their children the BEST education possible and see them grow into their full potential. However, life is full of unplanned surprise and the path to achieving this desire may be a convoluted one. That's where a sound investment strategy comes in. With flexible planning and a suite of investment options that are available, you may help put your child on the journey to a valuable college degree. Here are a few TIPS that may help kick-start you planning:<br /><br />1. CREATE A FINANCIAL PLAN WITH AN END IN MIND.<br /><br />First, make an estimate of the costs that will go into your child's education. Your cost should take into account inflation over the investment or saving period. With the estimate as a guide, start piecing together your investment plan. There are many education planning option, each with its own risks and benefits, which you may use alone or simultaneously to achieve your goals:<br /><br />a. AN EDUCATION SAVING PLAN is a good place to start as it aims to offer payout when your child enters college. Some education savings plan may also provide protection benefits to the child and or parent.<br /><br />b. PROPERTY may provide rental yields and capital appreciation to fund your child's tertiary education. Rental yields may be used to top up your child's education fund savings or pay for your child's tuition. Should the value of your properties appreciate, it may be sold to obtain capital gains. Investing in property has its risks too as the property market may fluctuate in the future and you may not be able to get the selling price you hope for.<br /><br />c. UNIT TRUSTS and STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS can be added to your investment plan, if they fit your risk profile, time frame and target goal for your child's education.<br /><br />d. AN INVESTMENT LINKED PLAN can be tailor-made to grow your wealth with the flexibility to choose the type of funds suitable to your risk profile and goals. Your child may be nominated to receive protection benefits, should the unforeseen happen to you. Usually, you would have the option to make regular contribution or a single contribution in line with your financial standing.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />2. SET UP AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM TO INVEST REGULARLY<br /><br />Set in motion action plan that makes savings or investing automatic. Many savings, investment linked plan and unit trust funds often regular monthly, quarterly, half-annually or annual contributions option. By investing regularly, you will also benefit from Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) which average out the high and lows of an investment and possibly lower the total average cost per share of the investment.<br /><br />3. REVIEW THE PLAN<br /><br />Regular reviews of the plan will help you stay on track with your target goals. Review it at least annually and with every major life change such as new child, career advancement or move to a bigger house. Find ways to top up if it is not up to speed in reaching your investment goal.<br /><br />4. TOP UP ANNUALLY or WHEN YOU CAN<br /><br />You could consider increasing the amount of contribution annually or top up your regular contributions when your income increase such as when you receive a bonus or get a pay rise, in order to meet your target earlier or achieve an even large fund.<br /><br />5. NO DIPPING INTO THE FUNDS<br /><br />Choose a plan that locks in your funds for your children's education till they are ready to leave for college. If it is easy to cash out the education fund, chances are you may be tempted to use the money for other emergencies or needs that may crop up in life.<br /><br />6. ENCOURAGE CONTRIBUTION FROM FAMILY MEMBERS<br /><br />Encourage grandparents or relatives who shower your children with gifts to consider opting for a cash contribution towards their education fund instead.<br /><br />7. MAKE IT A TEAM EFFORT<br /><br />Get your children involved in saving for their education. When you are reviewing your investments for their education fund, talk to them about it and make them aware if the challenges and commitment you face in saving for their education. If possible, let them contribute a small portion of their allowance to their education fund too. And before they leave for university help them develop good money management habits to help them live within their means.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-37405111639871235252012-08-22T07:04:00.000-07:002012-11-08T07:04:44.274-08:00Tips to Help You Choose the Right Education Portal<div style="text-align: justify;">
Joining an education portal is the newest way of studying in modern Indian cities and even in many small towns and rural regions. These are online educational resources that offer the promise of easy accessibility with the help of the Internet, and large databases of educational materials for students of different standards. But like in the case of all other service providers, there are both good and bad education portals out there. You need to choose an education portal with caution, as it can make all the difference to your academic performance.<br /><br />But how do you decide which education website is useful and which not? Don't worry, as we will list a few tips below to help you find the right portal. Here they are:<br /><br />Check the question bank: This is a very important criterion for deciding the worth of an education portal. A good website will have a large database of questions and sample papers. It ought to have an extensive question bank for different educational boards in the country, including the CBSE, the ICSE and the State Boards. It should also include questions and sample papers for different medical and engineering tests, like the AIEEE and CBSE- PMT, for instance. The advantage of having a large question bank is that it allows you to practice using the different concepts you have been taught in school. It helps you become thoroughly conversant with all the aspects of a particular academic topic. Moreover, it helps you become aware of your exam taking abilities, which can differ quantitatively from your learning abilities.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Check the type of learning resources: A good website should also use the medium of the Internet to its full potential. Apart from ordinary reading materials and notes, which you can anyway find offline too, it should offer innovative learning resources like video lessons, 2D and 3D animations of important concepts and footage of real life demonstrations. It should also offer the facility of taking real time online tests. All these are indications that some thought has been put into making the website.<br /><br />Check the faculty: Just as you would check the faculty and their credentials of actual coaching centres, you need to check the people who are involved with an educational website. Go through their profiles on the website and see their experience in the field of teaching and their qualifications. This is very important as these are the people who prepare the sample papers, notes and other study materials made available to you online. Only experienced educators will be able to provide you the most comprehensive yet lucid study materials.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-48049900742134243682012-08-10T06:59:00.000-07:002012-11-08T07:00:06.934-08:00Educational Toy<div style="text-align: justify;">
Toys that have some educational value are very popular right now. An educational toy can teach kids many necessary skills. Kids can learn anything from cooperation to cause and effect to memory building by using educational toys. Though educational toys are a popular trend, they are not a new invention. The idea of learning through play has been around for centuries and is one that remains popular today.<br /><br />For many years, toys have been used both for fun and for education. Very early toys had the purpose of both entertaining kids and preparing them for adulthood. Things like blocks would teach kids to cooperate and develop fine motor skills. Whereas games like tag and swimming built up strength so that kids could better do their chores and other strength activities.<br /><br />Since ancient times, kids have played with simple playthings made from natural objects. They might play with rocks, grass, wood scraps or just games with each other to keep themselves busy. Sticks or rocks could represent soldiers or castles. Or a trinket could be fashioned from them. Historically, parents would create playthings for their kids like dolls, play guns, or rocking horses.<br /><br />In the late 19th century, companies began making toys from new materials in mass. Many were made from plastic and metal as well as the traditional wood. Rather than playing with home made toys, kids started buying them from a store.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Many classic toys have survived to modern times. Favorites like rocking horses, play guns, and dolls are still widely popular today. But as culture has changed, so have trends in playthings. Rocking horses and play guns are no longer as necessary in preparing kids for adulthood. Our daily lives are more centered around technology and analytical skills rather than hunting or physical ability. Popular modern developmental toys reflect that.<br /><br />The concept of teaching through play is still relevant today. Modern educational toys teach lessons that relate to modern society and the lessons that kids need to know today. Any toy can teach kids about the world they live in. But educational toys teach more specific skills that are important to their development.<br /><br />Toys that are educational can teach kids about every area of life. They teach through play and develop intellectual, emotional, and physical skills. When kids play with learning toys, they improve a specific skill set.<br /><br />Educational toys teach many different skills. They teach kids to be creative and build analytical abilities. The improve hand-eye coordination and teach scientific concepts. Teaching toys may encourage cooperation. They even teach problem solving, math and reading.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5772434401681081821.post-4402271881348747662012-08-02T06:58:00.000-07:002012-11-08T06:59:07.026-08:00Tips on Using Educational Aquariums In The Classroom<div style="text-align: justify;">
How an Aquarium Will Make Kids Smarter<br /><br />First a teaching aquarium in the classroom energizes learning, it prods learners to get involved because the tank is not an inanimate object it is a living, breathing organism, full of fellow creatures who just by their very existence teach learners about life in an ecosystem covered by water. It is easy to engage a human being in caring about the welfare of their fellow creatures, their life cycles, what they eat, how they protect themselves and even how they pass away. All of this will engage learners in a real way that a computer or online game can only dream of. Once you have observed the "life under the sea", you are invested in its well-being and it's ultimate successful survival.<br /><br />Math and The Aquarium<br /><br />The educational aquarium is also good for teaching math skills. From the little<br /><br />learners who are just learning how to count. to the older learners who are learning about algebra, geometry or physics, all can be accommodated and engaged by using an educational aquarium. Lessons to learn simple math can be devised to count the "creatures" in the tank, or to group them together into similar groups, or to add and subtract them from the tank, or to learn the percentages of the population of your tank, from what percentage of the total population consists of sea stars. The applications are as limitless as the imaginations of our brightest educators. As for older learners, you can determine how much water is best for the tank, the percentage of salt in the water, the life span of certain sea creatures, how they function outside and inside. How to measure angles and recognize geometric shapes in nature. All of this can be developed by using an educational aquarium in the classroom to enhance and teach math skills.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />Social Studies and The Educational Aquarium<br /><br />There are an unlimited number of ways that the aquarium used in an educational setting can help inspire learning social studies. You can have learners research public policies and laws which have impacted not only the health of the oceans but the health and well-being of the many fish and creatures that are harvested from our oceans every year. Students can easily understand the positive and negative aspects of a public policy as it applies to the under water world that is a part of their educational experience every day of their learning. They can look back at historical figures and connect many of them to the oceans and the activities on or around them. From fishing to trade. You can also relate the treatment of the oceans animals by the governments around the world today. Policies are made that will have a direct impact on the ocean world that learners will become an interactive part of. There are so many different types of lessons that having a tank available for the education of kids, it would be a resource without end.<br /><br />Having an educational aquarium in the classroom would be a benefit to all curriculum's and all ages of learners. There is no way that we can limit the use of such a valuable educational tool to just one of the classes that learners encounter in school when it teaches so much about everything. Once you start to investigate the true value of having an aquarium in the classroom, and see all of the applications that it has, you will be looking to add one to your school system as quickly as you can, because the increased enthusiasm for learning and desire to find out more about math, science, history or foreign languages will be mind-blowing.<br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16180826737795224032noreply@blogger.com