tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16917759820334561222024-03-12T19:22:58.723-07:00New Educationmekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-11203756863253597302012-07-08T15:53:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:53:50.829-07:00Badminton For Physical Education - What Products Can Take The Punishment!<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
Badminton has been an old standby for PE classes through the
decades. A fantastic sport that can be played by youngsters and adults
alike, badminton requires little equipment and offers an exciting
workout that will improve eye hand coordination and agility.<br />
Physical
education equipment takes a beating and lightweight badminton rackets,
birdies and nets are not known for their ability to withstand
punishment.<br />
While new racket materials such as titanium composites
have become more prevalent there are a few standard models that are
known to take a lickin and keep on racketing. You get the point!<br />
This
article will point out a few badminton racket models that physical
education teachers across the country have depended on. We will also
discuss badminton shuttlecocks and badminton nets that will help you run
your physical education program.<br />
Badminton Rackets:<br />
While
competitive badders through out the world may be in the market for high
tech composite badminton rackets for physical education classes you
should have one material on your mind steel, steel, steel.<br />
There is no substitute for good old steel. Steel shaft, steel frame and even steel strings. Here are some popular models.<br />
The
Morley# M14539 badminton racket offers about as much steel as you can
get into a racket without ending up with giant spatula.<br />
The
Morley#M14540 doesn't feature the steel strings but it does not lack in
durability. Double steel shafts keep this badminton racket coming back
for more, again and again.<br />
The Morley# M14543 badminton racket is 2
inches shorter than a standard badminton racket. Measuring in at 24
inches in length it is designed for younger elementary school badminton
players. It also features a durable steel shaft and a steel frame.<br />
Other models that are popular at the institutional level are as follows.<br />
Carlton Attack Ti, Carlton C9750, Carlton 313, ADA 76 Smack Excel, Yonex B460 and HL 110.<br />
Some
of these models feature aluminum shafts and frames but all of these
models have proven themselves in the gymnasium and are a great value.
These higher end models are still available at economy prices which
makes them a great purchase for high school level physical education
classes were durability may be a little less of a concern and a better
playing racket is more important so students can excel.<br />
<a href="http://www.morleyathletic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Badminton Shuttlecocks & Birdies</a><br />
Here
it gets a little tricky. While steel rackets are usually some of the
least expensive and best for PE classes when it comes to shuttlecocks
cheapest is not always best. The least expensive shuttlecocks are
plastic with rubber tip and should be considered only for backyard use.<br />
They
do not offer the best flight characteristics so they will actually make
the game harder as the birdie appears to have a mind of its own in
flight. They are a bargain though so you may want to have some on hand
just in case.<br />
The best models have a cork tip for better pop off of the racket and nylon skirts that perform well.<br />
As for speed my advice is medium or blue speed as this is practical for all age groups.<br />
In the color arena yellow has become increasingly popular for youngsters as they are easier to track in flight.<br />
My pick for shuttlecocks for PE would be one of these or a mix.<br />
Carlton T800 Yellow Blue Speed<br />
Carlton C100 White Blue Speed<br />
Yonex Mavis M300M White or Yellow<br />
All
of the above are of high quality for great playability. They will pop
of the strings, fly in the direction you intended assuming you know how
to use the racket and they are durable enough to survive physical
education classes.<br />
<a href="http://www.morleyathletic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Badminton Nets</a><br />
A
lot of school accounts purchase our PE quality badminton net or economy
nets which is fine but if your net will be used indoors may I suggest
the M14563 institutional net. The difference, other than a few dollars,
is that the institutional model features taped sides and bottom while
the less expensive models are just net.<br />
The taped sides and bottom
make the net keep its shape better for a more professional look and
better playability the tape also helps the net standout more and most
importantly the taped sides and bottom make the net last longer and
easier to roll for storage. Believe me the extra few bucks is well
worth it.<br />
If you are using the net outside however go with the
cheapest model this will stand up to the elements best and provide more
bang for your buck.<br />
This little bit of advice should help you stretch your physical education equipment budget.<br />
Badminton
is a fantastic sport and teaching it to our children in physical
education classes will help build healthy adults. The sport will
improve coordination, balance and agility as well as building a healthy
respect for competition.<br />
</div>
<div id="article-resource" style="text-align: justify;">
Ken Morley III - has 11 years full time experience in the Team
Sporting Goods business. As fourth generation at Morley Athletic Supply
Company Inc. he has inside information regarding products for team
sports and physical education.<br />
He authors articles that offer
product reviews for team sports supplies and equipment and articles that
offer advice on how to run your programs more effectively by using the
right products.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-10028692543274223272012-07-02T15:52:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:53:01.836-07:00The Future of Public Education According to The Pragmatic Thinker<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
For years there has been a public outcry to "fix" the PUBLIC
educational system of the United States. First of all, this will be
impossible, because "fix" cannot be defined.<br />
Some say that "fix"
means to have better and more modern buildings. Some say to "fix" mean
to pay teachers more. Some say to "fix" means to have our students pass
progress tests. Some say to "fix" means to be able to have our students
more effectively compete in the world arena of science and business.
Some say to "fix' means give our students a better education in the
basics of reading, writing, and math. Some say to "fix" means to give
our students a more progressive, liberal education so they can live
fuller and more complete lives. Some say we need to "fix" the
educational system so students can choose what "they" want to do in life
sooner and enter college with direction and focus. And the reasons for
"fixing" the "broken" PUBLIC educational system go on and on.<br />
I
think the PUBLIC educational system is broken and cannot be fixed. The
system is so bogged down in political bureaucracy, red tape, special
interests, union politics, under funding, misuse of funds, misdirection,
non-focus, status quo thinking, social rhetoric, unfunded programs,
broken political promises, and under staffed, under qualified, and under
paid administrators and teachers that the PUBLIC educational system can
never be fixed. It is an impossible task.<br />
It is no wonder that
PRIVATE schools, alternative learning programs, home schooling, and
online curriculums are becoming more and more popular with the
"affluent" of our population. If you can afford a good education for
your student, parents are pulling their students out of PUBLIC schools
and enrolling them more and more in private programs of education.<br />
It
is my opinion and the opinion of many concerned citizens that from
elementary school to college, our educational system, at its best, often
drives the natural love of learning out of our kids and replaces it
with such "skills" as following rules, keeping still and quiet, doing
what is expected, cheating or procrastinating. And that's why, in most
schools, being on time and sitting quietly are more important than
critical thinking and innovative production. To prosper in this economy,
students need to develop and master different skills - lifeskills such
as resourcefulness, curiosity, innovation, as well as logical and verbal
proficiency.<br />
Most progressive educational professionals would
agree with Bill Gates who told our nation's governors last year that the
traditional urban high school is obsolete.<br />
The reality of
education is that the system for the most part is outdated, too
expensive, and ineffective. Many educationally progressive countries
offer PUBLIC funding for education from Kindergarten through University,
where as in the United States most states don't offer Kindergarten
classes, and all Public Education stops at the end of High School.<br />
The
primary reason we send our children to school is to enable them to
choose the career of their choice, earn a good living and enjoy all that
life has to offer. We all want to give our children the opportunity to
prosper and provide well for their families.<br />
Here is what has to
be done if we are to give our citizens a better education which in turn
gives our country more productivity in the world economy.<br />
1. We need to PRIVATIZE all education in our country.<br />
2. Education will be "funded" but not controlled by our government.<br />
3. Each family will be given a certain amount of money (voucher) for each student of each age.<br />
4. Parents can use this voucher to educate their students as they choose at any school or institution of their choice.<br />
5.
The government has NO say in the choices parents and students make. Our
tax dollars only go to "fund" PUBLIC education in the PRIVATE sector.<br />
6.
When schools and institutions are made to "compete" for tuitions based
on the performance of the teachers and educators, the quality of
education will increase. If schools don't offer parents and students a
quality education, parents and students will go some place else, and the
school is out of business.<br />
7. We need to also include a
government funded college education or trade school education for all
who want it. Most parents can't afford to send their students to
college. Only about one in 17 (5.8%) young people from the nation's
poorest families, those earning less than $35,377 a year, can expect to
earn a bachelor's degree by age 24. For those from the nation's
wealthiest families, those who earn about $85,000 or higher, it's better
than one in two (50%.) This University funding would also be on a
voucher basis also. There would still be private colleges who might not
need the money (vouchers), but for the most part most colleges would
welcome the money as a way to increase enrollment and increase the
quality of the education they offer.<br />
8. The obvious results of
PRIVATIZING education is that not only schools would have to compete to
get the student, by offering a quality educational program, but teachers
could now offer their services in a FREE market. The fact is, the good
teachers would be paid more. Schools would have to offer the good
teachers more to keep them. If a good teacher could make twice as much
at another school, because they are better qualified and had a "parent
following," schools would have to get serious about offering teachers
more money. More people would want to become teachers if they could get
paid more. And just like in every business, in order to get the best,
you have to pay them more.<br />
9. Online schools would become more and
more popular and accepted also. This is especially great for the
"inter-city" areas and "rural" areas, where education has been hard to
fund, and quality teachers hard to find.<br />
10. On the "one student,
one voucher" system, all communities are now able to compete equally for
the best teachers and educators. Because of population (demand) in
large cities and communities, some schools would have to hire more
teachers. In the small cities they would need fewer teachers, but the
"money" is the same per student.<br />
11. By PRIVATIZING education,
funded by the government with our tax dollars (as we currently do) we
would be able to save money. The United States could keep the PUBLIC
education budgets at a manageable level. Schools would have to compete
for the funding and just like the "price wars" of car dealers, furniture
stores, and all businesses, schools would have to continually strive to
give parents and students "MORE education" for their money. This is
Capitalism at its best.<br />
12. The less government "control" of our
PUBLIC education, the better. Government would have NO say or control
whatsoever on the type of education parents chose for their students.
Government would only FUND educational choices based on the government's
education budget. The PRIVATE sector would have to compete just like
any other private business for the money by offering a better, quality
education to its customers (the parents and students.) The PUBLIC
education system for the most part now is a MONOPOLY and doesn't have to
"try harder." Just like the deregulation of the airlines, the telephone
companies, etc., prices would go down (or in this case stay down) based
on the economic rule of supply and demand. PRIVATIZING our PUBLIC
education answers ALL the problems we currently face in our current
PUBLIC education system.<br />
</div>
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<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-77404494928250723812012-06-27T15:51:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:51:56.382-07:00The Best Educational Experiences in Washington, DC<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
Educational travel can give teachers and administrators a boost
in exciting many students about their academic lessons. Travel brings
curriculum to life while teaching lessons that students will need
throughout their lives. As a former middle school principal I found that
educational travel goes hand-in-hand with offering a total educational
program to young adolescents. This is even more important today as
teachers and principals are facing increased pressure to prepare
students to pass mandated academic tests.<br />
During my years teaching
in middle school, I learned that young adolescents can gain a multitude
of invaluable experiences from travel, learning both the information
they will be able to apply in the classroom and skills that will help
them develop personally. Unfortunately, some young people will never be
able to take educational tours without involvement with their school.
So, middle school educators can contribute to a young adolescent's
complete education when they include education travel in their program.<br />
Once
you've decided to include travel in your student's education, there are
important plans and decisions that will affect the overall success of
their travel experience. This article focuses on selecting the best
educational venues in Washington, DC for a class or grade level trip.<br />
The
best time to consider such a trip is during seventh or eighth grade
when the middle school social studies curriculum focuses on U.S.
history. An educational trip to Washington, DC coinciding with this year
can provide substantial benefits to both the individual and the school
as a whole.<br />
All student groups that visit Washington, DC should
tour the White House and the US Capitol. Their educational links to the
classroom are countless. It's important to note that the popularity of
these two sites coupled with the recent increase in national security
now require that an appointment must be prescheduled by a Senator or
State Representative.<br />
Next, I recommend visiting as many of the following as possible:<br />
Ford's Theater and the Peterson House<br />
Arlington National Cemetery<br />
Smithsonian Museums<br />
Washington Monument<br />
Lincoln Monument<br />
Jefferson Memorial<br />
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial<br />
Iwo Jima Memorial<br />
Korean War Memorial<br />
Vietnam Veterans Memorial<br />
World War II Memorial<br />
All
of these sites have strong ties to the social studies curriculum and,
best of all do not charge an admissions fee. Once you have decided to
include them in a travel itinerary, the key is to make sure the students
receive the strongest possible educational connections during the
actual visit.<br />
You can easily increase the educational value of the
visit by using a reputable student tour provider like Travel Adventures
that specializes in educational travel to plan your trip. To begin
with, their experience will help prepare an itinerary that sequences the
stops so that the students are not overwhelmed with information. Their
experience will also present you with strategies for planning effective
group visits. I strongly recommend you ask the travel provider about
adding Washington, DC guides when visiting the monuments and memorials.
Their historical knowledge base will only enhance the educational
experience.<br />
Another outstanding educational venue is Arlington
National Cemetery. In addition to visiting the John Fitzgerald Kennedy
and Challenger Astronaut Memorials, your student tour provider can
schedule a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This
ceremony adds depth to the educational value of the visit and allows
those students selected for the ceremony the rare opportunity of
interacting with an Army Honor Guard member.<br />
A visit to the U.S.
Holocaust Museum can be extremely educational especially if the students
have studied this era in American history and/or read The Diary of Anne
Frank in English class. The museum is self-guided. The emotional impact
of the tour, coupled with their collection of newsprint, historical
video and news reporting provides an outstanding educational experience
for all visitors.<br />
A student trip to Washington, DC should also
include a visit to Mount Vernon - the estate of George Washington. The
new Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, and a tour of the
beautifully restored estate, outer buildings and the grounds have strong
educational value.<br />
Finally, I recommend that student groups
traveling to Washington, D.C. schedule a cultural activity. Exposing
young people to the arts and culture is invaluable to the overall
development of the individual. One of the most popular activities is
attending a theatrical performance at one of the area dinner theaters or
a performance at the Kennedy Center. The theaters schedule age
appropriate productions like "Beauty and the Beast or Fiddler on the
Roof" to help make this opportunity both educational and entertaining.<br />
In
summary, educational travel to Washington, DC can add an important
dimension to the total learning program at your school. I strongly
recommend that you consider adding travel to the curriculum and visiting
as many of the aforementioned venues as possible for the best
educational value.<br />
</div>
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<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-80331170092611427812012-06-20T15:50:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:51:04.141-07:00Take Your Education Career to the Top with a Doctorate in Education<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
If you're ready to take your degree in education to the highest
level by earning your doctorate degree, the options with accredited
online colleges and universities are numerous. Professionals in
education have busy lives and extremely busy schedules. Making this
commitment to educational advancement is no small decision. However, we
are talking education, so the example you set when you earn the highest
degree available to you expresses your strong belief in the importance
of education to your community and the organization you lead.<br />
<b>Earn Your Doctorate in Education or Doctor of Philosophy in Education</b><br />
Whether
you're interested in earning your Doctorate in Education (EdD) or you
prefer to pursue your Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD), you can
find an online program that will meet your needs. Most individuals
seeking these degrees are working professionals in education with
master's degrees and teaching credentials.<br />
<b>Earn Your Degree Online and Never Miss a Beat in Your Professional Life</b><br />
Choosing
to pursue your doctorate in education online offers the convenience of
studying wherever you are, thus making it easier to attend the program
of your choice while continuing to fulfill professional and family
obligations.<br />
If you've never experienced online education
previously, you can be sure that today's online education programs are
designed to help you succeed while maintaining your busy lifestyle.<br />
Earning your <a href="http://www.accredited-online-colleges.com/Online-Doctor-of-Education-Degrees/index.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_new">doctor of education degree </a>
(Ph.D. or Ed.D.) offers you the opportunity to choose the area of
specialization which interests you most. Specialization can often give
you an edge over other candidates for competitive jobs. If your career
goals include top educational administration positions, attaining your
Ph.D. or Ed.D. is usually preferred and will give you the competitive
edge you need, regardless of the level. In higher education, a top level
degree is essential for a top level position.<br />
<b>Why Earn Your Doctorate?</b><br />
The
US Department of Education lists education as the most popular master's
degree and the most popular Ph.D. program in the U.S. Obviously this
implicates heavy competition in the field - just one more reason to take
your credentials and expertise to the next level by earning your
doctorate in education.<br />
The job market for educational
administrators is projected to grow 23% from 2002 to 2012, according to
the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook handbook. The Bureau
of Labor Statistics estimates that the average salary for a
postsecondary education administrator is $75,800 and for all other
education administrators is $66,580.<br />
<b>Online Education Opportunities</b><br />
Top
notch Accredited Online Colleges and Universities offer numerous
programs online to help you reach your ultimate education goals. There
are traditional programs available as well if your schedule allows
classroom attendance. See what today's programs have to offer and find
the right one to fit your needs at accredited online colleges. There's
no time like the present to start moving ahead.<br />
</div>
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<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-50595335092656661472012-06-14T15:49:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:50:14.092-07:00Online Education - A Time-Effective Mode Of Learning<div style="text-align: justify;">
Constructing one's daily schedule in the most 'time-effective' way is
the key to success today, considering the pace at which everybody's
life is running. Leverage the 'Time factor' and you have made it to the
top. This explains the increasing significance of online education. This
is why the number of online schools and colleges has increased
significantly across in the United States (US) and other parts of the
world. This indicates the growing shift towards online education.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here
are some of the most important advantages and benefits that online
education offers, which you may consider in case you are looking out for
various options to pursue higher education at your own pace and without
disturbing your schedule.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Accessibility: Thanks to online
education, the distance from the campus is no longer a barrier that
separates education and the students. Today's generation of students has
the advantage of utilizing their time effectively, since there is
distant online education available to them. To access online learning,
all that the students need to do is to install the contemporary
communication equipment such as computer and Internet and enroll for the
desired courses online.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Student-Centered Learning: The students
dictate the learning experience in online education. Here because the
teacher is not teaching you all the time, you have the liberty to
prioritize your schedule and complete the assignments as per your
convenience. In online mode of education, the students are at freedom to
select their learning methodology. The choices available are audio,
video, or oral components.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fair Playing Field: Online education is
growing in popularity also because it promises a level playing field
for the people participating in it. Learning online does away the bias
and colored decision-making based on ethnicity, physical appearance,
race or gender of the student. Here, the sole criterion of evaluation is
the performance of the student.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Convenience and Flexibility:
Online mode of education offers the participants the flexibility of
gaining access to the lessons online. This is very convenient and does
not hamper the education process if the student is not staying at a
convenient location. Moreover, online education and learning has
overcome the barrier of time. This allows the students to attend
lectures for various subjects as per their schedules. Therefore in
online education the students have an opportunity to set the priority of
their schedule and execute the tasks at hand accordingly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most
students prefer online education because it eliminates the necessity of
them going away from their parents to pursue their goal. With online
education all you need to succeed in your courses is installation of
contemporary communications equipment and motivation to succeed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Interaction:
Online mode of education offers an opportunity of purposeful
interaction to the students at a higher level with their instructors as
well as with their fellow students. The courses in online mode of
education are designed in a way that each student gets an opportunity to
offer their contribution to the discussions related to a subject and
offer peer reviews.</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-55425647685316356662012-06-06T15:48:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:49:05.479-07:00Music Education and You<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
You don't have to have a musical education to appreciate music,
but it does often change the way in which you listen to it, hopefully
enhancing your enjoyment.<br />
Most of us have experienced some degree
of music education in our lives, and, perhaps surprisingly, it was not
all at school, or with a music teacher. Some of it could have been at
home (what radio stations did your parents listen to?); some at the
cinema or at concerts; some, and often quite a lot, listening to music
your friends play or like; some because you play an instrument and are
hooked on music in a big way so keep on wanting to learn.<br />
Many
people are not aware of their own music education and if you asked them
they would very possibly deny having any at all. Well they have, but
they are just not aware of it.<br />
If you come from a background whose
family is into Rock Music you are likely to know more about that type
of music than someone brought up in a family of classical musicians, or
whose normal radio channels or hi-fi music is mainly classical, and of
course vice versa. Whether you actually like the music is another
matter, but having it surrounding you every day will allow you to at
least have an opinion of your own. That is just as valuable education in
its way as formal lessons in a formative way.<br />
Once you decide
whether you like it or not, you may be one of those many people who wish
to take it a bit further and actually play an instrument. Will it be
the lead electric guitar or the classical one? Will it be the drums or
the timpani? The electric organ or the piano, the bass guitar or the
double bass, clarinet or saxophone (all four) or perhaps the flute or
trumpet? Nowadays they can all be used for an enormous number of what
are now termed "genres" of music, so you could just as easily play jazz
and classical trombone as Baroque harpsichord and synthesizer.<br />
This
may well, but certainly not always, depend upon the music you have been
"exposed" to during your life. It really does not matter how old you
are, which of course is the great thing about Music. You're never too
old to learn and enjoy. Music education nowadays varies enormously
amongst schools, families and friends. Many parents' favourites are
still popular with the younger generation. Classical favourites tend to
last an extra Century or two, though varying in popularity.<br />
Formal
music education comes in many guises. Schools throughout the world
teach music to greater or lesser degrees. Most countries, of course,
tend to their own country's music, but many now have more open minds,
resulting in superb philharmonic and symphonic orchestras, along with
the chamber music groups from such diverse places as China, Japan,
Chile, USA, Russia, South Africa, Poland and many other countries, most
of which have equally good modern popular bands too.<br />
As well as
having a basic music education at school, which can be very variable,
both due to the school and the country, many children, and adults, take
advantage of a private music teacher, usually to teach them the
instrument of their choice. If you are lucky your formative music
education will lead to a much better understanding of the music you
listen to, and should certainly expand your musical horizons.<br />
Local
music appreciation classes abound and there are plenty of music
teachers around. It would be nice to think that this article may
encourage someone to listen more carefully to their own choice of music
and try to pick out the violin/bass or whatever. It makes it much more
interesting.<br />
</div>
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<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-76192216185624267122012-06-02T15:47:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:48:18.286-07:00Why Online Degrees Are Becoming Popular<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
Most people have the same path when it comes to getting an
education; graduate high school, then go to college. This path is
actually becoming less traveled since online education is becoming more
popular in society. There are many reasons as to why people now prefer
to get their degrees online rather than by attending a traditional
college.<br />
The main reason that people prefer getting their degree
online is because they can earn it on their own time and at their own
pace. This is important since the economy has been suffering. Some
people or families find they can't take years to attend a traditional
college in order to get their degree; instead, most people go straight
into the work force in order to support themselves and/or their
families. With the development of online education, these people who go
straight into the work force can still work towards earning their degree
while still being able to hold down a full time job.<br />
Another
reason it's becoming more popular is because it costs less than most
traditional colleges. When you pay tuition for a traditional college,
you are normally paying for more than just the class you are taking.
Tuition normally includes costs for upkeep to libraries and gyms, as
well as pay for gym memberships, whether you use them or not. You will
also pay fees that may not be included in the tuition, but that still
add up really fast. Room and board, textbooks, and any equipment can be
considered an added fee to your tuition. Online classes don't make you
pay for the library or gym, plus, since you can work from just about
anywhere, you save time and money on commuting to campus.<br />
The
types of degrees that you can get online have increased since when
online education first began. People can now earn anything from an
associate's degree to a PHD online. This gives people the convenience of
continuing their education no matter what their level is. People who
online have a high school degree or GED can apply to get their
associates or bachelor's degree. Those who have at least a bachelor's
degree can look at getting their masters or PHD.<br />
Part of what is
making it become so popular is that besides the different degree levels
that are being offered, the majors and areas of study are growing. While
some people may want to get a business degree online, others can get a
degree in nursing or criminal justice. Since there are more subjects
that people can get degrees in, there are more people whose needs are
being met by these online colleges.<br />
Another important and
essential reason as to why online colleges are becoming more popular is
because more programs are becoming accredited. When a college, any type
of college, is accredited, it means that it has reached a high enough
standard of education for that degree to become valid. Sadly, there are
some online colleges that really are just degree mills, which means the
degree you earn from that particular college, will not be recognized by
other colleges and some employers. You can always check to see if the
online college you want to attend is accredited by checking with the
school its self, and even the state that it is in.<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-11151814837965006842012-05-30T15:47:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:47:29.173-07:00Distance Learning Programs: Causes of Popularity and Great Universities<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
Over the years teaching system has undergone great changes
especially in the mode of teaching. Now, to get a good degree and
quality education students don't require attending classes. They can
acquire their degrees and education from anywhere in the world. It is
now easy for a foreign student earning a North American degree without
visiting the country. How it possible? Distance learning programs do the
tricks.<br />
Technology, like all other fields, brings a revolution in
education. Internet brings out education from the "case of bricks",
means joining traditional classes is not required for getting quality
knowledge. Now quality degrees can be eared from home or coffee shop. In
fact, distance education has emerged as a great way to advance one's
qualifications.<br />
<b>Why Do Distance Learning Programs Become Popular?</b><br />
Study
shows, over the previous years students of distance learning programs
has increased at a rate of almost 20%. It clearly shows that distance
learning is on the upswing. What is making it more and more popular?
Undoubtedly, its advantages and benefits are. Here are they,<br />
<ul>
<li>Going out for education requires a lot of expenses. Most of the
students can not backup the money for their education. But with distance
learning one can easily get degrees while stay at home which save him
or her lots of money.</li>
<li>Flexibility in study, with an internet connection it is easy learning from anywhere.</li>
<li>Learning becomes easy for those who has to maintain busy work routine and can not make time to attend traditional classes.</li>
<li>No waste of time and money for transport and communication.</li>
<li>Self-paced learning, study at a personal speed and intensity.</li>
<li>Great opportunity for those with physical disability and unable to cope with the classroom based traditional learning.</li>
<li>Online resources come into use for study which enhance the world of students and enrich their knowledge.</li>
<li>Helps to be comfortable and stress free with learning.</li>
</ul>
<b>What Are The Top Universities For Distance Learning Programs?</b>
<br />There are number of universities offering distance learning
programs. Logically, quality of education of all of them is not same. A
lot of fake universities and institutions are there so while choosing
one you have to filter them. Checking the authority of the university is
the first step of choosing one. Choose one that uses all of modern
facilities to make learning easier for their students. Nonetheless, here
are some of the great online distance learning universities,<br />
<ul>
<li>University of Phoenix, one of the best online universities, offers
degree programs at bachelor, master, and doctoral level, with a balanced
combination of academic theory and practical application. It is fully
accredited and ensures quality for its online education.</li>
<li>Argosy University, a private university, is well known for providing
flexible but quality online degrees in business, education and
psychology. Its online lectures are designed with great concern to the
students' practical knowledge. Students can get their online classes
either during day or night. Above all, experienced instructors provide
students individualized attention through online class session.</li>
<li>Capella University offers online degrees in information technology,
business, psychology, public health and human services. Its online
environment is organized into course-rooms that are built on the
Blackboard Learning System software. It faculty is consists of
professionals possessing years of teaching experience.</li>
</ul>
There are great institutions. While choosing one, take
great care. Degree from a great online university can enlighten your
career while a fake university degree can make your life a hell.<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-9543459856739532182012-05-24T15:46:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:46:36.969-07:00The Rise of a Symbolic Culture and Online Education in the Information Age<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
In "Leisure Theory in the Information Age" by Wes Cooper and
"Reflections on Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies" by Daniel L.
Dustin and Thomas L. Goodale, the authors raise two very important
issues about the growth and impact of an increasingly symbolically
constructed culture. This new culture has developed due to information
technology and these changes in our culture have created a more narrowly
specialized type of education for professional careers which is
increasingly taught electronically. In turn, these changes in education
have undermined the traditional community of scholars concerned with
values and contributing to the public good.<br />
As Cooper describes
it, our work and leisure has increasingly taken the form of "symbolic
manipulation" rather than manipulating the physical environment, so that
more and more "we and our environments are increasingly becoming
symbolic constructs." This increasingly symbolization of our society has
affected both work and leisure, so that whether one is at work or
involved in recreational activities, one is more and more not
interacting with the physical world as with a symbolically-created
virtual world.<br />
For example, instead of going bowling at a bowling
facility with a group of friends, one may participate in an online
bowling game with a network of other online bowlers one communicates
with electronically. Instead of meeting friends to talk about an event
in person or even on the phone, one may experience an event through TV
or an online presentation and then text back and forth with others about
it. Instead of going to a movie theater with friends and family
members, one may download a movie from Netflix or see a video or series
of short video Webisodes on Hulu or YouTube, and then share emails about
it with other viewers. The rise of video gaming through social gaming
sides like FarmVille and Mafia Wars, where one gets virtual supplies and
equipment to help one get ahead in the game, are another example of
this growing manipulation of symbolic constructs in everyday life.<br />
Cooper's
essay is devoted to considering what to do about this transformation
into a more symbolic society. His Alpha model suggests that in the
future, these symbolic worlds will become more and more important, and
we have to be better able to adjust to this increasing ratio of the
symbolic to the non-symbolic in our world, based on whether we see this
shift as something to be valued or a warning about a future which is
more and more a symbolic construct. Or as Cooper puts it:
"Alpha...gestures towards future possibilities, such as the increasing
importance of virtual spaces in our lives." (p. 469). In this Alpha
view, this growth of sociable virtual spaces will become more and more a
natural part of our lives, which we take for granted, much like we have
taken for granted the development of a subjective consciousness as an
essential part of our personal identity. As such, this growing influence
of virtual spaces will contribute to creating new forms of educational
institutions, work, and leisure, such as reflected in the growing number
of online courses and graduate programs, telecommuting at work, and
online leisure activities.<br />
As an alternative to this growing
virtual takeover, Cooper suggests that there might be a Beta
Trial-and-Error Hypothesis, which represents a middle-ground approach
between giving in to an inevitable takeover of this social virtual world
replacing a grounded reality and a Luddite-like effort to a return to
"a golden age of freedom from high technology." Instead, in this trial
and error approach, an individual can choose to seek out the best of
both worlds by combining an involvement in a symbolically constructed
environment with participation in real life activities. Likewise,
organizations and institutions can choose which approaches work the best
for them, such as by deciding to combine virtual courses and real ones.<br />
Finally,
Cooper proposes the Gamma Symbolic Utility Hypothesis in which he
suggests that the symbolic meanings one has for something have a
symbolic utility (or SU) which should be taken into account along with
the expected utility (EU) of something, and both can influence the
decision someone makes by contributing to the decision value (or DV),
which is composed of both types of utility. In other words, we don't
just make decisions based on rational factors, as proposed by Rational
Choice Theory (RCT), which is the kind of approach economists use in
assessing the choices people make in spending their money, but by other
considerations. As Cooper puts it: "decision value (DV)...aims at
finding a balance between maximizing outcomes or payoffs and maximizing
what has positive meaning for an agent." The implications of this
hypothesis for examining the influence of the increasingly important
symbolic constructs is to recognize the ways different people may assign
different meanings to the choices they make to participate in physical
activities or in virtual worlds.<br />
I think this discussion of the
growing influence of symbolic structures and virtual worlds in our life
today is an important one, because this discussion raises issues for
those assessing the health of our modern culture and for the providers
of leisure and recreation, which has become increasingly the domain of
private enterprise as the funding for public leisure organizations has
shrunk. While many people, including Cooper, seem to have a negative
perspective in viewing the high-tech take-over of society and blaming it
for the separation between people who are engaged in virtual
activities, such as social gaming, I think this a wrong-headed approach.
In fact, I have seen studies in the news that suggest that those who
are most active in online virtual worlds also have more social
connections, since they socialize in the everyday real world based on
their experience in the virtual world and they use that to supplement
their other real world physical activities.<br />
Certainly, there are
some social misfits who find the anonymity of virtual worlds a way to
have a social life which they cannot have in everyday life because they
lack social skills. But for most people, participating in online
activities is not an escape from everyday life, but a supplement or
complement to it. An example of this is the popularity of social gaming
for the popular crowd in high school and college. Also, many employees
and independent contractors, including myself, have found becoming
technologically savvy and participating in or presenting everything from
Webinars to online conferences crucial for being employed in today's
economy. At the same time, these employees and independent contractors,
myself included, participate in a wide variety of real time meetings,
such as referral clubs, Chamber of Commerce mixers, and industry
conferences. It is not an either-or situation but the use of both worlds
that is necessary today to be competitive.<br />
Although Dustin and
Goodale don't use the terminology of symbolic constructs or refer to the
Alpha, Beta, and Gamma hypotheses in their article, they discuss how
this increasing symbolization of life affects education, and in
particular how it has impacted the education of leisure and recreation
professionals. They suggest that this change has undermined the
traditional use of education to prepare students not only to enter a
profession but to have humanistic values leading them to want to
contribute to making a better world. Dustin and Cooper also express
concern that the new technology enabling these virtual worlds has
undermined the traditional educational institutions that have provided a
geographical place where students can gather and have a personal social
interaction with one another. Instead, there has been a growth of
online courses and programs, enabling students to gain the professional
credentials for a field without having to interact with other students
or their professors.<br />
As Dustin and Goodale observe, the field of
leisure studies first emerged at the University of Minnesota in 1937,
where it was guided by a public service ethic to provide leisure
services that "contributed to a better quality of life for individuals
in the community." Then, in the 1960s, which was marked by the rise of
the National Recreation and Park Association as the primarily
organization for the professional and lay community in the leisure
field, leisure studies were devoted to preparing students to work as
professionals in the field. However, since the 1970s, as public leisure
services have lost funding, the private sector has become more
important, and more and more students have been educated to serve these
private enterprises.<br />
As a result, the focus in leisure education,
as well as in other fields, has shifted more to preparing students to
get well-paying jobs in their career specialty, and this education has
increasingly been provided through distance learning, making it more
convenient for students to take courses at their home or office at
whatever time is most convenient for them. As Dustin and Goodale
observe: "The ultimate expression of this is distance learning,
correspondence courses and degree programs in electronic form...Not
since the printing press has technology had such an impact on learning
and the dissemination of information." This shift has also meant that
there has been a decline in face-to-face interaction, and degrees and
certificates have become like commodities, which are purchased to make
one more marketable for a career.<br />
These are important
transformations, made possibly by the rise of new technologies and new
systems for delivery of information, and they have been transforming
educational systems, just as they have been transforming interaction in
everyday life. For example, computers, along with cell-phones, e-mail,
and online accounts have become necessities in everyday life, as well as
in education, whereas they were more like personal luxuries a decade
ago.<br />
However, while Dustin and Goodale argue that these high-tech
developments are detrimental to the educational experience, I think
these developments open up tremendous opportunities for individuals who
once could not get an education because they can now access it at their
convenience. Certainly, this system can be abused, such as when someone
hires someone else to take their courses, write their papers, and post
them on line for them, without any way for the professor to verify
exactly who is taking the class, because of the anonymity of the
computer (unless some system is devised to record who is in front of the
computer typing a paper or online reply). But in general I think the
system offers great opportunities. For example, there are now extensive
digitized libraries of material online, and it is no longer necessary to
spend hours going to a physical place, which involves fighting traffic,
waiting in line, or searching on stacks to get that information. Also,
the privatization of leisure has opened up many new career opportunities
in the private sector for those who are able to respond to these
opportunities or create new careers for themselves, such as a leisure
researcher or consultant, who advises people on the new leisure and
recreational possibilities. Indeed, this has become a brave new world
with all sorts of new possibilities for those who can respond and adapt.<br />
</div>
<div id="article-resource" style="text-align: justify;">
GINI GRAHAM SCOTT, Ph.D., J.D., is a nationally known writer,
consultant, speaker, and seminar/workshop leader, specializing in
recreation and leisure, business and work relationships and in
professional and personal development. She has published over 50 books
on diverse subjects. Her latest books include: THE VERY NEXT NEW THING,
PLAYING THE LYING GAME, WANT IT, SEE IT, GET IT!; ENJOY! 101 LITTLE WAYS
TO ADD MORE FUN TO YOUR WORK EVERYDAY; and A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR WORKING
WITH HUMANS...MANAGING EMPLOYEES FROM HELL...and WORKING WITH BAD
BOSSES. She is founder and director of Changemakers Publishing and
Writing and Changemakers Productions, and has been a featured expert
guest on hundreds of TV and radio programs, including Oprah and Good
Morning America. She is the host of a weekly syndicated talk radio talk,
CHANGEMAKERS, featuring interviews and commentary on various topics.
Her Websites are at <a href="http://www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com/" target="_new"></a>.
She has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California in
Berkeley, a J.D. from the University of San Francisco Law School, and
M.A.s in Anthropology; Mass Communications and
Organizational/Consumer/Audience Behavior, and Popular Culture and
Lifestyles from California State University, East Bay. She is getting an
MS in Recreation and Tourism.<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-76626790308085143912012-05-16T15:44:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:45:07.313-07:00Online Education Gains Popularity In The World Of Education<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
We all consider education as one of the important part of our
lives. Nobody wants to be called as an illiterate or uneducated person
in this modern world. Proper education can help uplift your status in
the society because of the earned knowledge and skills. It can also
boost your self esteem that leads to a better career you are dreaming to
have.<br />
With the great inventions that provides easy techniques of
teaching, a degree can be achieved easily. With the advancements of
technology, development in education also takes its place. People now
are fun of multitasking. They work to earn and wants to continue
studying to learn more. That is why distance learning or online
education was introduced to cater the needs of professionals and working
students with hectic schedules.<br />
We are living in a fast paced
world where technology rules. Distance education is a great option in
helping students enhance their skills and gain more knowledge. Online
education is widely accepted and gains popularity especially to
progressive countries such as Europe and United States. It is a good
alternative to learning in traditional classrooms. Online degree courses
will continue to rise its popularity as the Internet becomes the world
of people.<br />
Online education is legalized since 1993 and is
considered as the new way of teaching and learning by students of all
age group. With the help of Internet, this mode of education has been
the easiest way of learning where students can have an easy access to
the unlimited resources on the World Wide Web.<br />
There are many
advantages that you can get from participating in an online education
programs. Individuals with a busy schedule can attain an online degree
course that is equal to the amount of education a student get from
attending in a traditional campus. A student only needs a computer and
an Internet connection to open the gates of a whole new world of
learning and excitement. With the help of this technologies, students
can have all the liberty of choosing the time and place to study for his
convenience.<br />
Most of the institutions offering online courses are
accredited, well established and widely accepted. You can have the
chance of earning a degree from the well known Universities around the
world without spending much of your money. Students will know how to be
responsible in life that gives them reason to work hard during their
class.<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-34789844916767691492012-05-10T15:43:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:44:24.006-07:00Online Education: The New and Popular Mode Of Education<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
People around the world accepts the new way of teaching and
learning which is online education. The benefits and advantages of
online education have made it the popular mode of learning among adult
professionals and employed students all over the world. Large number of
educational institutions, government organizations and corporations
already offer various electronic teaching. This mode of education is
highly popular in progressive countries such as Europe and United States
of America.<br />
Educational Institutions now are well established
with a good reputation in giving quality education and proper trainings.
And most of them commenced online programs that ensures qualitative
learning. You can easily seek programs online that result in
certification, bachelors degrees, advance technical skill and even
doctorate degrees.<br />
Internet is the primary method of presenting
learning materials. You need to go online and visit the specific website
designated fro the course. Students and Instructors communicate through
the emails and chat rooms. The contents are presented and distributed
in the form of texts, images, videos, animations or audios. Students
take tests and complete assignments by visiting the course web site.<br />
In
online education, you have the opportunity to meet other students from
different places of the world. You are in charge of utilizing your time
for you to maintain your flexible schedule. You can have all the comfort
you want in completing your assignments or assigned tasks. It is also
the choice of many professionals because of the wide range of courses
available 24/7. You have the liberty in choosing your own mode of
learning.<br />
Students who participates in online education are
computer literate, well organized, independent learner, have excellent
communication skills and good in managing their time. There are students
who prefer this mode of education because of their disability, work or
if they live in remote areas where colleges do not exists.<br />
We have
to accept the fact that we are now living in a fast pace world. We do
not just need one skill to be productive. We need many skills and broad
knowledge to succeed in a career field that we want. Pursuing a degree
is one way to achieve your goals in life. Being busy because of your
hectic schedule is not a hindrance for you to become successful. Enroll
to accredited school and have your online education at your convenience.
Do not let yourself be left behind. Learn new to become updated and
skilled professional now!<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-90846782520947603182012-05-02T15:43:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:43:29.421-07:00Want to Learn The Most Popular Universities to Join Online Courses in Dubai?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Online Courses in Dubai</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over the years, online courses in Dubai
have dramatically paced up. There exist several institutions like the
World Al Lootah University, Stafford Associates and Hult University
which offer a range of popular online courses. More and more
establishments are moving towards the field of online education owing to
the demand and need of technology based education which bridges the gap
between education and career. Dubai online universities intend to
assist the aspirants in Middle East to achieve good quality and world
recognized educations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently, the pioneer in international
online learning, University of Phoenix, established their Service Centre
in the Dubai, thereby, giving equal opportunities to the Middle Eastern
to avail accredited and recognized American degrees without leaving the
country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, if you too are one among the several aspirants who
wish to be a part of online Universities in Dubai but are unaware as to
which course to choose, here's a holistic list for your assistance. It
will help you find all the online programs and courses in all levels of
education. From Business Management to Applied Arts Dubai Universities
has everything. See it for yourself!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Online Programs in Dubai can
be broadly categories in three parts - online degree programs, online
diploma programs and online certificate programs. Take a look below for
more specific segmentation.</div>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Foundation Degree
</li>
<li>Associate
</li>
<li>Foundation
</li>
<li>Bachelors
</li>
<li>Undergraduate
</li>
<li>Masters
</li>
<li>Graduate
</li>
<li>Doctorate
</li>
<li>M Phil
</li>
<li>High school Diploma
</li>
<li>GED
</li>
<li>Undergraduate Diploma
</li>
<li>Postgraduate Diploma
</li>
<li>Undergraduate Certificate
</li>
<li>Postgraduate Certificate</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now take a look at various fields and the associated online courses:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Business and Management
<br />Human Resource Management
<br />Marketing
<br />Accounting
<br />Finance
<br />Management
<br />Advertising
<br />Project Management
<br />Entrepreneurship
<br />Product & Brand Management
<br />Quality Management
<br />Aviation Management
<br />Real Estate Management
<br />Retail Management
<br />Logistics management
<br />Construction Management
<br />Hospitality Management
<br />International business
<br />Education:
<br />Early Education
<br />Middle Level Education
<br />Adult Education
<br />Special Education
<br />Assessment and Evaluation
<br />Teaching and learning
<br />Administration and Supervision
<br />Teaching Assistant
<br />Curriculum and Instruction
<br />Engineering
<br />Aerospace Engineering
<br />Electrical Engineering
<br />Mechanical Engineering
<br />Civil Engineering
<br />Industrial Engineering
<br />Criminal Justice
<br />Criminal Justice
<br />Corrections
<br />Crime Scene Investigation
<br />Cyber Crime
<br />Juvenile Justice
<br />Private Security
<br />Policing
<br />Investigation
<br />Computer Science
<br />Computer Science
<br />Information Technology
<br />Network Management
<br />Software Engineering
<br />Telecommunications
<br />Web Development
<br />Multimedia and Animation
<br />Occupational Safety
<br />Occupational safety and health
<br />Fire sciences
<br />Nursing
<br />Psychology
<br />General psychology
<br />Clinical psychology
<br />Counseling psychology
<br />Educational psychology
<br />Organizational psychology
<br />Social Sciences
<br />English
<br />Mass communication
<br />Economics
<br />History
<br />Sociology
<br />Journalism
<br />Social Services
<br />Human Services</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Political Science </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Political Science
<br />Public Administration</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Applied Arts </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Visual Communication
<br />Interior Design
<br />Architecture</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Health Sciences</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nutritional
<br />Health Science
<br />Law and Legal Studies
<br />Legal Studies
<br />Performing Arts
<br />Music
<br />Natural Sciences
<br />Biology
<br />Chemistry</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-28521150366457596142012-04-30T15:42:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:42:34.358-07:00Home Education - Criticisms, Conformity and the Real World<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
Home education families and advocates are often criticized for
isolating children and sheltering them from the 'real world'. Rare
examples of children who have difficulty acclimating to a school
environment after having formerly been home educated are used as fodder
by critics in an attempt to prove that home education is faulty. Two
main points are always raised, that the children are not given exposure
to the 'real world' and that they are not properly socialized. I'd like
to address these misunderstandings.<br />
It is important that we first
understand that the purpose of the modern government school system is
indoctrination. This indoctrination process is performed using three
main principles: Conformity, Training and Socialization. Once we
understand this, we can begin to understand the weakness in the most
popular Home Education criticisms.<br />
<strong>Conformity</strong><br />
Indeed
there are some isolated cases where a formerly home educated kid is
plunked into a government school setting and struggles to conform.
Immediately we see this as "failure" because we are now holding the
child to that public school standard. Let us step outside the thinking
box for a moment though, where we can view the forest from outside the
tree line and realize that this is not a failure to "perform" it is
actually a failure to "conform". The child is not conforming to a very
specific and narrow pre-selected and predetermined set of criteria,
chosen by those elusive bureaucrats that run that government system.
These bureaucrats are at the mercy of the corporate sponsors who provide
financial support. So in essence it is the corporate giants that get to
dictate what the average child should "learn" (and I use the word
loosely here). When child does not smoothly fall into place with that
agenda we call it "failure".<br />
As exemplified in popular home
education criticisms, the mainstream seems to be caught in this
mentality of blindly trusting that the government school system is the <em>high king</em>
of learning. We hold children to those standards and very rarely
consider who or what industry developed those standards. We don't ponder
what they are based on or for what purpose they were developed. We as a
society fail to ask ourselves these questions and so we go on thinking
that if a child does not fit into that very particular mold then he/she
is a <em>failure</em>.<br />
It is imperative that we begin to
understand that a child who does not conform well when plunked into a
public school setting, is not failing. They are simply used to living
according to natural human nature and adhering to God's intent for
spiritual freedom. This is why they struggle to assimilate. They are in
essence, fighting to maintain their spiritual freedom and they are
grasping to hold onto their natural intellectual curiosity; an organic
human trait that the system will eventually <em>school</em> this right
out of them. If there is any question as to whether the system is
producing creative, intelligent adults, all that is necessary is a
cursory glance at our modern culture and all that currently plagues
humanity. It's quite clear that something is terribly amiss as
uniqueness, and creative intelligence seem to have become endangered
traits. Most of history's great thinkers - the great philosophers and
profound minds that changed humanity, have died off. We've seen only
scarce examples since the founding Fathers. (Interestingly, these folks
were often home educated).<br />
The system is <em>producing</em> alright, but what it is producing is an obedient army of efficiently <em>conformed</em>
adults, who have accepted an artificial reality and are trained to stay
on a conveyor belt for fear of some abstract idea of 'failure'.<br />
<strong>Training</strong><br />
<em>"No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks!"</em>is a popular chant that school children over several decades have sung at the onset of summer break. <em>"School's out!"</em>
is always a celebratory statement. Why? It is because children hate
school. They feel oppressed and stifled and frustrated. Even the "good
performers" find great relief in summer break and vacation time. This is
training for a lifetime of longing for and thus working toward
collecting more 'vacation days' in the workforce.<br />
We are
systematically trained to accept that life sucks, that everything is a
frustrating struggle and that is just the way it is. We accept misery,
stress and debt as symptoms of existing. We are given years of
preparation to acclimate to this idea so that we smoothly accept a life
wherein we work a job that we dislike and just accept that this is the
way it is. The reward is the vacation time during which we are released
for a short burst of time and we rush to pack all the fun into a week
before we have to return to the auto-driven conveyor belt that
represents the only life we know and understand since pre-K.<br />
The
children (and adults) that escape this conformity are 'outcasts' and
weirdos and hippies and rebels. Alas, life doesn't suck for us because
we don't accept misery as reality and vacation time is irrelevant to our
fun. However the majority of society rejects our notions because joy
has been packed into an elusive and infrequent experience to be glimpsed
only on special occasions.<br />
The problem is that most of our modern
culture has accepted pain as reality. It's not; we've just been in the
system so long and thus have been so infused with it, that we believe
that it is. However, perspective is really the key. All it takes is a
single step outside the thinking box to see the true reality - which is
that happiness is abundant and struggle does not have to be part of
daily life. Once the true colors start to undulate it becomes pretty
simple to recognize the beauty and joy in a real life.<br />
The
government school system provides an artificial reality wherein children
of the same age are boxed together and force-fed a canned and packaged
information bundle. If they are not able to regurgitate that information
on command they are told that they've "<em>failed".</em> If they are not able to sit still and swallow that information they are diagnosed with a <em>"disorder"</em> and medicated to make them more docile and easy to feed. It's a prefabricated training program.<br />
The
only thing this experience really trains a child for, is proper
assimilation into a world where they must get their certificate of
validation (degree) in order to work for someone else so that they can
build credit to acquire substantial debt by consuming and taking loans
to pay for their consumption. It trains young humans to be able to sit
at a desk or in a cubical (box) for long hours (or some other monotonous
task), without complaint. It gets children used to doing things that
they dislike in order to gain a reward (passing grade, degree, paycheck,
vacation time etc.).<br />
Those who do not conform to this procedure
are called "failures" and those who do are rewarded with higher limits
on their credit cards so that can effectively perpetuate the system. We
are taught to desire money and financial stability and are discouraged
from desiring joy and divine connection. We are taught that those
desires are for hippies and nut-jobs, and it's better to want a big
house and nice car. In short, happiness is elusive, stuff is better.
While I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with enjoying
stuff, in my experience I've found that life is far more pleasurable
when we unplug from that paradigm and perceive it more like this: Stuff
is alright, Happiness is better.<br />
<strong>Socialization</strong><br />
As
for socialization... my concern for the world is that we are filling up
the population with clones that have been assimilated into a system
that compartmentalizes them by age and/or gender and segregate them into
boxes for several hours per day under the authority of a handful of
adult strangers whom we blindly trust to deliver some sort of benefit to
them.<br />
My question is this -- how exactly does this 12-15 year
experience reflect the "real world"? With the exception of the Holocaust
and other war-time social experiments, in what normal situation in
nature are humans forced into a room to be downloaded and indoctrinated?
How does this pass as an effective social experience? It passes because
we've blindly accepted it and that is because WE have been
"socialized". Thankfully many of us have since unplugged from this, and
we're the ones who have been labeled as oddballs.<br />
The idea that
the ability to interact with people is a learned skill that can only be
acquired through practice is so sad to me-- and sadder yet is that there
are still so many who believe it!<br />
On the contrary, our ability to
interact with other people is natural. We are born with it. It is a
divine gift. It gets squashed and schooled out of us and then we
struggle to find a fake <em>process </em>by which to recreate it. Interacting with others is not a <em>skill </em>that we are somehow naturally lacking and need to learn. It is a natural human trait that should be <em>nurtured</em>.
But we don't nurture it. Instead we murder it and then attempt to
recreate it by artificial stimulation as we drop our young children into
a room full of similar people, leave them there feeling frightened and
nervous and instruct them to "go make a friend".<br />
Anxiety, fear and
artificial relationships are fostered from the beginning. Conformity is
encouraged and rewarded. Our individuality is suffocated. Our natural
curiosity is strangled and our ability to love one another is killed.
Then there is a great attempt to replace it with a preservative filled
fake reality.<br />
<strong>The Reality and Real World</strong><br />
Regarding
those common criticisms mentioned above, I'm sure there are some
children whose parents for whatever reason could not continue to educate
them at home and so they enter them into government school. In my eyes
it is the parents who have given up and <em>failed</em> to find a way to
make it happen. Perhaps they themselves have had their sense of
self-worth schooled out of them. I won't pretend to know what reasons
parents give themselves. Whatever the reason may be however, the facts
(according to statistical data) of the matter are that these cases are
very rare and very far and few in between. There are far more children
that are schooled all the way who are<em>failing</em> within the system, than kids who enter from home education situations and then cannot cope.<br />
We
cannot use these rare cases as a litmus test because it's inadequate
and weak. If we compare the social graces and academic performance (to
scale) of the home educated population against the schooled population,
then statistically the home educated population blows the schooled away
by a huge margin. Statistically speaking, it's a landslide. Spotlighting
one child who struggles to conform to his/her grade level when plopped
into a classroom, is truly a very poor and feeble attempt to defend an
obviously broken system. I often wonder if it is also an attempt made by
those who have chosen the school system, to validate their own choice
and soothe their insecurities about that choice. Something to consider
indeed!<br />
The minute we wake up each morning that <em>Real World</em>
is right there! And it is filled with opportunities to interact with
millions of people and experience unlimited wonders. The 'real world' is
not inside a classroom. It's <em>everywhere</em>, waiting to teach us all we need to know about living in it.<br />
In
conclusion, the child that fails in school is not failing to perform,
they are failing to conform. Perhaps we should take the hint.<br />
</div>
<div id="article-resource" style="text-align: justify;">
An Unplugged Home Educator of her own children for nearly a
decade, Laurette is passionate about helping people discover parenting
in such a way that it resonates in their life, their children's lives
and their world! Her objective is to help parents discover the benefits
and joys of family life with Unplugged Education - an experience that
goes beyond the logistics of academics and breaks free of the box of
simply 'schooling' at home. It is a way of looking at parenting from
outside the box and making deliberate informed choices for our family; a
bold and audacious journey into the art of active Parenting that shakes
the foundation of 'normal' as we learn to unplug from the doldrums of
status quo and begin to dramatically improve the entire family dynamic!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-2808267008818605862012-04-24T15:41:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:41:41.421-07:00Looking Into College Majors and Beyond: The Top Ten Most Popular College Majors in the US<div style="text-align: justify;">
Choosing the right college major is essential in obtaining the
adequate knowledge and skills to achieve success in future career paths
and employment opportunities. In pursuing most college degrees, deciding
on a major may be done during a student's sophomore year to ensure
graduating on time, provided that all courses are taken at the
designated schedule. It is important for any college student to identify
which courses to take and maintain focus on his or her long-term goal
and ambition.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several college majors have earned a certain amount
of popularity among students, usually depending on how lucrative the
careers ensuing from these majors may be. A report from the National
Center for Education of the US Department of Education indicates that
the majors that are most in demand are in the categories of business,
social sciences, education, and health sciences.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The following is a
list of majors that are sought after by a majority of college students
and short descriptions of what students may expect in the included
courses:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Programs relating to Biology and Biological Sciences
include a variation of courses relevant to the fields of genetics,
botany, zoology, biochemistry, molecular biology; along with other
similar disciplines. A degree in Biology may be pursued by students
intending to take up further studies in medicine, advanced medical
research, molecular biology, and the like.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Business Administration
and Management includes the general study of what a business
encompasses, its organizational structure, guidance on its operation and
effective supervision of its resources. Courses may also include the
discussion of entrepreneurship, economics, applicable laws and ethics in
business, corporate communications as well as the utilization of
appropriate communication and information systems.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Majors in
Communications deal with theories and contexts of both verbal and
non-verbal, interpersonal, mass, and organizational communication.
Courses in effective public speaking and public relations also
contribute to this study. Communication research, both qualitative and
quantitative, as well as the employment of applicable research methods
are offered by some institutions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pursuing a degree in Computer
Science may involve delving into the basic principles of computing,
programming, software development, networking, system design,
architecture, and various computing applications. Graphics generation,
web design and programming, algorithm creation, and robotics may also be
offered under this major.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Criminal Justice covers the
identification and operation of institutions with reference to the
justice system which includes corrections, courts, and law enforcement
units in either local, state or federal jurisdictions. Courses in
criminal law, criminal investigation, security, and forensic science are
among those offered by various colleges for this field.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A major
in Elementary Education entails the study of theories and methods
similar to those of the broader discipline of Education. The courses,
however, are tailored distinctly for elementary students and conducting
lessons designed for educating at the primary level. Theories on
developmental learning and assessment along with techniques in imparting
information on various subjects are explored in this program.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Engineering
majors are introduced to a wider array of industry-specific courses
relating to mechanical, electrical, civil, materials, environmental
engineering; among others. Concepts on Linear Algebra, Fluid Mechanics,
Thermodynamics, as well as general coursework on technical writing and
engineering design are required of all students in this field.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A
popular choice in the field of Health Sciences, a major in Nursing will
include the fundamentals, laws, and ethics of the nursing profession,
familiarization with healthcare systems, identification and care of
ailments, and the like. Also taken up under this major are lessons in
proper interaction with patients and sensitivity to cultural diversity.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Psychology
courses delve in the study of human behavior, its development,
surrounding environment, and aspects of mental health. It is toward the
understanding and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders that
majors in Psychology are geared, undergoing coursework on behavior
management, application of theories in providing treatment, as well as
conducting research and analyses of psychological issues as may be
related to various factors.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Under the field of Social Sciences, a
major in Political Science allows a student to study the principles
influencing the matters of politics and government; their foundations
and the issues surrounding them. Courses on political thinking, human
rights, international relations, global politics, and foreign relations
are among those that are provided, in addition to the study of the US
government and constitution.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is important to stress that
successful careers are not dictated solely by being able to finally
identify what course to take and especially not in going with what may
be the popular options at the moment. College majors that are in demand
may also mean tougher competition and a higher possibility of attaining a
mediocre standing should a major be taken up based only on popularity
instead of genuine interest and suitability to a student's skills. What
will truly measure a successful career is being able to choose the
course of study that a college student will be intent on pursuing and
will lead to the most suitable and enticing opportunities after
graduating.</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-21308246024508790502012-04-18T15:40:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:40:57.489-07:00Education Structure in New Zealand<div style="text-align: justify;">
You may often find yourself in a bewildering situations when it comes
to where to study abroad. This is true US and UK have been the most
preferred locations for education but now it is changing gradually. A
good number of students are also making New Zealand a hub for their
higher education. Today New Zealand has also become as one of the most
selected destination after US and UK. New Zealand is not only famous for
its scenic beauty, outdoor location, various culture and nationalities
but it is also an epicenter of quality education. The world class
education of New Zealand recently been discovered. Students from many
European and Asian countries have made New Zealand an incredible
destination for education.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The higher education in New Zealand is a
billion dollar industry and there has been paramount growth in the last
5 years. The safe learning environment of the country also lure lot of
students to its universities. There are number of courses you can find
in New Zealand universities; some of them are listed as hotel
management, Journalism, HR (human resource) management etc. If you are
an Indian you enjoy one year to search job after graduation. As a
student you are permitted to work part time while studying full time; it
not only helps you to earn some extra cash and support yourself
financially but also you can utilize your spare time in a better way.
You may also take help from overseas education consultants who have a
good experience of education system of New Zealand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As an
international student to study in New Zealand you are required to get
student visa and permit to study there. You may also need another permit
which does not allow you to stay in New Zealand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Students who are
interested studying in New Zealand may seek admission in the following
prestigious universities- University of Auckland, University of
Canterbury, University of of Otago, Lincoln University, Massey
University and Victoria University of Wellington.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
University of
Auckland is the biggest university at present. More than 38000 students
are studying here it has one main campus at the heart of Auckland. This
university offers varieties of courses like education, arts, science,
engineering, bio-engineering, business administration, medical and
health science. According to popular rating agency, The University of
Auckland has earned the top position among the world's best universities
A bachelor degree takes three years and for honors one more year is
added.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Besides the regular degrees of medical, engineering New
Zealand is also popular for its vocational courses or polytechnic
courses. After acquiring a diploma of vocational studies from New
Zealand your chances of employment naturally increases. New Zealand
government provides polytechnic courses and these courses are also quite
popular among international students. These polytechnic institutes
offer diploma or certificate which generally takes 1 year. The main
courses offered are- tourism, hospitality, nursing, and Information
Technology. The main purpose of these polytechnic is to provide training
which is not available in public sector. However, these vocational
courses have a hefty fees ranging 8 to 9 lakh.</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-15180904483250597972012-04-10T15:40:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:40:13.317-07:00Educational Wii Games<div id="article-content" style="text-align: justify;">
Wii games are known to be extremely entertaining, which is their
most basic appeal. This is also the case when it comes to the category
of Educational Wii Games - they are not boring or trite my any means,
and it's this aspect of the educational style of games that makes them
quite popular with kids and adults alike.<br />
At this point of writing (May 2009), there are just a few educational Wii games on the market to choose from, but the ones that <u>are</u>
available have a number of appealing factors about them. Here are two
of the top sellers in terms of popularity and high consumer ratings:<br />
<strong>Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree</strong>
- This set of games focuses on a few areas including math, visual
recognition and various memory activities. In all of these activities,
players are made to think quickly which is part of the overall
challenge. It's good for kids as well as adults and is a popular game
for families to play together as well as providing "mental challenge
competitions" for group gatherings.<br />
<strong>Smarty Pants for Wii</strong>
- Rather than having one or a few specific focuses in terms of
learning, this is a general information trivia type of a game. This is
my personal favorite of the Wii educational games specifically for kids
to play since it bases its questions upon age (entered early on in the
game), making it specific to a particular learning level. This makes it
a great choice for kids and adults too.<br />
Both of these educational
Wii games are created for players approximately 8 years and older, and
are a great choice whether you're looking for fun and mentally
challenging games for kids or adults.<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691775982033456122.post-58217276224039033342012-04-01T15:38:00.000-07:002012-07-13T15:38:45.423-07:00Children's Educational Games<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a common perception that children's educational games are
always boring and uninteresting. But this perception is not true at all.
On the contrary, there are many children's educational games which not
only appeal to kids but many adults also love to play them. Children's
educational games come in different levels of difficulty and you can
choose them according to the age of your child.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Depending on your
child's likes and dislikes, you can choose from a plethora of
educational games available in the market. These days, educational games
also come in the version of a popular cartoon character or children's
movie. For example, you can find an educational game with "Shrek" theme
etc. Such games are especially popular among kids.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Children's
educational games are also a great addition to any classroom or day care
centre. Instead of giving useless toys or letting them play on their
own, teachers can engage the class with some interesting educational
games. There are many benefits of playing such games in the class. Apart
from teaching something good to the children, such games also increase
the sense of belonging among children. They start to feel like they are a
team and this reduces the problem of loneliness which is very common
among children these days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Children's education games involve
almost every subject taught in school. Therefore, one look in the market
and you will realize that you can teach your kid any subject from
vocabulary to math, from science to geography with the help of
educational games. You can also increase your child's concentration by
providing him with such games.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are many computer educational
games also available in the market. These games are especially popular
among preteens and teenagers as these provide a very exciting experience
for kids. Many computer educational games provide information in an
arcade style setting where kids have to solve problems in order to reach
the next level. Such games are the best way to help your child improve
his performance in a particular subject.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Internet has also become a
great provider of children's educational games. The best thing about
playing such games on internet is that it allows you to play as many
different games as you want. There is no limit to these available
online. Most of such sites are free to use and you can encourage your
kid to play games on them. But before letting your kid play an
educational game on the internet, you must make sure that whether the
game actually any help for the kid or not.</div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>mekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13582427783527363803noreply@blogger.com1