Drivers Education Online

Traditionally, students could take driver education courses in high schools or at a private school. This required the students to put in extra hours after school or attend the classes during weekend in order to finish the driver education course. One major disadvantage of this is the amount of time the student has to compulsorily spend to attend the course class everyday.
Keeping this in mind, several websites presently offer online driver's education courses. Most states have a DMV website that provides the course as per the regulations and rules followed in that state. Online driver education has become increasingly popular and is one way to save time and money. Driver's education courses have adapted over the years to become considerably easier for people of all ages. A wide variety of accredited drivers education courses, training aides, and study guides are available online. It is suggested to check out the various choices while looking for a driver education course or service. Different drivers education offerings have different prices and might not be acceptable in all states.
A recent study shows that home-study students performed just as well or better than classroom students on the learner's permit test. Online courses provide the benefit of the students having parental involvement and guidance while studying.
Driver education courses usually indicate that the student must attend a minimum of 25 classes before appearing for the exam. One advantage with online courses is that the student can take as long as required without the pressure of having to finish the course before a deadline. The exam can be taken online whenever the student feels comfortable. Also, the exam can be taken at the local DMV office. Most of the websites that deal with online courses also provide a number of sample and practice exams online so as to make the student feel confident before appearing for the main exam.
After the exam is completed successfully, the DMV approved certificate of completion is sent by the next day.

How to Get Free Money to Save for Your Child's College Education

Did you know that a college educated person will earn 2.5 times more over a lifetime than someone without a post secondary education? College educated people are more likely to keep their jobs when times are tough and are more likely to be working than those without a post secondary education. Now getting an education can be expensive. One year in a Canadian degree program such as an arts and science program can easily cost $5000/year. If you are an out of province student, the extraneous expenditures can easily increase your education costs by $3000/school year.
To help pay for future education cost, the Government of Canada has taken great initiative to ensure that every Canadian child will have the funds necessary to get an education by providing families with free government grants. The free grant was introduced in 1998 to encourage parents to start saving for their children's education costs.
How does the program work?
The most popular form of the education savings is the registered education savings plan known as an Resp. Although an Resp can be started at any time, parents are advised to start an Resp when the child is born. Qualifying families who start the plan early will receive a $500 government bond in the first year to invest towards the program. Once the plan is started, the Government of Canada will continue to contribute by matching every dollar invested anywhere from 20 up to 40%.
A good strategy for investing into an resp is to invest your monthly government child tax benefit. So for example, if your family receives $50/month per child in child tax benefit and if you invest the benefit into an Resp, not only will your Resp earn interest from the investment firm but it will also be topped up with the 20-40% contribution from the government. Therefore, a $50/month investment earning 5% annually will easily gross $45,000 at maturity (18 year plan). And the best part is you will be using free money from the government (Child Tax Benefit) to earn free government grants on the investment. So take advantage of the free government grants by opening an Resp and secure your child's future.

Engaging and Educating iPhone Games for Toddlers

They are tender like wet cement. And you as a parent can make any impression at this stage. The toddlers, by nature, like to play games and indulge in activities that keep them fascinated. Why not use this character to make them educated, alert and well-mannered? iPhone games can really help you in this way. They have high graphics and stunning sound ideal to engage toddlers and cleverly fulfill your wish.
The iPhone game developers are smart as they make games that not only entertain kids but also help grooming them. Let's look at some of the best genres you can download on your smartphone and can make your child smarter!
Educating Games
iPhone games for education is quite a popular genre. The toddlers can learn basic math such as identifying the number of objects, single digit addition and subtraction and so on. Education game application on iPhone is not just restricted to mathematics as game apps for learning English language, Science and Environment studies are also available and popular.
Manner Teaching Games
I had come across few apps on iPhone that teach toddlers about day-to-day manners. Right from getting up from the bed, and brushing the teeth, the toddler is asked to arrange the routine tasks in the game. Such apps typically help kids learning how to behave well and learn good things.
Mind Sharpening Games
This is one of the favorite genres among parents. The parents certainly want their kids to be sharp and skilled. Mind sharpening games include puzzles and practical problem solving. They enjoy this type of game as solving the problems successfully help them developing self-confidence.
Alerting Games
iPhone game developers also build games that require toddlers to be alert all time. As in picking up a popping egg from many holes or saving the car from suddenly coming objects, the kids develop a real eye-to-hand coordination. Experts do believe that such cognition helps them becoming alert in real world as well. The gesture based iPhone game applications truly help kids developing good coordination between the senses.
Musical Games
This genre of game for iPhone is probably for those who are wonder kids and born artists! Such games have piano, violin, guitar or any such musical instrument that the kids can play and learn musical notes. As they tap the keys, musical sound is produced that amaze them. In fact, parents can assist their babies and make them play musical games on iPhone. Babies like it more because such sound attracts them.
Gesture Based Games
This new genre of iPhone games has created a boom among the toddlers. The simple reason is 'motion'. Kids and toddlers love to move and with these games, they even get entertained. Many sports and alerting games for iPhone are based on gestures. For instance, driving a train that moves on a railway track that has ups and downs, straights and rounds. The challenge for toddler is to keep the train on the track and not let it derail. They have to move or rotate the iPhone according to the tracks and the tracks that does not remain straight.
With these and many other genres, iPhone app games for the little ones are really good. All you have to do is choose the right ones and download them on your smartphone.

Internet Changing the Way We Educate Ourselves

Internet has revolutionized the way we think, learn and work today. It is a platform that encompasses information related to each and every subject- be it science, history or general knowledge. Notable impact of internet in education industry is being witnessed in the form of online degrees.
As a result of the advent of technology and ease of access to internet facility, online education is taking the world by the storm and is providing an ideal means to make quality education available to working professionals, students, senior citizens and others. Imparting or gaining education has become easier as well as interesting with the use of Internet. A number of colleges and universities offer a variety of online executive programs that are specifically designed to meet the requirements of professionals. Online education portals give details about the courses offered by some of the top and most reputed institutes of the country. For instance, people all over prefer earning an Online MBA in order to learn the nuances in their field, and thus improve their skills. It helps them increase their level of productivity and add more value to their respective companies. As working professionals find it difficult to attend regular education programs owing to their demanding job schedules, they prefer earning a degree online for getting better career opportunities and improving their qualifications.
Instant communication is the foremost advantage that internet education offers. E-learning allows students and teachers, sitting at distant places, to communicate and exchange information without much effort. Facilities like emails, instant messages, messengers, online chat options etc. have made possible a hassle-free and instant communication between two or more persons at the same time.
Though quality of education is almost same in both the online and in-campus learning programs, cost incurred in online executive programs is much less as compared to that of traditional ways of education. Books and other material can be easily downloaded from the internet free of cost or at negligible rates. Internet also facilitates the broadcasting of educational events, lectures and educational channels on the web. Since information is shared through internet only, students are not required to sit in the classrooms. Information shared via internet is available 24*7. Online libraries are becoming more and more popular as these are easier and convenient to access than visiting a brick-and-mortar library.
Internet, today, has become an indispensable element of learning environment. We find that the importance of Internet in today's education industry cannot be denied. Internet has eased out the process with which one can choose an apt course for oneself because of presence of numerous online education consultants. Though Internet cannot replace books or traditional education method, but it is the best alternative for those who cannot attend regular courses.

Indian Higher Education - An Overview

Wide discussions are held on the state and concerns of Indian higher education. What really is the issue here? Let us take a look!...
Though the problems associated with this sector are multilayer-ed, I had divided it broadly in to administrative and academic problems, with few subtitles under these as I feel that all other problems like, social, psychological etc. associated with this sector comes in the backdrop of these broad problems. Let us first look in to these problems before going in to the reforms required.
CONCERNS
I) ADMINISTRATIVE-
i) Reservation- Reservation and Privatization are perhaps the most debated topic in our higher educational sector, and hence I have listed it first in the list. Increased concern over reservation has negatively affected our higher educational system as it has taken away lime light from many other major concerns. Reservation in any sector (&especially I educational system), causes loss to society, as the brightest do not reach better institutes; but we still continue with it thinking it would bring more good to the society than its losses. Though the need for a reservation still exists it is time to think of its re-allotment for more effectiveness. Sam Pitroda, the chairman of National Knowledge Commission, "Reservation has probably set us back several years in our ability to carry out the reforms we need to."
The popular support that reservation gets had prompted many of our politicians to o on further with reservation (with a need for Supreme Court to intervene in the matter and cap reservation limit to maximum of 50 Percent). The social tensions faced by the authorities against this policy is mainly managed by increasing the total number of seats and also because many among the upper class pursue foreign education.
The proper implementation and gradual reduction of reservation in a democratic country like ours need strong political will, free of prejudices.
ii) Political intervention in universities- This takes place both in policy formation and implementation. Bureaucratic sluggishness, misconceptions and prejudices retard the growth of our higher education sector. The denial of visa for prominent global educationalists to come to India, the slow moving files in government offices on matters concerning collaboration of industry and institutes, the delays in allocation of new courses etc. are the finest examples of this aspect.
Among the policy matters too, the absence of Political visionaries had been a problem while there were 5 IITs established during Nehru's period, only 1 IIT was established prior to the recent establishment of5 new IITs. Unhealthy political among the teaching and the student community and the inefficient funding has also retarded the growth of this field. A prominent educationalist tells, "Our deans and administrators now hang on the spoken word of our politicians, and student unions and teachers beat to their drum. It's so entrenched that asserting independence in appointments and day to day decision turns you in to a radical, a rebel in the system."
As political elite and the government receive benefits of these negative aspects, they prefer a status-quo. Thus, in our higher educational system, we have this uncomfortable condition, as Nandan Nilekani puts it "the state interferes, rather than guiding; (play) politics rather than policy".
iii) Regulation- In the regulatory aspect of higher education, we have a dual problem. On the one hand, we have a confusing array of different regulatory bodies like UGC and AICTE and on the other hand, neither the government, nor UGC or AICTE has an effective control over our Universities. The rating system of the UGC and AICTE is also one with many loop holes.
Due to absence of good legislation, UGC and AICTE had reduced to regulatory bodies that stand helplessly by, as India's university system crumbled, and thus half of India's expanding colleges, as a Vice-chancellor remarked, "are intellectual and social slums".
iv) Funding- India spends only 1.9 percent of its GDP on higher education, the lowest among any nations with GDP higher than $500 billion. Its spending on research activities at universities is also very low compared to both the developed and the emerging nations. Even the funds that are presently allotted are not efficient enough. But, it should be noted that higher funding or investment in higher education can lead to better results only with reforms in the total system.
II) ACADEMIC-
i) Quality of the Higher education- India is the 3rd largest in the number of higher educational institutes after China and USA and is one of the largest degree producers in the world.
But, quality of these is quite unsatisfactory. No worthwhile invention has been made here. Rote learning can identified as one of the factor behind this. India's engineering and medical colleges, management schools and universities are facing a serious shortage of quality academic faculty by about 20 percent. Global competitiveness of Indian students is comparatively small and is still smaller if the top 10 institutes of India are taken out. India does not have more than 5 universities in the top 500 bracket of the academic ranking of world universities.
ii) Number of Institutions for higher education- Though India is one of the largest in terms of number of institutes for higher education; it is still short of them. This shortage is expected to be more by 2015, thanks to the efforts to improve the enrollment ratio. By 2015, we need at least 1500 universities, against 350 we have today.
iii) Research- The research standards of our country has been poor, both in terms of quality and quantity. If we consider a particular area, say Computer Science, where we are assumed to be strong, we can see that annual PhDs in this field in our country is 25, while it exceeds 800 in USA and 2500 in China. IIT is granted 3-6 patents in a year, where as it is 64 for Stanford and 102 for MIT! We haven't seen any technological adaptation after 1970s and 1980s and not a single major invention emerged from India over past 50 years!!!
iv) Employability- "75 percent of the Indian graduates are unemployable for the work they are trained for", was said by Shri. Narayana Murthy of Infosys. Many people prefer sub-standard engineering degree than good vocational skills, where as 90 percent of the employment opportunities require vocational skills. McKinsley estimates that only 10 percent of Indian students in arts and humanities and only 25 percent of Indian engineering graduates are globally competitive. 12 percent of the 41 million unemployed are either a graduate or a postgraduate!
REFORMS
It is an agreed fact that reforms are required in the area of higher education. Many suggestions on this matter address many of the problems mentioned earlier. Some of them are a panacea for more than one of those problems.
A 'super regulator' which forms a single independent regulatory body would eliminate the confusion prevailing over multiple arrays of regulatory bodies. This would also bring more transparency, setting up of uniform controls and better quality in higher education. We need independent regulatory body free from government or political intervention.
Private participation, if properly propelled can bring out both qualitative and quantitative improvement in our higher educational sector. It is neither possible nor sensible for the government to invest the huge amount that is required for, in our higher educational sector. Private participation, from both inside and outside the country should be encouraged to make more institutes in our country. This will take away the deficit between the demand for higher education and the availability of institutes. This will avoid the instances like that which happened in Delhi University this year, when a 100percent cut-off was announced in a college under the university. Institutes like TISS, BITS, Lady Sriram College, Sriram College of Commerce, Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), CMC Vellore, St. Stephen's College, etc. has taken away our doubts on the quality of private institutes.
The interactions between industries and institutions should be encouraged, taking necessary precautions, as this can increase the employability of the students.
Reforms have taken in our country when visionaries came in to action, like it happened during Nehru's times. When visionaries like M.S. Swaminathan, Vikram Sarabhai, Sam Pitroda, Verghese Kurien etc. acted, reforms required happened with direction. In the higher educational sector of our country, we have "a Niagra of reports and a Sahara of actions". Reforms required in higher educational sector requires controversial steps, as we are in a democracy. In fact, the market economy has been pushing us to the necessary reforms, to an extent. The question is, whether India can bring about these reforms fast enough to avail the opportunities that the country has today- domestically and globally???

10 FAQ's About Online Education

The Answers May Surprise You
How important has online education become really? Since 2000 internet education has grown tremendously. Today it is the answer for many students out there. Here are ten frequently asked questions about online schools, the answers to which may surprise you.
10. How many?
Over 6 MILLION students are registered in distance education courses. This number continues to grow every year. WOW!
9. Why are students so interested in online school?
Because of the economy more and more students are enrolling in schools. Both distance ed. colleges and traditional colleges have seen increased enrollment since the economy went kaput. People are trying to find better jobs and education is what it takes to get those jobs.
8. Who offers these courses?
There are online colleges and universities that offer only online courses. You can also take online courses offered by traditional colleges and universities like Harvard and Yale. All forms of education are taking advantage of the online education popularity.
7. How are traditional colleges adapting?
Many traditional colleges have created "web facilitated" courses that allow students to study on the internet but in a face to face setting. A lot of colleges use hybrid courses that are both in class discussion with online elements.
6. What's in the future?
In 2010 63% of all traditional colleges agreed that online courses were vital to their future. Education online is the way of the future and traditional colleges are taking advantage of that.
5. How many students are learning online?
Internet based schools experience a growth in enrollment every year of about 20%. That's about 1 million NEW students a year. Everybody's doing it... really.
4. Will the hype ever end?
Not likely. Most traditional colleges have implemented online programs into their curriculum and don't plan to change. College courses on the internet can help a lot of students so it seems these programs are here to stay.
3. What does this mean for students?
With the continued growth of distance education and use of online programs in traditional Universities, this means that if you are a traditional student you may be taking some courses on your computer or using some online programs through your school. If you are already an online student you can expect to see more and more of your friends joining in.
2. What are the opinions of distance ed. degrees?
When online education was still a new concept many were skeptical as to the quality of education that students were earning online. Since then there has been a long standing debate of the credibility of online schools. Earning your degree online is the same quality as if you were to earn it from a traditional college. More and more people and employers are accepting this form of education as the norm.
1. Is this type of education here to stay?
YES! The only thing that may change the attendance rates for online schools is if there is a change in financial aid. This can go both ways. If the government decides to allow more funding for online schools then, attendance may go up even further. If the government decides to reduce the funding for online schools the numbers may decrease.
Online schools are here to stay. So many students benefit from online schools and are earning their degrees through them, that it is not likely they will ever go away. If anything you should expect to see online schools and online degree courses continue to grow.

Online Education - Taking Education to Another Level

A college education means different things to different people. To some it might bring a sense of personal achievement, to others it might be a chance to move up the professional ladder and apply to higher-paying jobs. Some might just want to learn new skills or polish their existing skills. Whatever your reason, a college education is a personal, professional goal. One you should try to reach, no matter what.
How you go about earning a college degree is a decision you make taking various things into consideration. If you have family commitments or work responsibilities that you can't get out of, you may want to consider online education as an option.
Although online education has been met with scrutiny and apprehension over the past few years, there is no denying the fact that it has also gained immense popularity amongst working professionals, stay-at-home moms and otherwise committed career-oriented adults.
According to a survey on online education conducted by The Sloan Consortium in 2011, the number of students taking at least one online program has crossed 6 million. The survey further reported a 10 percent growth rate for online program enrollments which is far more than the 2 percent growth of the overall higher education student enrollments. This makes you wonder- Is online education going to transform and revolutionize the standard face-to-face method of instruction?
Advancement in technology, made it easier for people who were tied up with jobs and family responsibilities to educate themselves and achieve their professional and personal goals. As a result of the convenience online education offered, more and more students began embracing this form of education to supplement their careers and move up the corporate ladder. This led to more established institutions adopting Internet-centric programs.
Accredited online colleges such as Independence University offer career oriented online degrees. Reviews containing details about student services, financial aid assistance programs for those who qualify and accreditation of Independence University and other online colleges can be found on the Internet easily, thus promoting transparency and honesty.
But how can you be sure of the effectiveness of online classes? Truthfully, being successful at an online program requires self-discipline and motivation on the student's part. That said some students find that it helps to study alone as they can do so without distractions. It's a given that constant interaction with peers and professors is beneficial to a student, but then again online colleges make several provisions for their students to make this possible. Students can participate in online forum and chat-room discussions and communicate with their professors via e-mail.
While some students still believe that nothing can really replace the traditional college experience of meeting people from different walks of life and being on your own for the first time in your life; many will agree that for those who can't afford to do so, online education is a welcome alternative.
As technology progresses and expands, so will online education. And before you know it, almost every other college will have at least one online program.

Bruce Locke is an avid reader, blogger and a Career Consultant having rich experience of more than 15 years. His areas of expertise include Educational Planning, Career Planning & student counseling. In his spare time, he loves to participate in debates, discussions, forums and promote reading among today's youth.

Supplemental Educational Supports

Sometimes we find as educators, parents, and students that the established educational institutions and services that are in place do not always meet the needs of every child. Sometimes it takes "outside the box approaches" in order to bring necessary concepts/curriculum to individual learners. Some examples of highly effective supplemental/alternative education possibilities include:
1. Private Tutoring
2. Home Schooling
3. Educational Advocacy
PRIVATE TUTORING
Private in home tutoring is an excellent way to provide a child with the one-on-one individualized instruction that they may be needing. With growing class sizes nationwide and less individual attention available for each student many parents are looking to supplement their child's education with a private in home tutor. There are many benefits to having a private tutor come to your house such as; convenient scheduling, customized instruction, increased confidence, and of course increased retention of curricular materials which will result in better grades. The results have proven time and time again that this form of supplemental education is well worth the money spent and it doesn't cost as much as you might think.
HOME SCHOOLING
Given the reasons mentioned already about the changes taking place in our classes nationwide another popular and highly effective trend in alternative education is home schooling. Home schooling offers parents the unique opportunity to keep an extremely close watch on their child's educational environment while in the comfort of their own home. There are many resources available to parents who want to home school their child, but may not have the time or resources to do so. Parents can hire private tutors / teachers to deliver curriculum that they aren't comfortable with in order to enhance the home schooling experience. They can also have curriculum built for them that is tailor made to their child's educational needs and the learning preferences of the family.
EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY
When problems arise in your child's education and you feel that the proper educational services are not being delivered you may want to seek guidance from an educational advocate. An advocate is an expert in the educational process and is able to communicate with your child's school to ensure that your child is receiving proper educational services. If issues arise in your child's schooling an advocate has a tremendous amount of knowledge in regards to the educational process and can easily navigate the system to ensure that all the proper services are being used to ensure their academic success.

E-Learning and the Future of Online Education

Among the most recent technological advances that have been promoting the competitiveness of companies, such as call centers, electronic commerce, customer relationship management centers and human resource management centers, is a technology hub that is to realize its full potential - electronic education or more popularly the e-learning format.
By definition, e-learning is the provision of educational programs and learning systems through electronic means. The e-learning is based on the use of a computer or other electronic device (for instance, mobile phone) to provide people with educational materials on the go. Distance education laid the foundation for the development of e-learning, which solves some difficulties in terms of timing, synchronization of schedules, attendance and travel, typical problems of traditional education.
Also, the e-learning can involve a wider range of equipment online education. The term e-learning covers a broad suite of applications and processes such as Web-based learning, computer based training, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration (group work).
Advantages of E-Learning Programs
We present what experts in this area considered the most important benefits to the education industry:
Increased Productivity: The e-learning solutions as Web-based training (WBT, web-based training) and computer based training (CBT computer-based training) allows students to study from your desktop. Direct delivery of the courses can reduce downtime involving low productivity and helps to eliminate travel costs.
Timely: When launching a new product or service, e-learning can provide simultaneous training many participants about the processes and applications of the new product. A good program of e-learning can provide the necessary training in time to meet a specific date of commencement of operations.
Flexible Training: An e-learning system usually has a modular design. In some cases, participants can choose their own learning path. Additionally, users can mark certain sources of information as a reference, thus facilitating the process of change and increasing the benefits of the program.
Cost Savings per Participant: Perhaps the greatest benefit of e-learning is that the total cost of training per participant is lower than in a traditional instructor-led. However, e-learning programs tailored to entry may be more expensive due to the design and development thereof. It is recommended to conduct a thorough analysis to determine whether the e-learning is the best solution for your training needs and training before investing in the project.
What Discourages E-Learning?
The main barriers that have prevented the integration of these technologies of e-learning training programs of companies are:
1. Organizational structure and traditionalism.
2. Lack of best practices.
3. The lack of support and experience.
4. Lack of understanding and vision about e-learning.
5. The lack of human resources and user acceptance.
6. Organizations and traditional processes.
7. The lack of skill on the part of teachers and instructors, coupled with a negative attitude.
8. Lack of strategic actions.
9. Lack of training and support to teachers and instructors.
10. The time required for the preparation of the material.
The Most Common Errors
Like any emerging technology, e-learning requires the involvement of expert consultants who can implement a program leading organizations to success. Then we present the ten most common mistakes when defining a strategy for e-learning:
1. No vision.
2. Confusing strategy with technology.
3. Place the Learning Management System (LMS, learning management system) as the core of the strategy.
4. Focusing on the development and delivery rather than the business itself.
5. Focus on transforming a conventional training program in an online education program.
6. No consensus among partners.
7. No time to diagnose the lack of support from senior management.
8. To think that this new function is a part-time work or short duration.
9. Ignore the weaknesses and dangers.
10. Failure to change management.
Designing Tomorrow's Education
While in Mexico and there are companies that offer e-learning solutions that involve content developed by experts, and infrastructure management platforms and other services, the acceptance of these technologies is not yet that this industry would have. Experts say that the adoption of e-learning in Mexico has been slow because there are cultural barriers.
Like other initiatives such as e-Mexico, public and private institutions are required to design and implement specific programs to advance the education industry in Latin America. It is imperative to mobilize the educational and cultural communities, as well as economic and social actors to accelerate changes in education systems and training for our countries to move towards a knowledge-based society.
An initiative of e-learning could be a path to modernize our economy. At the same time, through the components of the education industry, can provide the entire community, but particularly to our young people the skills and tools they need to succeed in a globalized economy based on knowledge. Those who are more interested in such projects are indeed educational institutions, which reduce costs for both the student and for the institution itself, mean a great incentive.
While companies continue to hire graduates of universities that demand Internet resources and access to information based on Web technologies, a matter of time that these organizations realize that the adoption of this new generation of technologies is imminent.

What You Need To Know When Enrolling For Distance Education

Correspondence learning has gained tremendous popularity in recent years thanks to the convenience that comes with it. However, here are four things that you need to keep in mind before embarking on this form of learning.

1. Be sure that distance education is right for you.
Earning your degree from home can be a wonderful opportunity for potential students who do not have the time or money to attend on-campus education. However, there are certain challenges that come with this form of education. First off, you need to consider the kind of studying format that will best fit the nature of your life. For instance, you need know what you require to complete your correspondence courses successfully. Find out if you can complete your studies on your own or with the help of your tutor.

2. Decide on the course you want to study
You need to know exactly what you want to study, and why you want to study it. You have to be interested in the subject of study if you want to excel. Never major in a subject you are not interested in, just because you feel you need to take it. If the subject does not interest you, then chances are you will not put much effort in it, which is a waste of your money and time. Therefore, identify a subject that you enjoy engaging with intellectually. This way, you will have the motivation to pursue a degree that will ultimately bring success to your career. In addition, you will also have the right attitude that is crucial for your success.

3. Begin collecting the relevant information
Find out the schools that are offering the course you are interested in pursuing through distance learning. Be sure to read the profiles of the schools you are interested in. One of the most important things that you must pay attention to is the school's accreditation. You do not want to waste money and time in a school that is not accredited. In addition, look out for the course's cost as well as any restrictions and peculiarities like starting dates and short on-campus residences as these might affect your schedule.

4. Begin your application
Once you have identified the best school, begin your application right away. Most people stop at this stage, thus ending with courses that they are not interested in. The only way to stay on the road towards your degree is to apply to the school of your choice. If you do not apply, you will most definitely not be accepted. Therefore, be sure to submit your application

Online Education Course Is a Boon for Students

Online education course is gaining popularity and this is evident from more and more high school graduates opting for distance education through online studies. There are accredited online universities and colleges in the country and these educational institutions run various degree programs for the students and other people. The reality is that these institutions give admission to everyone as they don't discriminate between a young high school graduate and an adult professional. Anyone willing to learn can take advantage of distance learning through online studies and fulfill his or her dream of becoming a learned person.
The traditional colleges are not in the position to teach every student passing out from high schools dotting the country. Conventional colleges are restricted in physical boundaries and they have limited space. The number of high school graduates is increasing every year but there are not many colleges for them. Online education course is the only remedy for this situation. The government has allowed the online educational institution to function and it has also accredited the degree programs they run. Government wants to make sure that every student gets quality education and to achieve this objective it supervises the functioning of online institutions and gives accreditation to those that function well.
Online education course is a boon for high school graduates who come from average family and don't have enough money to fund their tuition fees. They can borrow education loan without any hesitation as they can repay the loan by working part-time or full time. Online colleges don't require their students to attend classes physically. The study material is provided online and classes are organized either in the late evening or on weekends. Students pursuing online degree programs have an opportunity to work in the day study in the night. Another advantage of online education is that the students can study at their own speed. One can earn an online degree in less than four years or extend his program to more than four years.
Working gentlemen will also find online education course suitable for them. Many working people want to learn but they can't pursue their goals because conventional colleges don't give them admission and if they can manage to get admission in a traditional college then they have to take long leaves from their work. With distance education through online studies, there is no problem as you can continue your work with your studies.

Education Resume Template

Resume template is important to give your career a quick start in the job market. Resume is required for the jobs in all fields. The education resume template is important if you are trying to draft a resume for different positions in the field of education. Use of such templates will save a lot of your time. You can utilize this time on improving the quality of the details in your CV. It plays an important role in getting you the job interview when you are applying in any reputed education institute. It is important to follow the proper guidelines when writing the resume.
Education Resume Template
Templates are the format to be followed in a resume. You have to just download this format and fill the corresponding details in each section. The sections are arranged in the proper order of importance. It also provides an appropriate format for your resume.
Resume template is the best option to design a resume. With the use of such templates, you can save your time required for including different sections for your CV, including the details in the corresponding sections, choosing the appropriate format, etc. These templates can be downloaded for free, edited and filled with your details.
When you are applying in any educational institute for a job, you need a resume stating your skills, degrees, accomplishments and experiences. The CV should be unique and convince the employer about the suitability of the candidate for the position.
There are several templates that can be used for presenting your details. You can choose the template that can highlight your skills and qualifications in the best possible way. Three main types of templates are most popularly used. They are
• Chronological template
• Functional template
• Combination template
You can choose any one of these templates and designs for your CV. Make sure that the template you choose highlights you and lets you get you the job opportunity. Here is the sample template for the education resume. Going through this template you will know how to list the details in such template and design your resume.
Sample Education Resume Template
Name
Address
Telephone
E-Mail ID
Objective
[It includes the career goals of the applicant. It must discuss what you can offer to the organization while working in this field]
Career Profile
[It is the summary of your professional career. Your key accomplishments in the field of education and the skills you gained can be listed in this section. Make sure to present the details in bulleted points. The major aspects of your career can also be listed in your career profile]
Experiences
[List your work experiences in this section. If you are highly experienced candidate, no need to list all the experience details. Mention only last three employment details along with the work responsibilities handled in the job]
Education
[List the details of the major degrees you hold, also give the name of college or university from where you received the degree]
Awards
[Any awards or recognitions received during your work in the education field can be listed here. If you were awarded as a best teacher in the college, list it in this section]
Personal Profile
• Full Name
• Permanent Address
• Telephone
• Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Gender
• Marital Status
References
This template can be used for different positions in the education field. You just need to make sufficient research to know the requirements of the particular position and add them accordingly in your CV.

5 Future Trends for Education

The coming election in 2012 has brought up concerns about our educational system, and how it needs to revolutionized and transformed. The future of education is highly debatable, but five key trends remain. Read on to find out the five future trends for education in the upcoming years.

While many reports and surveys pretty much predict the same thing - the popularity and increasing acceptance of online education, the better employment rate, and the age of technology encouraging more access to education for all, there are some projections that have not been discussed as of late. Looking in depth and analyzing many factors contributing to the development of academic progress, we have aggregated 5 key trends to the future of education.

Year after year, America continues to be "#1" in one sector - higher education. Though the American educational system is lagging behind those of Asia when tests are administered to primary and secondary school students, our Universities prove to be ranked at the top year after year. Higher Educational Universities are able to attract the best, the brightest, the most ambitious students from around the world for this reason - we outshine the global competition when it comes to higher education. The very idea and concept of an "Ivy League" School will continue to be a Staple of American Education, and in the future, will remain a unique sector of the American Educational System.

Secondly, with so many new emerging markets predicted to expand the economic system, more and more programs will be catered to new technology and entrepreneurial, as well as innovative programs. Top Universities and online colleges will have to face incorporating new classes that maximize on today's current technological advances and issues that present themselves. This new coursework will better prepare students for real - life business operations and make the transition to employment smoother.

The third trend we predict for education is that there will be significantly higher number of graduates in 2012 who will find employment. Apparently the hiring rate is 9.5 percent higher, but in very specific sectors of employment. According to several news sources, the job industries that look the most promising and with high demands are called "STEM" fields, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Fourth, new teaching methods are being developed and improved. There has been emerging research on psychology, and how the brain learns and processes information. This new study will provide a framework for developing new ways of classroom interaction, and incorporating things like music and new study processes into the educational system

Cut Your Tax Bill by Educating Your Grandchild

There is no better source of greater pleasure in life for aged taxpayers than spoiling their grandchildren by showering them with all kinds of gifts. The young ones too, seem to have some deeper connections to their grandparents than their own parents. With college education increasingly becoming expensive, the grandparents can chip in and at the same time, enjoy extensive tax benefits. There are several tax-friendly channels available for older taxpayers who desire to see their grandkids through college, by helping cover their college costs.

Qualified Tuition Programs-529 Plans

The prepaid tuition and college savings plans are the two types of qualified tuition plans.

Prepaid Tuition Plans

Also referred to as prepaid education arrangements or prepaid tuition programs, prepaid tuition plans offers families a way to beat rising costs of living buy virtually buying the projected future cost of education using the current prevailing rates. Sold in contracts or in units, these plans cover up a given number of year's tuition or a certain number of credits. These plans have the blessings of the state and avail a low-risk option for state-conscious donors with the desire to move large amounts of assets to their heirs without cutting their integrated credit. The withdrawal penalties and a relatively low return rate compared to other options, like college savings plans, are the main downsides of these plans. Moreover, these plans are only accessible by in-state residents and school alumni and may further be restricted to within-the-state public institutions. Some of these plans don't cater for the costs of private or out-of state schools.

College Savings Plans

Established by a state or eligible educational institution, college savings plans allows individuals to contribute towards the financing of the beneficiary's higher education. The contributions are made to a college saving account and the balance in the amount is determined by the performance of the primary investments. This eventually affects the amount of finances available to meet the recipient's education expenses.

Limits

All contributions build up on a tax-deferred foundation basis and earnings are tax free if a qualified education expense is used. Residents whom use their state's plan, plus a tax break for the rich taxpayers looking for ways to reduce their taxable estates, are offered tax deductions in most states. Contributors can accumulate to the limit of five annual gift tax exclusions on top of each year; this is stipulated in the qualified tuition rules. Up to $65,000 can be contributed by a single qualified tuition program in 2010 without creating a gift tax, provided the money does not exceed the amount necessary for the kids to finish their advanced education. Married couples can double that amount.

It is important to note that these limits are only applied per plan. You can contribute up to $120,000 to several different beneficiaries in a single year if you are a couple. The beneficiary is not necessarily expected to be a biological grandchild. In fact, it is not mandatory that the beneficiary be a relation of the contributor. An older couple can even opt to donate the amount to their neighbor's kid.

Disadvantages

The main set back of the qualified tuition programs is the penalty tax that any earnings included in any plan distribution not qualified for education costs is subjected to. Equally subjected to the same treatment are the nonqualified distributions which are handled as early distributions from retirement plans or annuity, which are both assessed a 10% early distributions penalty as well as counted as taxable income. However, the income and the penalty are only assessed on the earnings. A major factor for donors to think about is that any tax penalty only applies to the plan beneficiary and not the contributor.

U.S. Savings Bonds

Bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, offer another ideal education sanctuary, preferred for the Conservative investors. This program permits tax exemptions of some types of bonds if the proceeds are channeled towards funding higher education expenses. Eligible under this program, is the interest realized in Series I bonds and EE bonds, Zero-coupon bonds and STRIPS, and Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS). Series H and H are not eligible. For this exemption to apply however, there are a number of exemptions that apply.

i. Using the bonds to cover for a junior's higher education implies that the kid can only be a beneficiary and not the bond's direct owner.

ii. The child must be claimed as a dependent on the parent's or grandparent's tax return.

iii. Any eligible bonds must have been issued after 1989 to an investor who must have been at least 24 years old at the time of issuance.

iv. No single investor can purchase more than $30,000 of savings bonds (or $60,000 for couples) in a given year to be entitled to exemption.

Savings bonds provide a more elastic source of college funding than 529 plans if these conditions are met. This is because bonds are not subjected to a penalty in the event that the funds are used for a different purpose. On the other hand, the interest on the bonds then becomes taxable.

Coverdell Education Savings Account

Overhauled and stretched out in 2002, the Coverdell Education Savings Accounts were originally created as Education IRAs. These accounts allow a $2,000 an annual non deductible per child till they reach the age of 18. Provided the IRA is used for qualified education expenses, the earning grows tax-free, usually at the state and federal levels. When the beneficiary hits 30, the early distribution penalty and income tax are assessed on the earnings share of any amount left in the account for 30 days or more. There are some exemptions, like death or disability of the beneficiary, in which the early distribution penalty does not apply. Also, special needs beneficiaries are not subjected to the age 18 and 30 limitations.

The main distinctive feature between the Education savings accounts and qualified tuition programs is the integration of payments per child, just like the IRA contributions. The same beneficiary cannot receive contributions of $2,000 from four different family members in the same year. Furthermore, contributions are counted toward the gift tax exclusion. This implies that a fellow who contributes $2,000 for tax year 2010 to these plans can only apportion another $ 10,000 as a non taxable gift to a qualified tuition program for the same beneficiary.

The taxpayer's ability to benefit from education tax credits can be affected by the withdrawals from the accounts. The distribution and the credit cannot be used to cover the same expenses, irrespective of the recipient's ability to claim the credit in the same year that the distribution is made from the education savings account.

It is for these setbacks that these plans are less popular compared to other saving avenues, like the qualified tuition program

Noisy Libraries Embrace Blabbermouth Bias In Modern Education - More Evidence

The Problem

Three earlier EzineArticles introduce and discuss my analysis of the noise problem in modern libraries:

1. (August 4, 2011) Library Standards Have Crumbled-Time To Reclaim Quiet introduces the problem and makes the call for a return to traditional quiet as the proper foundation of courtesy and concentration in true learning.


2. (August 9, 2011) Library Noise Now The Golden Standard - New Values Corrupt Silence pins the blame for the problem of noisy libraries largely on the dominant cultural values of Western society that reject silence.


3. (August 17, 2011) Modern Education Experts Profess Value Of Silence - Why Librarians Ignore locates the source of the noisy library problem in current pedagogies (i.e., teaching philosophies) that privilege speech, as documented by five, peer-reviewed expert sources in the field of education.

The present EzineArticle lists four additional, peer-reviewed, expert sources that further document troubling cultural forces in today's educational system that are degrading the quality of these once-quiet public spaces.

The following paragraphs list citations of my latest sources, along with my interpretations of each source's main points:

Huey-li Li (2001). Silences And Silencing Silences. THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION SOCIETY YEARBOOK 2001:157-165.

• Educational discussions about silence seem to be erroneous and one-dimensional, treating the absence of talk as the consequence of a disciplinary act only.


• In modern discussions about multi-cultural education, educators should re-think the simple dichotomy of silence versus speech and challenge the primacy of speech.


• Technological advancements in modern industrial society are especially powerful lures that cause people of developed nations to avoid silence and to justify intolerance of silence.


• Mass media and computer-mediated communication systems constantly erode and destroy silent spaces at the public level, thus making it nearly impossible for individuals to learn how to appreciate silence, either by themselves or in the presence of others.


• Americans are a nation of "space pluggers" and "gap fillers", both in education and in life, as we obsessively fill what we think are empty spaces and empty sound gaps with the perpetual flux of objects and decibels.


• The idea of "cooperative learning" has become the dominant idea in mainstream teacher education.


• When teachers, in classroom settings, use the idea of "participation" as a measure of student participation, they inevitably condition students in the belief that silent, active listening is not a legitimate form of "participating."


• Speech can be systematically distorted, consciously or unconsciously, to give some groups or individuals more importance than others.


• "... the dichotomization of silence and speech misleads us to devalue silence and privilege speech.... I call for recognition of the need to dismantle this false dichotomy and to develop a pedagogical understanding of silences." (p. 162)

Megan Boler (2001). The Challenge Of Interpreting Silence In Public Spaces. THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION SOCIETY YEARBOOK 2001:166-169.

• Emphasizing speaking is a method of enforcing the "silencing of silence", which perpetuates the false idea that talking automatically represents democratic participation.


• Favoring speech ignores reflective practice.


• Systematic education in the art of listening does not exist in elementary schools, in secondary schools, in higher learning, or in the public sphere.


• Silence has deeply personal and spiritual aspects, regarded as evils in education and politics.


• Educators need to be extremely cautious about emphasizing speech and de-emphasizing quiet.


• By cultivating the practice of quiet mindfulness, teachers can greatly enhance the quality of interaction and the quality of thought that takes place in education.


• In political and educational contexts, silence is automatically feared, "pathologized", and assigned no currency, yet, ironically, we must speak of this problem in order to avoid it.

Cathleen Haskins (2010). Integrating Silence Practices Into The Classroom: The Value of Quiet. ENCOUNTER: EDUCATION FOR MEANING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE 23 (3):1-6.

• The current disregard for silence in modern educational philosophy begins to take hold early in a child's life, where the once slow, easy freedoms of childhood barely exist today.


• In modern civilization, we live in a storm of noise that robs children of their abilities to know the beauty of silence.


• Most children in today's developed world know silence only as discipline or as punishment from controlling adults, and these children are further denied positive, quiet experiences by adults who have lost their own ways in a noisy world.


• Today's adolescents grow up with technological innovations that disable their desires to know fulfilling quiet and creative solitude.


• Nonstop, incessant noise has become the norm that disconnects people of all ages from their inner resources.


• Holistic education reform requires that teachers create learning environments that offer exercises in stillness and silence, where silence is NOT treated as the negative force of adult authority, but as the positive space of inner peace, creativity, and renewal.

Kathryn Byrnes (2011). Review of RETHINKING CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION: LISTENING TO SILENT VOICES By Katherine Schultz.. EDUCATION REVIEW, 14.

• Relying on verbal participation to assess learning often rewards compliance (i.e. talking that the teacher expects) instead of thoughtfulness and comprehension.


• Speech becomes more powerful and insightful through a norm of silence.


• American schools traditionally do not value silence.


• Talk does not necessarily equal learning.


• Schools and communities need to return to a wise understanding of silence, inspired by the saying, "You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. You should listen twice as much as you speak." (p. 4)

RECAP

I attribute the relatively recent problem of excessive noise in libraries to four main causes:

1. Modern, Western civilization has always treated speech in primarily positive terms, while treating silence in primarily negative terms of authoritative control and punishment.


2. Runaway developments in technology (e.g., computers and mobile communication devices) have enacted and enforced Western cultural values that privilege speech in epic proportions.


3. Parallel developments in education have mirrored popular culture's information-exchange mania, thus solidifying Western values that favor speech and fear silence.


4. Seller/consumer relationships have surpassed student/teacher relationships in importance, as institutions struggle to survive in an economy that supports primarily goods and services "aimed to please."

Continuing Dental Education Can Also Be Fun!

Dental Continuing Education is necessary and essential for all dental professionals and practitioners in order to maintain the most effective care for patients. As in many other medical professions ongoing training an education is required to maintain a high standard of quality care for the consumer. Ongoing Clinical knowledge as well as practical applications of the latest scientific trends will substantially improve overall practice and have the capacity to greatly reduce malpractice and malpractice costs for everyone involved.
There are many clear reasons for dentists and dental professionals to increase knowledge through dental continuing education programs, the most common being: expansion of ones practice, mastering or improvement of treatment methods, or even meeting state licensure requirements. Other benefits of dental continuing education are: to understand the latest tools, treatment methods, scientific research, and business practices. Depending on how one learns, numerous educational mediums can serve the purpose of increasing dental education and maintaining high practice standards.
However, for most it is through practical training programs and the latest most advanced technical updates DCE will be most beneficial to both dental professionals and consumers. Hands on experience combined with lectures are pertinent to the quality of dental continuing education. Other forms of education can be extremely helpful when it is nearly impossible to make the time commitment for in depth classroom training. There are many options available online courses & seminars, print, and through educational DVD format.
If improving your techniques and strengthening your practice isn't reason enough to continue dental education try an exotic cruise, no joke. This trend is becoming more and more popular and there are now a fair amount of agencies that will organize conferences on the latest dental related topics while sailing around the world's tropical and exotic locations. Think of it as a condensed study abroad experience for dental professionals. A cruise ship conference may not be the most economical but it can serve as an invaluable networking event as well as a memorable dental educational experience.
When deciding on a program dentists and dental professionals should seek one that offers the latest practical training programs and techniques. Ultimately the end result of dental continuing education should improve patient care and quality as well as lead to a more professional and sustainable organization in both the short and long term. Dental continuing education programs are required for all dentists, but when deciding on a particular program, it's important to remember your own core goals and objectives along with the needs of your own organization. Regardless of which type of program, class, or conference you choose, always remember that dental continuing education will always improve your practice and organization as a whole!

Tips for Success in Online Education

Online education is becoming a popular and convenient way for people all over the world to learn. You can earn an advanced degree and further your career, without having to quit your job, relocate, or waste time commuting back and forth to class. Online learning is also a great way for people who want to take just a class or two to achieve personal enhancement. Whatever your educational goal, online learning is right at your fingertips, but there are some considerations to take into account. Here are a few things to consider before beginning an online educational program that will help make it an enjoyable and successful experience.

1. Define Your Goals

What do you hope to gain from your online educational experience? Are you aiming to earn a post-graduate degree to advance in your career, or do you simply desire to learn more about a certain field or subject? Know what your goals are before you begin looking for a program. This will help you find a school that will match your individual needs.

2. Do Your Research

Know exactly what you're getting yourself into. Utilize every resource you can to find out about different online programs that will help you reach your goals. Make sure the school is a legitimate, accredited institution. Compare tuition costs and program curriculum for different programs to make sure you're getting the most for your money, and ask to speak with admissions representatives to get a better feel for which program is right for you. You can also talk to people in your field who have taken online classes in the past and seek their advice. It's also important to remember that some "online" programs do require brief residencies at the university's campus. If you don't have the means or aren't willing to travel, make sure you don't enroll in a program that requires limited residency halfway across the country.

3. Seek Financial Aid

One major issue that keeps prospective students from reaching their educational goals is the potentially astronomical cost of education. Unfortunately, online education can be just as expensive as on-campus learning, but don't despair. There are plenty of school-awarded financial aid packages, graduation assistance, work study programs, and government-funded aid that can help cut down the cost of your online education. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA and apply for any applicable grants and scholarships you can find to help make your education more affordable. You don't have to stick to the grants and scholarships from the school, either. There are innumerable scholarships available every year for students. Ask people you know and use the Internet to search for scholarships you can apply for.

4. Perform a Technology Check

You'll want to make sure you have access to all the technological tools you'll need for your online program. Many online programs have specific computer requirements because of special software used in their classes. Find out what the requirements are for your program and make sure you have everything you'll need. If you're not sure how to go about getting your computer up to speed, ask a representative from the school or a computer savvy friend to help you. Make sure to do this before the class begins to avoid getting stuck and frustrated when something doesn't work properly during your class.

5. Stay Motivated

Some people find motivation harder to come by when taking online class as opposed to an on-campus class, especially if they are juggling work and family obligations with education. Be aware that online classes can be demanding, and finding time to do your assignments might be difficult. Be prepared to make sacrifices. If you're tight on time or not a self-starter, make sure you set up a study schedule that will work for you and keep you motivated. This might mean you need to have a friend, family member, or classmate help you study or hold you accountable for assignments. Find something that works for you and stick with it. Remember why you enrolled in the program in the first place and constantly keep your goals in mind. Keeping your eye on the prize will help you stay focused.

6. Take Pride in Your Accomplishments

Getting an education online is a big undertaking, and one that should not be taken lightly. When you do well, don't be afraid to be proud of yourself! Celebrate small achievements such as good grades and improved test scores. Tell people about what you're learning and let them know you're doing well. You'll gain more support and feel great about what you've accomplished.

Online Education Has Come of Age!

Online education is becoming increasingly more popular as the quality and quantity of online degree programs expands. A few short years ago the perception of many professionals in the corporate world was that these degree programs were substandard. If that ever were the case, it is definitely no longer.
As the market embraced the expanding need for online education to cater to working adults, the programs achieved higher quality year after year. At this point most degree programs offered online are at least par with traditional programs and in many cases are much preferred by the working public. Online accredited universities can be easily found with a quick online search.
Most colleges now understand the value of having Internet based teaching modules in one way or another. The technology is too valuable and widespread not to take advantage of it. According to the Sloan Consortium's report of 2007, 5 years after the roll out of online education, there were almost 3.5 million students taking an online course during the fall of 2006. In addition to that there was a growth rate of almost 10% in online enrollments vs. the 1.5% growth of all educational enrollment combined. This in and of itself testifies to the strength and market of online education. I am sure the statistics have even expanded since that last report.
Taking an online course is quite tough. In a traditional setting it is possible to ask friends or classmates questions and get answers very quickly. While this may be an efficient use of time, working online through email or through a newsgroup setting requires the student to research answers to their questions in much more depth than otherwise. My experience is that the person walks away with a much more profound answer to their question, and that answer is now internalized into their knowledge base.
As a person that spent almost 8 years in traditional schooling and then another 2 years in online education, I can speak with experience that they both have their upsides and downsides. However, for the working adult online degree programs are absolutely the way to go. No longer is it a requirement that you need to quit your job, put your spouse to work, and head off to the bookstore. You now have the educational opportunities to advance your career right at your keyboard.
There are obvious degree programs that make sense to receive at a traditional institution. Anything that requires hands on lab work is an example. But even some of these are being addressed by remote and online institutions.
Most everyone understands the need to educate themselves to increase their financial value to the corporate community. For those that are in a situation where they have families and / or need to work online education is most definitely an alternative that will take you far in your chosen career.