Monday, June 25, 2012

Change Your Child's Life With Twenty Successful Educational Strategies

Parents are always looking for a better way to assist with the education of their children. To motivate children, parents must first be motivated to help their children learn. The strategies provided in this article are a good beginning to ensure that children successfully navigate the education system.
1. Reading- Parents should start reading to their children at a very early age. Reading should be encouraged at all times. Children should have a library card and visit books stores on a regular schedule. Parents can have children memorize a poem or a small speech to help keep their mind sharp and ready for reading.
2. Math-Children should be taught at a young age that math is a very important subject. Parents should verbally ask math questions (mental math) with their children whenever possible. Questions can be addition, subtraction or multiple computations. Answers should be also verbal. Start with small math problems. Children should also be allowed to participate in real life math problems such as: buying articles or food at a store on their own, weighting fruits and vegetables at the market and measuring things in the kitchen.
3. Homework- A homework schedule should be developed for children, including what time to do homework each day, how much time should be dedicated to homework each day, and where in the house to do homework. In addition, if the school doesn't provide a homework assignment on any given day the parent should develop homework assignments. Reading is always appropriate for homework.
4. Home Organization- Parents should organize their home for success by creating a special room with educational tools available such as: computer, printer, books, pens, paper, dictionary, newspapers and magazines. In addition, the house should have book shelves throughout the house with lots of books. The house should also be organized with educational posters, pictures, certificates and awards in the appropriate rooms.
5. Parental Involvement-Parents should be involved with their children's activities throughout their educational career. Attending parent teacher conferences, talking to children about their school work, checking school assignments with them, enrolling them into educational programs after school and during summer months, reading to and with them and providing lots of encouragements is a must for all parents.
6. Career Exposure -Whenever possible, children should be exposed to people working in different jobs. For example, having children talk with doctors, lawyers, teachers and other professionals about what they do on their jobs is a good beginning. Encourage children to read about various careers. Shadowing friends on their jobs is another excellent way to help children focus their minds and direct their attention to thinking about their own future.
7. Allowance- Parents should give children an allowance on a weekly or biweekly schedule if children complete all home responsibilities. Responsibilities should include doing homework everyday, studying, completing all assignments at school and reading regularly. Parents should also have other home responsibilities for their children.
8. Time Management- Parents should work with their children to develop a schedule for success. The schedule should include everything from what time to get up in the morning, to what time to go to bed, to what time to eat, what time to do homework, what time to go to practice, what time to do chores around the house and the schedule should be written down. Giving children some kind of planner with a big calendar would help them write it down and help them become better organized.
9. Encouragement- When children earn good grades, parents should give them positive strokes and explain to them how important it is keep good grades. Also, when students bring home their report cards, they could be placed on the refrigerator door so the entire family can see the accomplishments and make additional encouraging statements. This can also be done with tests and quizzes. Praise your children whenever they do well on any assignment at school, and display the finish assignment throughout the house.
10. Educational Trips- Educational trips to museums, zoo and plays are a good way to expose children to cultural activities. Parents should spend time with children discussing what was observed on trips. Family trips out of town could be scheduled to popular museums to give children deeper insights.
11. Musical Instrument- All children should learn how to play a musical instrumental. Learning to play the piano is very popular, but learning to play any instrument can help children improve their concentration, self- esteem and confidence. It can also advance student achievement by improving dexterity in hands, improve reading skills, reinforcing memorization skills and developing better social skills through interaction with others.
12. Educational Programs-Enroll children into educational programs after school and during the summer months. Programs should have some educational value as well as being interesting to the participant. Children will improve social skills and students achievement at the same time.
13. Join Church-Attending church and Sunday school can help improve a student achievement level by studying the Bible, giving speeches, learning how to be dedicated, learning good values, having faith, and learning how to respect life, etc.:
14. Self Esteem- Develop positive self-esteem by having children begin the day brushing their teeth and looking in the mirror to make positive statements about themselves, their day or their dreams. He/she could make positive statements such as: I am an outstanding student, or I am the best athlete on the team, or I will earn an A on my test. Also, have he/she to counteract any negative statements with positive statements.
15. Reward- Rewards for children can be a motivator for success. When children are successful at school, parents should provide small rewards of appreciation. Parents could cook their child's favorite meal, take them out to a restaurant, allow them to stay up later, or play video games a little longer. Parents should decide what they believe is appropriate. Don't over do it.
16. Be an Example- Parents should demonstrate how education is important in their home by reading the newspaper or books around their children. Taking children with them when they go to purchase books at the book store is a good example. Parents displaying their degree's or awards in their home is important to family.
17. Demonstrate Love- Love should always be a part of the decisions that parents make concerning their children. Parents should always understand that improving their child's education is very important, but love is what will help children to accomplish their goals. Hugging children to show appreciation and love is important.
18. Goals-The setting of goals should start at an early age. Parents should start asking children what their interests in life are at a young age. The favorite question of some parents is: what do you want to do when you grow up? Parents can influence children's goals by talking to them about what their best subjects. Have children to develop short term goals, such as: I will earn two A's on my next report card. With that goal have them write a plan on how they will reach that goal. The same thing can be done with long term goals. Celebrate when children reach goals.
19. Extra Curricula Activities- Being a part of activities and sports outside of the regular school day is a good way to keep children sharp and alert for their academic workload. Children should be a part of some activity that keeps their interest and keeps them motivated. They should also understand that academics are first and if their grades are not at a high level, all activities will stop.
20. High Expectations - If children know from day one that their parents expect good grades in school, chances are their grades will be good. Parents should always tell children what they expect, but be realistic when making these expectations. The expectations should be attainable and a bit above what the child thinks of himself or herself, and through encouragement and consistency, great things can happen! When expectations are developed, support to make the expected outcome should also be presented. Example; If parents expect the child to learn how to play the piano in six months, they must provide a piano teacher, piano and a time to practice the piano.
Parents probably have the greatest influence on the success or failure of their children. Parents who get involved and seek positive strategies are ensuring a successful life for their family. The strategies listed above is a sample of the many ways parents can utilize to motivate their children for success at school and in life.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Online Education - A Boon For Army Personnel

Each and every country maintains an army that consists of courageous individuals ready to defend the country and preserve the way of life. However, a career in the army leaves these army personnel little or no opportunity to pursue higher education for the betterment of their future, once they retire from the army. Some army training institutes may include some kind of formal education for these individuals, but it is not a norm. Online education thus comes in handy for army personnel, as they can obtain a degree at their convenience.
Online education has made it possible for everyone to obtain an education at their convenience. It has opened up a new world of equal opportunities for all individuals to pursue their learning interests. It has helped those individuals who did not have the opportunity to obtain a university degree, to attain the same level of education as that of anyone attending university courses. Online studies have made education accessible to all, and that includes army personnel as well. It has provided an opening for the military personnel who want to advance their educational qualifications but cannot find the time for it while performing their vital duties of serving the nation.
Most of the online schools and colleges accept applications from army personnel and some of them may have reservation policy for seats for any course they might like to select. Online education is perfect for the army because they can study at their convenience while performing their military duty. The army encourages its personnel to pursue degrees so that they can be prepared for their future civilian life and also apply their skills to resolve various situations they may have to face, during their military career.
Since the increasing popularity of online education was observed among army personnel,
the military has set up its own online educational institution known as the American Military University or AMU. AMU offers a wide range of courses for army personnel and it has become very popular since its inception. The courses offered at AMU include space research, general studies, English Literature and many other subjects. There is something to suit everyone, from associate degree to the Master's degree in every subject.
The flexible fee structure at AMU allows many recruits to pay for the course out of their salary. The fees are affordable and the arrangement is to pay as you learn, so most of the recruits simply pay for each semester rather than paying for the full course all at once. This way they are not financially burdened and can study at their own pace.
Online education has revolutionized the manner in which army personnel can benefit from education by preparing them for a post military career. The education levels give them specialized skill sets that they can use to further their overall earning potentials after their retirement from the army. They have every right to a formal education and they should be given every opportunity to pursue it.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

You Need to Know About Online Education Degree

Online education degree could be just what you need to begin or advance your career. The options for an online education degree program are just like those at any college or university. In fact, many of the programs are offered by facilities in your area. You may even be familiar with some of them.
Below, you will find some of the most frequently asked questions about an online education degree. Hopefully, the answers that you need are included.
Why Choose an Online Education Degree Program Instead of a Traditional Classroom?
For most people, the answer is a matter of "convenience." Many people postpone higher or continuing education because of family responsibilities or working hours.
Most traditional schools hold their final classes relatively early in the evening. You can work towards an online education degree at any time of the day or night. Weekend classes are not a problem. Scheduling is not an issue. You choose when and how much you want to learn in a given day.
Another reason that we often see is "distance." Depending on where you live, an online education degree program may be your best choice because of travel time, cost to travel and the distance to and from school. It all adds up.
Finally, there is cost. An online education degree program may be less expensive than the per-credit charges at you local university.
Are On-line Universities Accredited?
In most cases, the answer is "yes." As I mentioned above, a university in your own area may offer on-line classes. In order to remain competitive, many popular universities, including the University of Cincinnati and Virginia College, now offer courses on-line.
Just be sure to check for accreditation, before you sign up for a program. The reputable colleges provide that information up-front, because they know that you want to know.
What Career Paths are Available?
There is truly no limit to your options. You can become a pre-school or kindergarten teacher; a high school teacher, librarian, psychologist or counselor. You can focus on higher education and become a college professor or university administrator.
You should choose your career path based on your own preferences. If you like to work with kids, you choose secondary education. If you prefer research or writing, there are several roads that you can take. Basically, any path that would be available from a traditional school is available with an online education degree.
What are the Fees?
The fees charged by different institutions will of course, vary. In general, you will pay a per-credit fee, similar to that charged by traditional universities. You may have to buy text books and other materials necessary to complete the course. You will save money by working at home, rather than commuting to and from school.
Can I get Continuing-Education Credits?
The online education degree program originally became popular for people needing CE credits, since it was easier to fit into the schedule. So, yes, you can get your CE credits through an online education degree. Actually, you can do just about anything on-line.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Why Do You Need a Higher Education Consultant For Study in UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand?

Foreign education is a booming business today as students from many lands dream and aspire to pursue higher education abroad. The United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand happen to be the most popular destinations.
Why Study Abroad?
Some Good Reasons to Study Abroad.
Multilingual and Multicultural Environment:
Studying abroad gives you a golden opportunity to be a part of the multicultural environment and also learning new foreign languages. It gives you a first hand feeling of different cultures and its origin.
Makes you more Techno Savvy:
The education system abroad happens to be very different than what prevails in India. It lays lot of emphasis on the practical aspects of education thus making the students techno savvy and more practical.
Value of Degree:
A foreign degree enhances your chances of employment and gives you the returns on your investments. This is one good reason why you should not take it as an expense but an investment.
Importance of Hiring Foreign Higher Education Consultants:
Foreign education consultants play a vital role in fulfilling your dreams. They act as navigators to the whole process. There are lot of complexities involved in the whole process of studying abroad. Hiring a good consultant becomes very very important here. They are the ones who make your dreams turn into reality. In depth knowledge is absolutely essential while taking such vital decisions. A good higher education consultant would not only help you accomplish the task but also see that it is being accomplished in the right direction. It is about the students' future and that is the reason utmost care and awareness is required from the beginning.
Selection of the right kind of schools plays the most important role in the whole process. Selecting a good and accredited school ensures your future prospects of recruitment and also the value of your degree.
Why Study in USA?
Introduction to the country:
Multicultural population
Worlds largest economy
Less than 5%unemployment ratio
Largest number of MNC
Highly technical and flexible education system
Strong links between educational institutions and corporate world
The unique OPT feature providing stay back options
More than 300 courses to choose from
States with well developed education system
Types of Student Visas:
F1 Visas-Given for Full time degrees M1 Visas-Given for Part time courses and vocational degrees
Thus the student should fix a budget and look for Universities according.
Three main areas to be proved for bagging the student visas :
Serious academic student
Intention of return
Financial Capability
The Unique OPT Feature:
You can get legal work permit called the OPT for up-to 1 year after the course competition. The company can than sponsor your H1 B visa which is a legal work permit visa. It is to be held for 6 years in order to apply for a green-card.
The break even is attained by availing the OPT feature. It also gives a platform for gathering exposure and experience of an international market.
Why Study in UK?
Britain has long been a popular destination for Indian students to study in UK. With more than 150 institutes of higher education to choose from. U.K. is one of the few countries that allows international students to work even outside the campus. Students can work up-to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during vacations.
Various Postgraduate and Graduate Program offered by UK educational institutes :
Bachelors degree- It is for a duration of 3-4 years.
Sandwich Courses-This gives an option to the students to do one year of commercial training after first 2 years of bachelors degree and then returning to the third year.
HND is awarded by Vocational and technical Educational Councils. The duration is 2 years.
Postgraduate degree-They are normally for a duration of one year thus saving costs and living expenses.
Why Study in Australia?
Australia is one of the best places to live. It is a young, vibrant and friendly country. It also has a unique kind of education system which offers and provides paths to suit particular academic requirements.
In 2000, Australia introduced the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000. ESOS ensures that, in order to enroll international students, institutions must first meet requirements for registration. All institutions which meet registration requirements are listed on the publicly available Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
The ESOS legislation provides consumer protection. This means you will receive the tuition for which you have paid, and your fees are protected by law.
Under the skilled migration program, international students get an opportunity to stay back in Australia thus giving them the returns on their investments and also assuring a better lifestyle.
Why study in New Zealand?
Perhaps the most important reason to study in New Zealand is the absolute guarantee of getting a student visa if you are a genuine student and the great student policies that are friendly and very, very helpful. If you have the above you will be termed a 'Positive Profile' student by the student visa team of Immigration New Zealand. All these visa officers make rational judgments rather than whimsical decisions based on 'mood'.
Tips For Choosing The Right University
Location:
The location should be selected keeping in mind various factors like cost of living, safety , placements, weather, etc. For ex. London happens to have the highest cost of living. So if funds are important to a student, he might not select a school based in London.
Accreditation and Ranking:
The universities in UK are ranked by various bodies .The rankings are based on the quality of education provided, student satisfaction etc.
Course Accreditation: It is also important to check how accredited is the degree with the particular university that you want to pursue your education from. There are certain courses which are accredited by certain bodies in the UK which should be considered.
Bursaries and Scholarships: Different universities offer different scholarships which in turn helps in reducing the cost of education for international students.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Adult Education Program - Should You Really Do This?

There are a lot of adults who want to improve themselves academically by taking up a part-time or full-time education program for adults. There are all kinds of reasons that they may want to do this. No matter what your reasons are, you must make sure that you chose the adult education program that is right for you. This is a very important point to consider.
There are hundreds of these external education programs that you can take but you will need to figure out what motivates you to want to do it. When you know what your motivation is you will have a much better chance of choosing the right educational program for yourself and completing it.
You also need to figure out what it is that you want to pursue. This is something that you have to know before you sign up for any part-time or full-time education program for adults. Otherwise you will end up wasting your time and money trying to figure it out later. You can do some research to see what these programs have to offer. This will help you narrow down your choices.
Once you know what it is that you want to do you will need to figure out where you are going to take the adult education program. These days you can take a lot of the programs that are offered online. After you have decided the program that you want to take you will need to find out if it is offered as an online education program for adult or not.
Most of the junior colleges and Universities now offer their programs online. They understand that it is harder and harder for people these days to pursue an education program unless it is in the comfort of their own home and at their own pace.
With everyone having a full time job, kids and other responsibilities, you will probably not have very much free time to go and spend it at a school. Some people can and this is great for them. However, there are not a lot of these adults who cannot afford this luxury of the extra time. This is why this form of online education program is becoming more and more popular among the adults.
So deciding where you need to take the adult education program is very important. You want to look at the online education programs that are offered and the ones that are not done online. Then decide for yourself which one would work better for you. All these decisions need to be made before you sign up for any of these programs.