Adult Ed - Part 2

The Current Status of Education and Teachers

I haven’t really sat down and argued the point of why the educational system nowadays is a bit more lackadaisical then when I went to school. I’m not saying all teachers are bad, but some and the NEA have more agendas today compared to maybe twenty, thirty years ago. This whole thing in Wisconsin with the unions is another example. People get used to so many perks and good benefits that they think it’s just normal procedure of being in the union while the outside workforce and citizens are the ones funding it through tax dollars. Wisconsin is one of the highest states in contrast to what they pay for their education yet fall in the worst for overall grades and what kids actually learn. Many schools fall under this category. The more they spend, the worse the grades are, the worst percentiles for what kids should know on any grade level keeps proving it year after year. What ever happened to caring about the kids or even if you’re an adult taking extra college courses or night school? How do the teachers differ there than government schools? Why do the agendas get worse in some colleges and universities of teaching fiscal responsibility and capitalism? The founding of the country and certain Presidents are always miffed when it’s a part of history while those who were controversial in global and state decisions are praised. Is it just another day at the office when it comes to political correctness? Only in recent years the school voucher idea has been pushed or “cyber-schooling”. I find it kind of peculiar that these two things do get the colleges, schools and teachers up in arms due to they do not want competition.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Education Resources Tagged With: Education, Teacher, Wisconsin

Preparing for the Joys of Online Classes

There is a lot to be said for the election to take your classes online. For one thing, you can always attend your classes, even if there are three feet of snow piled up outside. So much for any kinds of excuses you might have had in the past. For another thing, you can avoid all of the distractions that are so undeniably common in a typical college classroom (and let’s face it, coed classes are a double edged sword). When you can focus on actually taking in the information which is being offered to you, you can do a lot better than you could in a place where half the population is struggling just to stay awake.

But there are different ways to take college classes online. You can go to the library and hope that you can find a computer where nobody wants to use it for an hour or so (the length of an average class). Or you can sit at home with your desktop computer, which works well but can sometimes get a little uncomfortable. Or you can always seize the best of both worlds, and invest in a laptop. Not only are laptops great devices to have during power outages, as well as super convenient to use (no more waiting in some line). If you get yourself a good laptop backpack, you can take your laptop everywhere you go, and use it to participate in class discussions, do your homework, and even take some quizzes online. The best laptop backpacks have both a compartment to secure your laptop, and a separate compartment that will hold all your other school supplies.

Filed Under: Careers Tagged With: Backpack

The Big E: Evolving Into the Extra Education Online

Have you thought about policing up on one of your old skills since technology has changed so drastically? Maybe what you learned as a trade really doesn’t pertain to today’s types of jobs or it has changed so dramatically that you need to be taught more about the use of computers? Common things like this and looking for a new curricular are some of the decisions older Americans have been making. They see it as they have plenty of years left to either work their current job or maybe get better at it or learn something on the side or something totally new to keep up with the changing jobs and economy.

Taking a class or two online has been getting more popular as the computer age explores different ways to teach people new trades and new professions. The cost is definitely lower compared to colleges and universities while there’s no need for large classrooms despite online education can hit hundreds and thousands at a time while you sit at the desk having coffee and in your pajamas. Having the power to schedule your own time and being involved in a vast community gets the education out faster and makes it easier to change on a dime when staying current with everything new that comes out. It also eliminates any travel costs, teacher fees, tutor fees and dorm expense. You can go about your daily life as normal while keeping pace with all the changes in the economy and the global market. The Big E on your end will end up being Effort, Efficiency and Enrichment.

Filed Under: Education Resources, Online Education Tagged With: E-learning, Education, United States

The Monster Isn’t Always Under the Bed

It’s always tough when one is reconsidering going back to school when they reach the ages of 30 or 40. One of the biggest reasons is that education has changed so dramatically and has been updated over the last 20 years that adults feel like what they know is very outdated and serves no real purpose in today’s high-tech world we live in. Having the fear of taking on something new, something totally not of the norm and the intimidation of subjects that you struggled with when you were in high school can be overwhelming. The main two components of this fear and anxiety lie in the computers and technology realm as well as anything that requires math or algebra. Once those things can be tackled, you may find yourself a more private person or you are single and not one for groups of people or worry too much what other people think.This is a lot different than going to high school. There won’t be any class envy or bullying to worry about so relax and take a deep breath and just take it one day at a time.

If you happen to have adult ADD and that has some bearing on your learning as a child, you can always hire a tutor or take on your work at a comfortable pace when you’re alone. Persons with ADD have been found to learn and soak in things better as they got older due maturity and the understanding of being patient. Many have gone on to get their Associate’s or Master’s Degree in the process. As long as you can work at your pace and keep a stronger focus of what is going on in front of you, many of these phobias can be controlled or maybe even defeated in time.

Filed Under: Adult Education Tagged With: Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Associates Degree, High school

Sliding Into Post-Graduate Life

If ever there is a grace period in life, it’s during one’s formative educational years. Students receive special discounts on lifestyle items such as movies, museum attendance, and travel rates. But once the graduation ceremony has come and gone, things start to change. It’s not that you’re suddenly to be treated as an adult – that’s been happening for years by this point. Instead, the special treatment starts to disappear. First the discounts melt away, and you’re expected to pay full price on traveling exhibits. Then, with a warning that seems to sneak up on you, the loan payments accrued during your university years start to come due.

With all of the headaches that exist post-graduation, it can come as an unpleasant surprise to learn that substantial bills will be headed your way soon. Combine that with a few unsuccessful job interviews, and the panic level can start to rise quickly! Rather than freak out, you might try another approach. Be less picky about your job selection. In a tough job market, it’s far more important to focus on getting your foot in the door of a credible organization than it is to worry about landing your dream job right off the bat.

Few people start off their careers with an ideal job, so take what’s offered. You’ll be able to at least make your payments, especially if you budget wisely and don’t live beyond your means. It’s all too common for new earners to start trying to compensate for their years of living cheaply during the college years by overspending. Maintain the mindset that everything is still on a shoestring budget, and you’ll be able to afford your loan payments. That, and consider utilizing a debt consolidation service to help gather all of your accounts into one location. In so doing, you may just lower your total costs. And that’s good planning!

Filed Under: Adult Education, Education Resources Tagged With: Debt consolidation, Graduation, Job interview

Why Adults Go Back to School

There are hosts of reasons which would explain why adults would ever go back to college. The primary reason for this would be to earn a degree so that you can take a giant leap in your career. Or, you may want to go back to college in order to start a new career. In either case, college is beneficial for all of the above.

You may have felt that you are so stuck in your job, that you have had no time to learn the newest information about your area of expertise. Doing the same thing the same way every day can not only be boring for you, but it can be costly when someone new comes in and finds a way to do it better because they just got out of college. Going back to school can show your boss that you care to be up on the latest technologies and strategies.

Investing in college education can come to be the best investment that you can ever make. Research shows that those with a college degree earn about $1 million dollars more than what a person who has just completed high school would earn. Gone are the days when an adult would fight shy of competing with people much younger to him or her. Getting a degree or an additional degree would definitely do a world of good to your career.

Many times people go back to college just to learn something that they always yearned to learn, but never had an opportunity to do so. This kind of an experience and degree enriches them and lends them personal fulfillment. In case you too have been yearning to go back to college but have been in two minds so far, make up your mind and head for your nearest campus.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Tech/Vocational Schools Tagged With: Academic degree, Higher education

Find a Job Through Your College

When you are in college, it can be difficult and frustrating to try to find the perfect job. After searching the Internet, the newspapers, and even hounding your friends to see if they know of any great job opportunities, you may feel like your options have all been used up. Luckily for many, this is not the case. One resource that you may not have checked into yet is your college itself.

Many colleges today have set up affiliate programs with businesses in the area for job openings. What this means for you, as a student, is that your school may have an in with companies that other people do not. Just because you can’t find a job in the newspaper or on Craigslist does not mean a job for you does not exist. Consider talking to your guidance counselor or checking with student services.

Many times, these affiliate programs that have been set up have been done by alumni who now work for the businesses that are in the program. If you are trying to find the best job for you, check into all options in the school as well. You may find resources, such as an affiliate review, that you never would have thought existed. An affiliate review can let you find out more about the businesses that the college is affiliated with before you apply for them.

Finding a job is difficult, especially in a time when everyone is dealing with a rough economy. But working through your college is a great way to not only find a job, but maybe even find something in the field you are working toward. Not only can you make some money while in school, but a job will also help bolster your resume for later. Whether you are looking for something full time, or even an internship, you can easily find help through your school.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Careers Tagged With: Affiliate marketing, Business, Craigslist

Celebrities Who Pursued Online Education

Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal 12/20/1999

Image via Wikipedia

Online education has come a long way in the last few years. Although some schools offered distance learning programs for a long time, other schools are just getting to the point of incorporating these programs. In recent years, the number of celebrities using distance learning increased. Online educational programs may be an option for more everyday people, too, especially as some of the country’s most prominent schools offer these programs.

Shaquille O’Neal is an example of one celebrity who used distance learning to help him to improve his education level. He is known for his long career in basketball, including in the NBA. What he is lesser known for, though, is his enrollment in online undergraduate programs. He took these courses to help improve his ability to work in a career he is passionate about: law enforcement.

He is not the only one, though. Actress Hilary Duff is another example of a celebrity who went back to school using online educational programs. Duff is well known for her roles on Disney Channel television and, later, in various movies. What you may not know, though, is that she went back to school using online courses to get a degree in fashion design.

Does It Matter?

As an individual, does it matter to you that these celebrities obtained education through online programs? It does show that, even though these professionals have millions of dollars to their name, they are still using online programs to better themselves instead of attending the largest and most expensive schools. Many people may care about these celebrities themselves, but the fact is, these celebrities are benefiting from online education and you can do the same.

For those who are interested in obtaining an education online, consider all of the options. Many of the top universities and colleges in the United States are now offering undergraduate programs on the web. You can enroll, too.

Filed Under: Education Resources, Online Education Tagged With: Distance education, E-learning

Deciding if Online Education is for You

Taking classes for college credits from your home computer is becoming so popular that there are some people who have earned degrees without ever stepping a foot onto a college campus. Online learning isn’t right for everyone though. There are many factors that decide whether or not an online student will be successful.

While online classes do save commuting time for a student, you still have to have plenty of time to study, do your homework, work on projects, and keep up with the rest of the class. If you are taking a class that is classified as a three credit hour course, you should be able to spend no less than six hours per week to spend on the work for that class.

You will get tired and want to give up. However, that will not be an option for you if you want to complete the class. You have to be able to manage yourself from home. Make yourself sit down and work on days you don’t want to. Work on homework when you;d rather go on to bed. It is important that you are strict with yourself when it comes to doing your work.

Decide if you can handle an online program or if you can work on just a couple of classes online. If you take on more than you can adequately finish during a semester, you will end up depressed and discouraged. Often, when a student falls behind due to a class or two, they end up not finishing at all because they are so discouraged about their grades and their ability to obtain the diploma they are trying to earn.

You must do your research. Make sure that the ultimate program you are trying get into allows credits from schools that are primarily online. If your credits will not transfer once you are done with your online classes, you will end up finding you are out of a lot of time and money.

Filed Under: Online Education Tagged With: E-learning, Student

Moving to College? Know What You Should Bring

Going away to college can be a really exciting time in your life, but it can be stressful, as well. If you plan ahead and know what kinds of things you should bring with you, it can be a lot more enjoyable – and you’ll keep your stress levels lower. What you should take with you will depend on whether you’re going to live on campus, or off campus. Many adult learners live off campus, but it’s still possible for them to live in on-campus housing if that’s what they’d like to do. On campus living means you won’t need to bring much furniture. Things like beds and desks will be provided to you.

Consider taking:

Clothes for various occasions and for all types of weather
Toiletries, so you don’t have to run out and buy some right away
Plenty of pens, paper, and similar supplies
Games, books, or puzzles you can play on your own or with your roommates
Cash and a credit card for emergencies
Money for food – how much will depend on whether you’re on campus or off campus

Living in a home or apartment off campus will mean more freedom, but it will also mean more responsibility in the form of cost and what you’ll need to bring. Find out, no matter where you’re staying, whether your building has an elevator if you’re not on the first floor. You don’t want to have to carry heavy boxes up flights of stairs. If you need to, you should bring a dolly or a cart and some friends to help you. Another option is to let someone else do the work. Get moving quotes, so you’ll know how much it costs. That way, you can decide if there’s a company that’s right for you, or if you want to do the work yourself.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Education Resources Tagged With: Adult learner, Campus, Money

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