Monday, July 27, 2009

It's Time to Complete Your Degree Online

If you are like those who enter the workplace without completing a college degree or wish to change jobs, earning a degree online is a great option. Online education has been available for years and has been widely accepted by employers as the qualification measurement for the potential candidates of their vacant job positions. Therefore, if you are a working individual without a degree, it's time to complete your degree online.

When considering an online degree to meet your purpose of pursuing a degree, there are a number of considerations you should make. You should begin with a clear understanding why you want the degree for. You may want the degree to meet the job promotion requirement or to make a career switch to the field you are interested in. Once you have set your goal, finding a degree program that meets your goal is the next task to be done.

Searching a degree program that best fits your goal may not be an easy task because there are so many similar online degree programs offered by different universities and colleges. Most probably, you will get confuse and find difficulties to decide the one that meets your purpose of pursuing a degree. Then, how to decide the one from the many? The answer is, you have to select one, but thing may not get as complicated as you may think of. The simplest way to find the right degree program is by speaking with counselors because they are the best person who can help you understand what types of options are available and what you can expect after graduation. After hearing from the advice from the counselors of different schools, you should be able to short-list a few online degree programs for easy selection.

Once you have decided an online degree program that works best for you, make sure you are meeting the admission requirements. In addition to the admission requirements, you should also understand what it needs to meet the graduation requirements and complete the degree program. Some online degree programs allow you to learn 100% from online classes while others may need to you to attend a few physical classes at their campus. You know which type of online learning works best for you after taking consideration of your work schedule and other family obligations.

If you need financial aids to pay for the online degree program, it can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The company you work with may have employee benefits on continuing education or you may apply for scholarships or loans offered by private and federal organizations. You may consult the financial aid officer at the school you are considering. They will be able to advise you where to get financial aid to fund your study.

Summary

Online degrees have been widely accepted in the job market. If you are interested in completing your degree, do it online can be a great option. With online education, earning a degree can be a finger click away. Therefore, it's time to your complete your degree online.

Julie Harvard invites you to explore more information on online degree programs at http://www.studykiosk.com which will help in making your education decision and select an online degree program that best fit your goals.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Why Online LPN to RN Degree Programs Rock

You are already working as a LPN or LVN and are feeling stifled in your current position. You wish to study further and take a degree that will help you progress in your career as well as give you much needed additional income and status. But you are constrained by time and money and by the fact that you will be required to go back to college and attend all the boring lectures. This is definitely not workable for you and is proving to be a big stumbling block. Do not worry, there is great news and this is sure to make your dreams come true.

You can now go ahead and make a good advance in your career in nursing and also improve your earning potential by getting an accredited degree in nursing without the need to attend college. You will thus be able to save time as well as the expense involved in tuition fees. This initiative possible through online degree program offered by the College Network will help you progress from LPN to RN in much lesser time as compared to the traditional classroom route. Moreover, this facility enables you to continue your current working lifestyle and you are able to study at your own pace and convenience.

This distance learning program is totally online and is fully recognized by industry due to the tie ups with reputed universities for the handing over of the degrees like bachelor's degree and other work oriented certificates. It involves a format that has classroom as well as specific online course modules prepared in consultation with leading universities and this enables the participants to complete the courses without the need to attend college. Some of the benefits are:

a) You get a degree accredited by universities and recognized by industry
b) You need not attend classroom and no attendance is taken
c) You save on money that you would have incurred on tuition fees
d) You can study at your own pace and convenience.
e) You can balance your current lifestyle and continue to work and study.

The only requirement is that you must be a LPN or LVN and this eligibility is enough to help you request for the Associate in Science degree in the nursing field. Once you obtain this degree, it entitles you to:

a) Salary boost of $15,000.
b) Total job satisfaction and security
c) Great feeling of personal achievement
d) Opens greater opportunities for career advancement
e) Improves your current status and dignity.

To learn more about Online LPN to RN Degree and enroll for Online LPN to RN Degree Programs please visit http://rndegrees.net/

Friday, July 03, 2009

Take an Online Course in Responsible Alcohol Retailing

Responsible alcohol retailing is necessary if we as a conscientious society are going to limit the ills caused by alcohol. Drink driving, binge drinking, pavements awash in urine and vomit and alcohol fueled violence are just some of the problems caused by the 'Friday night piss-up'. Many of our young people now routinely drink themselves senseless. There has been much talk about where to place the blame, but rather than engage in finger pointing it is important for everyone to step up and do their part to put an end to the binge drinking culture.

Certainly an argument could be made that it is the drinker themselves that must learn to say 'when'. And although in the general sense that is true, it is a proven fact that too much alcohol impairs judgment. This is where responsible alcohol retailing comes into play. If those selling alcohol are vigilant and aware when a customer has passed the line of reasonable consumption then they can cut the customer off before the inebriation level reaches untenable heights. How do you learn the ins and outs of responsible retailing? Exactly when and how do you cut a customer off?

In Great Britain you have access to NCPLH (National Certification for Personal License Holders) training that is designed to instruct you in the methods of responsible alcohol retailing. For owners and or operators of pubs and other establishments that sell alcohol, this training will answer questions about the problems of binge drinking and give you specific methods for dealing with customers who have over-indulged, those you suspect of attempting drink driving, and violence brought on by alcohol consumption. These courses are designed to teach you how to avoid problems before they start by recognizing common signs and signals that a customer has had too much to drink.

You can study the NCPLH course on responsible alcohol retailing online. This 5 hour course is easy to complete in the comfort of your own home. Use the online practice test to ensure that you are ready and then register to take the official invigilated test at a testing centre near you. The local pub is a sterling part of Britain's character - urinating in the street, drink fueled violence and drink driving are not. Do your part to ensure that your 'local' be it pub, club or restaurant is practicing responsible retailing and helping to eliminate the blight of binge drinking.

Learn2Serve.co.uk offers Resposible Alcohol training course online for owners of pubs and establishments that sell alcohol.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Why is Accreditation Important While Selecting a College?

In the U.S., post-secondary education is not monitored by any specific agency or cabinet. Because of this, accreditation was created so that the quality of education being received by students attending colleges and universities was more transparent. When choosing a degree program, one important factor to consider is to check which agencies have accredited the school or the program in which you are interested. Visit the school's website and look for the accreditation symbols. Most colleges will have a page devoted to accreditation but if you are still not satisfied, contact the issuing authority to find out more information. Even though accreditation may not seem the likely place to begin when investigating your college, it is a reliable starting point of an indication of the institution's academic offerings and to decide whether it's the best investment of your money and time.

So, how does a program get accredited? In short, schools applying for accreditation must provide the following information in order to be considered. They must provide a clear mission statement along with the program outlines and curriculum. Information on the methods of instruction and testing materials have to be mentioned with the necessary study instructions and learning resources. There has to be evidence of proper record keeping and regular student surveys in addition to faculty and administration background information. Only once all this paper work is submitted to the concerned body and approved, can a program receive accreditation. It is obvious then that becoming accredited is a rigorous process and programs that receive accreditation have ultimately proven their worth as legitimate teaching institutions.

But, why go through all this in the first place? Basically, accreditation assures the student of the following:

- That he or she is entitled to equal rights of admission, registration, counseling, placement and orientation as every other student. This is important if you are opting for a long distance learning program.

- If the school or college is not accredited by a nationally recognized accredited organization, the school is then unable to participate in any student aid programs offered by the government. For students, this means that you will not be eligible for any student loans or federal grants. Accreditation also ensures that all Federal Aid funds are being used effectively.

- Future employers will rarely reimburse the tuition of any employee who has attended a school that is not accredited.

- If your career demands a state licensure exam, it is common for states to require that a college, university, or program be accredited before allowing students to acquire licensure.

- Coursework or even a degree from an accredited institution can help you qualify for admission to other higher degree programs.

- Transfer of credits is only possible from one college to another, if both are accredited.

- Applying for a job after you graduate might prove to be difficult if your qualifications or degree has been granted by a school that is not accredited. In short, your entire education might be proved to be a waste of time, effort and money. Most employers review a job applicant's educational history to make sure that he or she has received his or her education from a college, university, or program with accreditation and if not, this could hamper the chances of future employment.

In spite of all the regulations and rules, keep in mind that there are college accreditation associations that are not legitimate. Some colleges - so called 'diploma mills' create their own accrediting authority and then grant themselves "accreditation." So, always be careful and dig deeper when investigating the accreditation of the college of your choice. There are basically only TWO large organizations in the U.S. that recognize accrediting agencies and give them the required validation. These are the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). You can visit US Department of Education website (ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html) and CHEA website (CHEA.org) for a complete list of the accrediting agencies that these two bodies recognize.

To summarize, accreditation is a tool used to evaluate, monitor and assess the quality and standards of education offered by a college or institution. It instills trust in students, parents, and faculty alike that the education being offered is worthwhile and of value. Another objective of accreditation is to achieve positive outcomes in learning. Colleges, whose students consistently fail to achieve a particular level of performance, also come under the evaluation of the accreditation agency concerned.

However, if a college degree program you are interested in does not have a recognized accreditation, it also could mean that the program or institution is new and has not yet met all the minimum requirements for accreditation. You should research the college as much as possible and think of the long term consequences before signing up for anything. Ultimately, it is your education at stake. When in doubt - look it up!

Stevens-Henager College was established in 1891 and is distinguished as one of the oldest colleges in Utah. It has trained generations of graduates through its on-campus and online programs for Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate's Degrees. Stevens-Henager College also offers FastFlex online degree programs for working professionals. Stevens-Henager's online degree program and FastFlex degree programs help enhance your career and your qualifications, while placement staff helps to find exciting job openings and even setting up interviews as well.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Best of the Web's Teachers' Resources

If you have specific subject or query in mind, then Google really is the teachers pet. Here is a collection of some of my favourites, and what you can find when you log on:

Teacher Planet - A bang up to date resource featuring Spring & Summer Season lessons, plans, worksheets, tools, certificates and more.

UsingEnglish - Free English teacher resources for of all levels including hundreds of printable handouts, PDF lesson plans, online quizzes, jobs, articles, teacher discussion forum and more...

TES Connect - The online version of The Times Educational Supplement. TES is an invaluable resource for industry news, views and ideas, reports and opinions; covering primary, secondary and further education.

The Foundation Stage Forum - This UK based site focuses on the early year's education sector and those involved in education with children aged 3 to 5 years. The site provides resources and information and other materials that have been identified via needs discussed in the active forums.

Primary Resources - Containing those all important lesson plans, work and activity sheets. This site is suitable for teachers of all curriculum subjects; English, Maths, ICT, Science, Geography, History, Music, Languages and Art.

50 Must-Read Up and Coming Blogs by Teachers - Find, browse and read blogs by other teachers like you!

TeacherLingo - It's an online community for teachers to share thoughts and ideas and to discuss current events. Members can start a free teacher blog and more.

And finally

TeacherNet - This UK site lists literally hundred s of intelligent teaching resources, whatever your level or discipline.

If you are seeking education recruitment, the internet was built for you! In a job where armfuls of ideas, resources, plans and creativity are necessary (and changeable) by the hour, the opportunity to browse, trade and learn is invaluable.

Kellie Whitehead writes job related content for http://TheEducationProfessionals.Com, the number one online resource for those seeking an education career in Dubai and the Middle East.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Six Study Tips For the Online Learner

How in the world do you block off time between running around behind the kids, cook dinner, do laundry, prepare for work the next day, sit in unmovable traffic, and attempt an A in a distance learning course? Your study skills are challenged, you have limited time to sit down and prepare resources for a discussion question or a test. So what do you do, you strengthen your study skills with these six easy steps:

1.) Ask family or friends for help. Many of you who have children will definitely need to heed this advice. As a mom myself, it's hard to set aside an hour or two a couple times a week to devote to studying, posting discussion answers and submitting assignments. So, who helps? The spouse and my parents. So parents, who are doing a great justice to your professional growth by pursuing an education online, you need help to manage the children, especially the smaller ones.

2.) Read assigned chapters at least 30-45 minutes a day. Use a highlighter to capture important points. Read over any sentences that may stump you. Write notes or questions to the side that catch your attention to refer back to later.

3.) If there are important concepts to learn or theories to master, make a chart or table to compare or contrast the concepts for the unit your class is working on.

4.) Application of learned concepts. What's the use of learning something if you don't know how to apply them to real life? Write examples on how you would use the concepts on a daily basis or scenerio.

5.) Work the questions at the end of the chapter, even if they are not assigned. This will help you with Tip #4.

6.) Do your best to not study in bed or when you are the most tired. You will not get anything done and you will instantly feel sleepy because you are in a comfortable state. Try a kitchen table or a desk, get some good lighting and play very soft music without words to stimulate your mind. This will help you retain information much better.

Bonus Tip***: Use additional resources that the instructor lists in the syllabus.

Make a routine of your study time, try to find out when you are most alert and motivated. For example, I am a morning person. My study times are mostly done around the morning hours, because at night, I usually set aside time for clients, household duties, and writing articles. Find your time where you are studying effectively. But most of all, make sure you master your learning experience.

Jayna Butler is the Founder of P&P Life and Educational Consulting Services. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and pursuing a Masters degree in Counseling Studies from Capella University, she started P&P Consulting to help others obtain their dreams. She has experience in Sales, Management, over 9 years working with youth groups, 5 years working in Nonprofit and Job Coaching, Higher Education Administration, and Recruiting/Staffing. P&P Consulting works with Clients in 3 specialities, Educational/Collegiate Consulting, Career Counseling/Development, and Confidence/Self-Esteem Coaching. Her professional organizational memberships include the Association of Career and Technical Education and the Tennessee Association of Guidance and Career Development. Based on the scripture Jeremiah 29:11, this consulting agency works with clients to guide, focus, and bring results to clients plan and find their true purpose. She works with college students, adult learners, business owners, and other organizations. She resides in Memphis, TN with her loving husband and 1-year old daughter.

For more information: Visit http://www.purposeandplan.org

Blog & More Articles: http://purposeandplan.blogspot.com

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Benefits of Taking Online University Courses

The advent of the internet has given students many more opportunities than in the past. The people who feel they couldn't receive an education in a normal classroom now have the chance to get a degree or diploma via an online university. Some people are attached to traditional universities, but nevertheless, there are several benefits of online universities.

1. Unlimited access is provided by online universities. Location does not matter at all for online universities. Regardless of whether you are feeling unwell, paying a visit to a relative who is ailing, or you are away from your local university, you can nevertheless go to an online school. There is no restriction for anyone from attending and this is the advantage of an online university. If you have an internet connection and a computer, you can attend a university online.

2. You can save more money this way. A great way to save money is by utilizing the advantages of online universities. Other than your education fee there is nothing else to be paid. This campus has no library, no recreation room, no janitors! Why? Because it is all online. Enrolling in an online university will not incur any additional fees as you do not have to pay for extra services. Universities online only offer the necessities to students so it permits students to save a great amount of money every year.

3. Scheduling presents no difficulty. Online universities also have the benefit of being flexible. Say that you have a doctor appointment during the 10:00 a.m. class online, you are able to view the recorded lesson via webcast whenever you get home. You can participate in online group chat sessions at late a night, after you finish work and see the messages your classmates have posted several hours earlier. Online university programs do not have rigid schedules. You can have the craziest family and work schedule imaginable, and it won't matter. You can study and take classes on your own time at your own pace. You can have your meetings when it is convenient for you. If you go to school online, you will always be able to reconcile your school schedule and your life schedule.

4. There is access to a better quality of professors. Qualified professors are often enticed to teach at online universities. There is no need to travel to the university each day and so more intelligent and experienced professors are available for online teaching. Students at online universities get the chance to be taught by some of the nation's most elite professors since the location and scheduling is so convenient for everyone. Every year online universities are becoming more popular.Because they provide greater access to the average student as well as the experienced professor, universities online fill in the funding and location gaps that simply cannot be bridged by the traditional education system.

Tiffany Provost writes about School and Education for HowToDoThings.com.