education

Take Advantage of Academic Advisement

Categories: education | May 11th, 2008 | by | no comments

Advisement or Career counseling in any area can be conducive in assisting students in the process of decison making. But it is absolutely cruicial in the world of academics and career choices relative to students success in college.

Students are sometimes unaware or do not understand the importance of getting excellent counseling or advisement when problems start to ocurr academicially or during the close of graduation for employment. When students work closely with professors and their academic advisors it creates ease and encouragement from both areas.

Advisors can provide an array of resolutions that are affective to students success. Below is a short list that may be helpful. See your Advisor, Career or Academic Counselor if…

1. You have a problems choosing a career or questions concerning interniships, graduate assistance or work study, they usely work close with departments in this area and know the current trends of the job market or academic status and requirements for employment.

2. Career counselors provide such services as resume writing, critiques of resumes, role playing, mock interviews, job fairs and assist in future employment selections.

3. Academic counseling helps students to stay on track and provides academic support when they are not on track.

4. Academic advisors also help students with choices of majors, double majoring and minors specifically business, math, science and computer science majors.

5.They also provide an audit of classes and advises students on remaining classes to take to complete their degree of study.

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Robert Crawford III

The author has several small publications concerning education and how it affects today’s students. He is currently a PhD student and enjoys writing information to incoming freshman up tp seniors and graduate students. He is currently an academic advisor and has experience in academia arena in assisting students with GPAs, time management, communication skills with professors, majors and minor selection. His business and education career has made a tremendous impact on his teaching and counseling theories. He can be reached by e-mail at rcrawford@rr.nc.com or rcrawford@uncfsu.

B.S., UNC-Fayetteville State University

M.A., Liberty University

PhD Student Capella University

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How To Stretch Your Student Loan

Categories: education | May 5th, 2008 | by | no comments

If you?re considering going to university, there is a strong chance that you?re also contemplating taking out a student loan to fund your university expenses.

Student loans don?t have to equate to student debt and if you plan your finances, it is possible to get by without student loans and possibly even profit from them. There are many sites on the internet which provide downloadable student finance guides and online advice on how best to manage your finances. Moneynet offers a comprehensive student finance guide ( http://www.moneynet.co.uk/student-finance-guide/index.shtml ), whilst the money section on support4learning is also a popular internet resource. ( http://www.support4learning.com/ ).

The first step to avoid financial dependence on a student loan is to consider taking a gap year to gain experience and earn money. This is a great opportunity to start saving for university and will give you funds to cover accommodation and bills without tapping into your student loan.

In terms of managing your personal finances, you could open up a notice savings account and invest your gap year earnings ? alongside a student loan, accruing interest on the total amount, but being disciplined so that you only ever tuck into your savings ? not the loan itself.

If you?re comfortable that you can timetable it ? you might consider a part-time job to help finance your studies, using your income to cover the majority of your expenses so that you can leave your bank savings alone. There will be times when you may have to make a withdrawal from your savings account, but if you leave the capital there as long as possible ? the more money you will make.

If you?re concerned about getting the maximum amount of interest on your loan, you could try doing a savings comparison search on the internet. Sites such as moneynet.co.uk ( http://www.moneynet.co.uk/banking-saving/index.shtml ) and reviewcentre.com ( http://www.reviewcentre.com/products2312.html ) allow you to compare different accounts alongside each other.

If you keep a tight grip on your finances, then it is likely that you will be in a strong position to pay off your loans when you graduate. Whilst studying, you might also be interested in conducting price comparison research for insurance and current accounts to ensure you?re getting the best deals. Don?t be seduced by high street offers of freshers? fair promotions ? collect as much information as you can, so you can make an informed financial decision. It?s also worth setting yourself up with online accounts which you manage through an account aggregation tool. Account aggregation allows you to manage your money online and can save you time, foot leather and bank charges. If you want to find out more about account aggregation, visit the Channel 4 website which offers a detailed guide. ( http://www.channel4.com/4money/banking/features/account_aggregation_161204.html )

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Rachel Lane writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla.
http://www.cashzilla.co.uk

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Washington D.C. Teacher Recognized For Excellence By Congress

Categories: education | May 1st, 2008 | by | no comments

Kim Burke ? Ables
Science Teacher, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
Washington, DC- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a congressional resolution recognizing Kim Burke-Ables, a science teacher at Washington D.

C. schools ? Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, on her selection as the District of Columbia Teacher of the Year for 2006, and ?congratulating her for her exceptional dedication to the students and her excellence as a teacher.? Burke-Ables has been teaching at Banneker for three years and has received praise for developing creative ways to motivate her students to learn and understand biology, life sciences, human anatomy and physiology, and chemistry. She has contributed to making this Washington D.C. school competitive and relevant in student lives.
Student Turned Congresswoman Praises Washington D.C. Schools
Norton, who went to Banneker when it was a junior high school, said that she was pleased that, ?Banneker?s excellence is attributed in no small part to the excellence of Kim Burke-Ables and others like her, although the school building looks as it did when I was a seventh grade kid and Banneker was a junior high school.? Norton recently announced that she intends to make a priority for the coming year federal tax credits for Washington D.C. school bonds so that Washington D.C. school systems can more quickly rebuild or repair old schools like Banneker. ?Banneker?s excellence despite the limitations and the age of its facilities is the inspiration any of us should need to make old schools like Banneker fit for what Kim Burke-Ables and other teachers do inside.?
In honoring Burke-Ables, Norton also expressed appreciation to Banneker Principal Anita Berger for providing an environment for enriched academic growth and development and to other Washington D.C. school principals and teachers ?for their commitment and service to the education of the city?s children.? The resolution congratulated Banneker?s designation in the May 21, 2006 edition of Newsweek Magazine as one of the nation?s best high schools. The national recognition of one Washington D.C. school and its teachers has brought pride and high expectations for Washington D.C. school students and parents alike.
Exemplary Teaching at Washington D.C. Schools
Burke-Ables was among elected officials, educators and residents who recently attended a Capitol Hill reception Norton sponsored in recognition of 2005 National Teacher of the Year Jason Kamras of Sousa Middle School, who preceded Burke-Ables as the D.C. Teacher of the Year. Kamras is the only Washington D.C. school teacher to win the competition for National Teacher of the Year, the oldest and most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.
This is not the first time Burke-Ables has received prestigious educational awards. In 2004, she was selected to work as an educational consultant to the National Academies of Science and won a TEACH Fellowship (Teaching Educators Agriculture and Conservation Holistically) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to travel to Ghana, West Africa. In 2003, the Milken Family Foundation gave the science teacher the District of Columbia Milken Educator Award. All of these awards have contributed to her outstanding performance as a science teacher for Washington D.C. schools.

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Great Jobs Resulting From An Online It Degree

Categories: education | April 24th, 2008 | by | no comments

There are many great places to work in America, however many people feel constantly dragged down by the lack of job opportunities they feel exist.

Actually, there are many jobs available for those with the right qualifications. Many times it is just a matter of deciding what you want to do, researching what it takes to obtain that position, and setting a plan into place to achieve that goal. This is a lot simpler task than most people make it out to be. There is no job in the world that can’t be yours with the right training. In fact, most people can land a job by simply obtaining the proper qualifications, and having an optimistic attitude. The position probably won’t just drop into your lap, and it will take hard work and diligent effort. While the attitude part is something you must come to on your own, training for a career will take some effort. Online degrees are becoming very popular and are something to consider. In fact, considering an online IT degree may be just the right fit for someone looking for advancement.
Having an online IT degree is something people once overlooked as a position for the computer whiz at a not so common computer based company. With computers now playing such an important role in day to day operations, the IT positions are extremely valuable within most organizations. As the technology gap is bridged between software applications, and the internet, more and more students are earning their online IT degree, and profiting from the experience. Counting all the major online programs can be a dubious task, but no matter what the other programs online have to offer, the online IT degree is still one of the most valuable degrees one can earn, and will help you become a more profitable individual in the process.
The reason that an online IT degree is a direct path to great jobs is that the certification allows you to do so much that many people simply aren’t qualified to do. With this degree you will be able to work with computers and the internet in ways that most people can’t. If a company wants a quality IT professional to help them with their needs, the market rate is somewhere in the fifty to sixty thousand dollar a year range. With your online IT degree you will be eligible for that salary. Many of those working at companies today find themselves among the top paid professionals in the company with their IT certifications fully utilized.
Making a lot of money, and having a great job certainly helps a person’s life change for the better. Doing something you love is the single best way one can be happy. Most people surveyed in America simply do not enjoy what they do for a living, while those that have earned an online IT degree for the most part are very pleased with their job. This is because most people in these positions spend their days working with computers, and helping others adapt to new technology through troubleshooting. The bottom line is that having an online IT degree is one way to get a job that you might have once thought was impossible. You may find yourself to be one the highest paid employees in the company, and wake up most days ready for the challenges and looking forward to the workday ahead.

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Charlotte Schools Team Up With Local Businesses to Improve Schools

Categories: education | April 23rd, 2008 | by | no comments

Office Max Donates Funds to Charlotte Schools
One Charlotte Schools ? member started off the school year with a big boon. Nations Ford Elementary School has received a $5,000 donation from Office Max.

This donation is linked to the opening of a brand new Office Max in Rivergate Town Center on Sept. 6. Charlotte School?s teachers from Nations Ford Elementary Schools were invited to the grand opening ceremony where they could purchase additional school supplies for their classrooms. This donation will help the teachers get much needed supplies for their students and classrooms.
Along with the $5,000 donation, teachers received pre-packaged ?goody? bags filled with office supplies and barbeque from Damon?s restaurant. The whole ceremony had a very festive feel. Customers can sign ?up for a give away featuring $1,000 shopping sprees and other prizes.
Charlotte Schools Join Up with The United Way
The United Way has a long history in the Charlotte area. The United Way currently operates three programs with the Charlotte Schools: Right Moves for You, A Child?s Place and Communities in Schools. Charlotte Schools launched its United Way fundraising campaign on September 21. A rally was held where the Charlotte Schools? Superintendent Peter Gorman and United Way 2006 regional campaign chair Michael Baker spoke. Preschoolers from the Charlotte Schools also joined the rally in order to say thank you to the donors who help meet the year?s goal of $44 million. This partnership not only raises funds for the students and children in the Charlotte area but allows students to interact with adults who offer positive influences.
Charlotte Schools? School Resource Officer Program
The Charlotte Schools? School Resource Officer Program is a joint program with Charlotte Schools and the local police force. The program puts police officers in Charlotte Schools were they can help teach the students about character and safety while providing advice on security to Charlotte Schools. A current School Resource Officer Robert Kierce received a standing ovation after returning from ten months of active duty in Iraq to Charlotte School?s Jay M. Robinson School.
Kierce was very surprised when the students and Parents welcomed him back to the School Resource Officer position at Jay M. Robinson School. Originally when he left for Iraq with the Marine Corps in June of 2005, the Jay M. Robinson School gave him a send off parade and gave him gifts of phone cards and coloring books for Iraqi children.
Kierce, who has a forensics science degree, will spend time in science classrooms this school year, as well as in history classes, where he plans to talk about some of his experiences in Iraq. He is slowly returning to the routine as the school year begins. Kierce has worked with the Charlotte Schools in the School Resource Officer Program for about seven years.
Charlotte Schools and V101.9 FM Launches ?Terrific Teacher Tuesday?
Charlotte Schools is partnering with V101.9 FM to create “Terrific Teacher Tuesday.? This program was created to reward elementary school teachers in the Charlotte Schools. On the second Tuesday of the month, V101.9 FM will introduce a teacher and discuss why this teacher is a good teacher. Then the radio station will choose a winner by announcing it on air and then visiting the teacher at school. Teachers can be nominated by parents, students, and staff at all Charlotte Schools? Elementary Schools by writing a 100 word description of why this teacher is terrific.

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Online University Degree

Categories: education | April 16th, 2008 | by | no comments

An online university degree is a wonderful option if you are a busy person or a person who enjoys doing most of their work alone.

Because there is no need to attend a class at a traditional school, earning an online university degree is very convenient and a good option for anyone, especially a busy person. Having a family or a job that keeps you busy is no longer an excuse for not getting a college degree! Earning an online University degree is a convenient way to advance your education and training. A big perk for those who opt for online university degrees is the allowance of a flexible schedule it provides.
Online university degrees offer a wide range of majors to study, which can help students to achieve their ultimate dreams, create a business, travel to exotic places and build international relationships, or become an entrepreneur. An online university degree can also help to increase one’s chances of earning a higher income from a job, instead of settling for a position that will limit them because of lack of education.
Here are some reasons that you should consider an online university for your education:
? First of all, convenience is at the top of the list. Courses in the online university are designed to allow you the ability to go to school when you have the time. Think this is too hard to manage? Choose the courses that you need, take them when you have time, and stay at home while you are doing it.
? In fact, you can even learn while you keep up with life. If you have to work, if you have to take care of a family, or perhaps you just do not like that atmosphere of day to day college living, the online university is perfect for you. In fact, it is great for those looking for a promotion if only they had some additional education in the field.
? Often times the online university will be far less expensive then a standard form simply because you do not have to pay for the vast amounts of time you spend on campus. No room and board here.
Many online programs offer accelerated degree programs. This is ideal if you are looking to advance your career, and are in a hurry to do so. Many online programs also offer students the option of attending part time.
When searching for a school to get your online university degree, search for all the information you can find on every school that you might be interested in taking your program through. When you decide what school you would like to enroll in, the first, and one of the most important things, to do is to make sure that it is accredited.
With the prevalence of the Internet and technologies such as teleconferencing available today, it is possible to come away from the experience of attending an online University not only with a degree, but also being more in tune with technology, which has the potential to broaden your career opportunities even more. Attending an online university is a legitimate, convenient, and flexible way for you to advance you education, as well as your career and personal potential. The online university is set up so that you succeed!

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Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Benefits the Tampa Schools

Categories: education | April 13th, 2008 | by | no comments

A constitutional amendment was passed in November 2002 that established the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for all four year olds in the state of Florida.

The program benefits not only the children but the Tampa schools, as well, by preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.
Documented studies have shown that preschool is one of the best investments for any city and its youth. A California study found that, for every dollar spent on preschool, the city and schools save $2.62. This savings is realized through lower juvenile crime and high school dropout costs. Another study showed that Tampa schools? children will be more likely to read by the third grade, less likely to require remedial education, and more likely to graduate high school and enter college. The savings for the Tampa schools come from the decrease in remedial classes and program to keep students in school that would otherwise be required.
For the Tampa schools? area, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELC) administers the VPK program. They ensure that the future Tampa schools children develop the skills necessary to become good readers and successful Tampa schools students. The VPK program includes standards for literacy skills, appropriate currcula, substantial instruction periods, qualified instructors, manageable class sizes, and appropriate accountability.
Parents may choose from the school year program of 540 hours that begins in the fall or the summer session of 300 hours. VPK is free to all four year olds, whose parents are residents of Florida. Parents are responsible for costs for any care before and after classes, as well as transportation. The VPK hours are paid by the state. Providers are not permitted to charge a registration fee or require parents to agree to any additional services in order to receive the VPK services.
The first year of implementation for VPK was the 2005-2006 school year and summer session, during which the program served more than 100,000 Florida four year olds (approximately 40 percent of all four year olds in the state). Close to 66,000 children already have registered for the 2006-2007 school year, as of August 3rd.
For Hillsborough County, in which the Tampa schools are located, more than 7,100 children have registered. This is up from last year?s 6,700 for both the fall and summer sessions.
Tampa schools? area VPK providers, however, have been slow to sign up this year, according to ELC?s executive director, Dave McGerald. Also, many Tampa schools? area providers did not renew their contracts until late in the summer. McGerald does expect to serve as many as 10,000 children this year, which includes those in the Tampa schools? area.
Even though VPK classes have begun in the Tampa schools? area, children can be enrolled for six months after the session starts. The sooner children are enrolled, however, the more benefits they receive.

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Criminal Justice Degree Online Options

Categories: education | April 5th, 2008 | by | no comments

Going directly from high school to law school is too big a jump for most anyone. It is important to take each step needed towards earning a law degree, or becoming a professional in the legal field.

Education is required, and with the right focus a criminal justice degree online is a plausible option to acquire a career in the legal field. Many people will become involved in different apprenticeships and alternative methods regarding the legal and criminal justice fields. One of the best ways to take steps toward a legal career is through earning a criminal justice degree online. By earning a criminal justice degree online one can take a step or two towards obtaining the career of his or her dreams. Online classes will allow one to choose the best time to attend classes, and the amount of time it will take for them to earn the degree. Flexibility is important to most students, and online programs provide these types of classes for students working towards a degree in the legal field.
Buying a book on criminal justice programs in the United States will easily help illustrate the fact that most criminal justice programs are four year programs that cost thousands of dollars a semester to attend. While this route is good for many reasons, there are thousands of people that would be interested in becoming a legal professional but can’t afford it. An online program may be the best option for them. The criminal justice degree online ensures that people can earn a degree in as little as 2 years, without having to spend a small fortune on their education. They would not have to drop everything to return to school. Many institutions will admit that the criminal justice degree online programs are as thorough, and effective as those traditional programs offered on a traditional campus. Having the option to attend an online program has been the liberating factor for many qualified professionals looking for a way to break into the legal field.
Another benefit to enrolling in any online degree program is that you will gain exposure to the latest computer technology that can directly help you earn more money in the field chosen. For the criminal justice industry, this is the simplest way to learn some of the most advanced techniques used. There are so many new computer technology related aspects to the criminal justice degree online program that it is hard to count. There are courses that focus on searching for suspects, as well as the new software police officers use to keep in touch with the call center at their home stations. This all results in an online program that is worthy of the sacrifices people have to make to earn it.
For the millions of people that have always wanted a career in the legal field, online degrees can be a step in the right direction. There is no better time to earn a criminal justice degree online than today. Take a step, fill out an application, research the programs available, and the reality will be a few short years away from completion.

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Should Ph.D.s Be Referred To As ?Doctor??

Categories: education | April 3rd, 2008 | by | no comments

In recent years, I’ve frequently heard people claim that individuals who hold PhDs are not “real” doctors. These people assert that only physicians can rightfully claim this title, and that it’s inappropriate for PhD-holders to use this term.

Frankly, I’m surprised. I thought it was common knowledge that there are both medical and non-medical doctors, and that this is a legitimate term to use in both situations. Apparently though, common knowledge isn’t always as common as one would hope. For this reason, I’d like to take a moment to dispel some of the myths behind this title. (For the sake of brevity, I shall henceforth focus on the PhD degree; however, the same arguments hold for comparable degrees such as the ScD and the ThD).
Can PhDs legitimately claim to be doctors? Absolutely! The term “doctor” is derived from the Latin verb docere, which means “to teach.” Historically, it refers to a teacher or, by extension, a scholar. It did not specifically refer to a physician. This title was later co-opted by the medical community though, due to the respect and prestige that it imputes. In one of life’s great ironies, many uninformed laypeople now percieve the medical degree to be more prestigious than the lowly PhD, declaring that people who have earned the latter are “not real doctors.”
Some people say, “Well, most people only think of physicians as doctors. According to the rules of common usage then, PhD-holders shouldn’t use this title.” I understand the appeal of this argument, but frankly, I think it’s fallacious. There are many individuals that are known to the public as “Doctor”–Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Joyce Brothers and Dr. Laura Schlessinger. None of these individuals has a medical degree, and yet they are commonly accorded this title.
Moreover, I think that this argument panders to ignorance, rather than fighting it. If a large portion of the population thinks that (or acts as though) only MD-holders truly merit the title of “doctor,” should we bend over backwards and let their misperceptions rule? Would it not be better to educate people on the historical, established usage of this term–usage that persists to this day?
Some say, “If you refer to a PhD-holder as ‘Doctor Smith,’ then people will assume that he’s a physician. So what happens if there’s a medical emergency? Do you want people running to Smith for medical help?” Frankly, I think that this argument betrays a low opinion of the public’s intelligence; it assumes that people are too dim-witted to learn, and that we may as well accept the inevitable. Personally,I would rather fight ignorance gently than assume such a lowly opinion of the common man’s intellience. Would some people continue to think that only physicians merit this title? Probably so–but I suspect that the vast majority of individuals are intelligent enough to learn otherwise.
For some reason, many also think that the MD is much more difficult to attain than a PhD. I can understand why; after all, we’ve all heard horror stories about medical students working long hours and stayin up all through the night. However, people simply don’t realize how laborious a PhD program can be. PhD students often have to engage in long hours of grueling studies and research if they wish to complete their studies in a timely fashion. I’d say that when it comes to years of study, PhD programs are more demanding as well; when starting from a bachelor’s degree, a PhD typically takes from six to eight years to complete, as opposed to four years for the medical degree.
When someone declares that physicians are the only real doctors, he is simply mistaken. I’d say that PhDs have every right to this title–and I say that based on the title’s etymology, the demands of their programs and the accepted, contemporary usage of this term, even outside of academic circles.

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Want An Adult Scholarship? Try This…

Categories: education | March 29th, 2008 | by | no comments

If you consider to go back to school after a long time away, you probably know how expensive it is going to be. If you are established with a home and a family or are in your 30’s or 40’s, you have plenty of other money worries.

The question is: How can you find an adult scholarship?
Do not dispair; there actually is a niche for you out there. There are lots of free money for those of us who are a little older than the regular college student and want an education.
The first thing to do is a little preliminary research. You should find out what kinds of programs you are eligible. There is free money available for people of all walks of life.
Try to avoid financial aid that is just for recent high school graduates. There are quite a few out there that you will be ineligible for because of your age. You can narrow your search by avoiding those with age restrictions. If you can find financial aid specifically for returning students, it will not have any age restriction.
You should apply for anything you might be eligible for. Don’t put any limits for yourself. Take advantage of all the free money available for adults and education, it’s just a matter of finding a program that suits you.
The first place you might try looking is your local library. They will have tons of resources there for scholarships. Librarians are knowledgeable about these resources and will help you find what you need.
Be patient. Stick around and take notes on what you find. Here is the hard part. You have to skim through all the resources available and look for anything that might help you get that money.
If you find something suitable, contact those particular organizations. Request more information and they will probably send you all the materials you need to apply. You may also be able to contact them by a 1-800 number, in which case you can talk to a representative of the organization and get tips for applying. Remember that you are not stealing; they have all this money lying around waiting to be claimed by a successful applicant.
If you have any help filling out forms, ask someone’s advice. Always fill them out thoroughly. Be sure to write clearly. If you have to write an essay, make sure that it flows well and there aren’t any grammar or spelling mistakes. You can always ask someone to proofread it if you are unsure.
The important thing is to apply for as many as you can. You never know which one may be able to get you the money you need.

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