Tuesday, January 26, 2010

When Most Fields Are Firing, Get Your Degree in a Field That is Hiring

The U.S. economy has been badly disturbed by the actions leading up to the recession and a lot of jobs have been given up in this traumatic process. Through these hard times, several individuals from different fields and industries have been badly influenced - from business to retail to communication and food; it appears that nothing and not a single soul has been secured from the ruthless lane of damage taken by this long-lasting recession.

But wait, there are fields that are still booming and hiring more workers. Yes, these certainly are the fields of health care, technology and particularly, education.

For instructors who have been in this field for a long time and think themselves veterans, it is without any doubt a favorable time to take huge career measures in an industry that still hires even in the miserable economic outlook. Now, coming to the aspiring teachers, those who are standing at the edge of crossing over from high school and are looking to take up education as their major in college or for those who are in other fields but are keen to undertake teaching as a career, the decision to engage in teaching as a profession might be one of the most sensible choices you can make in light of the hindered growth of various other fields of work.

A good number of teaching positions, now though, ask for at least a college degree, even teacher's assistant positions. Therefore, the road to your teaching career, quite decently, goes through additional education.

Reasonably, you would wish to plunge yourself straight away into the work and start earning an income instead of wasting your time and money sitting in a classroom studying, surely this doesn't have to be the case. Luckily, technology has paved the way to allow distance education in the form of online degree programs that offers students the convenience to work and study at the comfort of their home. Receiving such an education online will enable you work when you want, without even leaving your home. The best part certainly is that you can keep your job while acquiring a teaching degree.

Sheila Danzig is founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com and Career Consulting International, http://www.TheDegreePeople.com and BG Publishing International. Danzig holds a Bachelor's degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York, a Masters degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and a Doctorate from Universidad San Juan de la Cruz where he is currently a professor. Danzig has co-authored a paper on the acceptance of the 3-Year Indian degree which has been published at IMMIGRATION DAILY among other publications worldwide. The books she has written include, One Year to Your College Degree, The Big Book of College Scholarship and others.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Online Teaching Colleges Rocket Personal Income

The number of online teaching colleges, which includes all state-funded and for-profit academic institutions that offer accredited online degree programs, can hardly be counted anymore because the technology required to offer new and returning college students an online bachelor degree, an online master degree or an elementary education degree online has finally reached a level of maturity that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. Necessarily, the demand for qualified online academic administrators with graduate degrees in the technology-heavy subject areas that involve expertise in supervisory and administrative tasks is also ballooning at an unprecedented rate.

Along with the growing need for actual instructors that can navigate a digital college classroom, there is a need for educators who have degrees such as an Ed.S. Educational Technology, a Master's in Instructional Technology, a Master in Education with a Concentration in Technology in Education, and for those that want to teach online instead of administer school educational objectives to a group of online adjuncts there is the Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology. Thus, the two levels of academic labor, instructors and administrators, are in very high demand, and those who earn these advanced college degrees will be placing themselves at the head of the economic line as the sheer demand for online distance education grows exponentially over the next ten years. Many people today who already have a bachelor degree are in the market for a master degree or a doctorate degree because they see the acquisition of an advanced degree as a way to greatly improve their economic and professional positions once the economy recovers from its recent fall. In any layered organization with a strictly defined, position-oriented chain of authority, and college administrations are very strictly defined by salary and duties, there is a need for leadership skills, and these leadership skills can be acquired by attending and successfully matriculating through one of the various online teaching colleges.

Online Teaching Colleges Have Jobs

As more and more college students find their way to an online college course, it will become more and more necessary to have administrators with, for example, a Master's in Instructional Technology on board the academic hierarchy. The tasks of writing core curriculum for the many English, math and history online classes will fall to the administrative leaders with expertise in curriculum strategies that are functional and worthy of accreditation, and this one area of leadership is considered extremely valuable to the school because if the class materials do not pass muster then it is difficult to maintain accreditation, and accreditation is the brass ring, so to speak, of any legitimate academic institution that offers an online education college degree. Another area of academic expertise that is very desirable is group training online. Just because a college teacher has a master degree in math does not mean that they can utilize a digital grade book for sixty or ninety students. It also does not mean that the online adjunct knows how to upload graphics and video to the online college classroom. These skill sets are learned, and it is the task of the administrators of the online school to teach them to the adjunct faculty.

Therefore, the administrator who can, for example, teach online college instructors the particulars of the copyright laws that apply to the utilization of external multimedia teaching components is likely to find themselves in high demand by online bachelor degree programs that have hundreds of online adjuncts teaching thousands of college students earning online degree. Similarly, the academic who adds a graduate degree in the area of technology integration specialization, which mean incorporating additional digital educational features into an existing academic platform to a graduate degree in a core curriculum area is doubly valuable to community colleges, colleges and universities that are in the process of building out their online education platforms to meet the growing student need for more online university programs.

Online Teaching Colleges Double Duty

Anyone who is prepared academically to apply to an online teaching program in order to earn a Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology should already possess an earned Master degree, which means that while the doctorate is being earned it would be feasible to actually teach online and thus reduce or possible eliminate the tuition costs associated with earn a terminal degree. This is very often the case at traditional on-ground colleges and universities since the schools, students and teachers all benefit from the instructional involvement of doctoral students in the undergraduate online college classes. So, it is entire possible for a doctoral student to teach at online college teaching jobs while enrolled in an online teaching college. Every day more and more post-secondary experts that spend decades studying academic evolutionary trends insist that the community college, college and university of the immediate future will be found online and that new and returning college students will be offered more opportunity to earn their college degrees online.

As a matter of course, everyone who has earned a graduate degree owes it to themselves to investigate the career opportunities offered by both online adjunct faculty jobs and administrative distance education technology and curriculum openings because online teaching and the support it needs to be truly valuable to college students trying to improve their lives by earning a college education is now an industry of global proportions. The role that online teaching colleges are playing and will play in this academic industry cannot be overstated and there will be strong, well-paid opportunities for those who follow its lead into the future.

Michael Greene teaches full time online for online teaching colleges. He is convinced that the next leap forward for post-secondary education will take place on the Internet, and this leap will result in unprecedented opportunities for online teacher education.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Solar Energy Courses - A New Kid on the Block!

Any Google search on the subject will tell you that an increasing number of colleges, community colleges, universities and technical/trade schools are adding green degree opportunities and solar energy courses to their curriculums. Up until now there hasn't been a great deal of interest in this field but with the sagging economy and high unemployment in the construction industry people are looking for recession proof jobs and green is in.

The combinations of economically driven shifts in our economy and a world that continues to shrink and, at the same time, overuse most of its natural resources, and sky rocketing oil and gas prices has brought about a big change. Greenhouse gases, conservation and other environmental issues have surged to the forefront. Venture capital and government agencies have begun shoveling money into the field in search of ways to develop alternative energy, while at the same time older, more established industries, where new graduates used to seek employment, are no longer there. That's where solar energy courses come in.

For colleges and universities to develop these solar energy courses take time. At this time the demand for qualified graduates with green degrees far out strips the number of people who currently work in the field. Many schools, understanding the need are working very hard to develop comprehensive programs. Now green degree curriculums are cropping up all over the country. Students graduating with degrees in solar energy or any other green area are finding it much easier to obtain employment than those who chose other career paths and the pay is usually much higher as well. Jumping on the green ship now, during the beginning of this large socio-economic change, will set you up on the ground floor of a brand new industry.

If you have already obtained a college degree there are many certificate programs available at all levels. It is easy to specialize and use your base degree (like electrical engineering or mathematics) for the particular aspect of solar energy you wish to follow.

It may be difficult still to find a local school that offers solar energy courses but if you have no problem relocating it won't be difficult finding the right school. Ask at the local schools if they have the program you need and if not when it will be up and running. Just because their website doesn't mention green degrees doesn't mean that they don't have these programs or at least be getting one ready.

A certificate in solar energy will open many doors in the construction industry and, since the demand for qualified people is so high the salaries are also extremely high, even for those just leaving a training program. The courses, at least the basic ones, do not take years to complete, some requiring only weeks, and when added to other skills that you have in the construction industry can lead to an excellent job. If you are interested in going farther in the field, more advanced courses are available. Take the time to do some research on solar energy courses and find the career that you have always wanted.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk where you can find information on solar, electrical and plumbing courses

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Looking For Online Education Tips?

As the computer age rolls on we are encountering more and more universities that are willing to invest in the education of pupils who may not necessarily be in a place to attend classes at that particular institution of higher education. The offerings are still somewhat restricted but there are chances to get associates, bachelors, and also master's degrees strictly through online course work. This is something that was practically extraordinary even a few years ago.

These days pupils truly do have more choices presented to them than ever before if they are disposed to put in the time and strength into their studies, there are few restrictions to the level of education you can receive, even if it has been years since you last went to a university or community college. Even those colleges and universities that do not present full fledged diploma programs wholly through online learning methods are beginning to offer majority of programs on the web for students with tiring schedules and lifestyles. This means that you now have the occasion to blend distance or online learning with a few night or weekend programs in order to end your degree even if you have a full time day employment and folks that needs to discuss with you at home on occasion.

With online classes it does not matter if you are in your pajamas or in a suit and tie you can still do the work you suppose to do on the internet and no one will be the wiser. You also might find that you can slot in your education into your lunch hour, especially if you can type and chew at the same time. The truth is that online classes offer better flexibility to those hoping to further their education. Whether you're eager to get hold of a diploma or simply desire to broaden your horizons by taking one or two online classes, you just might find that the potential are limitless once you commence taking these courses from your residence.

Even if a diploma is not something you are essentially seeking you might be amazed at the large array of programs that are presented for those enticed by enlarging their depth of awareness on different matters from the convenience of their own homes.

Ras Reed has spent many years online giving free advice and information like distance education India as well as distance education university on his website.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Verify the Authenticity With Distance Education and Training Council

Distance Education and Training Council is an accrediting body which gives certification to the institutes providing distance education and online training and affiliate courses. Almost all accredited institutes work under the aegis of this council. It is essential for the establishment of legitimacy and authenticity of the online institutes.

Getting registered with Distance Education and Training Council is not an easy task. Many formalities and regulations have to be properly complied with as it the matter of future of young generations. Normally, the working of Distance Education and Training Council is administered by a team or Board of Governors entrusted with various duties and responsibilities.

To get verification, proper maintenance of records, good and well qualified faculty, and updated course material along with a comprehensive course curriculum is required. Usually, a provisional certificate is granted initially which is made permanent after a few years of regular monitoring of the performance of the institute.

Institutes possessing accreditation from this council are able to attract more prospects because of their validity. Institutes not having the registration may somehow manage to get people enrolled in their courses but this does not last long. Moreover, it becomes a matter of social reputation and brand image also.

Those thinking of getting enrolled in online training courses should first confirm the above mentioned features available with the institute. Properly documented papers and credentials are essential to be judged by the people seeking enrollment. This becomes more important as a fake institute can take away the money and leave you in between, thereby causing a loss of both time and money.

Want to know more about this College Online Courses please go through my articles in this forum. Also u can get a detailed information about Distance Education-Council by reading these articles.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Business Management Degrees - Make a Smart Choice For Your Future

Business management degrees cover a broad category and give graduates plentiful opportunities to find work with the government, an accounting service, private enterprise or other managerial positions. A management program prepares students with essential skills and knowledge for a successful future in organising the day to day schedule and operations of an organisation and its staff.

Since there are such a wide variety of managerial positions available worldwide, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what responsibilities are required by a person with a business management degree. However, it can be confidently stated that most managers hold positions of significant responsibility within a company, utilising their skills and professional experience to coordinate staff and resources to help achieve the goals of the company you are working for.

If you have high hopes of becoming a financially successful manager, you should know that most people that fit into this category have sought a degree much higher than their high school leavers certificate. Large companies with international renown often require a master's degree to be considered for a managerial position. You can always seek out a trade certificate first and see what employment opportunities come your way, but often it is recommended that you achieve the highest level of education you can. This will better prepare you for any position you are offered and choose to accept.

With business management degrees you also have the opportunity to specialise in the following subcategories including: tourism, forestry, communications, humanities, biotechnology, sustainable business, nursing and trade training. By selecting an area of interest you wish to pursue, you can specialise in something that can get you a more focused employment position.

Obtaining a degree from a respected university is a popular route to becoming a manager. Building a strong resume and taking up important leadership positions during your education, whether paid or as pure work experience, can be crucial in the decision making concerning your possible employment with a company after university or polytechnic.

People who decide business management degrees are for them enjoy being in charge and making important decisions. A successful manager will have skills both in the business world and with people. Since managers work with people every day in a company setting, they must be comfortable and confident with both aspects. A big attraction to managerial positions is that often there is a significant pay increase with the promotion to these roles. So if organisation and people skills are one of your strong points, why not seek out a great university or polytechnic to begin building your future in business management.

Waiariki Institute of Technology - Whare Takiura, was established as a Community College on 1 April 1978. Waiariki is passionate about its business. It is non-profit making, but its job is to help others make profits. Waiariki is aiming to be the leading and uniquely bicultural polytechnic in New Zealand. Our role is to enable people to realise their aspirations, their goals and dreams for themselves, their family and their future a qualification from Waiariki is a ticket to their journey to success.

We strive to collaborate with employers, Iwi, Industry Training Organisations, other providers and a wide range of stakeholders locally and nationally to be the best institute of technology in New Zealand.

Friday, October 23, 2009

How to Find Education Courses Online

I Want to Get an Education Online. How Should I Proceed?

Realizing that you are ready to take the plunge and get yourself an education is definitely the most important step to furthering your education, your personal development, and your career. It is after that first step that so many people get lost, but the good news is that it's really not that hard to find a great school on the internet. The entire process of finding the education courses that you want to take and applying for them is the short part of the whole educational journey.

Step 1

The good news is that if you've decided that you want to take education courses rather than psychology, business, accounting, mathematics, or any of the hundreds of other specialties you can find online, then you've already taken that first step. Once you know what programs you're interested in, you can start narrowing it down to the ones that you actually want to apply to.

Step 2

Step 2 is to find a service on the internet that will help you to search the available schools and online education courses that are available to you. Services like this are great because you can easily find information on the programs that are most suited to your educational goals. When you use one of the available services online, it will help you to narrow your search to the schools that provide the exact programs that you're looking for. You will then be able to learn all of the requirements of the programs and decide which one is best suited to your needs.

Step 3

Step 3 is deciding which education courses you should apply to. First of all, you only want to apply to schools that have been accredited by a reliable accreditation body, which is why using a search service that is reputable is so essential. Reputable services that help students narrow their search are not going to provide you with results that include fly by night schools that are untrustworthy.

Next, you'll have to narrow the remaining options down to those that offer courses within your price range. From there, it will be a matter of separating them based on what criteria are going to make the course fit your lifestyle. If you need maximum flexibility, you might look for courses that have less synchronous components. If you only want to take one course at a time, you need to find a school that makes that speed of study available to you.

If you follow these steps, you will be able to find education courses that will bring you closer to your career goals.

If you have been thinking about continuing your education, you should definitely check out Education Connection. You will find a fully functional, easy to use site that will allow you to compare the many educational institutions available, as well as hundreds of great programs! To find out more information on online degrees, visit Education Connection today at http://www.educationconnection.com.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Bachelor Degree in Social Work - Information on the BSW Degree

A person should consider obtaining a bachelor degree in social work if they want a rewarding career assisting the community. Social workers impact the lives of many people in their community. It is a helping profession with the goal of improving the lives of others.

A social worker's environment encompasses a wide range, like hospitals, prisons, in homes and schools. They do their job through research, counseling, and handling casework. Social workers deal with abused children and wives, drug addicts, and the poor. The even tackle environmental issues with their community. If this appeals to you, read more about social workers and the training required to become one.

On average a social worker can make between $34 to $41 thousand per year depending on which type of field they choose. The majority of social workers do their jobs within organizations and agencies that focus on the many social problems plaguing the community.

At the very least, to become a social worker, you are required to have a bsw from an accredited program. The course of study may include ethics, social and economic justice, diversity, and servicing at risk populations. These principles are taught within the classroom environment and in the field under direct supervision. This program typically lasts four years, with an additional requirement of 400 or more supervised field hours. Social workers need a license to practice and each state has its own requirements. The Board conducts an exam that must be passed. If you are interested in being an asset to your community, take the first step and get your bachelors degree in social work.

Interested in helping people? Read about Top Social Work Graduate Programs and Trauma Psychotherapy.

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Educational Videos Offer Security and Reduced Search Time

Because there is no governing body to ensure safety and integrity on the Internet, the way people use it (or abuse it) tends to reflect the best and worst qualities of our current society. This is not the case with more traditional classroom tools, such as educational videos, because there is always a publisher who is held accountable for the content of the materials. This begs the question of whether the Internet should be used in education. Educational videos and DVDs allow parents and teachers to control what the young child sees and learns, and if delivered via computer, still offer the exposure to the technology, also a required skill in today's society.

There are currently two schools of thought regarding the use of computers and the Internet in education:

1. The Internet is a valuable resource that can be leveraged by educators to provide rich and meaningful educational opportunities and computer skills are a required life-skill in the information age.

2. Although computer skills are needed and should be taught, the Internet poses too many potential dangers, and its use in the classroom should be eliminated.

The truth is, because there is no governing body to ensure safety and integrity on the Internet, the way people use it (or abuse it) is simply a reflection of the best and worst qualities of our current society. This is not the case with more traditional classroom tools, such as educational videos, because there is always a publisher who is held accountable for the content of the materials.

Internet Dangers

The following list has been cited by many as reasons for limiting or eliminating using the Internet in the classroom.

- Easy access to sites with inappropriate materials

- Student safety and privacy could be compromised

- Internet Fraud

- Computer Viruses

- Copyright Violations

Advantages of Video

On the other hand, using educational videos delivered via DVD allows the teacher to hand-select and preview the topics and information to which their students are exposed. By delivering the educational video DVDs via computer, the teacher can also ensure that the students' need for computer literacy is addressed at the appropriate age level.

Another advantage to videos and DVDs, for the teacher, is the time it takes to find the educational resources being sought. For example, a teacher may spend hours and hours searching the Internet to find resources and activities to teach a particular study unit. That same content, however, may be available via one or more educational videos and easily located by one pass through the publisher's catalog.

For example, on one online school video site, keying the word "multiplication" instantly displays six titles from which to choose. Clicking one of the titles instantly lets the teacher know that the content of this selection is tied to national standards and benchmarks. Done!

Conclusion

Clearly this debate is an issue of control. If you leave a young child to their own devices to search the Internet and absorb whatever information they may stumble across, you lose all control of what they may be learning, both good and bad. Educational videos and DVDs, on the other hand, allows the parent or teacher to control what the young child sees and learns, and if delivered via computer, still offer the exposure to the technology, also a required skill in today's society.

If you're interested learning more and also avoiding "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the Classroom" and want to start experiencing the benefits of using video effectively in your classroom, your next step is to download a FREE copy of "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the Classroom" right now.

The small company I work for is committed to creating quality educational videos for classroom instruction. From the earliest script stages, all subject area content, images, and music are intensely reviewed and selected for meeting appropriate grade level, curriculum objectives and standards for our proprietary productions. The videos we distribute are also screened to meet our high standards.

Teachers in the 21st century classroom will be better educators if they understand how to use multi media in their lessons, if they understand the processes that research has shown to be the most effective for improved student performance, and if they know how to find quality video resources that will enhance their lessons.

http://www.schoolvideos.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Some fifteen years back, a regular degree course in the field of arts, science or commerce had much value as compared to today. Well, the reason behin

This article contains some handy hints on how to apply to colleges and also how to apply for financial aid for college using the official FAFSA site.

#1. Decide what you want to do, and when. If you do not know, now is the time to do your research or talk to somebody about it. Also: do you want college or trade school? Do you want a 2-year or a 4-year degree? Is there a school nearby that fits your needs? Ask questions of each school and write them down to look at later.

If you plan to commute, look into their bus schedule or commuter pages. If you plan to live on campus, find out what this entails. Pay attention to each school's application deadlines.

You might have several different schools in mind right now, and that is OK.

#2. If you do not know what you want to do or what classes you want to take, perhaps you want to take an aptitude test. Free aptitude tests are often available at high schools, and also online. See the link at the bottom of this article for some good free test sites.

#3. Make a College Application folder. Keep all your application work in it. This will save you a lot of time later on. Get a copy of your transcript, whether college or high school, so you can send it in with your application(s). Also find your ACT or SAT scores, as well as your CLEP scores, and other tests, if applicable. Different schools require different tests, so going online to check is wise. Put a copy of your personal ID documents in your College Application folder too, and your school lists and questions.

#4. Decide which semester you want to go to school. Fall semester is the most popular time to start college, and most people prefer to start then. Many schools make their schedules and plan student activities with this in mind. But it is also OK to start in the Spring. I would suggest doing that only if you have to, though, because most everyone else will choose Fall, and you may have to take extra classes or miss some great events if you start in the Spring.

#5. Apply to each school you seriously would like to attend. You can list up to 10 schools on your FAFSA when you fill it out. Remember, though, that each school could have a fee along with their required forms. You need to apply to your list of schools as early as possible. A good rule of thumb is to apply by December 1st of the year you plan to attend.

#6. Apply for your FAFSA PIN number at the official FAFSA site, which is listed at the end of this article.

#7. Go to the official FAFSA site and fill out your application. Refer to #9 often. (Save, save save...)

About the FAFSA: The FAFSA will let you know about work study programs, Pell grants, and college loans. It is also a way to find out about grants available at the schools you want to go to. Your school will use this report to make a financial aid package for you.

You can do part of your application now, and part later if you want to by re-logging into your FAFSA account. Nothing will be sent until you complete the final page and hit the "submit" button. Again, read #9 before starting your FAFSA form.

Have your tax records handy, or information about your parents' tax records (if you are still listed on their taxes as a dependent.) You will also need your personal identification documents.

You will receive a PIN number (see #6) and find out how much money you qualify for. You may also qualify for special financial aid, grants, or scholarships. Make sure to note the deadline for a FAFSA application. They will have dates posted on their site. Make sure ONLY to visit the official site, which is listed at the end of this article.

The FAFSA site will guide you step by step through the process. Make sure to read all the instructions carefully. There is help available from the help button at the top of the page, plus you can use a chat button. If these don't help, you can call them at 1-800-4-FED-AID.

#8. Save, save, save your work. Save what you have done with the FAFSA online as often as possible using their "save" button. Do not use the "Exit" button without using the "Save" button first.

If you want to save each page before going on with the application, do so. It's a lot better to take extra time doing this. If you do not, you risk losing all your data and having to start over. Believe me, you do NOT want to do this.

#9. Hit the "Submit" button on the last page of your FAFSA, after you have signed it. If you are a minor or have a guardian, they will also need to sign your FAFSA form. You can do this using your PIN number or you can do it by mail. Print out your final FAFSA page and put it in your folder. Print out your confirmation number too, and put it in your College Application folder.

#10. Make sure you write your PIN number here when it arrives (often, in 2-3 weeks from when you apply.) You will need this number in order to access your personal information from FAFSA.

#11. Your SAR (official Student Aid Report) should arrive about 3 weeks after you apply at the FAFSA site. Make sure you go over it after it comes to make sure it is accurate. It is now that you can make an appointment with Financial Aid at the college of your choice and have all your information available for them.

#12. Your application for attending college must be made by the Federal deadline. These dates are listed at the site. Your state application deadlines are listed there too.

Questions? You can find out more at your school's Financial Aid or counseling office, or your local library - all for free. There is also a Help section, chat, and phone number right on the FAFSA site.

Learn more:

The official FAFSA site: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Free Career Tests

http://www.alec.co.uk/free-career-assessment/free-online-career-tests.htm

(some sites require registration and a profile)

Good luck with your educational journey!

Elizabeth Sheppard is a former non-traditional student who has a non-trad website at http://www.nontradstudents.com She helps non-traditional students find help and support when they are going back to school after a break. She also helps people learn how to get online. She lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky.