Thursday, December 17, 2009

Options Increase For Teachers Seeking an On-Campus Or Online Education

As the turbulent economy has many individuals looking for work, many individuals are taking advantage of an increasingly competitive job market to further their education. Consequently, the education sector is experiencing growth, creating opportunities for teachers at all levels.

However, this influx of new students is putting increased pressure on educators to update their skills in order to meet the needs of an ambitious student body. As a result, many institutions of higher learning are creating programs that cater to teachers who are returning to the classroom as students.

For example, Fort Hays State University is currently expanding its Two-Plus-Two agreements, which allow students studying elementary or early childhood education in an associate's program to simultaneously work toward a bachelor's degree, the Hays Daily News reports. The Hays, Kansas-based university has announced plans to offer more options that will help community college students who are pursuing careers in the education sector achieve their higher learning goals more efficiently.

In addition to the Two-Plus-Two program, the school offers a Transition-to-Teaching program, which allows education majors to enter classrooms as instructors while they complete the requirements of their degree. University officials report such initiatives come in response to an increase in students in the school's College of Education and Technology.

Over the past four years, enrollment has risen by 50 percent in undergraduate programs and 57 percent and graduate programs. Many of these new students are nontraditional learners, as the number of transfer students has grown by 60 percent over the past four years.

Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education and Technology, told the media outlet many of these students are "working full-time, are parents, [and] productive community members that are taking some hours and progressing toward their teaching degree."

Many companies and organizations are working to help these individuals reach high levels of education through financial assistance programs. For example, Pearson Education and Liberty Mutual recently renewed their Liberty Mutual Return to Learn Program, which provided 15 full-tuition scholarships to teachers who plan to pursue master's degrees.

If you are looking for money for college then you should look into student loans. As similar initiatives continue to expand, current and prospective teachers may consider enrolling in online degree programs that can help them enhance their qualifications without halting their career development. Online colleges such as DeVry University and the University of Phoenix offer several flexible learning options for educators.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

What Type of Online Biology Degree Do You Want?

What an interesting degree. First we should know what biology is to refresh our memory. Biology is the study of life (living things) and living organisms, their function, origin, and growth. Bio derived from the Greek word Bios, meaning life. Logy is derived from the Greek word logos, which means study.

Furthermore biology deals with organism such as cells, bacteria, in plants and animals. How species interact and evolve in their ecosystems. And really anything else related to living creatures.

Now many online biology degrees have been introduced and are more flexible and convenient compared to campus based programs. You can study at your own pace, in your free time. However, you will have to pick an area of biology to specialize in.

Biology is divided into many different aspects some of these include:

  • Physiology, which deals with human mechanical, biochemical and physical functions.
  • Genetics, which deals with hereditary, genes and variation in organisms.
  • Ecology, which deals with the interaction between organisms and their environment plus the interaction with living organisms and other living organisms.
  • Evolutionary, which deals with development of animals over time.
  • Molecular, which deals with the molecular machinery of living things.

Aside from being interesting, an online biology degree give us more information and ideas which we can absorb faster, rather than if we were on campus or in the classroom with our classmates.

You can also interact with people who are also in the online biology degree program. You gain more knowledge by exchanging ideas with different people on the internet. You can also work or study privately the choice is up to you and your study habits.

Now a days, there are lots of diseases and ailment which scientists and doctors can't determine the cause of. If you are interested in studying the biology, now is your time to move. If you want to know more about life and the simplest organisms up to the complex ones, then you can learn it all with an online biology degree.

Discipline, focus, and diligent studying are the start of our success to having a good career. Who knows, if you get an online biology degree, you may become one of the top biologists and you can help lots of people from all walks of life.

Everything is in your hand and the decision is yours. It is so advantageous for you, especially if you are working and at the same time want to study more to become a successful biologist some day. It's not even as costly as a campus program from a traditional college. It's time saving and you can also have time to relax. So go for it now.

Ian Wright can help you find an online biology degree that's right for you or find out more about accredited online college degree options.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

How to Choose a College Online

Many students see the advantage of online education as the freedom of study at their own pace. In addition those who hate to go to school tend to love the ability of online education that enables them to study from home. But, you should not make your decision to study online just because of these advantages. There are other important factors that you should consider when choosing whether to get your degree online, college campus or a hybrid program.

There are many good reason to get a degree work can become more rewarding financially. A degree work well to open up new job opportunities that did not exist before. Once you have made the decision to improve your educational status then what? How to make your decision whether to go for online education or to earn a traditional campus degree? Try to ask yourself some of the following questions and the answer them honestly, this should help point you in the right direction.

Do you prefer learning by reading instead of listening?

When I was in college in my 20's I found that the lower level courses tended to be large lecture style courses assignments were given and we showed up and listened to very boring professor lectures. So even though I was physically there I was not really listening. There were upper division courses that had synergistic and collaborative elements to them. But guess what? When I was in school the first time web conferencing, webinars and other tools like that did not exist. Hence if getting your degree online is your preference these things should not be an issue for you.

Are you able to complete tasks on schedule?

Nobody will stand over you to ensure you to complete assignments on time and progress through the whole degree program in online education. You have to motivate yourself to complete the courses, projects and assignments in order earn your online degree. If you need somebody to motivate or remind you to complete a given task, then traditional campus degree program might be a better option for you as there are teachers and tutors to make sure you progress through your study and earn a degree successfully. In order to get the degree work is required to be completed during a reasonable timeline.

Also are you interested in a degree which requires labs that simply can not be done online? You may need to look at hybrid programs where you can proceed through your course take tests and quizzes online but show up on campus for labs.

Are you looking for "Campus Life"

When I was 19 the only reason I was in school was to avoid work and to enjoy all the social activities colleges can offer. However I did not finish school and when I went back three years ago I was a man on a mission. So if you need social interaction with classmates to get through school then you may want to choose a campus option. For some people that social interaction provides enough incentive to get to class and finish their degree. Are you currently working? For many people if you are working full time then the decision is already made. Online degrees jus make more sense for these candidates. However many full time parents essentially need to be available for their children all the time but have the time to spend on school if they are at home where they can be available for their children. For them online degrees are ideal.

Home work Assignment

Research 3 Schools based on criteria that you believe important including tuition costs, program length, accreditation. Request information online from these schools, discuss with friends and family and make an informed decision.

http://degreework.net is a website dedicated to honest discussions about education and the challenges working adults face. We provide post and online research tools to help people make informed decisions when choosing a college and program.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

An Online Degree Can Help You Get Ahead

With an online degree, you'll not only be more marketable - you'll save money while you're getting it.
Better yet, you'll be able to able to do this without even leaving home. People complete college degrees online often these days thanks to Internet technology - and an online degree is just as valid as one from a brick-and-mortar institution.

Distance Learning: The Future Of Education

An online degree program does not involve many of the same extra fees and other costs that you would have to deal with at a brick-and-mortar institution. People are able to earn MBA degrees while avoiding extraneous costs such as parking, student body fees, and other "extras" that colleges and universities must now charge for.

Another big advantage to online college degree programs is that you can do this on your own time and work it around your own schedule. You are not locked into a semester or quarter system; distance learners typically have up to twelve months to complete online degree program requirements.

How Motivated Are You?

It probably goes without saying that the mere fact you are looking into online college signifies that you are already quite self-motivated. However, you will be doing this at home, with nobody standing over you and no clocks or bells to tell you where to be when. Those who are intrinsically motivated are the candidates who are most likely to succeed at online college, so be honest with yourself.

If you have a family, you will also have to make it clear that you will need time for study. Hopefully, there is one room in your home that can be used as a den or office space where you can be alone when doing your coursework.

These are just some things to keep in mind when considering furthering your education over the World Wide Web.

Exploring College Degrees Online

There are several resources online where you can learn more about earning an online college degree from home. MBA online degrees and programs in many other subjects are offered by virtually every accredited college and university today.

Of course, you'll have to figure out which online degree program is right for you. However, once you have sorted through every online college degree program interest, there will be few problems in actually signing up. Earning an online college degree has never been easier - all you need is a PC and a reliable Internet connection, and you'll be well on your way to that online degree that can put you over the top!

Wayne Hemrick writes about Online Degrees.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Online Learning is the Right Education and Training Solution For Businesses and Individuals!

Don't let the terminology confuse the issue. E-Learning, cyber learning, video training, computer training, online learning are all pointing to one key result-improving the quality and effectiveness of employees and opening doors to new jobs and more money for individuals.

Individuals and businesses, using the internet as the delivery tool, can readily identify from hundreds of schools and training providers, the exact solution needed or desired and it can be delivered by a knowledge expert.

The education and career content, data, and training modules used in today's online courses are organized to provide the most up to date, relevant, and accurate information needed based on rapidly changing market demands.

And high quality online training programs are delivered with proof of completion and skill certification, if required, to provide the assurance and confidence every company or individual needs to utilize online resources.

Extreme financial and economic stress such as today's environment demand that both astute business managers and forward thinking individuals continue to invest in skill upgrades or make strategic career decisions to ensure long term productivity. And the diverse selection of online education and training programs gives every party the full range of options needed for almost every situation.

Every manager or individual must identify the tasks and skills the emerging market requires and then examine the gaps or weaknesses and determine what steps can be taken to elevate your capabilities. Only this approach will ensure long term competitiveness.

As a company, it is more efficient and cost effective to identify quality employees internally that are willing and capable of new training than attempting to hire unknown people and hope you get what you need. Those employees that are unwilling to change and not a good long term fit can and should be let go for the benefit of both parties.

If you are an individual trying to prepare for a job promotion or ready to make a dramatic shift to a new career, online education and training in most cases is the perfect solution that offers the flexibility and choices to get exactly what you want.

Whether it is personal or corporate online training, flexible computer based learning courses have demonstrated over and over to require substantially less time to accomplish desired learning or training objectives while doing so in the most cost effective manner compared to traditional classroom settings.

No investigation can be considered complete unless the extensive selection of online courses and educational institutions are carefully considered and weighed against alternatives. In most cases, the solution will be clearly apparent...online computer training and career education is the winner!

Monday, October 12, 2009

AACSB Online MBA Degrees

An MBA, short for a Master of Business Administration degree, is often desired by those who work in the business, management, finance, or human resource sectors.

An Online MBA degree program is nearly identical in every way to on-campus MBA programs and generally takes around 2 years to complete.

The majority of Distance Learning MBA Degrees offer classes in the following subjects: business, management, law, finance, accounting, policy, business ethics, global business, technology, and more

AACSB Online MBA Programs: A Cut Above

AACSB International accreditation is the highest level of achievement for schools of business in the world. Busincess schools must meet the expectations of a broad range of quality standards related to the quality of education and curriculum, faculty, admission requirements, degree standards, library and computer facilities, among other factors.

Universities wishing to be accredited by the AACSB must meet or exceed these standards. Established in 1916, AACSB International's founding members include many Ivy League schools such as Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, and Harvard. Thus, when a college receives accreditation from the AACSB, it distinguishes the institution as an internationally benchmarked business university ranking among the world's best institutions.

AACSB Online MBA Degrees versus Traditional Campus Programs

Usually, online MBA Degrees differ only in the means of program delivery. The diploma will be identical in every way; your transcripts and diploma will not mention whether the degree was earned on-campus or online.. You can always confirm this by seeking counsel from the admission's office.

Rather than commuting to campus, Distance Master of Business Administration students can complete the entire degree online. The flexibility of this method of delivery allows students to continue working at their current location, a big plus for busy professionals.

Students opting to earn an AACSB Online MBA Degree can be assured that the business program is held to the highest standards as these programs must maintain a high-level of quality not only in curriculum, but in library and computer facilities, faculty resources, degree requirements, and intellectual climate.

MBA Career and Salary

Individuals earning an AACSB Online MBA should expect to receive a salary that is about 25% to 50% higher than their peers who have earned a bachelor or associate degree. Graduates often use their degree to position themselves for advancement in important roles in corporate business, such as Chief Operating Officer, Director of Human Resources, Chief Financial Officer, and more.

The skills gained by undertaking an AACSB Online MBA program include strategic planning, critical thinking and decision making. These skills are paramount when utilized within a large firm or corporate setting.

AACSB Online MBA Colleges

A distance Master of Business Administration is worth the effort, but there are few colleges offering AACSB MBA degrees online, with one notable exception: Northeastern University.

Established in 1898, Northeastern University is located in Boston. Ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Northeastern University's College of Business now offers eight accredited AACSB Online MBA programs including an MBA in General Management, MBA in Marketing, MBA in Finance, MBA in International Management, MBA in Technology Management, MBA in Healthcare Management, MBA in Entrepreneurship, and an MBA in Supply Chain Management.

Find out more about AACSB MBA Online Programs.

As an author for AACSB MBA Online Degrees, JGreviews a number of universities.


Sunday, October 04, 2009

Online Degree, Accounting - Choose to Become a Qualified Accountant

Online Degree in Accounting makes you to become a qualified accountant while doing your normal business. Accounting degree program is the prerequisite to become professional like financial accountant, chartered accountant, management accountant, cost accountant, external auditor or internal auditor. Before you make an informed decision to study online accounting degree course, make sure you select the accredited accounting school from the list of top online accounting schools, colleges or universities. This is because receiving an unaccredited accounting credential could be unsuitable to your future and professional career.

You can proceed to do online masters degree accounting, online accounting doctorate degree, etc. Distance learning program offers you the opportunity to fix your study time according to your daily activities. Online learning program is very necessary to working professional who have no time to attend campus based university or college class room.

Getting a degree online has become necessary in education because of its ease, flexibility and convenience nature of studying at your convenient time. You study at your own time or at your own schedule. Getting your accounting degree online through any of the online accounting schools is cost effective. You save some money because you don't need to go to another country to rent an apartment to study online degree accounting. Another advantage is, you don't spend money on transport fare and no feeding expenses to attend campus based institution or college class room.

Lastly, accounting profession command the highest pay in the most fortune industries and organizations. When you successfully finished the accounting course, the sky is your limit as regards to career prospect or job opportunities. Ensure that you do thorough research to get the accreditation status of the institution or college you want to do the online degree accounting.

To get Online Degree Accounting, click here Online Degree Accounting.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

College Online Degrees Are a Great Value

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a great education. With the economy still shaky more and more people are realizing that they need more education in order to secure a good job, but they can't afford a traditional college education. The cost of four year schools is skyrocketing. For thousands of people attending a traditional school is just not an option. But that doesn't mean that you can't still get the kind of high quality education that you need in order to make yourself more marketable to employers or to get ahead at your current jobs. College online degrees are usually much cheaper than degrees from four year schools and they are a lot more convenient too. You can work, watch your children, and fulfill your current obligations while attending classes online when it's convenient for you.

College Online Degrees are affordable

In the past college on line degrees weren't considered to be worth very much, and most employers still preferred to hire people with a degree from a four year school. But that attitude has changed now. These days many reputable four year schools offer college on line degrees in addition to offering students a traditional four year degree option. Technology has made it possible for anyone to get a great education online. In most cases the cost of getting an online college degree can be as little as half of the cost of a getting a traditional degree. Many students who are getting an online degree also work while they attend school which makes getting the degree a little more affordable.

Financial aid is available

Financial aid is available for many college on line degrees. Even if you don't have the money to pay for full tuition at the online school you want to attend you may be able to get school loans, government grants, or other financial assistance. There are also scholarships and government programs that help people go back to school to learn new job skills. If, for example, you worked for most of your career in an industry that has been outsourced to other countries you can find lots of financial assistance to help you train for a new career online. If you have always wanted to go back to school and finish your degree, or if you want to try a new career, don't let a lack of money stop you. There is financial help out there. If you are motivated to go back to school and get an online degree you can find the money to pay for it.

Stand out with college Online Degrees

Going back to school is something that can help you no matter how old you are. You are never too old to improve your skills, learn about a new industry, or increase your career potential. With so many millions of people out there looking for work since the economy tanked you will need something to make you stand out to potential employers. Having a degree is a great way to stand out. Going back to school and getting an online degree shows employers that you are motivated, that you take initiative, and that you want to improve your life. Those qualities are qualities that potential employers will be impressed by.

UCareerEducation.com is a professional education website who provide free information on College On Line Degrees.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Are You Ready to Be an Online Student?

Since the induction of online education, students have more than one option to pursue their degree, either following the traditional path at campus-based university or take the alternative path through online degree programs. The online education has growth rapidly recent years because more and more students like to opt for this option to earn their degree online. Unfortunately, not all online students succeed in completing their degree program. Many of these online students failed simply because they are not ready to adapt online learning format. If you prefer to pursue your degree online, you need to make sure you are ready to be an online student who will successfully completing your degree program. What makes a success online student? Review the criteria below and get ready yourself to be an online student:

1. Self-control and self-motivation

Online education provides the most flexible schedule for students to complete their study. They can choose to finish their degree fast or take their own sweet time to complete the degree program. If you are a person who tends to delay any task given to you if there is no deadline specified for the task, then online education might not be a good option for you because you may take forever to complete your study.

If you really want to opt for getting your degree online, then you should train yourself to be self-control and be able to self-motivate to complete any task or assignment given to you. You need to be able to schedule your time and get your study progresses toward the completion.

2. Like to use computer

Online learning format requires you to work in front of your computer most of times such as attending online classes, online discussions, downloading learning materials and uploading the completed assignments. To be a success online student, you need to be a person who likes to use computer for learning and get things done in front of a computer. Students who hate to work with computer will have a problem in online learning, they should opt for traditional classroom-based setting for better chances to complete their degree program. Therefore, assess your own preferences in using computer for learning to see whether online learning format suit you.

3. Learn & communicate in text format

Learning online requires a lot of readings, different from the physical classroom environment where students learn through listening. Therefore, you should get ready yourself to learn by reading materials in text format. In addition, many communications for online education involve text such as online chat, forum, message board and email; you need to know how to ask questions in text format and how to communicate with peers & online instructors in written format. If you have a problem in conveying your messages in text format, then you may face difficulties as an online student.

Summary

With the growth of popularity in online learning, earning a degree online has become a preferred option for many students. However, not all students will be succeeding in their online study. They need to get ready themselves with the above criteria in order to be a success online student.

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.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Online Education - Revolutionizing Learning

Our world is changing perceptibly everyday. The technological boom has revolutionized the way humans function. Innovative methods are emerging to substitute the traditional ways of working. We can discern perceptible change in the education sectors, wherein both students and educators are turning to information and technology to improve the quality and speed of learning.

Education has entered a new phase where Internet is fast becoming an important supplement to the traditional means of education like textbooks and classrooms. In the past decade, the shortcomings of classroom learning have become more evident. As a result, the youth is turning towards online guidance to help them cope with the excessive workload, which has eventually made elearning, live virtual class, online tutor and discussion forums as popular study choices of today's generation.

Education is an investment for future. And online education is the most rapidly growing dimension of the education sector. Higher educational institutes have increasingly embraced online education and the number of students enrolled in distance programs is rapidly rising in colleges and universities throughout the world.

The many advantages of online education have made it an indispensible tool in today's age. It help provides an unmatched autonomy to the learners. With increasing competition, additional professional qualifications have become mandatory and online courses provide an easy option to pursue the desired additional course with ease. Even the online study materials are easily accessible from anywhere, anytime.

The best part about online education is that the classes are quite flexible which even give students the power to control their learning environment, as in moving through their syllabus at their own pace. This nullifies the need for private tutoring as students can easily access the educational sites to get immediate assistance from online tutors. Round the clock availability of online help makes for a thorough understanding of complex subjects, thus, helping the student in securing that crucial extra mark.

The convergence of Internet and education has made learning possible anytime, anywhere. Due to Internet technology, the learning process has become decentralized. Students can live in a remote village but even then can have easy access to the pioneers and experts in whatever field of knowledge they want. This gives them both cost effective and flexible learning support right from the comfort of their homes.

Not only this, online education also incorporates innovative learning tools which make studying out an out a fun process. The elements incorporated in virtual teaching help in transforming any moron subject material, subject and topic into an intriguing one.

It's true that online education offers good quality multimedia tools to make studying a better experience. Infact, the additional usage of colors, images, figures, videos and audio help make difficult concepts all the more interesting and easy to memorize. This approach to study definitely increases the attention span, thus, improving the recall speed and better retention. Afterall, making learning more fun -- or interesting -- is what makes it more effective.

Online education facilitates a more interactive learning environment as students can easily avail the Class on Demand service to interact with the online tutor and as well discuss their doubts and queries without hesitation. These online tutors provide both academic support and counseling to motivate the students who later on try giving their best shot by excelling in their academic pursuits.

Extramarks brings students, teachers and parents together on a single platform to ensure that a child excels academically. To know more about online education, online education, e-tutorial, school education support, CBSE, ICSE, and Rajasthan Board, log on to http://www.extramarks.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Distance Learning MBA Encompasses All Aspects Of Business And Is As Credible As A Regular One

The key reason behind every other student opting for MBA is that it can increase their earning potential, it can fetch them a higher position at their existing career and it can as well open new avenues before them. Opting for this course is without doubt a well-thought decision and a smart move. There are many variations of a business degree program like:

Dual Program:

There is a provision to pair your with another professional course like health care or law or public administration. This option is quite a favorite among students since it reduces time and opens up opportunities to two careers options at a time. However, this program can be difficult for working professionals since they will need more hours of study that will affect their jobs.

Specialty program:

Specialty programs are focused upon a particular discipline or field of career. It gives in-depth knowledge about a specific domain but it does not embrace other functional areas of management and this is the difference between this and a traditional MBA. This is a kind of program that is beneficial for those who are into these fields and want to grow their career in these fields.

Executive Development Program:

This program is aimed at managers or senior professionals to enhance their knowledge in their respective fields. Conducted for two to three weeks or even a day, the Executive Development Program updates the manager with the latest developments in his field.

Distance learning MBA:

A big section of today's MBA students are full-time workers. They opt for this degree because they look for an advancement in their existing career or want to shift to some other field of their interest. While keeping the job, getting into full-time study for two years becomes quite a challenging task that many of them cannot afford to do. To cater to this need of the working executives, many colleges and universities are delivering MBA education through distance learning mode.

The course taught through this mode can vary from 1 to 8 years. But students are offered with the flexibility to fine-tune their course according to their convenience. It not only provides thorough knowledge of business processes but also offers great networking opportunity such that students get to interact with like-minded professionals which becomes an exposure for them in different sectors.

Course material is delivered to the students through post. As for classes, many institutes offer contact classes at a center in or near the student's town or city. These classes are generally conducted through VSAT or Video Conference.

The specializations offered are:

  • Marketing Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Financial Management
  • Operations Management
  • Information Systems Management

Other streams that this mode embraces are Health Care Management, Hospitality Management, and Tourism Management etc.

Roger Pointing is doing his online MBA course from HongKong. So he has a vast knowledge on distance learning MBA and MBA courses. For more information online MBA course visit http://www.rdihongkong.com

Friday, August 07, 2009

Benefits of Obtaining An Accredited Online Masters Degree

Accredited online masters degree or post graduate degree is necessary in many disciplines to enable you to gain higher salary and mount the corporate ladder in the industry you work. However, some employers of labor want at least an undergraduate degree. You may gain employment with your bachelor's degree and be receiving attractive salary but with master's degrees as an added advantage, it shows the level of commitment and competence to be productive in your work place. It also enhances higher pay.

Online degree programs, with increasing popularity have become major competitors to conventional colleges and universities. The University of Phoenix, University of California and ITT Technical Institute courses are increasing year on year. You can do your online masters program while at work or at home with little or no changes to your personal schedule and family responsibilities. That means taking weekend classes or night classes that added to the pressure on your already busy personal schedule is eliminated. Some colleges have strict lecture time table for their graduate students, forcing students to either attending class or forget about their continued education.

Many online masters degree programs do not have strict curriculum. Online graduate degree schools understand that majority of their students are full-time professionals, fully committed to various issues, busy with life and family responsibilities; so they decide to do online post graduate degree courses on their own free time. Online programs provide that type of flexibility to working class or busy professional. You can earn credits according to your own availability.

There are some online diploma mills colleges or universities that award higher degrees to students ready to pay money to acquire fake certificates. These types of institutions have degraded their reputation and the reputation of some legitimate online universities. University of Phoenix, University of California, Drexel University, ITT Technical Institute and Harvard University have restored the reputation of online degree awarding institutions.

Finally, before you enroll with any institution to do your online masters degree, make sure you research on the accreditation status of the college you want to enroll to avoid doing a program that is run by an unaccredited university.

For more information about accredited online education, please visit Online Masters Degree or Online Doctorate Degree.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Online Education Makes College Education More Affordable

The rising of education cost makes college education become more and more expensive; especially in today's bad economy situation where students are hardly get a loan to finance their study. It may stop some of students from pursuing a higher education due to unaffordable education cost. Thanks to the available of online education that makes college education more affordable and becomes a better option for students to earn a degree online.

According to college education & funding survey reports found, the results show that college tuition fees have increased by over 400 percent from year 1982 to 2007 while households' income rose below 150%. Situation may become worse following the bad economy that leads to a recession, which may put higher education out of the reach for most students. An alternative education option is needed and online education is the solution, it makes college education more affordable.

Online education has been around for years providing an alternative option for students for earning their degree. Online degrees have been wisely accepted in job market, most online students have no problem to use their online degree to start their career or find a job. During economy up-time, online education is an alternative; students can choose to pursue their degree either online or at a brick-and-mortar university. However, when comes to a recession, the education cost is the key consideration factor for many students, online education become a great option for students to pursue a degree at an affordable cost.

Online education saves cost in a variety of ways. Most of learning materials are in downloadable format, helping students to reduce the cost needed in purchasing printed books and references. Students don't need to travel back and forth the campus by attending classes online through internet connection, saving them time and money on transportation. For students who take the traditional path to earn their degree at the brick-and-mortar university, they may need to relocate to the area near the school if they leave far away. The relocation cost can be saved if they choose the alternative education option and earning their degree online. With online education, distance does not matter, any school that offers online degree programs can be reached at a mouse click.

Generally, the tuition fee for online degree is cheaper than the same degree cost in campus-based school. Since most of teaching materials are in online format and the classes are done through the online learning system which does not require physical classroom setting, most schools are afforded to offer the online degree in cheaper way without scarifying the teaching quality. Online education provides a more affordable channel for students to pursue a degree from their computer through internet connection.

Summary

The education cost has risen 3 times faster that the household's income, stopping more students from pursuing higher education due to unaffordable education cost. The online education helps to reduce the total cost in the ways of reducing some major expenses, making it a more affordable education option, meeting the tight budget for many students in the time of recession.

Amelia Turner, an educational article writer focusing on online education. Visit Amelia at http://www.your-online-degree.info to find out more details information and free resources about the Best Online Degree Programs, financial aids and other accredited online education options that can help you to make decision to earn your degree online.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Nurses Continuing Education Courses Available Online

Some States require nurses continuing education and some do not, but all professional nurses really should consider undertaking occasional courses to stay abreast of the latest information in forensic data collection, infection control and other breakthroughs in standards of care. The fact is that nursing is one of the most challenging careers available today. For a nurse the work situation is always fluid - patients change, the challenges of the illness change from patient to patient, from day to day, and you must work with a variety of doctors who all expect unparalleled knowledge and professionalism from you. Continuing education is one way to stay at the top of your game.

Of course fitting nurses continuing education courses into an already overwhelmingly busy schedule can seem like too much to ask, but there are ways to manage both the State requirements and your own personal desire for professional development. Online training can be a tool to help you fit continuing education into your hectic life. Online courses are always available and can be logged on at any time day or night. You can stagger your learning to accommodate shifts and fluctuating home demands. If you miss a day of training you haven't missed anything because the training will automatically start where you left off whether there is 24 hours between sessions or 24 days.

Online training also allows you the chance to really get to know the material. Unlike classroom training where the instructor sets the pace and decides which elements need the most attention, you choose what portions of the course you wish to take longer over and which you can grasp quickly and move on. Each nurse's experience will be different depending upon where they work and what type of patients they deal with - by undertaking online nurses continuing education you can let your experience guide you through the courses and get the most out of each.

Whether or not your State requires nurses continuing education you should look into studying online. Personal and professional development will pay dividends at the workplace and help your resume rise to the top of the pile when you are looking for new employment. Studying online means that you can fit training around your busy schedule, study at your own pace and work in the comfort of your own home. To learn more about online continuing education opportunities as well as to check your State's education requirements log-on to the internet to get online training started today.

Visit healthcampus.com for more information on Nurses Continuing Education courses online.

Friday, July 03, 2009

When is the Best Time For Online MBA?

Many working people and fresh graduates may have doubts on when the best time to apply for online MBA degree will be. It is indeed important for you to find out the most suitable time in order to obtain optimum result from the higher learning.

In fact, it is only you yourself can determine when the best time to pursue MBA will be. You have to identify your real needs for pursuing this course. Your needs can be a few, for instance, mainly for obtaining a higher academic qualification, for career advancement, for salary increment, for closing your competency gap, for better lifestyle, etc. The next step is questioning yourself how urgent for you to commence the course.

Most of the people prefer to gain four to five years of working experience first before returning to school for further study. Many of the top business schools which are offering online MBA programs require their students to have a certain amount of working experience before they can be considered for admission.

With the emergence of online MBA, it has made the effort of pursuing MBA easier and more flexible than ever. This convenient way of study has helped to eliminate concerns about having a balanced life among work, study, family commitment as well as social life. As a result, you need to have a careful consideration. You need to weigh a lot of factors which relate to you personally. The following are the questions you should ask yourself:

• What is my main objective to study MBA?
• Do I have strong determination in completing the whole MBA degree within the period of two years using internet?
• Do I really have interest in this field?
• Do I have the ability to manage my time well for my current profession, my family and my study?
• Am I self disciplined to study at my home sweet home?
• Have I got ready the fee for studying MBA? If no, do I have solutions to obtain financial aid?
• Am I being supported by my current employer and family members?
• Is it a must for me to obtain MBA qualification for immediate job promotion and salary increment?

Evaluate your answers and you are able to know whether you need the program immediately or you are actually not well prepared for it.

For more information about online MBA degree program, please visit http://mbaforbetterfuture.com for further details including top ranked online MBA university.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

HOME::Reference-and-Education/Online-Education X The Age of the Online Bachelor Degree By Michael Greene Platinum Quality Author Michael Greene

Many people in this age of technology have thought about earning their online bachelor degree. The new advances in technology have made getting a college education easier than ever. This mature technology allows many people to get an online bachelor degree that would not have been able to do so otherwise.

Stay at home moms who gave up their educational careers to raise a family can really gain from returning to college in order to earn bachelor degree. Often there are times in your life when things do not work exactly as planned. Early marriage and family life put many stresses on a family, and that is when personal goals like earning a college education gets pushed to the rear. That doesn't have to be the case, however. An online degree program from any accredited online school can easily provide the opportunity for a higher education for even the most time constrained stay-at-home mom. Most of these types of schools online will go to any length to fit online college courses into your schedule-not the other way around.

Grandparents Can Pursue An Online Bachelor Degree

Grandparents and seniors can earn an online degree by participating in any number of online degree programs. When the golden years roll around it doesn't mean your education should stop. It is actually a great time to earn a college degree. Many seniors and grandparents have retired from their career and have a thirst to learn new things. Earning a degree online is a great way to quench that thirst and open new horizons as well. Major in the arts, science or grab that online psychology degree you always wanted to add to your professional credentials. Knowledge is a powerful thing no matter how you use it.

Career Women Can Add An Online Bachelor Degree

Career women are another group that can achieve great things with an bachelor degree. They fit so easily into your life that even if you're the busiest, most traveled career women ever you can always find time to pursue an education that will enhance your career. You can take a full class load or just a class or two each semester. During your down time at the airport, on the plane ride and during those long holdovers you can slip into a quiet cafe and pursue your degree.

New high school graduates can also take advantage of online programs. If you are a recently graduated high school senior you may want to take a break from the classroom for a while. Twelve years of a classroom environment is a big accomplishment. Giving yourself a break from the classroom and taking your classes in a local coffee shop, at home or in the park is a wonderful change of pace for any recent graduate that still wants a distance education degree along with a full time job and social life. Break away from the classroom for your online teaching degree.

Single fathers are one group of people who can also gain a great deal from colleges online. You are a hard working father with a full time job and kids to rear. What better way to spend those quiet evenings (after the kids go to bed!) than earning your online college degree? It is a wonderful way to invest in your own future as well as the future of your kids. You will increase your earning potential as well as have the satisfaction of participating in college learning online.

There are many reasons to take the plunge and enroll in online college courses no matter who you are or what your station of life. It is not going to be easy every step of the way nor will it be unbearably hard at all times. However, it is important to realize that there will be both hard and easy times. Understanding this before you begin to pursue your distance education degree helps you to know what you are getting into and decreases the chances that you will drop out because you weren't prepared for the hard times and the difficult moments.

Stay at home moms, new high school graduates, single dads and career women can all benefit from an online courses. Each step taken toward an online degree is a step toward a better life, a stronger career and a more secure financial future for everyone you care about. It isn't as hard as you think to get started either. Google online bachelor degree programs and check into the schools' accreditation. Find out about financial aid and course requirements. Talk to an academic adviser and explain how you would need your classes to work into your life. Getting an online bachelor degree is only a step away.

Michael Greene has been teaching college students earning their online bachelor degree for the last five years. Greene, a full time online teacher, highly recommends the pursuit of college learning online as a positive way to increase knowledge and enhance careers.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Go Green - Job Training With the Environment in Mind

Environmentally conscious companies are finding new and interesting ways to reduce their negative environmental footprint. Most have already adopted obvious changes. Recycling is a norm, the use of energy efficient equipment is common and many companies are making an effort to contribute to environmental improvements outside of the workplace. With those "standard" policies in place, those with a real commitment to the environment are looking at alternative ways to reduce their operations' environmental footprint. In the process, some are discovering that changes in their job training strategies can make a substantial difference.

Traditional job training consumes carbon-based resources at a breakneck pace while contributing to deforestation. Employees are shuttled between sites in cars and plane, burning untold quantities of fossil fuels in the process. That's not the only part of the process that falls well short of green. Job training typically involves reams and reams of paperwork. You can almost hear the diesel equipment ripping through a swath of previously undisturbed rainforest every time another stack of training documents comes back from the printer!

Blended approaches to training provide a more environmentally sound way to handle the training issue. By utilizing Internet-based training and job education strategies, a company can reduce its environmental impact substantially.

Allowing trainers and trainees to effectively communicate via the Internet eliminates the need for travel between job sites. Companies don't just save on fuel reimbursements, automobile rentals and airline tickets-they actually cut these environmental negatives completely out of the picture by adopting green job training strategies that wisely use net-based technology.

It may be a slight exaggeration to argue that blended learning approaches to green job training will produce a "paperless office". As we've learned over time, transitioning completely to electronic data distribution is extremely difficult. However, it is possible to significantly reduce the use of paper products in the training process when online education strategies are pressed into service. Web-based training is a smart conservationist move!

You might not think of job training as a focus area as you work to improve your company's environmental performance. A closer examination, however, reveals that the right shifts in employee education can produce exciting results with respect to environmental impact.

Get Your FREE eZ-Web Meeting, and FREE eZ-Contact at:
http://eLearningZoom.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

Online Education - Top 7 Reasons to Go That Way

Hello,

let's talk about the online education these days. I'm not talking about just reading news/forums on the Internet, I'm talking about REAL ONLINE EDUCATION - with teachers, students, mentors, classes, courses, tasks, .... That kind of things.

I'm sure that everyone who is thinking about his/hers future nowadays knows that constant education is a necessity that can't be avoided. It doesn't matter if you have a college degree (or even a higher title), or you are a humble high school graduate with no work experience, you will need to educate yourself in order to be competitive in today's world.

The days of «I've finished my college and I'm done with learning!» ARE GONE FOR GOOD! Today especially in the light of the world crisis that is going on.

Every skill, every special knowledge, every bit of information and education that you have can be your crucial advantage over other people that apply to the job you're after. Do you know how to write a great travel column, or can you say that you are educated to work with disabled students, or would you describe yourself as a person who is well trained in using various computer programs (Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Premiere... or any other program needed in today's modern way of doing business)? What about speaking foreign language?

Of course, not everybody can afford to pay high dollar investment in a regular education. So does that mean that the doors are closed for you? NO! You have a chance to use the greatest thing that is constantly changing our lives past decade - the Internet. Beside all the rubbish and all the useless things that we can find in the "great web", we can also use it to our advantage. How?

Very simple and almost effortless. You need a place where you can get the information, where you can decide what level of education you need in the area of your interest, the place "where the knowledge is at home". So it can be your place of relaxed learning. Of course, the prices have to be as low as possible so you can afford the courses.

The place I will recommend is called Ed2Go.com, and there are many good reasons for me to do so.

First of all, it's a place that's here for over a decade now, and it's still the leader in the field of online education. In this world where everybody is trying to sell you something (or even offers it for free) and claims to be the best, it is very hard to "stay above the water". But, the quality and the quantity of courses offered in the Ed2Go is still unreached by others. And it is constantly growing...

Second thing is that Ed2Go provides the highest-quality continuing online education courses. This means you get the best education and it can go much deeper in the subject than a regular online course you can find somewhere else (which mainly contains of tutorials with general information and no value in real-life situations)

Third, ed2go provides outstanding online courses that are delivered through over 1,800 top colleges and universities. If it's good for all these universities and theirs students, there is no doubt it is of high value for you also.

Fourth, the intensity and speed of your learning is yours to choose. You are the boss of your time!! If you are a working mother with no time to travel 1 hour to the other part of the city to sit in a class for 45 minutes and drive 1 hour back home, you will love the fact that your lesson is just a click away.

Fifth, the amount of courses is so big, you will probably never need to search any other place on the Net. From Creating Web Pages to Accounting Fundamentals, Speed Spanish to Grant Writing, Medical Terminology to Real Estate Investing, and much, much more. There is almost 300 online courses !

Sixth (and my favorite because I think this is the most important aspect of learning): your learning is mentored by real people. You will not just be given the information and left alone. Oh no, every course includes an instructor. That means your way through the knowledge is watched over, and there is always the possibility to ask questions and get real answers from real people. You won't find any tutorials here!

Last, but not the least, the courses are affordable. How much would you pay to have your personal mentor available to you every day, all the materials (books, scripts, real-life examples and tests proven in many real-life situations)? It would cost you well over a 1000$, but not here. The prices are set around 100$ per course, so it is really great value for your money. Where else can you have all the above mentioned things for this kind of money?

Let me come to a conclusion: If you are a person in need of affordable, easy to follow, mentored and high quality online education, the place for you is Ed2Go.com. In our world of overwhelming information overload, it is very important to find a good system of learning, a system designed and led by highly educated teachers and professors with many years of experience.

I hope that my article helped you with information it offers. I try to give on objective information, based on facts that are easily provable in just a few clicks.

Have a good day.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

The Advantages of Having an Online Pharmacy Technicians Training

With our rapidly increasing pharmacies, clinics and medical outlets, the demand for pharmacy technicians increase as well. They are the ones who assist pharmacist with basic duties and task with the exception of giving out medical advice. They fill prescriptions, count pills, measure liquids; keep track of medication movement and so on.

To gain a better position in this field, it is only wise that you take it up professionally through education. In times of today, many universities and teaching schools have accredited pharmaceutical courses online. There are many benefits of enrolling yourself for these courses, these are:

  • Convenience. Online courses, also known as distant learning allows you to study wherever and whenever at your own pace and in the comfort of your own room. All you need is a pc and the interest, and you're all set to go.
  • Better salary. With a certification behind your profession, you would be able to start your job with a better pay instead of working your way from the bottom.
  • Less pressure. By studying at home, you do not stress up or get intimidated by peer pressure and such. You are given the chance to study at your capability at which you are most comfortable.
  • Cost less. As you would be studying in the comfort of your pajamas, you would not need to pay campus fees, facilities fees and such. In a long run, it would be a lower investment cost. So studying online would help save you some money in comparison to studying in school.
  • Less stressful. As you would not need to wake up at unearthly hours, iron clothes and get to a class on time.

To cut a long story short, gaining a certificate online has many advantages from conveniences to higher salaries. It is only a matter of effort, so if you're interested in being a pharmacy technician, start enrolling now.

For more information about pharmacy technician continuing education and pharmacy technician certification, visit PharmacyTechnicianEssentials.com.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Accredited Online Degree Programs Info

As a result of the convenience and the unfussiness associated with online degree when compared with on campus university degrees, many people will be able to obtain further college. Due to all these distinctiveness lots of people have decided to opt online learning program particularly people that are very busy and those that are more often than not at home, like house wives.

Studies have shown that lots of universities nowadays organize online learning programs. That's why unlike before one can right now easily get an online degree in a field one favored like online science degree, engineering degrees online, etc.

National accredited online degrees are those degree certified and approved officially as a result of meeting a set standard. At whatever time you want to obtain your want degree online, you should also be aware of fraudulent online university degree websites.

A lot of research works have proved it that student can also learn well using online method of learning, there they earn the same certificate with university regular students. Many people now talk more about online learning programs and so there is a rise in employment for its degree holders. In them, the employers will perceive desirable qualities needed from a good employee such as inspiration, independence and industriousness.

It's very noteworthy for you to be aware that you need to make a compare of different credit per cost for different courses you wish to opt for. This will help you to know the ones you can meet up with the expenses involve.

Fleming passionately writes to enlighten people about Online Degrees and has made tremendous success as an online tutor with several years of experience. Recommended: Visit http://myonlinedegree.fateback.com for more information and also see his personal blog http://on-linedegree.blogspot.com which has many free useful online degree resource materials.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Online Bachelor Degrees - Six Simple Steps to Blitzing an Online Bachelors Degree Course

A bachelors degree online is one of the best moves you can make if you are willing to do a little work to make this happen. You will be in the best position when it comes to all the careers available to those with a bachelors degree. Options are plentiful for completing your degree. Online programs are offered by some of the top schools in the country as well as those that have their own degree programs. There are also community colleges. Many from each of these choices have very affordable prices.

The courses are not easy. They do require work and this is where a lot of people have problems. They may not have a good environment in which to work. Between the noise levels at home due to television, video games, children and pets as well as people dropping in and eating, this may interfere with your study time.

This may make classroom work much more preferable to those who need to be able to concentrate and get their work done. There may be other problems such as your access to a computer or the Internet. The ability to pay the bill is one such problem.

If you can manage to do this, it will be a very rewarding outcome. The following tips are designed to help you find the right path to your bachelors degree so you can get started on your promising future.

Find a Trustworthy Education Program

Check into which programs have the Counsel by Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) because many do not. If not, be leery of these programs. Schools that are out of the country, schools that do not supply contact information or those that are willing to sell you a diploma are considered suspicious. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has information on most schools. When searching online and you think you have found a good choice, do your investigating and make sure before deciding.

Get Your Academic Records Together

A reputable school will want to see any certificates or diplomas you have (especially high school) to make a determination of what, if anything for which you may qualify. These records should be gotten in order first thing.

Check Out the Campus

If there is actually a physical school that you will be considering you should make a visit and see what impression you get of the institution. If not and it is an online college, do a little research and see what you can find. One way is by contacting former students of this program and ask them if they had any problems. By doing a fair amount of research this should tell you if the school is going to be a school you want to attend.

Financial Help is Available

Most people cannot afford to pay for their education out of pocket. This does not mean they cannot get one. The schools normally have arrangements made with local banks and they offer a financial aid plan. The better your credit is the more chances of getting a good loan but if it is not perfect, you can still get help. You might just have to pay a little more. When you want to go to school to earn a bachelors degree, there are options if you are having financial straits.

Ensure the Timing Is Right

When you decide to go to school make sure this is the right time for you. You must be at your best in order to pass the courses required for a bachelors degree. Dropping out should not be an option. Make sure there is no major stress in your life and that you are going to be all right with studying and the cost of the course.

Making the Final Decisions and Preparations

Paying tuition fees, getting applications and all the paperwork filled out and a consultation with a financial adviser are all steps that will need to be taken. If you can get everything going to get your bachelors degree, your life will be set up for great earning potential. You will be well on your way on the path to success.

Further information on how to save time and money on online bachelor degrees is freely available right now. Learn how to work smarter not harder to maximize your results of your online education at http://www.JobTrainingPlace.com

John Maxted is an online education specialist who has a passion for helping others succeed with their education. John's Site, Job Training Place dot com is designed specifically to provide you with comprehensive job and career information as well as discussing the various education and training alternatives available. These include construction industry training and apprenticeship programs, conventional university and college education as well as online courses ranging form basic programs right up to full Bachelor's and post graduate degrees. If you are currently exploring your career and educational options this site will be most valuable.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Five Questions to Ask When Choosing an Online Insurance Continuing Education Provider

Making sure that you comply with your state's insurance licensing regulations is one of the most important issues you have to deal with as an insurance professional. Your career depends on it. Getting the required insurance continuing education (or "CE") is a big part of that, and thanks to current technology, you have more insurance CE options than ever.

A recent study from Agent Media indicated that 67 percent of respondents now get at least some of their insurance CE credits online. It really is the most efficient option, saving the travel costs and time away from the office associated with classroom training. Because of its increasing popularity, there are a lot of web-based businesses now offering online insurance continuing education. How do you narrow down all these options to find best insurance CE provider for you?

Before you sign up for your next course, consider these questions:

Does the provider offer high quality, compelling course material?

Online insurance CE courses should take advantage of the multimedia (audio, video, animation) capacity of the web to maximize the effectiveness of the learning experience. The courses should be written by recognized industry experts, should follow the required format, and should be approved in all 50 states. Ask for a no-charge sample course to make sure the provider meets these requirements. Also, review the provider's course catalog to make sure they offer a wide enough variety of courses so that you can get all the training you need from one source.

Does the provider track and report training results for you and your employees?

For you to remain compliant, the results of your insurance continuing education courses must get into the right hands in a timely manner. Look for an insurance CE provider who will handle that for you without additional paperwork on your part. The whole idea of getting your required credits online is to make the process faster and more efficient, so make sure your provider will track all your courses automatically, inform you of the courses you still need to take, and report your results to state within two to three business days (as allowed by your state's licensing board). You should also immediately receive a Certificate of Completion when you pass a course, so you'll have proof in-hand when needed. These services should be available to you at no additional charge.

Are the courses flexible enough to fit your schedule?

Online learning has made it possible to take your insurance CE courses anywhere and anytime you have a web connection, but sometimes it's still difficult to find the time to sit down and complete a course in one sitting. Look for an online insurance CE provider that allows you to save your sessions and pick up where you left off, so you can truly work at your own pace.

Can you re-take courses without additional charges?

Once you have paid for a course, you should be able to review it as many times as you want without being charged again. You should also be allowed to re-take the exams as often as you need to pass the course and earn the credits.

If you are going to be away from your computer, can you take the course material with you?

Just because you are taking a web-based course, you need not be tied to the computer the entire time. Look for a provider that will allow you to print out pages from the course material for later review. Also, your provider should allow you to download the audio from multimedia courses. These audio downloads can be saved like a podcast to your MP3 player for even more flexibility. You can review the information while on the road, exercising, doing housework -- anywhere you can use you iPod.

The point of insurance continuing education is to make sure you stay up-to-date on all the latest developments in insurance services and regulations. When you receive the best possible training, both you and your clients will reap the rewards. Finding a high quality, accredited online continuing education partner is the first step in maximizing the benefit to your business, and it's worth the effort to do your homework.

Bruce MacMillian is the President and CEO of CEU.com. CEU offers multimedia-rich online insurance continuing education courses to licensed insurance professionals.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Concepts in Linear Regression You Need to Know Before Learning Multilevel Models

It seems very many researchers are needing to learn multilevel and mixed models, and I have to say, it's not so easy on your own. I too went to graduate school before it was taught in classes--we did learn mixed models as in Split Plot designs, but things have progressed a bit since then. So I too have had to learn them without benefit of a class, or teacher. So I feel your pain. But I've struggled through and learned a lot, although I had the advantage of seeing very, very many examples as I've worked with clients over the years, and of having knowledgeable colleagues to ponder and learn with. So if reading Singer makes you feel stupid, you're not alone.

I've also had the advantage of having really good training in the general linear model. This came not only from numerous classes in graduate school, but once again, from seeing so many examples in consulting, and having to explain it so many times. (Teaching is when you learn best).

Why is this important? Because multilevel models are just general linear models with extra sources of variation. It's much harder to learn multilevel models if you're still unsure about some of the concepts in linear regression. You want to focus on figuring out what a random slope really means, not a centered predictor.

So here are 4 concepts in linear regression that you really, really should get clear about before you attempt to read the Singer article. It won't make it easy, but it will make it easier.

1. What centering does to your variables. Intercepts are pretty important in multilevel models, so centering is often required to make intercepts meaningful.

2. Working with categorical and continuous predictors. You will want to use both dummy and effect coding in different situations. Likewise, you want to be able to understand what it means if you make a variable continuous or categorical. What different information to you get from it and what does it mean? Even if you're a regular ANOVA user, it may make sense to treat time as continuous, not categorical.

3. Interactions. I know you know that you have to leave in lower order terms for each interaction (right?). Make sure you can interpret interactions, regardless of how many categorical and continuous variables they contain. And make sure you understand.

4. Polynomial terms. Random slopes can be hard enough to grasp (and keep straight from random intercepts). Random curvature is worse. Know thy Polynomials.

And finally, understand how they all fit together. These 4 concepts really come down to understanding what the estimates in your model mean. How to interpret them. And that will come largely from practice, asking questions, and relearning the basics in the context of your data.

The advantage is that understanding these concepts will behoove you in learning any advanced modeling--nonlinear models, logistic regression, Cox regression, and so on.

I'd like to invite you to learn more about linear regression analysis, including interpreting interactions, centered predictors, polynomials, and more in one of my FREE monthly Analysis Factor Teleseminars: "Interpreting Linear Regression Parameters: A Walk Through Output." Visit Teletraining 4 to get started today.

© 2008 Karen Grace-Martin -- Statistical Consultant and founder of The Analysis Factor

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

4 Tips to Avoid Being Scammed by Diploma Mills

Online education has been introduced for decodes and it is now receiving increased respect from top employers. Students who are interested to earn their degree online generally do not need to worry about the acceptance of their online degree as long as they earn their degree from a legitimate online college. However, diploma mills who offer valueless degree limit the prestige of a legitimate online degree. You as an online student need to ensure the degree you pursue online is from $a properly accredited college, else you will have problem to use the degree to start your career later. Here are a few tips to avoid being scammed by diploma mills.

Tip #1: Understand the college's past performance

The college past performance is useful to identify legitimate online colleges. Online colleges that won yearly award or participating themselves to be reviewed for ranking position such as The Best College of Year 2009 should be cleared enough to identify as legitimate online colleges.

Tip #2: Find out which accrediting agency that performs accreditation

Accreditation is an important indicator for quality assurance of the online degree programs offered by any college. However, it is not enough to know that your selected online college is accredited, but you need to know which organization is accrediting the college and whether that accrediting agency is a body recognized by the Department of Education of your country. The reason is diploma mills do claim accreditation, which they are accredited by a "fake" accrediting agency. Hence, you should find out which accrediting agency that performs the accreditation process of your selected online college and ensure the accrediting agency is in the list of CHEA.org, an official online database that keeps information about accreditation.

Tip #3: Join the forums that discuss about online colleges

What other people talk about the online college that you are interested to may give some hints about how good the college is and whether the college is a diploma mill that cheats money without providing legitimate degrees. In the forums, people will talk about the good things and the bad things about the colleges and their degree programs. You should be able to get a lot of information about the online colleges that offer the degree program you are interested in. Avoid those online colleges that have bad comments and suspicious to be diploma mills.

Tip #4: Avoid online colleges that offer deals that look too good

When you see something is too good to be true, then it better trigger your alert sensor on any potential scam activities by diploma mill. When you see that the requirements to earn a degree is too easy until you don't need to put in any effort, then the degree you are going to earn is most probably be a fake degree then a legitimate one. Hence, keep in mind that earning a degree online has no different than the campus-based degree except there are some advantages that will benefit you. Other than that, you still need to put in efforts for coursework, attending online classes and complete the total credits required for graduation. Avoid totally any offer from online colleges that look to good to be true.

Summary

Don't let yourself have chances to be scammed by diploma mills. Use the above 4 tips to distinguish a legitimate online college before you sign up any of it online degree program.

Julie Harvard would like to invite you to explore more information on online education at http://www.studykiosk.com which will help in making your education decision and select a legitimate online college that best fit your goals.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

University Online - Education Easier Than Ever

We live in a peculiar world these days. Some would even say that it's pretty amazing. You see we live in a world where you can go to a University Online and earn an online degree from the comfort of your own home. That's a pretty amazing thing if you consider that just a decade ago that wasn't possible.

Sure there were mail programs, but a) hardly any of those were accredited or looked at as legitimate, and b) it took forever to even get through one of those courses...and again, it got you basically nowhere.

But things are different now. There are tons of online universities that have the same exact accreditation that offline college campuses have, and these degrees are now highly accepted world wide.

If you've been wondering where to start your search for a University Online, then you'll be happy to know that it's a pretty simple process nowadays. There are a number of legitimate directories to help you, and then there are of course always the well known schools like Phoenix University Online, or Kaplan...and tons of others.

Perhaps the easiest way is to go through a directory that helps you find one such as E-Learners, that way most of the heavy lifting is done for you.

Site like these will go through and check through the various universities online following the criteria that you set, or simply just show you the best overall that's been rated by other users.

This saves you much of your valuable time on searching out a university on your own.

Go start your journey to an online education now at the University Online that's right for you!

Saturday, February 07, 2009

College Student Success Strategies

Succeeding in college is not all that difficult. Freshmen enter the "Halls of Ivy" with optimism and trepidation. They soon learn that it isn't always the smartest students who do the best.

The keys to success in college can be categorized into a few principles:

PERSISTENCE

Often it is the "last ones standing" that walk down the aisle to receive their diploma. Life happens along the way. Health problems, financial difficulties, family problems, etc., are common. Most students are trying to balance work and school, and many are raising a family, too. And, a large number of students today are single parents. It's easy to get discouraged when so many stressors are competing for our time and attention. The simplest solution may appear to be to drop out. However, it seldom is.

So, hang in there and realize that endurance is the most important factor in getting your degree.

PATIENCE

Be patient with yourself and your instructors. Patience will help avoid the escalation of trivial matters into major problems. Most of all, be gentle with yourself. Take matters in stride and you will not experience the degree of stress that leads to impulsivity and poor decisions.

FLEXIBILITY

In college, as the rest of life, things happen. Schedules change, instructors change, rooms change, curricula change, grading standards change, textbooks change, classmates change, etc. Don't let these changes "throw" you.

Many students get frustrated or upset at frequent changes. Yet, their education is intended to help them successfully navigate an unpredictable world full of frequent and profound change.

One of the major difficulties for many students is adapting to the different teaching styles, personalities and manner of the faculty. All students have their "favorites." They expect faculty to adapt to them, instead of them adapting to their instructor. Just as in the workplace they will have to adjust to, and satisfy the expectations of their superiors (bosses); in the classroom they will have to adjust to the style and expectations of their teacher. In the business world if they fail to meet the standards for performance set by their employer, they will receive poor evaluations. In the classroom these evaluations are called GRADES.

SCHOLARSHIP

I would be negligent if I didn't refer to scholarship. As a student you have an obligation to go to class, be attentive, participate, and complete your homework. If you have difficulty meeting these obligations, examine yourself and your study habits. College should be a top priority. After all, your education should assist you throughout your life in making a living and progressing professionally. So take it seriously, and try to garner all of the knowledge and networking contacts you can.

While being the "class clown" may sound like fun, it's temporary and generally unappealing. Your classmates may regard you as a fool, or resent your intrusion on their learning experience.

INVOLVEMENT

Become involved with the school and the opportunities it affords. Frequently there are various Clubs, organizations, interest groups, community involvement opportunities, etc. These represent another dimension of your learning and provide opportunities for leadership and participation. Besides looking good on your resume, they contribute to your education. These entities may also provide professional and employment avenues.

COMMUNICATION

Get to know your instructors. It is important that you share with them your circumstances as they pertain to the course. If you have to be tardy or absent because of work requirements, child care, or emergencies, let the instructor know. Otherwise your instructor may think you are not interested, serious or disciplined. If you need to be absent, or miss an assignment ask if it will impact your grade. Try to arrange for homework/make-up/extra-credit assignments to offset this. Most instructors want to be kept informed concerning their students' issues, challenges and conflicts, and are more than willing to work with you.

If you have trouble keeping up, or understanding the material ask for help. Many schools offer tutoring or special study groups to address these matters.

RESOURCES

Use the other resources available. Everything from Admissions, to Financial Aid, Business Office, Registrar's Office, Student Services, Career Services, etc., is there to support you and facilitate your education. Familiarize yourself with these offices and their functions. For example, you may need to re-write your student loan, or you may need help with transportation, or a scholarship, or a job, etc. Ask!

FRIENDS

We all need a support group. Try to align yourself with those who will help you succeed. Study partners, car pool buddies, those with similar majors or interests are all of value, and so are the good listeners, the motivators, etc. A large part of the college experience is making personal and professional contacts. Just as in the business world it's often "who you know," and not "what you know" that makes the difference.

FOCUS

Stay focused on the "prize." Students drop out when they get discouraged, feel overwhelmed, or lose focus. The more you see yourself as successfully completing your education, the greater the likelihood of you graduating. Almost every college grad comments on how quickly the time flew in college, and before they knew it they were done. Focusing on the end result will help you through the tough times and give you the motivation and courage to succeed.

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From years in academia I have seen many students complete their education, and a surprisingly large number who don't. Paying attention to these simple, yet important, tips should help you successfully complete your educational journey.

Ben A. Carlsen, Ed.D, MBA, is an experienced CEO and manager. Dr. Carlsen has over 30 years experience in management, consulting, and teaching. Currently the Head of the Business Department at Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL., he was Chairman of the Los Angeles County Productivity Managers Network and President of the Association for Systems Management (So. Calif. Chapter). Additional information can be obtained at http://drben.info

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Making the Correct Medical Transcription Training Decision

A few words should be written about the state of the medical transcription industry today. The industry has gone from one offering virtually no training options a couple of decades ago, to one that has attracted an increasing number of participants - not all of which are reputable. To be fair, many of these training programs are well meaning. However, some are simply ill prepared to deliver a training experience that will yield a positive career outcome.

Remember - you can spend just as much time and money (and in many cases much, much more) on a second or third rate program as you can on a first rate program. In my experience, I have found that most people who select one of these lesser options do so for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Effectiveness of their marketing messages
2. Perceived low price of the program
3. Lack of available information regarding alternative training options

When evaluating any MT training program, consider what your ultimate goals are. Many people who express an interest in the MT career field have two primary goals:

1. To get a good job upon graduation
2. To work from home as a medical transcriptionist upon graduation

Both of these goals depend on the ability of the training program you choose to deliver a marketable education and to facilitate a number of positive post-graduation employment opportunities.

So when you consider the cost of a program that is fundamentally incapable of delivering on either of your goals, then what initially seemed like a great value can quickly turn out to be one of the most expensive and frustrating options imaginable.

Ultimately you should do your homework and ask the hard questions. Look at the evidence of how existing transcription employers view the training program you are considering. Look at whether the program is approved by AHDI. In the end, there are few decisions you will make that will ultimately prove to be more important to the success of your career.

Christopher L. Dunn has been active in operating and training aspects of the medical transcription industry for the past 17 years. For more information on a home based career in medical transcription please visit more of the authors websites:

http://www.medical-transcription-job.com

http://www.medical-transcription-school.com

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Your College Choices

School selection can be an overwhelming task for college-bound high school juniors. There are literally thousands of colleges and universities to choose from in the United States.

Although every educational institution is unique, it is possible to place most colleges and universities into one of several broad categories. A helpful first choice in school selection is to understand what these types of institution are and how good a fit they are for your personal preferences and learning style.

Liberal Arts Colleges - Liberal arts colleges are 4-year institutions committed to providing a broad undergraduate education. Students are required to take a range of courses in the arts, humanities, and sciences outside of their major. Liberal arts colleges tend to be small, with total enrollment of 1,500 to 8,000. A close community is a key element of their educational model and they will cut back on enrollment if they feel the campus population is getting too large. In addition, many liberal arts colleges are located in rural areas, small towns, or suburbs. Carleton, Hamilton, Bryn Mawr, Wellesley, Amherst, Haverford, Mount Holyoke, Claremont McKenna, Swarthmore, Williams, Smith, Bowdoin, Bates, Reed, Colby, and Middlebury are just a few of the many excellent liberal arts colleges in the U.S.

Pluses: Excellent teaching standards. Close contact with faculty who can serve as mentors and/or recommenders for graduate study. Small, close-knit communities.

Minuses: Location may be remote. Limited range of classes and/or majors. Libraries and other resources may be limited. Limited dining and residence choices. Can be expensive.

The Ivy League - Believe it or not, this term is said to have originally been coined to designate a college sports league. Since then, of course, it has passed into popular use as shorthand for a group of some of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in the U.S. The 8 Ivy League member schools are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Columbia University, and Cornell. Each of the Ivy League schools is a unique institution with its own institutional culture and distinctive educational experience. Prospective applicants should take care to research each school separately.

Pluses: Excellent education. Prestige. Outstanding facilities and educational support.

Minuses: Highly competitive admissions. Expensive.

Residential Colleges - A residential college is much more than just a university with campus housing. It's a college where students' day-to-day living is part of their educational experience. The colleges where students reside organize lectures and other learning experiences in addition to social events. This style of living is meant to provide students with a strong sense of community, a chance to interact with a wide range of other students, and the opportunity to develop close relationships with faculty. Only a small number of U.S. colleges offer a true residential option. They include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, Middlebury, the University of Virginia, Rice University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.

Pluses: A close community that leads to life-long friendships. A stimulating and integrated learning and living environment.

Minuses: Communities may be too close-knit for some tastes. Limited living, dining, and entertainment choices. May be expensive.

Honors Programs - Many large colleges and universities give high-achieving students the option of enrolling in an honors program. Honors students take small, seminar-style classes that are more challenging than regular classes on the same topics are and that give them close contact with faculty. They may be asked to complete a senior thesis or project. At some schools, honors students live in designated housing and have access to special scholarships and internships.

Pluses: Excellent academics. Close contact with professors who can serve as mentors and/or recommenders for graduate study. A chance to produce a thesis or other capstone project. Honors programs at public universities often represent an excellent value for in-state residents.

Minuses: Not really a substitute for a liberal arts college experience, if that's what you have your heart set on.

Research Universities - These are comprehensive universities where faculty and graduate students focus on original research. The top U.S. research universities draw talent from across the country and around the world. A partial list of top U.S. research universities includes Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Duke, MIT, Johns Hopkins, the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Pennsylvania State University, UCLA, UC - Berkeley, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and the University of Michigan.

Pluses: Excellent academics. Entrée to top graduate programs. Exposure to cutting-edge research. Outstanding libraries, laboratories, and other facilities.

Minuses: Highly competitive admissions. Undergraduates may have more contact with teaching assistants than they do with faculty.

Flagship Universities - A flagship university is the main campus of a state university system. Flagships are comprehensive universities and usually include graduate or professional schools in addition to undergraduate colleges. Flagship universities have competitive admissions and are often listed among the best universities in the country. They include 'public Ivies' such as the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Virginia, the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and Pennsylvania State University.

Pluses: Excellent academics. Entrée to top graduate programs. Lively social and sports scenes. A wide range of class choices. Relatively low tuition for state residents.

Minuses: Huge campuses and vast student populations can be easy to get lost in. Main campuses may be located in isolated rural areas. Undergraduates are likely to have more contact with teaching assistants than with faculty. Classes may involve several hundred students and provide little opportunity for discussion or feedback.

Land-Grant Universities - These are large public universities that were originally built on federal land in exchange for a commitment to educate the public. The primary mission of these universities continues to be public education. Undergraduate programs will often be balanced by active graduate, continuing education, outreach, and professional programs.

Pluses: Less competitive admissions and relatively low tuition for state residents.

Minuses: Large campuses and classes. Quality of programs and departments varies.

Music Conservatories and Art Schools - These are specialized academies that train students in the visual and performing arts. Some schools (especially those affiliated with a university or a college consortium) provide the option of a broader liberal arts education in addition to arts training. Others focus exclusively on developing their students' artistic talents. Most of these schools require an audition or portfolio as part of the admissions process. Top schools include the Julliard School, the Eastman School of Music, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Pratt Institute, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Yale Art School.

Pluses: Outstanding training. Prestige. Specialized career placement and networking opportunities.

Minuses: Highly competitive admissions. Training and/or academic credit may be hard to transfer to other schools or fields.

Community Colleges and Junior Colleges - These are two-year institutions that offer Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees. Most are non-residential 'commuter' schools. Community colleges typically practice open admissions, meaning that anyone who meets their minimum standards is guaranteed enrollment. Many offer smaller classes and a more supportive learning environment than large 4-year institutions do. A growing number of college-bound high school graduates opt to save money by completing 2 years of degree study at a community college and then transferring to a 4-year institution for their junior and senior years.

Pluses: Low-stress admissions. Inexpensive. Teaching and academic support can be very good.

Minuses: Class options and library and lab resources may be limited. Transfers to 4-year institutions may become more difficult as more people choose this option. May not be able to transfer all degree credits to a 4-year institution. Social life and extracurricular activities may be limited.

David Petersam

President and Founder of AdmissionsConsultants

http://www.admissionsconsultants.com