Sunday, 31 August 2014
Why Is Mathematics So Hard? Math Grinds May End Your Struggle With Mathematics
People learn in different ways, and not every student finds the teaching style at his school or university a good fit for his personal learning needs. On the other hand, not all math teachers are talented teachers, able to transfer their knowledge to students. They are also often forced by the crammed curriculum to just go too rapidly for the majority of students. That doesn't give enough time for the students to grasp basic concepts, internalize them, and then successfully apply them in practice. Of course, even without these considerations, mathematics is a notoriously difficult subject to "get". It therefore comes as no surprise to anybody that many students don't like math!
Luckily, you don't have to struggle with math - and you are certainly not alone in having problems with this subject so many love to hate. If math has given you so much trouble in the past that you now find your studies difficult and unrewarding because you still don't understand basic math concepts, you will need special encouragement and attention from your math teacher. However, will you get it?
You can ask for help with math at your school or university, but don't expect to get a one-on-one tutoring - which is the most effective tutoring hands down. What you need is a knowledgeable and experienced math tutor who is dedicated and patient, and can give you clear explanations. Once you find this kind of math tutor, you may even begin to like math - or, at least, not have an urge to run away screaming from algebra or geometry any more!
However, not only students bad at math go looking for math grinds. Math grinds are not only useful to catch up, but also to give competitive advantages to those who are already doing well. Even those doing just fine on their own may be wise to get private tutoring in order to keep their standing and to get to the next level.
One obvious place to go looking for math grinds are local advertisements. If you're lucky, you may find math grinds for a very reasonable price. Of course, you can also turn to the internet. There are specialized websites that are in the business of connecting struggling students with math grinds. Their rates are also more than reasonable. However, be prepared that it may take some time to find the right math grinds. The really good ones are usually booked solid, even before the start of the school year!
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Game Based Online Learning
Game based online learning is quickly picking up as several technology companies are now ready to invest in this arena. The reason behind growing interest of businesses as well as educators to make use of games to enhance the online le vedic maths arning experience is simple. Learning becomes quite effortless and effective through games.
Experiential learning through well-designed games makes it possible to deliver all types of concepts and lessons in easy ways. Until now, learning management systems or LMS attempted to match the range of benefits provided by a classroom. Now, these online portals and LMSs are equipped with interactive tools and interesting games that completely simplify the process of learning.
Game based online learning helps kids to imagine and think.
Understanding concepts in physics, mathematics or any other subject through interactive games is nothing short of fun for kids in their growth years. In a way, game based online learning technique helps teachers to make the learning process more permanent.
Learning becomes a fun activity and it helps a lot to increase the attention span of a learner. Since a learner is personally involved in such games, ratio of information retained against information delivered is actually very high. Both educators and students can enjoy themselves through interactive game based learning.
Educational game design by professionals
In order to catch and retain the attention of students, game design for an online learning management system should be able to bring out sufficient interest. A number of companies are now designing educational games for online learning. While some of these games have a higher animation portion to provoke imagination of kids, many others are designed to deliver different types of teaching materials to adults.
It is important to understand that games designed for educational purposes are not completely similar to entertainment games. A team of subject matter experts, instructional designers, and educators should design each game based online course. Graphic designers and developers should handle only the technical aspects.
Friday, 15 August 2014
An Overall Picture of Healthcare Schools
Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the market today. Between 2008 and 2018, there is an expected increase of 3.2 million jobs, largely due to the aging population (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). With this need for more healthcare professionals of all types, healthcare schools are providing the education that candidates need to be successful in their chosen field. Not only are they revamping the type of education offered, more healthcare schools than ever are turning to digital means of instructing as well. From online classrooms to using today's advanced mobile technology, healthcare schools are, and will continue to be, the leaders in preparing students for the realities of their new jobs.
The degree level needed for a job depends on what you want to do and how long you plan on attending school overall. For example, you can certainly get a job with a diploma or certificate from any healthcare schools that offer them. However the job will be limited in responsibility. Some examples include: certified nursing assistants, medical or dental assistants, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), and a pharmacy technician. These men and women are generally, as their name may imply assistants to someone who is more qualified in the field.
These professionals may be the first person the patient sees to get vital signs, help fill out medical history or be a first responder in an emergency before a doctor can assess them. These positions require that the person have excellent bed-side manner as well, since as the first person, and typically last person the patient sees, they should leave a good impression for the patient.
For those that would rather have more responsibility, they should consider other options that healthcare schools offer - for example, a bachelors, masters or doctorate in a desired field. Each healthcare school will offer degree programs that differ from another, so research your options carefully.
Some healthcare schools only offer higher degree levels, such as masters or doctorate. For example, physical therapy masters degrees are programs that train a professional already in the physical therapy field for patient-relations positions. This is due to the fact that you cannot get a physical therapy degree or try for a license to practice, without the hands-on learning.
Healthcare schools are also training their students about how to learn to use new technology. A prime example is the use of online schools and classrooms, integrating mobile technology and the use of updated patient-care technologies. Online healthcare schools are the new wave of the future. They allow many working professionals to get their first degree or certificate, or to advance one that they already have. Even just using the tools will get them ready to use what will be available to them in the workplace. Technologies like the iTouch connect professionals, and students, with the most up-to-date medical information for quicker and more effective care of a patient. Also, for the care of patients that are home-bound, Bluetooth technology use is being taught to care providers so that nurses and their assistants can always know the health of their patient.
Healthcare schools are not a new phenomenon, but they are quickly becoming the hottest school choice these days. With an aging population and the thousands more that may be using the national healthcare insurance, more people will be seeking healthcare.
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Factors That Make an Elearning Program a Success
While it is true that e learning has revolutionized the way people acquire new skills and knowledge, it is still quite a mystery for some, primarily those wondering why it has proven to be quite effective for many. This doubt mostly stems from the fact that e learning facilitates the entire learning process without the benefit of a traditional classroom, and other common fixtures normally associated with traditional learning. The factor of distance also plays a part in some doubts people have over e learning as a learning facilitating process. Arguing that because the procedure is done mostly in locations far removed from schools or learning facilities, learning may not produce the same results as that which is to be expected from a classroom environment. This claim is at best relative to the circumstances surrounding the application of e learning in a given environment. E learning sessions are mostly quite productive, especially those found in business learning applications, like when the company training officer employs e learning to enhance the skills and knowledge of the employees. This is because, much like that in a classroom environment, there is a proper way of facilitating learning through e learning, most of which is stated here:
Facilitate sensory input - unlike in a classroom environment, participants in an e learning program cannot be given an online reference material and just have them read it. The internet allows for richer stimuli, particular sight and sound, plus the added component of interactivity, to engage the interest of the learner. E learning should maximize on the sensory factor during the learning process.
Quick learning modules - a by product of the convenience of the internet is an even shorter attention span for those who primarily engage in it. There is evidence that people who mostly learn from the internet have a shorter attention span, therefore necessitating the need for learning modules that can be learned in the shortest time possible.
Give feedback - because of the need to satisfy their needs as quickly as possible, a need fueled further by the internet, participant in an e learning program often have the urge to know as soon as possible if indeed they learned what was needed as soon as they can. Evaluation is easier when the learning session is online, and oftentimes, the learner themselves know this, which is why they would want to know as soon as possible,
Facilitation of multiple learning styles - no two people can be said to learn in virtually identical manners, there are always bound to be differences, which is one of the strengths of e learning, since it can accommodate the various types of learning, rather than just be rigid in one type that some learners may find difficult.
Allow for personal quirks - Although not normally allowed, or even tolerated in traditional schools and learning centers, e learning allows for a more personalized touch from the learner themselves. Should they find that they learn particularly faster by watching a video rather than listening to a lecture or reading a selection, e learning can facilitate this with practically no problems, since e learning can accommodate all media types.
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
CNA Renewal Online
Taking CNA classes online again is not usually necessary for your CNA license renewal. You will need to retake the certification exam again online or in class if you have not met the minimum number of hours in a health facility within the last 2 years. The minimum number of hours that you need to have worked in a medical facility in your employment as a CNA varies between states. This number is between 24 hours and 40 hours of CNA work, that was supervised by an RN or doctor.
If you have met the employment hours minimum as per your states requirements, then you can apply for your cna renewal online. It is important to note that not all states provide the option for you to obtain CNA recertification online. Around 50 percent of CNA renewals now take place online and the payment system is secure. To find out if you can renew your CNA license online you will need to get a Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Form. To find the renewal form for your state, you will need to check online with your state name, followed by Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Form for the search term.
The details that you will usually require for CNA renewal online are:
Your full name as it appeared in the State Board of Nursing database.
Your nursing assistant certification number which is on your license.
You will probably need your (SSN) Social Security Number.
A valid e-mail address is needed.
Your credit card for payment. Debit cards are accepted in some states renewal process, but not all.
Your CNA certificate is in most states valid for two years. Some state CNA certificates have the renewal date on it, while others may just have the date the certificate was issued. If you do not know if your CNA certification is still valid because of loss or damage for example, then you should consult your states registry. This can be done by either calling your registry on the telephone number in the above document, or on your states registry verification system online if available.
If you are moving out of the state that you obtained your original Certified Nursing Assistant License. It is probably a good idea to hold off re-applying for your renewal until you have moved. This is because many state nursing boards will not recognize the renewal license if it was obtained in another state.
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
New Technology in the Old School
I've started my career teaching online awhile back when 56K dial-up connectivity is the king of super information highway (now called Internet). It began in the technical support team making sure that the latency in audio is good enough that the student can hear the moderator. I remember being fascinated chatting with clients from Asia. Being an Atlanta based company, this was huge. Think about it, real-time conversation with someone in China; incredibly amazing! I was filled with excitement and torture at the same time since our audio feed was always insufficient for the client to make sense of the lecture being delivered. So, during those times the core issue was connectivity. Every data (course content i.e. PowerPoint, Word, Jpegs) had to be stripped down so it can easily populate the page. The bigger issue was the lag time or latency of the audio. It was choppy enough that it cannot be understood. So, as a contingency we provided clients with a phone number to call. Content such as homework and tutorials was stored in each of the student's web space and can asynchronously access. Each class had an element of face to face interaction and some type of live interaction. If you take the old brick and mortar platform of lecture and discussion, this form is what we had expected in any classroom setting. This was not that long ago.
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So, what's changed? Old school Instructors, teachers, and or facilitators forgot their lesson plan? Or, are new breed of educators relying more on just creating the content and pushing them down to learners (build it and they will have to do them). I see more and more virtual learning system transform into this library type systems where most content (course elements) are all asynchronously manufactured. This is good because it defines what online learning is about, flexibility. Learners and users can take their time, whenever that maybe and go to class. It works for some (as mentioned in my other articles) but, does it constitute better learning? Where's the element of good interactivity - the human sense of the class? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for flexibility. I, like the rest of the online learning community likes the fact that I'm not relegated to time and location when I'm learning online. So, if this is the case for learners, why am I talking about replicating old school practices of learning like "real-time" answers to student concerns in a classroom online?
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Well, like the results that you get from a live "offline" discussions, you'll get a good assessment of the student's knowledge about the subject matter when you're engage in a collaborative conversation. Furthermore, this enhances the Instructor's ability to modify the contents of the course because it'll be apparent in the discussions what area needs more elaboration or explanation. This make the learning experience more exciting because it replicates an old school type of platform in an online setting. With this platform, we can begin to connect better with our peers since the discussion is a lot more organic in structure. As a supplement to the standard post and reply method, live discussions can bring about excitement, fear, anxiety, and really all emotions common to a physical classroom discussion. In doing so, we eliminate the external commentaries such as noise of disagreement or rude unsolicited comments. However, it also bundles other factors like audio clapping for agreement and laughter for the smart comedic responses.
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What do we do to meet in the middle? How can we get some type of immediate interaction with the flexibility of asynchronous platform? In other words, extract the beauty of both worlds. Well, not all of the juice but majority of it. After all, this is about online learning. Well, we can create simulations with complete web 2.0 interactivity. Designers and developers can create a lecture fully integrated with artificial intelligence response system to derive the best fit answer to a student question related to the subject. Think about it; say a Business Instructor needs to lecture the differences of management style. Then a student asks a question related to what style he possesses in his work? The developer can create a database of questions in trying to understand more of the student's behavior and compare them to the already existing answers built relating to the particular behavior stated. So, it's not live. It's nor synchronous. It's not even exciting. But, it will provide quick response to get a real-time interaction and still possesses the major component of flexibility.
Monday, 11 August 2014
Why You Should Consider an Online College Education
Less than one in four Americans have a four-year degree, and if you are one of those who don't, yet when you are one of those without a degree, sometimes it feels like you are in the minority. With jobs as scarce as they are right now, if you don't have a degree, you will simply have a much harder time of finding a job.
Getting a job or moving up in a job is one of the main reasons why people are now thinking about an online college education. Few of us have the opportunity to take a few years off of work to concentrate on our education, but by using online college education to get a degree, you can go to work and get your diploma at the same time.
There are actually many reasons why more and more people are choosing online classes rather than traditional classrooms. Of course, most people don't have the availability to take time off from their job to sit in a classroom for hours, but it is often more than that. Sometimes people feel as if they will be the oldest person in the classroom or that they won't fit in on a traditional college campus. While that may not be true, it is sometimes easier to learn online when you aren't in fear of being singled out as the "old" student.
Online college education offers people of all ages, all over the world, to learn at their pace, in a classroom where they get to meet all different types of people. You can learn whenever you want, wherever you are, and all you really need is your computer and an internet connection. Learning online has opened up the doors to higher education for many people, so why not you, too?
Sunday, 10 August 2014
Before You Consider Your E-Learning Platform
When it comes to learning management systems it is important to remember that no matter what the sales people tell you, the tool is not the solution. The LMS helps you implement your training strategy, it does not create it. How you use the tools available to you is the key to your success.
Before you select an e-learning platform, you need to honestly identify your organization's current state. Otherwise you run the risk of buying a system that doesn't meet your organizations current and future needs.
The current state consists of your company's goals, the employee's knowledge and skill gaps, the existing programs used to address those gaps, and what stands in the way of fulfilling your company's training needs.
Once you identify your current state, you can start to think strategically about how training supports the organization's goals, how you measure training success, and where your training organization needs to focus.
Clarifying what success looks like and where training's energy should be focused sets the table for marketing your organization, something training organizations are notoriously bad at doing. Marketing is not about exaggerating the value of what training does, it is a strategic approach to showing your true value to the organization.
To successfully market your training organization, you need to think in terms of brand.
Branding is more than just a logo and a consistent look and feel to all materials training produces. It is about letting your organization know what to expect when you provide them with assistance.
When people hear about your training department, what do you want them to visualize? What sort of personality do you want to convey? Creating a consistency about the image you want people to have sets the tone for the way you communicate with your organization.
Branding and marketing requires you to differentiate yourself from internal and external competition. You should be able to explain why the e-learning that took 6 weeks to create is better training than the webinar that featured a power point presentation that was slapped together in a half hour.
Business majors have been taught that whatever doesn't bring in income is overhead and in order to make a profit, overhead must be trimmed. While that is a useful model, it ignores certain realities. Because organizations are siloed and departments are highly specialized, getting your organization to stop thinking of you as a cost center is a difficult mind switch. Companies that don't think of the organization as a complex system of interacting departments and individuals and instead look only at the bottom line lose sight of the value both tangible and intangible of so called overhead. Return on investment analysis is an important tool to use in helping your organization make the mind switch.
Saturday, 9 August 2014
Carpentry Courses - More Money In It Than You Think
Doing carpentry courses may not be the most glamorous thing you can do. But I tell you what; getting your diploma in carpentry can lead to some nice pay days.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for a carpenter back in May 2008 was $18.72. This rate is higher than the pay that many students with degree currently earn. As a matter of fact, the top 10% of carpenters earned more than $33.34 hourly for the same period - May 2008. This is serious money.
So please, don't let any college student turn up his nose at the fact that you are doing or planning on doing carpentry courses. Chances are that after you complete your studies, you might just be earning more than he is.
Although carpenters learn a lot of their skills working as an apprentices alongside more experienced professionals, some decide to combine on-the-job-training with technical training at vocational or trade schools.
Carpenter training can be offered via a combination of distance learning correspondence courses and online instruction. As a student of this program, you'll learn things such as how to cut, install doors and frame roofs. Distance learning courses allow you to study in your spare-time out of the comfort of your own home.
Prior to pursuing your studies, you have to be honest with yourself. Is carpentry a summer job for you or do you want to have it as a full-time career? Can you deal with the strenuous and dangerous nature of the work? Your answers to these questions could be a huge deciding factor as to whether or not you should spend your hard-earned money on doing this course.
Another important factor in your decision is the fact that carpentry is very susceptible to changes in the economy. Construction activity tends to suffer greatly in economic downturns. In such times carpenters can suffer from long bouts of unemployment.
If after weighing the pros and cons you decide on pursuing carpentry courses to improve your career prospects, you need to know which schools offer the top programs in the country.
Friday, 8 August 2014
Three Reasons to Get Your EMT Certification Online
Once you decide to go for a career as an emergency medical technician, you have to decide which training program best fits your personality, lifestyle, and daily schedule. Some people decide to get their EMT certification online while others prefer to go through local community colleges or other programs in their local area. Following are just three of the top reasons others decide to enroll in online programs. If you see yourself in any of these scenarios, then you may be best suited to studying online as well.
1. You work full time and need a very flexible study and class time schedule.
A large percentage of people who decide to study online are full time workers who cannot afford to take time off to get to classes at a particular time. Many work rotational shifts and cannot commit to classes on specific days or at specific times. Others work the nightshift or split shifts, so they have trouble making it during the times classes are typically held. Still others simply work so many hours each week that they don't have time to study during daylight hours.
In all of these situations, the answer is to sign up for an online EMT certification program. These programs allow students to pick the times and days of the week that they log on for their lessons, so students can study in the middle of the night or any other time of day.
2. You have children at home and do not want your studies to interfere with your parenting duties.
Many parents do manage to go to school and juggle their home responsibilities, but this is not the ideal situation for everyone. Many students have children with special needs who need care at the times most college courses would be held. Others just don't want to cut back on time spent with their children in order to attend classes. For instance, a mother with a busy teenager may only have access to evening courses locally, but she may want to be home with her teenager during those hours to make sure they do not get into trouble.
Busy parents can find the solution in online programs as well, simply because they can choose when they sit down to learn.
3. Traveling to a local college or training facility would be a hardship on yourself and/or your family.
Not everyone has the luxury of just hopping in a secure, reliable vehicle and heading off to the local community college or training facility. Some people have to work with difficult and expensive public transportation systems. Others live in rural areas that are not convenient to training facilities. Still others have just one vehicle for an entire family, so the working adult must take that vehicle during the times classes are typically held.
Whatever the situation may be in your life, achieving your EMT certification online is always an option. You can learn everything online that you would learn in a local program. In some cases, you may even learn more than you would learn locally.
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