According to this recently published AP article, nationwide cutbacks in public education funding have forced colleges to lay off instructors and eliminate classes, making it even harder for students to fulfill their school’s requirements and graduate within their desired timeframe. Because there is so little space available, many students aren’t even able to register full-time and run the risk of losing much-needed financial aid. Some schools are leaving it up to their professors to decide whether or not to take on extra students, but even those willing to accept the added responsibility cannot accept just everyone; worse yet, some professors who do expand their class sizes admit that because of such a large number of students in each class, those who need help won’t necessarily receive the specialized help necessary to keep up with the rest of the class. When interviewed, fifth-year California State-East Bay senior Sherrie Canedo responded to the situation by stating “I don’t feel that’s an acceptable way to learn.” And she is absolutely right.
Online education offers students like Sherrie, who are largely victims of circumstances beyond their control, a chance to get the degree they want without having to put up with the politics often involved with traditional post-secondary institutes. Students don’t have to worry about overfilled classrooms and not receiving the attention they deserve, because situations like that simply don’t exist with distance learning. If a student needs help with a particular topic, a professor will be on hand to assist in whatever way is necessary. If dealing with the repercussions of bureaucratic interference isn’t necessary, why put up with it? Penn Foster courses offer students specialized care and educational freedom that many colleges cannot help but surrender in times of economic cutbacks and downsizing. So if you’re worried that you’re going to end up paying more for an education that is only sub-par, look at Penn Foster as the alternative: personal, affordable, and professional, just like college should be.
In Book Smarts? E-Texts Receive Mixed Reviews From Students, an article by Ryan Knutson and Geoffrey A. Fowler found in the Wall Street Journal, a group of students and educators were questioned about the use of e-readers and e-textbooks in the classroom.
Students at various universities participated in studies where their traditional texts were replaced with e-readers or e-textbooks. In one case, many students dropped out after just the first two weeks sighting that the need to take notes and highlight the text were more important than the portability associated with these digital readers.
Despite their being environmentally friendly, portable and theoretically cheaper – what other benefits do these digital readers bring to education? I can definitely see the draw in that our nation as a whole is moving towards digital communication more and more. We’re on the go so much that many people no longer have home phones, relying totally on their cell phones. And, I must say, if you’re an avid reader having one of these e-readers handy for vacations or commutes to and from work can come in quite handy. But, for my studies I’m not so sure. Don’t get me wrong, lugging around 3 books each weighing 10 pounds is no picnic but I’m not sure I would enjoy sitting down to read 10 chapters on a digital reader either.
So, do you prefer traditional textbooks over these new e-readers and e-textbooks? Maybe these are the wave of the future, who knows?! Let us know what you think!
The days of sending your impressive resume along with a well thought-out cover letter to a prospective employer are a thing of the past! With today’s job market in such turmoil, things have gotten quite competitive!
In a article found in the Baltimore Sun, Job-Hunters try online ‘hire me’ drive by Gus G. Sentementes, a gentleman built a web site not only listing all of his specific credentials and qualifications, but also, directly related to the job he wanted with the e-mail marketing firm Blue Sky Factory. Check out the site he created to win over his prospective employer - http://bsfshouldhire.me/ - by the way, his creative way in approaching this company led to a second interview from a pool of dozens of applicants.
Sites like these called ‘hire me’ sites are popping up all over the place. It takes me back to the old adage “actions speak louder than words” … well these ‘hire me’ sites definitely put the words from your resume into action. They demonstrate creativity, “out of the box” thinking, and individuality … priceless qualities in today’s job market. Not to mention, they’re one of the most inventive ways of marketing yourself to employers that I’ve seen.
As shown on the ‘hire me’ site above, you can even link to your Facebook, Twitter and Linked In profiles and encourage friends and colleagues to share your page with their friends. It’s an entirely new approach to networking!
So, what are your thoughts on these ‘hire me’ sites? Do you think they are going to be the new trend in how individuals market themselves to employers?
Mary Jane Hurst, author of “Mentor Yourself” an article found on InsideHigherEd.com, says “Professionals who are provided with helpful guidance avoid unnecessary mistakes and distracting anxieties and thereby do their best work”. Do you have a personal mentor? I know I don’t, BUT Mary Jane offers up some advice and strategies on how to be your OWN mentor. Here is a synopsis of the five core strategies mentioned in her article:
Strategy #1
Get a Life: Conceptualize Your Career in the Context of Your Whole Life
Basically what this means is when setting your professional goals keep in mind your values and personal aspirations. Make sure that your decisions maintain a balance in your life on both personal and professional levels.
Strategy #2
Secure Your Own Mask before Attempting to Assist Other Passengers
In short, this strategy forces you to focus on your own goals. To be successful in helping other achieve their goals/dreams you should be well established with respect to your own goals. It’s hard to direct someone else down the right path when you have yet to find it yourself.
Strategy #3
Do unto Others as You Would Have Others Do unto You
While the first two strategies focus on the individual, this strategy reminds you to be kind to those around you because everyone will thrive in a positive and rewarding environment. While climbing that corporate ladder be very mindful of the fingers and toes of your co-workers so as to not step on them on your way to the top!
Strategy #4
Prepare for the Inevitable
Learn from your mistakes and understand that everyone experiences failure. Expect that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue!
Strategy #5
Document, Document, Document
Maintain your professional records and paperwork in an organized and easily searchable fashion. Keep as much documentation as possible in regards to different projects or workshops you have attended for future reference when either applying for a promotion or just your yearly review.
What are your thoughts on Mary Jane Hurst’s strategies? Do you have your own mentoring strategies that have helped you in your academic or professional career?
(Read more of the article here.)
(from InsideHigherEd.com) WASHINGTON -- Community colleges and high schools would receive federal funds to create free, online courses in a program that is in the final stages of being drafted by the Obama administration.
The program is part of a series of efforts to help community colleges reach more students and to link basic skills education to job training. The proposals are outlined in administration discussion drafts obtained by Inside Higher Ed. A formal announcement could come in the next few weeks. In addition to the free online courses, the plan would provide $9 billion over 10 years to help community colleges develop and improve programs related to preparing students for good jobs, and a $10 billion loan fund (at low or no interest) for community college facilities.
(Read entire article.)