Adult Education

Going Away to College

Going onward with your education is an admirable goal, but sometimes you need to go away to do it properly. After all, it’s far too easy to get lost in the inertia of familiar faces and familiar places. Sometimes going to a large city like Atlanta is a great way to focus on furthering your education and moving up in the world.

When you first check out some Atlanta apartments, you are going to notice that living in a big city like that is a far different experience than living in a suburban or rural area. For one thing, the culture is very tilted toward the support of others within the community, which is a strange concept to people who live very self-sufficient lives out in the sticks. Cities are all about interdependence. For another thing, you will notice that the arts have a powerful influence on the area. Remember that beautifying a space is as much a functional activity as improving your skills and expanding your horizons. When you’re in a new place, especially one that’s as large as Atlanta, you have to respect other people’s opinions.

Your education is not just going to happen in the classroom. Most of the time, going off to school teaches you all kinds of things about the world that just can’t seem to fit inside of a textbook or an instructor’s lesson plan. As often as not, you are going to find that if you ever go back to the place you came from, it just won’t seem as vibrant or large. When they say you can never go home again, they mean it emotionally more than physically.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Atlanta, Education, Lesson plan

Virtual Classroom Basics

Getting admitted to an online college is much the same as admissions for a traditional college. Just like admissions to brick-and-mortar schools, applicants must complete applications, submit test scores in some cases and pay application fees. The course curriculum is also basically the same for the both. However, once you’ve been accepted, attending class is a little different.

Online degrees can be self-paced which means you are able to start it at any time, or they can be structured so that students are scheduled to begin classes in groups and then they go through their programs at the same pace. In the latter case, there is usually a specific start date.

In addition to finding out when each course begins, it may be able to take individual courses at an accelerated pace. Although a student might have an entire semester to complete an online course, it is sometimes possible to complete a course early, depending upon the speed at which you work.

Although computers are the status quo for most degree-seeking students, regular access to a computer with Internet access and email is absolutely necessary when attending a virtual school. In addition, different online schools may have different technical requirements so it is important to check these out as well. For example, find out the time of browser you will need, how fast your Internet connection should be and whether or not you need specific software like Microsoft Office or something else that might be required for a certain class.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Online Education Tagged With: E-learning, Microsoft Office, Student

Adult Educational Services

Returning to school as an adult or later in life can be a challenge that is both intimidating and frustrating. For many people returning, they have already established their careers and have made a good living until something forced them to make a change. For some they are looking for career advancement and are looking to make more money before retirement. Others simply want to change careers and they need more education to do so. Regardless of the reasons, many adults find that navigating the college market is not like it was a decade ago. They find that they need help getting to the right points in order to begin the process.

There are services that are exclusive to adults that are returning to schools, and many will assist in helping these students find the proper forms, services, and places to be in order to begin their adventure down the educational brick road. For adults that are looking for online programs that fit into their schedule they are in luck. Most of the online programs are geared for people that are over the age of 25, have had a job or career, and potentially a family, and they need something that will fit into their lives. This is much different than those that are simply indecisive, in which case online learning can still be a valuable tool while you are trying to decide what to do.

Some of the things that adult learners may be shocked to find out is that their old college credits may no longer be valid for their new program of study. College credits are only good for up to ten years. After that a student will have to consider retaking many of the older classes, and in some cases they will be required to start completely over.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Higher Education Tagged With: E-learning, Education

Teaching Requirements

There are many professions in today’s workforce marketplace. Most have very specific educational requirements, and one of the professions with the most requirements, and the strictest, is teaching. Teachers are required to have a lot of education, and because teachers are enforcing Federal educational guidelines, and these guidelines change often, teachers are required to keep their education up to date. They are required to continually take course work, and then prove their mastery by taking state and federal testing in order to remain highly qualified. Highly qualified status means that a teacher is not only able to prove that they took classes, but can also prove competency. This is part of the No Child Left Behind initiative, and every teacher must remain highly qualified in order to be in the classroom as a lead teacher.

Most teachers have multiple degrees, and multiple certifications. The newest initiative is requiring all mainstream teachers to be highly qualified for special education. The requirements would be then be a four year degree, an additional year for demonstration teaching, then an additional year per endorsement. This is aside from a Masters degree, or any other type of testing or graduate work. In all, teachers will have approximately eight years worth of education in order to be qualified for their position, and all is necessary in order to remain in the position. The requirements are so rigorous that many candidates find themselves leaving the teaching field because of the stress and amount of costs that they must pay in order to maintain their credential status. These requirements are very involved because America’s future workforce is dependent on quality education in order to help our country remain progressive. As of now America is falling behind in Math and Science, and so Federal requirements for teachers being competent in these areas of study is imperative. It also means that current teachers will be required to return to school in order to update their Math and Science skills.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Education, Teacher

Employment Needs

Employment markets have set requirements that are specialized for the needs of their particular markets. For many of these companies, they need math and science driven people that can help them capitalize on the technology market in today’s world. Unfortunately, Americans are at one of the lowest marks for producing math and science majors for technological advancement. If you are considering returning to school, or majoring in a high demand field, math and science should be at the top of your list. These two aspects are some of the most sought after in the work force marketplace today.

Some of the areas that these jobs are in high demand with are in the medical field. This would involve finding new and modern medicines, or even cancer research. This would involve biology and chemistry. The math field would be involved with architecture, and possibly even military work with find out the physics for weapons use. The fields also are used in forensics and police work, as well as CIA, and FBI. Software companies are also in the market for math and science as these fields provide basic essentials in developing software for textbooks, new programs, and even ways to analyze scientific data.

In order to qualify for these fields, people must be willing to investigate their options in education. This means that obtaining a degree in mathematics or science will take time and research. Most universities and even online colleges offer programs in these areas, and based on the current need for people with these skills, there is not time like the present to investigate your options. There are many grants and scholarships that are awarded to people who choose these fields, and all can be looked up online.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Distance education, Education

The decision to return to college as an adult is one that is to not be taken lightly. For most, by the time the decision has been made, there is some sort of a career or family that is established, which can make completing school work difficult. Those that decide to return to school however, are in search of a better career, looking for a promotion, or simply want to have a college degree. This is the case of many as they have found that their dreams of attending college could not be fulfilled when they were younger. The technological advancements and awareness of adult learners has created a new type of educational system for college that is very accommodating for the older learner. This means that there are classes that are held online, at night, or via correspondence. The traditional brick and mortar colleges are fading for this group of learners, as they simply cannot be flexible enough for the older learner to maintain their current responsibilities while completing school.

One of the nice aspects for attending school at night includes the fact that many universities are creating satellite campuses. They rent a part of a strip mall, or church, or school, and are able to provide adjunct professors to come in and instruct. While the student may not be traveling to the main campus, their degree will say that they graduated from that particular institution. Two decades ago degrees would state that they were adult school, night school, or awarded from a distance learning institution. Today the degrees simply state the name of the school, and older learners can be proud to show off their diploma.

The online university system has become quite the way to learn in the 21st century. In fact, many of the schools have the same type of accreditation, which means the education received online is as good as the education received from live campuses. For many, this is the way to go, as they can completely dictate their learning schedule, save time and money, and still complete their goals of obtaining a degree.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Distance education, Education

Addictions and Sending Your Child to College

Sending a child off to college can be filled with a number of worries. For many parents the very thought of their child being on his or her own can cause a number of worry-provoking thoughts, which is of course quite normal. However, what should you do if you notice that your child may have an addiction—if these are not just “normal” worries but justified in some way?

No addiction is normal. While most people would become worried if their child started using illegal drugs—and thus building a more normal and extremely dangerous type of addiction—other addictions might be ignored. While your child may enjoy playing video games or spending an inordinate amount of time on the computer, sometimes these can become addictive in behavior.

In regards to higher education, college can exist as a healthy way to find and develop increased independence. However, if any type of real addiction is present,this is a recipe for a number of negative results. Some individuals have a difficult time in such a situation if they do not receive help for their addictive behaviors. The addiction can be amplified and the individual could lose control in this new type of setting.How do you know the difference between a healthy love of an object (such as a video game or computer use) and addictive behavior? While there are no definitive and overarching rules, it may be a good idea to consult with a mental health professional. If a true addiction is present, your child can receive the help that he or she needs.

Help is available if warranted in your child’s situation. Resources such as MichaelsHouse.com may be appropriate for individuals with drug or alcohol dependencies, while other addictions can receive attention from professionals as well. Take a look at your child’s situation to determine how well he or she is prepared for this next important step in life.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Addiction, Addictive behavior

Night School

Many adults are returning to school so that they can have better work opportunities. There was a study done a few years ago that looked at the amount of returning adults, the demographic that was returning, and how many were attending day classes, evening classes, and how many completed their programs. The results were somewhat surprising, but not completely unexpected. Women made up the majority of returning students. They also made up the brunt of adults returning to school during the day, and also of those that completed their programs of study. They also were the largest group to continue on to graduate programs.

Men made up the majority of students that returned to school at night, and the majority of returning adults that were looking to gain their Masters degree. This is to be expected as many men are working during the day, and can only attend school in the evenings. With the influx of online programs, many people are finding the schooling is easier than ever to do, but many still prefer attending a classroom situation for their studies. This is in part because most of the men and women that are attending evening classes range from the 34-42 year old range, and simply are more comfortable in a brick and mortar setting than a virtual setting. In fact, many of the programs that are offered at night require technology classes, and many of the classes are web enhanced, which means that part of the class is conducted online regardless of the program of study.

Night classes can be demanding as well. There are still traditional assignments, papers to be written, and potential observations that need to be completed. The most demanding aspect for many adult learners is that attendance is vital. Students are not allowed to miss more than a certain amount of classes, or they are removed from the program. This can be challenge to many as they have jobs, and families, and sometimes those two aspects are not as flexible as one would like them to be.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Graduate school, Student

How Your Current Job Can Pay for College

It is a well-known fact that having a degree can lead you to higher-paying jobs. In some cases, you will make more with a degree doing the same job as someone without a degree. At the same time, employers benefit from having educated employees. They are more knowledgeable in their field and have the latest information on up and coming trends. Some potential students refrain from attending college after high school due to the costs involved. There are some instances in which a company or organization is willing to pay their employees to further their education.

The military is known for paying for college for service men and women. This is one of the reasons why some people join the military. The military is not the only employer that pays its employees for education. Other well-known companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Walt Disney offer educational incentives to some of their employees and interns.

Paid education is one of the things to consider when applying for jobs, but should not be the sole factor. What happens if you already have a Bachelor’s degree and you want to go to graduate school? Professional and service jobs are increasingly offering to pay employees for grad school tuition costs. Examples include teachers, police officers, and fire fighters.

The reimbursement of college costs is definitely an incentive of certain jobs. However, you should not pass up the opportunity to go to school just because you want your future job to pay for the costs of college. Although some companies offer tuition assistance, the majority of companies do not. A better case scenario is to get your Bachelor’s degree after high school if you have the opportunity to, and then to find a good job that can pay for higher education costs. Do not rely on a free ride for college.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Education, Employment

The Parents’ Guide for College Fees

There is much to college that parents want to be involved in. The least exciting aspect of your child going to college is coming up with the funds to help pay for it. There are some things you should understand about college fees before you frantically look for money in your savings or taking on another job. Paying for college is not easy, but planning ahead can help you and your student immensely.

College fees begin during the application process. Each application costs between $25 and $100. Your student also has to pay to take the ACT and SAT tests. Once your child is accepted into a college, you can get a better idea of the long-term costs. Each college charges tuition based on a credit hour. If your child is enrolling full-time, then she will take between 12 and 18 credit hours per semester. Your child will average between eight and 10 semesters of college in total, depending on the major.

Do not encourage your child to indulge in part-time studies for the sake of saving money. In fact, this will end up costing you both more money, as school time and the subsequent living expenses are spanned over a longer period of time.

Books are a cost that can fluctuate between semesters. The most costly books are medical ones. Expect the cost of books to be anywhere from $300 to $800 a semester. Encourage your student to purchase used ones, if available.

Before taking out a personal loan or taking on a second job, look for free money available for your student. Encourage him to check out scholarships. Also be sure that the two of you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. This determines your child’s eligibility for grants and loan interest rate federal loans. This reduces money-relates stresses for you and your student.

Filed Under: Adult Education, Continuing Education Tagged With: Course credit, FAFSA, SAT