Meta-Education

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

College Years Are The Best of Times

Just when you didn’t think there could be anything better than high school, along comes college. Welcome to the next chapter in your life. If you’re headed off to a four year campus, you’re in for a world of great new experiences that will set you up for the rest of your life. First of all, embrace why you are there: to earn a degree. It’s quite possible the plan you start out with in your freshman year is going to be drastically different than in your senior year. That’s not a problem. In fact, it is encouraged. As you navigate through your course work you’ll discover all kinds of facets about your major and chosen career path. There is nothing wrong with making course corrections. Just keep your eye on the prize.

One of the benefits of heading off to college is the sense that you are hunkering down for the next four years. This is going to be your home away from home. You’ll become very familiar with the campus layout in no time. You should also familiarize yourself with your professors. They all have open office hours. This time is for you to check in on how you’re doing and find ways to improve. Forging these kinds of relationships early on can make a world of difference down the line. Earnmydegree.com has plenty of helpful first year tips.

Is there anything else that makes college the best of times? Of course that would be all the fun you’re about to have. We all know you didn’t enroll in your campus of choice because it was ranked as a top ten party school, right? As long as you keep up your course work and go to class (either in a big hall or online environment), there is no reason why you can’t dive into the collegiate activity scene. Could there be a Facebook project in your future?

Filed Under: Higher Education

Online Education

Online education is a great way to gain your degree without ever having to leave your home. This type of education is the wave of the present and the future, and many brick and mortar schools are recognizing this trend. In fact, many of these schools are beginning to embrace the wave and have begun to setup programs that allow students to attend their high end university on an online dime. This is a great benefit for those that are finding that the economy has made their employment hopes somewhat of a dismal mess. Online education offers an out for many people so that they can continue on living their lives and providing for the families while still working on their goals of moving up in the work force.

Online education also provides an out for many people that are not looking for, or do not enjoy, being in a large crowd or feel the need to be in a classroom for hours on end. The class structure for online classes tends to follow a self paced regimen and many people really thrive in this type of environment. In fact, the completion rate for many of these students is so high, that many of the traditional colleges are taking a hard look at their programs and considering making wholesale changes that would incorporate a competency based element to many of the classes. This is partly with CLEP testing is so popular with the schools. Online education also offers unique way of handling course materials and reading materials. Most of the information needed for a class can be located online and is usually free of charge, or part of the online library. For many students, the cost effectiveness of an online program is the catch, and the fact that the education provided is top notch quality makes the deal even sweeter. Many are also attracted to the amazing assortment of degrees opportunities that are available.

Filed Under: Online Education Tagged With: eLearning

Education Doesn’t get any Cheaper

Most Americans have heard of a catch-22. Originally, that term meant that a person who was crazy enough to do something willingly would be too crazy to have to do it, while a person who had issues with doing the same thing would end up being forced into it. That is both sad and ironic, to put it mildly. But nowadays, anything that presents a “hexed if you don’t, cursed if you do” situation gets called a catch-22. Education is pretty much the epitome of the catch-22 phenomenon in this country. After all, we know that public education is not so well funded.

This system means that parents end up needing to be extremely well educated, so that they can get the great jobs that are necessary to finance things like private school educations. In some cases, even a master’s degree is necessary, in a field like business. But just like with a lot of public school educations, even colleges can sometimes skimp on the educational quality they provide for their students. School is supposed to prepare us for our lives and careers, so that we can do well for ourselves and our families. But it seems like you need an SAT test and GMAT class online just to compete at the “average” level.

There are an awful lot of people who have a hunger to succeed. It is for this reason that it is so importance of education in the modern world. We are not only competing with our town or our city or another state; we are competing against the world. The bar has been raised and it isn’t stopping anytime soon.

Filed Under: Online Education Tagged With: 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

Overly Prepared to Pay Back Student Loans

You’re chugging along in school, studying, acing your finals, and turning in research papers. You take out student loans to help pay the cost of your education. Graduation will soon be here. Ah, a light at the end of the education tunnel.

But wait! There’s a ghastly beast in that light: student loans. Students defaulting on loans are up seven percent. Bad things happen when you default on your student loan. The lender could garnish up to 15 percent of your wages. (Not good.) The lender can take back your tax refunds. (More bad.) They can keep you from getting work in the future or getting a professional license. (Real bad!)

How can you slay the student loan beast and live happily ever after?

First, while you are in school, get a job. Working part-time will give you money in your pocket to cover the cost of your education instead of adding to the amount of your loan. Use that money wisely.

Second, if you must take out a loan, borrow only what you need. While it may be tempting to get extra money to pay for a special trip during spring break or to get new clothes, don’t do it! You’ll be paying lots of interest on that loan. Keep the loan as small as possible.

Third, start your job search before you graduate. If at all possible, line up employment before you walk through commencement. That way, you’ll have a ready source of income to apply toward your student loans.

And last, if you have already graduated, consider using a debt consolidation service. Loan consolidation is easier than you think. Instead of having payments going out to several lending institutions, you will have one monthly payment, which could cut your monthly payment up to 50 percent. And, your interest rate will be lower. Now that’s a significant savings!

Filed Under: Continuing Education, Higher Education Tagged With: Education, Graduation, Student loan

Adult 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