:Wise Money Tips

Getting a bachelor’s or master’s degree may seem an insurmountable obstacle when you’re working a 40-hour week. But many Americans who have work, family and financial obligations that keep them from quitting their jobs to attend a traditional college or university full time have succeeded in finding a new way to meet their education goals and advance their careers.

Called distance learning, it’s an approach that’s taking the country — and especially the Internet — by storm. Dozens of accredited colleges and universities now offer online bachelor degree programs that require students to spend little or no time on campus. In most cases, you can learn to earn from the comfort of your own home.

The nation’s largest accredited private university, the University of Phoenix, is a good example of the trend toward distance learning. It offers online bachelor degree programs in business, technology, health care, education, and social and behavioural science. At the beginning of 2002, the last year for which figures are available on the Department of Education website, the University of Phoenix had more than 107,000 students enrolled in programs offered in classrooms and via the Internet through the school’s online campus.

While getting a degree from an accredited online university like the University of Phoenix can substantially boost your lifetime earning profile, online learning isn’t for everyone. Online learners do best when they’re highly motivated, are able to learn outside a traditional classroom environment, and have good computer skills and their own home computer.

If you fit this profile, here’s a basic checklist you’ll need to review before choosing an online degree program:

* Do you meet the academic requirements?

Like a traditional brick-and-mortar college, online universities have admission requirements that may vary according to your course of study. Certificate and online bachelor degree programs will require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Entrance requirements for graduate degrees will vary with the online degree program. At the University of Phoenix, for example, most graduate degree programs require a minimum of three years of related work experience and a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

* Is the online university accredited?

Accreditation is a process that colleges and universities submit to voluntarily in order to receive their credentials. Although there are no national accrediting standards, not just any accreditation will do. The U.S. Department of Education or the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation recognizes six regional and about 80 professional accrediting associations in the United States. The University of Phoenix, for example, is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

* Have you put your own goals first?

Take some time to research your options from the point of view of your own goals. To determine which school best fits your academic profile and educational goals, first list your criteria. Then, evaluate online degree programs based on their accreditation, features, and expenses. Once you have chosen several schools to explore further, visit their websites for more information. All online universities provide free, detailed information about their degree programs and free online access to enrollment counsellors. Ask school officials questions about such things as enrollment numbers, graduation rate, faculty qualifications, and any confusing details about the application process or academic policies.

* Can you afford it?

If you’re considering an online bachelor degree, make sure you can afford the costs for tuition, books (if any), and other admin or online fees. Remember, too, that you may not have to cover the entire cost of your online education alone. At the University of Phoenix, 59% of the University’s students receive all or part of their tuition from their employer. Even if your employer won’t spring for the cost of making you a better employee through continuing education, there are still other financial options available, including federal grant and loan programs with low interest rates.

Distance learning, especially in the form of an online university, is a great way to advance your career through an online bachelor degree or even a graduate degree in your chosen field. Following these guidelines will help make your search for the right online degree a pleasant and fruitful one.

Comments Off

The Training Rut

Simple Solutions, Big Impact

by Steve Throneberry

I concluded many years ago that our methods of imparting knowledge, the much maligned term training has failed us repeatedly. Even after trying to break the mold most organizations will, by default, revert back to classroom training having a sincere desire of success. Alas, it will never come. I have encountered a number of students coming to classes only for a interruption from their hectic schedules. Even the best professional trainers cannot grasp your attention for an entire day.

Virtually all instructor led events conform to the standard model; sign in, listen/watch/practice, break, and repeat till everyone is tired or the end of the manual is reached. The only question becomes what subject will be addressed today.

Online learning - once the great hope - has been passed to the back burner. I have personally spoken with hundreds of managing director level and corporate representatives about the rewards of online learning. The response is the same: twenty percent of the individuals like it, 80 percent do not. We have been pupils of the instructor-led model from kindergarten. Put differently, we have been conditioned to distinguish classrooms and consequently instructor-led training as THE training method. Our conditioned responses cannot be shifted overnight.

So where does that leave us? An annual study of how training dollars are spent can be quite revealing. Seventy percent of formal training was inside the classroom using live teachers. Five years earlier a prediction was established by numerous learning professionals that the absolute majority of all training events would become conducted online! In reality, the overall delivery percentages of how learning is delivered have moved very little over this time period. Conclusion…a new model is needed.

The New Model

As a learning professional, this statement will sound familiar, “Good class, however, a good deal of the information didn’t apply to me.” I have heard and read this statement, to the degree of it being a tendency, repeatedly. Imagine wasting away a day to pick up two or three very useful features or even worse, review something that you already knew. The question becomes, how do we provide learners with just those two or three valuable features, short of utilizing an army of mentors?

The idea of the quick reference card (QRC) has been around for many years. Particular chunks of information, specific to a requested topic, organized in an at-a-glance style document. The problem with most pre-existing QRCs is they try to include too much data, therefore yielding them hard to use and losing the moniker of QUICK.

Our Solution

Solo Learning first began experimenting with QRCs as a feasible delivery model in 2002. We were seeking for a manner to reduce hard class time and also costs associated with course materials.

The concept of capturing and supplying the most mission critical information points is at the heart of our model. It would be wonderful to know all the features of a software application, but realistically, I just really need to understand the functions I require to execute my job. Let me take you to the overview of the event-based learner - ‘when do I have time?’

Success!

We have utilized the QRC model for a variety of very high profile and successful learning cases with some of the largest businesses in the world. Remarks from attenders include ‘finest training I ever attended!’ How come? It maps back to our need as an adult learner first and foremost… what is in it for me. Short, sweet and to the point. That was everthing I really wanted to understand. That will fit into my week!

For more information about learning online, visit Sololearning.com.

Comments Off

Increasing demand for corporate training as well as the logistical headaches associated with assembling instructors and students at a single location has been the main reason for the birth of E-learning services. In an attempt to avoid the logistical complications of on location training, many companies have opted for a virtual approach to training. Stand-alone CD-ROM modules, enterprise-wide, Web-based programs comprised of hundreds of courses custom-designed for thousands of users all fall under the concept of E-Learning. However, there’re many who’re skeptical of E-learning services and believes it to be just a lot of hype.

E-learning is basically a new or different form of learning. E-learning enables learners to combine traditional methods of learning with the internet facilities. In fact, some learners opt for a mix of face-to-face experiences with network-based education. However, like everything, E-Learning programs have its pros and cons. It has been found that often, E-learning provides a more individualized, self-paced, self-directed learning experience.

A main advantage of E-learning services is flexibility. With E-learning services there is no need to go to an institution in order to learn a subject or a skill. Also, you can work as well as study because E-Learning solutions don’t have fixed classroom timings and therefore you’ve the freedom to learn at your own pace and at your convenience. E-Learning solutions also have the flexibility of being CD-ROM-based, Network-based, Intranet-based or Internet-based.

It’s a hands-on learning experience without the disadvantages like crowded classrooms or a huge auditorium, where your questions and views might not get addressed. Another advantage is the amount of time you can save. With E-learning services you can save the time as well as costs that you’d otherwise spend commuting to your classes. But, you’ll however miss out on the experiences that come with campus life and the social interaction that are a part of traditional classrooms and institutions. And with E-learning solutions, you can learn as and when you need it and your learning options aren’t constrained or limited by your geographic location.

Another unique feature of E-learning services is that the instruction can be more personalized and flexible. Therefore it’s more effective for particular kinds of learners like, shy, reflective, language challenged or slow. Within E-learning the focus is on the students and not on the instructor.

However, like everything, it has its share of disadvantages as well. For example, E-learning services that have ineffective online instructors are not very useful. Also, many instructors find it difficult to use E-learning services for traditional content. And it’s at the same time more time consuming as instructors have to provide individualized feedback. Also, often there is the matter of equipment needs of students and learning providers as well as the technical training and support of learners and instructors.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is the academic honesty of online students, especially when it comes to testing and assessment. In this matter the absence of face-to-face interaction is a big set back. Another fact is that E-learning services are not available to all learners from all walks of life, because it needs special infrastructure to support it as well as new skills and responsibilities from the students.

However, E-learning services provided by offshore E-Learning solutions provider companies have now become more universal, and is now giving people and organizations the competitive edge that allows them to stay ahead of the quickly varying global information economy. In the long run, this will help the Indian economy grow, since many companies have now started to outsource their E-learning services to India.

RNCOS, a leading name in web content writing, publishes a wide range of articles on various topics: finance, business, travel, dating, and many more. To order any of these, or to get such articles written by us, please Click Here:

http://www.rncos.com/contact.htm

Comments Off

Thomson NETg is one of a kind global learning Enterprise offering live online classrooms and a wide range of Integrated Learning solutions. Their learning offer includes high-quality instructional content, cutting-edge enabling technologies with multiple delivery options, and a full range of expert consulting services.

NETg has been around for 35 years, as a leader in learning and professional development partner of choice for innovating organizations worldwide. Their Integrated Learning solutions are designed to help other companies to unlock the potential of people in their organizations to achieve the results each company needs.

The history of Thomson NETg dates back to 1971 when the company introduced mainframe computer-based training, and by the year 2005 NETg acquired KnowledgeNet, a company leader in live and mobile learning, offering the first viable alternative to classroom-based training.

Nowadays, thousands of government agencies and leading companies all over the world rely on NETg when it comes to achieving performance improvements and important business productivity.

Such companies include a large number of industries including telecommunications, manufacturing, health care, pharmaceuticals, retailers, financial services, human services and even military operations.

NETg training area maintains two separate online catalogs, their own NETg Learning Catalog and the following KnowledgeNet catalog after its acquisition:

Technology Skills, including Cisco Technologies:, Microsoft Technologies, CompTIA, Citrix, (ISC), Oracle Database Administration, Java Programming, Sun Microsystems Solaris, Lotus Notes Technica, UNIX, and Web Development.

Productivity Skills including Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office XP (2002), Microsoft Office 2000, Client Operating Systems, Introduction to Technology, Lotus Notes, Siebel and Web Browsers.

Project Management with the following areas: Project Management Skills, Project Management Institute.

Business and Professional Development including Management and Leadership, Communication Skills, Project Management Skills, Personal Development, Sales, Service and Marketing, HR/New Employee Orientation.

NETg training catalog includes diverse e-Learning courses such as Certification, Information Technology (IT), Desktop, Business and Professional Development, Specialty, Continuing Professional Education and Accreditation Programs offered in US English, besides other in 12 languages: German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Korean, UK English, Japanese, Turkish and Chinese.

For those interested in development and IT careers, Thomson NETg offers a number of courses in Cisco (39), CIW (70), Client Server (6), CompTIA (50), Database Concepts and Technologies (3), e-Business (15), IBM (85), Internet Technologies (80), IT Management (6), Lotus (33), Microsoft (356), Networking and Communications (41), Novell (50), Oracle (311), Programming (33), Reporting and Analysis (6), SAP (4), UNIX and Linux (23), Web Development (7).

Additionally, Thomson NETg provides Live Now, a virtual classroom to get Cisco, Microsoft & Project Management Certification Classes to help IT and project managers to obtain professional certifications.

Comments Off

Power Of Believing

We have all been told or have heard at some point in our lives that if you truly believe something and have faith that it will happen then it really will happen. There are those who are living examples of this concept, and they are the ones who truly practice believing and have tremendous success. I may quote Bill Gates as living example of this.

Most scientists who have examined the power of prayer and how beliefs impact a person’s health agree that a person who believes they are sick and going to die will not fare as well as someone who believes he or she can recover and will survive. The latter usually go on to live a healthy lifestyle. Today various health camps and even doctors are teaching patients the power of positive thinking and how their beliefs will impact their chances of survival.

Since the turn of the Century (2000 and forward) researchers have begun to take a closer look at the impact that the state of a person’s mind may have on his health and life. Those who have completed their studies have found that what we think and the state of our mind both have a direct impact on our life, reality and health. For example, a person who is constantly stressed, spends little or no time meditating, has a negative or bleak outlook on life, is more prone to sickness, will have an unhealthy lifestyle and is more likely to be in an unstable relationship. A person who takes time to meditate, has a positive outlook and believes he or she can and will cope up with the situation that he is in, is more likely to be in better health, look younger and will have more positive fulfilling relationships. So how does what we believe impact our lives.

What you believe is what you get! That about sums it up all. If you believe that relationships are difficult and require a lot of work then you will only attract people who will make the relationship difficult or force you to put a lot of work into it. More importantly, if you worry about something, you basically believe the worst will happen and you will most likely get the worst.

But there is more to believing than just creating beliefs. Having positive beliefs is the first step toward creating a positive and successful life. Believing is something completely different. Here is an example, you may have positive beliefs about money; you may have a belief that there are plenty of ways to make money. But if you do not believe that you will make money, you would not make the amount that you are hoping for. A belief is the way you feel about something, it is deeply rooted and if some one asked you a question about it you would have a definite answer. Believing something is trusting that what you want can and will happen. There is not a single doubt that it will happen, you completely trust and know that it will happen.

In many ways we have been raised to not believe. If you cannot see it, it is not real that is what we are taught. But believing is vital to our survival and success. If we could only believe that everything would work out and trust that what you want can and will happen you would have remarkable results. Your life would change in ways you never thought possible. But for some reason most people just cannot believe that things will workout for them. They look at past results and judge their future on those results. and much more ……

For details please visit

http://www.lulu.com/content/207853

http://www.lulu.com/content/206787

http://www.lulu.com/anilkumar

Key To Success

If you want to be successful at anything you first have to Believe that you can accomplish something. Your key to success is your belief system. If you have a negative belief system then your success will be limited. If you have a positive belief system then you will enjoy success after success and a rewarding life.

A successful businessman once narrated as to what turned the time for him when he was doing poorly. It was a picture of a boat stuck in the sand, with the tide out. The title was ” The tide always comes back.” Do not ever accept defeat. Never even think,” I can not.” Instead say to yourself, ” The tide always comes back.” It will, if you will it so. and much more ……

For details please visit

http://www.lulu.com/content/207853

http://www.lulu.com/content/206787

http://www.lulu.com/anilkumar

Comments Off

To be successful at distance learning you really just need to be a good student. Yes, it is a different way of learning but just because you learn through the Internet versus sitting in a classroom, doesn’t change the principles of learning. You have to pay attention in class or when you are online. You have to study the material between classes. You have to complete all of your homework and assignments on time. And you have to ask questions or get extra help if you find yourself stuck or bewildered.

Paying attention online in a distance learning program is essential to your success. Normally you will have one online class per subject a week and during that period of time your instructor will try and guide you through the basic theory of a subject and give you a few examples to help you understand and comprehend it. Sometimes these online classes are archived for a period of time so that you can go back and take that class again if you didn’t get it the first time.

Doing your work in between classes is what really separates the women from the girls and the men from the boys. Sure you can slack off and coast, but no one but you will pay a price for that. Some programs require that you log into the program a number of set times between classes but even if you haven’t got that monitoring aspect you still need to study the material between your online classes.

In traditional learning programs students who develop and practice good study habits are often the most successful ones. With distance learning it will make the difference between virtual success and online failure.

Assignments are an important part of learning in distance learning programs. Other than your tests at the end of the year, these are one of the few ways that an instructor can judge both your progress and if you need help. Develop the discipline to get your assignments completed and submitted on time. Then after they are graded and reviewed take the time to not just check your mark, but carefully review any comments that your instructor may provide. This is one of the only ways that your instructor can give you feedback to improve your distance learning program.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help in you get stuck. Most distance learning programs have an e-mail response system to deal with your questions and concerns. Many offer online tutoring if you need it. Don’t just sit there befuddled. Ask for help.

Comments Off

Many in academia believe that the United States of America by going into Iraq has created millions of new terrorists. The common phrase is that we have stirred up the hornets nest. In the book; “Taking Stock of The Forever War” by Mark Danner he states that the Al Queda small group has become a the concept of “Al Queda’ism” and thus a call sign bringing people together against the West.

Mr. Mark Danner believes that the United States has failed to earn the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people and Moslems throughout the region in the world. This would hardly be deniable, however how can you win the hearts and minds of the people when clerics are able to incite violence in recruits international terrorists suicide bombers simply by using a cartoon that was published in some obscure publication over 4000 miles away? Indeed went looking at that point of view; it is impossible to win the hearts and minds of the Islamic people and only a fool would try.

It appears that these liberal professors in their liberal skewed view of the world have not taking into consideration the human characteristics of mankind or the long history of violence and war in religious doctrine, which reap power to clerics who promote war. It seems their psychological arguments are totally out of context. From a Machiavellian point of view, sure it makes sense to be loved and respected, but that is simply is not possible.

So it is better to be feared it respected and be tough on international terrorists and if necessary use unthinkable force to gain that respect. As fear is the only thing with the international terrorists respect anyway and in fact is there only weapon. We cannot allow it to destroy us and therefore we must fight fire with fire and forget about rationality, for the other side has none, nor do they care about human innocent life. Consider this in 2006 you liberals.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Comments Off

The Kindergarten Graduation Packages are the ones that are very much important in giving a child the much-needed motivation. The small children like the rewards and enjoy happy moments more than the adults enjoy; they also have the happy moments of the childhood for a long time. It is best if we make them feel the ecstasy in studying. The preschool graduation package offers the best thing to your child as they make him happy by proclaiming him to be an achiever with all add-ons like preschool cap and gown.

Make your child Happy!

The kids should love their studies and at any point of time, should not feel that the studies are parts of boredom. To instill this frame of mindset in the early age, one has to make the child feel happy about the studies. Any child is happy when he is given praises and offered a high-dignified position, treating him like an achiever. This is what the preschool graduation package offers. The blend of happiness and satisfaction that the child would experience cannot be obtained again. These are once in a lifetime events and such occasions are to be made most use of.

The Graduation Packages

The Kindergarten Graduation Packages offer the preschool caps and gowns and other additions like parchments, medallions etc. Imagine the happiness that will be experienced by the kid when he is offered new attire that is so special looking, and all of them around him are just mesmerized at seeing him. This is the occasion, which will motivate the kid. He thinks that the studies he has done are important and are brings him the much-needed attention.

The other thing that is important about the packages is that the gowns, caps, medallions are all just indicators of achievement for us, but for the children they are their achievements. They would like to have them forever. Such a thing actually is no bad thing, as the child will remember the day when he was the center of attraction and will be motivated to be so by studying still better in the schools. More often, we see some kids refusing to go to school simply because they hate the school atmosphere. Sports uniforms.

If you have just done the right thing in making the kid feel happy at school by recognizing his miniscule achievements and motivate him to continue the better habits of his, then no child would hate the school, instead would long for going to school. In addition, the most effective tool for doing this is Kindergarten Graduation Package.

Comments Off

A good voice is a gift of God. When you speak with sweetness, listeners offer special attention. There are many areas in life where you can really win with a good voice. And if you love music then nothing can help you more than a sweet voice. However, we understand that having not-so-sweet voice can’t deprive you from singing or speaking sweetly. So, there are voice lessons that help you to modulate your voice perfectly to speak in the best possible manner and for the listening pleasure of the listener. In Minnesota there are many music schools that offers such vocal training.

Now the big question is how would you understand that you need voice lessons to enhance the power and sweetness of your vocal chords? It’s simple. Ask those people around you who really cares for you and find out what they say about your voice. If you find that most of them is finding it hard to appreciate it aloud then it’s time that you take up the training. Visit various music schools and find out the best place that suits you. You also need to judge the quality of the trainers and the mode of training they normally use.

Voice lessons can also materialize your dreams of becoming a singer. There are many who are gifted with a good voice but their rendering of the same might not be good. Such lessons help you learn the technicalities and minute details of how to best use your voice. And who doesn’t want to murmur those special lines with a sweet voice in the ears of their dear ones? Take the lessons seriously, learn from those and touch souls and stir minds with positive and powerful voice. Once you are confident about doing this then the rest of the world can be yours.

Comments Off

The most effective way to learn public speaking is by being educated by a well developed professional public speaker. Good public speakers become good public speakers by learning from other good public speakers. Public speaking books are most effective whenever they are written by a good public speaker. Public speaking isn’t a trait passed down from one generation to another. Public speaking is a talent learned through hard work, dedication and with guidance of a well rounded public speaker. There are currently over sixty thousand public speaking books on sale. Each book varies in education value as well as pricing.

So where can I buy public speaking books? You should be able to find a collection of public speaking booking in your local library. Your local general store may carry a few of these books as well. Specialty book stores will definitely have at least a dozen of these books to choose from. If all else fails you can always find a massive selection of public speaking books online. Amazon and EBay are two great places to locate public speaking books at discounted prices. If you are going to shop online please be care there are tons of scams circulating the internet now days.

1. Effective learning from reading public speaking books
2. Where to buy public speaking books

About the things you need to know when planning to make a public speech at this link

Comments Off