Problem-based learning: 2012

What You Need To Get Into Charity

Without a doubt, charity is an important thing in this life since it can be an effective means of helping others. There are many types of charity you can get into but the main purpose is the same: to gather fund for helping others. Thanks to the internet, it seems easy to get into charity program, and you should not be complicated to deal with this matter since there are many websites that will help you get proper charity program. What you need is to be selective to find a website that offer reliable charity program.

One of many things that you can do for charity is fundraising. It is the way to collect money from other by holding certain programs. If you are really interested in fundraising but have no idea to deal with this matter, then you need Research Support available at Wearitable.com. Every detail of fundraising will be explained at the website above that includes Ways to give back. What makes the website differs from other is that all can be accessed for free so it will not be a problem if you have limited budget to do fundraising.

Today, you will come across many Activists that like to take their time for charity. It means that more and more people are aware of being together with other people. If you are interested in charity program, then do the best thing that you can is the solution. Other alternative is that you can join a forum where many people who like to do charity available. One is obvious that you need to think of other people since we live together in this planet. Charity is important to help other people survive and you can do a range of things without any doubt with respect to this matter.

Better Support in Learning Math

Some student may be great at sport. Some may have the talent in poet. But being a master in math is quite rare. Most people will have difficulty when math is the subject. The difficulty can be caused by different things. One of them is the mental barrier. This psychological problem actually will make you drive away your interest to learn further about math.

The other problem that hampers the attempt to be successful is set on the weak basic understanding on math. The basic math is the main point that should understand well. Math is not simply about memorizing the answer for the question. It is about answering the question through certain way scientifically. There will be formula and concept to be applied accordingly.

Taking your time at http://www.assignmentexpert.com/ will help you to get the idea why mind barrier become the reason for your problem in math. Math is not that complicated when you get the basic idea first. You can ask about integral calculus problem on the education service. The simple solution will help you to get the idea that studying math is not that complicated. You will need to take your time, understanding the basic concept and having more exercise related with the subject.

How Virtual Environments and 3D Models Help in Effective Learning

The extensive use of technology in the learning process has encouraged the virtual learning platform. In recent years, virtual environments offer a gaming platform in order to ensure audience engagement, thereby offering a convenient way for effective learning process. In this virtual gaming platform, students can play roles or create avatars, and virtual representations of themselves, and interact with their peers across the world to experience an enhanced experience of learning.

Over the past few years, the software developers and the researchers have discovered the potentiality the potentiality of utilizing 3D virtual environments in the Elearning domain. According to the experts, 3D environments are highly effective in enhancing students' learning experience. They offer an intensely interactive platform, which creates real-life problem solving situations. Primarily this would create a collaborative environment where students can be able to learn more than just grasping the bunch of information given in the traditional curriculum.

Nowadays, virtual learning environment is extensively used in academic and training organizations. In the undergraduate training courses incorporation of 3D models are effective in providing appropriate training, thereby sharpening the industry-specific skills of the students. At present, the 'internet generation' of students is becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the web-based learning and the incorporation of 3D modules in it.

Normally virtual modules don't involve the traditional set up of education, which requires students to attend the class on a fixed time. As a result, traditional set up becomes tiring and students lose interest in it. In a virtual medium, students get the opportunity to in learning while playing with the 3D modules. Thus, education can be more exciting and engaging.

However, 3D modules are not a very new concept. Over the past few years, it is being extensively used in pilot training, drivers' education classes and in the training campaigns for space rocket launches. In recent years, the potential of 3D virtual learning environments are also applied in teaching ordinary students, professionals and the disabled learners.

What Are the Benefits of Incorporating 3D models in Virtual Learning?

1. One of the primary advantages of using the virtual environment is its customizability. In a virtual environment, everything can be customized, objects can be moved, and a teacher can customize the tasks and lessons accordingly

2. Secondly, the virtual environment with 3D models can ensure increased interactivity among students and teachers. With continuous discussions and activities learning process becomes effective and interesting. It helps a student to get a detailed idea about the training session.

Jonathan is a professional trainer. He employs latest technology for online class registration and online training registration that results in more attendance and ROI.

Recommended Homeschooling Methods for Parents

Although homeschooling children is proven to be an effective alternative for regular schooling, many parents who want to enroll their children in the said program often does not have a clue on how to go about in directing learning. While it is true that many homeschooling programs provide detailed instructions for parents in order to facilitate lesson discussions effectively, it often ties learners to the task of hitting the books and sitting for hours listening to lectures. There are a variety of teaching styles that parents can use in order to make learning for their children interactive and enjoyable. A number of homeschooling methods which can help parents in making subjects interesting are presented below.

Blended Learning

Blended learning is a homeschooling method that pertains to the use of online instruction with the combination of direct instruction. With numerous online homeschooling programs available today, it is a way in which parents can seek support in teaching certain subject areas and acquire resources. Children can take online subjects and traditional homeschooling programs that are parent-facilitated in order for them to experience a variety of activities. Blended learning also fosters independent learning and the opportunity to interact with the facilitator during traditional discussions.

Authentic Learning

One of the best learning opportunities that parents can provide their children is having them experience concepts in real-life situations. Homeschooling moms are at the best position to do this since they are the ones directly involved with household activities. Relate specific concepts being learned with everyday situations and explain the phenomenon. More than that, get children involved with these activities. An option would be to take the kids outside of the house so they can observe and see these concepts. Incorporate lessons with a trip to the park or at the zoo and you will surely have a fun learning and bonding experience with the kids.

Problem-based Learning

Spark the interest of the kids by using problem-based learning as a homeschooling method. In this method, children has to resolve a problem based on a given situation wherein they need to have a full knowledge of concepts in order to come up with a solution. Although difficult to prepare and may require more time, developing such instructional material will surely be worth it as it develops logical and higher order thinking skills. Further, some homeschooling programs may provide these types of activities along with the lessons which parents can readily use.

Instructional Materials

Prevent children from getting bored while on a lesson discussion by creating visual materials that will support teaching. These materials need not to be large and expensive since this is not a classroom instruction. Books with colorful pictures, PowerPoint presentations and videos will help in getting the kids to be more engaged in the learning process.

Further, there are a variety of teaching styles that will work effectively as a homeschooling method. One can determine these methods through extensive research. The internet has a lot of sites dedicated to making teaching and learning more meaningful. It even has sites that provides ready-made worksheets and activities. Using these resources can aid any parent in making their teaching more fun and interesting.

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Teach to a Diverse Classroom of Students

Each year teachers are faced with the daunting task of teaching
to a classroom of 20-30 individual students, each with their own
learning styles, interests, and abilities. Providing optimal
learning for such a diverse group can seem overwhelming. But,
there is a simple approach that can be used which will enable
all students to succeed, and that approach is simply using
variety and choice. Not only does this approach address the
multiple learning styles of students, but it also aides in making
them independent learners.

While the classroom still needs to have structure (routines,
rules, procedures), providing variety within that structured
environment can aide in providing optimal learning for all
students. Using a variety of instructional approaches such as
lectures, PowerPoint presentations, inquiry-based instruction,
hands-on experiments, project/problem-based learning, or
computer aided instruction, not only addresses the various
learning styles of the students in the classroom, but it can help
learners become more flexible in their learning. Most learners
do have a preferred learning style, however this does not mean
they are strictly dependent on that style to learn. They are
also comfortable with and able to learn from several other styles
as well. Exposing students to a wide variety of learning styles
will enable them to become more flexible learners.

It is also beneficial to vary the input devices used and the
resources made available in the classroom. Children have a wide
variety of preferred learning devices, therefore making as many
available as possible provides fnr this diversity. For example,
when presenting information use audio (songs, speeches,
interviews, etc.), video, books, posters, hands-on
manipulatives, food, and smells. Technology has made available
a wide range of resources, such as PowerPoint presentations,
live video feeds, chats, and communication. PowerPoint
presentations are a great way to present information using a
mixture of audio, video, animations (movement), and text. These
presentations can also be made available to the students via the
computer for them to review at their own pace. The internet/
computers also offer interactive learning activities that combine
movement, visuals, and sounds, such as virtual science
experiments. These allow students to conduct experiments
never before thought possible due to danger or lack of equipment.
Virtual experiments can be found at http://www.explorelearning.com .

Pre-exposure to material also aides in learning. The more
familiar students are with a subject the easier it is for new
learning to occur. Therefore, providing students with a
variety of pre-exposure materials can better prepare them for
new learning units. For example, monthly calendars that list
the upcoming themes, a classroom website with links to various
websites related to upcoming themes, books, magazines, maps,
posters, computer software, and manipulatives can be provided
for students to browse at their leisure. Providing a variety of
materials takes into consideration the learning preferences of
all students.

Novelty can be used to gain and keep students' attention.
People usually only pay attention to things that are of value or
things that are personally meaningful. Therefore, relating
learning to your students' real life experiences or interests
can catch and keep their attention. "Shock" them with an unusual
noise, experiment, video, song, etc. You can also present them
with a problem or project that relates to their real world in
order to gain their attention and interest at the beginning of
a unit. Issues such as environmental problems, problems with
long lines in the cafeteria, designing the perfect playground,
planning a field trip within the budget, local traffic issues,
etc. can all be considered. Making learning meaningful,
relevant, and interesting to your students not only gains their
initial attention, but keeps it throughout the lesson.

When planning your lessons it is beneficial to try to include as
many of the senses and/or Gardner's multiple intelligences
(verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, kinesthetic, visual-
spatial, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist)
as possible. You can do this by using a variety of activities
in your plans such as songs, games, experiments, field trips,
real world experiences, interviews, guest speakers, physical
movement/exercise, small group activities, individual activities,
partner activities, cooking/food/snacks, hands-on experiences,
etc. Providing a variety of activities will enable students of
all ability levels to succeed.

Not only do students have diverse learning styles but varying
bio-cognitive cycles as well. Some students learn best in the
morning, some in the afternoon. Therefore, having a flexible
classroom schedule can provide for these differences. Also,
varying the times and types of assessments can give all students
a fair chance of showing their true abilities.

When applicable, it is beneficial to give students choice in
activities and assessments. This provides students
opportunities to showcase their individual talents and can aide
in classroom management as well. If students are constantly
dictated to and not given a voice or choice they can grow
resentful and "act out". Provide a variety of classroom
activities for students to choose from during structured and
unstructured times, give them several projects such as posters,
PowerPoint presentations, reports, interviews, videos, brochures,
etc. to choose from when assessing their knowledge. Giving
students choice provides them with a sense of empowerment over
their learning and can aide them in deciding what learning styles
and assessments work best for them, thus helping them become
more responsible for their own learning.

It would be a pretty boring world if all learners were the same.
Diversity makes the classroom more interesting and exciting.
Teachers should honor and respect the uniqueness of each
student by offering variety and choice in their classrooms. Not
only will this address the diverse needs of the students, but it
will also help them to become independent learners as well.
After all, is that not the goal of education?

Tina O'Block holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for 13 years.

She is the author of Now I Know My ABCs and a Whole Lot More: Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners which is available at http://www.oblockbooks.com and the article, How to Help Your Child be Successful in Kindergarten.

Winning Tactics For Choosing the Best Medical Schools

Students who are planning to apply for admission in a medical school in the near future will always be looking to filter out their list of schools to apply for. The application and admission process can be tedious and time-consuming at best, so having a list of the best medical schools important. Targeting only those schools will save you precious time and effort that can be spent elsewhere. Here's a look at some important factors in choosing the best medical school.

The institution that a student chooses makes a lot of difference in the future, particularly in terms of career networking. Technically speaking, the more prestigious and credible your medical school is, the better your chances at employment once you become a licensed doctor.

There are several factors in choosing the medical school that is right for you, but the biggest and deal-breaking factor is the curriculum. Interviewing other students and visiting the school itself can ascertain a school's style and curriculum. Students usually have a choice between traditional approach, which relies heavily on lectures and is composed of a number of distinct courses in different disciplines, or, the newer, non-traditional techniques being employed by a number of schools, such as the PBL or problem-based learning, which decreases the amount of lecture time and focuses more on group exercises and case studies. In choosing based on curriculum, a student needs to rely on preference and subjective opinion, since there is no clear-cut advantage between the different styles of teaching.

The next factor that a student should consider in choosing medical schools is the finances. It is common knowledge that the top medical schools can be expensive, and the quality of education is correlated with the amount of fees a student needs to shoulder. However, schools have their own financial aid packages. Institutions have their own financial aid procedures and it becomes a choice of which ones a student can handle.

The next factor in choosing the right school for you is their location. The farther a school is, the more expensive and tedious the application and interview can be. However, this factor is only temporary because if a student is willing to bear with these things and manages to get accepted, he can choose to stay in a dormitory or a nearby apartment.

As far as personal factors go, it involves introspective choices such as whether the school is in close proximity with family members, which allows regular visits, or whether the climate in the area is a bit harsh for the student's health, and may even include factors such as the school's societal functions and if the student likes it. This part is largely dependent on the student himself.

Last, but certainly not the least in factors to be considered is the school's reputation. A school's name matters a lot especially in the future as a medical school graduate starts to look for career opportunities. The name of the school on your diploma will also greatly help during the residency match process. In fact, some Duke students recall receiving interview offers literally within minutes of submitting their applications electronically. This is confirmed by many residency program directors.

Ultimately, the choice still rests on student preference, and while not relying on the above can land you in some of the best medical schools that are not in the top list of institutions, whether or not you will succeed still relies on your skill and determination.

You can find out more about the Best Medical Schools as well as much more information on everything to do with medical schools and programs at http://www.MedicalSchoolReviews.com

Nurture Creativity in Creative Kids

Recent research has shown that America's creativity is declining. However, this is not a hopeless situation as it can be fixed. Creative kids are still around and they still have what it takes. Since the accepted definition of creativity is production of something original and useful, it cannot be determined through one right answer. Thus, creative kids exhibit certain characteristics and ways of thinking that can be used to nurture their potential. Creativity in kids is different from intelligence or IQ. With intelligence, it has been shown that scores go up with each generation, a phenomenon known as the Flynn effect. This is obviously due to enriched environments that tend to make kids smarter. As one writer put it, even the proliferation of junk material seems to have improved the intelligence of today's generation. With creativity though, a reverse trend has been identified.

Creative kids are the future of human ingenuity which is the No. 1 leadership competency of the future. There are many national and international matters that will need to be resolved and that require creative solutions. Such solutions can only spring from a marketplace of ideas that are sustained by a populace constantly contributing ideas and that is receptive to fresh original ideas from others. In order to develop this marketplace, it is obvious that the education system needs to be revised. Instituting problem-based learning programs that adopt problem-based learning approaches will likely help creative kids develop their abilities even further.

To develop and nurture creativity in kids does not however mean that we need to reduce how much students learn and instead concentrate on developing this ability. Fact-finding and deep research are vital stages in the creative process and if taught in a different way, the current curriculum standards can still be met. This means that creativity can be taught. When applied to everyday process of work or school, it is possible to improve brain function of creative kids. The home-game version of nurturing creativity in kids would mean not encouraging kids to spring straight ahead to the right answer. When a kid asks why Sacramento is the capital of California, turn the question back and encourage him to come up with as many explanations as he can why it is and why it is not Los Angeles or San Franscisco. The trick to helping creative kids to be more creative is to allow them to keep asking questions - have a teacher who is willing to tolerate their unconventional answers, occasional disruptions or detours of curiosity. When this is done, rather than hear them say "I'll never use this so I don't need to learn it", don't be surprised to hear them ask "Do we have to leave school?"

The Future of Training

Criticality of Training in Today's Organizations

Like every successful organization, your strategy needs to include recruiting and retaining the best quality employee possible. In an expanding economy with a tightening job market, higher performing companies recognize the challenge of retaining staff. With multiple generations present in today's workplaces, providing customized and targeted training is key.

A convergence of multiple environmental, socioeconomic, and technological influences present you with the challenge of retaining staff. You need to ramp up your training and development efforts. Training plays a critical role in your employee's ability to actively contribute to operational, strategic and financial goals for the company.

Through training, an employee learns the company's vision and strategies. He also learns how he can add skills, knowledge and abilities to his resume in order to assume different and growing roles within your organization. The employee understands that he's an integral part of the whole. He sees just how critical his participation is in achieving business objectives and goals.

An employee needs consistent and repetitive messages over time about your company's core values and expectations for individual and team-based performance. Then, synergies of compounded performance develop to enhance your organization's overall productivity and achievement. The employee buys into the vision. He begins to actively participate in his own self-development. His loyalty to the company increases. In this model of a high performing organization, your challenge becomes building a training organization within the human resource function that will stimulate, inform and help to retain your employees.

How Training Is Changing

The evolution of technology and daily use of computers in the workplace has already impacted how employees receive training. Many e-learning providers are responding to workplace needs or legal mandates to provide specific training to employees. In 2006, in the state of California, AB 1825 went into effect, mandating that sexual harassment prevention training must be conducted for supervisors at least once every two years. Many law firms and e-training providers have jumped on the bandwagon to develop "interactive" e-learning programs that can satisfy a portion of the mandated new training requirement. Employees can use self-paced, technology-based training to learn course content, ask "on-line editors" questions, and take a test at the end of the section to show what they learned. Programs like this can also track participants and generate hard copy reports to demonstrate a company's compliance with the mandated training.

The Department of Homeland Security is uses new simulation and modeling software to conduct homeland security training in a cost-effective manner. Trainees use reality based simulations to learn critical information. New recruits learn their success and failures before they experience them firsthand in live combat. Wired magazine's article, "The War Room" describes how f/x artists, research scientists, Pentagon experts, and videogame developers came together to create the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT), a research and development group at the University of Southern California. ICT's virtual training uses an old forum to teach soldiers how to best navigate difficult combat situations involving tiers of decisions for reacting: storytelling.

The New Training Paradigm

Professors from Indiana and Warwick universities (Kim et al.) titled, "Surveying the Future of the Workplace: E-Learning: The Rise of Blending, Interactivity, and Authentic Learning." Companies answered 49 questions related to e-learning. Their responses were overwhelmingly optimistic, indicating they support and embrace e-learning or blended learning. Blended learning is a marriage of traditional, face-to-face lectures and and online training. Today's conventional wisdom on workplace training says that blended learning presents alternative venues for companies to train employees. It reinforces key messages and reaches people with different learning styles through a variety of learning opportunities.

Companies were asked what technology-based applications and instructional methods would be used in the future. They indicated " ...authentic cases and scenario learning, simulations or gaming, virtual team collaboration and problem solving, and problem-based learning would be more widely used in the coming decade." (Kim et al.) Distributed learning environments can be represented by virtual communities, blogging, instant messaging, and computer-supported group collaboration and problem solving (Bonk & Graham). Predictions of "environments that simultaneously facilitate both distributed environments and face-to-face interactions are on the horizon requiring that e-training facilitators assume broader and varied roles."

E-learning facilitators "wear four pairs of shoes," according to e-learning experts Ed Hootstein and Zane Berge. They assume the roles of instructor, social director, program manager and technical assistant. E-learning facilitators can create examples for situational and authentic learning in addition to traditional instruction through a variety of e-technology applications. These include e-mail, groupware, audio and video conferencing. "The vast array of electronic tolls available for analysis, design, planning, problem solving, and giving presentations enable learners to perform sophisticated and complex tasks and solve problems in creative ways." (Hootstein)

The ultimate goal in developing technology based training according to Berge is "to make the technology transparent." Because of advancements over time in the availability and economy of technology in today's workplace, the e-learning facilitator can focus on the content and delivery of the materials to teach key learnings.

Authentic, or experiential learning has also come into vogue. We draw upon our knowledge and life experiences to learn and understand, and personal behavior can be changed as a result. This learning is based upon "consciousness, experience, and reflection." (Grimmett) It's about making a connection, bringing home the example at hand to resonate with the participant in a meaningful way to change a person's perception and belief system.

Next Steps and Summary

Major corporations such as Sun Microsystems, Cisco, Oracle, IBM, and Microsoft already use blended, authentic learning in their training systems (Bonk & Graham). This emergence of blended learning provides the next generation of training application and delivery systems. It teaches employees key lessons in a variety of ways. It provides a greater opportunity for learning through technology, face-to face situations and authentic learning experiences.

E-learning will need to be evaluated to determine " ...online learners' achievement and satisfaction, followed by clearer reward systems and incentives for e-learning completion, and training that helps learners self-regulate their learning." (Kim et al.). These thoughts reflect the next steps for companies to develop to encourage employee's participation in blended learning programs. Even so, blended learning using authentic situations now represents an opportunity for companies to build their own training and development function and take advantage of the myriad of resources that are available through this new and evolving training paradigm.

© 2007- Regan HR, Inc.

Becky Regan, M.A., CCP began her own consulting practice in 1995, Regan HR, Inc. to provide human resources consulting services to businesses in California. She has been successful in growing her business through reputation and client referrals. Her work as a consultant includes the full spectrum of HR technical expertise, including C-level recruitment, compensation studies (design, market and executive pay studies, sales compensation plans), training & teaching, interim assignments as a HR Director for organizations, and employee relations, including workplace investigations and written responses to formal complaints.

For more HR tips and to receive my FREE "The Top 5 Secrets to Building a Better Organization that Every HR Pro Must Know" report go to [http://www.ReganHR.com

Effective Teaching And The Three Pathways To The Brain

There are three main pathways to the brain when it comes to learning. Information can reach your brain through what you see, what you hear and what you do.

Think of the last time you learned something. It could have been a recipe you followed, a computer program at work, a video game you learned, or how to use your mobile phone. Did you learn it quickly and efficiently?

Chances are you learned it best if the information was presented to you using all three pathways to the brain. If you didn't learn it well, or it led to frustration, then perhaps there was a pathway to your brain that wasn't being utilized and that was the missing piece.

Students are no different. In order to provide the best chance for learning the information needs to be presented using all three pathways. It automatically takes into account different learning styles, and ensures learning is an active process.

Let Students "See" by Showing Them.

When appropriate, the items students are learning about need to be available within the classroom. In some form or other, students need to "see" what they are learning. In science it means have models of things. In geography it means having maps and atlases. In math it means displaying examples on the board. In spelling it means showing examples of a spelling rule. Even if material items don't seem applicable or aren't available, using gestures or role play to act out what is being taught can also be effective. In fact, it helps to engage students because they need to use their imagination.

Unlike "looking", which is more passive, "Seeing" is an active process. As teachers and parents we can help support the active process of "seeing" by making sure the information is not just displayed, but that we are actually "showing" our students something. "Showing" our students what we want them to learn also provides a shared experience.

Let Students Hear the Information

Telling your students the information they need to know is important. While learning through discovery and problem-based learning is valuable, there is some information that students need to hear explicitely. While I am absolutely a proponent of discovery based learning, the processes involved in learning and assimilating, hypthesizing and testing, theorizing and generalizing are extremely complex. Some students have difficulty learning through discovery alone, especially if not properly supported. Be sure to tell your students the information they need to learn what they need to learn and do what they need to do.

Let Students Experience the Information

If you've ever tried to cook a recipe or tried to drive to a place you've never been before you know that success can have little to do with having the right information. You may have been following a recipe from a book or had a map right in front of you ("seeing" the information), and your friend may have given you a bunch of extra pointers over the phone ("hearing" the information), but somehow, things go terribly wrong!

It is important to let students use, and experience the information being learned. Make sure there is something students and children can "do" with the information or concepts that they are learning. Let students try, experiment, and apply concepts on their own.

The process of learning by using the three pathways to the brain, seeing, hearing, and doing, is important at any age, kindergarten through adulthood. With a bit of creativity the idea of teaching via the three pathways to the brain can be applied to any subject and any unit of study, in every lesson.

For more great tips and friendly advice on great ideas about how you can engage your students, help your students reach their potential and be a more effective teacher visit http://sarahhammondlearning.blogspot.com/.

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Winning Tactics For Choosing the Best Medical Schools

KEWL Learning Management System

The widespread use and prevalence of the internet has greatly facilitated learning and the spread of education. This has been made possible by the introduction of various online degree courses by various reputed universities of the world which depend upon online interaction between the students and tutors. It is interesting to note that with the progress of time it has been noticed that online education has grown immensely in terms of popularity and many prefer online educational courses in comparison to traditional schools and colleges as these online courses allow one to engage in education according to one's convenience and at the same time enables them to have an alternative professional life. Moreover, no physical movement to a distant location is required in case of online learning and one can operate form home in the presence of the personal computer with an internet connection.

In order to facilitate online education, several software tools and applications have been devised which aid the tutors and students considerably in their interaction and conducting of assessments and coursework. Such applications are known as Learning Management Systems. There are various such learning management systems which facilitate online education. One among these is referred to as KEWL. NextGen and it is an open source e-learning platform which was initially developed in 1991. But it was in 2005 that it was remodeled in PHP format to ensure that KEWL could function in Linux and other platforms meant for e-learning. The term KEWL is an acronym for Knowledge Environment for Web Learning and it was initiated by Professor Derek Keats. KEWL is available in various versions at present and it can function without any alteration in various operating systems that support the PHP format like NetWare, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Unix etc.

KEWL is comprised of various features that are essential to all the major online educational platforms and it enables the usage of multiple languages apart form offering the facility of full online survey. Content management is ensured by means of file uploads, wiki, RSS feeds, Google Maps, instructional design etc. while the main modes of communication is through podcasts, forums, blogs, instant messaging and chats. There are various modes by which tasks are assigned by the tutors to the students and on the basis of which assessments are made. These include writing assignments and essays, quizzes, problem based learning etc. Most of these assignments are analytical types and all these applications are supported by the GUI tools.

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The University of Phoenix Online MBA Degree

Attending classes online is the smart way for busy people to earn degrees to advance in their present career or furthering their education. The University of Phoenix Online has earned its reputation as the premier provider of E-distant learning degree programs and courses, and is the nation's largest accredited private university.

The University of Phoenix online program offers students the opportunity to achieve: Bachelors, Master's and Doctorate level degrees in the areas of: Business, Information Systems, Education, Nursing, and Technology at their own pace and from the comfort of home.

The Master of Business Administration program or MBA Online Degree Program offered by the University of Phoenix is designed to enable a student taking management courses, to gain or advance the skills needed to function effectively within an organization. Through specialized coursework developed to build and enhance these skills, students will create and defend solutions for problems in crisis management, profitable growth opportunities, and changes in leadership. Throughout the course of this program students will gain the knowledge and experience to turn volatile -situations into well-managed problems. Students will have the chance to apply different tools and concepts towards achieving this, as well as analyzing a variety of alternate solutions to common problems in management. Students will select a course of action for solving situations, and then defend their choice.

The Master of Business Program at the University of Phoenix employs the use of problem-based learning, where students can polish their problem-solving skills, as well as improve their communication, creativity, information processing, and critical thinking skills. Student progress is assessed by the student's ability to demonstrate effectively through classroom presentations: their skills in problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.

Students are grouped together in 'learning teams'. These learning teams will apply the principles of 'benchmarking' throughout the course to research the most creative solutions to any given problem. This gives a learner a broader selection of alternatives for solving problems.

The MBA Degree Program offered by the University of Phoenix consists of 39 credit hours and includes 3 proficiency courses. These are (MBA501, MBA502, MBA503) which may be satisfied through an undergraduate business degree, undergraduate coursework, or graduate coursework. Students may also waive 9 additional credits through graduate courses and may even qualify for a 21-hour residency. Ask your UOP Online Education Counselor, for more details about this waiver and residency, if you think you may qualify.

Virtual Environments and 3D Models Help in Effective Learning

Those Big Words, 'Business School'

The ultimate goal for those who enroll in an MBA program is career advancement. What form this advancement will take depends completely on each individual's personal agenda. One student may plan to return to work for a former employer in a more sophisticated context, while another may seek to change careers entirely, transferring to a field that is more challenging or fulfilling. Other more entrepreneurial students may attempt to launch an independent business. Whatever the case may be, MBA programs are designed to guide the student toward the path of their choosing while providing the skills that will be required when they reach their destination.

How do they do this you ask? Well, the most successful MBA programs strive to gather groups of students with diverse backgrounds and goals and then facilitate the sharing of their experiences in the context of the study of theoretical business applications. Before we get in to the academic elements of the MBA program, let's first take a look at some of the different techniques schools are currently using to cultivate leadership qualities in their students (besides the standard lectures, papers, exams, etc?).

1) Problem-Based Learning (a.k.a Case Studies)

Rather than simply conveying material to the students through lectures, business schools are now using the problem-based learning format to force students to think for themselves rather than regurgitate material that they've memorized.

Classes are subdivided into small groups and each group is presented with a particular management issue or problem.

As a team, the students must research the case they've been presented with and apply what they've learned from their studies to come up with a solution to the particular problem.

This type of exercise forces students to become "horizontal thinkers" who must consider ALL factors related to a particular decision rather than simply looking at an issue from on particular perspective (ie. accounting vs. marketing vs. finance).

2) Studies in the Field

Many schools are now supplementing class lectures and individuals study time with studies in the field

Although most students coming into MBA programs already have significant work experience, schools continue to stress the importance of "learning from doing"

The interpersonal skills that are crucial to strong leadership cannot be taught in the classroom setting but rather must be observed first hand in the field.

3) Team-Based Learning

While many of the projects assigned in business school require students to work in groups, team-based learning focuses specifically on how to work as team.

The goal isn't so much to complete a particular assignment or project on some managerial issue, but rather the to learn how to work closely with others.

Setting goals, assigning responsibilities, and learning to rely on others are some of the skills involved.

Because team project and work groups have become so common in the business world, the schools are stressing teamwork abilities now more than ever..

The Curriculum

Now of course, underlying all of these different teaching techniques, is the curriculum itself. The first year courses of most MBA programs make up what is known as the core curriculum. While each school tries to present the material in what they believe is a unique or progressive manner, there remains minimal variation in these courses from school to school because every MBA student must ultimately have a fairly extensive level of knowledge in the following areas:

Business Strategy Analysis

Financial and Managerial Accounting

Management Statistics and Data Analysis

Managerial Economics

Marketing Management

Managerial Finance

Managing Organizations

Operations Management

For a detailed description of any or all of these courses, please browse through the course calendar or website of the particular business schools you are considering.

Once this core curriculum has been completed, most business schools allow their students to spend the remainder of their course time on electives. Many schools are recognized for particular programs that they offer and this recognition tends to revolve around these second year elective courses. Often business schools will have faculty who are eminent leaders in their field lecturing for these courses, providing the class with cutting edge research and the latest advancements in the area. Some of the areas that a second-year MBA student can specialize in include:

Accounting

Arts Management

Educational Administration

Entrepreneurial Ventures Finance

Government

Health Care Administration

Human Resource

Management

Management Consultants

Management Information

Technology

Manufacturing Management

Marketing

Not-for-Profit Organizations

Operations Management

Small Business Management

So as you can see, it's no longer possible to pigeonhole business schools as gathering places for society's elite, who put in a couple of years before taking over the family empire. A degree from a reputable business school can now place you on the fast track for a leadership position in any one of an incredibly diverse number of career paths. The MBA has become just as important in public service domains such as education, government, and healthcare administration as it is in the more traditional corporate sectors.

What to Expect for the Costs you have Sunk In?

Having established that going to business school represents a pretty serious financial burden, let's see what you're actually getting for all those dollars your laying out. What are the "frills" schools are using to attract students, and the impact that the program can have on your ability to attract employment and your earning potential once you've found the job you've been seeking.

Facilities:

Talk about plush. Be prepared to work extremely hard when you get to business school, but if your at one of the better ones, take solace in the fact that you'll be doing it in style. The fact is that many of the schools (and not just the powerhouses) are investing heavily in infrastructure to woo you. Remember, there's a definite element of reciprocity in the relationship between schools and applicants. To put it simply, they want you to like them just as much as you want them to like you. As a result a significant proportion of a business school's dean's time is spent fundraising. Many schools are building brand new buildings, with brand new classrooms, libraries, conference rooms, cafeterias and students lounges all supplied and state-of-the-art technology. Just as one example, Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management has built a simulated trading floor with the exact same technology being used by real analysts.

Connections:

The business world is ALL about connections. We're not going to feed you the line that "it's who you know not what you know" but rather that it's "who you know AND what you know". For that reason, an MBA program has become incredibly important for young people trying to get their foot in the door. At business school you're going to educated in the "what" and immersed in the "who." Without even realizing it, you're going to be spending two full years networking. Whether it's faculty who have pivotal roles in major corporations, corporations who've formed alliances with the school, or fellow students, over the course of the program you're going to be in close contact with individuals who are currently, or will be in the future, extremely influential in the business community. Imagine your new best friend happens to be the next Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, David Filo, or Jerry Yang just waiting to surface. Well that's the kind of relationship that fortunes are built on.

Jobs:

The following excerpts come directly from the Business Week Guide to the Best Business Schools (6 th ed.). It summarizes the relationship between MBAs and corporate hiring so well that felt we should pass it straight on to you completely unadulterated. We further recommend that you find the complete article from which this excerpt was taken (available on the web) for supplementary reading and that you use the guide as one of your resources for choosing the right business school for you (in our opinions it's one of the most informative).

As we approach the millennium, the MBA is unquestionably the hottest degree you can hold, particularly from an elite school. The stats prove it: At virtually all of the best schools, GMAT scores and starting pay packages are setting records. Applications are too, although a large part of the boom is coming from overseas...The 61 schools surveyed by business week for its 1998 rankings waded through 116,912 applications for the Class of 2000, and the average GMAT score was 667 for those attending the Top 25 schools, up from 649 just two years earlier.

Today, the MBA is on its way to becoming a requirement for anyone who hopes to build a career in Corporate America, and, indeed, much of the world... Certainly, it's true that corporate recruiters can't seem to hire enough MBAs these days. The 259 recruiters who participated in business week's 1998 survey of the best business schools hired 10,348 MBAs in total, a 28 percent rise from 1996. And they would have hired even more if they could have: Grads of the Top 25 business schools averaged 3.2 job offers each, up from 2.3 in 1992, and compensation exploded. The median pay package (salary, bonus, and extras such as stock options or moving expenses) at the Top 25 hit $111,420, up 19 percent from just two years ago. Another telling figure: Median pay topped $100,000 at 18 of our Top 25-versus 5 two years ago.

For more about online mba degrees, visit us online.

----- About the Author

Samantha Sebring is an inhouse writer for Online Degree Today.com. She has been writing distance learning education pieces since 2005.

Diagnosing Learning Disabilities

When diagnosing learning disabilities, including auditory, visually or language based learning disabilities, the process can become complicated as well as costly for parents.

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It can be quite invaluable to diagnose learning disabilities near the beginning in a child's life, as it can severely benefit their school life and everyday life. In this day and age, with new advancements in technology and research, there are things that can be done, and therapies which can be pursued despite whether the child has visual, auditory or language based learning disabilities.

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