July 20, 2009

Tis the flu season of 2009.  The infamous debut of the H1N1 virus months ago added another worry to the list in traditional classrooms.  The close proximity of classmates has always produced confined quarters and a perfect environment for germs to worm their way into every students’ immune system.  However, online education has moved past this worry and developed a way to stay healthy throughout the process of getting a bachelors degree.

More than ever, this year has proved to us the importance of a clean bill of health.  The flu virus has stricken all of us, but never in the way that H1N1 appeared to strike: seemingly out of nowhere and targeting a younger population than ever before.  However, while many college students around the country came down with Swine Flu, online education prevailed in a way that was never foreseen: it produced the best way for protecting its students against the flu virus.  While critics maintain that a lack of classroom interaction is detrimental in learning course material, online classes have protected students this year by keeping them away from students who may be coughing all over them in a traditional setting.  This is a unique advantage for those students who have weak immune systems or are prone to catching the flu in a regular season.   

While online education offers many advantages across the board, this is one that is extremely vital during flu and cold season as more and more students are forced to miss classes and even withdraw due to a nasty bout of the flu.  Online students do not have to worry about this disturbance and will only have to worry about catching a virus from coworkers or family members.  Schools have always been known for their ability to produce viruses because of students’ close proximity to each other, but online schools have changed this perception entirely and offer many students a healthy alternative this flu season.  Getting a bachelors degree online comes with a wide variety of advantages and possibilities, and discovering that there are hidden benefits is a clear indication that the online education industry has come at the right time in society. 

July 19, 2009

By Jill Gordon

There’s a lot of thought and technique that goes into a work of art. Whether it’s a novel, film, sculpture or painting, the skills necessary to produce a quality piece of art are worthy of admiration. Check out these free online courses your artistic appreciation.

Introductory Courses

At first glance, understanding a great piece of art can seem overwhelming. After all, few kids actually enjoy English class. But maturity has a strange effect on attitudes and tastes. For those wishing they had paid closer attention in school, these courses are great primers to the wonderful world of art and literature.

1. Introduction to Photography: A course with a practical approach to the study of digital and analog photography. This MIT course also covers professional techniques such as lighting and digital imaging. [MIT]
2. Introduction to the Visual Arts: Explore basic techniques and practices of visual artistic expression and learn about space as a medium. [MIT]
3. Introduction to Western Music: A broad overview of Western music from the Middle Ages to the present day with emphasis on specific periods. Develop listening skills, learn about cultural and the major composers. [MIT]
4. Introduction to World Music: This course studies the interaction between music and culture through listening analysis and textbook readings. [MIT]
5. Introduction to Stagecraft: A fun and creative course offering hands on experience designed to advance students’ understanding of theatrical production. [MIT]
6. Introduction to Musical Composition: Focusing on questions of unity, this course investigates the sonic organization of music with composition projects and listening exercises. [MIT]
7. Introduction to Drama: From Shakespeare to Arthur Miller, this course examines the art of storytelling with visual performance. [MIT]
8. Introduction to Literary Theory: Focusing on the ways people understand literature, this course teaches students different ways of interpreting material. [MIT]
9. Introduction to Contemporary Hispanic Literature: Hispanic culture is rapidly becoming mainstream. This class is about the influential texts in Hispanic society with emphasis on influential events. [MIT]
10. Introduction to Fiction: A classic class at colleges worldwide, this course introduces students to general trends, themes and styles of fiction throughout history. [MIT]
11. Making Sense of the Arts: Develop knowledge and understanding about topics related to art with this brief intro course. [The Open University]
12. The Arts: Past and Present: Without any prior knowledge or experience, this course introduces students university-level study across a range of disciplines such as philosophy and art history. [The Open University]
13. Introduction to Shakespeare: An introduction to Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, through reading and analysis. [The University of Utah]
14. Introduction to Art History: A study of the artistic endeavors of people from around the world with focus on painting, sculpture and architecture. [The University of Utah]
15. Introduction to Creative Writing: This class introduces students to general literary and writing techniques for artistic expression. [The University of Utah]

Paintings and Sculptures

Learn more about the techniques of masters such as Da Vinci, Rembrandt or Van Gogh with these courses on art history and technique.

16. 20th Century Art: Examines major developments in European and American art in the last century. [MIT]
17. Modern Art and Mass Culture: Explore the line artists walk between fine art and mass culture. The class looks at paintings and sculptures as well as graffiti and comics. [MIT]
18. British Painting: A brief history of painting in Britain tracing the development toward a unique style. [National Gallery of Art]
19. The French Painting Collection: This class teaches students about the great master French painter from the impressionists to Dada. [National Gallery of Art]
20. Byzantine Art and Painting in Italy: A class touring the Italian paintings from the Byzantine era. Includes overviews, histories and an image archive. [National Gallery of Art]
21. Painted Cylindrical Sculptures: This course experiments with beginning paper sculpture techniques. [LEARN NC Lesson Plans]
22. Tilman Riemenschneider: Master Sculptor of the Late Middle Ages: Some great artists go unnoticed for generations. One such artist was German sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider who created over 50 large scale works. [National Gallery of Art]
23. Monumental Sculpture from Renaissance Florence: A study of large Renaissance sculptures from Florentine artists. [National Gallery of Art]
24. Self-Portrait in Wire: This class uses wire to teach about the basic of using lines as elements in art. [LEARN NC Lesson Plans]
25. Murals: Heritage on the Walls: Students explore the process of designing and painting a mural. Course also discusses visual techniques and mural’s use in public spaces. [KQED Education Network]
26. African Americans in the Paintings of Norman Rockwell: A study of the depictions of African Americans in the work of master American painter Norman Rockwell. [WGBH Open Vault]
27. Research, Production, and Presentation of Abstract and Pop Art: An introduction to abstract and pop art using print materials and lectures. [Learning in Hand]
28. Native American Folklore: Students learn about Native American art as well as later depiction of their folklore by Western artists. [Smithsonian Institute]
29. What Makes You Scream?: In this detailed study of Edvard Munch’s famous painting, "The Scream" students create their own versions of the masterpiece with directional lines like the artists did. [LEARN NC Lesson Plans]
30. Learning to Look at Art: This class helps students develop strategies for visual literacy by looking at paintings other forms of art. [LEARN NC Lesson Plans]

Architecture

Designing a building is a combination of both art and science. Learn more about this complicated field with these awesome architecture classes.

31. The Production of Space: Look at space from various perspective and points of departure. Examine the possibilities of art and architecture in urban spaces. [MIT]
32. Selected Topics in Architecture: Architecture from 1750 to the Present: This class studies general trends of modern architecture. Details the evolution of the field in response to cultural, social and artistic developments. [MIT]
33. Think About Architecture in History and At Present: A class that teaches students techniques about architectural theory, practice and history. [MIT ]
34. Theory and Method in the Study of Architecture and Art: Studies of historical and theoretical examples of architecture though this class is only open to advance students. [MIT ]
35. Triumph of the Baroque: Architecture in Europe: The Baroque period gave Europe many of its best known buildings. This class examines the architectural history of this period and evaluate its impact on moder Europe. [National Gallery of Art]
36. The Architecture of Cairo: A major beacon of cultural and artistic influence for the Arab world, architecture in Cairo effects buildings worldwide. This class studies the changes in architecture and design Cairo over the centuries. [MIT ]
37. Dialogue in Art, Architecture and Urbanism: This course studies the effects of artists, architects and other disciplines on the planning, design and layout of modern cities. [MIT]
38. Introduction to Naval Architecture: Naval architecture is a highly valuable specialty all its own. In this class, students learn the basics of ship building and design. [MIT ]
39. Architectural Construction and Computation: Designing and planning a building is only half the battle, actual construction is the other half. Learn the principles of construction with this helpful class. [MIT ]
40. Contemporary Architecture and Critical Debate: From going green to urban sprawl, furious debates are raging in contemporary architecture. This class brings students into the discussion. [MIT ]
41. Religious Architecture and Islamic Cultures: A course that presents Islamic architecture both as a historical tradition and as influenced by other cultures. [MIT]
42. Triangles and Arches in Architecture: This class explores the most important geometric forms in architecture: triangles and arches. [WGBH Educational Foundation]
43. Software Architecture: This class explores computer programs and how they can be used in modern architecture. [Connexions]
44. Architecture Studio: Building in Landscapes: This class discusses the finer nuances of designing a buildings that balance with the natural world. [MIT]
45. BSAD Foundations in Visual Arts: A course teaching visual arts appreciation to aspiring architects. [MIT]

Music History, Composition and Theory

It has been said that music is the one true universal language. Every culture has their own version of music, take these classes to appreciate the beat of another’s drum.

46. Fundamentals of Music: This course introduces basics of Western music through written and instrumental practice. Learn about chords, rhythm and scales. [MIT]
47. Modern Music: 1900 to 1960: This course examines concert music and musicians from the first sixty years of the 20th century. [MIT]
48. Early Music: Covering Western music starting in 1680, this course details the development techniques and notation as musicians refined their skills. [MIT]
49. Pops Out in the Cause of Happiness: The Story of Louis Armstrong: The music of Louis Armstrong has inspired musicians for generation, this course discovers the link between the legendary jazzman’s life and art. [Columbia]
50. Music Composition: A class for musicians already familiar with basic music theory, students write long form compositions for a variety of instruments. [MIT]
51. Symphony and Concerto: This survey of significant orchestral masterworks covers three centuries of music from the 1700s to the 1990s. [MIT]
52. Music from the Renaissance and Baroque: A class examining the differences and similarities between two largely misunderstood periods of Western music. [Columbia]
53. Music of Africa: This introduction to the musical traditions of Africa offers in depth discussions of drumming and dance. [MIT]
54. Composing for Jazz Orchestra: Extensive discographies from jazz greats supplement this course while students are expected to write two complete scores as part of their assignments. [MIT]
55. Popular Music of the World: A study of popular music from different cultures. Specifically focuses on music used in or created for popular music. [MIT]
56. Classical Music and the Music of the Classical Era: An interesting class on the history of classical Western music from its earliest beginning to the second half of the 18th century. [Connexions]
57. Janissary Music and Turkish Influences on Western Music: The West and Middle East have rarely seen eye to eye. This class studies the interesting influence the Ottoman Empire had on European music. [Connexions]
58. Composing with Computers: With progressive music composition assignments, students learn about modern music making with different computer programs. [MIT]
59. Music Perception and Cognition: A class on the psychology of music, students study the neurological implications of sound. [MIT]
60. Introduction to Musical Instruments: With an extensive library of musical recordings, this course is a basic introduction to musical instruments. [Qedoc Learning Resources]

English and World Literature

For some, reading is a passion, for others it’s a burden. Regardless of how you truly feel, these sites can teach students all they need to know about classic literature.

61. The Shakespearean Sonnet and the Modern Voice: This course examines the link between Shakespeare’s sonnets and how they affect modern literary styles. [Columbia]
62. Writing About Literature: Reading and discussion questions help better students’ understanding of literature. [MIT]
63. Foundations of Western Culture: Homer to Dante: This course looks at classic texts that have shaped heroes, villains and plots for generations. [MIT]
64. Major Poets: A quick overview of poetry as a genre concentrated on major poets such as Yeats and Elliot. [MIT]
65. The Art of the Probable: A look at the history of science in literature with emphasis on mathematical probability in stories. [MIT]
66. An Adventure with Words: James Joyce’s Ulysses: Famous for his use of inner monologue or “stream of consciousness” writing style, James Joyce is also famous for being impossible to understand. This course aims to better students’ understanding a master author. [Columbia]
67. World Literature: Travel Writing: From Columbus to Kerouac, this class studies the time honored travel writing genre. Analyze maps and learn cultural context. [MIT]
68. Best Sellers: Detective Fiction: This course offers an extensive list of detective stories. Treats popular detective fiction such as Sherlock Holes and Elmore Leonard like literature. [MIT]
69. The Future of English: English is a rapidly changing language. New words are frequently created or added from other languages. This class explores key issues affecting the future of the English language. [Columbia]
70. Medivel Literature: Dante, Boccaccio and Chaucer: Detailed examinations of Middle Age masters. [MIT]
71. Japanese Popular Culture: Topics such as manga (comics) and best sellers and their effect on Japanese culture are discussed. [MIT]
72. A Passage to India: Introduction to Modern Indian Culture and Society: An introduction to Indian culture with short stories, novel excerpts and essays. [MIT]
73. Medieval Literature: Medieval Women Writers: An exploration of the role of women in literature during the Dark Ages. [MIT]
74. Literature and Ethical Values: This class examines competing ethical concepts and the implications of certain actions by close reading of literary works. [MIT]
75. Topics in South Asian Literature and Culture: Issues and topics relating to South Asian culture are explored in this class which explores writers from Sri Lanka to Pakistan. [MIT]

Film, Radio and Television

The 20th century saw the introduction of powerful new media mediums. Discover and discuss relatively new media inventions such as film and television with these interesting, and free, online courses.

76. Master Filmmaker’s Class with Milos Forman: With an emphasis on screenwriting and casting, this interactive seminar with Oscar-winner Milos Forman is an invaluable experience for any aspiring filmmaker. [Columbia]
77. The Film Experience: This class explores the unique properties of film as a story telling medium and historical evolution of the art form. [MIT]
78. Shakespeare, Film and Media: The first Shakespeare play was made in 1899 and since, the Great Bard has found his way onto the silver screen thousands of times. This course details the relationship between Shakespeare’s writings and films made to honor them. [MIT]
79. Film as Visual and Literary Mythmaking: A detailed examination of classic Western myths and the philosophical problems associated with filmmaking. [MIT]
80. Philosophy in Film and Other Media: Video lectures and student work detail thematic issues and philosophical issues in film and other visual art forms such as opera. [MIT]
81. Understanding Television: While it may sound simple, this class surveys the cultural history of television and story-telling. [MIT]
82. American Soap Operas: Changes in the American television landscape have been drastic in recent years. Nowhere is this more evident than with soap operas. From "Guiding Light" to "Melrose Place" this class looks at the evolution of American soap opera from radio to modern day. [MIT]
83. Survey of 3D Animation: Learn how to make your own 3D animation films with industry standard programs. [DePaul]
84. Algorithms of Computer Animation: A combination of computer science and art, this class teaches students new methods of animation combined with research projects. [MIT]
85. Existentialism in Literature and Film: Much of this class, like existentialism, aims to redefine and question pre-existing notions of God as well as man’s place in the universe. [UC Berkeley]
86. Studies in Film: This class intensively studies films from particular fields and genres. [MIT]
87. From Godzilla to the Ring: An Overview of Japanese Film: Japanese culture has been extremely influential in recent years. This class studies Japanese films from multiple perspectives. [Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition]
88. Producing Films for Social Change: An intensive, hands-on production course in which students pitch ideas, research, shoot, write, and edit their own documentary films on social issues. [Tufts University]
89. Fundamental of Narrative Film Editing: Covers the basics of narrating conversations in film. [Wikiversity]
90. Using Documentary Film to Explore Family History and Memory: Students are taught techniques to explore family histories with documentary films. [KQED Education Network]

Video Games

Video game design has become one of the hottest fields for creative types. Gaming companies hire hundreds of writers, artists and programmers to produce the next hot new release. Check out these great sites for learning about the art of video game design.

91. Game Based Learning: Fun can be a powerful tool for learning, this course teaches techniques for teaching with games. [SERC]
92. Game Programming: This courses teaches its students basic techniques and approaches for game design and programs. [Eastern Michigan Univeristy]
93. Creating a Science of Games: This class discusses techniques for developing state of the art games for entertainment and educational purposes. [Rice University]
94. Games and Information: Get an understanding behind the mechanics of strategy games. [University of California, San Diego]
95. Paint Tools and Geometric Figures: This class teaches students to use painting software programs that create fantastic works of art. [LEARN NC Lesson Plans]
96. Videogame Theory and Analysis: Work on your own or in a group in this class discussing game theory and even analyze a modern video game. [MIT]
97. Instructional Games: This class explores a variety of instructional games with readings and analysis of existing products. [Utah State University]
98. Introduction to Action Scripts for Games in Macromedia Flash: A series of video lectures that can help anyone create clever flash games. [Teacher Training Videos]
99. Principles of Game Design: Rather than first person shooters or role playing games, this course teaches students to design strategy and board games. [Alan Emrich]
100. Game Development for Beginners: A complete course for aspiring game designers, learn the basics and move on to advance work such as online multiplayer games. [GameDev]

July 15, 2009

Branding will set you apart. When it’s time to graduate and find a job, your classmates suddenly become your competition. how are you going to stand out from the thousands of other new graduates? By creating a personal brand that helps others better understand what you’re all about.

Unless you’re majoring in public relations, chances are you haven’t given much thought to branding yourself while you’re still in college. However, you should know that establishing a strong brand is absolutely essential to your success, and you should get started as soon as you can. Here are a few points to keep in mind when setting your own personal brand as a college student.

Consider your focus. If you’re graduating as a chef, do you want to be known as the person who will take just about any job in the food service industry, or as the chef with an area of expertise? Think about what you really want to focus on, and make your passion known so that you’re known as the professional to go to for your specialty.

Go online. Offline branding is important, but online branding can give you a lot of payoff for not much work. Put a little time into building your online identity as an authority in your chosen field. Claim your name on social networking sites and gain control over your reputation. And once you’re set up, don’t abandon them. Check in occasionally to network and find out what’s going on in your area of expertise. You just might find out about opportunities that aren’t available anywhere else.

Read and write until you just can’t anymore. Surely you’re spending many hours in college reading and writing until your eyes cross. But find the time to do just a little bit more. Pick up magazines related to your industry, read blogs, and take advantage of your library’s journal subscriptions to stay on top of the latest in your industry. You want to build an authoritative knowledge that you can share with others through writing and even speaking opportunities. Seek out a printed publication where you can get a byline. Speak at a meeting for a group of students in your major. Employers love to see that others care about what you know about, and what you have to say.

With a strong personal brand in place, you’ll find that you’ll have an easier time finding a job after graduation than you would otherwise. Employers appreciate a student who has taken the time to think about their focus and work on making a name for themselves. Use these tips to build your own personal brand for success.

July 13, 2009

College jobs are often expected to be grueling, low pay and high effort positions. Typical settings for college student employment opportunities are restaurants and retail establishments. Many students find success this way, while others take a different route. Pursue a higher quality of college careers, and you may find better pay, experience, and references that will help you way beyond the college years.

Check out your school for opportunities. Just about every school has positions that are available to students. These positions include library assistants, TAs, admissions clerks, tour guides, and various administration positions. These are some of the best jobs to have as a college student, as they can be set up through a work-study program that can help you with your tuition, and you can avoid paying most taxes through this arrangement. Paid internships are a great option as well. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about transportation, as you’ll already be on campus for school.

Check your school’s paper for opportunities. Companies that are looking for college talent will often advertise in the school’s daily or weekly newspaper. Take a look at the paper to find out if there’s a job that’s right for you, but be careful. Some companies that target college students are scams, so you have to be vigilant and willing to walk away if anything sounds fishy.

Temp agencies are also a great resource for college students. Often, temporary staffing companies are in search of skilled workers with a high school diplomas and a flexible schedule. Talk to your local temp agency about any part time positions that they may have available to someone with your credentials.

Think outside the big box. You may be tempted to work tables or the cash register, but there are better options out there. Look into becoming an administrative assistant with part time hours, work at a gym as an instructor or trainer, or take on a job at a local bank. All of these opportunities offer more engaging work and higher pay than your typical college job, and you can take your experience from these jobs beyond the college experience. You may even start a career while you’re at it!

With the right attitude, resume, and willingness to work, your college job possibilities are endless. Consider what we’ve shared with you in this guide, and use it to find a college job that’s perfect for you.

July 12, 2009

Rejection. Denial. A big fat no. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that you may be rejected from the college of your choice. Rejection letters sting, but they’re not the end of the world. Here’s how to deal with them.

Diversify your options. A good way to hedge against rejection letters before they come is to apply with different schools. That way, if you’re not accepted to your dream university, you will still have hope and a good chance to get in somewhere else. Experts recommend applying with at least three schools-one that’s a dream, another that’s realistic, and finally, a safety school.

Know that you’re in good company. Many famous authors, Nobel Prize winners, and respected celebrities were rejected by the school they really wanted to go to, and rejections are more common than you think. Every year, hundreds of thousands of college applicants receive rejections when they were really hoping for an acceptance.

Accept the school’s wisdom. Although you may feel like a college is the perfect one for you, the reality of the situation may be completely different. It’s possible that the school better understands what it has to offer, and it’s just not the right fit for your background and what you’re looking for.

Don’t take it personally. For many schools, there are simply more applicants than there are seats, and they are forced to arbitrarily reject applicants that would have performed well at the school if given a chance.

Be realistic. Some schools have acceptance rates of 50% or less. At a school like that, your chances of being accepted are not strong enough to take personally. Move on to a school where you have a better chance of being accepted, and enjoy your college experience there.

Get a second chance. If you’re dead-set on a specific school, talk to the admissions department about your options. You may be able to appeal the rejection, join a waitlist, or take part in a summer program that will help you get in.

Facing a college rejection letter can be heartbreaking, but it doesn’t have to be devastating. Keep these tips and options in mind if you receive the dreaded no from your dream school.

July 11, 2009

College is an exciting time when people are faced with new challenges and experiences. For many, it is the beginning of many new life transitions where they may face new responsibilities, harder academic challenges, and bigger life decisions. Major changes are occurring in both their family and social lives as well. Siblings who you could always count on are no longer just across the hall and close friends who were always there to hang out with in high school may have decided to go to a school clear across the country. All of these changes occurring at once can be overwhelming and the emotional impact of them can leave a person feeling a little down. While occasionally feeling a little sad is completely normal, prolong feelings of loneliness and hopelessness can be symptoms of depression.

Symptoms of depression can include a generally depressed mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that one once enjoyed. When a person is depressed, they may experience difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness, changes in their eating habits, fatigue and irritability, and even thoughts of suicide. If you have experienced these types of symptoms in college you are not alone. In the Fall of 2009, 29.6 percent of students said that within the last 12 months they felt "so depressed that it was difficult to function," according to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment. Within the last 12 months 56.1 percent of students reported that they had felt very lonely, 45.9 percent felt helpless, and 60.2 percent very sad.

If you are experiencing these types of symptoms and have noticed that they have interfered with your daily life, it is important that you take it upon yourself to seek help. Remember that with close family and friends far away, there are not as many people around you who may be able to able to alert you of the changes in your behavior and encourage you to seek help. Even though many students in the study reported feeling symptoms of depression within the past 12 months, only 9.2 percent were diagnosed or treated by a professional. It is important that students seek help earlier rather than later before depression starts to interfere with their education. When it came to academic performance, 11.1 percent of students reported that depression was a significant factor in why they received a lower grade on an exam or project, received a lower grade in a course, received an incomplete or dropped a course, or experienced a significant disruption in thesis, dissertation, research, or practicum work.

July 10, 2009

Along with online business degrees, online accounting degrees have slowly begun to grow in prominence and popularity within the business world.  Similar to many other online degree programs, schools across the country offer both Bachelors and Associates Degrees in accounting, allowing students the flexibility to decide which degree will apply best to their career.  Accounting is one such degree which has a degree program that is easy to complete at home.  Therefore, many online accounting degree programs have grown alongside MBA degrees, resulting in an increase of online colleges that offer programs.  This is beneficial for many online students since they now have a myriad of schools to choose from when only a few years ago there were not. 

The boom in popularity has occurred nearly overnight, with schools like the University of Phoenix and Kaplan University dominating the online degree sector, although many public schools such as Liberty University and state schools have begun to offer degree programs online for students across the country.  This has illustrated a new technological advance in society in which students do not have to move o a college town in order to gain a degree or resort to community college.  Rather, students can hold onto their current job and take classes by night from the comfort of their own home.  Online accounting degrees have played into this sector of students, thus allowing students to attain the knowledge accountants need in order to secure a job and prepare them for the pressures of accounting.  Accounting is one degree in which students are constantly taking tests in order to get ahead within the industry, and taking online classes allows students to work at their own pace before they become bogged down with this type of studying. 

Additionally, many degrees are expensive to receive, and while costs may be lower for online universities, many students still have the comfort in knowing they can keep their present job while attending school.  Online accounting degrees are steadily growing as the economy has shown that accountants are nearly guaranteed to secure a job after graduating.  This thus allows students who live in towns without major colleges to receive a degree without entirely uprooting their lives.  Accounting degrees have grown in prominence over the years and have demonstrated that there is no immediate danger of over-qualification or extensive outsourcing, one fear that gripped the accounting world in recent years.  Therefore, it is only a matter of finding an online accounting degree program which best caters to your needs as a student.  Because of the many options that are now available, it has become increasingly simple to enroll in an online university at your discretion.  Earning this type of degree is one of the best decisions to make within the business community as accountants are always able to find a job, regardless of the field. 

July 7, 2009

By Jill Gordon

A non-profit dedicated to bringing "Ideas Worth Sharing" to the world, TED offers some of the best and brightest sharing their perspectives on technology, entertainment, and design. Many of those who speak at TED discuss topics relevant to education. The following talks include thoughts on creativity, play, technology, the future of entire countries through their children, projects to nurture learning in at-risk students, and much more. Educators from all backgrounds will find something of value from these incredible TED talks.

1. Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity. This creativity expert speaks about nurturing creativity in the educational setting rather than continuing with a system that kills creativity in students. This humorous talk is loaded with serious information about children being born with creativity and the educational system teaching the children to lose this creativity.
2. Michelle Obama’s plea for education. The first lady speaks to a girl’s school in the UK on her first official foreign business. She speaks about the importance of strength, dignity, and compassion and the importance of applying these qualities to education. She speaks to these girls about making a difference to the whole world through their education and about empowerment they can gain through education.
3. Patrick Awuah on educating leaders. After leaving Microsoft, Awuah returned to his home in Ghana and has helped to open a liberal arts college there. This polished speaker shares his experience in Africa and uses this experience to plead his case for the importance of incorporating a liberal arts education in order to create true leaders.
4. Richard Baraniuk on open-source learning. A professor at Rice University and the founder of Connexions, an open-source education system, talks about the benefits of open source for educators. Specifically, Baraniuk speaks about the drawbacks of texts books and how using online open-source information provides more current and relevant material.
5. David Hoffman shares his Sputnik mania. This filmmaker shares a part of his documentary, Sputnik Mania. Through this movie, Hoffman explains how it contributed to the space and arms race that, in turn, lead to an inspirational movement of math and science education.
6. Mae Jemison on teaching arts and sciences together. A Renaissance woman herself, Jemison discusses the importance of teaching arts and sciences together–providing an education that balances intuition and logic. Jemison asserts that by educating students in this comprehensive manner, we create strong thinkers. Without this type of education, she says, we are not responsibly looking out for the future of our society.
7. Sugata Mitra shows how kids teach themselves. Mitra has run several experiments in a project called "Hole in the Wall" that show children, when curious, will learn on their own without any guidance or formal teaching. Mitra speaks about his experiments, the implications of this power of learning on education, and what educators can learn from this.
8. Neil Turok makes his TED Prize wish. While accepting his TED prize, this physicist shares his wish to provide opportunity for the future of Africa through opening and nurturing the creativity available in the young people there. Turok uses his math and science background to understand why and how Africa has been left behind–and how we can change it.
9. Bill Joy muses on what’s next. Looking to the future, this co-founder of Sun Microsystems discusses how society and individuals have reacted to situations in the past. He then explores the path we can take to ensure positive growth in the areas of health, education, and technology.
10. Joseph Lekuton tells a parable for Kenya. This member of parliament in Kenya discusses education, both his own and the importance of education to children in Africa. He has a vision for making this education possible and shares it passionately.
11. Woody Norris invents amazing things. This inventor shares two of his inventions that can change the way we think about sound and also discusses his perspective on invention and education. He claims that "virtually nothing…has been invented yet" and supports education though hands-on learning.
12. Bill Strickland makes change with a slide show. This man grew out of a tough neighborhood where few were expected to rise above their surrounding and went on to live a successful life. Strickland found his future through ceramics, and he has watched the power of fine arts and beauty inspire at-risk children. He now advocates the arts as an important part of inspiration and education.
13. David Merrill demos Siftables. This MIT grad student demonstrates his invention, Siftables, which are tiny computers. These tiny computers interact in amazing ways. The educational possibilities with these "toys" is endless, including art projects, English, math, music, and more.
14. Ben Dunlap talks about a passionate life. This college professor shares the story of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor and his life both in Europe and America. His speech focuses on passionate living and passionate learning as learned through this Hungarian man and two other men he has known through life. Dunlap is eloquent and shares his passion well.
15. Jose Abreu on kids transformed by music. The founder of a Venezuelan youth orchestra, El Sistema, Abreu speaks about his wish to spread music throughout Venezuela and the world as a tool of social change and empowerment. Abreu speaks in Spanish (with English subtitles) with such passion about his vision for the future of the world.
16. Gustavo Dudamel leads El Sistema’s top youth orchestra. Watch this video of Dudamel and his students as they perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, 2nd movement and Arturo Marquez’s Danzon No. 2. The power of this performance is a testament to why El Sistema works.
17. Dave Eggers’ wish: Once Upon a School. Surrounded in a culture of educators, Eggers grew up realizing the importance of education. He talks about his tutoring center, 826 Valencia, and how it has helped and inspired others to become involved in education. The power of this tutoring center is inspirational to those concerned with education.
18. Tim Brown on creativity and play. Brown explores the relationship between creative thinking and play, and how this relationship can be nurtured. Using activities presented in the talk, he illustrates his points that are useful for all who work with children as well as those who want to nurture creativity in adults.
19. Paul Sereno digs up dinosaurs. This paleontologist describes his work and what he’s learned about prehistory and science. He also presents a teaching project designed to recruit students that might typically fail in science and technology. Project Exploration in Chicago has a great track record of helping students failing or near failing go on to college.
20. Jonathan Drori on what we think we know. This expert on culture and educational media offers four questions to the listeners as a starting point to explore how we get ideas in our heads and how difficult it is to shake ideas once they are there. Drori also reviews some "bad practices" that serve to reinforce wrong ideas and some better ways of helping students learn correctly.
21. Alan Kay shares a powerful idea about ideas. Kay talks about techniques for educating children by using computers to illustrate experiences. By looking at simplicity and complexity, traditional teaching modes that rely on complex adult ideas, and approachable methods of teaching students in ways that are more simple and intuitive.
22. Ann Cooper talks school lunches. Known as the "renegade lunch lady," Cooper discusses how she serves local, sustainable, and organic food to the students at Berkeley schools as the head of nutrition. She speaks about the reasons why we should care how we are feeding our children. Discussing big business, childhood obesity, sustainability. She also outlines how to change children’s relationship to food in a positive way.
23. Stuart Brown says play is more than fun. Brown describes why play is important and how it contributes to happy and healthy adults–not just children. Using examples from the natural world, Brown shows how play is an integral part of life and how it can change behaviors.
24. Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child. The founder of the MIT Media Lab, discusses his program called "One Laptop Per Child." This project hopes to build $100 pedal-powered laptops and distribute them to children in developing countries around the world in an effort to promote education. Coming from the perspective of children being the most important natural resource of any country, Negroponte’s project hopes to provide students with opportunities for their future and the future of their countries.
25. Bill Gates’ talk on mosquitoes, malaria and education — transcribed. In a written transcript of a speech Bill Gates gave, he talks about his project to eliminate malaria, then moves on to his second topic–how to make a teacher great. The answer is to learn from the best teachers in the country, model their teaching techniques, and provide all teachers with the tools necessary for success. He discusses the work of the KIPP charter schools and a book Work Hard, Be Nice based on the work done in these schools.

July 6, 2009

With colleges only having so many spots for new students every year, gaining admittance into one is becoming harder and harder. When it comes to applying for college there is no certain thing that you can do to make sure that you get an acceptance letter. But you can increase your chances, by knowing what college admissions look for and making sure you have those things on your application.

College admissions look for good grades. If you are a good student in high school, chances are you will probably be one in college as well. For universities, good students mean higher retention rates as well as higher percentages of students who graduate on time, two things that will positively affect their reputation. Remember that grades are important and some schools may even accept students based on high GPAs or SAT scores. It is likely that admissions departments will take a comprehensive look at all of your academic record throughout all four years of high school. It is important for them to see that you have been able to consistently make good grades. If you are worried about a few bad grades you made during your freshman year, don’t stress out too much. Admissions departments also take into consideration if you have been able to steadily improve your grades or how hard a class was that you took. Don’t worry that you made a B in Chemistry instead of that A you really wanted, admissions counselors know that it was harder for you to make that B in a science class than an A in an elective.

Admissions departments want to see a well-rounded student, which means not only having academic abilities, but the ability to contribute to your school and be a leader. Admissions counselors want to see that you have been involved in extracurricular activities that have allowed you to apply your knowledge and skills and develop your talents. Students who are able to demonstrate commitment to organizations by investing their time and effort to them will look better than students who just went home after school. Extracurricular activities will also give you the opportunity to accomplish things that will set you apart from your peers, such as organizing school events and activities. It is also important that admissions counselors not only see that you were involved in extracurricular activities but that you were able to be a leader in them. Being able to put leadership roles on your college application can demonstrate that your best qualities and help you stand out among your peers.

July 5, 2009

Throughout the history of the United States, the college campus has been a hotbed for political activity. While politics has changed through the years, the passion young students show for social causes remains incredibly strong. As students enter their college years, they are becoming more aware of the world around them. They understand what it means to be a citizen, and they are starting to form opinions about how government and society interact. Many people picture college campuses to run rampant with liberal ideals, but there is a healthy mix from both the left and the right wings.

One way to get involved is to actually join your college’s student government. You will gain a firsthand look at politics in motion. The college’s board of trustees and administration listen carefully to their students’ concerns. Students can have a say in matters anywhere from new construction on campus to how the college police handle certain situations. The saying, "all politics is local," especially rings true on the college campus. There are so many decisions that need to be made to properly run a campus that it is imperative that the students actually have a legitimate hand in governing the school.

With the push in recent national political campaigns to capture the "young" vote, college campuses have seen a rise in political activism. The majority of college students are of the legal voting age so it makes sense that major political parties would want to sway these voters while they are still young and impressionable. The goal here is to have students align themselves with a particular party and then, as the thinking goes, they will be in that party for life. Of course, this isn’t always the case. During the most recent Presidential campaign, both candidates spent considerable time touring college campuses to make sure that students knew that their vote mattered.

As you start to gravitate in a certain political direction, remember that it is not always advantageous to talk about politics. There are proper times when you can and should voice your opinion. Be especially careful about airing your political beliefs in the middle of a class discussion. You never know how your professor or other students feel and you don’t want to stoke the fire. Use your college experience to listen to differing viewpoints so that you can make sound decisions about where you stand on the major issues of the day.