Top 8 Tools for Free Online Education

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Just about everyone knows about online education nowadays, because many are taking advantage of continuing education online and earning online degrees to obtain their goals in life. What most are not aware of is how many free online educational tools and resources that are available on the internet. Here are the top 8 free online educational tools as voted by teaching professionals that are made available online:

1. Twitter

Twitter is a social networking and micro blogging service which lets you send and get messages known as tweets. Tweets are text posts that can be only 140 characters and are sent to subscribers also known as followers. Tweets can be sent or received from Twitter website, SMS (short message service), or apps (applications) for smart phones. It currently has over 100 million users.

2. Delicious

Delicious is a social book marking online service for keeping, sending, and finding webpage bookmarks. The free service has over 5 million users and more than 100 bookmarked URLs.

3. YouTube

YouTube is for online video file sharing that lets people upload, share, and watch videos. You can watch movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur videos. Most of the videos on YouTube are uploaded by regular people but some big media corporations post material also.

4. Google Reader

Google Reader is an online aggregator, that can read Atom and RSS feed on the web or offline.

5. Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, Online Office suite made available by Google. It lets people to make and edit documents online and collaborate in real-time with other people.

6. WordPress

WordPress is a free CMS (control management system) source; used mostly for blogging it has a lot of features that use plug-in architecture and templating systems. It is the most popular blog software around nowadays.

7. Slideshare

Slideshare is a slide hosting services that is web-based and lets users to upload, look at, comment on, and share slideshows made with presentation software. It is the most popular slide hosting services on the web.

8. Google Search

Google Web Search is an online search engine and is the most popular search engine on the internet passing Yahoo the previous number 1 some year back. Google get hundreds of millions of search everyday through its many services. The main purpose is to find text online in website around the world.

Friends, do share more such resources which you feel are missing from the list above.

Tags: Free Tools for Online Education, Google, Online Degree, Online Education, Twitter
Posted in Online Degree, Online Education, Social Media | 5 Comments »

Online Degree in Education

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Starting out your educational journey with an online degree program in education will put you in the right place to begin a career in the education field. Today there is a great demand for experienced and qualified teachers. This is why a career in education a smart choice. If you are already in the teaching profession an advanced degree from an accredited online institute can also increase your job opportunities, earnings and career advancements.

What can I do With an Education Degree from an Online Institution?

Most education graduates pursue careers as teachers; however an online degree in education is not limited to only teaching. You can also work as a counselor, school psychologist, administration, education technology, school principle and much more. This degree is very versatile, that is why you can get into almost any career field you choose with a degree in education.

Specialties in the Education Field

Early Childhood Education: What children learn and experience during their early years can affect them positively or negatively for the rest of their lives. Early childhood educators play a vital role in helping to prepare children for success later in life.

Education Administration: This specialization will prepare you for a career in educational leadership or administration or supervisory positions.

Special Education: A specialization in special education is a great choice for those interested in pursuing a career working with learners with special needs.

Adult Education: If you are interested in working with adults and out of school youths whose education level is below standards, then a specialization in adult education may be best suited for you. Adult education specialization instruct in reading, writing, speaking English, and performing mathematical calculation or other basic skills that will help students to become positive contributors to society.

Curriculum Design: This specialization is best suited for those who like to design and develop curriculum for various levels and categories of education.

Speech Therapists: Speech therapists assess, diagnose and treat speech disorders related to cognitive communication, voice, fluency and language among others.

Why Pursue an Online Education Degree?

If you like to work with a variety of people and want to shape young minds, an online education degree will help you to continue what you like doing the most. Distance learning makes it so much easier to pursue your career goals. Not everyone can enroll in traditional higher education due to work and family obligations, so distance learning takes the hassle of trying to juggle work, family, social life and school.

The future outlook with an online degree in education is promising, as the need for great educators plays a very important role in every aspect of our day-to-day lives. So, whether you are simply looking to establish your career or further your career an online degree in education will be an ideal career choice for you.

Tags: Online Degree in Education
Posted in Online Degree in Education | 7 Comments »

The Best way to Apply for Online Nursing Schools

Monday, June 21st, 2010

So you want to go to nursing school? Well, now is an excellent time to become a nurse, especially with the current shortage of nurses and the need for health care continues to grow. Increasing emphasis on preventive care and a growing population of the elderly, who typically require more nursing care than others, have resulted in tremendous growth in opportunities for qualified nurses.

Applying to Online Nursing Schools is as easy as 1-2-3

Pursing your nursing degree is now easier with convenient online nursing schools.

Step 1: Is nursing what you really want to do? First, you will need to weigh the pros and cons and decide as to whether you really do want to get into nursing school and become a nurse. Often times many people just rush into nursing school just because everyone else is, but you have to decide if being a nurse is what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Step 2: Research different online nursing schools, their admission policy and the school’s nursing program – see if what they offer is a good match for you.

Step 3: Think about how you can increase your chances of getting into the nursing school of your choice. Make sure you have all your pre-requisite completed for the nursing option of your interest and meet all application deadlines.

Basic Overview of Admissions Process

Admissions process and requirement may vary from one school to the next, please visit the schools that interest you for specific details. In addition to the general admission requirements, some programs have specific requirements or recommendations.

The following information is a general overview of the requirements needed for admissions into most online nursing schools:

1. Completed applications with application fee
2. Official transcripts from high school, trade schools and colleges/universities.
3. Official ACT score, which is preferred, or the SAT Score
4. Completed file will then go to the Director of Enrollment for recommendation.

Top Online Nursing Schools

Some of the top accredited online nursing schools include:

Chamberlain College of Nursing – Online
Make the choice to make a difference in people’s lives. Advance your nursing career by earning your RN to BSN online, while you work. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected online program in your local area. Online RN-BSN students will participate in experiential learning projects within their course work. The curriculum does not include clinical work. Financial aid is available for students who qualify.

Loyola University School of Nursing
Classes offered at Loyola University School of Nursing are fully online, so you can-continue working full time and maintain your lifestyle while completing your degree. Loyola University New Orleans is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Kaplan University School of Nursing – Online

When you enroll in Kaplan University School of Nursing online, you will enjoy the flexibility of pursuing your educational goals from the convenience of your own home or anywhere you have Internet access. Kaplan University can help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to become a leader in this fast-growing industry

If you are interested in any of these online nursing schools and would like to find out more about their online nursing programs, please visit their website for specific details.

If becoming a nurse is really what you want, go for it!

Tags: Online Nursing Degrees, Online Nursing Schools
Posted in Online Degree, Online Schools | 14 Comments »

Online Courses – 7 important mistakes to avoid!

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

In order to achieve an exceptional experience as an online student, you must first familiarize yourself with the type of resources available to you, knowing how and where to access them, how to use them to gain the most benefit and how to avoid making common mistakes as an online student.

1. Thinking that online courses are easier

Most if not all of the online courses are the same as traditional courses. You will receive the same subjects, assignments, projects and class work that campus students receive. You will also get the same high quality education online that is found in the traditional degree programs.

Online Courses are easier - Think again!

2. Failing to use all the online resources and mentoring

Educators are the best resource that an online student can utilize. Getting the help from a mentor can be of great benefit if used wisely. So stay connected via online discussions forums, chat rooms and e-mail.

3. Self discipline

Procrastinating can be a major problem and can play a big role in the outcome of your online experience. If you are a procrastinator, then you will have to work extra hard by working on various ways to discipline yourself. Set weekly goals, make a schedule and have deadlines and try your best to stick to them.

Develop self discipline for your online courses

4. Paying more than necessary

Most online institutions offer financial aid, grants, scholarships, loans and other ways for you to pay for your education, so take advantage of every opportunity to help offset your college expenses.

5. Credit transfer

Failure to get proper credit for past courses attended at other institutions. Make sure you give your transcript and get the appropriate credit applied towards your distance learning program.

Get credit transfer for past courses attended

6. Choosing the wrong school

Taking courses from online schools that are not accredited is probably not the smartest thing to do, seeing that this is a future financial investment in your career. It is important to seek out an online college or university that has an accreditation from a reputable organization. Look for institutions that have been accredited by a regionally or nationally-recognized accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

7. Stay connected

Building relationships with other students and teachers is beneficial to your academic career and your grades. Learning in groups or by joint effort can make your online education. experience easier and more rewarding. Working with others will help you to maintain your motivation and you will also end up learning more when you have others that you can bounce ideas off and vice versa.

Stay connected with online students and teachers

Online courses if handled with care can be the right fit for you. Make sure to do proper research before you enroll in any school, and once you start your classes, do not give up. There are many learning resources available online so make the most of them to help you succeed with your online education.

Tags: Online Courses
Posted in Online Courses | 1 Comment »

Top 8 Signs you are addicted to Online Degree Program

Monday, June 14th, 2010

In our quest to be the best in our line of profession, many of us become lost in our own drive for education. Often we over shoot our goal and become over educated or too qualified for the jobs that are available around us. This has left many students in a precarious position as many employers become intimidated after seeing the entire alphabet rolled out behind the names of some applicants.

Many students opt for online versions of degree programs due to the many benefits they offer. As a result, they can continue their studies without interrupting their daily routine. Other use online degree programs to keep their minds occupied. However, on close examination, one may just realize that their drive for academic excellence was propelled by a mere addiction to online degree programs.

Top Signs you are addicted to Online Degree Program

There are many signs that will indicate to students if they are addicted to Online Degree Programs. These include:

1. As an employer, you display a preference to online students:

Even after graduation, you carry your addiction to online degree programs into your professional life. As a result, you show a direct preference to students who have been educated under the same online educational module.

2. Always looking out for course updates:

Although you have already received a degree in a particular area, you are always insistent of having your degree in the latest version. This will allow you to gain knowledge about the latest trends and concepts being promoted within your field.

Always looking out for online course updates

3. Always promoting the concept of online education:

Although you have not been appointed an official ambassador of online education, you keep bragging about the benefits of online education at every opportunity.

4. You receive emails from various online colleges:

Wait endlessly for emails from Online Colleges

Even though you have no intention of attending a particular online college, you still fill out their online application form just to receive emails about their latest offer. You become satisfied by just being aware what courses are offered by online colleges.

5. You fail deliberately just not to graduate:

For some unexplainable reason, some students want to remain associated with some online college. As a result, the deliberately scupper exams just to get a failing grade. They do this on the premise that they will remain in in their online school.

6. All of you friends are from your online class:

when your entire social life is built upon your online college community, you become so dependent of your online college to the extent of becoming addicted. As a result, just to communicate you must be in a forum governed by your online college.

7. Always searching for an internet connection:

Online degree programs are delivered through the internet. As a result, addicted online degree students are always searching for Wi-Fi or hard wire connections anywhere they go to log online to see if there have been any announcements from their online college.

8. Offer scholarships only to online students:

Although you have the means to offer scholarships to student right across both form of education, you stipulate that only online students should benefit.

Friends, can you think of other signs to tell someone is addicted to online degrees by simply following their daily regime? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Tags: Online Colleges, Online Degree Programs, Online Students
Posted in Online College, Online Degree Programs, Online Students | 1 Comment »

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