Thursday, March 30, 2006

Learn French Online

Ever wished to visit France? Walk through the Champs Elysees? Climb upon the Eiffel Tower? To sail on the Seine? Did you really think to realize that without knowing a scratch of the French language? Come on. Stop kidding me!

Everywhere around the world people speak different languages but it seems that we are a little bit behind that kind of technology. Doesn't that makes you wonder? We should prepare ourselves to get educated. We always send our children to the best schools to master a lot of things like French language but do you even know a little bit about it?

This is just a sneak-peak of where you should start.

Greetings: Monsieur Dupont meets Madame La Baronne.

Monsieur Dupont: Bonjour Madame! (Hello Madam!)
Madame La Baronne: Bonjour, Monsieur Dupont! (Hello, Mister Dupont!)
Monsieur Dupont: Comment allez vous? (How are you?)
Madame La Baronne: Très bien, merci. Et vous? (Fine, Thanks. And you?)
Monsieur Dupont: Je vais bien, merci. (I'm well, Thanks.)

Well is it that hard? No, you see! We really need to get started to be educated before to try to educate others.

This is my 3-T Formula to learn French and much more: Tools, Tips and Techniques!

• Learn a lot and master what you've learned.
• Take action by listening, reading and writing what you've learned.
• Rehearse it with your partner by using all of your knowledge.
• And be patience to understand and to make understand.

A lot of people think that by hanging some name cards on door knobs they are going to learn French but it isn't that easy. Believe me. Personally I speak fluently four languages and that all with confidence.

I learned two of them at home because my mother spoke Dutch and my father French. I learned English by watching American television for a couple of years with French and Dutch subtitles. And the last year I've just learned to speak Arabic by living and working in Egypt.

So now you see that this is the proof that your brain is unconsciously working while you're wasting your time like a lazy … in your sofa watching TV, or listening to your parents or just living in another culture with another language.

Thus this will be your lethal weapon to learn French and other languages because your brain is really unconsciously working.

So now you know all that you just need to take the right steps to advance and become a real educated citizen in this wide wide globe of multi-lingual cultures.

Friday, March 24, 2006

Differences Between Abacus Math and Vedic Math

Today two different ancient methods are available for school students to conquer math. With either of this technique students are able to do large and complex calculations in their head without need of any modern day electronic devices. These techniques are: 1) Abacus Math and 2) Vedic Math. Before we indulge straight into the differences let us first know what these two methods are.

The abacus is an ancient tool invented during Greek and Roman times. Over the period abacus has evolved into different types as it traveled across the world. However it was in China the abacus was innovated further and used heavily in day-to-day life for calculations. Abacus math is a technique derived from this very old technique and fits right into the modern day world. Abacus use can build confidence, provide a sense of achievement, promote intuitive thinking, enhance problem-solving capability, stimulate creativity and improve concentration and mental endurance.

Vedic Mathematics has no legal definition. Hindu philosophy is based on Veda-s (ancient scriptures written in Sanskrit, some say as old as 5000 B.C.) and mathematics translated from these texts is termed as Vedic Mathematics. These ancient scriptures were rediscovered by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960) and he translated the complex text into simpler understandable mathematics.

The system is based on 16 Vedic sutras or aphorisms, which are actually word-formulae describing natural ways of solving a whole range of mathematical problems. Some examples of sutras are "By one more than the one before", "All from 9 & the last from 10", and "Vertically & Crosswise". These 16 one-line formulae originally written in Sanskrit, which can be easily memorized, enables one to solve long mathematical problems quickly. These formulae describe the way the mind naturally works and are therefore a great help in directing the student to the appropriate method of solution.

With Abacus math, abacus is used as a tool to learn calculations. Beads are moved up and down and various columns to represent the number. When children use both hands to move the abacus beads to perform arithmetic calculations, there is quick communication between the hands and the brain that stimulates both the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This promotes rapid, balanced whole brain development. Abacus math should be started at very early childhood, as young as age 4. Abacus math starts at very basic level by teaching the numbers and then progressing to calculations. Eventually the child retains the memory of bead positions and the relevant notation. Abacus math if started during later ages can create a bit of hindrance.

Vedic math is entirely done in mind. Vedic math also starts at a basic level of numbers and gradually progressing to simple additions, subtractions, multiplications and division. Vedic math goes much more beyond just the basic calculations. With Vedic math one can also solve complex geometrical theorems and algebraic problems. Vedic math can be started at later ages as well without any difficulty.

The key in both techniques is to practice and implement the methods in your day-to-day life. And what could be a better way to practice then using the math worksheets. Today there are various websites you can refer to gain knowledge of either method.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Medical Assistant: Distance Education for the Medical Assistant


Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands of a new generation of students in the twenty first century. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School distance education program for medical assistant presents a good model for this integration of technology with medical assistant education. Distance education, particularly in its most recent form, online education, is being integrated into even the most cautious and conservative of educational institutions. Yet the impact of these alternative forms of teaching and learning on students, faculty, and institutions has yet to be broadly or deeply studied. New models such as that at St. Augustine Medical Assistant School are immerging. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School is available at: www.medassistant.org

Distance education is not new, and can be traced as far back as the first century. The Apostle Paul wrote to the early Christian churches, instructing them from a distance (even when he was under 'house arrest' in Rome). This was probably the first type of 'correspondence course', which was the only method of learning at a distance until the advent of the telephone. Today, distance education and in particular online medical assistant instruction calls upon an impressive range of technologies to enable medical assistant instructor and the medical assistant student who are separated by distance to communicate with each other either in real time (synchronous) or delayed time (asynchronous). Currently and asynchronous model used at St. Augustine Medical Assistant School to instruct medical assistant students. This has proven to be a very effective model however the medical assistant program is currently investigating the benefits of synchronous online medical assistant instruction and the benefits it may have for the medical assistant student.

Medical Assistant distance learning epitomizes the move away from institute based learning to a more direct, student centered approach. As a concept, distance learning has existed for over a century, notably in the form of paper based correspondence courses including the less formal correspondence education for medical assistants. Now however, distance education is depending increasingly upon technology for its success and technological innovations ensure that distance learning for the medical assistant continues to evolve and grow as a valid and potent force in all forms of education for the medical assistant.

The task of the medical assistant distance educator is therefore to obviate these problems as much as possible by mixing and matching techniques, creating and maintaining a stimulating environment, and offering opportunities for medical assistant students to communicate with each other and with the medical assistant teaching staff on a regular basis. The medical assistant educators will also need to change their traditional role as well. Many remote medical assistant students need a great deal of social support, and medical assistant distance educators may find themselves spending more time offering one-to-one tutorials and less time lecturing. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School at www.medassistant.org or www.MedicalAssistant.us is leading today’s technology in medical assistant education.

When designing medical assistant educational systems and materials for medical assistant distance in delivery the medical assistant teacher must consider not only learning outcomes, but also centered requirements and technical constraints for the medical assistant. Also to be considered are the needs, characteristics, and individual differences of both the students, the teachers and future medical assistants.

Medical assistant distance education for the medical assistant then, should not be viewed as a means of reducing costs, but as an opportunity to raise standards. It is also about providing quality medical assistant learning opportunities for those who, for one reason or another, have previously been excluded from this basic human right. Medical Assistant distance education will quickly become the norm and not the exception for the twenty first century medical assistant. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School distance education program for medical assistant presents a good model for this integration of technology with medical assistant education. The St. Augustine Medical Assistant model can be reviewed at: http://www.medassistant.org and http://www.medicalassistant.us

By Dr. Mark Stout
Dean of Education St. Augustine Medical Assistant School
Distance Education and Informatics Specialist
www.medassistant.org

Friday, March 10, 2006

Eco And Organic Schools

To reduce climate change we need both adults and children to become greener and to think more about the environment. The question is how do we engage children and pull them away from the TV and Play station and promote a sense of citizenship and environmental responsibility in them?

Companies often have environmental policies where they recycle waster paper, ink cartridges and have energy saving stickers at the switches to remind people to switch off the lights. Companies are also increasingly becoming Fairtrade Workplaces by making a commitment to only buy Fair trade tea, coffee and sugar. But this is for adults, what about the children?

Well, the Eco-Schools Programme enables schools to become a more stimulating place in which to learn about eco issues and the schools themselves will be able to reduce their environmental impact within the school itself and the wider community including their own homes.

Once registered the school will be part of an international group of schools working towards education for sustainable development and a better quality of life for local and global communities. This global development perspective will enable them to better understand poverty and appreciate the work that Live Aid and international charities such as Oxfam and the Red Cross are doing.

The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple framework to enable schools to analyze its operations and become more sustainable. A bit like business re-engineering in companies but in manageable bite size chunks.

Pupil involvement is a key part of the Eco-Schools programme. Having pupils engaged in the whole process, including monitoring, action planning and decision-making, leads to genuine ownership of the programme and an increase in their sense of responsibility for the school environment and local area.

There is also an award scheme that will raise the profile of the school in the wider community and provide an incentive to participate. Schools can also be featured in local and regional media when they reach award level.

There are three award levels:

• Bronze award - self-assessed via website leading to a certificate
• Silver award - self-assessed via website leading to a certificate
• Green Flag - externally assessed leading to a certificate and flag

Eco-Schools is run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It is administered by ENCAMS in England and Tidy Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland. Eco-Schools are supported by a wide variety of partners.

Organic Issues

If the school also wants to learn about organic issues then the Soil Association is encouraging the use of organic and local produce in school meals by running a Food for Life workshop at interested schools. It is a one day workshop for key stage two pupils. It is run by the Soil Associations education department. The workshop provides children with an opportunity to consider healthy eating, local and organic food through the theme of choices.

Schools also need information on good practice when sourcing healthy food for school meals. Schools can further improve children diets and increase their understanding of food by means of farm visits, and classroom activities. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all schools could have gardens so that kids can see that food doesn't come just from packets or appear miraculously in shops?

Sunday, March 5, 2006

Top Online Technical Schools for 2006

You've made the big decision to get your degree online. Now for the hard part...which online degree college do you choose? With your career and your future on the line, it's important that you make the right decision. After spending months in the boardroom, our staff has made our top online school picks for 2007, we've identified the very best.

Penn Foster
P.O. Box 1900
Scranton, PA 18501
Tel – 800 275 4410
Fax – 570 343 8462

Established – 1890
Locations – Online
Accredited – Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools; Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC); International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET); Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Degrees offered – Certificates, Associate's
Programs offered – 85+

Penn Foster claims the founder of distance learning as the founder of their own institution, Thomas Foster. Over the past 100 years since Penn Foster began serving the educational needs of the working community, more than 13,000,000 students have matriculated.The endorsements by major corporations and even the VA for Penn Foster's programs couldn't be better: IBM, Ford Company, Xerox, U.S. Steel – all have used Penn Foster's programs to upgrade the educations of their staff and provide training and promotion opportunities.Their more than 85 programs can be found in the fields of business, engineering, legal studies, health services, design, technology, education, as well as various trades and a high school diploma program. Whether you choose a full associate's degree program or a certificate, Penn Foster is one of the best ways to get the education you need to advance your career or begin a new one.

Westwood College
Denver North Campus
7350 North Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80221-3653
Tel – 303 426 7000
Fax – 303 487 0214
Tel (All Campus Info) – 800 281 2978

Established – 1953
Locations – 20 and online
Accredited – Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT); Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
Degrees offered – Certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's
Programs offered – 19+
Financial assistance – Scholarships, grants, loans, and counseling available

Formerly Denver Institute of Technology, Westwood College was founded in Denver, Colorado more than 50 years ago. Since then it has expanded to include 17 Westwood College campuses, the Redstone College and Redstone Institute, and Alta Colleges, Inc in six states and online. With certificates, associate degrees and bachelor degrees offered in fields like fashion, health care, gaming, technology, industrial services, business, aviation, criminal justice, and design, there's something for almost everyone, whether starting a new career or going for a raise or the next big promotion. Each campus offers different programs, so check with the individual school to see which one has the best curriculum for you goals. Westwood offers career development services to their students and graduates by actively recruiting employers and assisting students in developing their job search techniques and employer contacts.

Professional Career Development Institute
430 Technology Parkway
Norcross, Georgia 3009
Tel: 800 417 2407
Established – 1987
Locations – Online
Accredited – Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council
Degrees offered – Certificate
Tuition – Varies by program but most between $500 and $700
Other fees – One-time $24 shipping and handling fee for course materials
Tuition discount – Interest-free monthly payment plan available
Length of programs – Most can be completed in 6 months to 1 year

Professional Career Development Institute began by offering just one professional real estate appraisal course in 1987 has grown so large that it is now divided into two divisions: John Madison High School for high school programs and Ashworth College for all its higher and continuing education course offerings. More than 50 career programs are featured at PCDI including everything from jewelry repair to carpentry to sports psychology to writing children's books. You can get the knowledge you need to start your own business, break out into a new career, prepare for a higher degree, or move up through the ranks at work. Some companies subsidize their employees' education, so check with human resources to see if a course curriculum at PCDI will be covered for you.

We have options. You have choices. Earn your degree today. To request complimentary online degree information from any of these top schools, visit us online at Online Degrees Today.com.