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Different Types of Teaching

February 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Jewish Children with their Teacher in Samarkan...

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Different Types of Teaching

When you enter into college, one of the greatest benefits that will become apparent to you is that you have a much wider selection to choose from when it comes to choosing which courses you want to take. There are both pros and cons to having this type of selection available at your fingertips, and so it is important to consider certain things when you are selecting which courses that you are going to take. One of these considerations that you are going to want to make is what type of teaching and learning style is ideal for you. The right teaching style is going to have a profound impact on your ability to do well in a course, and so you need to choose a professor or instructor that is going to teach in the specific way that you want or need to learn.

Some teachers and instructors prefer to lecture, and your job is simply to listen and take notes. Other instructors prefer collaborative learning where everyone participates in the discussion, and a big part of your grade is going to rely on how well you participate. Some courses are based heavily on paper writing, and so you do less learning and more writing. Other courses are based largely on examinations, requiring that you do a lot of your own reading and listening to lectures so that you can remember the facts and information that you need in order to do well. Which type of course is ideal for you? Knowing is half the battle, because it will allow you to match your needs with instructors that are going to help you learn in the way that is most ideal for you.

It is important that you understand that matching your learning style with the teaching style of your instructor or professor is essential. Putting a little bit of planning and forethought into this process is definitely going to have a positive impact on your learning experience, and so it is really beneficial that you put this type of consideration into planning your college career.

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Learning about Higher Education

February 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Learning about Higher Education

If you are interesting in continuing or increasing you education there are several things you can do to get started. Of course one of the first things you need to do is decide where you would like your field of learning to be in. You might already have a Major and know what you want to do, if you do that’s excellent but there may be some people who are unsure. As such devise a well thought out plan about what you want to do. You can start by jotting down a list of things that you are considering. Then one at a time go over each item on the list

First establish a budget and determine what you can afford, if the sky is the limit for your education than you need not use this step to eliminate any choices. Next do some basic research about each topic and in general. It’s important to consider if you would like to move anywhere or go to school close to where you are. Remember that some school may be better suited to your major, so take that into consideration when selecting your school. If you are staying local, establish a list of all schools within a distance you are willing to travel and see what they have to offer.

With both of these items out of the way, acquire all the course guides from all schools possible, if need be you might need to apply to some of these schools. You should not that a lot of this information can be found online either from the university’s or colleges webpage on internet or from simple searches. You may also find discussions about schools and reviews that may help you make a decision. Just make sure you find all the information you can to ensure that your decision is a well informed one.

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Where to Find Information about Learning and Teaching Methods

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Where to Find Information about Learning and Teaching Methods

If you are teaching or even learning, you might want to learn about alternative ways to teach or learn. A very simple and positive resource for this information might be your local library. Odds are good that they will have books there that can help you with this. If they don’t and you find the name of them, you may put in a request that they carry them. Of course if you wish to highlight or take notes in your book you might want to purchase your own copies. If you cannot find them at your local book store they can usually order them for you.

You might also find classes at a community college or a learning annex, these may be free but they may also cost you a small fee, it’s simply one thing to consider if you are choosing this route. If you have additional questions you may have professors or instructors that can provide insight or help from their own experience or knowledge, or alternatively might be able to point you in the right direction of someone who does and can help you find what you are looking for. Look for listings in local news papers and in schedules of your local schools.

Of course one of the most affordable and quite possibly one of the easiest methods of finding information about other teaching and learning methods is to consult the internet. You will find numerous topics on many sites. Look to large sites run by companies, as well as small independent blogs for good sources of info. As well as lots of user insight from other people who are knowledgeable about this topic. You may be able to find a social community where people are looking for or learning about the same thing, enabling you to share resources and help each other.

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Learning Through Art

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If a picture is indeed worth a thousand words then imagine the story that the actual artist can tell us. That is one of the underlying principles behind the idea of encouraging students to express themselves through art. The ability to create has long been associated with enhanced learning and is considered by many educators to be a positive step towards developing critical thinking skills. Over in Toledo, Ohio the Toledo School for the Arts is putting this theory into practice every day with some very encouraging results.

The charter school first opened its doors in 1999 with a simple mission: focus on the visual and performing arts while providing a traditional education. As with other Ohio charter schools, TSA operates on the core fundamentals of accountability, choice and autonomy. One example of their methods can be found in a science course entitled “Teaching Science: Art and Soul.” In the science class, students were taught all about the basic chemical compounds that go into creating chalk and crayons. They then put that learning to the test by making their own chalk and crayons. But the lesson didn’t stop there. The kids took their new implements over to the art studio where they used them to create their own original masterpieces. It was a perfect “circle of life” moment between science and the arts.

This method is also applied to teaching history. Students are taught about the customs and culture of Native Americans. Once the book learning phase is over, they head over to the pottery class and recreate the same kinds of bowls, plates and other artifacts that the Native Americans once created. There is nothing like getting your hands dirty to learn about history. The result of all their efforts landed them a 2008 Blue Ribbon School award from the Department of Education. Clearly, they must be doing something right!

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Teacher Residency Programs Are Getting High Marks

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Any form of education is a collaboration. When the trio of parents, students and teachers are working in perfect harmony then the goals of obtaining a solid education can be achieved. If the collaboration falters ending in a failure then there could be repercussions that ripple through a society. As parents and students work to bolster their role in this equation, emphasis shifts to the teacher. In order to foster the creation of stronger and more effective teachers, residency programs have been established in several school districts across America with very encouraging initial results.

A med student goes through their own version of residency. After all their coursework, they are essentially assigned a mentor to follow around a hospital to get practical hands on training. It makes sense that a young teacher should have the same form of enhanced instruction. The Boston Teacher Residency, the Boettcher Teacher Program in Denver and the Academy for Urban School Leadership based in Chicago have all developed their own new teacher residency programs that are serving as a model for the rest of the country.

In these programs, budding teachers who are working on their master degrees are teamed with seasoned professionals to work together in the classroom for a year. Along the way, the student teachers are shown valuable insights in everything from administrative duties to curriculum development. Most importantly, they are given the opportunity to work directly with students. That alone is the one area of the program that gets the most praise from the new teacher recruits.

As an added benefit, many of the residency programs are focused in urban settings where the challenges of motivating a student are greater. Sending new teachers out into the school systems armed with this real world experience is going to change the way they approach a classroom. That’s win/win all around.

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Kindergarten For Geniuses

January 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It was not so long ago that kindergarten was no more than glorified babysitting.  Kindergarten grew out of the need for students to have some socialization skills before leaving mommy and starting school.  The kindergarten students of the late 50s and early 60s did nothing more than color, learn the alphabet, and play store.  There was lots of play time, learning to say “please” and “thank you”, and learning to get along with other children.  If you had a genius for a five year old, he or she would learn how to write their name and maybe know their phone number by the time kindergarten was through.  The kids learned how to sit and listen and how to play well together.

Through educational research we have learned that children have much more of a capacity to learn at this stage of the game.  Kindergarten enrollment today requires testing.  The child must know how to write their first and last names, know their address, phone number, mom and dad’s first names, and other important information.  They are tested on color recognition, numbers and the alphabet.  If they do not pass these tests, it is a sophomore year of preschool before they are ready for the rigors of kindergarten.  Before kindergarten graduation, most students in the class will be reading.

With preschool programs started at ages 2 and 3, kindergarten is sometimes the child’s third year of school.  Having a good start to education gives a child more confidence, allows him to become comfortable with the skills that he does know and eager to attain those he does not.  Children who are more confident have an easier time picking up new skills, as they feel they have already mastered the skill before.  It is important to do everything we can to make our children’s education work for them.  After all, they are the future.

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Finding Success as a Non Traditonal Student

December 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Finding Success as a Non-Traditional Student

1. Deciding to return to school to earn or complete a degree later in life can be a a rewarding life changing experience. Learning is continuous and youu are never too old to complete educational goals. Maturity and life experience are advantages returning students may have over younger classmates.

2. Organization

Getting organized is key to academic success. If you have been away from school and the mystics of edcuation for a while having a well stocked book bag or shelf is a good start. A list of text, readings and classroom supplies can generally be found in the course description. Coming to class prepared the first day with the first chapter read is a good start for partipating in class discussions which usually count for a portion of your grade.

3. Networking for Student Success

Getting to know younger and Non-Traditional students can bridge the generation gap. The common goal is to grow as a learner and student success. With these goals in mind introduce yourself, and be an active particpant in class and group assignments. As you meet people and form study groups where you particpate; your confidence will grow.

4. Share your Education Plans

If you are primpary caregiver to others let them know about your educational plan and the need for you to be successful. Most, but not all people will be happy for you and aid in your success. If you are the chosen one to run errands, babysit and are used to putting yourself on hold now is the time to learn the language of, “No.” A group meeting with family to discuss the need for flexibility for study and classroom time should happen before and not after you register for class.

5. Non Traditional Success

The success rate for Non-Traditional Students is high. Finding good strategies like starting part time or cutting work hours aid in student success and retention.

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Working Toward Better Education for All

December 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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When it comes to education, there are many areas lacking. That’s true of many different countries and a lot of different educational fields. It’s also true whether the children in question are in preschool or already in college. In short, there’s just a lack of good, strong, proper education being seen today. There are ways to fix that, but it’s going to take work. It’s also going to take time, energy and money, which aren’t things that are always readily available. Because of that, correcting the problems with education is a more complex issue than you would first expect.

The main problem lies with the fact that there are so many things education needs to provide. Children should grow into well-rounded adults, but it’s hard for them to do that if they aren’t getting the educational information they need. Whether they’re job hunting in Scotland or looking at apartments for rent in Seattle, they’re going to need life skills as well as ‘school-based’ skills. Unfortunately, they’re often taught about algebra, but not instructed on how to correctly balance a checkbook. When they get out into the real world, they don’t know how to do many of the things they should be able to handle.

A better education for all students is something that should be part of the fabric of life, no matter what country a person is in. Without an education, a person’s prospects for a good job and a happy life are somewhat dismal. The education that students are getting now is incomplete, and will stay that way until there are serious changes made in the educational field. In the meantime, the job of making sure that children know what they really need to succeed outside of the classroom is falling to families that are already overworked, making things for them more difficult.

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Exploring Overseas Teaching Options

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Exploring Overseas Teaching Options

1. It is Exciting to Consider the Option of Teaching Overseas

Exploring overseas teaching options is certainly something one can pursue on their own. However there are reputable headhunter organizations that will place you free of charge. If you qualify you are invited to move forward in the application process.

2. Benefits of Overseas Teaching

There are numerous benefits to teaching overseas. They include smaller classrooms, different cultural experiences, and the opportunity to make a difference while learning yourself, in the midst of so much culture.

Safety Concerns

To aid in keeping women in the program, (safety is sometimes an issue for women where ever we go.) Women should take extra care and be reminded not to travel alone at night especially in unknown places. Use good judgment research a place and the customs familiarizing yourself with the culture. This is good etiquette and good common sense. A space can be super friendly during day and a nightmare, after dark. Having a buddy with you or at the bare minimum, a charged and working cell phone and or International phone cards. In addition your placement company should be able to answer any questions regarding safety. If you aren’t sure don’t sign the contract.

Staying in the Loop

A reputable company will not take your money if they don’t believe they can place you. At each point from soliciting evaluators, to writing a Teaching Statement you are putting yourself before a career opportunity and the chance to conduct Educational Research and perhaps a book on your experiences.

3. Cultural Experiences
A travel blog, a Internet Cultural Experience offered through your lens are both ways to enhance your overseas teaching experience. Taking the time to immerse in the culture after teaching all day may be enough excitement. Pace yourself this is an exciting opportunity that can be life changing.

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Low Residency Graduate Writing Programs

December 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Low Residency Graduate Writing Programs

1. Low Residency Programs

An educational option for students are Low Residency Graduate Programs. These programs offer advanced degrees with flexibility. A low residency program is generally two or three years. Students attend a nine or ten day residency twice per year. This type of program allows students to come to campus for nurturing face-to-face interaction while maintaining jobs and homes throughout the country.

2. Low Residency Writing Community

Low Residency programs offer a strong writing community that forms on campus and carries over into the Project Period or semester, where students work independently for five months following residency. A mentor, mentee group, and on-line book conferences are part of this type of educational program. There is a strenuous amount of work given on par with traditional graduate programs. Deadlines and professional work is expected in order to maintain good academic standing. Within the above mentioned groups students further develop research, reading and writing skills.

3. Added Expenses in Low Residency Programs
A low residency program can be expensive. Many students who opt for low residency programs live across country from their educational institution. This means they incur the cost of traveling in for residency. The cost of plane fare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and meals can get costly.

4. Finding Funds for Low Residency Programs
The cost of getting a higher education is increasing. There is no way around that. The good thing is that creative funding is available. Filling out the free FASFA form for Federal Financial Aid is the first step in determining what grants and other types gifted money is available that you don’t have to pay back.

If you still are still eligible for Federal Student Loan money after receiving your undergraduate degree you should be able to fund a low residency graduate program with loans supplemented by some grant money. Grants, loans, writing contest and a solid plan will all aid in the search for educational money.

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