Archive for the ‘Off Topic’ Category

It’s long been recognized that reading is the most basic of educational skills. If one knows how to read, they can learn anything. On the other hand, those who never learn to read are handicapped throughout their lives. Yet, we need to realize that there are thousands of students every year to slip through the cracks of the educational system, without ever learning how to read.

It’s not that these students are stupid, or that they lack the ability to learn. In fact, most of them are quite intelligent. Many of them are cleaver enough to graduate from High School without anyone realizing that they don’t know how to read. How can they do this? More than anything they have excellent memories. Instead of counting on reading to gain their information, they count on remembering what their teachers and others tell them. Yet, in those cases where it is known that they can’t read, they are categorized as being of low intelligence.

So, where does this problem come from? More than anything it comes from the manner that reading is taught today in our schools. Once upon a time, we taught phonics, which gave the student the ability to properly sound out and read words that they didn’t even know.

However, this system isn’t used any more. Now what we do is teach a system that is known as “sight reading.” In this system, the student is taught to recognize the shape of common words. The idea for this system came from the recognition that most fluent readers do this. But, that doesn’t mean that it works for people who aren’t fluent in reading.

Something needs to be done for these students. It doesn’t matter how old they are, someone needs to realize that they don’t know how to read, and give them some good old fashioned phonics. We need to give them the gift of reading.

 

Gopinath Muthukad is a well known Indian magician.
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Now you see the rabbit. Poof! Now it’s gone. With a whiz of a wand, it appears again. Abracadabra! An egg turns into a chick before turning into an egg again. Magic, the world of illusion, can convert even the most serious of adults into a child. Among many Indian magicians, Gopinath Muthukad is one of the most popular magicians in recent history.

Muthukad is a “magician with a motto.” An escapologist, stunt performer, and a magician by profession, Muthukad uses magic not only to spread awareness about the profession, but also to convey messages of national integration. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he believes magic as a performing art can uplift society, even from bankruptcy. To this end, he founded the Magic Academy in 1996 in Thiruvananthapuram, a one of its kind learning institute throughout Asia.

The Magic Academy Research Center (MARC) was established for strengthening magic as a craft and for promoting magicians. The academy offers various courses catering to different age groups and skill levels. The Preliminary Magic Course (PMC) caters to children between 8 and 15 years old. Children interested and excelling in the course can continue with an advanced training in Children’s Higher Study (CHS), where higher aspects of magical performances are taught.

For people 18 years and above, a Seniors’ Basic Course (SBC) provides scientific training in basic performance, and students can then graduate to the Senior Higher Course (SHC) to learn the nuances of the art. Performing magicians can learn the technicalities or hone their skills with the Perfect Performer Course (PPC). The Course of Excellence (CoE) introduces a magician to other features and new tricks of the trade. Recently, these courses have earned the recognition of Kerala University and are now available as part of the Center for Adult Continuing Education Extension (CACEE) of Kerala University.

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Kerala students understand that education opens doors and provides a higher earning potential, more career opportunities, and more chances for advancement. For students who already have a bachelor’s degree and would like to obtain more education, an MBA is an excellent way to further your career.

What is an MBA?

An MBA, or a Master’s of Business Administration, is a master’s degree in business. Typically, this takes one to two years after completion of a bachelor’s degree to earn. MBA programs can include areas such as accounting, economics, business communications, and many more.

Why pursue an MBA?

Many professionals agree that those with MBAs fill the majority of executive-level positions. An MBA shows employers you have specialized training and knowledge in many aspects of business, which can make you more marketable.

Can you get an MBA part-time?

Many Kerala students who want to pursue MBA programs may not have the time or means to take a year or two off work. Most MBA programs allow you to take classes at night or online, so you can better work them around your schedule.

Is an MBA worth the time and money?

Advanced degrees are expensive, and MBA programs tend to cost more per class than classes for bachelor’s degrees. However, most people will agree the time and money spent is well worth it for their careers. Employees with MBAs make more than those with bachelor’s degrees, sometimes up to $20,000 more a year. In addition, an MBA could give you a leg up in the workforce. This is particularly important when the economy is down.

Pursuing an MBA is time consuming and expensive, but the results are well worth it. Kerala students who are considering taking their education to the next level should consider an MBA for better opportunities and pay in the workforce.

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Anyone who wants to get ahead in life knows the value of a good education. If you want to move forward with your learning process and you want to use it to get a great career going when you’re done learning, you need to consider taking advanced courses. Even a bachelors degree is often not enough in this day and age. You need more, and you can get that with higher education. To really get into the best programs, you’ll need to take some standardized tests to see where you place and where your strengths lie.

Don’t just assume that you can walk in and take these tests. You need to get ready for them, because they’re long and complex. If you don’t do well, you could end up seeing your dreams of more education at the school you want to go to dashed. With a GMAT test prep course, though, you can get ready for your test and have a much better chance of doing well on it. These courses can be taken online, so you won’t have to worry about attending a class during times that might not be convenient for you or your family.

All you’ll need to focus on is learning about the GMAT questions and the kinds of things you’ll be asked on the test. That way you’ll know as much as you possibly can about what kind of test you’ll be taking and what you’ll need to know for it. Having a good, broad knowledge base is important, but there are still other things you can do in order to be ready. If there are specific areas that you’re weak in and should focus on, the prep course will help you find those, so you can be ready for your test.

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MIDDLEBURY, VT - OCTOBER 26:  Middlebury Colle...
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Everyone views college as an opportunity to get out there in the world and try all the different things that life has to offer. While the majority of people believe that this applies to college experiences such as sororities, fraternities and drinking games, it can actually apply to the college sports division.

Colleges offer one of the largest range of sporting choices available to students. If a sport has ever been played anywhere in the world it is a safe bet that some college somewhere in America has heard about it and implemented it into their college sports division. If there weren’t so many college sports available to students do you think there would be whole sports betting sites devoted to college only sports?

Many students see the wide range of sports available as a chance to try out all types of events. Depending upon the sporting event, colleges will give students the chance to learn the game right there with the team. This is usually the case when the sporting event is unheard of or not as popular as the other events. Rugby, tennis, squash and cricket are some of the sporting events that allow college students to join the team with little or no experience. Sports that are popular such as football and basketball or ones that require a lot of skill such as ice skating or gymnastics might not allow students to try them out competitively but there are always classes and courses that might allow them to try out these sporting events.

While college might be a time of experimentation and fun for some people, other students are giving it a try by trying their hand at different types of sporting events. The ability to try a new sport is appealing and exciting to many college students and can really help aide in their decision to go to a college or not.

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Everyone will agree that education is very important for children and adults everywhere. The education system that does not properly educate and prepare children for their future is one that is deemed a failure and in need of improvement. Some schools are faltering but not quite failing yet. There is time to rehabilitate education when it is not meeting the needs of the students, the families and the community. Education should be a village effort, with the community and families working together to provide the best education possible for the children. From school experiences to life experiences such as entering debt consolidation services, everyone coming together can make it happen for the children.

The most important part of education is a spirit of cooperation and a common goal among the parents and teachers, and the community as a whole. If the community is behind the schools and teachers and the parents are as well, there can be a solid foundation from which to teach the children. By combining community service, real-life experiences and an enjoyment of learning, the children will thrive and learn. Their futures will be secure if they obtain a well-rounded, worthy education. Education is not just about the school, but also about the world.

The children in schools need not be taught rigid rules and regulations as much as they need to be given life experiences and opportunities to learn and grow. Of course there are going to be basic rules, but less time spent on rules and more time spent doing engaging activities will keep order, so to speak. Children who are not engaged and interested are children who act out as a result and do not learn. Those teachers, parents and community members who engage the children in enticing experiences and lessons given through real experience are the ones who are truly supporting the children’s education.

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School children line up in Cochin Kerala India
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Regardless of where you are in the world, an education is within reach through the use of the Internet. Online degrees have increased in popularity in recent years for many reasons. Some of these include the following ones:

  • Convenience. Online degrees are convenient, allowing students to pursue an education from the comfort of their homes, the library, or wherever they have Internet connections.
  • Flexibility. Students can access online classes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so those who also have jobs or family responsibilities can complete their assignments on their own time.
  • Opportunity. Online degrees are good for adults who want to switch careers or pursue opportunities for advancement. They also allow adults who did not have the opportunity to go to college to return to school.

Students in Kerala who want to earn a degree online should look for the following things when choosing a virtual college:

  • Accreditation. An online school that does not have accreditation could mean that your money and hard work won’t pay off. Make sure the online school offers accredited classes and programs.
  • Reputation. Do a little research to check out the school’s reputation. If other students frequently complain about it, or if it has bad reviews, then you may want to look at other options.
  • Accessibility. Online professors or online tutors should be accessible, meaning chat or phone support is available and professors or tutors return emails and inquiries in a timely fashion.
  • Payment. Look at the school’s payment options and arrangements. If you can’t pay for all the tuition upfront, many schools will allow you to pay in installments or offer other financing options.

The people of Kerala can receive online degrees from the comfort of their own homes and increase their earning power and quality of living through online education.

Many prospective students find themselves putting off earning a college degree because responsibilities at home or work prevent them from attending classes. As technology has progressed and become more accessible, educators find they are able to reach more learners. It is now possible to deliver a high-quality online education to many who would otherwise find it impossible to reach their educational goals.

How It Works

If you have access to a computer and the internet, you have what you need to get started. Universities have setup programs that offer many types of degrees, delivering specially developed lessons via the internet. Students read required texts, do homework, and send in assignments. Instructors are personally involved with each student, answering questions and grading assignments. Proctored tests assess each student’s progress. Materials are well-designed and many involve a multi-media approach to learning. These programs provide an education that is equivalent to or better than those found in more traditional learning settings on campus.

Is an Online Education Right For Me?

Determine whether an online education is a good fit for your learning style.

*Are you naturally curious, with a great love of learning?

*Are you a self-starter, able to discipline yourself to study when no one is making you do so?

*Are you able to set short and long term goals and attain them?

If the answer to all of these questions is yes, you can expect to be a successful online learner.

How to Get Started

Your first task is to determine what you want to do with your degree. Next, choose an area of study that will allow you to reach your goal. Once you know what you would like to earn a degree in, check out the various programs developed by universities offering your desired degree. Websites like www.onlineeducation.com offer prospective students tools that help them find programs to fit their personal needs.

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I (Tom Walters) created this work entirely by ...
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A lot of people’s attention is piqued whenever a sports event is particularly well managed. While organizational skills are a “gift,” they can be perfected with classes. This is precisely what you will work upon whenever you attend school to get a sports management degree. Colleges and universities offer these programs so as to strengthen your organizational skills whenever it comes to staging sporting events. While this degree has numerous names, one thing is the same throughout all of them: the fundamentals that you will need to learn.

What you Need in Order to Succeed

In order to excel in this field you will need to be passionate about sports. It is also important for you to be involved in at least one of two sports. This will help with the practical understanding of the topics that you are learning about.

What You Will Learn

Whenever you take these courses you will become equipped with general management and leadership skills. You will also be taught how to plan and develop the sales and marketing strategies that play an integral role in any sporting event. This includes learning about things such as advertising, promoting events, managing facilities, recruiting, coaching, handling public relations and working within the field of sports administration. Within some of these classes you will also get a legal overview of the sporting event, as well as some basic lessons in health and safety.

What you Will do After Graduation

Once you graduate with this degree you will be ready to handle the marketing, finances and management of athletes, sports centers and fitness clubs. You will also be able to handle the acquisition of sports equipment and the needs of professional athletes. There really are a myriad of jobs available, each equally as interesting and lucrative as the other.

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Aldo Järvsoo (born 1976) is a fashion designer...
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Mark Ecko, the fashion designer behind the designer brand Ecko (Mark Ecko Enterprises), may be a high school dropout himself, but he is a big supporter of education. He often says he is doing his part to educate the future fashion designers of the world. Ecko’s organization, Sweaty Equity Education (SEE), works with under-privileged children who may not otherwise have an opportunity to learn real life skills they can use in the real world. The organization puts these children in a professional business environment to teach them fashion and design skills.

The role of the organization is not really to turn all of these kids into famous fashion designers. Through hands-on learning, however the kids involved in the program are learning professional and coping skills that will get them through life. SEE teaches the children in the program about public speaking, time management skills, how to manage projects and management information. Working with other kids in the program also helps the participants to learn social skills, how to collaborate with others and problem-solving skills. On an educational level, math, reading, critical thinking and research skills are another byproduct of participating in the program.

Ecko says, “The public education system fails too many students whose passions don’t fit into traditional education fields. Giving creative students a hands-on outlet for experimentation with a craft is mostly lacking for middle- and high-school students.”

Even in a recession, where the Ecko brand retail sales have dropped from $1.5 billion and the company is struggling with $170 million of debt, Mark Ecko is still in hot pursuit of integrating his program into schools around the country. While the program goes into schools to work with the kids, the program also brings the kids to “the lab” where they are taught the fashion design business with hidden skill sets built in to the program.