Student

Finding College Textbooks at a Nice Price

July 9, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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It’s no secret higher education runs a pretty penny. The cost of college has increased greatly over the years. Not only do students have to pay for housing and tuition, but they have to get textbooks. Textbooks are also a pretty penny. Back in 2008, college students spent anywhere from $700 to over $1,000 to buy the books they were required to have for the academic year. Finding a bargain on textbooks eases the burden of financial obligation. Let’s look buying textbooks at a nice price.

Go used. Buying used textbooks is not a new thing. At the end of the semester, students who will not need their textbooks any longer will be happy to have someone else take them off their hands. Sure, they often have the option of selling them back to the campus bookstore. But there are those students who opt to sell them directly to the buyer. By checking out who’s selling their used sociology or calculus textbook, you can get what you need at a fraction of the price.

Go digital. Do you prefer to download your reading material? Check out getting your next textbook in an eBook format. Many textbooks are offered at a savings to you. Amazon.com and sites like CourseSmart have a variety of textbooks available to buy and download. Find the book you need and download it to your eReader or other device. An enticing advantage of a mobile device like an eReader is not throwing out your shoulder carrying all those heavy books.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: CourseSmart, Student, Textbook

Benefits of Group Study

June 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Teachers often assign group projects or instruct students to work together with their peers in order to better understand the material being taught. For some students, this is not an enjoyable activity, and might feel that they can study better on their own. However, working together in a group can be a great way to see things differently, through the eyes of another. As long as each student is contributing within the group and is willing and eager to learn, it can be very beneficial to all members.

Being part of a study group is also useful in case one member is ill or unable to attend school on a specific day. The other group members can help that person understand what was missed, so that he or she won’t fall behind in study. Brainstorming together is a good place to start when working on a project or difficult assignment, so that each person in the group can share ideas and show what strengths they possess. When preparing for a test, groups can quiz one another to make sure every idea that will be covered on the exam is well understood by all. When one person is trying to organize a group to work together on homework or projects, it’s smart to make sure all potential study partners are on the same page as far as how often the group will meet, what will take place during meetings, and how work will be assigned.

Allowing others to lead the discussions may open the eyes of others’ to new ideas and better understanding. Working together can definitely help students to be more successful in difficult classes.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Education, Student, Study group

Preparing for College

June 5, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Attending college is a wonderful and very exciting time in the life of a student. It can be a little frightening, especially for those who will be moving far from home, possibly for the first time, and living in a dorm or apartment without family members. However, with plenty of preparation and the right checklist, the transition to college life can be fun and simple.

When choosing a college, students have a few things to consider. Location is a big part for many, since moving across states can be unnerving. Paying out of state tuition can be frustrating as well. It is also important to consider other factors, such as what majors are offered, how many students will be in each class, and what types of activities and lifestyle choices are promoted. Religious students might feel more comfortable at a private school where their beliefs and values are shared, while those looking for a more liberal experience will probably want to choose differently. Someone who has worked very hard and studied diligently may be more inclined to select a more academically prestigious university.

Once a college has been selected, students can meet with academic advisors or deans to begin their university experience. Some offer guided tours, while others can provide a detailed welcome packet with information about activities, the campus, and more. When packing, it’s good to consult a list of college necessities to make sure nothing is left out. Parents and children can work together to shop and hunt for these items, and enjoy spending a little extra time together before the child heads off to next phase in life as a college co-ed.

Filed Under: Education, Requirements Tagged With: Colleges and Universities, Education, Student

Accessing Your School’s Computer Lab from Home

May 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

They want convenience and portability. Young people today demand this from their electronic gadgets and they want it in education as well. They want instant access to information to complete assignments, at any hour of the day or night. To meet the needs of today’s students, schools must expand campuses into cyberspace. One way education is meeting this demand is by allowing access to the school’s computer lab from home or any other remote location.

The days of going into the computer lab at school to complete an assignment are over. Laptops and electronic tablets have changed how people do their computer work, so the top schools are setting up programs for students to be connected to the tools used in the lab anytime they are online. They can connect to the school site from home, an Internet cafe or even a park that has wi-fi service.

Dell’s virtual labs is one of the systems serving college campuses to provide students with remote access to the main lab. It allows the student who is working online to have all the resources from the lab as they work on a project in their dorm room or even back home on break. The virtual lab can also make sure that class work continues if the campus would have to be shutdown for bad weather or any other reason.

It is critical to the future of education that young people be given the tools that they need to succeed in the digital age. A big step in this direction is improving their access to the tools and data that they need to complete their assignments.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: Computer lab, Dell, Student

What is Collaborative Learning?

May 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

In a traditional classroom, each student sits alone at their own desk and an instructor lectures and teaches from the front of the room. While in certain circumstances this can be an effective teaching style that children can benefit from, there are far more teaching and learning styles that you can implement in the classroom if you want to turn it into a more effective learning environment. Collaborative learning, for example, teaches more than just the course material, allowing students to learn how to work together effectively while reinforcing classroom material for a power-packed approach to learning in the classroom.

What collaborative learning essentially comes down to is group learning and learning where the students work together in pairs, small groups or large groups, striving to teach not only the material in the lesson, but also concepts of team work, group work, working together, and even themes of tolerance. There are many benefits associated with collaborative learning, so much so that this is becoming one of the most popular forms of teaching in many classrooms. It often leaves students up to their own devices, allowing groups of students to come up with the best course of action for solving a problem or addressing the material, and so you can come up with some pretty interesting interpretations of the classroom material in the process.

If you are teaching in a classroom where learning styles are very different, grouping students together for projects for a collaborative learning approach is often going to prove to be the best course of action.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Education, Student, Teacher

How to Visit A College Campus – Part I

March 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

You have finished your AP exams, sent off your college applications, asked your teachers for recommendations, and now you are started to receive letters back from colleges that will determine your fate for the next four years. One of the best ways to choose between colleges is to take a college campus visit. Here are some tips for a successful college campus visit.

First, make a list of all the colleges you’d like to visit. If you have applied only to colleges nearby, you should still plan on taking a formal campus visit to get to know the students, teachers, classroom sizes, and the atmosphere of the campus. If your top colleges are across the country, discuss with your parents about which colleges you can visit. Call or email the campus admissions office to set up a campus visit. Ask for a tour, a night in the dorm, a cafeteria pass, and a classroom visit or two. Also ask if you can schedule a time to meet with a professor or dean of the school that you are most interested in.

Second, prepare for your campus visit by creating a list of questions for each of the people you’ll meet. If you are staying with a student in the dorms, ask them what dorm life is like. What do they like about it, and what don’t they like about it? What’s it like living with a roommate? What is the cafeteria food like? What are classes like? How do they usually study, and where do they study? What fun things are there to do on campus, or in town? A student in the dorms is a valuable source of information.

Filed Under: Administration, Education Tagged With: Campus, Education, Student

High Achieving Schools Believe All Students Can Succeed

March 22, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

There are certain criteria that separate a high achieving school from those that aren’t. These schools offer an inviting environment for student engagement. Expectations are high for students and teachers alike, and respect is mutual. The work ethic is strong and the morale is high. The goals and focus of the school is agreed upon by the principal, teachers, and staff. With the main focus being on the instructional programs used and the achievement of the students. There is an emphasis on and special instruction provided for English and math skills. State standards are used to design the curriculum and assess the progress of the students and teachers.
Teachers in a high achieving school are committed to their students and believe they all can achieve. They appreciate each child for who he is and they exhibit an infectious love of learning. Students in high-achieving high schools graduate on time and have plans for secondary education.
Since it is assumed that every child will succeed, students must master all their work before they are promoted to the next level. If a student has difficulties the teacher will diagnosis the problem and help the child overcome them. This dedication forms the basis for relationships that last and continue from one year to the next, giving the student a community of caring adults who believe in their ability to succeed. If your child’s school doesn’t meet these criteria there are steps you can take to bring about change. You and your child have the right to expect academic excellence from the school he attends. Voice your concerns at parent-teachers conferences and school board meetings. Check your state’s education website to see how your school rates on the “School Report Card”. Partner with other concerned parents to effect positive change in school policy and academic excellence.
Graduates from high performing schools, are often better prepared to secure good employment or pursue higher education, because of their advanced skills in English and math. Many of the schools expect their students to continue on to college and actively seek out scholarship opportunities.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: Education, High school, Student

A Globalized Curriculum: The International Baccalaureate Program

March 20, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Based in Switzerland and the UK, the International Baccalaureate is an educational curriculum for children ages 3-19 that provides rigorous learning programs with an international focus. The curriculum is divided into three parts: the Primary Program for children ages 3-12, the Middle Years Program for children ages 11-16, and the Diploma Program for students ages 17-19. The IB programs encourage students to consider multiple perspectives, use critical thinking skills, and approach learning from global perspectives. The International Baccalaureate programs are taught in several countries around the world, giving higher learning for primary and secondary students a more international focus that is important in this era of globalization.

Schools can incorporate all three programs, or just one or two. A high school that wants to provide its students with the opportunity for advanced studies in certain subject areas can incorporate the Diploma Program for its junior and senior high school students. Teachers can use the IB curriculum and testing measures, as well as attend IB teacher trainings. The IB Diploma program has the advantage of being widely recognized as a rigorous learning program by universities around the world, and coursework can also be transferred to another school with the IB Diploma program. IB Diploma candidates are required to take foreign language classes, to undergo intense research projects, and to take a cumulative test at the end of their studies.

Students pay a fee to take the IB tests, and schools pay fees to be recognized as an IB World School and to use the IB curriculum. But the payoff is well worth it. IB programs have reached nearly a million students worldwide, and the program seems to only increase in popularity.

Filed Under: Administration, Education Tagged With: IB Diploma Programme, International Baccalaureate, Student

How to Visit A College Campus – Part II

March 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

When narrowing down the list of possible college campuses, here are some more tips on how to conduct a successful campus visit.

Make sure you visit the cafeteria and try the food. You’ll be eating it for at least a year, most likely. Ask if there are dietary options, if you need options. Also ask about meal plans – some colleges require you to eat all meals on campus for your first year, but are more flexible afterwards or if you move off campus.

It’s also important that you visit a class or two in the subject that interests you. Afterwards, ask the professor some questions. Questions that are fair game include what other classes he or she teaches, how long she has been teaching, what other books the class is reading, and what books the teacher recommends that you read in order to prepare for the class. You could also ask for a copy of the syllabus to see what the course workload looks like.

Another good insider tip is to pick up a copy of the undergraduate student newspaper. Almost every campus has their own newspaper, published by journalism students. The paper includes valuable insights into college campus news, opinions, sports, and sometimes current events. This can be a great way to get to know what kind of students is attracted to the campus, and what kind of events and news interests the students.

Lastly, don’t forget to ask questions about finances. Tuition costs and financial aid are often the deciding factor for students and their families. You may want to bring your parents along to help you through the process of understanding the costs that will apply towards your undergraduate education.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Campus, Student, Undergraduate education

Social and Emotional Learning Programs Can Lead To Academic Achievement

February 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

According to a report published in the journal Child Development, students improve their grades and score higher on standardized tests, when they participate in social and emotional learning programs. The difference between students who participate and those who don’t is significant, and is equal to a student who previously ranked academically in the middle or his class, progressing to the top 40%.
The improvement was noted in other areas as well. Students showed positive behaviors such as helping other students and cooperating in the classroom. They also demonstrated better attitudes, had less emotional stress, fewer problems with conduct, and were socially more adept than their peers.
Social and emotional learning can be accomplished in many ways, from after school programs, school activities, and incorporating it into the standard curriculum. The training is meant to provide a foundation to traditional academic learning, giving students training in self-awareness, time management, decision making, and getting along with their peers.
Studies done on social and emotional learning programs have shown that the most effective methods follow, what they called, the SAFE model. This is broken down as Sequenced, or step-by-step instruction; Active learning using such things as role playing; providing enough time to Focus on the lessons provided; and being Explicit in defining what the learning goals are. An effective program will implement all four of the learning methods.
When students are more self-aware, calm, and cooperative, they are better suited to achieve the academic goals set before them. It also makes for more efficient teaching when behavior problems in the classroom are minimized or eliminated altogether and the students time on task is increased.
Focusing on social and emotional learning, can prevent some of the small problems, like disrespect for fellow students and authority figures, that can lead to bigger ones, such as bullying. Students who are emotionally secure will feel better about themselves and will be more conducive to achieving academic goals.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: Child Development, Emotion, Student