unibujacdlce-center: October 2012

Saturday 27 October 2012

LEARN NEW THINGS ! TAKE FREE ONLINE COURSES

LEARN NEW THINGS ! TAKE FREE ONLINE COURSES

Are you interested in taking an online class for free? Viewing videos, podcasts, or tutorials from top universities? Or, just browsing through no-cost learning material to see what catches your interest?

Take a look at these top-notch collections of opencourseware, including everything from subject-matter syllabi to complete classes. Then, use your new knowledge to improve your life, become more competitive in the workplace, or even earn college credit.

1. OpenCourseWare Consortium

The consortium is a gateway to hundreds of online courses from universities throughout the world. It doesn't host the courses on it's website, but it provides a powerful search engine for learners to find the courses they are looking interested in.

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2. EdX

This collaborative effort between MIT and Harvard launched in Fall 2012. They offer full, interactive online classes to anyone. In addition to learning materials, you can discuss subjects with other students in the course boards, receive immediate feedback from quizzes, and participate in virtual laboratories. Additionally, you can earn EdX credentials by taking courses and proving your knowledge. See Also: How EdX Will Revolutionize Online Learning

3. Open Yale

This website offers quite a few top-notch introductory Yale courses. Courses include syllabi, video lectures, reading guides, and more. Look for courses on subjects like Philosophy and the Science of Human Behavior, Modern Poetry, and Financial Markets.

4. John Hopkins OpenCourseWare

Browse through the dozens of open courses offered by John Hopkins and you're sure to find something that sparks your interest (or at least makes you want to eat healthier foods). Many courses include video taped lectures or MP3 recordings of live courses. Courses deal with health-related topics including Refugee Healthcare, Child Health and Development, Critical Analysis of Popular Diets and Dietary Supplements, and more.

5. UMass Boston OpenCourseWare

The University of Massachusetts Boston offers content from quite a few of their courses. Most courses offer a syllabus, a schedule, and some form of reading notes. Keep in mind that UMass Boston courses usually don't offer videotaped lectures or most of the content delivered in their face-to-face courses.

6. University of Notre Dame OpenCourseWare

This university offers many courses in a broad spectrum of disciplines. The content of the courses varies; some include little more than a syllabus and a schedule while others include reading notes and video lectures. Check out courses like Morality and Modernity, Environmental Philosophy, The Rise and Fall of Communism, and Computational Methods.

7. Utah State University OpenCourseWare

Through this public university's website, learners can have access to online courses in dozens of disciplines. Some courses include more content than others, and are even organized according to week. Take a look at courses like Research for the Classroom Teacher, Introduction to Open Education, Connecting People with Online Resources, and more.

8. Tufts University OpenCourseWare

Through Tuft's courses, you can explore a variety of science and technology oriented materials. Many courses have lecture recording, slides, or notes. One of the most helpful features is the "Popular Content" lists included in each lesson, which direct students to the best lectures, notes, etc. Learn from courses like Producing Films for Social Change, Microbiology, Physics for Humanists, Law and Veterinary Medicine, and more.

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9. Stanford on iTunes

If you're a visual or audio-oriented learner, you'll love Stanford on iTunes. Download full courses with the click of a button and save them to your computer to view whenever you please.

10. Harvard at Home

Harvard's "at Home" website is a bit different from traditional OpenCourseWare. Instead of full courses, it focuses on providing high-interest seminars, pubic addresses, and similar content. Some of the best resources include: Understanding the Crisis in the Markets - a Panel of Harvard Experts; Men, Women, and Food: Putting Gender on the Table; Reason for Hope in a Complex World, and Justice: A Journey in Moral Reasoning.

11. Learning Space from Open University

Learning Space, an opencourseware collection from Open University in the UK, offers more than 600 free online courses. Learn with the same material Open University students use, including text explanations and activities. You can track your progress, join a learning group, or even contribute in a learning lab. Choose from courses like Introducing the Philosophy of Religion, Living Without Oil, Psychology in the 21st Century, and more.

Jamie Littlefield
Distance Learning Guide

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Friday 19 October 2012

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE .

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Sunday 14 October 2012

REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE READ QUICKLY

Reading is important. But, the next step is making sure that you remember what you've read! Memory is sometimes a tricky thing. You may have just read the text, and the concepts and ideas of the poem or novel may not "catch" on... The images may just fly right out of your head. Here are a few tricks for remembering what you read.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

What's your motivation?
Do you want to read the poem or book, or are you only reading it because it's assigned. Even if your reading is required, you may discover something about the author or text that will interest you. What do you know about the text? If you have a choice between texts to read, perhaps another work of literature will offer more of an enticement, and will be of more interest to you.
Are you sleeping?
If you aren't getting enough sleep, you probably won't be able to concentrate on what you're reading. In fact, you'll probably fall asleep while you read. If you want to remember what you read, make sure that you've had enough sleep before you start. Or, if you're like most students (and you're burning the midnight oil), read when you are most alert. And, consider the possibility of drinking a cup of coffee or tea while you read. Coffee and reading seem to go together anyway...
Are you confused?
If the plot, characters, or word usage is confusing for you, you likely won't be able to remember what you read. It's a bit like reading a foreign language. If you don't understand what you're reading, why would you remember it? The ideas, concepts, plot, characters--everything just slips away. But, there area a few things you can do... Use a dictionary; look up the difficult words.
Are you connected?
Does a character remind you of a friend? Does the setting make you want to visit the place? Does the book inspire you, and make you want to read more? With some books, you may feel a connection right away. But, other works require a bit more work on your part. You probably won't feel connected to the book after the first page of a 200+ page novel, but you may make connections after 25 or 50 pages. How willing are you to make the connections happen? Are you paying attention to the symbols?
Do you see it?
Can you visualize the rainy day and the funeral? Or the band of intrepid comrades who set off to save all that they hold dear? Can you see the tragedy, the comedy, or the romance? Can you see the shock of red hair on a precocious orphan? Use your imagination! See if you can imagine what's going on. Immerse yourself in the story. You may really be there.
Read it; hear it; be it!
Read the lines. Then, speak them out loud. And, put some character into the words. When he was writing his novels, Charles Dickens would act out the parts of the characters. He'd make faces in the mirror, and change his voice for each character. But, you can do the same thing when you are reading the text! Let the lines seep into your imagination. Think about what the character is going through in the poem or story.
What is distracting you?
Are you worried about school, money, your parents, or your significant other? Sometimes distractions can make it difficult to pay attention to what you're reading. If you're hungry, eat something before you read. Make an effort to put all distractions out of your mind.
Are you paying attention?
Whether you are reading the text for a class or for your own personal enjoyment, jot down all those great quotes and ideas for future reference. You can write up these reading notes in your reading log or book journal. Be sure to reference the page number(s) for each reference, so you can find it later.
How often do you read?
If you read frequently, you'll likely have an easier time with remembering what you're reading (and what you've read). Memory really is all about: Practice makes perfect. As you make reading a regular part of your life, you'll make more connections. You'll stay more focused. You'll be more motivated, and you'll be understand the text better. You need to train your memory, put aside your fear, and learn to enjoy literature--as you remember what you read!
Are you marking it?
Post-It note flags are great resources when it comes to reading and remembering what you read in books and literature! They come in all shapes and sizes--with dispensers, in cases, in pens and highlighters, and with special messages. Mark passages by a particular character, color-code themes in a book, or draw attention to elements of the work you didn't understand.
Culled from: www.about.com

Sunday 7 October 2012

How to Convince Your Employer to Pay for Your Education

Why Your Employer Wants to Pay for Your Education

Employers have a vested interest in making sure employees have the knowledge and skills that will help them succeed at work. By earning a degree in a field related to your job, you can become a better employee. Additionally, employees are more likely to stick with a company when they are relying on their employer to fund their education. Employers often see less turn-around and more employee loyalty when they provide tuition reimbursement for education.
Many employers know that education is the key to on-the-job success. Thousands of companies offer tuition assistance programs. Even if your employer does not have a tuition program in place, you may be able to convince him or her to pay for your schooling if you can present a compelling case.

Full-Time Jobs Offering Tuition Reimbursement

Many larger companies offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees that take courses related to their work. Often, these companies have strict policies and require that employees stay with the company for at least a year - they don’t want to pay for your education if you’re going to use it to find another job. Companies may pay for an entire degree or, more often, will pay only for classes related to your job.

Part-Time Jobs Offering Tuition Reimbursement

Some part-time jobs also offer limited tuition assistance. Generally, these employers offer a smaller amount to help offset the cost of education. For example, Starbucks offers up to $1000 a year in tuition assistance for qualified employees. The convenience store chain Quiktrip offers qualified employees up to $2000 a year in tuition assistance. Often, these companies offer the financial help as a perk of employment and have less-strict policies about the type of courses you can take. However, many employers require workers to be with the company for a minimum amount of time before becoming eligible for tuition reimbursement benefits.

Business-College Partnerships

A few large companies have partnered with colleges to provide education and training for their workers. Sometimes this means that trainers come directly to the workplace. It may also mean that employees are permitted to independently enroll in courses from a specific university. Ask your company for details.

How to Discuss Tuition Reimbursement with Your Boss

If your company already has a tuition reimbursement program or business-college partnership in place, visit the human resources department to learn more. If your company does not have a tuition reimbursement program, you will need to convince your employer to design a personal program.
First, decide what classes you would like to take or what degree you would like to obtain. Second, create a list of ways your education will benefit the company. For example:

Your new skills will make you more productive at work.
You will be able to take on additional assignments.
You will be able to be a leader in the workplace.
Your degree will improve the company’s professional image when you work with clients.

Third, anticipate your employer’s possible concerns. Make a list of problems your employer may raise, and think of solutions to each. For example:
Problem: Your studies will take time away from work.
Solution: Online classes can be completed in your free time and will give you skills to help you do better work.
Problem: Paying your tuition will be expensive for the company.
Solution: Actually, paying your tuition may cost less than hiring a new employee with the degree you are working on and training the new recruit. Your degree will make the company money. In the long run, your employer will save by funding your education.
Finally, set an appointment to discuss tuition reimbursement with your employer. Practice your “why-you-should-pay spiel” beforehand and come to the meeting with your lists in hand. If you are turned down, keep in mind that you can always make another request in a few months.

Signing a Tuition Reimbursement Contract with Your Employer

When your employer agrees to pay your tuition, he will probably want you to sign a contract. Be sure to read over this document carefully and discuss any parts that raise a red flag. Don’t sign a contract that forces you to meet unrealistic terms or stay with the company for an unreasonable amount f time.
Here are a few questions to consider when reading over the contract:
How will your tuition be refunded? Some companies pay the tuition directly. Some deduct it from your paycheck and reimburse you up to a year later.
What academic standards must be met? Find out of there is a required GPA and what happens if you fail to make the grade.
How long must I remain with the company? Find out what happens if you decide to leave before the term is up. Don’t let yourself get locked into staying with any company for too many years.
What happens I stop attending class? If health problems, family issues, or other circumstances prevent you from finishing a degree, will you be required to pay for the classes you’ve already taken?
The best way to pay for an education is to have someone else foot the bill. Convincing your boss to pay your tuition can take some work. But, it’s definitely worth it.

Culled from;www.about.com

FIND YOUR TEXT BOOKS FOR CHEAP OR FREE

Textbooks can cost a small fortune. It seems that every year the required texts get heavier and the prices get higher. According to a study from the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, students can easily pay between $700 and $1000 for books during a single year. An undergraduate student may end up paying up to $4,000 on books before he or she receives a degree. Unfortunately, distance learners don’t always escape this fate. While some online schools offer a virtual curriculum, free of charge, the majority of online colleges still require their students to purchase traditional textbooks with hefty price tags. Books for one or two classes could total in the hundreds. However, showing a little shopping savvy could save you a significant amount of cash.

Better than Cheap

The only thing that’s better than cheap is free. Before you even check the bookstore, take a look to see if you can find the material elsewhere. There are dozens of virtual libraries that offer reference material and literature with no cost to the reader. While newer texts are unlikely to be online, hundreds of older pieces with expired copyrights are all over the internet. The Internet Public Library, for example, offers links to hundreds of full-text books, magazines, and newspapers. Bartleby, a similar site, offers thousands of ebooks and reference materials free of charge. Readers can even download the books for free and view them on their desktop or handheld device. Project Gutenberg provides 16,000 e-books free for download, including classics such as Pride and Prejudice and The Odyssey. Google Scholar is offering an ever-increasing database of free academic articles and eBooks. If your curriculum consists of an over-priced packet of photocopied articles, check to see if the material is available here before forking over the cash.

Another alternative is trying to find a student in your area who purchased the book during a previous semester. If your online school has message boards or other means of communicating with your peers, you may ask students who have taken the course before if they would be willing to sell the book at a discounted price. If you are near a physical college campus that offers courses similar to your online classes, scouring the campus for flyers advertising student-sold books may be your ticket to saving a few dollars. Before you begin a random search, find out what buildings house the departments that are likely to require your books. Students often post advertisements on the walls of their old classrooms.

Some students are able to find their required materials in the library. While your regular public library is unlikely to carry most traditional textbooks, a local college may have the books available for limited use. Since you are not a student there, the librarians probably won’t let you take the books with you. But, if the books are shelved, you may be able to use them for a couple hours each day in order to get your studying done.

Shop Around

If you aren’t able to get your books for free, make sure you get a good price. You should be able to find almost any text for less than its suggested retail price. If you are willing to wait around for an auction to end, eBay may be a good choice. eBay’s sister site, Half.com, offers used books without waiting for an auction’s end date. Better than searching the dusty stacks at your local used bookshop, Alibris connects to hundreds of independent booksellers around the world, finding you some of the best prices on used and new textbooks. Want to save on shipping? Run an Alibris search to see if there’s a local bookstore that will allow you to pick up the book you’re looking for. If you decide to go for a crisp, new book, check out Amazon. They often offer pleasant markdowns on a variety of texts.

If you want to save money, don’t wait until the last minute to buy your books. When ordering from an online source, it may take time for you to find the best deal and for your order to be processed and shipped. If you’re disciplined enough to look ahead a month or two, you may be able to save a lot by bidding during an off-time, when hordes of students aren’t looking for the same book. Finding your books for cheap or free will take time and energy. But, to hundreds of students, getting a good deal is worth the extra effort.

Suggested Bookseller Links:
www.alibris.com
www.ebay.com
www.half.com
www.textbookx.com
www.allbookstores.com
www.gutenberg.org
scholar.google.com
www.ipl.org
www.bartleby.com
www.amazon.com

Free Online Resources

HOW TO BALANCE BETWEEN YOUR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMM AND YOUR JOB

Taking a distance learning degree/part time study with a part or full-time job can be a balancing act. Many students struggle to meet their work deadlines while still turning in school assignments on time. If you've found a way to make online/offline classes,study and employment work together, share what you've learned. How do you balance online classes with your job?

There Must Be a Balance

I think the most important thing to realize, when juggling a full-time position and full-time work with school and on-line/offline courses, that you cannot do it all! I have learned through experience with this one, some semesters I have had to drop a course or take a lighter load due to work… and I’ve had to come to peace with the fact that, it’s ok. I quickly learned that by pulling a 9hr day at work and then sitting in class for 3-4 hours two nights a week, really wasn’t beneficial to either my job or my schooling, or myself. As long as you're moving forwarding yet still being successful at both, it really doesn’t matter the pace or time-line that you finish school in… especially if you’re lucky enough to have a job your enjoy!

Set Aside Time to Study

It's all about programming your daily activities. Study at least 30 minutes for your classes and give yourself time to do school work.

Job First, Classes Second

Honestly, I always give my career the highest priority. I'll still have a job if I get a C in an online/offline class. But, I won't be able to stay enrolled in my online/offline college if I lose my job. I'd rather have mediocre grades and keep my employer happy about my performance.

Talk About the Benefits

Before starting a distance learning degree/part time program, I had a long talk with my boss and explained all the ways my new degree will help the company. Now, he's one of my biggest supporters. Sometimes he grumbles when I can't stay late all the time, but he knows the degree will benefit his company in the end.