Post for March 9, 2010
Recent news reporting in Illinois shows that Governor Pat Quinn is planning to make cuts in education spending to cover some of the budget imbalance for the state. This response is an echo of other cuts in investment in learning and education on the part of individuals, corporations, and state and federal government--in the USA and beyond.
At the same time, politicians talk about the future in glowing terms--"Green energy jobs," much faster telecommunications capabilities, etc.
We need to remember that each of us needs to be a lifelong learner and to find ways to invest in our education--even if it is with time more than money at any particular moment. Public libraries (also suffering from cuts in funding) offer great resources for learning.
Basic skills of reading and understanding are important to be able to use the resources available to us for learning. We need to keep an energy level up for exploring and learning more about our world and how we can make positive contributions to our world and our universe.
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Finding Quality Professional Connections around the world--LinkedIn Social Networking
I need to find quality professional connections around the world. Looking to social networking for a solution, LinkedIn.com seems to be a very good solution. There are millions of people connected via the site. Many of the discussion groups put me in touch with professionals in the areas I am looking for. Alumni networks put me in touch with professionals who share a corporate history with me from the global workplace.
LinkedIn offered me the opportunity to start my own discussion groups. I created three to gather together people interested in three different projects I am currently working on. I've just dissolved one of these groups due to apparent lack of interest (at the moment) and have sent an announcment to members of the Audio eBooks for Learning to see if people want that group to continue. My newest group is DrM-Language-Network so that people who choose to work with me on my latest project, making affordable online language learning programs available to learners throughout the world, can join with me to share ideas and to celebrate sucesses.
I've joined several pre-existing LinkedIn discussion groups so that I can invite people to work with me or to refer me to others who may want to be involved in my current project(s). Some of these people have also joined my "primary" LinkedIn network.
Many of the people who are already in my primary LinkedIn network are the type of professionals I enjoy working with. LinkedIn is one place to find quality professional connections. Presently this seems to be the most direct and effective means, though I am open to learning about more.
LinkedIn offered me the opportunity to start my own discussion groups. I created three to gather together people interested in three different projects I am currently working on. I've just dissolved one of these groups due to apparent lack of interest (at the moment) and have sent an announcment to members of the Audio eBooks for Learning to see if people want that group to continue. My newest group is DrM-Language-Network so that people who choose to work with me on my latest project, making affordable online language learning programs available to learners throughout the world, can join with me to share ideas and to celebrate sucesses.
I've joined several pre-existing LinkedIn discussion groups so that I can invite people to work with me or to refer me to others who may want to be involved in my current project(s). Some of these people have also joined my "primary" LinkedIn network.
Many of the people who are already in my primary LinkedIn network are the type of professionals I enjoy working with. LinkedIn is one place to find quality professional connections. Presently this seems to be the most direct and effective means, though I am open to learning about more.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Real Estate Investing Opportunities and Education
My mother, who will be 95 in December, 2009, had a 14-year career in Real Estate when she retired from a 33+ year career in education. She enjoyed Real Estate and earned more in that career than in her education career.
In the careers I have chosen so far, I have not included Real Estate. At this point in my life and in the economy, Real Estate is looking better and better as a choice for building income, especially at this stage in my life.
Last week I became acquainted with some of the programs offered by the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College. I also became acquainted with the Chicagoland community of like-minded investors with offices in Downer's Grove (use "dog" as a password).
I attended a "Super Saturday" Meeting today in Oakbrook and learned more about business opportunities in marketing the education offerings of the Real Estate Investment College.
There are, in this program, three sets of business opportunities: 1) Real Estate Investing Education supported by immediate "earn while you learn" components to build net worth and to get out of debt. 2) Ongoing mentorship, team, and community support for new (and experienced) Real Estate investors. 3) Marketing opportunities to promote the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investing courses--with attendant mentoring, team, and community support for new (and experienced) marketers of the education program.
Some people may only want the Real Estate Investing education and to work on their own (Opportunity one). Others may want support and guidance as they build expertise in Real Estate investing (Option One and Option Two). Another group may want to earn extra income to support their own Real Estate Investing education by marketing the education courses (Option Three). (Some people may want all three options.)
I certainly like what I see so far about the program, though I have only had limited exposure to the programs and the community of "like-minded" investors. My "due dilligence" requires me to check out other Real Estate investing opportunities for education and support to see if the value offered by the Nouveau Riche opportunities are the best value for me. I would like to find a way (grants, alternative funding) to support my education without incurring more debt. I also need to be sure that this is a community I would like to be a part of.
One aspect of my concern at present is the delivery method of the education courses. Tuitions require attendance at the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College in Scottsdale, AZ. They have video-tapes from completed classes available for review. Last summer I completed fifteen graduate education hours online with the University of Phoenix. Laura Palmer Noone, former President of the University of Phoenix, is now the CEO of Piccolo International University in Scottsdale, AZ. Piccolo International University was created by the same three founders as the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College. Presently Piccolo International University offers practically-oriented online degrees at the bachelors and masters level. The Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College is considered a vocational school even though they number the courses in the 100, 200, and 300 levels similar to what would be offered at the university level. Some discussion regarding the accreditation process for Nouveau Riche indicates that the courses may be approved at the associates level (similar to a community college). While that doesn't mean much to successful Real Estate investors graduating from their programs, it may be more important to people determining the value of education.
Because of Laura's work with the University of Phoenix and now her work with Piccolo International University, I am hopeful that she will bring her online education expertise to help Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College to move to more online courses.
In the careers I have chosen so far, I have not included Real Estate. At this point in my life and in the economy, Real Estate is looking better and better as a choice for building income, especially at this stage in my life.
Last week I became acquainted with some of the programs offered by the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College. I also became acquainted with the Chicagoland community of like-minded investors with offices in Downer's Grove (use "dog" as a password).
I attended a "Super Saturday" Meeting today in Oakbrook and learned more about business opportunities in marketing the education offerings of the Real Estate Investment College.
There are, in this program, three sets of business opportunities: 1) Real Estate Investing Education supported by immediate "earn while you learn" components to build net worth and to get out of debt. 2) Ongoing mentorship, team, and community support for new (and experienced) Real Estate investors. 3) Marketing opportunities to promote the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investing courses--with attendant mentoring, team, and community support for new (and experienced) marketers of the education program.
Some people may only want the Real Estate Investing education and to work on their own (Opportunity one). Others may want support and guidance as they build expertise in Real Estate investing (Option One and Option Two). Another group may want to earn extra income to support their own Real Estate Investing education by marketing the education courses (Option Three). (Some people may want all three options.)
I certainly like what I see so far about the program, though I have only had limited exposure to the programs and the community of "like-minded" investors. My "due dilligence" requires me to check out other Real Estate investing opportunities for education and support to see if the value offered by the Nouveau Riche opportunities are the best value for me. I would like to find a way (grants, alternative funding) to support my education without incurring more debt. I also need to be sure that this is a community I would like to be a part of.
One aspect of my concern at present is the delivery method of the education courses. Tuitions require attendance at the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College in Scottsdale, AZ. They have video-tapes from completed classes available for review. Last summer I completed fifteen graduate education hours online with the University of Phoenix. Laura Palmer Noone, former President of the University of Phoenix, is now the CEO of Piccolo International University in Scottsdale, AZ. Piccolo International University was created by the same three founders as the Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College. Presently Piccolo International University offers practically-oriented online degrees at the bachelors and masters level. The Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College is considered a vocational school even though they number the courses in the 100, 200, and 300 levels similar to what would be offered at the university level. Some discussion regarding the accreditation process for Nouveau Riche indicates that the courses may be approved at the associates level (similar to a community college). While that doesn't mean much to successful Real Estate investors graduating from their programs, it may be more important to people determining the value of education.
Because of Laura's work with the University of Phoenix and now her work with Piccolo International University, I am hopeful that she will bring her online education expertise to help Nouveau Riche Real Estate Investment College to move to more online courses.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
iPods and MP3 players for Education
This post came as part of a LinkedIn dialog in the "Faculty Room" group. Go to the link to view the group and all of the dialogs.
"iPods as Reading Tools" by Linda Bomar, L. (2006, May-June). iPods as reading tools. Principal, NAESP.org, pp. 52-53
Don't Turn 'Em Off, Tune 'Em In! (2007, September). NEA Today, 26(1), 17. Retrieved July 28, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1360186081).
I work with technology with both adults and school children. A literacy coach worked with the school district I was in last year and actually got the students to use text messages to improve their writing skills--and to get them totally hooked into his class.
Students love to explore the technology and, at various ages, many love to find porn or anything off-task--true in school and at work. Let's look at a "begin with the end in mind" perspective. If students don't learn to use technology appropriately in school, what do you think they'll do on the job after they finish school?
In the schools I worked in most recently, we did not have enough computers for all students. I had a variety of tasks for students to do on computers (see http://drm-ms-resources.wikispaces.com/). The school had firewalls and monitoring programs so that, for the most part, students had access to what they needed to work on.
While iPods and MP3 players were not used in school, I had students who read at a 3rd grade level able to quote the lyrics of some favorite songs. At the end of the year I was working with eAudiobooks--downloadable books that they could have on their iPods or MP3 players next to their music. The next task is to get them to listen to the books.
Technology is a part of our lives--whether or not we actually own the technology. MP3 players are becoming more and more widespread at lower and lower cost. When we can use the technology as a learning tool, it becomes much more powerful--and even becomes perceived by students as more relevant to their lives.
We do need to educate students and parents about how to be "safe" using technology. (See my "Learning Passport" wiki site--a link on the site I referred to earlier.)
Some observers report that our students have dwindling attendion spans. Our key as educators is to create engaging activities that students want to focus their attention on--and then make the engagement something they value and want to continue. Technology can help--if educators take the time to find out how to use it as a support tool rather than a distraction.
"iPods as Reading Tools" by Linda Bomar, L. (2006, May-June). iPods as reading tools. Principal, NAESP.org, pp. 52-53
Don't Turn 'Em Off, Tune 'Em In! (2007, September). NEA Today, 26(1), 17. Retrieved July 28, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1360186081).
I work with technology with both adults and school children. A literacy coach worked with the school district I was in last year and actually got the students to use text messages to improve their writing skills--and to get them totally hooked into his class.
Students love to explore the technology and, at various ages, many love to find porn or anything off-task--true in school and at work. Let's look at a "begin with the end in mind" perspective. If students don't learn to use technology appropriately in school, what do you think they'll do on the job after they finish school?
In the schools I worked in most recently, we did not have enough computers for all students. I had a variety of tasks for students to do on computers (see http://drm-ms-resources.wikispaces.com/). The school had firewalls and monitoring programs so that, for the most part, students had access to what they needed to work on.
While iPods and MP3 players were not used in school, I had students who read at a 3rd grade level able to quote the lyrics of some favorite songs. At the end of the year I was working with eAudiobooks--downloadable books that they could have on their iPods or MP3 players next to their music. The next task is to get them to listen to the books.
Technology is a part of our lives--whether or not we actually own the technology. MP3 players are becoming more and more widespread at lower and lower cost. When we can use the technology as a learning tool, it becomes much more powerful--and even becomes perceived by students as more relevant to their lives.
We do need to educate students and parents about how to be "safe" using technology. (See my "Learning Passport" wiki site--a link on the site I referred to earlier.)
Some observers report that our students have dwindling attendion spans. Our key as educators is to create engaging activities that students want to focus their attention on--and then make the engagement something they value and want to continue. Technology can help--if educators take the time to find out how to use it as a support tool rather than a distraction.
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