Creating a Multicultural Classroom Environment

Culture refers to the "traditions, rituals, beliefs, and values that are shared amongst a group of people."  Each person is a part of at least one culture.  Some families participate in several cultures.


Multiculturalism refers to the "sharing of many cultures."


The first goal of a multicultural program is to assist children with recognizing differences, as well as similarities, among all people.  Allowing children to explore varying cultures creates opportunities for them to see that even when people have different customs and traditions, they often share some common traits, too.


Children learn that people can be different and unique, yet still have much in common.  Such realizations help young children learn to accept differences and aid in eliminating prejudice and racism.  These realizations assist children with accepting and respecting people from all cultures and backgrounds.


The second goal of a multicultural program is to encourage cooperative social skills.  As children learn to accept differences and similarities among people, they can work and get along with others better.  They begin to see other's viewpoints and individuality. The multicultural classroom assists children from minority cultures in developing cooperation and social skills in a setting that may be unfamiliar to them.  Their self-esteem is boosted as they are recognized and accepted for their individuality. They feel good about themselves as other children recognize the worth of their traditions and customs.  The early childhood program that is culturally sensitive will build the self-confidence of its children by integrating the cultures of all the children into learning experiences.


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The first ingredient for a successful multicultural program is the classroom teacher's knowledge of diverse cultures.  Take time to learn the backgrounds of your students, as well as the populations represented in your geographic area. Educate yourself on their beliefs, values, foods, and customs.  Share those with children as you incorporate them into learning experiences. Encourage children to ask questions that help them understand more about others who have a different background from their own.


Learn the traditions of each child in your classroom.  What holidays do they celebrate?  How do they celebrate birthdays?  How are they parented?  What are their favorite foods and family traditions?


The second ingredient a preschool teacher must have to successfully implement a culturally diverse classroom environment is an attitude of acceptance and respect for other cultures.  It requires an open mind that accepts and respects differences.  Children model what they see, so the teacher's inclusion and acceptance of different ideas, customs, and traditions helps them learn to accept and respect.


Helping children to compare, contrast, and learn about other cultures without making judgments about them requires this attitude of acceptance and respect. As teachers lead children to respect others who are different, they will begin to appreciate individuality.  As children grow and mature with these attitudes, they will have social skills that not only accept, but also applaud individuality.


The third critical ingredient for a teacher's success in implementing a culturally diverse classroom is the ability to add a multicultural perspective into curriculum planning and classroom management skills.  This requires careful consideration of children's cultures and traditions, and
necessitates planning to help other children experience them in learning centers and activities.


How does your program "measure up" as a multicultural environment?  Do you have multicultural materials?  Is diversity accepted and applauded?  Is the community well represented? Having children of differing cultures in the class can offer firsthand experiences and insight.  The customs and traditions of their cultures should definitely be represented in the learning environment.


Remember that providing the children with a multicultural program helps boost self-esteem and teaches them about acceptance and diversity.  A multicultural program will help children understand and work well with others as they grow and mature.


Learn more about creating a multicultural classroom. Visit ChildCare Education Institute to discover over 100 online child care training courses that meet the continuing education requirements of the child care industry.  Register for a sample course and try online learning today!

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What is the Importance of Essay in the Educational Life?

Students are required to write essay on any subject by their schools and colleges. Talking about the significance of essay we can say that it is a device for the assessment of student’s research and writing skills, his/her critical approach along with word limit management.


Essay is said to be very important in a student’s educational life because essay is the first and the foremost kind of writing that students are needed to write by their schools. Or we can say that essay is the first step to enter into the world of writing. This is the reason why essay has a central and the loftiest position which no body can deny. Though essay writing is not very easy and simple; it needs practice and the students have to learn essay writing rules and about the collection of material. A student must have a critical and analytical mind that is keen to research on any specified essay topic.


Schooling is the first step of a person’s educational life; similarly essay help is the key to open the ways of success in educational career. essays are needed by the teachers to test student’s writing and searching skills which reflects their critical and analytical thinking. There are so many types of essay; it can be admission essay, an argumentative essay, critical essay and so on. Pre-schools essays are not very demanding but secondary school students must learn about the format of essay and how to comment on or evaluate any specific topic. The essay is not only judged apparently on its structure but it is evaluated throughout its language, writing style and compliance to the topic.


What is the importance of custom essay in the educational life?
Custom Essay is a written piece of work which talks about any specific topic. Irrespective of word limit an essay can be written on any topic whether it is related to science, arts or any other subject. Students are required to write essay on any subject by their schools and colleges. Talking about the significance of essay we can say that it is a device for the assessment of student’s research and writing skills, his/her critical approach along with word limit management.


Essay is said to be very important in a student’s educational life because essay is the first and the foremost kind of writing that students are needed to write by their schools. Or we can say that essay is the first step to enter into the world of writing. This is the reason why essay has a central and the loftiest position which no body can deny. Though essay writing is not very easy and simple; it needs practice and the students have to learn essay writing rules and about the collection of material. A student must have a critical and analytical mind that is keen to research on any specified essay topic.


Schooling is the first step of a person’s educational life; similarly essay is the key to open the ways of success in educational career. essrays are needed by the teachers to test student’s writing and searching skills which reflects their critical and analytical thinking. There are so many types of essay; it can be admission essay, an argumentative essay, critical essay and so on. Pre-schools essays are not very demanding but secondary school students must learn about the format of essay and how to comment on or evaluate any specific topic. The essay is not only judged apparently on its structure but it is evaluated throughout its language, writing style and compliance to the topic.

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Handwriting Practice and Pencil Grips

A Good pencil grip is one of the first steps to developing good handwriting skills. As a parent you can help you child to develop good pencil grip. Correct pencil grip will allow your child to write quickly and smoothly, while a tight or incorrect grip can hinder writing.


The Tripod Pencil Grasp: This pencil grip is the one that is most recommended by schools. The pencil should be positioned so that there is equal pressure between the thumb, the side of the middle finger and the tip of the index finger. All fingers are bent slightly.When a pencil is held correctly, the thumb and forefinger form an oval when a child holds the pencil. Tension in the hand or fingers indicates weak fine motor skills. 


You can improve your child's fine motor skills through various writing activities or through other fun activities which involve movement of fingers (like playing with play dough).


"We all know alphabets, so why not we just write the alphabets on a sheet of paper and get our children to practice their handwriting?"




 If you are thinking like that then you are not alone. However I am sorry to say that it is the wrong approach. We need to practice the alphabets as per the method approved by the education board. 


Good handwriting worksheets have numbers and arrows on each alphabet. Good handwriting worksheets have to take a step by step approach. ‘1? is where you start from - so the child starts at ‘1? and goes along the direction of the arrow. And then the child goes to ‘2? and moves along the direction of the arrow next to ‘2?. And then finally the child goes to ‘3? and moves along the direction of the arrow next to ‘3?


One of the other benefits of getting children to practice their handwriting on formal handwriting sheets is that the letters are in between the lines. This way you are teaching them about proportion of the lines. Practice is the best way to improve a child's writing.


Fine Motor Skills is the ability to control small precise movements with the fingers, wrists and hands. Its important to practice the fine motor skills for young children. These skills play an important role in a child's handwriting.


Good posture is important and plays a key role in handwriting skills. Bad posture creates stress on young spines. A lowered chin means your neck muscles are carrying the weight and the strain will flow right down the neck and down the back. So don't let your kids slouch.


We have all heard ‘handwriting analysis' before. ‘Graphology' is the analysis of handwriting particularly in relation human mind. People who have the skills to analyze handwriting determine a person's character by analyzing their handwriting. 


Don't underestimate the importance of good handwriting skills. The best age to teach good handwriting skills to your children is between 3 and 10. However don't make it a boring ritual. Practicing handwriting is hard work and can be quite boring for kids. Try to make it a fun exercise. Don't be too hard on them and go slow.

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Your Baby Can Read Reviews: Is It Effective?

I had looked at a lot of reading programs before I came across another Your Baby Can Read review and after using the product for about a year now I thought I would write my own personal experiences with it.


My wife and I have 3 children and we really emphasize the importance of a good education.  That's why when the kids were still very young we began to work with them so they would be very well prepared for school when it came time.  A lot of people do not realize that the early years of a baby are so impressionable and that the mind can soak up all kinds of information if we just chanel that energy in the right direction.


We already knew we wanted to teach out kids to read when they were young, but we needed a program that would be best suited for out situation.  My wife is astay-at-home-mom so she would have plenty of time to work with the 3 kidos.  After seeing a TV commerical for Hooked on Phonics we gave it a try.  It was a lot of fun for us, but the kids got really bored because those sounds didn't mean anything.  They could say "d-d dog" all they wanted, but it seemed to confuse them a little.  I know some schools use this approach in kindergarden and 1st grade, but even when children are 2 and 3 you can teach them in much more effective ways.


Then we came across Your Baby Can Read and really knew it was different.  The promises they made seemed totally off the wall though.  Teach your kid to read when they are still 5 months old?  That's just crazy.  What I did not realize is that although they can't read a Charles Dickens novel at that age, they COULD learn the concepts of reading and learn to recognize words and what they mean as well.


Along with the program came some books, cue cards, DVD videos and CDs and everything was really well put together.  Then as we started using Your Baby Can Read we saw the reason this system was going to be so effective.  It was using the childs senses as a tool and making it fun for them as well.  Besides seeing the word, and hearing the word, they are able to see the word in action.  All of these factors help to solidify that word in the child's mind and help them gain confidence to read.


Right now Your Baby Can Read is offering a 30 day trial with 3 free gifts as well.  This system may not be for you, but it's worth taking a look if you are interested.  Be sure to check out my wife's review of Your Baby Can Read here.

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Preschool Learning Activities: Emotional Development & Fine Motor Skills Development in Preschoolers

Preschool learning activities vary in many different forms. If you use alittle creativity, you can come up with great preschool activities and learning activities for preschoolers and children.


Emotional Development activities for kids as well as Fine Motor Skills Development are very important areas to develop in your child. 


 Having your child cut out various shapes and objects is a great way to help develop fine motor skills.


Of course if you are going to allow your children or preschoolers to do this activity you need to ensure they are using the proper ‘child safe' scissors when doing ANY cutting in any material.  


Here is a fun preschool learning activity that you can use with your child to help develop them in these specific areas of growth. 


Keep a collection of old magazines, newspapers or flyers that are full of images of people with different expressions etc. 


Instruct the children to pick a magazine or newspaper etc. to look through and find images of people's faces showing different expressions. 


They may find pictures of happy faces, sad faces, surprised faces, angry faces, scared faces and many more. 


The child can then ‘cut out' all the faces they find using ‘child safe' scissors of course, and they can discuss each different image with the parent or teacher and discuss what they see in the person's expression. 


Another Preschool Activity Option:
You could even just have children find and cut out  a certain expression, or what ‘they' see as a certain expression.


For example, you could tell them to find any pictures of ‘happy faces' and see what they come up with, you may be surprised what they find! 


It is good to keep these images and glue them to a piece of Bristol Board or construction paper, and then to laminate it. You can then cut them all out and save them in a box or envelope!


This will make the images last for years so they may be used again and again in many different ways to teach children.  


You could even use these different faces and expressions and have children ‘GROUP' all similar expressions together in a pile.


 Another Great activity for children becoming familiar with spelling and simple reading or word recognition would be to have a few different images (4-6) out.


You could then have the names of the expressions written on a piece of paper or a label (example) Happy, Sad, Angry etc. 


You could have the child(ren) match the image to the word. This is excellent for simple reading and recognition of every day words that express emotion. 

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Teacher Roles and Responsibilities

Being an early childhood teacher requires you to be willing to wear many hats.  As an experienced teacher, you are already prepared to be flexible.  As a new teacher, remember that your job description may change on a daily basis. 


In most cases, your role as an early childhood teacher will be very similar to that of a guide. A guide leads others down new paths.  A guide walks beside a person on a journey, not in front.  A guide also keeps others safe from harm.


As an early childhood teacher, you will be challenged to find new experiences to share with children.  Guide children, do not lead them, and move in a direction that interests the child.  As a guide, allow the child to choose their learning and playing style while making safety your number one concern!


Give up the notion that a teacher knows everything.  Become a partner in learning and encourage children to find their own answers instead of providing the answers for them.  By being a partner, teachers learn with the children and share in their experiences.


Early childhood teachers support learning by providing activities and materials that children find engaging.  By facilitating learning, supplying a developmentally appropriate environment, interesting materials, and adequate time to explore, play, and interact, children find learning easy and fun!


To nurture is to nourish.  Nurturing a child encompasses all aspects of development: social, emotional, cognitive, and physical.  In every interaction, a teacher should nurture appropriate growth and development.


Teachers must also take care to listen to a child including interpreting words and actions.  Listening carefully helps teachers determine a child's needs and aids in furthering the child's development.


Teachers communicate with many people throughout the day: parents, children, support staff, the general public, and administrators.  Early childhood teachers must be prepared to communicate with all of these people.  You should feel comfortable opening up, asking questions, seeking advice, and sharing your experiences.


Paperwork, lesson planning, preparing materials and the environment, and negotiating require teachers to have strong management skills.  Managing a classroom requires organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment.  There are many balls in the air and it is your job is to keep them up and moving!


Teaching is full of many responsibilities, roles, and challenges.  Like most worthwhile endeavors, it brings both challenges and rewards.  Be flexible and you will more readily enjoy the rewards of teaching young children.


Learn more about teacher roles and responsibitlites. Visit ChildCare Education Institute to discover over 100 online child care training courses that meet the continuing education requirements of the child care industry.  Register for a sample course and try online learning today!

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Sample of Thesis Problem in Information Technology

Information Technology Thesis is one of the toughest parts of your educational passage, if you are studying Information Technology, naturally. A number of students practice reasonable nervousness when facing the need to write an Information Technology Thesis that will sum up several years of their concentrated studies.
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Here are some useful tips on Information Technology Thesis writing:
•    Decide on your dissertation topic.
•    You may choose the topic for your Information Technology Thesis, if it is already assigned.
•    Gather data.
•    If you have not been given a topic, then the entire world lies before you. This, in fact, resources that you are open to decide a topic for your Information Technology Thesis that is of attention to you. This will create your job a well-built and effectual one.
•    Think subjects of importance. Once you have determined the purpose and type of your Information Technology Thesis, write down some points and ideas that interest you. Perform a number of searches and investigations. Some websites can be helpful, but do not evade libraries. They comprise a great compilation of significant and attractive books that will absolutely help you in Information Technology Thesis writing.
•    Create a hypothesis; that is a statement that should be proved throughout your Information Technology Thesis. Examine your theory and believe over the methodologies that may be helpful to study it. Try to relate some methodologies, such as examination, observations, surveys, etc.
•    Try to develop an outline for your Information Technology Thesis..
•    Put the consequences of your study into phrases. This will be a summary of your Information Technology Thesis.
•    Maps, tables, graphs, diagrams, or descriptive statistic will be a great support for your Information Technology Thesis.
•    Review thoroughly the results achieved.
Now that you carried out a research and analyzed the information, you can move on to writing your Information Technology Thesis: the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion.

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Common Attendance Methods for Returning Students

Are you one of many Americans that dreams of returning to college but fears that option ended for your many years ago? If this is you, then you are in luck. There is no time like the present to go back and pursue your educational dreams. In fact, there has been no better time throughout history than today for those who wish to return to school but cannot give up their careers in order to do so. 


Educational opportunities abound today in America and only show evidence of increasing and improving with time and technological advances. There are many options available for the returning students of today that would have been summarily designed to those hoping to further their educational goals in the past. If you are hoping to go back to school consider the options below very carefully before deciding which will be best for you.


The All or Nothing Approach
This endeavor is a giant leap of faith. It involves quitting your job, packing up your life and going back to college with every hope for a better future hinging on your performance. This is a high-risk endeavor for many professionals who have families and careers to consider. However, the rewards will be much quicker with this approach than most of the other available options. You should consider carefully whether this is an appropriate plan of action for your specific needs or if the risk would be too high for your family to endure.


Night School 
Most community colleges and universities offer a wide assortment of night classes to those students who have daytime careers but are hoping to further their educations. You will find that despite common preconceived notions there is a wide mixture of students in night classes. There are first time college students who simply prefer night classes to early morning classes, retirees hoping to learn something new, and professionals hoping to grab a few more credit hours towards their degree. You never know whom you will find in your night classes but chances are you will find that there is a special sense of community among night school students that you won't find in traditional day classes.


Techno Wizards for Internet Courses
Believe it or not you do not need to have spectacular technical skills in order to take the average online or Internet course. The truth of the matter is that the most technical skill most of these classes require is the ability to visit websites, open email, and download an occasional file. Internet classes offer extreme flexibility for those with busy family and work schedules. This is the option of choice for many returning schools. The good news is that more and more universities and community colleges are offering these sorts of classes in many different fields and majors. The more demand grows for these classes the more classes will be offered.


The fact is that as consumers we have the right to ask for what we want or need. College students are consumers who are paying a hefty price for the product they hope to receive-a solid educational experience. Do not be afraid to request that the university you are attending offer more options for working students if you find that you are in need of a class that isn't offered in a flexible manner. Chances are if you need the course, there are others like you who will as well. If there is enough demand, most universities will oblige the demands of their students.

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The True Value of a Two-Year College

Higher education in this country is rapidly becoming a necessity in the business community rather than a luxury. There was a time when those who had a high school education still had the opportunity to build a better world for themselves and their families. Those days are rapidly becoming another dieing ember of the past. If you hope to have significant earning potential during your lifetime you are almost completely limited by your learning potential and the level of education you have received. 


The good news is that you do not have to have an all or nothing approach when it comes to education. You can begin by taking baby steps when it comes to higher education. If you have a community college in your area, this is one of the greatest resources for beginning your college education at any stage in your life. Most community colleges offer classes at various times during the day and evening, even some on Saturday in order to accommodate students of different ages and backgrounds. 


Community colleges also offer an excellent opportunity to begin your learning quest in a manner that is much more easily affordable to the average citizen than a full-blown university. These colleges are largely commuter colleges though there are several that allow students the experience of living on a college campus at a much lower price than most major universities charge for the same or very similar privileges. 


Community colleges also allow you to explore your options if you aren't really sure what direction you wish for your education to take without paying such a high price for the process. If you know the career path you wish to take you might find a two-year degree program that can have you out of school and in a career much sooner than a four-year program will allow. If that isn't good enough news for you, many of the two-year programs of study that are offered at the community college level may very well transfer quite easily into bachelor degree programs at the university level.


Community colleges offer an excellent start for many people who are seeking higher education whether to further their careers or just to find fulfillment on a personal level in life. There are many wonderful programs in vocational fields as well as academic fields that can be explored and studies on the community college level. 


For graduating high school students community colleges help students ease into the adjustment from high school to college without going through the culture shock that some universities can put students through. You will find that there are often many opportunities to meet educational as well as social needs on the community college level for students that are interested in pursuing a community college education.


You should also discover that community colleges are much easier to budget when it comes to setting aside funds and savings for either your personal college education or the educational expenses of your children. Having them attend a community college for two years then transferring to a University can save a great deal of money and provide you a little piece of mind that your children are still receiving an excellent level of education. 


Seriously, if you are looking for an excellent value when it comes to education you would be doing yourself or your children a disservice if you do not check out the community college options in your area before taking the plunge and diving into the university lifestyle. You will find that community colleges often offer an equal level of education for the introductory classes that first and second year college students often take, they are a much better value for the money, and they are an outstanding values for those who are trying to juggle their education with family and work responsibilities.

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Why a University Education?

The world in which we live is constantly evolving. We are demanding more and more from our citizens than ever before and in order to live up to the demands of the world we need a solid education upon which to base our skills and knowledge. There are many alternatives available for receiving an education these days, which is good news for those who have not yet managed to obtain a four-year college degree. Truthfully, that degree is the difference in literally hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime than not having a degree.


Four Reasons for a Four-Year Education


Money. The first reason that you should consider a university degree is the fact that it will substantially increase your earning potential. If nothing else appeals to you, this is typically the one reason that most people return to school after years in the work place. If you are in high school and haven't really had to deal with the bills and burdens that many adults face it's difficult to explain how important any edge when it comes to earning ability truly is. However, you should be aware that you need to choose your major wisely if money is your sole motivation. Not all careers pay equally when compare to the education required to enter them.


Insurance. This may seem like a strange term to use when discussing why you should get a university education but this is perhaps the best insurance you can find as far as employability goes. Having a university degree gives you a competitive edge over those who do not. In many cases you will find that education is beginning to trump experience as employers are seeking workers with more rounded skills rather than those with very specific skills. The modern university typically requires a brief exposure to all kinds of information and coursework that isn't necessarily related to your major. This provides graduates with a broader understanding of the world (at least that is the assumption).


Employability. Believe it or not, those with degrees are much more employable than those that do not have them. There was a time when the trend was to employ those who had experience over those who had education. That trend is rapidly evaporating as companies want employees that can fill multiple roles more and more often. The limited exposure to certain ideas or ideals and principles that most people receive as part of their university education makes you a more employable candidate because you should be able to adapt and adjust, as this was required during your educational process.


Confidence. There is nothing quite like believing in yourself. Getting a four-year education is one way to build confidence not only on a personal level but also on a professional level. Whether or not you realize it, this is often the best reason for pursuing a university degree. This reason, as a matter of fact, will actually affect all of the other things I mentioned above. If you have more confidence in your ability you will be more willing to go out there and get the job done. As a result, you will earn more money and you will insure that you are an asset to your company by proving yourself to be just that.


Regardless of your personal reason for pursuing a university degree there are very few wrong reasons to get your degree. Good luck in your educational pursuits. I know they will serve you well.

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Graduate Degree Options

Many people find that in the courses of their careers they wish they had the ability to go back to school for even further education. Unfortunately, not everyone has the good fortune to live in the vicinity of a university that offers graduate level studies in the career they have chosen. Chances are that a good percentage of the population does not and if they do chances are even better that they have very busy personal and professional lives that make intensive graduate studies difficult to pursue at best.


If you are one of the many people that feel you have made your choice and are stuck with your undergraduate degree or that a post graduate degree is simply out of your reach, I hope you will read this article with great interest and learn that there options available to you no matter how far away from a university you live or how little time you have to devote to your graduate studies.


A graduate education is a very intensive course of study that is very narrow and specific. In other words, many students find that their graduate coursework is their favorite by far as it gets into the meat of the subject matter of their interest rather than merely hitting the highlights. Only a small percentage of the population at this point in time has a graduate education. Though this does not necessarily guarantee you any employability it can provide you with very specialized knowledge or skills that will help you perform your job better and qualify you for more interesting and specialized positions in your field of study. 


If you would like to pursue a graduate education but feel you are too far from the nearest university that offers a comprehensive graduate education in your field, you might be surprised to find that the nearest graduate level curriculum is as far away as your living room or your favorite Internet café. Online courses give new hope to potential graduate students. Many of them will actually allow you to work around your work schedule and at your own pace while trying to achieve your dreams of higher education and life long learning. 


Online courses are becoming more widely accepted across the nation and around the world. We live in the information age and it only makes sense that we are taking control of our educations by using services and demanding services like online courses in order to further our educational goals. At the moment there are only limited offerings for graduate studies, most of them centering on educational fields with only a few graduate degrees offered in other fields such as the medical industry. As demand grows so will the availability of graduate courses and degrees that are being offered online. 


If you happen to be fortunate enough to live relatively close to a university that offers graduate studies in your field you might want to check with the university and see if they offer weekend graduate classes. This is a new trend that seems to be growing in popularity as a valid option for those who hope to return to college but can't afford to give up precious work or family time during the week. These courses are much more intense than your average once or twice a week night course but they allow you to pursue your graduate degree in a much quicker manner than traditional programs have allowed and are much more employer and family friendly. Of course you also have the option of taking one or two classes at a time at night in order to achieve your graduate degree as well. Masters degree students only need to take 9 hours a semester in order to be considered full time students and qualify for financial aid.


All in all, you do not need to sacrifice your goals of graduate studies in order to maintain your career or achieve some sort of balance between work, education, and family. Whether you choose online courses, night courses, or weekend courses for your studies you have many opportunities to achieve the degree you desire without sacrificing heavily in order to do 

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Associate Degree Vs. Bachelor Degree

There really are few ways to compare a two-year education with a four-year education that would be fair to either degree program. The truth of the matter is that both are excellent for certain things while both also offer serious limitations. When it comes to pros and cons they both have their own set of both that make excellent food for thoughts.


A-Two-Year Education


1-Pros
When it comes to a two-year college program there are several things you should consider in its favor before you take the plunge. First of all, you should keep in mind that the degree or certification at the end of your studies doesn't necessarily indicate the end of your education. Two-year degrees are excellent starting points for four-year degrees but also allow you the option to venture out into the workplace with your own skills and knowledge that will allow you greater earning potential than a high school diploma. You will also have the benefit of entering the work place much sooner with an associate's degree than with a bachelor's degree. Most importantly for many who are limited by budgets, two-year colleges offer an affordable alternative for an education or even the first two years of your education.


2- Cons
The biggest cons that most people find when it comes to getting a two-year degree is the growing competition for limited jobs. In fact, it is difficult to remain competitive in any industry when there are more and more entering the work force with bachelor's degrees. It is simply more difficult to maintain a competitive edge with only a two-year degree though it is not impossible. The other obvious con when it comes to two-year college degrees is that fact that some positions will not even consider anyone with less than a four-year degree. This means that you aren't even in the running required to worry about competition.


Four-Year Degrees


1-Pros
A bachelor's degree will earn you far greater earning potential in your lifetime than a high school education without a doubt. It will also place you in a position of serious competition within your chosen field or industry. This means that you will often be given preference when seeking jobs over those who do not have degrees or those with lesser degrees regardless of experience. There is also not enough that can be said about the personal confidence that goes along with earning your degree. You will find that you are much more confident on both a personal and a professional level once you've earned your bachelor's degree.


2-Cons
The single largest con associated with a bachelor's degree is the expense. Both in terms of time and money bachelor's degrees exact a price. You should be certain that you are both willing and able to pay that price before setting out to get your degree.


Regardless of whether a two-year degree or a four-year degree is in your personal best interest at the moment neither are a waste of time or effort. I hope that you will eventually seek a four-year degree, as this will give you a competitive edge in business, however, even the smallest improvement in your education level can mean big changes over the course of your lifetime. Sometimes it helps to improve your education in steps. Take one class at a time until you have your associate's degree then repeat until you have your bachelor's degree. Good luck!

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Advantages of Universities

A degree from a university means many thing to many different people. Only you can define the importance of a degree such as this to you and only you can determine whether or not now is the time for you to pursue a university degree. If you are unsure about how advantageous a university degree could be to your life let's look at some of the advantages to a university education in relationship to a community college education.


Money. The first obvious advantage of a university education would be in future earning potential. A four-year degree trumps a two-year degree almost every time. There would have to be exceptional circumstances for someone with a two-year degree to earn more over the course of a lifetime than someone with a four-year degree in the same exact field. While a degree does not guarantee employability, it does improve the odds as well as the income potential that is associated with the field you are entering into. If you have a two-year degree the decision to continue your educational pursuits can be a tough one but it is well worth the effort in the end. 


Housing. This is another distinct advantage that universities offer over community colleges. In fact, many universities are now offering housing opportunities to students with families in addition to those students who have no families. Colleges and universities are offering all kinds of value when it comes to housing and meal plans. A great deal of the college experience is missed when you do not live on campus. For this particular reason students wishing to enjoy the experience that dorm life provides often consider universities over community colleges. 


Diversity. This is another key component that is often missing at the community college level. International students find no real price breaks between universities and community colleges so they tend to opt for the housing and cultural atmosphere that universities present rather than going with the limiting educational, residential, and cultural experience offered by many community colleges. You will find students of different races, religions, cultures, and nations on the university level-far more than will typically be seen in a community college unless you are attending community college in a very culturally diverse city such as New York.


Culture. This is something that is often lacking on the community college level, as they are largely commuter campuses. You will not see quite the opportunity to experience art, music, the theater, and other wonderful experiences that universities pride themselves in offering to their students. There is nothing quite like the cultural offerings of most large universities and if you get the opportunity I hope you will take the time to stop and experience some of the wonderful things that being in a university community present you with an opportunity to experience.


Research opportunities. On a university level you will have the opportunity to participate in research projects with certain professors if your prove yourself worthy and express an interest. This is something that isn't as likely on the community college level as most professors in a community college are dedicated to teaching rather than research. You will find that the experience of working on a large-scale research project is unlike anything you are likely to experience again if you ever get the chance.


Confidence. There is nothing quite like a college degree from a university to help you become a more confident person both personally and professionally. This is something that really can't be achieved on the community college level but can only be experienced by getting a degree from a university. If you lack confidence when dealing with others or in your career, I hope that you will find that your university education is just the thing to help you feel more confidence on all levels of your life.


These are just a small sampling of the many benefits of attending a university over a community college education. I hope you will carefully consider these when making your decision about which is best for your personal education needs.

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Finding the Right College Program for You

There are all kinds of college programs that are available today for those seeking higher education and degrees in a wide variety of fields. The problem often lies in finding the type of education that is appropriate for your specific needs. We all learn best through different methods and identifying your learning method is a great way to understand what learning environment will work best for you.


The common learning environments for college level studies are the following: community colleges, universities, and online or distance learning opportunities. Community colleges tend to offer smaller classrooms with more discussion-oriented styles of learning and discourse. Universities tend to be more lecture oriented while distance and online learning opportunities are quite often self-directed learning opportunities that require a great deal of discipline in order to be successful.


When trying to identify the college that will work best for you, you should keep in mind your personal learning style. Beyond that you should also consider the type of environment you expect from your college education and the amount of time you wish to devote to the pursuit of your education and degree. Some people find that university life is far too distracting while others find that the solitude of online and distance learning is a distraction in and of itself. 


You will find all kinds of cultural opportunities at a university that you will not find through home studies or on the community college level. For some students, these opportunities are icing on the cake and an important part of the learning experience as you delve into other cultures, art, music, and history. Others find these opportunities to be far too plentiful and far too distracting for their study needs. Whichever student you tend to be will make a huge difference in the best situation for your learning needs. 


Another important consideration is housing. Most universities have ample on campus housing for their students while a few campuses experience on campus housing shortages and rely on housing that is located in and around the college area in order to fill in the gaps. Some universities will even offer limiting housing opportunities to students who have spouses and children. While housing on community college is seen, particularly in rural areas where there is limited housing available in and around the schools, these are more often the exception rather than the rule. Most community colleges are largely commuter campuses with very limited if any housing opportunities. Online and distance learning programs offer no housing to students. 


Another concern that most also be considered carefully is the distance between classes and any special needs you may have. Universities tend to be large and spread out. It is quite possible to need to get from one end of campus to another (a mile or more in some cases) with a 10-minute window in which to get it done. For students with special needs or physical disabilities this can be quite problematic, especially on days of inclimate weather. Community colleges tend to have smaller campuses, which mean less real estate to cover in between classes. Online and distance learning classes go with you wherever you have access to a computer. This means that they are as portable as you need them to be if you have your own laptop and wireless Internet access.


You must consider all these things and so much more when narrowing down your college choices. Do you really want to take the personal responsibility required in order to succeed in online and distant learning courses? Do you want to be limited by the meager offerings of coursework available at the community college level? Is it worth it to you to pay the high price involved in a university education? These are all questions that you need to consider carefully before making the decision as to which college environment is the most desirable for you.

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