Category Archives: Education

Moving mom and dad

January 21, 2012 6:40 pm

Guest written by our friend Trent Horton

I am moving my parents into a new house. For the past two years, they have been complaining that their house is too big. I can see their point. At one time, they lived in that house with five other kids. Now everyone is grown and the house seems a lot bigger. None of us wanted them to move, but the time has finally come. I naively thought the move was going to be easy. It has been a royal pain. My parents are picky about everything. My mom wants me to make sure all the boxes are labeled correctly. My dad wants me to make sure the Direct TV is hooked up before we even start the process. Then we have to stop for snacks or a drink or just to take a break. At this pace, they are never going to have everything packed. I am tempted to move everything in the middle of the night. Then I will have it all done while they sleep and will not have to listen to the complaints.

Posted in education, entertainment

New Dental Degree Would Expand Career Options

December 24, 2011 7:43 pm

If Fort Hays State University in Kansas gets its wish, the university will be adding a new dental degree to its curricular offering: registered dental practitioner.  If you’ve never heard of an RDH, you’re not alone.  The university is proposing the degree as a potential solution for the state’s severe lack of licensed dentists. But offering the degree isn’t as simple as adding a new curriculum.

Kansas state law would need to be changed in order to allow graduates to practice. Currently, only licensed dentists can perform certain procedures, but a new bill in the state Senate aims to change that.  The proposed legislation would allow registered dental practitioners to work under the supervision of a licensed dentist, and would perform basic dental work, like examinations, fillings and cleanings.

The proposed four-year degree would have strong career appeal for graduates of dental assistant schools and dental hygienists who are already working in the field and are looking for a career advancement path. At the same time, new practitioners would help alleviate the dentist shortages that have arisen in the majority of counties in Kansas.

Everyone isn’t welcoming the proposed new degree with open arms, though. The majority of dentists in Kansas oppose the legislation, saying they believe it would jeopardize the quality of care patients receive. The Kansas Dental Association, which represents about 75% of the state’s 1,500 dentists, is also fighting to defeat the bill.

Laws governing what non-dentist practitioners can do vary by state, and a few states allow dental assistants to perform any task delegated by a licensed dentist. The proposed Kansas model is already in place in Alaska. Kansas dentists who oppose the new degree say that it would create a two-tiered dental service model in the state, with dentist services available only to those who can afford premium care.

Others who support the bill argue that the state needs to take action to ensure that quality dental care is available to all state residents, regardless of where they live. By adding registered dental practitioners, known as dental therapists in some states, supporters argue that the state’s dentists can safely expand their practices and oversee the dental care of more patients.

One thing everyone can agree on is that there aren’t enough dental professionals in the field today, and that is primarily responsible for the move to introduce mid-level dental practitioners to the market.  Supporters argue that registered dental practitioners can help alleviate critical shortages of dental care providers, saying that thirteen counties in Kansas have no practicing dentists at all.  By placing registered dental practitioners in severely underserved areas, the state can help deliver routine dental care to the most rural parts of the state.

That isn’t swaying most dentists, who say that they’re being squeezed from all sides. According to a new survey released by Baird, dentists throughout the country are reporting a decline in the number of patient visits, and a decline in the number of services patients are requesting.  According to the survey, 67% of dentists reported that their revenues this year are flat or declining when compared to last year’s numbers, and 74% of dentists said that their patient volumes have declined, compared to last year.

Dentists in Kansas argue that adding a lower-cost, mid-range provider to the mix will only ensure that fewer dental practices will remain financially viable. Supporters counter this argument by saying that only about 25% of dentists in Kansas accept Medicaid, leaving a large portion of the state’s low-income population without affordable dental services.

 

A recent survey by the WK Kellogg Foundation shows that more than 40% of US households have at least one member who has put off dental care for cost reasons.  The Foundation is working with providers in Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington State to promote the use of dental therapists as a response to a growing healthcare provider shortage.

Posted in education, entertainment

Master’s degrees for higher wages

December 24, 2011 6:02 am

 

With the recession still going strong and unemployment at 8.6% in the United States, many look towards continuing their education in hopes that a master’s degree will broaden their chances of snagging a decent job after they graduate.  The most important decision is what kind of master’s degree a person should return for, and it is important to take into consideration whether that degree will, in fact, help in gaining a well-paying job after graduation.  Below are the top three highest paying jobs needing master’s: crucial information in today’s world of scant jobs and rampant unemployment, especially since anyone going back to graduate school will have to take out loans to pay for their degree.  Acquiring $30,000 in student loans (or more) without a good job to pay for it afterward is undoubtedly frightening.

 

According to Forbes.com, a physician’s assistant degree is the number one degree to obtain in this economy, with the job growth at 57% and the mid-career median salary at $98,900. The demand is high for this type of job, and many programs are only two years, making this even more appealing for those who want a degree to get a job, not necessarily to study a particular subject for the sake of academia.  Physician’s assistants practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians, and do much of what someone with an M.D. will do: take medical histories, do patient exams, take X-rays, and treat minor injuries.  For anyone with an interest in medicine and science, but is not necessarily interested in going through the rigors of actual medical school (a lengthy and expensive process), should consider a physician’s assistant program near them.

 

The next fastest-growing degree is computer science, with the job growth at 39% and the mid-career median salary at $111,000.  Computer scientists, in a nutshell, create new technology, ranging from computer hardware to robotics to virtual reality-type technology.  Many also work in universities researching new computer technologies and can focus more on scientific theory than actual hardware creation.  With new gadgets being released every day (how many iPhones have been released already?), it’s no wonder that this field is an expanding and lucrative one.  It should be noted, however, that many employers require not just a master’s but also a Ph.D. for this type of job.

 

The third best degree is civil engineering, with the job growth at 41% and the mid-career median salary at $98,700.  Civil engineers design and manage those who build roads, buildings, bridges, sewage systems, and anything that a city could possibly need constructed.  Although many American cities are struggling with budget cuts, roads and bridges will still need to be repaired, especially as the population continues to grow.  With cities expanding, the field of civil engineering expands in kind.  If you have any interest in design or architecture, this field might be a good choice for you.

 

All three of these fields have great job prospects for those graduating with a master’s, but ultimately you should follow what interests you the most.  If technical or scientific pursuits aren’t your cup of tea, don’t do it.  But if any of these three fields excites you, get into grad school and get your degree.  A great job is more than likely waiting for you at the end.

 

Thanks to Emily Matthews for this great post:

Emily Matthews is currently applying to masters degree programs across the U.S., and loves to read about new research into health care, gender issues, and literature. She lives and writes in Seattle, Washington

Posted in Continuing Education, education

Making sure your kids have help in math early in their education

December 21, 2011 7:23 pm

Are you smarter than a 5th grader? I think most have watched this TV show and even as adults we are not always 100% sure on our answers. They offer questions in math that will range from grades 1 through 5 and I like to watch the adults struggle in this category. They have categories from geography to first grade math. It is funny to see older people messing up on 5th grade math or a lower grade, but maybe we should be crying when we see this. I know it’s no fun for the kids in elementary school that have trouble with math. It will only get worse in their high school years; if we don’t correct the problems now. My son who is in 5th grade is learning how to add fractions while using various methods. As I am trying to help him understand adding fractions I find myself having to research various problems to help him understand the best way to tackle his homework.

It isn’t easy for me or other Moms and Dads who want to help. It will take some level of desire and dedication, if you hope to bring help to a student, who is currently starting out with first grade math where some parents may have quit school and have a child who has surpassed them in educational levels. Parents with the the younger age kids in school, they should start learning the math lessons their child gets each day. By taking the time to learn it now and progress from one math lesson to the next, you will have a much easier time of assisting your little math star.Make no mistakes about it, math can be a very tough subject to handle at any grade or at any age. Having a solid math education earlier for your kids will help make their life easier as they enter middle school and high school. A lot of the parents do a real good job with providing their kids with some of their free time each evening. Most of the time our kids can learn a lot better from Mom or Dad and it’s because there is less pressure with them and they also probably have the time to be more patient; compared to a teacher who is trying to keep 25 or 30 students on a fast pace, one hour a day, so the class as a whole can reach a certain level of accomplishment.

Posted in Continuing Education, education

Online degrees are growing and looking to expand in 2012

December 9, 2011 8:38 pm

The following graphs show a great picture of the changing trend in online education and the ability to get your degree at a reduced cost while being able to reduce your time at school. The next frontier will be our public schools and having them make available online classes for those that are taking advanced classes or providing a new solution to those that are not doing well in a classroom setting. The Rapid Growth of Online LearningIf you ou are considering going back to get your degree then you are probably already looking at online degree solutions that are being offered in all different majors. Not only are we seeing a growing number in indpendent online schools but traditional state and private schools are expanding their offerings of an accredited online degree. As you can see by this infographic there are over 2500 students enrolling online. This is a huge jump from just a  few years and because of the fact that many large universities are embracing these new online venues many of if not all of your credits are transferring.

True Cost of College: Traditional VS Online DegreeRight now you can find some of the best online degree courses. What is even more revealing is that many of the online colleges are offering similar if not the same materials based on the degree being offer. This creates a consistent learning environment so that you can no base your decision on cost and availability to your current situation.  With traditional degrees costing about 45% more based per credit hour the cost savings of online colleges and universities are definitely worth considering. One strategy is taking online courses for your undergraduate classes and getting those out of the way so that when you start taking your core classes towards degree.

Posted in education

Merrill Data solutions

December 9, 2011 8:14 pm

If you look at some of the jaw dropping valuations that have been floated out there for companies like Twitter and Groupon it makes you think back to the late 90′s when valuations were off the charts. What is interesting is that companies like Groupon are so new and grew so fast that having all the financials and M&A documents in place could be a challenge even for a technology company. With all the talks this year about merger and acquisitions there is a demand for companies to have their financials and proprietary documents in order in the event of a deal. There is a professional legal document review that can be found through companies like Merrill DataSite that can help you make sure that you have all the items you may need for talks in one secure location. This can then be shared with potential buyers or investors and help insure that you have full disclosure so as not to miss any important opportunities.

As the markets continue their roller coaster ride many of the volatile sectors like banking, technology, and mining are looking for ways to stay competitive while raising their overall value. The international markets are in the same state as foreign governments are having troubles with their budgets and this is creating pressure across the globe. Companies are having to look at their business services and find partners that will help them reduce their exposure to risk while still being innovative. Services like Merrill Brink document translation services that are offered by Merrill Brink are one such service that are becoming higher in demand.With partners like Merrill Brink and Merrill Datasite you can have more confidence in knowing that whatever market you are looking to expand into that your business critical data needed to complete these expansions will be more readily available and help in your overall dealing with investors and foreign governments. With having those critical data points in a more centralized location and secure you will enhance the speed at which your company can operate.

Posted in education, Technology

Grants for engineers

December 6, 2011 1:08 am

Coaching your employees is all about the level of engagement that you have with each one. We have read a lot about coaching your employees to their strengths and try less to develop their weaknesses. They will all have different skills that bring to the role and it is your responsibility to bring out the best in your people. Employees with higher education need motivation and coaching just as much as those that may not have the formal degrees. There are several resources for financial aid information that can help you find grants and scholarships. It is shown that your high performers will actually need 4-5 times more praise and attention than your average performers. Most employees when asked why they leave an organization it is because of their manager.

One of the biggest obstacles is paying for your new education as tuition continues to increase each and every year. Those that have served in the military may be able to find grants for engineers in order to help them finance their continuing education and with various discounts offered at most Universities that cost savings can be huge. Most people will take out small loans if their employer does not pay for getting an advanced degree or applying for scholarships which can be tough if you make any amount of money at all. So no matter what field you are looking to transition to you will find grants and scholarships widely available. Even locating something as specific as physical therapy student grants is now easier and can all be done in one location to help you pay for your education.

Posted in education

Live psychic online

November 23, 2011 6:59 pm

If you could ask psychic anything you wanted what would it be? For many people there is lots of uncertainty about what next month or next year bring. Knowing what the future can be very comforting or put you in a position of worry. You can now get a live psychic reading online where you can ask the very question that you want to know the answer to. Would you ask about your relationship, finances, or job? Are you ready to accept what you are told? Now that the internet has brought us things like psychics online you are able to get your answer 24/7 without ever leaving your home.
I have never consulted a psychic, but knowing that I could find one online where you answer some simple questions and then ask your question to get a response in a matter of few short minutes could be very interesting. Just remember that your future is what you make of it so don’t let others dictate what your dreams will be and go get it. If you want something bad enough set your goals and then create your own future. Having the affirmation of a third party that you are on the right track could be valuable so why no start today and set your course for what you want in life.

Posted in education, Media & PR

Your credit card application can determine your rate

November 18, 2011 7:27 pm

Budgeting is the most essential part of a sound financial plan. When we are able to see where our money is being spent, we can make crucial adjustments that will allow us to save for the future and avoid any shortfalls. Bills can be paid strategically and we can begin to save money for our retirement or for any large purchases that we may need to make in the future including down payments on homes or cars. The better control we have over our finances, the less stress we will have in our daily lives and we can start to plan for the future rather than dreading it because we have no control over it. All this planning can also lead to the discovery of ways to cut our budget that result in a little extra savings every week.

When you first fill out a credit card application make sure to look it over for additional fees and grace periods they offer for paying your bills. sign up for a credit card you usually get a good interest rate to start out with. Over time the credit card companies start to add in the rates of your interest and soon you can be paying a hefty little fee each month in those interest rates. When you see that your credit card no longer has a low interest rate is the time you should seek a new credit card. A new credit card will usually allow you to transfer balances over from your old credit card and you can have your current balance at a much lower interest rate. Smart credit consumers have been doing this for years and it’s a good way to get around those high interest rates that credit card companies try to dump on you. You can save a lot of money by seeking out those low interest rate credit cards as your next credit card and transferring the balance from your previous credit card. You can also fill out one credit card application and then see which cards you qualify for with the best interest rates online. Stay ahead of the game and find the credit lenders that are attracting new customers with those super low interest rates. You will soon learn the value of paying a lower interest rate on your credit cards each month!

Sometimes we just spend more money than we earn and no amount of budgeting can help us get by in certain times of our lives. In these cases, it is often best to take a loan from a friend or family member. Eventually, these loved ones will start to grow weary and not want to lend us anymore money. Other times, it is simply just embarrassing to have to borrow from them over and over again. Hopefully, in that case, we have credit cards or a line of credit from a home equity line of credit.

Posted in education, FinanceTagged ,

Buying Used Furniture in LA

November 3, 2011 3:04 am

There are several choices for buying used office furniture Los Angeles. Actually, there are roughly about eight hundred used furniture dealers around LA County and Orange County. So, if you’re situated in L.A. or perhaps in surrounding areas like Ventura County, Santa Barbara, the San Fernando Valley or the Inland Empire, finding a used furniture store won’t be considered a problem. The problem will be making sure that you find the very best used furniture store.

It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to analyze your options before shopping. A lot of people have gone out and bought products from firms that they’d not researched and ended up having a horrible experience. But, now you can learn from their mistakes. Folks will frequently use the internet to talk about stories of their negative and positive experiences. You can turn to an internet site which is used as a hub for customer reviews and ratings and learn pretty much everything you’d like to learn in regards to a company’s reputation. But, use discernment when you are on these websites. Occasionally, a person can give a business a poor review simply because they did not such as the way something looked within their living room. Make certain if your company has received a bad review that it was really the company’s fault and not the customer’s.

You should also do some price comparison. If you already have a certain type of used office furniture in mind, go on the internet to see what different companies are charging for that piece. Of course, prices will vary depending on the age and condition of particular pieces.

You will also need to make sure that the organization you buy from also delivers the furniture. If you had to visit a fair distance to find the store, you certainly don’t want to drive back again with a truck to pick it up. The company also needs to have good reviews for his or her delivery and installation crew. It is extremely inconvenient if your furniture is damaged in transportation or is installed incorrectly.

The main factor in having a successful used furniture shopping experience is research. If you train with a well-rated company, you will be able to get the pieces you want at a good price and have them properly installed with very little hassle.

Posted in blogging, educationTagged ,

New technology for trimming down

October 28, 2011 2:35 am

Dieting is one of the most common things people do these days. There are some that go on a diet for health related reasons and some just want to go on a diet to lose a few pounds. In most cases going on a diet and taking off a few pounds is a good thing and people wanting to get that beach body that is portrayed in magazines and TV. Some people look fine and really don’t need to go on a diet to help them shed off any pounds. The Extreme Body Workout is one example of an intense way to get in shape and lose unwanted pounds. Most people would say that the hard part isn’t losing weight, but it’s keeping the weight off. The reason a a lot of us got those extra pounds, is because of our daily routines and habits. So we have to change those things in our lifestyles, if we want to keep the weight off for good.

weight_loss_lipoI would consider my self about 10 to 15 pounds over weight. I think my body could function a little better if I could lose some weight. I don’t feel like the extra pounds I am carrying with me now, is that big of a problem but I know as I get older, those few extra pounds could create more problems for me. Anyone that does choose to go on a diet these days, will not find a shortage of products out there claiming to help them. The Weight Loss industry is a huge market and as long as people feel the need to slim down, I am sure it will just continue to grow. You can check out the 90 Day review on what is working and the latest in weight loss programs. Most of the products out there are FDA Approved and as long as people follow the directions, it can be a safe way to diet. Some might try over-dosing on diet pills and losing weight as fast as they can. I don’t think most doctors would agree with that approach and weight loss should be done at a slow rate, so the body can make adjustments gradually as you begin to lose weight. It is a good idea to always check with your doctor before you start any diet or exercise programs.
This is a guest post provided by Fitness Alliance

Posted in educationTagged ,

Students and government

October 21, 2011 12:07 am

Content by Sol Rosales

As a high school teacher, one thing that drives me crazy about my students is their lack of understanding of American politics. I do not care how they choose to vote as long as they are educated voters. I stress often to my students the need to understand how our government works and how each candidate fits into our system. I teach high school seniors, so most of my students are of voting age or soon will be. However, in talking to my students I realize how little they know about politics. I have started assigning as homework for the students to watch different news shows from different channels to give them varying perspective on what is happening in politics and in the world as a whole. I first found my television programming through directstarTV.com, and I watch the news on a nightly basis. Besides the fact that it is important for me to stay abreast on global events as a world history teacher, I feel it is simply important for people to be informed citizens. If I can pass that onto the students, then I will feel as though I have done my job.

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Posted in education, TechnologyTagged , , , , , , ,

Exercise for your brain

October 20, 2011 12:56 am

Many companies are encouraging their employees to be more active and take their health more seriously. Companies are offering incentives like discounts on their health care premiums,company recognition, and points to buy items with to help motivate their employees. Companies today are asking more of their employees while cutting costs and head count they are relying on less people to do more work. Many of us will work out and the obvious clues are those extra pounds that we gain, or the fact that out clothes are fitting a little tighter. In helping to encourage employees to take care of their entire body companies are now offering programs to help your brain.

We all know that with age and repetitive tasks at work our cognitive function will suffer. That is where brain exercise programs like those offered from Cognifit fill that gap. Our company just introduced a similar program where everything is online and you take an initial assessment to identify your strong and weak areas. Then simple mind challenging exercises are presented to you to complete and help you strengthen your memory, cognitive and analytical thinking. The one suggestion I can make is to set up a to do for yourself on a weekly basis to check in online and complete a few of the exercises a week. Just like visiting a gym, checking in with your brain gym is just as important. You will love the exercises and sites like Cognifit.com are free to join. They also provide some motivation and let you know how you are doing as compared to your peers in the same age group and geographical location. So get started on your mental health and keep your brain as physically fit as the rest of your body.

Posted in Continuing Education, educationTagged ,

Review of top 64 online universities

September 10, 2011 3:23 pm

Getting your advanced degree in education or business is a smart choice in this current job market and with the current online colleges  offerings you can enroll and take classes on your time. This wasn’t a hard decision 10 years ago; when a student or an adult decided to go back to school and complete a online degree. Things have changed a lot since then and the availability of online courses have exploded to help both current students and those looking to enhance their knowledge. At DegreeJungle.com they have just published their review of the top 64 online universities to help you find the right school for you. They provide a resource that compare the top online schools based on their costs, degrees offered, and student enrollment. The great thing about going to school online, is that geography really isn’t that important.
If you’re seeking a career in the business, education field or some other area you want to get an online degree; then make sure you do your homework. You can find online degree programs in business with great comparisons on which colleges offer the right degree for you. These reviews can be a helpful source, in helping you make a choice that you won’t regret later. I know cost is always going to be an important issue, no matter what it is we are deciding on. Online universities are becoming more and more popular as students and their parents look for a more economical way to gain their higher education. The technology has come a long way and the learning and experience that you can gain online is catching up to local college and universities. Most major universities have online degrees to attract those students are working, but want to get their MBA without having to travel to campus.

Posted in educationTagged , ,

Time for a new look for your home in 2011

August 25, 2011 11:31 pm

The money is short in most households right now with all the problems happening on Wall Street. It doesn’t look like this pattern is going to get better anytime soon. It may be hard to repair a gutter or replace the kitchen tiles with the times so hard right now for everyone financially but you can consult toronto contractors to help you with that project. If your family hasn’t really been affected by these troubling times, you may can afford the home repairs right now. They are saying things will get worse down the road, so don’t go spending all your money yet on the home. A leaky roof or something that could develop into a more costly problem down the road does need to be taken care of now. Search for toronto renovations experts for emergency repairs that need to be fixed as soon as possible.

The whole housing market is down right now and less money is flowing through that sector of the market. You may be able to find better deals at the hardware stores on items like bathroom tiles and these home supply stores that sell things for the home. Lots of people have been laid off and these companies are making cut backs right now. To move the items they already have in stock, they do need to lower the prices. This means for those people that had plan to do home repairs this year, should be able to get some really good discounts. Housing materials are often not that cheap and we may never see an opportunity like this again. Even if you hadn’t planned on touching up the home this year, you may want to keep an eye on the prices at your local hardware store. There are various simple fixes like calling toronto bathroom renovations to install tiles that will give your bathroom a refreshed look without having to spend thousands of dollars.You don’t have to use the products you buy on sale immediately and you can store these home supplies away until you do get ready to use or install them. I’m expecting this year to be a consumer’s market and the buyers shopping for home supplies this year, should get rewarded with low prices and value.

Posted in education, TechnologyTagged , ,