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College Information

May 29th, 2008

The process for finding the right school requires gathering accurate college information. Continuous changes in the educational and career landscape often result in alterations or modifications in an institution. These changes can commonly affect admission processes, tuition, eligibility for scholarships or financial aid, program requirements and other areas. With these changes coming from year to year, it is important to have the most current information possible when researching a particular school. The majority of colleges keeps their information up to date and posted on an official website. This can help the selection and admission process go much smoother.

Accurate college information is especially necessary when it comes to programs and program requirements. One will need to be sure that the subjects offered would be what a prospective student needs. As some colleges only offer as a high as a bachelor’s degree in some fields of study, others may offer a master’s degree and even higher. An individual will need to choose accordingly with his or her ultimate goals. It is also a good idea to look at a school’s policy toward the transfer of credits. This way, students will know what to expect should a change occur in their educational journey.

A Good Memory Will Change Your Child’s Life

May 7th, 2008

Would you like to help your child develop an amazing memory
quickly and easily? Have you ever envied someone because of his
or her incredible memory? Did that person seem to learn and
remember everything effortlessly? Chances are that your answer
is…Yes!

As children begin their education and face the mountains of
facts and formulas ahead of them, they will need tools to
simplify their learning and master subjects. A good memory will
change your child’s life. You can help them develop a good
memory and have fun doing it!

These are tried and true techniques I have used throughout my
life with different types of learners, different ages of
students, and differing subject matter. You, too, can make them
a part of your child’s life and education (and your own).

I received my primary education in a religious school, where I
was expected to LEARN. I was forced (yes-forced) to memorize by
rote every day. This ranged from multiplication tables to Robert
Frost, but every day it was something. Worse, every day we had
to stand up in the front of the class and recite the lesson. The
performance anxiety was intense. It was pure torture. Little did
I realize, from that perceived trauma, that I would develop
techniques that would supercharge my brain power. Later in
college, I majored in the History of Art, which required
memorizing thousands of seemingly random facts. It was nothing
to be expected to know 200 dates, artists, objects of art, and
the history surrounding them for one exam. Wow, so much stuff
and so little time!

I never dreamed that my shortcuts were so special, that they’d
be the keys that would catapult me to the top of my class and
give me the edge over my classmates.

I thought everyone used them. Whoa… was I wrong! When my
classmates were struggling, cramming, and panicking, I slid
through the curriculum and exams with ease.

For the last 30 years, I taught my memory techniques to my
students (as an elementary school teacher). It was wonderful
watching the “skulls full of mush” develop into eager learners.

Recently, I have branched out into studying why and how learning
and memory occur. I have been focusing on the brain, how we
learn, and how we remember.

The brain is a miraculous thing! Train it properly once and you
are its master for life!

Here’s the first step: Encourage your child to look at the world
around them. Yes, LOOK … (I told you it was easy.) Just look
and talk and talk and talk to your child, almost non-stop, (no
matter what their age) about what you see. Emphasize colors,
textures, positioning of objects in your surroundings. Point out
how various items interact. Ask “why” and “how” questions.
Something as simple as how the egg you’re frying “interacts”
with the pan - how it spits, congeals, gets crispy, etc. Notice
the little things. Use your senses; use your adjectives. Call
attention to cause and effect.

This gets children interested in all things around them.
Depending on the age of your child, elicit input - anything.
Help your child to develop his or her natural curiosity about
the world.

Encourage participation.

It is critical that they get the gist of this without too much
prompting. Take as long as your child needs to develop this “new
attention”! This “attention” is the foundation to ALL memory, so
perfect it now! Make this heightened awareness a normal part of
your conversations with them. This is the first step in
developing your child’s memory. Make sure each child gets a
grasp of this concept before moving on. I guarantee they will
enjoy this “game” and never realize they are developing skills
that will serve them their whole lives.

A good memory is fundamental to all learning.

The History of the Printing Press

April 20th, 2008

Copyright 2006 business-cards.com

History would have us believe the first printed book, like so many inventions, came out of China. The publication, “The Diamond Sutra” appeared in 868 AD and the print type was most certainly made from clay. Others insist that there were earlier examples of printed books or certainly sheets, but experts have not come forward with either evidence or titles.

However, there is a lot of evidence telling us the first printing press originated in what is now modern day Germany, which at the time comprised a series of princely states. The first, or “the Guttenberg Press” came into being somewhere between 1436 and 1440. The inventor, Johannes Gutenberg was a goldsmith and inventor. The typeface was composed of at first wooden and then later metal letters. It is probably true to say that this invention played a very significant part in the shaping of thinking and learning in the history of the World. Prior to Gutenberg books had to be copied, by hand usually by monks who acted as scribes.

These illuminated manuscripts were truly beautiful pieces of work, but the costs involved put them well beyond the means of the ordinary man in the street. Thus they remained the possessions of the Church, the monarchy and the very rich. Gutenberg’s press changed all that and suddenly the written word was available to the middle classes and all who could read. This revolution certainly resulted in the ongoing Renaissance and later the Reformation of religion, which loosened the stranglehold that Catholicism held on Europe. Gutenberg’s major contribution to this movement was his printing of the Bible in 1452. Interestingly the “Gutenberg Printing Press” remained the standard form of printing right up until the twentieth century. True improvements such offset printing occurred along the way, but his invention had a huge impact on civilization.

Those of us educated under the British School system were of the impression that William Caxton was the father of printing. Unfortunately this notion is untrue. William Caxton was actually a wool merchant who was initially apprenticed to one time Lord Mayor of London, Robert Large. On Large’s death he moved to the magnificent medieval city of Bruges in Belgium, the then center of the textile industry. He was very successful and became an advisor to Charles, Duke of Burgundy. Charles’s wife was Margaret sister of the English King Edward IV. Caxton and the Duchess became firm friends and it was she who persuaded him to translate and later publish what was to become the first printed book in English.

“The Recuyell of the Historyies of Troye”, was originally written in French by Raoul Le Fvre. The book appeared in 1474, 22 years after the “Gutenberg Bible”. Ironically, Caxton had to go to Germany and study printing in Cologne before returning to Bruges where he set up his own printing works. I suppose the Belgians could also claim to be the home in which the first book printed in English was to appear.

www.business-cards.com is one of the leading business stationery websites on the internet today. For more business related articles please take a look
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The Best Colleges for Earning a Degree in Social Work Fields

February 28th, 2008

It has been said that the most rewarding career one can embark upon is one which serves the people. For the thousands of people who graduate each year with a degree in social work related fields they dedicate their lives to helping those who are less fortunate or need assistance in times of needs. When it comes to choosing a college to earn a degree in this field there are certain schools that stand out and truly deserve to be called the best.

Whether your pursue your degree in a local community college, University or through online education there are certain criteria you are undoubtedly looking for to make sure the school you choose is the best for your field. Some of the things that you should look for when making a decision include: What type of programs do they offer in the social sciences? Are they recognized by any national or world-wide institutes or organizations that deal with public service? How have they earned accreditation in this field? No doubt as you begin your search these questions and many others are going to be part of a comprehensive list you develop to help you in choosing the appropriate educational institution.

As you explore your options don’t forget to also check with local and state agencies that provide services to the public in your field to ask them if they can recommend higher education choices. Many times these organizations are thrilled to help someone who wants to pursue this type of work and can not only recommend schools but also help mentor you as you pursue your degree. Often these types of mentoring relationships can lead to full-time employment after graduation.

Nic Haffner is a writer and internet publisher who likes to publish College Education Info Resources and related stuff. Check out his news and in depth information website the-best-colleges.com.

How To Get Parents Involved With School Activities

February 20th, 2008

Research has repeatedly shown that children succeed academically, socially and emotionally and become more well-rounded and balanced individuals if their parents are involved in their education and school activities. Getting involved also sends the message to children that parents are genuinely interested in their education, and that going to school is a positive, valuable cause.

But many parents don’t seem to show much interest in this cause when they aren’t participators in their children’s school activities. They often say they don’t have the time or energy or that they feel uncomfortable in their children’s schools. Other parents just seem to be confused about their options and how they can participate, or are just lacking the right information.

So how can schools get parents involved with school activities?

Communication is the key. A major reason for lack of parental involvement is lack of clear, straightforward and helpful information. Schools and teachers need to make contact with parentsin person, on the phone, through e-mail and websites, through letters and notes sent home, through newsletters. Teachers need to talk to parents in a basic manner without adding “educational jargon” and ensure parents have regular access to readable information about their children’s school activitiesboth in and out of the classroom.

Parents want to know what their children are learning, what school activities they are involved in, how they as parents can specifically be involved with their children’s education and school activities, how they can approach teachers and how they can help their children at home.

Providing this information regularly, consistently and in various formats will help bridge the gap between schools lacking parental involvement and parents not being involved in the schools.

Accommodation and inclusion is another strategy for getting parents involved in school activities. Parents need to know that schools are sensitive to their needs, lifestyles and demands. Teachers should try and work around parents’ work schedules for school activities, meetings and conferences, and also work around cultural or language barriers. Schools should make it easy, too, by letting parents know that involvement doesn’t have to be an all-consuming, complicated process.

Another way to be accommodating is to invite parents to act as partners in the school decision-making process. They should regularly ask for parents’ concerns and suggestions, and then deal with them accordingly. If schools want parents to come to school meetings, they could first of all provide a survey asking what dates and times are the most suitable, provide child care for younger siblings, and a “parental platform” during the meeting where parents are given the opportunity to speak, make suggestions and ask questions.

Be resourceful. Finally, schools should provide resources for parents who want to learn more and become more involved in their children’s school activities and education. Offer parent education classes. Create a parenting resource center at the school with informational material such as brochures, articles, magazines, tips, textbooks, videos and CDs or tapes. Develop a school website with a section for parents. Set up sessions or workshops at the school on issues like single parenting, helping with homework, improving grades and study skills, child care, raising teenagers, drug and sexual awareness, etc. Send “goodie bags” home filled with activities parents can do with their children.

The opportunities are endless, and if schools and teachers are truly committed to the cause of parental involvement in education and school activities, then they can get parents on board as well.

Getting parents involved in their child’s education can be a daunting task. Websites like GetParentsInvolved.org help teach how parents can get more involved with their local school.

Fight the Exam Stress

January 25th, 2008

Our life always offers us to take different exams - some or
other kinds of trials, where we have to prove our competence,
our well being, our determination and our IQ. Student having to
submit his philosophy term paper
http://www.superiorpapers.com/philosophy_term_paper.php ;
surgeon operating for the first time, unemployed, who came for
the interview to his potential employer - all of them have the
symptoms of the exam stress.

If you are a student, there is no need for me to explain what
exam stress is. Sleepless nights, troubled thoughts, loss of
appetite, rapid pulse, trembling hands - these are typical
manifestations of exam fear. Recent research has shown that it
affects all the systems of the human body: nervous, immune,
cardiovascular, etc. The scientists from Houston Medical School
proved in the course of their research that exam fear increases
the possibility of cancer. Unfortunately, the negative influence
of this phenomenon on the students’ body and their psychology is
underestimated nowadays. Social polls demonstrate that students
perceive the exams as a “duel of questions and answers”, as a
“severe torture” as “intellectual and emotional overload”.
Writing term papers (e. g psychology term paper
http://www.superiorpapers.com/psychology_term_paper.php) most of
them compare with “killing their time “. Yes, exams are
important for you as their results influence your social status,
your self -esteem, grants, your further perspectives of study
and probably your future professional career. Such factors as
long awaiting of the exam, some uncertainty when taking your
exam card ( it is like sink or swim ) and tough limit of time
for your preparation maximize emotional tension. Some foreign
and native scientists, having studied this area thoroughly have
concluded that from psycho hygienic position exams are
undesirable and they should be cancelled. At the same time there
is quite opposite point of view, stating that exams stimulate
brain activity and increase cognitive and mental activity.
American psychologist Sarazon determined that those students who
are afraid of exam can considerably improve their achievements
and even outdo those who are not scared of them. The only
necessary thing for it - is the encouraging attitude of the
professors - they should strengthen students’ self-confidence.
Surely, praise must prevail over scolding. Only then the exams
are useful. Every person has own optimal level of worry and
anxiety, which helps him/ her to achieve the best results. You
must learn how to control your stress and extra anxiety to
graduate from the university as a healthy person. I hope that
these small tips will be of practical help to you and you will
forget what exam stress is in the negative meaning of the word.
If exams cause great worry, if you have some symptoms of exam
stress (insomnia, rapid pulse, hands trembling and so on) you
ought to do something about it. Use breath meditations, repeat
formulas of autosuggestion, imagine the picture of ideal exam
atmosphere. You also should take three relaxing sessions and
reduce the level of stressful tension (a day before the exam,
before leaving home for university and half an hour before the
exam).

Funding A College Education: Where To Start

January 22nd, 2008

The beginning of the new year marks the time when many high
school students will apply to college and decide where they will
continue their education. For students and parents alike, paying
for a secondary education is a major concern.

About two-thirds of all student financial aid comes from U.S.
Department of Education grant, workstudy, and loan programs. Aid
is awarded for these programs based on demonstrated financial
need. Grades or class ranking are not considered.

The different types of government aid available feature:

* You don’t have to pay back grants (unless, for example, you
withdraw from school and owe a refund).

* Work-study allows you to earn money for your education.

* Loans allow you to borrow money for school. You must repay any
money you borrow.

You can learn about state aid programs by contacting your state
higher education agency. You can learn about other programs by
checking with your high school counselor or the college or
career school you plan to attend. You can also use a search
engine on the Web using key words such as “financial aid,”
“student aid,” or “scholarships.”

Many private scholarship search services provide sources of
financial assistance. If you decide to use a service, check its
reputation by contacting the Better Business Bureau or a state
attorney general’s office.

Visit My Site http://www.careerpath.cc

Paralegals: Working in the Law Field Without a Law Degree

January 14th, 2008

Paralegals help lawyers prepare for trials, do client interviews, assist in hearings and closings, perform legal research, prepare legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions, obtain affidavits and assist during trials.

California Definition:
Paralegal is a person who either contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an active members of the State Bar of California, as defined in Section 6060, or an attorney practicing law in the federal courts of this state, that has been specifically delegated by the attorney to him or her. Tasks performed by a paralegal include, but are not limited to, case planning, development and management; legal research; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting and analyzing legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is permitted by statute, court rule, or administrative rule or regulation.

Find descriptions from other states at www.paralegals.org

Education Requirements:
2 year associates degree in paralegal studies or
4 year bachelor’s degree plus paralegal certification

Skills Needed:
Good research abilities, investigative and organizational skills, understanding of legal terminology, knowledge of legal software applications

Certification:
National Federation of Paralegal Associations: www.paralegals.org/

Job Opportunities:
70% of paralegals work for private law firms, a small percentage free lance and the rest work for the government


Income:
Starting salaries are $25,000 to $79,000 per year based on education, training, and experience. The average in 2004 was $39,000.
Other salary factors include location and size of the office. The US federal government starts at $59,370 per year.

Resources:
US Department of Labor: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm
Paralegal Education: www.aafpe.org/
Paralegal Organization: www.paralegals.org/
ABA Directory of Accredited Schools: www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/

Find out how you can enter this exciting field at www.internetuniversitydegrees.com/online-paralegal-degree.shtml

Pat Schraier is a web site designer and owner of Way Out West Products. Paralegal Resources at Internet University Degrees

Rattanakosin - the Growth of Old Bangkok and the Dawn of a Era

December 26th, 2007

Rattanakosin came into being when King Rama I ascended the
throne in 1782. He decided to establish the new capital on the
east bank of the Chao Phraya River for better security from
Burma. King Rama I was determined to build a new capital to
revive the glory and splendor of old Ayutthaya. The new
capital was proclaimed

Krungthep Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin Mahintra
Yuttaya Mahadilokpop Noparat Burirom Udom Rachnivet
Mahasathan Amornpimarn Avartarnsathit Sakkatiya
Witsanukamprasit

and hence began the Rattanakosin era or Bangkok period
under the glorious reign of the Chakri Kings.

King Rama I choose a site just north of Wat Po, an old temple
from the 17th century. With the Chao Phraya on the west and
the Lod Canal on the east, the new capital was far more
defensible.

In accordance with Thai customs, the first task was laying the
foundation pillar for the new city. The City Pillar Shrine or Sao
Lak Muang was established on 21 April 1782. Later King
Rama IV, an avid astrologer, felt that a more auspicious
location was required. The shrine was moved to the present
location on 5 December 1852.

Construction of the Grand Palace commenced on 6 May and
King Rama I occupied the royal residence on 13 June.
Hundreds of boatloads of rubble were shipped from the ruins
of Ayutthaya to build the city walls and public buildings of
Rattanakosin.

At the same time, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat
Phra Kaeo was constructed and completed in 1784. The
Emerald Buddha was brought across the river from Wat Arun
and installed in the new temple in the same year.

King Rama I appointed his younger brother the Uparat or
Prince of the Front Palace, the equivalent of a second or
deputy king. Part of the Front Palace is now the National
Museum and National Theater.

In 1934, the palace grounds south of the National Museum was
taken over by the government to start Thammasat University,
one of the leading universities in Thailand. The remaining
Front Palace wall line the southern edge of the university along
Phra Chan Road.

Across Phra Chan Road is Wat Mahathat, another old temple
since the pre-Rattanakosin era. The statue at the entrance to
the temple is in honor of the Uparat or Prince of the Front
Palace, who played a pivotal role in establishing the new
capital. Also located here is the Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist
University.

The Silapakorn University of Fine Arts and the Fine Arts
Department were built on the site of three former palaces in
the first reign.

Northeast of the Grand Palace is the Royal Field or Sanam
Luang where royal cremations were held in the past. Today it’s
a location for local fairs and festivities. An important annual
event that takes place here is the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in
May to mark the start of the agricultural year.

The first canal, Lod Canal, was dug during the reign of King
Taksin. In 1785, the second canal ring called Rob Krung
(literally around the city) turned the city into an island and so
gave rise to the name Rattanakosin Island.

Forts were built along the Chao Phraya River and the Rob
Krung Canal for the defense of Rattanakosin. The third canal
ring, Padung Krung Kasem Canal, was added in 1851-54.

Opposite the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is the Ministry of
Defense with old cannon displayed on the front lawn. This was
built in 1882, during the reign of King Rama V, on the grounds
of three old palaces from the reign of King Rama I.

The Saranrom Palace, opposite the Grand Palace, was built in
1866 during the reign of King IV. In 1960, part of the palace
grounds became a public park, the Saranrom Park.

It’s a pity that modern buildings have replaced some of the old
palaces. The old walls and forts protecting the city have been
demolished; only two forts and part of the old city walls
remain. But the remaining buildings in Rattanakosin give a
glimpse of old Bangkok and recapture the glory of that era.

This article first
appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel
site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of
Bangkok. The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in
Bangkok Thailand.

Don’t Mess with Politicians

December 24th, 2007

After a hard working day we come home, ready to drop from
fatigue, and fall hopelessly on your sofa in front of the TV.
Mechanically you take the remote controller and check your nine
hundred channels for news or something interesting to lift you
up. On your favorite channel there is a news sequence and a
good-looking woman explains the current situation. There is a
strike somewhere in your neighborhood; you could hardly drive
through the crowd. They want a wages raise or more suitable
conditions or something else. Though your problems have to be
the top priority for you, you still think about what is going on
in your community. A crowd on the screen disappears and you see
a clean-shaved face of some spokesman or politician commenting
on the situation. His words are very considerate, carefully
chosen and pleasant to hear, though his explanation of the
problem is quite contradictory. Against your will you become
involved in what he says, you almost believe him and ready to
think of those on the streets as idiots, but another picture
appears. Angry police tries to make people leave the street. Not
as pleasant as the face of a spokesman. You turn the TV off and
go to the kitchen to have a break and get your thoughts
together. You just had a lesson of politics and obviously its
ways are not to your taste.

Now we are quite satisfied with our lives and don’t think about
anything else but our profit. Politics or dirty games, if it
doesn’t harm you, why should be concerned? We peacefully sit in
our rooms, order term
paper and play with our children. But this is until
elections come about. Then you forget about your custom term paper and
go into the anxiety of what is going on. Your head almost
explodes because of the amount of information. Every day you see
debates and read interesting articles in different sources. You
imagine the fortune that was spent on all of this and its
meaning makes you forget about your duty in front of your
country. As a concerned citizen you care about the leaders and
political parties within power in your country. And you behave
like a concerned citizen: read articles and brochures, study
candidates’ biography and contributions, listen to their plans
of campaigns and think: who will be the best. The truth is, none
of them will meet your requirements, for not everything you hear
is truth.

Power is a strong drug to get addicted to. This can probably be
the most truthful statement that you hear during elections. To
get power a person is ready to do almost anything to get it.
Dirty games and black PR is a common thing. Blackmailing,
cheating, overuse of the law happens on every step of the
political career ladder. No one knows about dirty facts of one’s
life until elections come. Once a politician comes out into a
light, his voters can get to know everything about him,
including the size of his bedroom. But again this is quite
usual. And God prevent you from messing with one of the famous
names. You won’t be able to look around when you’ll be left
without property, family and hope for the better future. No
matter how democratic elections are, you still can be sure that
dirty games are involved. If you are still faithful to your
leader that is very good, but sooner or later you’ll stop
believing in nobility of his/her intentions and if after a
series of tries to label your leader you still believe him, you
must be a real patriot.

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