Homeschool Literature

Reading is a great way to explore our world because you are allowed to visit foreign countries, learn a new skill or hobby, sail on the Titanic, ride in a hot air balloon, swim with whales and dolphins, hike mountains, visit a specific time period, escape from dragons…the list goes on and on.
Most homeschool parents encourage or even require their children to read every day. They understand the importance of fostering a love of reading early on. Reading not only broadens your horizon, but it helps improve spelling and writing skills. Isn’t that something we all want for our children?
There are numerous book clubs for kids, teens, and adults these days. Many homeschool co-op groups offer book review classes. Kids are challenged to go beyond the pages of the book and apply what they are learning in the book to their own life. I’ve not met a kid yet who didn’t enjoy a great hands-on book review class. They come away with more than just having read a book; they feel like a part of the book.
I bet many of you have book shelves filled with great works of fiction and nonfiction alike. I suspect of you have rooms that rival a library. It is easy to find books written about kids at school, but how many books can you find that feature, or merely mention homeschooled kids? How many of your books are specifically geared toward the homeschooler? How many of your books are written by a homeschooler, or a homeschool parent? Does homeschool literature exist? Yes, it does, but it seems to be a niche market at this point, although it is growing.
Homeschool characters or homeschool plots have been long excluded from most reading material. Part of the reason is simply that homeschooling has only taken off in popularity in the last decade. Wouldn’t it be nice for your child to read books written by homeschoolers for homeschoolers. Your child is immediately able to identify with homeschooled characters...they share a commonality.
There are many benefits to reading books authored by homeschoolers as well. One big benefit is allowing your child to see that homeschooling can and does produce amazing writers…case in point, Christopher Paolini . My daughter loves the Inheritance Cycle series by Paolini. One day as we were discussing writing, I told her that one of her favorite books was written by a young homeschooled guy. She was so impressed and inspired that she decided she too could write a book. Voila, her writing career took off. While she is not at the level of Paolini, I have seen great strides in her writing, and most of all, I have seen a strong belief in herself. She will tell you very simply that if a homeschooled kid can write a great book like Eargon, there is no reason why she can’t also write a great book. I could never have instilled that determination in her by encouraging her to write. It came because she saw what a homeschooled kid did, and identified with him.
Introduce your homeschooler to books for and by homeschoolers. See what a difference it makes in their life!

Educational Apps for Kids – It’s All at Their Fingertips

Technology has really had a dramatic impact on every area of our lives in the last few years, particularly with the rise of smartphones and tablet computers. While those gadgets have had an undeniable effect on communication, business and productivity, one of the most interesting areas that they’re changing is education. Kids have access to an incredible range of different apps, from Spanish to math, history, science, biology and everything in between.
For homeschoolers, the last few years have brought huge blessings. You’re no longer limited to working only out of physical schoolbooks, thanks to Internet programs, online homeschool curricula, etc. However, apps for tablets and phones give you and your kids the chance to delve even deeper into subjects that interest them (and those that they might be struggling with).
For example, if you have a young reader struggling with English, the iPad app “How Rocket Learned to Read” is an excellent way to introduce kids to letter sounds, but it combines learning with animation and lots of fun. For older kids, Grammar Up HD makes a great way to brush up on grammar rules (it’s a multiple-choice quiz format, with over 1800 questions).
If your kids (like mine) have a love for science and the natural world, there are plenty of apps out there. Britannica Kids: Volcanoes is an awesome app for learning about volcanism, and Star Walk (one of my child’s FAVORITE apps) is an excellent introduction into astronomy and the star/planet details offered by the app are great.
History and geography haven’t been left out of the mix, either. Virtual History ROMA takes kids on a trip through the ancient city of Rome and introduces them to some of the wonders of the world, like the Colosseum. If you want something a bit more in-depth, then give AP US History a shot. It’s a complete study plan with tests, flashcards and quite a bit more to help your child not only learn about US history, but really get to know our nation’s past.
There are even some excellent apps for art, music and creativity. From drawing and painting apps (like SketchBook Pro) to Inkpad and Symphony Pro, there are some killer apps that will really help your child learn more about these essential areas and even give them the chance to explore their interests here. As any homeschooling parent knows, finding good art and music lessons that really engage your kids can be a huge headache (that coloring book gets old after a while!).
One of the most interesting innovations with tablet and smartphone apps is the numerous options for accessible learning. In schools, kids with learning disabilities have a really hard time. It can even be tough for homeschooled kids with those challenges to get the best education. You’ll find quite a few accessibility apps that help make learning easier. In fact, the iTunes Store has a whole suite of special education apps, from communication to hearing, language development, literacy and even life skills.

online education: Check Out Our Newest Book!

online education: Check Out Our Newest Book!: Kids everywhere enjoy dressing up! Beaming faces of children in playful or festive clothes, wearing garlands or masks, or taking part in t...

Check Out Our Newest Book!

Kids everywhere enjoy dressing up! Beaming faces of children in playful or festive clothes, wearing garlands or masks, or taking part in team sports inspire young readers to explore how their clothing makes them feel and how it tells the world who they are. Colorful photos from 45 countries!

Spring Gala 2012: Children Should Be Seen and Heard

Join us for our Spring Gala in New York City on May 10, 2012 at Guastavino’s. Meet our courageous grantee partners who are bringing providing the world’s most vulnerable children the support and tools they need to make a difference and become healthy, productive citizens.

Accelerate your Career with Fast Online Degrees

In this day and age, more people are turning to online colleges to obtain accelerated degrees that will help enhance their careers. With fast degrees, you can obtain a college education in less time than ordinary degree programs would take. There are many benefits to furthering your education in this manner, and many online colleges and universities are starting to offer accelerated online masters degree in many courses of study, including business, accounting and several others. If you’re interested in pursuing one of these fast degrees, it’s important to keep several things in mind before committing to a course of study.

When pursuing accelerated quick degrees via distance education, you can finish your course of study up to 50% quicker than a traditional degree program would take. What’s more, these fast degrees are generally much less expensive because they can be delivered quickly through a variety of educational mediums. Accelerated degrees aren’t generally for everyone. Usually, these programs are designed for adult learns with a desire to enhance their career field with a degree they can complete in less time than a traditional institution would require. Because you can bring your own life experiences to the table, online degrees are ideal for the working professional with a desire to better themselves in the workforce.

While many people will attempt to tell you that online learning is easier than learning through a traditional class room setting, this is actually a myth. To succeed in an accelerated degree program requires intense motivation, self discipline and a high level of determination to achieve your educational goals. What’s more, it’s important to learn how to manage your time effectively between juggling a career, home life and school. While accelerated degree offer convenience and a chance to study at your own pace, these fast degrees require as much work and concentration as a traditional program of study would.

Because with accelerated degrees you are learning a vast amount of material within a small time frame, it’s easier to remember the information you learn because it’s delivered over a period of weeks rather than months. This type of course structure requires intense concentration, but you’re able to focus on one specific topic, and the information is delivered in a highly condensed format. The convenience just can’t be beat as far as fast degrees go, and you’re able to learn a wide variety of things in a short amount of time compared to a traditional classroom setting.

Obtaining an accelerated quick degree from an online college is not for everyone. Before you commit to an online program, you need to take a look at yourself and analyze your situation. Do you possess a proactive personality? Are you willing to complete tasks on your own without someone holding your hand along the way? To be truly successful in this type of program, you need to be a very independent individual. As long as you have the motivation and desire to succeed, you can achieve anything you want through an online degree.

Provided you do all of your research before jumping into the college waters, you’ll be able to find an accelerated degree program that works for you. With accelerated degrees, you need to have the ability to manage your time effectively, because it’s very easy to get behind in your coursework if you aren’t keeping up with the rest of the class. Fast degrees are definitely a convenient way to further your education online in a shorter amount of time, but online study requires an intense amount of drive and focus. If you have the willingness and desire to get the work done, you will succeed in obtaining an accelerated degree online.


About the Author

Harris Jhosta is holding the market experience of IT industry and immense business solutions for about 2 decades now. His vast experience in the related field gave him the acclamation and renown ship in many sectors of business. Harris has also been involved in providing educational services in form of various seminars and lectures, in many well renowned universities. Presently carrying a research on the evolution of business performance by the advent of Information Technology Ciphers in the state university of california.

Beware of Fake Diplomas

With the rise of online distance education programs, students everywhere are turning to this convenient method to receive a college education. While there’s no denying that online education offers prospective students a flexible alternative to traditional schools, there are certain scams you need to be aware of to avoid receiving a fake diploma. Fake degrees are more common than many people might think, and anyone can be fooled into believing they are receiving a quality education when in reality, they are not. While distance education is a viable way to obtain your education goals, be aware of the following scams or you very well might end up with a fake diploma.
When searching for online degrees programs, it’s very important to assure that the school is accredited. It’s very easy for a college to say they are fully accredited, but unless they are accredited through proper means you could end up with fake degrees that will mean nothing to prospective employers. Nowadays, some schools that are only out to take your money will create their own illegitimate accreditation boards to give the illusion that their school is the real deal. To stay safe, and to be sure you don’t end up with a fake diploma, check with the proper accreditation boards for any online program you are considering.
One common sense sign people tend to miss is the lack of contact information a school provides. A legitimate school will provide complete contact information for students to get in touch with their teachers and faculty. While e-mail is definitely a convenient way to contact your school, it shouldn’t be the only way. Check to make sure the school you wish to attend provides an address and telephone number where you can reach them. Schools that offer fake degrees oftentimes omit this pertinent information, which should be your first warning sign.
It’s also important to remember that any claim that sounds too good to be true probably is. For example, if an online degree program claims you will be able to finish your education extremely fast or makes outrageous claims that sound unbelievable, listen to your intuition! It’s probably an advertising gimmick designed to take your money and leave you hanging with a fake diploma. Fake degrees will not be taken seriously with any employer or school, and if you fall prey to one of these scams you are the one left holding the bag.
While an online education offers people flexible ways to reach their educational goals, it’s important to keep a watchful eye out for anything that looks the least bit suspicious. In obtaining a college education, you want your degree to mean something and a fake diploma from a school that isn’t legitimate will not get you where you want to be in life. When researching distance education programs, always check to make sure the school is legitimate before you pay any money to study with them. If you’re not careful, you may end up with a fake diploma after all of your money and time has been spent.


About the Author

Harris Jhosta is holding the market experience of IT industry and immense business solutions for about 2 decades now. His vast experience in the related field gave him the acclamation and renown ship in many sectors of business. Harris has also been involved in providing educational services in form of various seminars and lectures, in many well renowned universities. Presently carrying a research on the evolution of business performance by the advent of Information Technology Ciphers in the state university of california.

Is Corllins University a scam?

Online education being accessible, affordable and flexible by students across the globe left Traditional Universities insecure of their future and that is when they started spreading word against online universities. Unethical ways were opted to oppose and taint the truth.

Last day a friend of mine came to me asking about some online education institute, namely Corllins University. I started searching for the university and saw the negative results on the search term. As per the human nature I clicked on those negative searches and what I found out was that either they were from COMPETITORS or someone is trying to HARASS the administration of Corllins University for a small share in earnings.

Corllins University is not claiming anything that they are not already delivering. They offer students with online learning programs so that they can study from home with ease and carry on with their prior commitments.

People tend to be very negative when they talk about online learning programs; I don’t see harm in any such educational model. Online education serves the purpose while facilitating you with ease of taking classes online and study being at home or work. It enables you to add value to your credentials while being ahead of your schedule at work. The only reason I can find behind opposing the learning methodology of Corllins University is that either you’re a competitor or you are related to some traditional university. Moreover their degrees are INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED, which means their area of influence is not limited to geographical boundaries.

Corllins University is offering programs across the globe. In their mission statement they clearly state the fact that they are working towards providing education to people who cannot attend the traditional university either being busy with prior commitments or being unable to pay hefty amounts in the name of admission and course fees.

I am not being paid by anyone for all this but I just wanted people like my friend to be sure about opportunities that are lying around us but we don’t avail them because some people tagged them to be phony though their own existence and credibility is of question.

Under umbrella of 15 different schools Corllins is offering quite good majors necessary in combinations for a particular job description. if you are looking for an online education program I will recommend you (as I did to my friend) to go for Corllins University without putting in extra efforts and money in search for a good online university, but in the end its your future and your money – my motive was to help those who are losing opportunities just because someone looking for extra money is defaming a university on purpose.




About the Author

Harris Jhosta is holding the market experience of IT industry and immense business solutions for about 2 decades now. His vast experience in the related field gave him the acclamation and renown ship in many sectors of business. Harris has also been involved in providing educational services in form of various seminars and lectures, in many well renowned universities. Presently carrying a research on the evolution of business performance by the advent of Information Technology Ciphers in the state university of california.

Online High School Diplomas

It used to be that if a person didn't graduate from high school, their lives were going to go downhill from there. These days life is a little more flexible, although it still holds true that to hold a decent job you need the bare minimum of a high school education. Luckily, the rise of the digital age has brought about resources to help those who didn't graduate obtain a high school diploma online. Additionally, receiving an online diploma offers teenagers a chance to obtain a high school education away from the traditional school setting and to work at a pace that suits them. Whatever the reasons for getting a high school diploma online, there are certain things everyone needs to be aware of beforehand.

The importance of a high school diploma cannot be emphasized enough. There have been numerous studies conducted which show that the average salaries of individuals with a high school diploma are much greater than those who do not possess a diploma. Additionally, diploma will give you a great sense of accomplishment and achievement. Because of the impact a high school diploma can have on your life, it is important to fully understand and research the kind of high school degrees the internet has to offer. By taking the time to properly educate yourself about online high school diplomas, you will obtain a diploma that not only helps you financially, but also provides you with a sense of pride.

When searching for an online high school, it's important to avoid being misled by outrageous claims and boldfaced lies. Receiving an online diploma isn't a one-night deal; it takes work and dedication just like receiving a traditional high school diploma would. When choosing a school to study from, there are usually two options including public internet schools and private internet schools. Either school will allow students to acquire an online diploma, but there are certain advantages and disadvantages to each that you should look into before deciding on a school that's right for your needs.

In the case of private internet schools, these institutions are generally not regulated by the government. Because of this, each school is allowed to adopt their own rules and regulations throughout the learning process. Obtaining a high school diploma through a private school will vary in cost from school to school, but it's generally very high because you are responsible for every cost of your education. As with any school, be sure to check if the particular institution you're interested in applying to is accredited by the proper accreditation boards. Otherwise, your online diploma may not be accepted as proof of a high school graduate.

With public schools, provided your state allows charter schools it's quite possible students will be allowed to enroll in an online public school free of cost. While charter schools are generally publicly funded, but have more freedom when it comes to governing organizations. While achieving an online degrees diploma from a public charter school is a great deal, they may not be available in all states. To receive your high school diploma through one of these online institutions, it's important to check with your state's rules regarding charter schools to ensure you can obtain an online diploma this way.

Whether you want to receive an online university diplomas through a private or public internet school, it's important that you do all of your research beforehand to avoid being burned by the institution. Your high school diploma will serve as the foundation for furthering your education and open up new windows of opportunity to you that were closed before. Obtaining a high school diploma online is a viable and realistic way to achieve academic success. Provided you are disciplined and willing to work hard, you will succeed in obtaining an online diploma.



About the Author

Harris Jhosta is holding the market experience of IT industry and immense business solutions for about 2 decades now. His vast experience in the related field gave him the acclamation and renown ship in many sectors of business. Harris has also been involved in providing educational services in form of various seminars and lectures, in many well renowned universities. Presently carrying a research on the evolution of business performance by the advent of Information Technology Ciphers in the state university of california.

Almeda University's fake accreditation

the menace of unaccredited degrees has negatively impacted the education industry in more ways than one. On one hand, they are gambling with the future of gullible students, and on the other, they are creating a society of intellectual cheats and swindlers.


The purpose of this article is to blow the whistle on these unaccredited online universities, such as Almeda University (www.almedauniversity.org).

These so-called universities fool the unsuspecting people in the garb of their fake accreditation, mainly because a common man lacks the understanding of what an accreditation really is.

Simply put, accreditation is a voluntary and formal way of ensuring that institutions are providing their students with a quality education. It is the responsibility of accrediting agencies to ensure that the institutions are meeting their stated goals.
And when an institution, such as Almeda University, offers you a degree on the basis of a phony accreditation, you have unfortunately been awarded a degree which has no worth or credibility. The main objective of such unscrupulous institutions is to extract exorbitant money from innocent and desperate students without any remorse.

Almeda University is a fake online university, providing unaccredited degrees to students around the world. You get to know its non-accredited and fake status when you call their advisory service; the contact number they have given on their website is mostly inaccessible, and even if they receive your call, which is highly unlikely, they transfer it to other irrelevant people and never answer your queries or questions.

The purpose of this article is not to discourage or criticize online and for-profit universities; rather, it serves as an eye-opener for the people looking for an accredited degree and ensures that they stay aware of the unaccredited universities bent on fleecing them.

Such universities are simply giving a bad name to the industry of online educational institutions, particularly universities awarding degrees based on life experience.

Therefore, it is recommended that people should pursue their education from a credible, recognized and accredited university and protect themselves from falling prey to unaccredited online education predators like Almeda.




About the Author

Harris Jhosta is holding the market experience of IT industry and immense business solutions for about 2 decades now. His vast experience in the related field gave him the acclamation and renown ship in many sectors of business. Harris has also been involved in providing educational services in form of various seminars and lectures, in many well renowned universities. Presently carrying a research on the evolution of business performance by the advent of Information Technology Ciphers in the state university of california.

Why Life Experience Degrees?

Life Experience Degrees have indeed turned out to be a blessing in disguise for a lot of working adults or students who are hindered in their career aspirations due to educational limitations. These degrees have enabled working people around the world to reach new heights in their respective fields when there are no other alternatives.

Life Experience Degrees are a relatively new concept in the educational industry, but are rapidly growing in popularity these days. This is due to a variety of reasons. First of all, they are a lot flexible, easier and quicker than any other means of acquiring an educational degree. These degrees are usually awarded based on evaluation methods of life experience or a test. These tests evaluate the knowledge base of applicants and the expertise they have acquired relative to the procedures and systems prevailing in the industry. This applies that the applicants do not have to study or wait for months in order to acquire an accredited degree or diploma. In this regard, an effective and recognized institution called Woodfield University takes the test, evaluates the applicant and awards an internationally accredited degree within 15 days.

The other advantage that life experience degrees present is that they are affordable. While regular programs are spanned over a longer duration, they cost more. Life experience degrees are a onetime expense where the applicant pays for the diploma after being successfully evaluated and approved. For example, a bachelor’s degree at Woodfield University may cost around $900, while a regular program at a tangible campus would cost you at least $20000.

While life experience degrees present certain doubts, they are a thing of the future. They have proved to be the only source of professional elevation for a lot of people, when there were no other sources. Since a lot of students may not be able to complete their formal education due to various social and economical constraints, life experience degrees are their last resort.




About the Author

Harris Jhosta is holding the market experience of IT industry and immense business solutions for about 2 decades now. His vast experience in the related field gave him the acclamation and renown ship in many sectors of business. Harris has also been involved in providing educational services in form of various seminars and lectures, in many well renowned universities. Presently carrying a research on the evolution of business performance by the advent of Information Technology Ciphers in the state university of california.

Cost effectiveness of an online degree

There are millions of people around the globe who look forward to develop their careers as professionals through advanced education in the field of management. Most people who are looking for online colleges are doing so for time constraints and flexibility of schedule. For example, the business class studying at a "brick and mortar" university is only offered courses at 2pm on Monday-Wednesday-Friday. How can you participate in this course if you are working full time? Compare this to a OLWA University course, where a professor gives you an assignment to complete via email and the class is held as a 24/7 discussion board. With online universities, you are offered much more flexibility with your time which may help you to save money, especially if you are working while attending school.

In the current economy, cost is often a big factor. You don't want to spend a lot of money on your education if you don't have to. Fortunately, there are inexpensive accredited online colleges and universities. Indeed, as a student, you want the most cost-effective degree programs which strike a balance between low-cost tuition and high quality education with accreditation. For this purpose, you might have to spend several hours in order to evaluate the prospects of the online degrees. You would have to gauge the best match against your interest against the university's offerings. Ultimately, what you can get is a degree that helps you to stand out from the crowd as you aspire to go further ahead than your counterparts.

The traditional universities are bound by a lot of factors that makes their costs relatively higher than the online counterparts. They have to fulfill the costs of the building, maintenance, staff, and many other miscellaneous costs. Moreover, the students have to travel to their campuses, incurring an extra bunch of fuel expenses. Online students are devoid of such costs most of the times and hence find it feasible to afford their education on the go.

In my case, I wanted to pursue an MBA degree with majors in Marketing. As a marketing graduate, I understood that marketing has become an important and integral part of any business, and more and more companies are aligning their business processes to become more customer friendly, in order to succeed in this highly competitive marketplace. Though there are many professionals who have good experience in the marketing field, but may lack a professional qualification on their resume. I was amongst those, and an online MBA in marketing was the best education that could help me boost my career by getting qualified for higher positions within the organization or elsewhere. Thus, I enrolled at an online university where I completed my entire master's program in as low as $9000- less than half of the cost that I could have paid at any brick and mortar school! This made the entire process feasible for me as a masters student and helped me progress quickly on the career ladder at the same time.
Today, I am the president of the company with over three hundred brands running successfully under my domain. I have found my decision extremely rewarding, and would recommend all my fellows to do the same.

5 Careers Behind the Super Bowl Ads

Maryalene LaPonsie
Online Education Columnist

A record number 111 million people watched the Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV in 2011. However, more than half of them were probably more concerned with what was happening during the commercial breaks than the action on the field. According to survey conducted by advertising firm Hanon McKendry, 54 percent of those expecting to watch the big game were tuning in for the ads.
The Super Bowl, which caps off the National Football League's season, is consistently one of the most watched television events of the year. To capitalize on that captive audience, companies pull out all the stops for their Super Bowl ads. From the iconic 1984 Apple ad to more recent entries such as the eTrade baby, the Super Bowl ads have been the launching point for innovative campaigns and products.
Winning ads may be quirky, inspirational or outrageous, but all require a team of professionals to take the commercial from a rough concept to polished final piece. If you are intrigued at the prospect of being part of this process, consider the following career choices.
1. Advertising manager
As the head of a promotional team, the advertising manager may do everything from developing the initial concept to overseeing production to approving the final commercial. Some managers may specialize as an account executive, creative director or media director and be responsible for a specific portion of the concept creation process.
Advertising managers can come from a wide range of backgrounds, but employers may prefer job candidates with a bachelor's degree in advertising or journalism. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports advertising and promotions managers earned mean annual wages of $98,720 in 2010.
2. Actor
Would the Old Spice commercial have been nearly as successful without the distinctive voice and chiseled abs of Isaiah Mustafa? Who knows. What we do know is that without the right actor or actress, a potentially great commercial could fall flat.
Good performers are usually gifted with natural talent. However, formal education never hurts. Bachelor's degrees in television broadcasting, film, theater or drama can provide the right training ground for future Super Bowl stars. Salaries for actors vary dramatically, but the BLS indicates mean hourly wages for actors were $28.44 in 2010.
3. Copywriter
Of course, half the Old Spice Man's appeal is that he is "the man your man could smell like." The dialogue in a commercial can be deceptively simple, but make no mistake: talented writers are needed to make the most of every word. Copywriters generally have 30-60 seconds to create a memorable message -- Where's the Beef? -- or telling a compelling story such Chrysler's Imported from Detroit ad from last year.
Sales writers may have a bachelor's degree in advertising, communications or English. The BLS tracks average incomes for copywriters under the more general category of writers and authors. In 2010, these professionals had mean annual wages of $65,960.
4. Film and video editor
Once a commercial has been shot, it is up to a skilled editor to transform the rough footage into the finished piece. Editing is often done on a computer, so today's editors need to be tech-savvy in addition to having an artistic eye.
There are several ways to enter the field as a film and video editor. Some community colleges and technical schools may offer vocational training programs. Others in the field may have degrees in digital video editing, video production or related subjects. According to the BLS, mean annual wages for film and video editors was $61,890 in 2010.
5. Computer software engineer
Twenty years ago, Super Bowl ads were nothing more than 30 seconds of television time. Then in 1999, lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret placed a Super Bowl ad that hyped an online fashion show. In the years since, advertising teams have used Super Bowl commercials to launch multi-media campaigns that combine interactive websites, mobile applications and social media sites. Computer software engineers are the brains that take the Super Bowl ad off the TV screen and into the virtual world.
Computer software engineers need specialized skills, and employers may prefer job candidates with a four-year degree. Bachelor's degrees in computer engineering and computer science are common for those working in this field. Mean annual salaries for computer software engineers working in applications were $90,410 in 2010 according to BLS data.
If you want to create advertisements that reach millions, there's no greater venue than the Super Bowl. Find the advertising career that matches your skills and interests, and take your career to prime time.

Online Education: Advertising and Commercial Design

Richard Barrington
Online Education Columnist

If you combine visual design skills with the ability to communicate a message, an online degree in advertising and commercial design could open up a rewarding career in advertising for you.
Advertising serves a specific purpose, of course, but it also helps shape pop culture. If you want to add your design skills to that culture, a degree in advertising and commercial design can help you get started. You will probably need at least a bachelor's degree, and may want to consider a master's because this is a highly competitive field--with excellent compensation potential for people who succeed.
Fortunately, online degree programs can make those qualifications easier than ever to obtain. You don't live anywhere near a college? Location and distance are not issues with and online degree. If you have family obligations at home, online education allows you to pursue a degree while you stay home to look after children, elderly parents, or anyone else who needs your care. What if you're already working and can't afford to give up your job. Online education is perfect for you because you can structure your academic schedule around your work schedule. You don't have to give up your current career to start building toward a new one.

From Advertising Degree to Advertising Career

Once you earn advertising and commercial design degree, you can have a wider choice of career possibilities. Within advertising, you can choose to specialize in video, Internet, print, or radio media. Your role could be visual design, copy and concept development, sales, or management.
Also, there are plenty of job opportunities outside of the advertising industry itself, as many mid-size to large companies employ their own in-house marketing staffs to develop promotional concepts, brand identities, web content, and the like.
With any educational program, be sure to check accreditation status before you enroll. By choosing the right advertising and commercial design program, you can position yourself for more and better job opportunities in the future.

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.

6 back to school resolutions every college student should keep

ing to college for the first time or wrapping up your final year, attending campus courses or taking online classes, make the new school year your best one yet. Improve your chances of success by keeping these back to school resolutions.
1. Schedule at least an hour of study time every day
Ok, so take one day off on the weekend, but otherwise, your studies should be a part of your daily schedule. And for full-time students, you might need to schedule at least two hours a day. Write it in your calendar, tell your family and friends, and treat it as sacred time. Even if you don't have assignments due, you can use this time to review notes and catch up on supplemental reading. It doesn't take long for college coursework to spiral out of control, and spending a little time each day is vital to ensuring you stay on top of your classes.

2. Talk to your professor at the first sign of trouble
If you are lost in the subject matter, don't wait to contact your professor. It might be embarrassing to admit you are having difficulty but waiting could be disastrous. Put your pride on the shelf and go to your professor's office hours as soon as you feel yourself losing grip on the course content. Students enrolled in online degree programs should send their instructor an email requesting assistance or try to set up a phone call.

3. Sit up front
Sure, your classmates might think you are angling for Teacher's Pet status, but who cares? Sitting up front helps in several ways. It eliminates distractions from the students sitting in front of you, and it can help you hear better--particularly in large lecture halls. What's more, if you know the teacher can see you clearly, you are more likely to pay attention and take notes than check your Facebook status. Online students can do the equivalent by being sure they are logged in for class chats and webinars on time and keeping other windows and programs closed.

4. Join a study group
The quality of study groups can vary dramatically. Some are more about being social than actually studying. However, try a couple different ones if necessary to find one that fits your personality and learning style. Not only are study groups good motivation to get work done, they provide a sounding board to clarify assignment instructions and clear up misunderstandings of course material. Online students should look for other students to act as accountability partners via email.

5. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day
Most people need at least eight hours to function properly although some need more or less. Turn in and get up at the same time each day, even the weekends, to ensure your body gets the rest it needs. There is simply no way to ace a class if you are half-asleep during lectures and your mind is too exhausted to focus on exam questions.

6. Try one new activity each semester
College is a time of discovery, but those discoveries don't always have to happen in a classroom. If you live on campus, join a club, play Frisbee golf or simply step out of your comfort zone once a semester and see what happens. The same goes for online and adult learners. If your schedule is too packed to fit in another commitment, carve out time to spend a day at a museum, the zoo or the beach. The important thing is you are making time to rest and re-energize, which will help you focus on your studies in the long run.
Degree holders tend to earn more and have less unemployment than those who skip going to college. But you only reap those benefits if you actually finish your degree program. Resolve to manage your time and create good study habits that can carry you through this year and the ones to come.

7 Jobs in Online Education

Maryalene LaPonsie
Online Education Columnist

If you are considering online degree programs, you have undoubtedly thought about where to put that degree to work after graduation. Before you start looking far and wide for the right employer, consider a growing field that may be closer than you think -- namely, online education.
Virtual schools as a growth industry
The data on online schools is compelling. According to The Sloan Consortium, an industrial and professional leadership organization in the field of online education, more than 6.1 million students took an online higher education course in the fall of 2010. That means fully one-third of higher education students have taken at least one class online.
Virtual education has been growing at the elementary and secondary levels as well. A 2008 survey conducted by The Sloan Consortium found 7 in 10 public school districts had at least one student enrolled in a fully online class. In the 2007-08 school year, it was estimated more than 1 million K-12 students were enrolled in online coursework.
More recently, a January 2012 report published by the National Education Policy Center found the growth in education management organizations, or EMOs -- private firms offering public education options -- was fueled largely by growth in virtual schools. Last year, 115,000 students served by for-profit EMOs were enrolled in virtual schools, ten times the number learning online in the 2003-04 school year.
Employment in online education
Virtual schools offer more than just opportunities for students to learn. They also represent a new avenue for job seekers looking for a growing industry. Online schools need an array of teachers, administrators and computer science specialists to ensure their online programs are comprehensive and easily accessible. Here are seven occupations that can put your online degree to work in the virtual classroom.

1. Teachers: The most obvious job within the field of online education is that of a teacher. Just like in a regular classroom, teachers must have a bachelor's degree and meet their state's credentialing requirements. However, for many schools, job candidates with a master's degree in education are becoming preferred.
2. School counselors: Online students may be learning from home, but that doesn't mean they are on their own when it comes to navigating their education. Virtual schools often employ guidance counselors who can offer assistance in identifying and meeting goals. School guidance counselors generally have a bachelor or master's degree in counseling and must meet any state licensure requirements.
3. Directors: While traditional schools have principals and superintendents, EMOs generally employ directors, vice presidents and CEOs as their administrators. Some of these positions may require a teaching background while others rely on business expertise. To reach the upper levels of management in an EMO, a master's degree in business administration may be your best bet.
4. Accountants and financial managers: Just like in other private businesses and non-profits, someone has to manage the books. Financial managers at online schools may have a bachelor's degree in economics, accounting or finance. Some may also have a master's degree or professional certification. Accountants may have a bachelor or master's degree in accounting. Another educational path worth considering is a master's degree in business administration with an accounting focus.
5. Software engineers: Virtual schools are only as good as their online classrooms. Software engineers are among the tech professionals virtual schools rely upon to seamlessly deliver class lessons and coursework. Most software engineering jobs require a bachelor's degree, but some employers may prefer a master's degree in computer science or software engineering.
6. Network and computer systems administrators: Once the software and system are created, network and systems administrators install and maintain them. These professionals can be among the most crucial component when it comes to ensuring that the day-to-day operations of virtual schools run smoothly. Network and computer systems administrators can be ready to work with just an associate degree although bachelor's degrees in management information systems and similar majors are also available.
7. Public relations specialists: Finally, the growth in virtual schools likely wouldn't be possible without the work of public relations specialists who spread the news about the benefits of online learning. Individuals working in public relations often have a bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing or communications. A journalism degree can also be a good prelude to a career in public relations.

Virtual schools are a 21^st century education option. As their number grows, so too does the need for qualified individuals who can create and administer online programs. Get your degree online and then turn around and put it to use in the growing online education industry.

100+ Google Tricks for Teachers

It's Google's world, we're just teaching in it.

Now, we can use it a little more easily. With classes, homework, and projects–not to mention your social life–time is truly at a premium for all teachers, so why not take advantage of the wide world that Google has to offer?

From super-effective search tricks to Google tools specifically for education to tricks and tips for using Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, these tricks will surely save you some precious time



Search Tricks
These search tricks can save you time when researching online for your next project or just to find out what time it is across the world, so start using these right away.

1. Convert units. Whether you want to convert currency, American and metric units, or any other unit, try typing in the known unit and the unknown unit to find your answer (like "how many teaspoons in a tablespoon" or "10 US dollars in Euros").
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3. Do a timeline search. Use "view:timeline" followed by whatever you are researching to get a timeline for that topic.
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5. Get around blocked sites. If you are having problems getting around a blocked site, just type "cache:website address" with website address being the address of the blocked site to use Google’s cached copy to get where you are going.
6. 
   
7. Use a tilde. Using a tilde (~) with a search term will bring you results with related search terms.
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9. Use the image search. Type in your search word, then select Images to use the image search when trying to put a picture to your term.
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11. Get a definition. If you want a definition without having to track down an online (or a physical) dictionary, just type "definition:word" to find the definition of the word in your results (i.e.: "definition: serendipity" will track down the definition of the word "serendipity").
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13. Search within a specific website. If you know you want to look up Babe Ruth in Wikipedia, type in "site:wikipedia.org Babe Ruth" to go directly to the Wikipedia page about Babe Ruth. It works for any site, not just Wikipedia.
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15. Search within a specific kind of site. If you know you only want results from an educational site, try "site:edu" or for a government site, try "site:gov" and your search term to get results only from sites with those web addresses.
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17. Search for a specific file type. If you know you want a PDF (or maybe an MP3), just type in "filetype:pdf" and your search term to find results that are only in that file type.
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19. Calculate with Google. Type in any normal mathematical expressions to get the answer immediately. For example, "2*4" will get you the answer "8."
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21. Time. Enter "what time is it" and any location to find out the local time.
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23. Find a term in a URL. This handy trick is especially useful when searching blogs, where dates are frequently used in the URL. If you want to know about a topic for that year only and not any other year, type "inurl:2009" and your keyword to find results with your keyword in URLs with 2009 in them.
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25. Use Show Options to refine your search. Click "Show Options" on your search result page to have access to tools that will help you filter and refine your results.
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27. Search for a face. If you are looking for a person and not just their name, type "&imgtype=face" after the search results to narrow your results to those with images of faces.

Google Specifically for Education
From Google Scholar that returns only results from scholarly literature to learning more about computer science, these Google items will help you at school.

15. Google Scholar. Use this specialized Google search to get results from scholarly literature such as peer-reviewed papers, theses, and academic publishers.
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17. Use Google Earth’s Sky feature. Take a look at the night sky straight from your computer when you use this feature.
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19. Open your browser with iGoogle. Set up an iGoogle page and make it your homepage to have ready access to news stories, your Google calendar, blogs you follow in Google Reader, and much more.
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21. Stay current with Google News. Like an electronic clearinghouse for news, Google News brings headlines from news sources around the world to help you stay current without much effort.
22. Create a Google Custom Search Engine. On your own or in collaboration with other students, put together an awesome project like one of the examples provided that can be used by many.
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24. Collect research notes with Google Notebook. Use this simple note-taking tool to collect your research for a paper or project.
25. Make a study group with Google Groups. Google Groups allows you to communicate and collaborate in groups, so take this option to set up a study group that doesn’t have to meet face-to-face.
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27. Google Code University. Visit this Google site to have access to Creative Commons-licensed content to help you learn more about computer science.
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29. Study the oceans with Google Earth 5. Google Earth 5 provides information on the ocean floor and surface with data from marine experts, including shipwrecks in 3D.
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31. Learn what experts have to say. Explore Knol to find out what experts have to say on a wide range of topics. If you are an expert, write your own Knol, too.

Google Docs
Google Docs is a great replacement for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, so learn how to use this product even more efficiently.

25. Use premade templates. Use these 50 pre-made templates to track spending, keep up with your health, and much more.
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27. Collaborate on group projects. Google Docs allows for real-time collaboration, so make easy work for everyone next time you have a group project due.
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29. Use keyboard shortcuts. Use this handy list of keyboard shortcuts to save lots of time while using Google Docs.
30. 
    
31. Create online surveys for research projects. Quickly and easily create online surveys for any research project that requires feedback from others. The answers are saved to your Google Docs account.
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33. Add video to your presentation. Learn how to seamlessly add video to your Google Docs page to really give your presentation or project a boost.
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35. Use the school year calendar template. Have an easy to use school year calendar through Google Docs by following these instructions.
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37. Create graphs from spreadsheets. Once you have populated a spreadsheet with data, you can easily create a graph. Google Docs allows for pie, bar, line, and scatter graphs.
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39. Create a new document with shortcuts. Learn two ways to open a new Google Docs page with these tricks.
40. 
    
41. Right click to use save-as. Use the right click save-as option to save a Google Docs document on your computer.
42. 
    
43. Send invitations. School shouldn’t be all about work. Find out how to send party invitations using Google Docs.

Gmail
The super-popular Gmail is full of fun and fast ways to make your life and communications easier.

35. Use the Tasks as a to-do list. Use the Tasks available in Gmail as a way to stay on top of assignments, exams, and project due dates.
36. 
    
37. Use the Archive feature. One of the great features of Gmail is that it allows you to archive emails to get them out of your inbox, then you can use the search feature to find them if you need them again.
38. 
    
39. Highlight mail with labels. Use labels to mark your messages. You can find them easily while in your inbox and do a search for all the messages with that label after you archive them.
40. 
    
41. Never forget to attach a file. By signing up for the Labs, you can select to have the Forgotten Attachment Detector. This feature notices if you have typed something about an attachment in the body, but are sending without actually attaching anything–a great tool to save time and embarrassment.
42. 
    
43. Use keyboard shortcuts. Go to Settings and enable keyboard shortcuts so you can perform common tasks at the touch of just one or two keys.
44. 
    
45. Add multiple attachments. Use the Control (or Cmd on Macs) and Shift keys to select more than one file to attach to your email at one time.
46. 
    
47. Use the https option. Google recommends using this option if you use your Gmail in public places like a dorm or coffee shop to add an extra bit of protection to your Internet activities.
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49. Incorporate Google Calendar and Docs on your Gmail page. Have access to recent documents used in Google Docs and get an agenda of upcoming activities you have on Google Calendar with small boxes added to your Gmail page. Go to Labs to select this option.
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51. Add a "Waiting for Response" label. If you have emails in your inbox that you are holding until someone gets back to you, creating this label keeps you from forgetting to follow up on it later.
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53. Use Canned Responses. If you find yourself writing the same type of email over and over, use the Canned Responses feature in the Labs to create a template that you you can use without having to type out the entire email every time.
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55. Consolidate email accounts. If you have a Gmail account, an account through school, and any other account you are juggling separately, combine them all into Gmail to cut down on time spent checking all those accounts.
56. 
    
57. Use AIM in Gmail. If you use AIM to IM friends or partners on projects, add it to the chat feature already in Gmail to have access to both.

Google Calendar
Save yourself some time by keeping track of appointments, assignments, and more with Google Calendar.

47. Sync up with others using iCal or Sunbird. Google lets you sync your calendar with others using Apple iCal or Mozilla Sunbird.
48. 
    
49. Customize reminders. Set reminders in your Google Calendar so that you never forget an appointment again. Choose from email, pop-up, or SMS reminders and even set when the reminder comes.
50. 
    
51. Learn some basic keyboard shortcuts. Change from daily to weekly to monthly view, compose a new event, and more with these simple shortcuts.
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53. Use Quick Add. Click on Quick Add and type the day and time and what you are doing to have the calendar create the event with the correct time and date.
54. 
    
55. Use multiple calendars. Create separate calendars for school work, personal information, important due dates, and more to stay ultra-organized.
56. 
    
57. Get a text message with your daily agenda. Keep up with all that you need to do for the day without ever having to log on to your Google Calendar.
58. 
    
59. Set weekly repeats for any day. The drop-down menu only offers M/W/F or T/Th options for repeating events. Go to "Every Week" and customize which days you want the event to repeat.
60. 
    
61. Get upcoming events while away from the computer. Check out #8 in this list to learn how to access your upcoming events via your phone.
62. 
    
63. Add events from Gmail. If you receive an email with event time and date information, you can easily add this event to your calendar by clicking "Add to calendar."
64. 
    
65. Invite others. If you have events on your calendar that you want to invite others to join, just add their email address under Add Guests within the event.

Google Mobile
Whether riding the bus or walking to class, use Google Mobile to stay productive while away from your computer.

57. Sync your calendar. Never be far from your Google Calendar when you sync it to your phone.
58. 
    
59. Check your email. Keep your email right at your fingertips with Gmail for mobile.
60. 
    
61. Access your blog subscriptions. Keep up with your blogs and news feeds that you subscribe to through Reader right on your phone.
62. 
    
63. Use Google Voice to consolidate phone numbers. If you have a phone in your dorm or apartment, a cell phone, and any other phone numbers, consolidate them into one number with Google Voice.
64. 
    
65. Easily find friends. Find out where your friends are and even get a map with directions for how to get there with Google Latitudes.
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67. Find out information easily while on the go. Whether you are looking for a great place to eat dinner, wondering what the weather is like, or want to know what the Spanish word for "bathroom" is, just text your information to Google (466453–spells Google on your phone) to get the answer texted back right away.
68. 
    
69. Access iGoogle. Get your iGoogle page formatted just for the smaller screen size of your phone.
70. 
    
71. Read your Google Docs. Have access to all your Google Docs items right on your phone.
72. 
    
73. Keep a to-do list on your phone. Use Google Tasks for mobile so you can access your to-do list any time–and check off what you’ve finished, too.
74. 
    
75. Never get lost again. Google Maps is an interactive program for most smart phones that offers tons of features so you will never have to be lost again.
76. 
    
77. Do a quick search anywhere. Find information with a Google search from your phone to impress your professors and your friends.
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79. Access Google Books. Android and iPhone users can access Google Books on their phones.
80. 
    
81. Post to your blog. Use your mobile to post to your Blogger blog.

Google Chrome Tips and Extensions
If you are using the Google Chrome browser, then you will love these time-saving tips and extensions.

70. Use a "Pin Tab". If you have multiple tabs open, use a "Pin Tab" to make the tabs the size of the little icon on the left side.
71. 
    
72. Don’t overlook Paste and Search and Paste and Go. These two features are available when you right-click to add a word or URL to Chrome and will save you an extra step.
73. 
    
74. Reopen a closed tab. Oops! If you didn’t mean to close that tab, just press Ctrl+Shift+T to reopen it.
75. 
    
76. Use the Chrome shortcuts. Open a new tab, see your history, maximize your window, and much more with these shortcuts.
77. 
    
78. Take advantage of the address bar. With Google Chrome, you can use the address bar to perform a Google search, quickly access pages you’ve already visited, and get recommendations for places to go.
79. 
    
80. Go incognito. If you don’t want to leave traces of where you were browsing, use incognito mode instead of having to go back and delete your history and cookies.
81. 
    
82. Use the bookmarks manager. Stay organized, rearrange bookmarks, search for bookmarks, add folders, and much more with the bookmark manager.
83. 
    
84. ChromePass. This tool will give you a list of all the password information stored in Google Chrome.
85. 
    
86. Save as PDF. Save any page as a PDF with this bookmarklet.
87. 
    
88. ChromeMailer. If you’ve lost valuable time when having to manually enter email information from a website because Google Chrome doesn’t support the mailto: function, then you will love this extension.
89. 
    
90. Google Chrome Backup. Back up your personal data, bookmarks, and more with this simple tool.

Google Books
Learn how Google Books can save you time and trips to the library with these tricks.

81. Search full text. Google Books offers full text for over 10,000 books, so look here the next time you are researching something at the last minute.
82. 
    
83. Use "About this book". At the top left of the page of a book, clicking this link will give you helpful information such as the table of contents, related books, and a map of places mentioned in the book.
84. 
    
85. Create a personalized library. Click on "Add to my shared library" to start your own personalized library where you can label books to keep them organized for each class or project.
86. 
    
87. Find books in your college library. Each book in Google Books has a link to find the book in a library. It can tell you exactly where to look at your own school.
88. 
    
89. Use the Advanced Book Search. If you can’t find the book you are looking for, try the advanced search, which provides you with many more detailed options.
90. 
    
91. Access text books. Many text books are available on Google Books, so see if you can save a trip to the bookstore next semester.
92. 
    
93. Search for magazine content. Select Magazines in the Advanced Book Search to locate information from magazines.
94. 
    
95. Read the blog. Google Books is constantly evolving, so stay on top of all the latest news with the Inside Google Books blog.
96. 
    
97. Find books to supplement your assigned texts. Search by subject to see what books you may be able to read to get the extra leg up in your classes.

Handy Google Services and Apps
These other Google products will help you save time by offering you everything from alerts to online collaboration to help working with data sets.

90. Google Alerts. Sign up to get email notifications any time a topic you designate shows up in Google search results. This is a great way to stay current with a project or news story.
91. 
    
92. Google Desktop. Keep a clock, weather, news stories, Google search box, and more all within easy reach when you use Google Desktop.
93. 
    
94. Google SketchUp. If you need to draw 3D figures for class, use Google SketchUp to do so easily and free of charge.
95. 
    
96. Google Talk. This versatile app is more than just for IMs. You can switch to voice, do a video chat, and send texts, too.
97. 
    
98. Google Images. Google has an incredible image search feature that will provide you with tons of high-quality images you can use in presentations.
99. 
    
100. Google Translate. Don’t spend time looking up stuff in books, use Google Translate to get foreign words translated right away.
101. 
     
102. Google Wave. This brand new Google product shows great promise for anyone collaborating, but especially for those in school. Communicate, create documents, and more–all in real-time.
103. 
     
104. Google Finance. Business students can keep track of markets, news, portfolios, and more in one place.
105. 
     
106. Google Toolbar. Have easy access to Gmail, Google search, bookmarks, and more with this toolbar available for Internet Explorer and Firefox.
107. 
     
108. Picasa. Manage your photos and even incorporate them into your blogs and emails with Google’s streamlines photo manager.
109. 
     
110. Google Squared. Find facts and organize them with this search feature from Google Labs.
111. 
     
112. Google Fusion Tables. If you are working with data sets, then you will love this program that will allow you to upload data, create visual representations, and take part in discussions about the data.
113. 
     
114. Blogger. Create a blog as a part of a project or just to stay in touch with friends and family in an easy way.

20 Amazing iPad Apps for Educators

After the iPod revolutionized how society listened to music and the iPhone pushed the boundaries of smartphone technology, the iPad stands poised to alter the face of mobile computing. Many have praised its potential to make personal and professional lives that much easier – and that certainly includes the education industry!

Teachers with a love of technology and a passion for nurturing the minds of their students can easily discover creative ways to incorporate the iPad into the daily routine, and some of these great educational and organizational applications are bound to help them get started.


1. Teacher's Assistant Pro

Perfect for busy teachers, Teacher’s Assistant Pro allows users to track students’ behaviors, infractions, and achievements quickly and easily.  Incidents on student behavior and achievement can be documented in real time and reports can be sent to parents and administrators instantly via email.  Organizing important documents is also simple and clutter free.  The app can be customized to fit your classroom needs.

2. Outliner

Outliner serves a couple of different uses for teachers, who can also discover their own creative applications the better acquainted they become with the interface. Users create and streamline lists and outlines for various projects, making this an excellent resource for writing up lecture notes, keeping grade sheets, drawing rubrics, and more. Because education is a dizzying field with much to organize and track, any workers with access to an iPad should take advantage of Outliner’s offerings to stay on top of everything.

3. Sundry Notes

Not only does Sundry Notes serve a valuable organizational purpose, it also costs nothing as well! With the ability to import .pdf files, format writings, make quick drawings, run searches of Wikipedia, Google, and Google Books, snag images off the internet, make recordings, and much more, educators need to download this application to help keep everything they need for class organized in one place. Math teachers will especially enjoy the ability to work on virtual graph paper.

4. Docs Anywhere

As its nomenclature implies, Docs Anywhere allows iPad users a high degree of portability for their digital documents. Capable of reading Word, Excel, PowerPoint, .pdf files, rich text, plain text, HTML, and other file formats, it allows transfer between desktop and portable device using USB and iTunes. Teachers who prefer working on their home machines can very easily transport their work to the classroom on their iPads, which also provides e-mailing capabilities for an added dimension of file preservation.

5. eClicker

The listed site is for the eClicker client, though users may need or prefer to download a host instead. Marketed towards teachers, the application features a means of polling classes during lectures by sending a signal via wi-fi to any enabled device in the room. This allows for immediate feedback, and educators are able to save the information for later reference – even editing! eClicker also allows the ones responsible for polling the ability to kick up their questionnaires with drawings and images.

6. Mathematical Formulas

For only $.99, math teachers (or even those involved with sciences requiring the manipulation of numbers) have a quick conduit for referencing the various formulas from various disciplines. Students can throw their educators for a loop sometimes, so it helps to have the information on hand to answer any questions that crop up during a lesson. Users also have access to examples that illustrate how the equations work, making this a handy tool for cranking out quick assignments, quizzes, and tests as well.

7. Touch Karma (Parenting)

In spite of the title, this behavior-tracking application boasts value for teachers as well. Anyone saddled with educating preschool or kindergarten students can easily appreciate how Touch Karma (Parenting) assists them in keeping track of which students stand as exemplary and which probably need a parent-teacher conference, counseling, or juvenile detention. Schools or educators who dish out conduct grades especially benefit from this quick way of recording whether or not those rambunctious little nose-miners deserve praise or discipline, as they do not have to dig through any notes or memories to assign a pass or fail.

8. gFlashPro

Dedicated to the distribution of knowledge anywhere, any time, gFlashPro serves students, teachers, and trivia junkies alike. Download flash cards assignment, quiz, and test inspiration, store images and audio for reference or incorporation into a lecture, and much more. The little quizzes even allow educators to test their own proficiency in the fields they teach and help them build up on the areas where they could use a nice, quick boost. When using this function, gFlashPro also keeps track of progress made when testing oneself!

9. Free Books

Any educators with a need for quick reference to 23,469 books (and counting!) should absolutely download this amazing resource. Completely free, not only does it provide access to classic novels, but autobiographies, letters, speeches, and other writings by significant historical figures and recognized geniuses – including the American presidents – works of philosophy by Seneca and other influential thinkers, Shakespeare’s plays, and more as well!! Because of this, even teachers who do not focus on English still benefit greatly from what Free Books offers.

10. LanSchool Teacher’s Assistant

With technology and internet access becoming more and more mainstream in the classroom, one of the more pressing concerns involves how to monitor computer use to curb abuse and distractions. Fortunately, LanSchool’s extremely valuable Teacher’s Assistant application caters to these issues, providing educators with the ability to black out any distracting or offensive screens, limit what their students can and cannot do on their machines, send messages to students, allow silent, individualized help sessions, and take quick polls. Allowing teachers to monitor computer usage helps bolster productivity for all involved.

11. The Elements: A Visual Exploration

The periodic table receives a lush makeover the likes of which Tom Lehrer and They Might Be Giants can only imagine. Educators tasked with teaching chemistry will especially appreciate having this application on hand as a point of valuable reference. Not only does it provide all the essential information regarding every element currently known to mankind, but rotating visuals of their uses, the latest news and discoveries that involve them, computations, videos of experiments, and even market prices, too! Wearing 3D glasses while browsing the visuals only enhances the experience.

12. Magic Piano

Music teachers, directors, accompanists, and tutors from school districts unable to afford pianos and keyboards can use this application to educate students on the fundamentals. Magic Piano comes preprogrammed with the sheet music for a great many classics and beginner’s pieces, which kids can easily follow along with when the lighting elements of the keyboard are activated. With the lights turned off and the sheet music virtually tucked away, the keyboard functions on its own for independent study. Users can even arrange duet with others who use the Magic Piano, no matter where in the world they may live!

13. History: Maps of the World

Seung-Bin Cho’s free iPad application proves useful for more than just history teachers, as students must nurture the ability to place works of art, music, literature, philosophy, politics, and other disciplines into their proper historical or geographic contexts. As a wonderful teacher’s aid, History: Maps of the World compiles cartography from different eras, allowing viewers to watch as boundaries change and tectonic plates shift. Some maps even group nations together by theme rather than geography as well.

14. Bento for iPad

Filemaker, Inc. brings its wildly popular productivity application Bento from the iPhone to the iPad. With 25 different database templates to choose from, the harried teacher can organize anything and everything he or she needs to rein in the occasionally overwhelming chaos. Some of these, such as the student list, directly address the needs of educators. People of all professions take advantage of Bento’s fantastic features to ease the stresses of everyday life, making the $4.99 price tag a worthy investment in peace of mind.

15. Keynote

Teachers looking for a few visual aids to go along with their lectures would do well to explore what Keynote has to offer them. For ease of use, they can choose from 12 premade themes and sprinkle their notes with animations, pictures, tables, charts, videos, and other multimedia touches. The iPad hooks up to external displays, projectors, desktops, and laptops so the presenter can reach a large audience; nobody has to crowd around the tiny display screen, though files can easily be bounced from machine to machine via e-mail and .pdf files.

16. Mobile Air Mouse

Turn the iPad into a viable wireless remote or trackpad using Mobile Air Mouse, which fortunately sports far more uses than these. Educators with a love of incorporating technology into the classroom will appreciate how it functions as an all-in-one tool with a number of excellent remote control, trackpad, keyboard, and foreign language functions – they can even place a computer into sleep mode and wake it back up! The application comes very much in handy for controlling the visual aids during lectures by reducing the amount of necessary equipment.

17. Molecules

Perfect for science class, Molecules offers an incredible three-dimensional view of molecules.  Users have the control to alter the view of the molecules by rotating them, zooming in on them, and more all through the use of their fingers. This app also allows users to get a hands on view of how molecules are composed and they can create their own specific molecules.  This application is a great guide for visual learners and is free for download.

18. Pages

Create gorgeous and effective handouts, tests, quizzes, assignments, notes, and presentations using Apple’s own word processing application. With 16 templates for everything from cards to fliers, users start working on what really matters right off the bat. Teachers who take advantage of everything it has to offer can incorporate graphs, charts, videos, and photos into their projects to add interest and better illustrate information. Capable of file sharing, Pages also allows for saving files in convenient Word and .pdf formats as well.

19. World Book – This Day in History

A valuable application for teachers of all subjects, World Book encyclopedia’s This Day in History presents 365 days of important births, deaths, and events that eventually shaped today’s world. Users may navigate from day to day – they are not relegated to only exploring the past of the present. At the moment, things seem a bit less detailed than the company likes. Because of this, later updates will implement video, audio, images, and access to important historical texts.

20. Dropbox

Educators with notes and files scattered about different computers will love this application. By synching with other machines sporting Dropbox, users do not have to fear misplacing important documents – it even boasts the ability to read a number of different common file formats, too! Anyone with an iPhone may save their photos and videos directly to the application as well. Teachers who come across great bits of online multimedia to enhance a lecture can save their valuable findings for future offline viewing and organize them into specific galleries.

Obviously, many more iPad applications exist to make the lives of educators that much easier and creative. Take advantage of what they have to offer as well in order to provide students with well-rounded lessons that nurture them both inside and outside the classroom.