Rabu, 30 Mei 2012

Educational Toy Stores

Any kind of store provides the platform to choose and buy the various necessary objects required for different purposes. Educational toys are no exception to that. They provide the parents an opportunity, to choose and give their kids the best toy suited to meet their child's playing, and learning needs.
Parents can choose the appropriate toy for their children from the large number of toy stores spread all over the country. Most of these stores have a tie up with the various toy manufacturing companies, and suppliers who provide the latest and most popular toys to their store. However, some of them may serve as the retail outlet of their own production house.
Most of these stores offer a number of departments to choose a toy from. Toys are usually sorted according to age groups, the type of the toy (such as construction toys, puzzles, dolls, or arts and crafts). Most of them have different section for boys and girls, to classify the toys according to gender specification. In case parents prefer any particular brand of toys, some stores sort the toys according to the brand and company name. Good store organization makes shopping easier and more comfortable for the customers.
Toys can be ordered directly online, through the Web sites of these stores, or by visiting their retail store locations. The payment and the delivery policies may vary from one store to another, depending on their terms and conditions. Prices may vary according to the brand, the age group it is made for, the materials used, and the different functionalities of the toy. However, parents are advised to compare, and check the different toys offered, by the various stores before buying the toy that would suit their child perfectly.

Rabu, 23 Mei 2012

The Blessings of Online Learning Education

While it may be easy for us to say that an education is a must for every young man or woman, fate doesn't grant that opportunity to everyone. Some are too poor to pay for the tuition fees, others have families to care for and no chance to take some time off and hit the books. This is where online learning education comes into play.
Online learning education can be regarded as an evolved form of the snail mail education system, where classes, assignments and tests would be mailed to the student's home address. But now that most people have a computer that can connect to the World Wide Web, this form of learning has gone to the next level. All materials related to the course are now sent through e-mail, with the additional benefit of discussion forums and online conferences with both the educator and other students. Some universities offer additional classes that students can attend if they wish, where they can meet their professors and fellow classmates. Exams can be either performed on campus or online, with a specific time limit.
With the way our world has evolved since the time men learned to make a fire, having an education and a degree is now almost mandatory. While it is true that a piece of paper from a college does not always guarantee someone a job, not having that paper is ten times as bad. Those without an education are forced to find work in different fields, where muscle or beauty is rated higher than a degree. The main problem would be that the pay is not as good, and with the new discoveries in machinery human muscle isn't always needed anymore. Beauty, however, will always be in demand.
The idea of online education is not new by any means, but it has gained the most popularity within the last decade. More and more people have signed up for online courses, gained their degrees and gone on to work in their chosen field without any trouble. But who is this system primarily for? It is of course true that even young students can benefit from online learning, but life on campus is a large part of a young adult's social life.
We can say then that online learning education is for grown adults who are at home raising children, or already have one job and wish to learn more, or people with special circumstances that make it difficult for them to leave the house on a regular basis. To these and more, online education is the easiest and best way to gain what they want - more knowledge.

Rabu, 16 Mei 2012

How Technology is Reforming Education

The institution of the school is changing through the centuries. Each new generation of students sees changes in the school system. Electronic technology is a wonderful invention that has helped places like the school system. But with the development of technology comes increased amounts of moronic individuals. The government doesn't want intelligent citizens, just obedient; so they do nothing to change the issue of a flawed system. The fashion industry is "helping" by projecting that intelligence is not fashionable and should be avoided. With these pressures, the school has lost the need to teach students how to think because the line of what thought actually is had been blurred. Students believe they are thinking when they are not, therefore school is inadequately teaching students how to think.
It is hard to resist the urges of popular fashion and not follow the herd into becoming what media tries to shape a person into. In today's society, it appears to be fashionable to be unintelligent; "...strong currents [are] at work against the development of powers of articulateness" (Ricker 8). Popular sitcoms tend to have the hilarious idiot, like Homer from "The Simpsons". He is incredibly stupid, but humorous at the same time so it projects the image that being brainless is funny and popular. A student must face the stifling pressure of following what is accepted, thus often "...betray a curious sense of shame about speaking articulately..." (Ricker 8). To remain out of a negative spotlight, students will attempt to avoid being the "black sheep". They will often try to "hide in the mass[es]" (Ricker 8). With these popular fashions guiding the way individuals think, little has been done to change this image of trendy stupidity.
Latin was once taught in the school system because it is a base root language that shaped many other languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, and even English. Individuals often believe that Latin was taught because many famous texts and sayings are in Latin, but Latin is an extraordinary way to learn how languages have a certain type of structure to them (Ricker 7). Students believe that all there is to learn about English it to read and write, but there is much more to be taught than just how a word is spelt and what the letter "A" should look like.
Teachers fail to teach the grammar of English; how sentences should be formed. Part of the importance of forming sentences is the thought. People (students especially) have become confused as to what thought it. They believe that "...everything our minds do, worrying, remembering, day dreaming..." (Ricker 7) are processes of thought, when actual thought is forming ideas into words and stating such ideas articulately. To create good thought, students must practice continually, shaping their ideas and putting them into words. Northrop Frye in Marvi Ricker's essay expressed that: "There is no such thing as an inarticulate idea waiting to have the right words wrapped around it. They have to learn that ideas do not exist until they have been incorporated into words" (Ricker 7).
The gift of literacy also gives an individual the chance for freedom. When students are able to read, they develop the ability to follow rules of the road (for example, a STOP sign). But once those students are able to produce a cognitive process, they begin developing their own ideas. Those ideas may include a reason why not to follow a certain rule. It is hard for a government to control a society full of people with rebellious ideas. So to be sure that doesn't happen as easily, the government will make sure that citizens can read and write easily, "...but development of verbal competency is very much left to the individual" (Ricker 8).
The school has failed in teaching students to think properly because it is unclear as to what thought is. Despite this large flaw being existent in the school, little has been done to change it because of pressures from fashion and the government. One can hope that thought will once again be important enough to teach in the school again. But until everyone comes to understand what thought truly is and its importance, then the art of articulate thought will be lost. Until then, thought is a conspiracy behind the shadows of society.

Rabu, 09 Mei 2012

Educational Loan: A Partner in Achieving Success

Education is important to one's success. It is the kind of wealth that is never stolen. What if you don't have the means of going to college? This is when most students resort to financial supports such as loans, scholarship grants, and work-study type of curriculum.
Educational Loan is the most popular option of getting support for college. There are some requirements you have to accomplish to avail this opportunity.
The Financial Assistance Process
I. Fill up the application form for student loans.
Requirements:
o National citizen of the United States are more prioritized. Non- U.S citizen should show a valid SS number.
o Must be enrolled on selective service program among men aging 18 to 25 years old.
o Must have a Secondary Level Educational Attainment or accomplished a GED (General Education Development) program.
o Enrolled, at least for a semester, in a bachelor's degree course or any educational program.
II. List at least six schools where you wish to be admitted. This will permit you to have numerous award letters.
The application forms in applying for student aid are made available at your secondary level education school, any college financial assistance office, or at any public libraries. This form will be processed for almost four to six weeks. After that period, you'll be receiving your SAR (Student Aid Report)
The SAR carries the information of how much you'll be receiving on your financial support and how much is your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The schools you've listed in the application form would also receive this document.
III. Upon the receipt of your SAR, you have to check for possible errors or incorrect information written.
If there are errors, you may correct them through online at FAFSA Web Corrections, write down certain corrections and mail it on the given mailing address, or contact the financial assistance office of the school you plan to be admitted in.
IV. In accepting reward letters received from different schools you had applied, you must take into consideration the best option wherein you'll benefit more.
Try to:
o Evaluate the breakdown
- Find the CoA (Cost of Attendance). The itemized list of amounts of tuition fees, board and lodging, and miscellaneous are reflected in here. The EFC and the student support amount must be equal with the CoA so that you'll not need additional resources of income to attend college.
o Ask Questions
- asking some questions to yourself would give you enough reasons to accept the award package or not, like;
1. Do you have to maintain a specific grade?
2. Does the package shield the similar expenses each year?
3. What would happen to your loan if you receive a scholarship grant?
4. What is the interest rate of your loan?
o Make a choice
- After comparing the pros and cons of each award letters, you're already down to the next step which is choosing the option you'll benefit most.
There are two kinds of Educational Loans
A. Government Student Loans
The university or college institution you wish to enroll at might be involved on either FFELP (Federal Family Education Loan Program) or FDLP (Federal Direct Loan Program). In FFELP, private lenders are the ones who offer loan funds. While in FDLP, the funds will come from the national government.
B. Private Loan Firms
If for example, unfortunately you didn't qualify for government student loans, private lenders are your last option. These private loan firms provide you a more flexible repayment conditions and reasonable interest rates. Private lenders offer you loans that include from paying the balance that your grant can't cover to paying your full education cost.
Things to consider on applying for a loan
o Borrow the exact amount money you only need.
Loans are big responsibility. You have to repay them in due time. To avoid losing your credibility as a loaner, you only borrow the money you need. No more, no less!
o Select your lending firm carefully.

Rabu, 02 Mei 2012

Baby Educational Videos - How To Make Your Baby Smart And Active

Almost all the households have TV and DVD players which they use for videos. Most parents have been using videos to entertain kids and keep them occupied. After major research about videos, music and other relevant stuffs confirmed that they help for child’s learning and development widespread use of these materials really made a great leap in the industry. Research says that videos and musical materials help to stimulate brain cells and help babies and children to have a more active brain operation. This has all been started when VCR, VCD, and other video player materials has became staple in households. However, Educational Videos are more popular and most parents prefer to buy because they can join their children and explain easily what’s going on, this had evolved into an educational tool and mostly used in preparatory schools.
Videos like Barney, Dora, High School Musical, and even the old videos of Sesame Street are just samples of educational videos often use for educating the youngsters. There are more in the market but all have its own focus but genres and categories are endless. These are all aims for children’s brain and physical development. These involve songs, dances, math skills, reading skills, etc. and with these they make your child’s brain active. Since these educational videos are viewed mostly in groups it does not only develop intra-personal intelligences but also extra-personal intelligences. As what have been said, these videos comes in varieties where as you can always find something that suites your child’s needs. They are categorized according to age and interests.
These are just some of the benefits that an educational video can give for your child’s development. Videos have been a great help since these does most of the job. It helps in visual and kinesthetic learning. Most children enjoy watching videos and this can hold the child while parents are doing household chores. Aside from being good for children’s education, another great advantage, it can keep your child inside the household and still he/she learns at the same time.
You can incorporate your own style in viewing these videos, you can accompany your children, or let your child read a book while watching the video or let him do what is on the video. "As I have observed with my three year-old niece, she dance and clap while watching a video and when she’s done, she begins to tell what she had just viewed", says, Dr. Shaffer, Phd. This behavior is an indication that educational videos help children internalize learning easily and not compartmentalized in arm chair lectures in schools. These educational videos help parents and teachers in making learning become enjoyable and lots of fun. Who knows this can be your answer for your child’s learning development