Saturday, September 29, 2007

Scope of Online MBA Degree Programs

At some point during your college education, students may wonder whether to pursue MBA Degrees. In this day and age, prospective college students can pursue MBA degrees through an online degree program, entirely via distance education. Because online learning isn’t any different than a traditional classroom setting, you can obtain and MBA degree completely online and still receive the same level of education you would in a brick and mortar institution. What’s more, there are a lot of benefits to pursuing an MBA degree through an online degree program and the breadth and scope of information you’ll learn is on par to that of a classroom setting.

There’s no denying that online learning is convenient, and that’s no different when pursuing an MBA degree. Because people in the business world have very hectic lives, it can be hard to schedule traditional means of schooling around a full-time job and a home life. Thankfully, going through a reputable online degree program for MBA degrees will allow you to schedule your coursework around a time that’s right for you, whether that’s 4 in the afternoon or 4 in the morning. Provided you have a reliable computer with internet access, you can obtain your degree completely online.

For those in the business world, networking is key to getting ahead. With an online degree program, students are given the opportunity to network across a broad range of people, because they are studying with students from all around the globe. MBA degrees obtained online means you are not limited to networking with people within your county. This provides you incredible opportunities to connect with people in positions all across the country and acquire invaluable contacts within the business world.

MBA degrees acquired through an online degree program also tend to mirror the business world. For example, people involved in business as their career work with contacts all over the world and never actually meet those people. Through an online degree program, students work with other students across the globe that they have never seen. Learning through the online environment is a key factor to understanding how to connect and work with people in other states, even in other countries. In the business workforce, this is a valuable skill to possess.

Additionally, MBA degrees obtained online allow students to learn from a variety of top level professionals across the country. Because online colleges recruit professors, teachers and top executives from all around the world, students are able to interact with a variety of people completely through an online degree program. Anyone who desires to share their real world experience and are learned and experienced in their field can be a candidate for a teaching position at one of the top distance learning institutions. As a result, a student can have a professor from Stanford University for one class and another from Harvard the next. For more information about Online MBA Degrees, Please visit http://www.speedydegrees.com/

While MBA degrees are not cheap, pursuing a degree online is significantly more cost-effective than attending a traditional school. Tuition alone can cost upwards of 70,000 dollars, but online that price is drastically lowered. While you’ll still pay somewhere around the 20,000 dollar mark, the price decrease is definitely an advantage when thinking about attaining an MBA degree. Regardless of your current life situation, you’ll be able to attend school online while holding a full time job and managing a home. Because you’ll receive the same level of education online as you would in a traditional classroom setting, MBA degrees acquired through an online degree program are a cost-effective and convenient way to further your education.


http://www.articleson.com/Article/Scope-of-Online-MBA-Degree-Programs/16376

Nursing School – Get Off to a Good Start

Ever thought of Nursing as your occupation? Taking care of the elderly, playing with children, consoling a sick person, being there for someone when they're on their death bed? These are some of the things that you would do being a nurse. The bond that builds up between the patient and his caretaker - the nurse, is something to be cherished. The patient becomes dependent on you, and as long as he is under your care, you become his guardian angel.

Many people also go for nursing as their second career. To become a qualified nurse, you have to take nursing education from any recognized nursing school or nursing college. Nurse education is just like any other education, where you would be taught and prepared for nursing care. The students will be given lessons on various health education and medicines by qualified doctors, experienced nurses, and educators. Almost everywhere around the world the basic courses are similar; like general nursing, mental health nursing, and taking care of sick children. The courses are usually three years long.

Nursing is taught in nursing schools. You can also get a post graduate qualification in any specialist subject within nursing from a reputed nursing college. In the past, the emphasis was more only on the practical part, but now all nursing schools are focused both on the theoretical as well as the practical part, as nurses have to deal with so many types of patients. They have to know what to do and what not to, incase the doctor is not around. They are given basic education on medicine as well. Nurses today are not just a helper of the doctor concerned, but they are trained so that they would be able to contribute equally to the team.

Nursing education:

The first nursing school was set by Florence Nightingale at St Thomas' Hospital, London. The curriculum in those days was just focused on hygienic factor and task competence. Nursing at that time was mainly adopted by girls, often taken in religious orders, but now we find many male nurses in all the hospitals, especially in mental health services. So many nursing schools and colleges have come up with the increasing need of nurses all over the world. It is recorded that in America itself there are about 45,000 nursing schools.

A lot of arguments still surround nursing education. Some believe that practical knowledge is what is most important, but some argue that with so many advancements coming in the medical world, these nursing schools should be able to teach them to manage health care and also to see the "future picture". So to meet all these needs, nursing schools aim to train nurses who can be nurtured and trained to be life long learners, so as to meet any changes in both theory and practical parts of nursing.

Things to remember:

There are some points that you should remember when going for a nursing education:

• Decide on what program you want to take, and then decide on a school that matches.
• Look out for the featured schools around your area.
• Some people want the close attention of a small school, while others prefer the intellectual stimulation of a large institution.
• Make enquiries about the school, and the school's reputation.
• It is better to take a school where the ratio of the students and the faculty is good. It is better to be in a small class size so that each student will be given equal attention.
• See that the school meets the standards of education set by a national accrediting organization.

To become a nurse you would need to dedicate your time and care whenever there is a need. Remember you can be a nurse at any age. If you are in your thirties or forties, this doesn’t mean you are not eligible. As long as you are ready to dedicate your life into this profession, you can become a nurse.


http://www.articleson.com/Article/Nursing-School---Get-Off-to-a-Good-Start/16458

How Do Employers View an Online Degree?

If you considering pursuing an online course of study, there are probably several major questions on your mind. Most likely, the biggest of these questions is how will your current or future employer view an online degree. Although there is no clear cut answer to this question, there are several major factors you can take into consideration. It is important that you take the time to thoroughly consider and understand all of these factors.

The first factor that you need to take into consideration is the generation gap. The generation gap refers to the distance between generations. For example, if you are a twenty-five year old, there is an obvious gap between you and someone that is fifty-five. The generation gap applies to online education in the way that older generations view the internet and anything that is part of it. For some older generations, they do not actually understand the internet or what it can do, and therefore they are threatened or even almost afraid of it. For this reason, they may view something like an online degree as trivial or not even legitimate. Although this may seem like a major problem, it is probably not as bad as you may think.

The generation gap factor actually leads into the second factor that you need to take into consideration when taking a look at how employers view an online degree. The second factor that you need to be aware of is accreditation. Accreditation is what separates legitimate online education programs from scams that are worth more than taking your money. It is vitally important that you choose an online degree program that is accredited. By choosing an accredited program, you can ensure that you are investing your time and resources into the correct program. Now, you may be asking yourself how the generation gap and accreditation are related. Accreditation is one factor that can help ease the worries of members of older generations. An accredited program allows an employer to look at the program of study that you followed to earn your online degree. By having access to this information, an employer (even one that is a member of an older generation) can see that the online education you received was just as valuable as the education that someone attending a four-year college or university receives.

When determining how an employer views an online degree, the final factor you need to take into consideration is your own performance. This factor is arguably the most important of all the factors that have been discussed. When an employer is evaluating your online degree, once they get over any initial apprehension that your degree was obtained via the internet, they will be scrutinizing your personal performance in your program of study. Just as they would look at someone’s grades at an actual four-year, your employer will be very interested in how well you did in the courses you took in order to obtain your degree. Therefore, it is very important to take your online education very seriously. It is not enough just to obtain an online degree, it is necessary that you excel in the program that you study. By performing to the best of your ability, your employer will see that you are a committed individual that takes important things seriously. For more information about online degrees please visit http://www.speedydegrees.com

As you can see, there are quite a few factors that impact how an employer will view your online degree. Although there is not a specific answer, as long as you choose an accredited online program and take your online education seriously, any employer that reviews your resume will give your online degree the same respect that they give to a degree obtained from a four-year institution.


http://www.articleson.com/Article/How-Do-Employers-View-an-Online-Degree-/18670

5 Effective Work Habits For Fresh Graduates

Being new in the working world, I am sure you are eager to show off your newfound skills and knowledge. However, out there in the working world some basic work effective habits can increase your productivity. By being consistently effective at your work increases your chances of success in your career.

The 5 effective work habits are:

1. Volunteer for Assignments
One of the best ways to signal that you are a keen learner and are not afraid of hard work is to volunteer for assignments. Especially assignments that no one seems interested to do. However, before that do assess your own skills and knowledge to see if you can confidently accomplish it. If you are confident in completing the task in full and perfection, go ahead and volunteer for it.

However, do remember one thing. Under promise and over deliver on the assignment you volunteered. Do not be too confident that you turn a perfect opportunity into mess. Once you start the project, see it till the end. You would be seen as someone who is courageous enough to take on additional assignments. You would also be seen as someone who follows through in your work. This is the first habit you need to internalize.

2. Be Nice to People
I am sure we have all heard this often enough. Be nice to people regardless of their rank and designation. It sounds philosophical but when you are nice to people they go out of their way to help you. And being new in an organization you would never know what sort of help you would need. Colleagues often like to work with nice talented people. When you have this effective work habit you increase the chances of people wanting you to work on their team.

Being nice to people is just common courtesy. There is nothing extra ordinary about this particular habit that you need special skills. A smile in the morning and a “Good Morning” is a good start. In this day and age, people working in pressurized environments often use stress as an excuse when they blow up. Is this necessary? Nice is often reciprocated by nice. In fact, it can lower your stress level.

3. Prioritize Your Work
We all love to start work on things that are close to our hearts. However, often these may not be the most urgent and important in our list of tasks in the workplace. When you select things you are more interested in rather than work that is more important or urgent, you lower your chances of success.

Have a list of things to do according to its strategic importance to your company. Know your role in completing the tasks at hand in order to achieve that corporate goal. When you prioritize your work, you are more productive and that increases your chances of career success.

4. Stay Positive
As someone new in the working world it is very easy to feel down because you are new. You are not used to the work system. You have new people to deal with and people in the working world who behave very differently from school. It takes a lot of getting used to. There will be office politics to deal with regardless of how little.

Be above all these and stay positive in the face of challenges. When you are positive you remain focused on your goals. You make better decisions and therefore become more productive.

5. Highlight a Problem but Bring Solutions
The last effective work habit of the five effective work habits is to bring solutions each time you highlight a problem to your boss or management. You need to remember that when you bring problems and not solutions, it is often construed as complaining.

To avoid that label, offer solutions. A range of possible solutions also indicates to your boss that you have thought this through before approaching him/her with a problem. Have in mind a recommended solution amongst those you suggested.

These are the 5 effective work habits I constantly drill into new employees who are fresh graduates in our company. At first glance, these may seem like common sense. However, in actual working environment people tend to sometimes forget these very basic effective work habits, and don't practice them often enough. Internalize these and consistently practice them to increase your chances of success.



http://www.articleson.com/Article/5-Effective-Work-Habits-For-Fresh-Graduates/18806

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Courses?

There are both advantages and disadvantages of online courses. We are in a whole new era of learning where everything is available on the internet. Although it is a rich source of knowledge, online learning is not for everyone.

Advantages of Online Courses

Online courses are a form of distance learning. The courses are portable and available where you are. You don't have to go somewhere to take the course; it comes to you. You can access an online course at the time and place that is most convenient to you. You can move around, be transferred anywhere in the world or travel extensively and still access online classes.

Another advantage of online learning is that you can go at your own pace. Whether your busy schedule leaves you little time for learning, or you need more time to learn a particular concept, or you want to accelerate through the material, online learning offers the flexibility you need.

Typically, online courses are structured for adult learning. That makes it easier for most people to learn the material and helps you apply the material in the real world. You learn what you need to know when you need to know it.

E-learning is often used for workplace training because workers can take the class when it is most convenient and workers can access information when they need it to do their jobs.

Online courses are usually more affordable than traditional courses. Not only are the course fees often lower, but you also don't have transportation costs to figure into the mix.

Disadvantages of Online Courses

Online learning has some disadvantages, too. Some people learn better in a traditional classroom. They need the live interaction with an instructor and other students. Online classes may try to simulate classroom interaction, but they cannot duplicate it.

In order to succeed at online learning, you have to have some specific skills. You have to be self-motivated, responsible for your own learning and have good time management skills. If you don't have those skills, traditional classes may be a better choice for you.

One huge disadvantage of online courses, especially if you are talking about e-learning grids and virtual educational communities, is accessibility. Not everyone has ready access to a computer with an internet connection. Without that access, online learning is hard.

Online education is so portable and flexible for so many people that it's easy to miss the disadvantages. If online education were the best choice for every person every time, we wouldn't need brick-and-mortar schools, would we? There are both advantages and disadvantages of online courses.


http://www.articleson.com/Article/What-Are-The-Advantages-And-Disadvantages-Of-Online-Courses-/23103

Sail through the HOBET

The Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET) measures the skills that a high school graduate should possess before entry into higher education. The HOBET objectively evaluates a student’s skills in fields that will prove valuable should he or she choose to carry out clinical practice after college.

Although HOBET is not a placement exam, it is advantageous as it helps to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses in mathematics and reading comprehension.

Mathematics

HOBET Mathematics test often include questions that fall under the following categories:

Basic Operations
Percents, Averages and Weighted Averages
Factoring, Line Plotting
Basic Geometry- Areas, Perimeter, Circumference, Volume, Angles, and Properties of Parallel lines
Probability

Like most Mathematics tests, it is often helpful to remember that Mathematics questions test your logic and the way you understand the relationship of numbers. Usually, you will be given at least one minute per question. Budget your time wisely by answering the easy questions first, leaving you with more time to answer the harder math questions.

Mathematics tests often begin with basic operation questions such as addition and subtraction. Shortcuts such as “even plus even is equal to an even number” may help in saving your time through the process of elimination.

Prepare yourself by memorizing the basic geometric formulas for Areas, Perimeter, Circumference and Volume and by acquainting yourself with basic geometric theorems. In answering word problems, tables and drawings might be helpful. Always remember the basic patterns for factoring and the basic formulas for problems on mixture, ratio and proportion, mixtures and speed.

Reading Comprehension

As in most exams, preparing for Reading Comprehension exams starts years before the exam day itself. The best preparation is always creating a habit out of reading by reading as often as possible.

Some of the most basic reading comprehension questions ask for the central theme, general mood or the significance of passage. It is therefore important for one to fully understand the passage by reading it thoroughly.

Another kind of reading comprehension question asks for the meaning of a word. By reading the passage twice before answering the question, it would no longer be difficult for you to locate the word within a passage and see how it was used in the sentence. Do not rely on your own understanding of a word. Remember that many words have double meanings so it would always be helpful to check its context within the passage.

Sometimes, the passage would provide information that are factually correct but are actually wrong. Remember that the passages given in the exam are not there for argument. The HOBET measures your ability to process information that is given to you therefore; you must read passages as they are.

Remember that the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test was not created to keep you out of college but to point out the areas that need to be improved before you go into advanced education. With the diagnostic report produced by HOBET, you and your teachers would be alerted as to what areas would need more assistance. The constructive method of HOBET is sure to guarantee your success in college.


http://www.articleson.com/Article/Sail-through-the-HOBET/24289

Common Sources of Error Whilst Assessing NVQ or SVQ Candidates in Social Care Common Sources of Error Whilst Assessing NVQ or SVQ Candidates in Social

When working as an assessor in social care two of the values we apply in the assessment process are fairness and consistency. However errors and subjective views can and do occur at any stage of the process.

When assessing the candidate’s competence, as they work through the Health and Social Care NVQ or SVQ, it is important to be conscious of the common types of error so that you can guard against committing one of these errors yourself.

If you are new to assessing you could also feel a pressure to decide every candidate you assess is competent otherwise it reflects badly on you. This is not the case. We need to have good practice in health and social care services. There is a certain standard of competence that has to be reached. It is in applying this standard that the fairness and consistency are so important.

Some of the most common errors are as follows.

First Impressions

This involves a Social Care NVQ or SVQ assessor ‘taking a liking’ to a candidate (or the opposite) and on the basis of this first or early contact viewing the candidate’s performance more or less favourably than should be the case.

If you imagine a candidate who is warm and welcoming when you first meet him/her you can also imagine how difficult it is to be objective, especially if being objective means perhaps jeopardising that warmth.

Halo/Horns Effect

The ‘Halo’ effect involves assessors inferring good social care practice on the part of a candidate on the basis of previous good performance by that candidate, without him/her actually being required to demonstrate the performance to the current standard. The previous performance may not have been associated with the criteria now being assessed.

The ‘Horns’ effect is similar to the halo effect, only the opposite. On the basis of previous ‘not-competent’ performance by the candidate an expectation exists that future performances will also be ‘not-competent’.

Instead of waiting for the performance, the assessor infers (probably wrongly) that these future performances will be ‘not-competent’.

Similar to Me

This involves judging a candidate favourably because they carry out a piece of work like we would or have values which are just like ours. ‘Ours’ may be the wrong way or not the required way!! It is also important to remember that there are often many ways of carrying out a task. Just because a candidate does something in a different way doesn’t mean they are not competent

Stereotyping

Stereotyping is always dangerous and directly contravenes the professional value base. In relation to assessment, stereotyping can occur in terms of assuming a certain level of competence (or lack of competence) based on an apparent characteristic of a candidate. An example would be an expectation that a young person might not be expected to be competent in assisting a bereaved person, on the grounds that they don’t have sufficient ‘experience of life’.

It is not only the assumption itself which is dangerous, but also the way in which it might lead an assessor to look for certain pieces of evidence.

Remember: whenever we assume it makes an ASS out of U & ME

Contrast Effects

This arises when one candidate’s performance is compared to that of another candidate by an assessor. The inferior performance may then be deemed not competent, no matter how it stands compared to the performance criteria and evidence requirements. Social care NVQ and SVQ Candidates must be assessed against criteria, not against each other.

Experimenter Effect

If you’re not normally around the candidate whilst they are working, then your observing him/her will possibly intimidate the candidate – your presence influences the performance. We all do strange things when we are intimidated! This may also have an effect on the way others involved in the observation (eg: service users, colleagues of the candidate) act. This can also affect the candidate’s performance. One way to check that the experimenter effect hasn’t been an issue is to ask the candidate after an observation “Did anything surprise you?”

The Assessment Process in Health and Social Care

These are just some of the errors that can arise in the assessment process. To support assessors and help them to gain insight and knowledge about the assessment process, the book Improving Assessment Practice by Siobhan Maclean is available from Kirwin Maclean Associates at a cost of £10. This is a comprehensive guide to the assessment process and has been commented on for its accessibility and realism. Siobhan Maclean continues to assess NVQ candidates in Health and Social Care which has enabled her to write this applied and useful book.

Assessors who work in Scotland can buy the book Developing SVQ Assessment Skills which is also written by Siobhan Maclean and costs £10.

These books are especially good for new assessors since they relate directly to the A1 Award. These books are also good for experienced assessors as a useful prompt for themselves as they explain the assessment process to new candidates.


http://www.articleson.com/Article/Common-Sources-of-Error-Whilst-Assessing-NVQ-or-SVQ-Candidates-in-Social-Care/24762