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Archive for September, 2009

Spyware Doctor is one of the best removal tools for spyware. It has repeatedly won numerous prizes and has been tested by hundreds of companies all over the world. Spyware Doctor has an incredible track record and prizes to along with it. It can detect and remove spyware using advanced tracking technology and it is built not for experts but for every day users. This being said, it is clear why it has been downloaded millions of times.

A competitor to its throne could be considered Spybot Search and Destroy, also a powerful tool when it comes to spyware or spybot removal. SSD has been known to resolve any problems concerning infestation with spyware and also repairing any files that have been corrupted during this time. If, by any chance, you have installed one of them, or even both, then you are definitely spyware free.

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Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization with a program that has effectively helped teachers across the United States secure elementary school grants.  The program is accredited by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving program.  There are twenty standards that have to be met by a charity organization in order to be accredited. The Adopt-A-Classroom program complies with all twenty of these standards and enjoys one of the highest scores possible amongst charity organizations. Adopt-A-Classroom first started helping teachers get elementary school grants through private and commercial donor funding in 1998.  Adopt-A-Classroom helps teachers all over the country.

The program makes it easy for donors to make an elementary school grants to a teacher.  Every school in the United States is already listed in its database and donors can pick the specific classrooms they want to support and then make a donation of any amount above the minimum $25.  Donors can adopt as many classrooms as they like.  In providing these kinds of elementary school grants, nothing extra other than financial support is required, but active involvement in the development of the class is encouraged.  This participation from the community has been shown to motivate both the students as well as the teacher.

As an accredited donation program, Adopt-A-Classroom has in place various checks and balances to ensure that the financial support provided by donors so generously is not misused. Elementary school grants that accumulate for a classroom are in the form of an online bank account. This bank account can be accessed only by the designated teacher of this classroom, and the finances in this online account can only be used for transactions within the network of online vendors affiliated with Adopt-A-Classroom.

Specifically, these elementary school grants can be used to purchase classroom resources such as learning games, books, and other materials that help teachers to create an engaging and effective classroom learning environment. Teachers are not able to use these donor grants for field trips – only educational materials for the classroom are covered.

Adopt-A-Classroom increases opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with not only elementary school grants to purchase resources for the classroom, but also collective support from the donor community which helps to increase morale.  The result is a meaningful contribution to education in which donors experience the impact of their efforts and can celebrate in a classroom’s success. Adopt-A-Classroom elementary school grants empower teachers to transform their classrooms into vibrant centers for learning. The collective feeling of community strength, one classroom at a time, helps motivate all the audiences affected – the students, teachers and donors.

One of the biggest mistakes that students make when applying to psychology doctoral programs is to rely on their GPA and GRE scores as a compass measuring their chances of getting in. What you may not have learned from your classes or even your participation in the Psychology Club is that psychology doctoral programs tend to admit “holy grail” students straight out of undergrad – those students who have those objective criteria at a minimum. You will need much more to get into graduate school. What other factors should you consider when preparing for advanced study in doctoral programs?

Research Experience

Psychology doctoral programs run on an apprenticeship model, meaning that you will likely be admitted with a faculty mentor that shares your research interests. However, more and more graduate programs are expecting that you will walk into the door with prior research experience. How do you get this research experience? Check for flyers around your Psychology Department on campus advertising for research assistants. If you cannot find any, ask a graduate student or even volunteer to work with one of your professors. Chances are that they will be happy to have you work with them on data entry and simple analyses, provided that you understand statistics, and that you are reliable and trustworthy! Does your university offer the option of enrolling in a Senior Thesis or Honors Thesis course? Ask an undergraduate advisor and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Scientific Writing Skills

Do you know the ins and outs of APA style? What about the specific conventions of scientific writing? Lots of people tend to think of the counseling, human practice side of psychology, but one commonality of Ph.D. level doctoral programs is an emphasis on research. You will spend many years as a doctoral student working to develop your own research projects, piloting data, and even submitting manuscripts over to academic journals. As a result, it pays to come into a doctoral degree program with a great understanding on scientific writing skills.

Consider Joining Psi Chi

Psi Chi is an international honor society for psychology. Not only will membership in this organization look good on your resume, but you will be able to network with like-minded students. Think about it: Where are you most likely to interact with other students who are serious about getting into graduate school? Getting involved may give you an insider edge to hearing about promising summer programs designed to give you the tools to develop a competitive edge through the graduate admissions process. And another plus to add to your resume may be leadership skills gained through volunteering and working with such a prestigious organization.

Did you know that less than 10% of applicants get into the graduate school of their choice? Personal statement writing is your chance to stand out from other applicants! Visit Doctorate Degree Psychology for more tips and strategies on how to get into grad school!

Everyone at some point has experienced an impasse in communication; those frustrating occasions when it all breaks down and people want to get up and walk out. Just look at a sample of recent headlines: “Peace Talks Breakdown” or “Labor Negotiations at a Stalemate” or “Negotiations Fail to Result in an Accord”. When the stakes are high and people are afraid they have something to loose communication becomes strained and people stop listening to one another. Usually this is while claiming that the people on the other side of the table are actually the ones who are not doing the listening. We get so concerned and fearful about getting other people to hear what we have to say, we become unwilling to hear what they have to say.

Indeed, listening seems sometimes as if it is a rare happening among human beings. We can’t really listen to another person speaking if we’re preoccupied, or if we’re trying to decide what we’re going to say when the other stops talking, or if we’re debating about whether what is being spoken is true or relevant or agreeable. Listening, in other words, is being accessible and open to what is being said.

At Landmark Education we contend that listening has an amazing power. It gives life to what is being spoken. You might even say it is with the listener that both the speaker and what is spoken exist and come alive. Think of how inspired and enlivened the elderly can become when you sit down and have an extended conversation with them. Think about what happens when someone is really listening to you. Ever notice that you become funnier and more playful when someone laughs at your jokes? What about when a child recognizes that adults are actually listening to them? Their whole demeanor shifts. In the programs of Landmark Education, you find yourself with a new ability to listen to others. You find yourself inspired by the people you have in your life. When you truly listen to people you discover the best of what they have to offer.

Speaking, meanwhile, can be something more than talking, more than the exchange of symbols or information, more than saying what you really think. In speaking we can share ourselves; we can evoke experience in others. Speaking is where our ideas become clear and possible. It is where others are expanded by our time spent with them. It allows for the futures we create. Speaking lives in poetry, in the appreciation of another, in idle conversations that pass the time, in great theories and books that give rise to wonder and thought.

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Speaking allows for “who” and “how” we “are” in the world. It is what gives voice to all that is possible in being human. In our ability to speak and share we have the ability to shape the world we live in.

In the courses of Landmark Education you find that true communication is creation. It has the power to shape, determine, and alter the course and quality of our lives. It moves people. It generates experience in others. It not only delivers information to others, it actually transforms their ability to hear. True communication transforms both the speaker and listener.

The Landmark Forum suggests that what it is to be human has its own domain and that domain is one of language—of communication, of conversation. Through communication —the realm of language, of conversation—each of us has complete access to ourselves, to others, to the very essence and possibility of what it means to be human.

This is the essence of what Landmark Education is about and what The Landmark Forum provides.

Copyright © 2007 Landmark Education. All rights reserved.

If you have children, there is the inevitable chance that you will encounter an elementary school fundraiser. It comes with the territory of putting kids through either public or private school. Fundraising can be a great way for parents to help support local schools, expand their child’s educational well-being, and increase their child’s social skills.

There never seems to be adequate funding available for educational purposes. Holding a fundraiser can help bring in extra revenue so schools can offer additional programs and activities for kids of all ages. Your level of involvement will vary depending on how much you choose to participate in a school fundraiser.

When it comes down to holding the fundraisers, volunteer parent groups, such as the PTA or PTO, are usually the ones left to spearhead the projects. If you find yourself becoming actively involved in a volunteer parent group, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will have to participate in a fundraiser.

But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In fact, many fundraisers act as a social gathering place for parents and kids alike. It is also a chance for parents to work with their children and find out what their day is like at school. You can meet other children, teachers and school officials by working with a fundraiser.

If you have played a role in an elementary school fundraiser, you may already have a great idea that has been tried and tested successfully. If so, then great! Stick with it because there is no need to fix something that isn’t broken. As long as your method continues to raise substantial funds, then there really isn’t a strong need to change things up.

Here are just a few ideas to consider for fundraisers:

- Auction off dollhouses
- Auction off kids’ artwork
- Hold school carnivals or play days
- Sell specialty items such as candles or flower bulbs
- Host a bake sale or chili supper
- Sell wrapping paper and ribbons around the holidays

But if your school is looking for a new and fresh way to raise money, then there are plenty of options available. The best place to start looking for new ideas is by going to the Internet. There are countless web sites dedicated to elementary school fundraisers that will help spark an idea for your group. You may even find personal testimonies on what projects worked and why they were successful.

It is also important to realize that fundraising takes organization, and your volunteer group needs to maintain that practice in order for your fundraising project to be triumphant. Delving out responsibilities and following up on tasks is essential to successfully raising money.

Another thing to realize if you are holding a fundraiser that sells products is the items need to be of a quality nature. You don’t want to pawn off something on your customers and have them disgusted with their purchases. They will remember it the next time you hold a fundraiser and you may find yourself losing paying clients.

The doctoral degree, the highest degree offered in many countries including the United States, is now offered online. It follows a bachelors or masters degree. The amount of time taken to complete the doctoral degree is dependent upon if the bachelors or masters degree is in the same area of study. Two distinct types of doctoral degrees include a professional degree, required to practice in a specific profession, and a research degree. Research degree candidates are required to master knowledge in a broad field and techniques of scholarly research.

In the United States, at least one to three years of study beyond the masters degree is required for the research doctorate. On the average the research doctorate is most often attained after five years of study and research beyond the masters degree in on campus doctoral programs. Additionally, doctoral candidates must pass oral examinations and present a written dissertation based upon their research. The doctoral dissertation is representative of an original contribution to a body of knowledge. The doctoral candidate completes a detailed study of their research problem and presents those findings in a dissertation.

The most important research doctorate is the Doctor of Philosophy which may include specialization in almost any academic field of study. Doctoral degrees representing advanced professional training include doctoral degrees such as Doctor of Medicine, Pharmacy Doctorate, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Dental Surgery. Undergraduate degrees can vary for those obtaining a doctorate in advanced medical training. If you have thought about obtaining a doctoral degree continue to pursue the feasibility of it. Earning a doctoral degree may be quite possible for you. The feasibility of obtaining a doctoral degree has broadened with the opportunity of online education. There are many institutions that offer doctoral degrees all or in part online. Just as online education has developed in may other segments of society, doctoral programs online are now a reality.

Many educational institutions have stepped up to the needs of working professionals who are not in a position to leave their positions to work on a doctoral program. They are offering many if not all of the courses online. Some programs require face-to-face meetings at the institution with faculty as part of the progression toward planning coursework, research development or writing the dissertation. Course work, including exams, can be completed online at the convenience of the student. This allows job and place bound potential students to pursue their goal of obtaining a doctoral degree without leaving their position or moving. Often the limiting factors in pursuit of a degree are cost and when one can keep working and draw a paycheck as well as avoid moving expenses, somehow the daunting task seems more reachable.

Doctoral programs online or in residence do cost money, there is no doubt. The program of work is only for those willing and able to budget for such a degree. Costs vary from institution to institution so it is good to shop around. It is helpful if the area of study they would like to pursue in the earning of a doctorate degree can be narrowed down. By doing so you can then more effectively narrow your search of institutions to those that offer a doctorate in your area of interest. Then, specific tracks within areas of interest can be searched for availability from various institutions. Next consider cost variance, faculty, and other areas that may be of importance. Each of these steps will help rule in or rule out real interest and the feasibility of pursuing a doctoral program online or in the classroom. This will allow focusing and development of a goal or goals that warrant time and effort and, I might add, blood, sweat and tears. As you may have experienced in other areas of your life, it is necessary to throw yourself into your long-term goals with lots of energy and excitement as the goal, of course, it to reach the goal. A doctoral degree goal, online or in the classroom, is no exception.

The doctoral degree is the highest academic credential that one can achieve or earn. It doesn’t matter, whether you are earning a doctorate in engineering, public health or any other variant; the doctorate typically requires four to six years of additional study beyond the master’s level. Generally, to get a doctoral degree or be a doctorate you must complete a course of study, do original research and write a publishable thesis or a comprehensive course work. Today there are many universities and colleges that are offering distance learning doctorate degrees. In fact, over the past few years earning an online doctorate degree has gained tremendous popularity.

Achieving an online doctorate degree through a distance learning program generally take two to four years of full-time study, after completion of a master’s degree program. Though, one of the most powerful aspects of completing a online doctorate degree program is having the chance to be recognized as a global leader in your field. It helps you earn the most highly regarded academic honor and that is – a doctorate. Through online programs, it is possible to achieve the highest level of academic excellence and earn a PhD in your field.

Your participation in distance learning doctoral program certify your personal commitment and passion to your field of study. Once you complete the course work and earn a degree, you are often invited to do speaking, consulting and writing engagements within your chosen fields. Apart from this, earning a doctorate degree even let you enjoy a decent salary. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, professionals with doctorates earn approximately $37,265 more each year than workers with bachelor’s degrees. You can also go on to start your own consulting company and earn an average of $90,000 a year in salary. These days many PhDs are paid well to give presentations at different industry events.

Today there are hundreds of distances learning doctorate programs available and every month more and more online doctoral programs are being added by top accredited universities. So, if you are looking forward to earning a doctorate degree, here are few programs that you must consider:

Doctor of Business Administration- The degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a research doctorate and usually requires research that results in a dissertation or journal publication and contributes to business practice. The course is basically designed to extend professional business, management or administrative knowledge. It is one of the few doctorate programs that provide an opportunity to refine and extend your business knowledge and skill at an advanced level. Apart from this, the course even offers the opportunity to do specialization in different areas like technology management, economics, organizational behavior or finance or other practical fields.

Doctor of Computer Science in Enterprise Information Systems- The online Doctor of Computer Science in Enterprise Information Systems can be the best selection if you are looking forward to gain the skills that are primarily required for implementing and managing large-scale systems in your chosen professional area. The key idea of this doctorate program is to help students like you become more familiar with the body of knowledge regarding enterprise information systems along with the different models such as CMMI and manage the IT implementation process, testing and user training.

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Apologetics- If you are looking to develop an all-inclusive understanding of the field of Theory and Apologetics then this doctorate program is ideal for you. It is one of the few doctorate programs that offer a broader scope to become leaders in academics and ministry. In addition to this, the degree also qualifies you to teach at the university or graduate level, along with providing insight and information useful to the professional minister. With the emphasis on both theology and apologetics, the program gives you an opportunity to learn about faith and how to defend it.

The distance learning doctorate program list can surely increase to large numbers, but regardless of the field you choose to study, a doctoral program is challenging and deeply satisfying. As a doctorate degree holder, you don’t just creates new knowledge and shares that knowledge with professional peers, you even play a major role in shaping the world in which we all live and help us understand it better.

This is a list of the top 10 California Elementary Schools, along with their missions, obligations and aspect in every youth’s life.

Here are the top Elementary Schools in California, USA. This will help you determine which schools provide quality education for every student and which has the best established academic foundation.

Rank 1
William Faria Elementary school
Cupertino City
585 total no. of students as of 2006
The Faria A+ School provides traditionally structured and teacher directed procedures for the student’s way of learning. The school’s academic program aims to develop the child and to inculcate critical thinking, providing a deeper understanding and concept of the basic line of academic subjects such as:
? Reading
? Language arts
? Mathematics
? Social studies
? Science
This program also trains the students to develop their social skills and character behavior, making the children responsible citizens in their community. Aside from this, they can become successful ones in school. The location of the learning school is at 10301 Vista Drive, Cupertino CA 95014-2091. Feel free to inquire at 408-252-0706; fax: 408-253-0271.

Rank 2
Nelson S. Dilworth Elementary School
San Jose City
456 total no. of students as of 2006
The Nelson S. Dilworth Elementary School is known for its solid educational foundation. In the last 45 years, it has provided students a supportive environment. The school’s instructional program includes a basic skill building process of learning and varieties of enrichment opportunities. Each student is considered as a unique individual who should be developed into an informed citizen of society. Every staff member is committed to nurturing and guiding the educational and social growth of each student so that he matures into a responsible and productive individual.
The site is located in West San Jose CA. From West, Dilworth is surrounded by Miller Avenue; from North, the Bollinger Road; from East, Lawrence expressway; from South, Saratoga Creek, Lynbrook High School and Miller Junior High.

Rank 3
Millikin Elementary School
Santa Clara City
368 total no. of students as of 2006

Rank 4
John M Gomes Primary School
Fremont City
889 total no. of students as of 2006
The John M. Gomes Elementary School was established in the early 1970s. An elementary school in California is commonly known as Gomes Elementary. Douglas Whipple is the present principal.

The school possesses all the expertise needed in providing opportunities for education. It caters to the challenge of inspiring all ages with their talents and a leveling method. This is thru enabling the students prepare with each skill; plus adapting and succeeding in an ever-changing world. It is located at number 555 Lemos Lane 94539 Fremont Cal.

Rank 5
Chadbourne Elementary School
Fremont City
740 students as of 2006

Rank 6
Mission San Jose Primary School
Fremont City
589 students as of 2006
The Mission San Jose Primary School is also called as “the home of Mustangs”. It is nestled in the foothills of historic Mission Peak and located at the center of San Jose District. It is a small school in the heart of every person living within the community where great ideas strike a harmonious chord, making it a study in contrast.

It is a very old school with forward thinking techniques and a new school exhibiting tradition bound ideas. Each student is nurtured into developing their unique talent and ability within a supportive environment.

MSJE has a professional well trained staff, strong community support and academic excellence as its best reputation. Its location is at 43545 Bryant Street Fremont, CA 94539. You may call at (510) 6561200; fax: (510) 6514211

Rank 7
Murdock-Portal Elementary School
San Jose City
539 students as of 2006

Rank 8
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Palo Alto City
369 students as of 2006

Rank 9
West Hillsborough Elementary School
Hillsborough City
368 students as of 2006

Rank 10
Fred E. Weibel Elementary School
805 students as of 2006

According Ediger (2000), elementary school career education is important. Ediger stated that “the elementary school years are not too early to begin to achieve a vision of what one desires to do in life contributing to the world of work”. Without career education, students have unrealistic perceptions of careers due to a lack of knowledge and poor decision making. Students have limited knowledge and exposure to careers. (2,3) When students look at the different industries e.g. sports, media and entertainment, most students underestimate the skills and time required to have successful careers. (3)

The Basics for Elementary School Career Education Programs

In career awareness programs, students do not make premature career choices. Elementary school career education is not career exploration or career preparation. Elementary students remain open to new career ideas and possibilities. (7,8,13,15) Elementary students build awareness of self, personal interactions, school, and the workforce. (2,15) Elementary school counselors and teachers build self-awareness, family awareness, school awareness, community awareness, career/ work awareness, attitude development, skill development, decision making strategies, and self-worth. (2,4,11)

Career awareness programs use age appropriate materials that match the developmental levels of the students. Age appropriate activities expose students to a variety of different jobs, career information sources, and the reasons why people work. Programs also incorporate academic career pathways into classroom activities. According to CareerTec (2000), the preliminary career education skills serve as foundations for future skills. As the students progress, previous skills are reinforced, developed, and expanded. (2,4,11)

As elementary students get older, the students modify career visions and goals. After completing an elementary school career awareness program, students have higher grades, higher academic achievement, improved school involvement, as well as an increase in career awareness exploration, personal, and interpersonal skills. (1,15) In addition, the students complete more complex courses and have a higher graduation rate from high school. (9)

In summary, in career programs, students:

Learn and apply the academic material

Know and value self

Build self-esteem and confidence

Identify interests and build relationships between the school environment and the work force

Build academic, communication, problem solving, and social skills

Increase awareness of the need for future jobs skills

See the connections between learning in school, academic skills, job related skills, and careers

See career possibilities

See themselves as a future contributor to the job force

Receive empowerment

Build self-determination (2,7,9)

Examples of Elementary School Career Education Resources

Career awareness programs widely use tools are the Individual Career Plan (ICP) and the Individual Career Develop Portfolio. According to the Ohio State Department of Education (2000), Individual Career Plans (ICP) are essential for the development of self-awareness, employability skills, decision making and goal setting, community involvement, economics, and the reduction of bias. Students use the Individual Career Plans as they identify and explore initial career goals and educational plans. Elementary students use Individual Career Plan (ICP) to develop skills and to prepare to make future educational and career decisions. (12)

Another important tool is the Individual Career Develop Portfolio. Individual Career Develop Portfolios are collections of the career awareness activities and experiences that have occurred during the school year. (12) Other elementary school career awareness activities include:

Artistic displays

Career Days

Career Fairs

Career research

Career videos

Collages, murals

Community speakers

Educational games

Family group discussions

Field trips

Information interviewing

Job shadowing

Library book report

Mentors

Poetry

Phonics

Pictured dictionary

Puppets

Role playing

Scrapbook

Story reading

Student group discussions

Word search and comprehension activities (8,9,11,12,16)

Elementary school programs help students build connections between academics and real life situations. (9) Teachers and counselors use career education principles to stress the importance of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Language arts have many uses in the workplace: Reading, writing, and listening skills. The uses for Mathematics include: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills to solve problems. In Social Studies, students gain understanding about other countries, languages, cultures, and the aspects of living in a global marketplace. Students learn the importance of Science having skills to solve problems as well as understanding how science is involved in different industries, such as food, media, agricultural, and automotive industries. (8)

Guidelines for Elementary Education Career Resources – National Career Development Guidelines

The NCDG Guidelines is a career knowledge, skills, and decision-making framework. The NCDG framework has three domains, goals, and indicators. Teachers and counselors use the domains, goals, and indicators as guidelines to design and create career resources. The three domains are: Personal Social Development (PS), Educational Achievement and Lifelong Learning (ED), and Career Management (CM). Each domain represents a developmental area in a career education program. Under each domain are goals or competencies. Under each goal, indicators highlight the knowledge and skills needed to achieve the goal. The National Career Development Guidelines (NCDG) is the foundation for career education products, research development, tests and tools. (14)

Summary

Elementary school career education programs build self-awareness, family awareness, school awareness, community awareness, career/ work awareness, attitude development, skill development, decision making strategies, and self-worth. Elementary school career awareness programs use age appropriate materials that match the developmental levels of the students. As a results of career education, schools reported that students had higher grades and academic achievement, improvement in school involvement and performance, as well as an increase in career awareness exploration, personal, and interpersonal skills. Career awareness activities include Individual Career Plan (ICP), Individual Career Develop Portfolio (ICDP), Career Days, Career Fairs, Field trips, information interviewing, and library book report.

References

1. American Counseling Association, Office of Public Policy and Legislation. (2007). Effectiveness of School Counseling. Alexandria, VA: Author.

2. Angel, N. Faye; Mooney, Marianne. (1996, December). Work-in-Progress: Career and Work Education for Elementary Students. (ED404516). Cincinnati, OH: Paper presented at the American Vocational Association Convention.

3. Benning, Cathleen; Bergt, Richard; Sausaman, Pamela. (2003, May). Improving Student Awareness of Careers through a Variety of Strategies. Thesis: Action Research Project. (ED481018). Chicago, Illinois: Saint Xavier University.

4. Career Tec. (2000). K-12 Career Awareness & Development Sequence [with Appendices, Executive and Implementation Guide]. (ED450219) .Springfield, Il: Author.

5. Carey, John. (2003, January). What are the Expected Benefits Associated with Implementing a Comprehensive Guidance Program. School counseling Research Brief 1.1. Amherst, MA: Fredrickson Center for School Counseling Outcome Research.

6. Dare, Donna E.; Maddy-Bernstein, Carolyn. (1999, September). Career Guidance Resource Guide for Elementary and Middle/Junior High School Educators. (ED434216). Berkeley, CA: National Center for Research in Vocational Education.

7. DuVall, Patricia. (1995).Let’s Get Serious about Career Education for Elementary Students. AACE Bonus Briefs. (ED386603). Hermosa Beach, CA: AACE Bonus Briefs.

8. Ediger, Marlow. (2000, July). Vocational Education in the Elementary School. (ED442979) Opinion Papers

9. Gerver, Miriam, Shanley, Judy, O Cummings, Mindee. (2/14/02). Answering the Question EMSTAC Extra Elementary and Middle Schools. Washington, DC: Technical Assistance Center, (EMSTAC).

10. Hurley, Dan, Ed.; Thorp, Jim, Ed. (2002, May). Decisions without Direction: Career Guidance and Decision-Making among American Youth. (ED465895). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Ferris State University Career Institute for Education and Workforce Development.

11. Maddy-Bernstein, Carolyn; Dare, Donna E. (1997,December).Career Guidance for Elementary and Middle School Students. Office of Student Services Brief, v9 n1. (ED415353). Berkeley, CA: National Center for Research in Vocational Education.

12. Ohio Department of Education, Division of Vocational and Career Education, Ohio Career Development Blueprint, Individual Career Plan, K to 5 (ED449322). Columbus, Ohio, 2000

13. Splete, Howard; Stewart, Amy. (1990). Competency-Based Career Development Strategies and the National Career Development Guidelines. Information Series No. 345. (ED327739). Columbus, Ohio: ERIC Clearinghouse on Education and Training for Employment & Ohio State University

14. U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education. (1994, 2004). National Career Development Guidelines (NCDG). Washington, DC: Author.

15. Williams, Jean A., Ed. (1999, January). Elementary Career Awareness Guide: A Resource for Elementary School Counselors and Teachers. (ED445293). Raleigh, NC: NC Department of Public Instruction, NC Job Ready.

16. Woal, S. Theodore. (1995). Career Education–The Early Years. AACE Bonus Briefs. (ED386603). Hermosa Beach, CA: AACE Bonus Briefs.

Online learning is a relatively new phenomena delivered courtesy of the availability and pricing of the computer. This new trend in learning, however, is taking off at the speed of light. As more and more students realize the benefits of these courses, distance learning master degrees are becoming more common.

Distance learning master degrees still require all the key features of a degree earned in a classroom setting, but they give students the freedom to live (and earn) a little while they learn. These factors alone account for the biggest reasons why more and more people and more and more universities are seeing distance learning master degrees as viable options for advancing education.

While distance learning programs tend to vary depending on the institution involved, they still require coursework, tests and even major research, especially in the case of the masters programs. Although a student can perform coursework in their bathrobes, these programs do not typically skimp on the workload involved.

Distance learning masters degrees simply provide a new way for students to learn on their own schedules. These programs make it feasible for people already employed in their field of choice to continue doing so while they improve their chances for advanced and higher potential money earning.

These distance learning programs used to be rather limited in their scope. This is not the case any more. As more and more universities realize this is a viable option for solid teaching, especially for students who thrive in this type of setting, the program choices are opening wide up. While some more hands-on degrees might not be available, or in-person course work or labs will still be required, the choice is still pretty amazing.

Some of the more common distance learning master degrees offering fall into these areas of study:

* Education. It is possible for teachers to teach during the day and earn their masters at night. These programs can really open doors for those who want to advance in this field and even move up and on to administration.

* Government. From engineering work to public administration, the online offerings for government workers are pretty amazing.

* Computer science. It makes sense these degrees would be found for online study. Some of the more popular choices here include basic computer science, computer engineering and more.

* Business. Masters of business administration degrees might be one of the biggest draws for online learning. In addition to MBAs, accounting, financial management and even international business programs can be found, as well.

* Medical. While hands-on components will still almost always be required, it is possible for students to take much of the necessary coursework online. Nursing, psychology and other similar programs are common.

The above is just a small sampling of the masters programs students can take online from accredited universities. The truth is that while these programs have not eliminated a need for face-to-face learning, they are making it possible for many to remove the roadblocks that stand between them and advanced degrees.