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By: Jhen Alejo
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Learning Spanish Part Twenty: The Silent Way Method
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A most bizarre philosophy of education called "Discovery Learning," based partly on the educational ideas of Rousseau, Pestalozzi and Dewey, led to The Silent Way Method of Second Language acquisition. It also enjoyed the support of psycho-babblists (psychologists) Piaget, Bruner, and Papert. Seymour Papert said,
"You can't teach people everything they need to know. The best you can do is position them where they can find what they need to know when they need to know it."
Though it is a nice-sounding axiom, I am reminded of the countries of the world in which this philosophy of education does not reign supreme. The students in these countries overtake our kids in almost every academic subject. The word "they" in the above quote bothers me. Who does the "they" refer to? A bunch of kids who do not want to be in a classroom learning anything? Kids forced to be there because Mom and Dad say so? I know "Discovery Learning" all too well since I received my "secondary non-education" in one of these schools.
In response to what was considered as the "demonic" rote memory of anything having to do with education, The Silent Method of Second Language acquisition arose. In this "affective" approach, " The teacher tries to "facilitate" activities whereby the students discover for themselves the conceptual "rules" governing the language, rather than imitating or memorizing them - Brown (1994:63)." Also, the students had to somehow "develop their own inner criteria for correctness" (Larsen Freeman, 1986:62)."
This touchy-feely method of learning depends on the "good intentions" of learners. It also depends on the learners wanting to be in the educational situation in which they are, of course, forced by the law of the land and the law of home to participate. This approach to American education, in which I was a high school victim, resulted in woefully equipped and inadequately trained high school graduates (no one, of course, was ever failed) trying to get into college (one of our English classes was called, "Sports Illustrated").
Reasons for Failure:
Teacher is too passive. In favor of the student engaging in his own "Discovery Learning," the teacher would not step in to correct or guide the learner. Students would learn incorrect pronunciation in favor of the teacher remaining "silent."
Students miss out on cultural input that could be given within the language from the teacher's active participation.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Distance Learning Degrees: The Flexible Route To Higher Educatio
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More students around the world are taking advantage of distance learning degrees and degree programs, thanks to the Internet and the willingness of educators to recognize the fact that many people can't attend traditional school campuses due to work or family obligations. While such issues used to keep hundreds, if not thousands, out of college, such restrictions of time and location no longer remain the key issue when it comes to higher education.
The transition to such opportunities has been a long time in coming, and is long overdue. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of lost earning wages due to lack of college degrees will no longer hold employees back from obtaining the jobs of their dreams, or from pursuing higher goals within organizations. The benefits of attending online schools are obvious, and detractors have little to say. As little as a decade ago, the idea of attending an online school brought snickers or raised eyebrows. People believed that distance learning education programs were just for those wishing to pursue dental or medical assistant careers, though that was, and still isn't, the case.
Major universities around the world now offer online coursework as well as degrees in just about every field of employment, including medical, education, and law enforcement careers, just to name a few. A well-rounded and accredited online college offers students the same quality and coursework as a traditional brick and mortar college, without having to attend classes on campus. In rural areas, or for people obligated to full time jobs and family responsibilities, online college coursework is a blessing.
Such schools are held to the same high standards as a traditional campus, and must pass an accreditation program just as thorough, if not more so, than those given to campuses around the country and the world. Accreditation experts look at student services, coursework materials, testing methods and financial records to ascertain whether or not any school is able to offer expert and qualified instructors and coursework materials. For those seeking information on online distance learning colleges and coursework opportunities, an Internet search will bring up hundreds of online campuses. When narrowing down your list of possibilities, keep important things at the top of your list. First, are student services available, and are you going to be able to talk to a live person during normal business hours? Will instructors be available online or via email to answer specific questions and issues concerning coursework, testing and lecture schedules?
Of course, financing is also important, and while one may expect to pay a little more to attend an online degree program, the extra cost more than makes up for lost wages or the inconvenience of driving to a physical school campus to complete coursework. Many online degree programs offer student financing, as well as student loans, so always check ahead of time to make sure you get the most from your chosen school.
Online distance learning degrees and programs are the wave of the future, and competition is fierce and continues to rise. Do your research, take your time, and find the online college that offers exactly what you need.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Illinois Schools Put Money Where It’s Needed Most
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Public school student populations are by nature diverse. Any child from any family can attend a public school at no charge. The whole point of public education is to give children access to the education they need in order to be successful in society. Education is no longer a privilege of the wealthy. This does not mean, however, that every single school performs at the same level, nor that they all have access to the same resources. Unfortunately, while it is a public system, there are schools out there that have swimming pools and airplane pilot programs at the same time that there are schools which have a high teacher turn-around and outdated, if any, textbooks.
There are many states throughout the country which reward schools that are doing well; cash bonuses are one of the most popular types of recognition that excellent schools receive. These schools do indeed deserve recognition, and all schools can use a bit of extra money. The problem lies in the fact that schools that are failing are getting no extra financial help to turn their problems around. Perhaps the school is in a poor neighborhood, where there aren’t a lot of homeowners – homeowners mean more property taxes, which are traditionally used to fund the public school system. Maybe the school has a low or declining enrollment. Budgets are decided based upon how many students attend the school; if the student population is low, the school is not going to have the money it needs to function and improve.
Illinois School District leaders are working hard to reverse this trend in their schools that are low-performing. As a matter of fact, the Illinois Schools State Board of Education recently awarded $13 million for after school tutoring and mentoring programs for 35 Illinois Schools as well as some community organizations around Illinois Schools. The grants will primarily serve students from low-income families that attend under-performing Illinois Schools. For the most part, the Illinois Schools students who attend schools that have at least 40% of its families living at a low socioeconomic level are the ones who will be served through this program.
These new learning centers at the 35 Illinois Schools will provide many opportunities to Illinois Schools students and their families to acquire new skills. They can also help them to discover new abilities after the school day has ended. Academic assistance from after-school tutors must focus on reading and mathematics skills that the students are already working on at the Illinois Schools they attend...
In addition, this new Illinois Schools program can provide youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation programs, counseling and character education to enhance the academic component of the program. The different types of Illinois Schools programs beyond tutoring and mentoring that are offered depend on the location of the Illinois Schools. Parental involvement activities and extended Illinois Schools library hours are other possible activities.
As is evident from the above discussion, it is easy to see that Illinois Schools are working hard to help its low-performing schools improve.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Distance Learning Degree
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You might be at a crossroads in your life. You might realize that you need your Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree to land that exciting and high-paying job you have always wanted. You might realize that you need your Master’s degree to rise higher in your current profession. You might realize that you are ready to return to work after taking a break to raise your family, and that getting a degree will help you achieve your professional goals. Simply the most convenient and flexible way to achieve any of these ambitions is by getting your degree from a college that offers a distance learning degree program. Distance learning is not “correspondence”. Rather, it utilizes today’s Web technologies to allow anyone from anywhere to attend college via the Internet, and receive a college education.
There are many advantages of choosing to receive your degree via a distance-learning program. Chief among them is convenience. Proximity is no longer a factor in determining where you attend college. Studying for a college education online allows you to achieve your educational and professional goals at your own pace, whether you want to get a 2-year Associate’s degree, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, or take an accelerated course program to receive a professional certificate. There is no need to live near or commute to a college when all classes can be attended and all work submitted online. Distance learning is a great option for you if you have uncertainties about going to college as an older student or returning after many years. Studying for a college education online can be an easy way to ease into the routine of class work and projects, and can reduce the stress of feeling the need to fit in with younger students. Further, course availability is often convenient for those who work full time or care for a family. Often, colleges offer evening and weekend classes.
There is a distance learning degree program available for just about every professional and academic discipline out there. Fields of study include Business, Social Sciences, Humanities, Library and Information Sciences, Education, Nursing, Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, and various Healthcare programs. These are but a few of the subjects in which you can earn a college education by choosing an online program. While many online programs are delivered through fully accredited online colleges and Universities, more and more traditional colleges and Universities are adding distance learning degree programs to their curricula, which gives you seemingly limitless options.
You might be concerned about affording to attend a distance learning degree program. Often, financial aid is available to students in the form of grants, loans, even scholarships. Also, many employers are willing to pay for part or all of an employee’s tuition and fees. Investing in an employee’s future reaps benefits for everyone involved.
The misconception of receiving your degree via a distance-learning program is that the experience might not be as enriching or legitimate as attending face-to-face classes at a traditional college or University. This just isn’t the case. Programs offered online present the same opportunities for group work, independent study, and interpersonal communications as their traditional counterparts. While it is true that being an online student requires a certain amount of self-discipline and organization, receiving your degree through distance learning will probably help to facilitate the learning process as well as develop your time management and self-motivation skills. With the prevalence of the Internet and advancements such as teleconferencing in both education and the business world today, it is possible to come away from the experience not only with a college education and your dream career, but also with greater knowledge and comfort with technology. Going the route of distance learning to get your degree is a valuable, convenient, and flexible way to broaden your career opportunities, and have the career you have always dreamt about.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Benefits of Distance Learning
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Waking up early, staying at school late and facing traffic on the commute to and from school is a hassle most people deal with when continuing their education. Scheduling babysitters or after hours care for night classes cause some parents to forgo an education because of the hassle it would cause. It would be ideal for busy adults if they could learn from the comfort of their own home, making them available to friends and family at the same time. Distance learning lets people continue their education without fighting traffic, waking early, staying late or rearranging their whole schedule. Many colleges and universities offer courses or degree programs via distance learning for those students who juggle work and family.
The benefits of distance learning are more than just not having to step foot in a classroom. Distance learning allows students to have a flexible schedule so they can arrange school around their work and family life rather than having to arrange everything around school. Many distance learning courses allow you to work at your own pace as long as all tests and papers are submitted on time. This means that night owls can work on assignments at night when they are at their best, and early birds can work in the morning before their day gets busy. Distance learning students can also take advantage of being able to take class on the weekends if they fall behind during the week. Flexible scheduling means that you do not have to miss class for a doctor's appointment or worry about missing lectures to stay home with a sick child. There is no need to have a classmate's phone number so you can copy notes or find out what the professor assigned. With distance learning, you have scheduling freedom while still getting an education.
Self-directed learning is another benefit to distance education. Self-directed learning lets you move on or review without having to wait for other students to catch up. You can also review the same information repeatedly in the privacy of your own home without feeling like the entire class is moving ahead and you are stuck in one spot. If you do struggle, a simple email to your instructor is all it takes for some extra help. Another benefit is being able to earn a degree or certificate online. Working towards a degree online is, for some people, the only chance they have to earn a degree. Without distance learning, many working people would forfeit a degree for a paycheck.
School choice widens for those considering distance learning. Some students dream of attending a large, well-known university, but they live too far for a commute and don't have the resources to relocate. Traditional campus classes restrict students from attending certain universities because of distance. With distance learning, students can research colleges and universities from all over the country that offer distance learning programs. Distance learning provides the opportunity for attending college all over the country without having to move there. The biggest benefit of distance learning is the possibility for all people to continue their education without having to put the rest of their life on hold.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Atlanta Schools’ “Wellness” Workshops Project
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Atlanta Schools’ “Wellness” Workshops Promote Nutrition and Physical Education
When Atlanta Schools opened at the end of August, a new project was initiated. The “Wellness” Workshop Project kicked off the school year with a workshop that included Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers, author Yvonne Butler, 300 students from the Atlanta School District, faculty members, and community leaders. This was the first ever Atlanta Schools’ “wellness” workshop. Atlanta Schools’ Margaret Fain Elementary School’s Wings of Eagles dance troupe performed to illustrate how much physical energy is used in dance.
The first “Wellness” Workshop was co-chaired by Dr. Marilyn Hughes, the director of nutrition administration for Atlanta Schools, and Billette Owens-Ashford, Atlanta Schools’ director of physical education and athletics. The goal of the “Wellness” Workshop Project is improve the health of the students by identifying health-related problems. It has been proven that health related issues can often have a direct affect on a student’s academic achievement.
The inaugural “Wellness” Workshop for the Atlanta Schools had a variety of speakers and displays that provided resources on nutritional based activities and physical education activities. The keynote speaker was Dr. Yvonne Butler. Dr. Butler is a noted author whose book, “Healthy Kids, Smart Kids,” discusses the impact of diet and exercise on learning and academic performance. Other speakers included Olympic track-and-field gold medalist Gail Severs who spoke about importance of exercise to health and how to stay physically fit.
Atlanta Schools’ “Wellness” Workshop Project is part of a broad program that aims to provide both fitness and nutrition strategies for students and staff in all Atlanta Schools. Innovative strategies that will be used include yoga classes for teachers and students, vegetarian cafeteria lines, and walking trails. The overall plan was developed by the Atlanta Schools’ Board of Education. The Board of Education will offer guidelines on how to implement the program and how the schools will be evaluated.
A major part of the plan is establishing wellness councils. These councils will be comprised of teachers, parents, administrators, students, and community and business partners. The council will assist Atlanta Schools in integrating nutrition and physical education into the current curriculum. The wellness council will also have a presence at events throughout the Atlanta Schools.
Recently, Atlanta Schools’ wellness plan received a boost from the involvement of an Atlanta Schools’ parent. Linton Hopkins has two children attending E. Rivers Elementary School. Hopkins is concerned about the nutritional value of cafeteria offerings at the E. Rivers Elementary School but unlike other parents, Hopkins is the executive chef of Atlanta’s Restaurant Eugene and winner of this year’s Atlanta “Iron Chef” competition. Hopkins has joined the Local School Wellness Council to help evaluate the school’s cafeteria. Hopkins isn’t the only trained chef to join the E. Rivers Elementary School’s wellness council. Elisa Gambino, owner of pasta emporium Via Elisa, has along with eleven other parents joined the wellness council. Parental involvement is an important element to the success of the wellness councils. Currently, approximately 90 percent of Atlanta Schools’ elementary and 65 percent of high schools have parents actively involved with the wellness council of their school.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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5 Important Tips To Homeschooling
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Homeschooling is defined as providing a child’s main education at home. Although this topic has been one of great debate by both critics and supporters, families continue to choose the option of educating their child in the comfort and privacy of their own home. If you are considering this method of learning, keep the following tips in mind:
Consider various teaching options. As a parent, you can often homeschool your child on your own or you may enlist the help of a professional tutor, which is a private teacher who typically teaches one child or a small group of children. In some cases, a child may also participate in independent study programs that are made available through a school.
Make sure the curriculum is approved. If you plan to homeschool your child, you will need to request a curriculum package containing an approved course of study. It’s important that parents make sure the program they use to educate their child is one that’s approved by their state and/or board of education.
Make learning fun. In order for a child to get the most benefit from homeschooling, many believe that visits to the library, museums and other cultural outings can help the student to learn more effectively. This is one of the reasons why public schools often participate in field trips, which allow the children to see a location up close and personal as it relates to their program of study.
Prepare your child for college. Studies have shown that children who learn at home are just as likely to attend a higher learning institution as other students, which means parents who participate in homeschooling will need to prepare their youngster for this change. A homeschooled child who wishes to apply for college must submit a copy of his/her ACT or SAT test scores. As for transcripts, children who gained their education at home may submit records from their supervising high school or correspondence course.
Get everything in writing. As a parent who wishes to homeschool your child, you are required to file the appropriate paperwork with either a local or state education agency. For more information on this topic, you can consult with your county’s board of education or your school’s principal. The name and age of the student must be given, along with lesson plans in some cases. Currently, parents are not required to have a teaching certificate in order to educate their child at home, but it’s important to check with your state’s laws regarding homeschooling as they may vary by state.
One final note: It is very important for home schooled children to be properly socialized with other children. Playing with kids their own age they can learn valuable social skills that will help them become more successful later in life.
The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal or educational advice relating to homeschooling and/or the laws relating to this subject. For more information, consult with your local or state education agency.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Learning On The Net: Online College Classes
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If you are like most men and women, your daily schedule is hectic and completely filled. With that said, you may nonetheless be interested in advancing your education. However, because of you commitments, you simply may not have the time to attend traditional college classes in a brick and mortar world institution. If that is the case, you should take a close look at online college classes. Online college classes may be the perfect solution for you.
When it comes to online college classes, you have a number different options to chose from in this day and age. Indeed, each and every week, there are fresh alternatives on the Net for people interested in enrolling in online college classes.
Many traditional colleges and universities that have been long established in the brick and mortar world have developed online course programs. Presently, the vast majority of traditional institutions of higher learning now allow students to access their educational courses through online college classes. These schools have established very substantial distant learning programs through the Internet and World Wide Web.
A good number of people interested in advancing their education are inclined to obtain degrees from these well established institutions of higher learning. As has been noted before, however, busy schedules and day to day commitments render it impossible for a good number of people to actually enroll in and attend classes at these various colleges and universities.
Through the distant learning programs and online college classes created by these institutions of higher learning, men and women from all walks of life and literally from all corners of the globe can now enroll in and participate in courses of education, including diploma programs, on the Net.
In addition to distant learning programs being established on the Net by traditional brick and mortar world colleges and universities, there are now schools that have been established wholly in cyberspace. These cyber schools offer an ever growing slate of online college classes for people across the globe.
Beyond being remarkably convenient, these Internet based schools are also reasonably priced. When it comes to continuing education, a person oftentimes is prevented from moving forward in the brick and mortar world due to the high costs of tuition. Tuition costs at colleges and universities (both public and private) continues to increase significantly each and every year. Through online college classes offered by schools that exist only in cyberspace a person interested in advancing his or her education can save a great deal of money on tuition.
As an aside, diplomas and certificates from these cyber-based schools are gaining wider acceptance and appreciation. There is a growing understanding that online college classes provided by these types of schools can be rigorous and substantial. The educational programs offered by these Internet institutions are not akin to the diploma mills that offer degrees for dollars without any significant course work being required.
In the final analysis, if you are interested in advancing your education even while dealing with a full plate of responsibilities, online college classes may be exactly the learning ticket for you. Your options abound on the Internet.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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The Inside-Out Of College Loans
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I have heard it said that education is the best investment. Whoever said that could probably afford their college fees. Don't get me wrong. Certainly I am all for higher education. At the same time, I am not a votary of being under unnecessary debt. This is where the contradiction arises.
What complicates this conundrum is the fact that if you go to college, you are more likely to be able to pay your debts. So you have to get an educational loan (and a college education) to be able to repay loans in the future. I guess you can see why I call it a conundrum!
First of all, realize that you can get a college loan. Sounds obvious, right? Not really! I have heard of many candidates who hesitate applying for a college loan as they have a poor credit history. Surely, poor credit history will make it tougher to get an educational loan. But, it is far from impossible. In fact, I think that going ahead and getting a good education is one of the great methods of trying to come out of a financial jam.
Having said that, I do not want to sound like I am very forgiving of a loan-tangle. Barring exceptions, most people get into a debt trap due to irresponsibility. So, do the adult thing today and acknowledge fault. Then promise yourself that you will do the right thing after college and repay all your existing loans – including your student loan.
When looking for a students loan, make sure to explore the usual options first: The Subsidized / Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, the Federal Perkins Loan, the Federal+ loan for parents, the Direct PLUS loan, the Federal consolidation loan, the Private student loans, and the like.
What you need to keep in mind is: Is the specific loan you are applying to available for undergraduate studies or graduate studies (or both)? Is the loan need based or merit based? What documents will you need to demonstrate financial need? Are there any specific loan options available to you if you are applying to specific programs, e.g., Federal Nursing Loan and the Health Professions Student Loans?
Keeping all this in mind will be a good first step towards getting a students loan. Remember your education should be a stepping stone to a better life, not a means to get stuck into a deeper financial hole.
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| Friday, 5-Nov-2010 00:43 |
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Teaching our Kids RITE from RONG - Education
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Are we as caring parents doing more harm than good by sitting down to teach our kids what we were taught from our school days? Mum and dads want the best for their kids and encourage them by dedicating their free time to help with their sums.
In some cases it is hard for the concerned parent to find quality time that is needed for their child/children to excel, reasons maybe due to working long hours to put a crust on the table.
There could be a number of reasons as to why mum and dad are handicapped in finding the time to help the kiddies to read and write.
Parents that is fortunate enough to find the time to help the family with their studies.
I ask you are you doing more harm than good.
In some cases there are parents out there qualified to take on the role as tutor for a few hours, then we have the less fortunate like my self who left school with no qualifications. So what right do I have even as a caring parent to teach them what little I know?
One thing I do know is the importance of my children not missing out on the opportunities that I was denied due the absence of having no qualifications.
How we the parents were taught many moons ago differ greatly to how schools operate today.
The 21st century education system presents a complete different scenario.
Modern tactics are used in all places of learnng, how embarrassing having to admit that some mathematical terms that I as an adult can not spell let alone work out as a sum.
I expect I am not on my own in this department when it comes down to today's educational system.
How lack of education can affect your child's chances of succeeding in life.
To secure a position of a decent paying job you need skills, most places of employment requires verification that you are the man/woman for the job vacancy. To fill any position today depends on how much paperwork you have under your belt as in i.e. GSCE A/O levels and so on.
If you want to help your kids to achieve then as a caring parent you need to sit back and leave it to the professionals who already have the skills required in this department.
Some parents have a far better understanding of modern day learning so they are exempt, but for those in the same position as myself and want what is best for the family, then may I suggest the internet.
Online education is a fantastic opportunity for you and members of the family to gather information.
The internet is the most powerful tool we have today in modern society
Do not worry about all the stories you hear behind what goes on involving kiddies on the internet. You have complete parental control over your child's presence when they surf the web. Another plus is the parent need have no computer expertise. But if you would like to learn more about computers then why not go online where you will find information on what there is to know.
Education online is a step in the right direction to give the child a better start in life. Offering the chance to gain extra knowledge may not be greeted with a thank from your offspring at this present moment, but I bet a bottom dollar in years to come they will thank you for it
Before you sit down with the kiddies in the hope of educating them further, remember we have two different generations competing with each other. Live and learn mum and dad this is a day and age where the kids of the 21st century can teach us a thing or too.
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