Sunday, September 11, 2011

Science Games for Kids Considered One of the Top Homeschooling Requirements

While there are several homeschooling requirements, educators and parents agree that the use of science games for kids is considered to be one of the top necessities. These specially designed games are considered to be highly beneficial in a large variety of ways. They work to encourage children to explore scientific concepts. In addition to this, the games are productive in reinforcing certain skills such as the ability to categorize, observe, think critically and engage in tasks that involve measurements. Furthermore, it is a known fact that children absolutely love spending time with the members of their family. Science games for kids will allow you to spend many hours of quality time with your child while educating them at the same time. If you are researching homeschooling requirements that will assist in your child's academic progression, you will find that games are essential to the learning process.
As a parent that homeschools their child, it is important to understand that your child is interested in both learning and your individualized attention. By playing science games for kids with your child, you will be assisting in the development of essential skills and providing one on one attention that is essential for their emotional growth. There are many different types of homeschooling requirements that you must be attentive to. Examples of these requirements include lesson plans, knowing the details of your state's educational requirements, and the supplies that will assist in the child's learning such as pencils, paper, and books. However, there are many requirements that are not written on paper and in state statutes. Spending quality time with your child and using special resources to motivate them to learn certain types of facts are two of those unwritten requirements.
It is imperative that you understand that science games for kids do not need to be academic on a high level in order to provide educational value. By using the pieces of the game, understanding the concepts of the games, and focusing on the goals of the game, children have the ability to learn many different types of valuable concepts. Many may acquire a deeper understanding of grouping, color recognition, and counting. For many, these educational games will assist in the ability to recognize shapes, numbers, letters and words. In addition to these important concepts, many homeschool families find that a child's manual dexterity and their eye-hand coordination are optimized when they are exposed to science games for kids. Furthermore, educational games are highly beneficial in improving a child's visual perception. If you are interested in homeschooling requirements that will benefit your child's academic success, games that place an emphasis on science literacy are a necessity.
When evaluating homeschool requirements, you will quickly discover that academics are important but that there is a need for socialization. When it comes to common homeschool concerns, socialization for children is one of the main ones. By bringing in science games for kids into the home classroom, you will be providing your child with the ability to interact with you and others. They will learn how to take turns, engage in conversations, share, and communicate openly. As you can see, there are many different benefits associated with science games for kids. When it comes to homeschooling requirements, these types of games are an absolute necessity! If you want to increase your child's knowledge and contribute to their academic success, be sure to research science games for kids today.

This author consistently strives to assist parents that are interested in homeschool success. She researches the common challenges faced in the homeschool learning environment and then determines which learning toys, science games for kids, classroom manipulatives and other items that will help families overcome those challenges. For more information, visit: http://www.mytoysmart.com/


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Tips To Select The Best Online MBA Course

Online MBA has become an easy tool for the career conscious to get a notch higher on the career ladder. Online colleges have brought quality education within the reach of the busy professional and have thus proved to be a boon for such individuals who want to study further but feel restrained from doing so due to family and professional demands. Online MBA has become one of the most popular courses of late and this has led to a number of colleges springing up and offering courses in various specializations unheard of till quite some time back. Well, this does not make the work of a prospective student in choosing the right course and college any easier. We thought of helping out in this task and listed out some points that will help the students make a wise choice of an online MBA course and also the best suitable online college.

College credentials

Many colleges promise a degree that is easy and without much of work involved. Such colleges are usually fraudulent and a part of the ever growing degree mill. Students need to be aware of such things and safe from falling into the trap of such colleges. The best bet is to go for a college that is accredited by and national or regional accreditation agency. The college credentials can be checked from the college website or the accreditation agency website or directly asking the college office for the necessary information.

Course structure

Though the general perspective among people is that all MBA programs are the same, it is not so in reality. Well, the basics offered in any course remain the same but the course structure, the syllabus and the specializations offered are different from college to college and therefore from course to course. Students need to find out the syllabus and find out if it is suitable to their needs. The specializations offered also differ from college to college and it is equally important to find out if the one chosen by the student is on offer or not. The interests of the student come foremost while choosing the best college in doing an online MBA course.

Course contents

The course content matters for the student as it reflects the way the course will be handled. The contents need to be suited to the needs of the student and cover all the relevant topics that the student is interested in. it is then only that the course will hold the interest of the student and also be beneficial post degree. Moreover by having a look at the course contents the student can also determine the aptitude to successfully complete the course and get good grades.

Practical experience

Many colleges provide the necessary education but that is needed only to theory. This means that the student will have to get the practical exposure directly at work, which is not desirable. An ideal course is that which offers practical exposure and real life experiences as well. These may be in the form of internship or discourses and interaction with big names in the industrial sector.

Circumstantial suitability

The course needs to be evaluated on its suitability to the student's individual circumstances. The joining date of the course should be convenient for the student to join keeping in mind the professional and personal responsibilities. The requirement of the course for contact classes and the distance and frequency to be travelled also needs to be considered. Most of the online MBA programs are for a two year duration. However there are some colleges that offer fast-track courses for busy professionals. The availability of this option can help students who have plans that don't fit with a two year MBA program.

Financial considerations

Finances play a vital part in the decision of choosing a college for an online MBA course. There are many top rated colleges that charge exorbitant fees which may be out of reach for many students. However, such colleges also offer scholarship programs. Students need to budget the college fees well in their annual finances so that they are not in any kind of crisis. Colleges that offer part payment options can also be considered. Another important point to take into consideration is the future prospects in being able to pay up the loan in case the student needs to go for an educational loan. The duration and the payment options for such a loan also should be considered.

Future prospects

Future prospects after doing the course from a particular college hold a lot of importance in making the decision of going in for the right college and therefore the right course. If the course prepares the student for a better practical exposure and thus better prospects in post-degree career, then that course is the best for that student. There are some courses that are better aligned to some industries which means that the students belonging to that industry will gain a lot more from such courses than normal ones. Other than this, some online colleges offer personality development with their regular syllabus which also helps the student have better prospects by enhancing their personalities and instilling greater confidence levels in them.

Affect on lifestyle

The work life balance is very important and therefore the course needs to be such that the student can balance both comfortably. The course needs to be such that the coursework can be done by the student easily without having to give up the job. It should also be flexible enough to factor in work related pressures and emergencies that may hold back the student from dedicating enough time to the course. The pressures of the course and its requirements also should be such that the student is able to manage family life also with studies and professional responsibilities.

There are many instances where students just jump headlong into a course because it belongs to a top college. Nothing wrong in it if all of the student's expectations and other requirements are met, but it can be a major disaster if the student eventually realizes that the choice was wrong. Therefore the above given tips come in handy to choose a college wisely.

Visit http://www.avagmah.com/ today to know more about the Online MBA & various other courses. You can also contact the writer at admission@avagmah.com.


http://EzineArticles.com/6499919

Saturday, September 10, 2011

How to Design Effective Mobile Learning Systems?

Mobile learning essentially rides on the technological advancement in the field of information technology and communication. However, to harness the state-of-the-art mobile devices for the purpose of learning, calls for greater understanding between different stakeholders viz. the content providers, device manufacturers and application developers, and the end users.

"Begin with the end in mind" said Stephen R. Covey. The effectiveness of any mobile learning program depends on its planning premise. The ideas developed here are paradigmatic for any mobile learning scenario.

I. Paint the big picture: For the acceptance of mobile learning mode by the end-user, always project the value addition. For instance, an employee or student has to travel and attend a weekend course or stay extra hours if he chooses to ignore mobile option. Communicate effectively the cost-time benefits, and the constraints in using conventional learning modes.

II. Deliver an easy and intuitive user experience: Develop a "current technology vs. end-user capability matrix". This calls for continuous research on the leading mobile platforms -iPhone, Blackberry and Android. This gives the premise for content development with scalability over the popular mobile platforms. What Bill Gates said, independent of context, is true here; the barrier to change is not too little caring; it is too much complexity.

III. Bridge the knowledge divide: One of the barriers to mobile learning is the gap a learner faces between his current knowledge level and the higher level he intends to reach. Design the content based on the average knowledge level of the intended learners. Provide additional links in the modules that will give elementary knowledge on the subject for the end user who may need it.

IV. First impression is the best: Always aim for maximum positive impact on the end-user at the first content delivery. Avoid using any ambiguous imagery or confusing topics in the first stage of learning. Develop interest by introducing easy to understand concepts using familiar methods of access. Complex matters can wait till sufficient familiarity is achieved.

V. There is more than one way to skin a cat: Approach to learning varies with the individuals. Always develop alternative modules through which knowledge can be communicated to varied personalities. Provide much latitude in assessment methods and introduce innovative techniques for recapitulation.

VI. Provide easy feedback options: "Procrastination is the thief of time" said Edward Young. Many learners have an inherent hesitation to communicate their learning difficulties; some are good in oral communication, others in written and some are more comfortable to interact with a peer group than the one up in the hierarchy. A good design should provide multiple feedback mechanisms, including creating peer group networks.

VII. Make haste slowly: While going too fast in content delivery may leave many behind, a pace too slow may affect the tempo of learning. Maintain a rhythm in delivery and assessments based on feedback from focus group interviews. While inordinate delay may compromise overall learning objectives, unresolved learning difficulties increase the rate of dropouts and make the system ineffective.

Time is ripe for players to make conquest points in the mobile learning arena and the early bird catches the worm. Any ill conceived initiatives can cast shadows on the credibility of this innovative avenue of mobile learning.


http://EzineArticles.com/6500150