Posts Tagged ‘educator’

 

Online Education – Getting a Master Degree

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world while the man who can make hard things easy is most definitely, the educator. Gone are the days when you had to attend classes in a University or college to obtain a degree. You can attain a Master’s degree from your comfort zone through online education. With the advent of new and innovative methods to impart education, distance learning and online education have emerged rapidly and is a blessing for learners with the will to learn, but no time to pursue.

Online education refers to education training delivered primarily via the Internet to students at remote locations without any specific premises or location for learning. An online course may include a requirement wherein the students and teachers meet once or periodically in a physical setting for lectures, practical sessions in labs, or exams as long as the total time duration in a physical environment does not exceed 25 per cent of the total course duration. Whether you are someone who has just graduated from high school, or simply would like to continue your education while working on a full-time job or are returning to college after a few years at the workplace, online education is the most ideal option. As technologies change, the workplace evolves and as there are no geographical barriers to online learning, students can find a variety of course materials from different sources on the web that may not be available where they live or work.

Customized learning to suit your convenience!

Online learning provides convenience, both in terms of time and geography. However, a student has to remain committed towards the learning program in order to complete the course on time and allocate specific hours during the course of learning. Many reputed universities and colleges provide the option of pursuing a Master degree through distance learning and these courses are well recognized across the globe.

Typically, the Master’s program comprises monthly assignment submissions, periodic tests that can be taken at a certain period of time to suit your convenience and an exam or test to evaluate the students at the end of the year. This may vary from one university to another. The students are also expected to work on projects or take up internship in an organization before the degree is awarded to them to gain practical experience and a deeper insight into the area or domain of their choice. This is pretty similar to the full-time programs run in colleges where students learn in the college premises. As a result, distance program learners are also conversant with the subject as much as any full-time learner except that she/he is able to study while they work to earn a living. In fact, the students have the advantage of gaining work experience as well as learn thereby enhancing their knowledge levels, work related skills and it also provides better prospects for future growth and development of their career.

Online Learning Environment

The online learning environment encourages students to learn at their own pace. Every student has their distinctive approach to learning that works best for them. Online learning enables a student-centric approach that increases student interaction and allows different opinions, discussions and brainstorming sessions through discussion forums, chat rooms and various student-teacher forums. This mode of learning is conducive to open discussions without any inhibitions and the learning sessions are far more interactive as compared to one-way learning sessions in a traditional classroom. The online environment makes the instructors/faculty/ teachers more approachable. The course material is available at all times on the web that enables the student to read repeatedly and learn at his own pace till he understands the concept and subject. Additionally, in the current context, technology plays a vital role in all business operations and exposure to the internet and knowledge empowers the students to apply their technical skills in their daily work as well.

Learning is a continuous process and we all learn something new every day. Explore every opportunity to learn and improve your knowledge and skills at every point of time. Enhance your skills, have a successful career and lead a fulfilling life.

 
 
 

Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Education

You may be reading the title of this article and wondering what neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) has to do with education. You may even be asking yourself what it is. Yet others who are reading this article know exactly what NLP is all about. If you have even a vague notion of what NLP represents, then sit back and be amazed at how it can transform your classroom when used properly.
While I write this article, I have a lurking feeling in the back of my mind that at least a few readers will have a biased view of NLP and will read this title with skepticism and disdain. To say the least, NLP is controversial in nature. I can only speak about my experiences with NLP and will let you judge for yourself.
If you are the skeptic mentioned above, let me try to put your mind at ease before we get started and say this: Any teacher using NLP in the classroom will first need to take the solemn oath of Primum non nocere, or “Do no harm.” If you will take this oath, then NLP is harmless and can add many benefits to your educational process.
Warning
NLP, like anything else in this world, can be used for nefarious means. Before you set out to use any educational methodology, ask yourself one question first: Are my actions for the benefit of the student, or are my actions selfish in nature? If you answer the former, then NLP may assist you in the classroom with a variety of issues that cause you trouble as an educator.
Be warned, NLP is used for every type of manipulation you can imagine. Pickup artists, hypnotists, televangelists and shysters of all categories use NLP to cheat, steal and otherwise trick gullible people. NLP is used by the media and in advertising to convince the consumer to purchase unneeded products. NLP is awesomely powerful. When used correctly and for proper reasons, it can transform educational practice for any educator.
What is NLP?
It is hard to really lock down a good definition for NLP. This area of psychology is old, immense and complicated. If I were to give it a short definition, I would define it like this: NLP is the art of using response and stimuli for the express purpose of constructing a desired outcome. This can be done in a conscious manner or an unconscious manner. NLP attempts to find reproducible methods that anyone can use for success.
Let me give you a real world example. Teacher ‘A’ has a class that is out-of-control. When the same students go to teacher ‘B’, they behave well. It stands to reason that a method exists to control the students. If teacher ‘A’ can discover the method that teacher ‘B’ uses, then teacher ‘A’ can control her class. NLP attempts to study the method and find commonalities and best practices for controlling behavior.
Over the last few decades, many common methods for success have been found in every area of endeavor. Name the behavior and NLP has the answer. It will be impossible for me to cover the entire territory of NLP in one article, so I will merely give you a good start. My best advice for you would be to purchase Neuro-linguistic Programming for Dummies by Romila Ready and Kate Burton. It is a fantastic read and can give you a great start into the subject.
Presuppositions
The world of NLP revolves around a few presuppositions. A presupposition is an implicit assumption. In other words, it is assumed that there is implied truth in what is stated and can be viewed as correct in every way. As we jump into this topic, prepare to dive deep and stretch your mind wide.
1. The map is not the territory. Have respect for the individual’s map.
Each of us has a map of the territory (world around us) that will be different depending on our perspective and frame of reference.  Our map of the world represents our unique view of the world, while the territory represents actual objects and events.  Your perception as an educator belongs to you and does not accurately represent the territory or the map of the student.  If you realize this difference and respect the map of your students, you are prepared to make NLP work for you.
2. People respond according to their map of the territory.
All students operate in the world according to their perception of the territory. Since each map is different, each response will be unique. Your responsibility as an educator is to discover the student’s map and act accordingly. Change the map and you change the student.
3. Meaning depends on context.
Words only have meaning when they are represented within some context. External stimuli will change internal response. If you want to change your students’ behavior or character, create context in their minds. Use metaphor when possible. Paint mental pictures and assist your students as they color in their map.
4. Mind and body affect each other.
Mind and body do not function separately. What the mind believes becomes reality in the body. What the body feels becomes reality in the mind. As an educator, you MUST respect how your actions can become emotion within your students. You have the power to affect mind and body when you speak. Choose your words and emotions wisely.
5. If what you are doing is not working, do something else.
Often, the opposite of what we think will work ends up working. Do not be afraid to make changes that are unrelated to the problem. Often this redirection solves the problem. Find out what works for others and apply these practices to your own methodology. Choose the simplest answer and you will most often be correct. Flexibility equals success.
6. Choice is better than no choice.
Your students will respect you more if you offer choices. Barking out commands and creating rules to follow will only create ground for the student to stand against you. Create a context whereby the students can operate according to their own maps. Work over time to change the map and reveal the true territory.
7. We are always communicating.
All of your actions as an educator speak loudly to your students. Tactical communication will be necessary for ultimate success. Plan your communication through wisdom and restraint while keeping effectiveness in mind.
8. The meaning of communication is the response you get.
You will only be as effective as the communication you generate. If your students do not respond according to your intentions, your communication is at fault. Improve communication to improve response.
9. There is no such thing as failure, only feedback.
All failure should be seen as feedback for future success. The more you open yourself up to opportunity, the more it will become available to you. Seek the opportunity in every failure.
10. Every behavior contains positive intention.
Seek first the positive intentions in your students’ behavior. Even when behavior is poor, preserve the positive intention first. Preserving positive intentions creates positive choices. A positive teacher creates a positive student. Choice creates opportunity.
11. If something is possible, then it is possible to learn how to do it.
Poor classroom management can make a good teacher feel like a failure.  If classroom management has beaten you down as an educator then this presupposition is for you.  If something is possible, then it is possible for you to learn.

Take a walk down the hallways of your school. Chances are good that you will find at least one teacher controlling your out-of-control students. It is therefore possible for you to control your students well. Twenty percent of any situation is reality. The other eighty percent is purely mental. Learn to control the other eighty percent.

12. People have all the resources they need already.
Resourcefulness is merely a state of mind. Everything you need is already available. It is your job to assemble available resources at your disposal and make the best choices possible along the way to maximize their use.
13. Resistance is only inflexible communication. The person with the most flexibility wins.
Be the bigger person. In every situation and with every student, success will only come through flexible communication. Be willing to change your educational method before you blame your students for unsuccessful situations. You already have all the resources you need to achieve success. Success comes from using your communication and resources wisely.
14. If you control your mind, you control results.
Bias is the worst enemy of an educator. Your emotion can turn a student off forever. Controlling your emotion can build rapport and help you move a student forward. Creating high expectations is a well-intended goal, but when students are motivated to create their own high expectations, real success will follow.
 
 
 

Moving Your Educational Career Forward Prevents Becoming Stagnant

degrees-in-educationAs an educator or a member of the education field, continuous learning is important in order to avoid career stagnation. You need to have a solid career development goal in order to ensure that your career will go beyond the typical static experience in this particular work environment. That is why you always have to take advantage of opportunities that will allow you to proceed forward and maximize both your learning and career options. Taking additional courses, trainings, and professional development sessions are often the most practical options to prevent becoming stagnant in the field of education because these are the key steps toward achieving horizontal and or vertical movement in your career.

After completing your initial degree in education, it is vital for you to seek options in pursuing higher levels of education in the form of graduate studies and completing your doctorate. This is often the most viable way to reach your career objectives, especially if you are planning to eventually move from teaching into administration. Advanced degrees like these will certainly open up a lot of job opportunities, not to mention the expansion of your professional knowledge and personal experience surrounding practical and theoretical learning environments. The supplemental knowledge you gain from attaining these degrees can open up a lot of doors for your career enhancement not only in teaching but in other key areas of the education sector as well.

However, if you already have your advanced degree like a Master’s or a Doctorate, it is possible to obtain supplemental trainings that will augment your current advanced degree. Taking time to familiarize yourself with various technological advancements typically used in education can also help you improve your chances of securing key job positions in the field of education. Advanced courses like these are not only crucial to seeking job opportunities but they are also a vital part of improving one’s skill set and professional development.

A good way to move your career in education forward is to gain more teaching certifications or develop individual specializations like in Science, English, or other subjects you are interested in. the goal here is to have the capacity to handle more than just one class and a good chance to be promoted into administrative positions. Other important courses will include accounting or school management and you can take advantage of this if you are planning to pursue a position in school management.

To further prevent career stagnation, it is recommended for individuals working in the field of education to take part in self improvement seminars or workshops which will allow you to improve your leadership skills, communication, and the aptitude for conflict resolution. For those who are holding school management positions, it is a good way to diversify your skills in management or acquire the appropriate skills and knowledge for how to deal with parents, students, and your work colleagues. By taking steps toward your career advancement in the form of advanced education and training, you can be certain to prevent your career from becoming stagnant.