MULTIPLE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Traditionally, in a teacher-centered classroom, instructors control their environment because they have a monopoly on information. In an online course, with instant access to vast resources of data and information, students are no longer totally dependent on faculty for knowledge. As faculty are beginning to teach online,  learning is becoming more collaborative, contextual and active. Educators must first design their curriculum, goals and objectives and then consider how the online environment can best serve the instructional objectives and activities of that curriculum.This requires changes in pedagogy, with instructors taking the role of facilitators of information while guiding students toward solutions. In order for online learning to be successful, teachers as well as learners must take on new roles in the teaching-learning relationship, and faculty must be willing to release control of learning to the students.

Online learning environments permit a full range of interactive methodologies, and  instructors have found that in adapting their courses to online models, they are paying more attention to the instructional design of their courses. As a result, the quality, quantity, and patterns of communication students practice during learning are improved.

Of the many instructional strategies available for use in the online learning environment, most have not been developed specifically for online instruction, but are currently used in traditional classrooms, and can be successfully adapted for facilitating online learning. Educators should choose instructional strategies that are most effective for accomplishing a particular educational objective. From this perspective, instructional strategies are tools available to educators for designing and facilitate learning . Below are ten instructional strategies which have been effectively used in the traditional classroom and can likewise be used in the online learning environment:

• Learning Contracts
• Small Group Work
• Discussion
• Project
• Lecture
• Collaborative Learning
• Self-Directed Learning
• Case Study
• Mentorship
• Forum

How to Lease Commercial Real Estate

How to lease commercial real estate can be a confusing issue for most of the entrepreneurs and small business owners. The professional real estate agents often add to this confusion by being diplomatic for their own vested interests. Commercial real estate investments involve a lot of money and an imprudent move can result in a huge loss for the owner. Nowadays most of the new commercial real estate businesses are started by leasing office space, as it provides a cheaper alternative to purchasing a new space. Here are some tips on how to lease commercial real estate.

Develop a Proper Network
Having a proper network of experienced real estate brokers, solicitors, contractors and investors is necessary to find the best deal. It is always good to check out references and arrange meetings with such qualified people, in order to find and execute profitable deals. One can also take the help of local professionals, who in turn can provide useful leads and contacts. It is advisable to read local newspapers and the city newsletters, to understand the various aspects of the real estate market. The knowledge of the current real estate statistics are helpful for the owners to come up with a profitable and feasible lease rent.

Find a Reliable Tenant
It is always important to look out for tenants who have a good reputation in business. In case some damage occurs to the property, the owner has to get it fixed and he/she may have to pay out quite a bit to ensure that it remains in good condition. Tenants that pay late, break contracts, or mishandle the property, can become very problematic at times. Therefore it is advisable for the owner to be a part of the business and get involved with his clients and the building. The investment will undoubtedly collapse if the owner becomes casual about it.

Negotiate for a Profitable Deal
The owner should always keep in mind that the fees money, including the brokerage commission, and the fees charged by accountants, attorneys and engineers, are all negotiable. He should never hesitate to ask for a lower price, as most of the service providers reduce their fees in order to guarantee ongoing future business. As large amounts of money are involved in commercial real estate transactions, the deals can be easily negotiated. The basic concept of a successful negotiation is the knowledge and empathy of each party, with regard to the major issues faced by the other. A balanced perspective is often helpful for a deal, which is good for both the landlord as well as the tenant.

Study the Assignment Clauses in the Lease Agreement
With the increase in number of fraud cases in real estate deals, the owner should careful to read the terms and conditions as stated in the lease agreement. Any doubts should be immediately cleared out with the real estate agent and the tenant.

Annual Increase in the Rent
There is normally a change in the rent of a property, as a fixed rent over longer-term leases is rare. Some landlords opt for an annual increase in the rent, which is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In some commercial property leases, the increase in the property rent is capped at a fixed percentage annually (say 2% or 3%).

It is good to give oneself some time for the research, in order to avoid a bad investment. There is of course no sure shot way to make a wise investment, but the awareness of market conditions and one’s own finances can help the owner to come up with a profitable lease of his commercial real estate.

Montessori Distance Learning – Comprehensive Training for Teachers of the Young

Montessori distance learning courses are designed for continuing education in the field of child education. These programs help to develop excellent teaching credentials and provide extensive practical training in Montessori education. These days, most comprehensive distance learning programs are available for aspiring Montessori teachers worldwide.

Montessori distance learning programs include Montessori methodology and practice, five of the most important ideas in Montessori education, how to prepare the Montessori environment, how to prepare yourself as a Montessori caregiver, communicating with young children the Montessori way. Some programs also offer contemporary ideas to supplement Montessori methodology. The combination of the ideas past and present can truly enrich a child’s educational and social experiences.

Montessori Education Overview

Distance education allows you the freedom of studying and submitting your course work at your own pace without disrupting your current job, leisure activities or family life. Comprehensive curriculum manuals support distance learning programs. Instructional materials and support systems like CD, DVDs and online access to educational video presentations guide you step-by-step through each and every lesson.

Generally, Montessori distance learning programs are divided into different levels. Infant or Toddler Program is for the children under 3 years of age. Pre-school or Kindergarten is for the children in 3 to 6 years age group. Elementary or Diploma program is designed for the children in the 6 to 9 years age bracket. These programs cover all the critical stages of development. Some institutions offer Elementary Montessori Environments programs for 9 to 12 years old children.

Institutions Offering Montessori Programs

Professional Career Development Institute is a nationally accredited distance learning school founded in 1987. They have enrolled over 1,200,000 students in the US and in 100 countries worldwide. They offer affordable, no-interest monthly tuition plans. They regularly update their course materials to reflect new technical advances and research.

The United Montessori Association offers a 9 to 12 month, comprehensive on-line Montessori Teacher Training Program. The Montessori teacher training program is an exclusive distance-learning email based program. Students receive the lesson responses in the form of Microsoft Word attachments. Teaching manuals, CDs and DVDs are mailed via the postal service and are inclusive in the tuition fees. Reference books required for reading assignments may be purchased separately and are not included in tuition fees.

Montessori Teacher Preparation of Washington offers four self-paced videotape courses covering all the levels of Montessori education.

Montessori distance learning programs provide a thorough understanding of the adult-child relationship as well as a complete knowledge of the physical layout and operation of a Montessori classroom.