Minggu, 22 Februari 2009

The Most Profitable Advantages Of Renewable Energy

Undoubtedly, as you may have read or heard before, exploiting renewable energy presents various advantages, ranging from environmental to economical aspects, from ethical to merely technical aspects, along with its challenges of course. Among all the advantages I will consider those which may have a large-scaled influence in our lives all around the planet. Extraction, efficiency and echo-friendliness are the aspects which I would like to focus on, and we will compare renewable energy and non renewable energy in all three aspects.

Extraction Or better said no extraction needs at all. In fact, renewable resources such as wind, solar, tidal power don’t need any extraction process and they are the most common resources on the planet Earth. It means no danger for people, no danger for the environment and no high energy input in order to have them available. Geothermal and hydro power need special plants and may have environmental impact, but far less than the below mentioned ordinary resources and usually the process is far easier. Instead, to have our ordinary (or what we call ordinary) energy resources such as oil, coal, uranium, etc., we need to make big efforts to find, extract and move them. Then using special plants they are transformed into useful electric energy. As you can see there are at least three stages before having what we need. In each of the stages a high energy input is required to reach our outcome. The extraction of those “ordinary” energy resources, along with a high energy input, is also a big danger for the people involved in the process, and usually brings devastating consequences for the environment. Needless to say, at first sight, comparing the extraction aspect of renewable versus “ordinary” energy resources, the advantages are clear, but let’s consider more.

Efficiency When it comes to considering efficiency the advantages brought from the implementation of systems that use renewable energy resources are amazing. A wind generator, a pretty simple machine, to transform wind into electricity may convert up to 50% of the overall wind energy, a solar panel converts up to 60% (in new generation cells) of the overall solar energy that it collects. Even with a lower efficiency, such as that we have for tidal power plants (up to 30%) it’s not bad, if you consider the total absence of risk for human and environment. Exploiting less then 0.02% of the overall amount of solar power that daily reaches our planet would be enough to satisfy our (world’s) energy demand instead of ordinary power plants that use coal or oil as a combustible and have the efficiency that doesn’t go over 25%. Not a good performance indeed! Let’s go further and analyze a bit what happens concerning environment. Echo-friendliness When using renewable resources, we don’t need to search for, we don’t need to extract, we don’t even need to transport any combustible across the globe, neither we need any special, polluting and complicated power plant to exploit them. Tidal, hydro, wind and solar power can be easily found and converted into electricity directly from those basic machines. When no mining or extracting is needed, two things occur: a lot of money is saved and a lot of destruction is avoided. Using simplest power plants, such as those used for tidal, hydro, wind and solar energy one stage is omitted in the energy transformation process (combustion), hence higher energy efficiency is reached and no pollutants at all are emitted, not even 1 gram of CO2. Not the same for ordinary resources, the plants for mining or extraction entail pollution and waste of energy, as well as transportation does. The power plants needed to burn the combustible are more complex and horribly expensive. In the transformation process 75% of the energy is constantly wasted and as if it wasn’t enough, thousands of tons of CO2 along with a dozen of other poisons are emitted every year from a single power plant.

Extraction needs versus no-extraction needs, with all the consequences, low efficiency versus higher efficiency, pollution versus echo-friendliness are mainly our terms of comparison between non-renewable and renewable sources but, beside those, there are several others. Yes, things may look a bit shocking, but that’s the truth, this is exactly an overview of how things are going, right now, in our world. Many are the reasons for this situation, but mainly, a widely diffused misinformation as much as a couldn’t-care-less attitude plays a major role in this game. Those are the enemies we should fight immediately.

About the author: Sam Deias has been a believer and educator since 2002, especially focused on life improving methods, an expert and researcher in the electric energy field, passionate for life, nature and technology. A man who strongly believes in the positive potential of people. You may want to claim, for a limited time only, your complimentary energy revolution mini e-course at: http://www.capstoneworld.com

Read More...

Build and Protect your Wealth: Avoid Becoming a Victim of the Economic Downfall

The current economic downfall has yet to touch the lives of many Americans. However, this is changing. More and more Americans are being bombarded by loss of wages, over-extended credit cards and a lack of credit, loss of retirement and emergency funds, and the inability to make “ends meet.” Foreclosures and bankruptcies are at an all-time high. The coming months will most likely result in financial disaster for thousands more. As stated by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke “…the US economy continues to confront substantial challenges, including a weakening labor market and elevated inflation. Notable stresses in financial markets have been high and have recently intensified significantly. If financial conditions fail to improve for a protracted period, the implications for the broader economy could be quite adverse.” It is, therefore, imperative that a solution be found for people in the midst of this financial crisis.

You can regain control of your finances and build a bright financial future through wealth creation and management education programs. New home based business opportunities exist that can give you the needed control of your financial life. You will have access to the most comprehensive guide to education in wealth management on the net today. The possibilities are enormous:

* Wealth building education * Wealth accumulation strategies * Personal financial analysis and debt management -debt relief * Asset protection education -adequate life insurance -preserve your estate – protection from law suits * Credit repair and improvement * Tax reduction-increase cash flow * Legacy building * Personal lifestyle design plan - Prevent financial loss, improve your finances and build your wealth, find out more.

Audrey Robinson Entrepreneur in wealth growth and management Contact successinmastering wealth.com

Read More...

Web Design And Web Development/ IT Outsourcing/ Web Application Development/ Website Development/

We are INDIA based leading ISO 9001:2000 Certified Web Development Company, located at Baroda, Gujarat.We are specialized in creating strong branding for public and environmentally-conscious companies. We love working with companies that want high quality web design and logo identity, from the look and sense of your site, to the color palette that will be used across all mediums including, identity, web, print, and advertising.

Our oath to you is that when you do business with JAGTAP InfoTech Pvt Ltd, you will see every cent you have spent in the finished product. We won't amaze you with techno-speak, and we won't try to sell you extra things you don't need. What we will do is design a website that looks great, is easy to update and maintain, that will be fast-loading, creative, secure, and, corporate.

We can do things for you that other web page designers don't even know about. We can provide you the services like E-Commerce, OS Commerce, Graphic design, Animation, Multimedia, Flash, Photoshop, Dream weaver, SEO, Joomla, Illustrator ASP, .NET, PHP, CSS, Mysql, HTML, Server management, Action script, JavaScript, Win 2003 server,Web Design And Web Development/ IT Outsourcing/ Web Application Development, Website Development,Offshore Outsourcing, Software outsourcing etc.

If you would like to discuss the opportunities for outsourcing please contact us!

Jagtap Infotech Pvt. Ltd

Read More...

Kamis, 19 Februari 2009

Learn how to repair discs

You need to know the some important things before you would want to repair digital discs. The important things to know are how they are produced and what type of damages can be repaired. It is very important to know everything about CD's if you want to repair it. When you know the fundamental of CD's, repairing will be much easier.

How to Make A CD

First, understand that we keep all the data at one side of the plastic disc. So, the data needs to be stamped on the disc to create many zeros and ones on this side. If it is a recordable disc, there are different levels of burning a CD depending on the type of recording.

Moving on, a layer of reflective foil that is thin will be applied on top of the CD. This will cover up the data. The most important feature about this layer it light reflective feature so that the data can be read.

Do not be surprised that lacquer is involved in the process. It is dripped on to the disc and then the disc must be spun at high speed. This will create a seal on the disc although it has no protection or whatsoever on the data and the foil.

This is where the graphic comes in. A layer of ink is printed on the lacquer layer so that the disc is more appealing for sales. Please note that the foil, lacquer and graphic offer no protection to the data. It means if you scratch on the data layer, there would be no use anymore.

How a CD is Read

You might have seen different types of discs in the market. However, the working all is the same. Files such as songs and pictures are being stored in a digital form. Therefore, there will be millions of zeros and ones on the disc.

The information is being read with the help of infrared laser that projects through the disc. There will be reflection or no reflection to the laser reader, which will then process the information. The process is also known as decoding. Laser reader will decode the zeros and ones being reflected.

So, it is really important to make sure there is no scratch on the disc. A scratch will cause defect to the disc. As such, the laser will be off the track and no data will be readable. Protect your disc with a shield to avoid loss of data.

How a CD Can Be Damaged

The easiest and also the worst way a CD can get damaged is through scratches. To repair a disc, the location of the scratch will determine if the CD can be repaired or not.

Keep in mind that the important part of the disc you must protect is the side of polycarbonate disc. However, not many people know how to protect a disc, not even the manufacturer who leaves the CD exposed. Whether there is data or not in a disc, a scratch will damage the whole thing.

If the scratch is on the other side, then it is possible to repair through polish. It is crucial to be watchful when you use the disc and notice any scratches so that you can repair them as soon as possible before further damage.

An easy way to check for scratches is to hold the disc 24" from a light bulb with the label facing the bulb. You will see light coming through if there are scratches and the bad news if you cannot repair this disc.

Whether a disc can be repaired many times or not depending on how deep the scratches are on the disc especially when you polish the disc. The author has extensive experience over the years at disc repair service and is now using his knowledge to help others achieve the same level of success with his disc repair service . He runs several blogs and is an active contributor at various internet

Read More...

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Self-Paced Computer Based Training over Instructor-led Classes

Enhancing your knowledge is always a good thing, but with so many options out there to choose from, how do you know what type of program or course is right for you? Well, here's a rundown as to why taking a self-paced computer based training course is way better than choosing a traditional instructor-led course that requires you to travel to an offsite location for class, follow someone else's schedule and basically rearrange your whole life for school. 1. Instructor-led courses are great. You've grown up with them, having teachers from kindergarten to high school. However, as an adult, real life kicks in and priorities in life take over. You have kids, a full-time job and other obligations that make trying to fit in some schooling hard. With instructor-led classes, you have to enroll in a class that fits your schedule most, so you have to do your research. You then have spend money on the class and other learning materials if the class does not provide you with them already. Then you have to drive there, sometimes in traffic or after work when you are tired, and sit there, listening to a boring teacher. A CBT course allows you to choose your topic and then study at your own convenience. The fact that the CBT course allows you the convenience to learn at your own leisure is the number one reason why this type of learning is better than traditional schooling courses. 2. Nowadays, practically everybody has a computer. If not, there are tons of places where computers can be easily accessed, like libraries and Internet cafes. Instructor-led classes require you to travel to an offsite location for class. With traffic nowadays, nobody wants to spend extra hours driving someone where. With some computer based training, you learn from your computer's desktop so there is never need for traveling outside your home, office or anywhere your computer is. 3. Since a lot of people travel now for work, taking a traditional schooling course can be quite challenging if you travel, which is why computer training videos are easier to learn from. Since all you need is a computer to learn on and, most of the time, you travel with your laptops for work. That means you can easily learn while you are traveling. You never have to worry about missing class, following behind and having to make up work since you were gone on business. 4. Some people learn slower than others, and that is fine, but when taking regular instructor-led courses, you have to follow someone's schedule and pace. With a CBT course, you have the freedom to learn as fast as you want or as slow as you want since you are in full control of your learning needs. Slow learners can really take their time learning the material. Fast learners can go ahead and skip sections they might already know, too. 5. With instructor-led classes, if you miss a class you are out of luck and might have to take the course over again if you have too many absences, thus making you spend more money to take the class over again. With a CBT program, you can easily go back to other sections to relearn the material, skip ahead or take off weeks at a time if you cannot find the time to learn. CBT options always allow you more freedom and less stress about having to make it to class on time or missing class for work related situation or family stuff. 6. With some computer training videos, you will learn from interactive components that allow you to really have fun while learning. You get to learn using multimedia tools instead of just sitting in a classroom and listing to the teacher lecture. 7. With CBT programs, you learn from certified professionals in the field so they know exactly what you will need to know. These subject matter experts are informative and will help you better understand the material with easy-to-understand-sessions. In a traditional instructor-led class, you do not always get trained professionals. Sometimes, you get people are not certified and are only teaching for the money. 8. If you are in a hurry to learn something, you might have to wait a while before the instructor touches upon the subject, but with computer based training, you can learn straight for a week or however long you want and finish the course faster than a traditional schooling course. This is great for those who really need to learn as much as they can in as little time since they can learn all day and night until they have learned what they needed. Traditional schooling courses can often go on for weeks at a time. 9. Everybody knows quizzes and tests are used to figure out a person's grade in a class, but with CBT learning, quizzes and assessments are used to only track and monitor your progress with the material. You are not graded with a computer based training course, so you do not have to stress about getting a good grade to pass the class. You can take the quizzes and assessments features in a CBT program to see if you are really understand the material within each section of the course. 10.If you want to learn more than one thing at once, you can easily take several CBT courses at once. But, if you do several instructor-led classes, you might not be able to do a lot since all your time will spent in class, studying for class, or doing homework. With computer based training, since you learn on your own time, you can work out a schedule where you can take a CBT course on a certain day, so that learning dose not become overwhelming for you. You can also stop learning whenever you please to concentrate on just one course topic and then resume the other one whenever you can.CBT Planet.com offers comprehensive computer and employee career training including self-paced computer based training (cbt), computer training videos, instructor-led courses and IT certifications boot camps. Visit them online today for all your cbt online.
Read More...

How you can Increase your AdSense

If you are not already using Google AdSense to earn money on your web site, this is the first step you should take. Most site operators today know this is one of the best ways to earn the funds you need to cover the overhead for your site or to cover marketing expenses or just to have a little extra profit. However, if you're already using the service, you might very well be interested in the ideas below which can dramatically increase your AdSense revenue. Translations Most of us would not think about translating our blog or web site into different languages. However, this can be a great source of AdSense revenue. like as www.instant-adsense-dollars.com Think about it: each of the translated pages counts as a separate page with its own Google ads. The best part is the content doesn't change so you have no additional work to do. Some experts recommend that translating your page into just 9 different languages can increase your AdSense revenue by up to 200%. That's pretty significant. The good news is you don't have to be multi-lingual to pull off this task. Instead, you can find tools on the Internet that will handle the translation for you. Insert Ads into Content Obviously, the key to having a successful AdSense campaign is getting site visitors to click on your ads. If they don't do that, you're not going to earn any money. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating the ads into the page's content. Because the ad stands out from the content, the visitor's eyes are drawn right to it and, if it's relevant, they should click on the ad. You earn AdSense revenue and everyone is content with the results. Remember to remove the borders around the ad to get the best results. This makes the ads seem more seamlessly integrated. Pick a Wise Domain Did you know that the domain name of your site could determine the ads placed their by Google? This is something many people who want to earn more AdSense revenue don't know. for more details www.adsense-income-exposed.com. You see, most of the time Google decides which ads to place on your site because it has used spiders to scope it out and knows what keywords are being used. However, if your site has not yet been reviewed by Google, the generated ads will be chosen based on your domain name. That means you want to make a careful choice in order to maximize your success.

http://www.guardadsense.com http://www.googleadsense-empire.com

Use Email Signatures To increase your AdSense revenue you generally also need to increase the traffic to your site. Although search engine optimization and marketing are key ways to do this, another idea is to include your URL in your email signature, along with a catchy phrase, quote, or other attention-getting content. Have the signature automatically attached to every email you send and you'll be surprised how quickly traffic starts to increase at your site. It's one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take.

Related Articles - Adsense, Google Adsense, Internet Marketing, Home Business, Online Business,

Read More...

Rabu, 18 Februari 2009

Why is Parental Involvement Important in Children's Education?

by Ronnie Phillips

Why is parental Involvement Important in Children's Education?

Numerous research has been done to conclude that parents who are involved with their children's education are building the foundations for a better educated child. These children will be better adjusted to school which can lead to more education. In addition, parents are sending a message to their children that education is important.

In addition, parental involvement is important because parents who are part of their children education will understand the importance of reading. These parents will read to their children beginning at a young age. Also, this parent will make sure that their child can read on the right grade level throughout the educational process. Since reading is a big problem in our country, the reading foundation that the parent are developing will assist the child in its future educational endears as well as life goals.

Equally important, is the fact that parents who are involved with their children will make sure their home is conductive to education. This means that the home will have plenty of books available for their children to read. The home will also have several kinds of reference materials and tools available, such as: encyclopedias, magazines, computer, calculator, pens, pencils, paper, to name a few. In the home will be a quiet room that children can use to study or concentrate on their school work. Part of setting up a home conducive to learning, also includes limited the amount of television viewing throughout the week. Some parents will even make sure that children's homework is done at the same time everyday and if there is no homework the parent will create some.

Another important reason parents should be involved with their children, is because any kind educational deficiencies can be notice quickly. By having parents involved in their child daily education, they will notice the child's strength and weakness. This can help parents to work with those weaknesses as soon as possible.

Parents who attend their children's parent teacher conferences, and also volunteer for activities at school are demonstrating how important school is. Children observe these parents, and they realize education is important because of parent involvement. Also, the schools appreciate the parents who are involved in the school which can lead to additional educational advantages for their child.

These parents realize that is takes the entire village to raise successful children. Overall, the parents that are involved with their children education are building a stronger foundation for their future. Their children are usually the ones excelling at school and receiving all accolades that are top students receive. Parental involvement is not something parent might get involved with it is something that all parents should be involved with.

Read More...

Financial Assistance For Unemployed Student - Key to Achieve Higher Education

By Jonesh Taylor

Plan for achieving higher education is the first dream of every person (lad & lass) but some financial complications don't allow them to fulfill their dream. Running short of money is one of the first complications for the students. The other complication how to derive cash as if unemployed, in that situation they don't need to fret because financial assistance for unemployed student is absolutely designed to eradicate the unemployed students' hassles in the duration of pursuing education.

Who is capable to apply for these loans? Answer is! All student borrowers with bad credit or unemployed can apply for financial assistance for unemployed student smoothly or without any hassle work. Therefore, student borrowers don't need to exhibit their credit history or pledging assets as collateral to the lenders in the process of loan. With the succor of these loans students can achieve education of graduation, under graduation or post graduation easily. Since these types of loans are specially fabricated for those students who covet to achieve U.G or P.G degree.

Despite of collateral is not involved; students can obtain the amount ranges from £500 to £ 13,500 straightforwardly. This loan amount can be paid back within 6 months or 5 years or else after completion their education. This amount can be utilized for assorted issues of related education for instance: pay the college, tuition or examination fees, amortize the hostel charges, laundry charges, tour charges purchase books or computer and all that. After exterminating such education complications, students can make their education tension free. The rate of interest is slightly higher by reason of collateral or credit check is not required. The slightly high rate of interest lessens the jeopardy of lenders' feeling.

Students who are suffering with bad credit history and don't have any hard cash to fulfill their education needs, they can easily apply for financial assistance for unemployed student and they can procure cash within 24 hours or even less by filling up a simple online application form with few details about themselves for instance; name, address, contact number, bank account and all that. Rest of the work will be accomplished by the lender and the cash will be transferred directed into the bank account of the student borrowers spontaneously.


Read More...

The Best College Student Loan Consolidation Plan

By J. Dees

So you've just graduated from college and you're entering the real world with a brand new degree as well as a lot of student loans. You've decided that consolidating your loans would probably be the most effective way to handle them, but you're unsure of the best route to go. If you're confused about the best college student loan consolidation plan, here are a few tips.

First of all, the best college student loan consolidation plan should always include a low interest rate. This will help you to ensure that you pay back the least possible amount of money. The good thing is that federal student loan consolidation interest rates are capped at 8.25 percent meaning they can go no higher. Find a consolidation plan that offers a fixed interest rate because they can never change during the life of the loan.

You may be tempted by variable interest rates with low introductory rates but after the initial period those rates can really start to get up there and you have no control over what your rate will be. With a fixed interest rate you have the comfort of knowing what your payment will be every month.

Additionally, the best college student loan consolidation plans are the ones with few fees and that offer the option of graduated payments. These are payments which start off very low and gradually increase over the repayment of the loan. Graduated payments are excellent, especially if you're starting out with a relatively low income. They give you a chance to get on your feet and get your financial situation to a more stable place.

The bottom line with finding the best consolidation plan is to know your needs and do the research on different companies to find the best fit.


Read More...

How To Become A Flight Attendant

by MonsterGuide.net

Isn't it great to have a job that lets you travel all over the world? If you always feel like being up in the air and flying to foreign lands and countries, then you must try a career as a flight attendant. These are the people who assist airline passengers and make them feel comfortable while traveling. Flight attendants also make sure that safety regulations are properly carried out, and assist people when an emergency arises.

Choosing a career as a flight attendant is a good idea, but you must first make sure that you have all the necessary traits, requirements and training before pursuing this job. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to become a flight attendant. Lean The Duties

Flight attendants do more than just smile, give out snacks and night pillows and assist passengers to their chairs. There are a number of duties and responsibilities involved with this job, and before embarking on this career path, you must have an idea of what to expect. Flight attendant duties include:

* Make sure passengers are comfortable, by handing out food, beverages, blankets and headsets * Answer passenger queries as pleasantly as possible * Administer first aid * Demonstrate evacuation and safety procedures * Assist all passengers, especially young children and physically impaired individuals to find their seats * Maintain order and make sure passengers are calm when an emergency arises * Make sure everyone on board complies with the FAA safety rules and regulations

Get The Requirements

Before you can land a flight attendant job, or even an interview, your potential employers will first check if you've got all the educational and physical requirements, as well as work experience. Remember, a large part of their decision to hire you comes from these requirements, so make sure you prepare yourself fully.

* For the educational aspect, most airlines prefer someone who has a college degree, though this isn't a major requirement. A course in oral communication, psychology, education or other people-related disciplines is a plus point. * As for the physical requirements, most airlines have set standards for the height of their attendants. Many airlines require someone at least 18 years old, but major airlines only accept those 21 years old and above. * For the work aspect, applicants with prior experience in customer service, including restaurant, hospitality and retail, are more preferred. * Aside from these, you must also prepare major identification cards, especially your passport. Being fluent in one or more foreign language is also a bonus, especially if you want to be hired in an international airline.

Do Your Research

Once you've completed the primary requirements, you must find out which airlines are looking for attendants. Check out open house listings in large city newspapers for job opportunities. Individual airline sites also post when they are looking for new people to hire. Once you've seen a few options, send your comprehensive resume to these airlines.

Stress a few important points on your resume that the employer will look for. Example, list down all the relevant work experience you had, as well as foreign language, and first aid knowledge. You should also stress out your readiness to relocate. The Interview

When the airline invites you applied for invites you for an interview, you must prepare well: this is your chance to impress and let them know how competent you are. Wear a neutral suit, black shoes (for men) or small pumps (for women), and brush back your hair. Don't don any jewelry, just a watch. Let them visualize you as an attendant working for them. Make sure you show an air of professionalism and confidence, and answer all their questions as honestly and clearly as you can. Public Speaking

One very important trait that airlines look for potential flight attendants is their ability to speak in front of a crowd. Remember, one of the main duties that you'll be given when you're on this job is speaking to different passengers everyday, answering questions and making important announcements. Your employers will then watch you as you speak in front of them, observing your voice quality, your composure, pleasantness, and your ability to comfort people. Practice your public speaking before going to the interview. Complete Your Training

When you pass the interview, you can move on to the next step: undergoing flight attendant training. This can take between three to eight weeks, at the airline's flight training center. You will need to learn about various emergency procedures and passport and custom regulations. This is done in simulated environments, in front of your instructors and fellow trainees. You will also be taken aboard practice flights, and observed and graded. When you finish these successfully, the FAA will give you a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency.

Being a flight attendant is no easy task. Remember, you are responsible for the lives of people, thousands of feet up in the air. Keep these important considerations in mind as you prepare yourself for this fulfilling career. You'll surely be a reliable and trustworthy attendant.


Read More...

Waldorf Education - a 21st Century Masterpiece

The first Waldorf school was initiated in 1919 by the Austrian spiritual scientist, Rudolf Steiner. Today there are over a thousand schools in over sixty countries around the globe.

From Wikipedia:

"The Waldorf approach emphasizes the role of the imagination in learning, developing thinking that includes a creative as well as an analytic component. Studies of the education describe its overarching goal as providing young people the basis on which to develop into free, moral and integrated individuals, and to help every child fulfill his or her unique destiny."

If a creative soul wanted to originate a system of education that developed the potential of its students in an optimal way, that person would base the model on a deep understanding of the human being. Such an understanding would have to entail the whole human being, especially the deeper, spiritual aspects. That is why our current, mainstream forms of education fail so miserably - we live in a materialistic age, and most of the people in charge of education have little knowledge of the more substantial aspects of humanity.

Because the Waldorf system is, in a sense, a deep pool to enter, in terms of coming to understand it, several points need to be considered. Some of the main aspects are presented below.

Considerations Regarding Waldorf Education: Waldorf Education strives to focus holistically, that is, to develop all three functions of the human soul - thinking, feeling and willing - on an equal basis. Thus, in addition to academic training, art, music, and drama are presented (the feeling arena), as well as the doing of things - fine motor activity such as handwork, and agility/coordination exercises (the willing arena).

By comprehending the long term social/spiritual evolution of humanity, Steiner was able to re-capitulate that development in his educational vision, and to align it in such a way as to match the particular age of a child directly with the curriculum. Steiner fine-tuned this so that the body of story content presented to any given age resonates with the consciousness of the child, as it changes and advances through the grades. Norse myths, for example, meet the specific nature of the child's consciousness in Grade Four in an abiding way.

The stories reside in the main lesson material in a core manner. They are the heart of the lessons, from which the various subjects are integrated and counter-woven.

The Waldorf teacher strives to present content from the whole to the parts. As much as possible, reductionist approaches are avoided, and holism prevails.

Of utmost importance is avoiding over-taxing the natural unfolding of the child's etheric constitution. Overly intellectual activity in a child before age 9, and especially before age 7 - such as reading, with it's excessive mental demand (coding, de-coding, culturally contrived mental gymnastics) - not only can damage the child's health in subsequent years, due to excessive drain on the constitution-forming etheric forces, but proves to be of no long term value (see next point). The debilitating effects of such practices are experienced in eyesight, constitutional energetics, the immune system, and later on in life, a variety of hardening effects (sclerotic conditions, hardening of arteries, etc.).

To view the whole article visit the Insight21 site.

Read More...

The Online Degree in Business Administration: 10 Important Items to Remember by Kevin Ihrig

I spent several hours researching an online degree in business administration, and looking at offline programs as well. I've graduated with my degree, and I have found 10 things to remember and think about before you dive in.

Getting a degree takes time, so picking a good school that will meet your needs can really help the process along. Take a few minutes to think about these, and I also have some suggestions for places to look for programs you may like.

10 Things to Remember: 1. The Benefit Why are you going to college? Will you get a raise? A promotion? What will an offline or online degree in business administration do for you? This become more important as you move through the 5 items.

If you expect to get a better job or a raise, that's great! Congratulations on having some ambition. As a secondary idea, you might look at what type of job you want, and see if you can tell how many people have the degree you want. You do this just to validate your plans. For instance, you don't see many Oceanology PhD's on salmon boats in Alaska. It's just not a requirement for the job.

2. The Bill How much will this cost? As you check out colleges and universities that offer an online degree in business administration or similar programs, jot down how much they cost per year or credit. The university I went to for my degree, an MBA, cost less than half of what another local university charged, and only about one third what a large online university would have charged.

For me, the lower tuition and fewer student loans made a big difference.

3. The Prestige How much respect will your degree receive? When you walk into a job interview or write a resume and say, I graduated from so-and-so university, will you get the respect you want?

To find out, look up reviews of the schools you are considering. Also, if you know anyone who has attended these schools, ask them how their degree was received. You can also call a few human resource departments if you want.

4. The Simplicity How hard will attending your school be? Will you have to log in 20 minutes early, or have special software? Not that any of these are bad things, you should just know ahead of time.

Also, will these schools do everything online, or do you have to handle a bunch of paperwork by mail? Online is easier, usually.

5. The Time How long until you graduate? Is this a lock step program? I passed on a more prestigious program partly because of a lock step program. I couldn't skip a semester if I needed to, and I did need to later. I would have had to apply for reentry.

6. The Aid Does this university have arrangements for financial aid set up? Meaning, what kind of student loans can you use at this school? Also, does the school have access to any special scholarships, and will they help you apply?

7. The Program Do the programs for an online degree in business administration at the universities or colleges you plan to attend seem similar? Some schools require different things. Since I had an engineering undergraduate, I had to earn about 15 credits more than a business undergrad. I found that this was fairly common.

If a school promises you graduation in a short time, when others say 2 years, or 4 years, you might want to look into it further. The school might not be legitimate, or might not be accredited.

8. The Flexibility The program I attended was offline, with online portions, and I was able to do part without any attendance. When I missed class, I could make it up. Helpful, since I traveled a bit for my job.

What flexibility would help you? An all-online program will allow you to work on your classes anywhere, of course. You may want to see what flexibility you have in choosing classes, or how you turn in assignments.

9. The Access Do you know if you can talk to your professor outside of class? You will need access to various university functions now and then, and you'll have to talk to your teachers and class mates.

Since you'll work on this online, you will probably do most of your work through email and some on the phone. I did this for several assignments, and it works, you just have to keep on top of it. Getting an accredited business degree online will mean lots of papers, some presentations, and team assignments. Access to everyone will require to some juggling.

10. The Follow up When you finish that degree, whether in business or not, most people like some follow-up in the form of job search assistance. Most colleges and universities offer help when you graduate, but some will help anytime you need to look for a job.

Will you get employment support to help you find that better job? Also, how many grads from the program get jobs right away? It's worth asking what the university offers.

Just a few things to think about as you apply. I have found many great programs that offer an online degree in business administration, even from traditional schools. You just have to evaluate what will work best for you.

Read More...

Tips and Tricks for Using Internet Explorer

By Lorrie Jackson
WHY A TECHTORIAL?

What will I learn today?
You will learn how to find and use all the Internet Explorer tools.
What hardware and/or software does the techtorial apply to?
The techtorial will be helpful for anyone with a computer with Internet access and an Internet Explorer browser.
Which National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers does the techtorial address?
The techtorial will help teachers accomplish standard IIc in particular.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed a set of National Educational Technology Standards for
Teachers. Standards or Performance Indicators are included for each techtorial to help teachers and administrators improve
technology proficiency. For a complete description of the standards indicated, go to NETS for Teachers, click Standards in the menu
bar on the left, and then click the arrow to the right of Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers.
SURFING WITH STYLE!
Most relatively new -- and many extremely experienced -- Internet users see their browser as little more than a
window to the Web. Few take the time to explore the many useful tools their Internet browser provides. Internet
Explorer, for example, one of the most commonly used browsers, has a number of little known bells and
whistles that can make your Web work simpler and smarter. If you're one of those Web surfers who has yet to
dive beneath the surface of Internet Explorer, this techtorial is for you.
The best way to complete the techtorial successfully is to have both the instructions and your browser window
available at the same time. To do that, you'll need to either print the techtorial or open two IE windows at the
same time.
To print the techtorial:
Click the blue bar at the top of this techtorial window. Hold down the mouse button and drag the slide until you
can see the first slide of the techtorial beneath it. Click Printable Version of Techtorial. Then, click the Print icon
or click File > Print > OK. Now, you can read the printed instructions and follow those instructions in Internet
Explorer.
To open two Internet Explorer windows:
Open Internet Explorer. Click File > New > Window. Then you can click the first Internet Explorer window to
read the instructions, and click the second IE window to follow those instructions.
"Window juggling" is an excellent skill to have. It allows you to work with any two programs --
Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer, for example -- at the same time.
Ready to begin? Follow the steps in this techtorial to learn some Internet Explorer tips and tricks.
Education World® Tips and Tricks for Using Internet Explorer
SAY TO YOURSELF: ICON DO IT!
On a computer, an icon is an image that represents a frequently used file, program, application, or tool. To
complete this techtorial, you will need to know the meaning of some Internet Explorer icons. Roll your mouse
over each icon in the menu bar at the top of the Internet Explorer screen as we walk through the following most
commonly used icons.
l An arrow pointing to the left: The Back arrow returns you to the Web site you last visited.
l An arrow pointing to the right: The Forward arrow (sometimes labeled Next) returns you to the Web
site -- if any -- you visited after the Web site you are currently on.
l A document or circle with an X in the center: Stop stops the download of a site or its elements (such as
sounds, video, pictures, and so on.)
l Two green arrows on a white document: Refresh reloads the latest version of a Web page. Click this
periodically if you are viewing a Web site -- such as a weather or news page -- that periodically updates
information.
l A house: Home returns you to the page you have designated as your home page.
l A globe with a magnifying glass: Search finds a site by name, topic, or content using the MSN.com
search engine.
l A file folder: Favorites allows you to "bookmark" sites you use frequently or want to save for future use.
l A sundial: History allows you to see which sites you've visited over a specified period of time. You can
use History to find a site you visited recently or to track the sites a student has recently visited.
l A printer: Click Print to print an entire page or document. To print only one page or picture in a longer
document, go to File>Print instead.
l A document with a W or a pencil on it: Click Edit to see only the text and html tags of a Web page. This
tool allows you to copy or print large blocks of text from a Web page. (Do not plagiarize! Be sure to
always cite your sources.)
More Terms to Know
To complete the techtorial, you also will need to know the following terms:
l Home page: the page your browser opens to when you first log on to the Internet.
l Web page: a single World Wide Web file containing text and media (sound, graphics, etc.) and coded
tags (such as HTML) that describe how the file should look when the browser displays it.
l Web site: one or more Web pages maintained as a set by a person, group, business, or organization.
For example, Education World Techtorials is a Web page that is part of the
EducationWorld Web site.
l Address bar: the area at the top of the browser window that contains the URL of the page you are on.
To go to a new page, type the URL of that page in the address bar and hit Enter.
l URL: Uniform Resource Locator; a Web site's address. For example, http://www.loc.gov is the URL for
the Library of Congress.
Education World® Tips and Tricks for Using Internet Explorer
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Open Internet Explorer. Where are you? You're on your home page! Your home page is the first page you see
when you log on to Internet Explorer. Your home page might be Education World; your school Web site; a
search engine, such as Yahoo, an e-mail provider, such as Hotmail, or any other site you choose! Changing
your home page is easy -- once you know how. For example, to make Education World your home page:
l In the address bar, type http://www.educationworld.com and hit Enter. You should now see Education
World's main page.
l In the address bar, find the blue Internet Explorer E directly to the left of Education World's URL.
l Drag the Internet Explorer icon to the house icon in the Internet Explorer menu bar.
l Click YES to answer the question: "Do you want to make Education World your home page?"
l To check whether the change was successful, type the URL of any other site in the address bar and hit
ENTER. Then click the house icon. If the change was successful, Internet Explorer will return to
Education World's home page.
l If the change was not successful, go to the site you want as your home page, and then click
Tools>Internet Options. Under the General tab, click Use Current and OK.
SHORTCUTS TO SUCCESS!
Are there sites you go to a lot or have your students go to a lot? Do you want your students to easily be able to
go to a site without typing a long URL? Do you want to limit your students Internet use to only a few sites?
Make it easy on them and on yourself by creating a desktop shortcut for each of those sites.
l Go to the Web site to which you want to create a shortcut.
l Click File > Send > Shortcut to Desktop.
l A new icon (a piece of paper with the Internet Explorer E on it) should pop up on your desktop. Note the
arrow on the icon. That tells you the icon is a shortcut to a site or document.
l If you want to rename the icon, right-click the title beneath the icon and select Rename.
l You or your students now can double-click the shortcut to get to that site.
QUICK TIPS AND TRICKS
The following additional quick tips will help you make better use of your Internet Explorer browser.
l To enlarge or decrease the size of text on a Web page, click View >Text Size and select the size you
need.
l To save a favorite site, go to that site, and then click the Favorites icon. Click Add or Add to Favorites,
click the folder in which you want to save the site, and then click OK. To rename the site to something
that will help you remember what its' about, type the new name in the Name window. To create a new
folder in which to organize your Favorites, follow the steps above, but before clicking OK, click New
Folder, type a name for your folder in the window, and click OK.
l You can speed up your Web surfing by deleting some temporary files. (Those are pages the computer
Education World® Tips and Tricks for Using Internet Explorer
automatically saves, but they can slow down performance if your computer is short of memory.) Go to
Tools > Internet Options, choose the General tab, and find the Temporary Internet files section. Click
Delete files.
l Separate the good, the bad, and the ugly by using Content Advisor to filter out inappropriate Web sites.
(At most schools, you probably already have a filter, but this also is a helpful tool to share with parents.)
Go to Tools > Internet Options > Content. In the Content Advisor section, click Enable, and then click
Settings. Click and highlight each category, the slider to determine how vigilant you want the filter to be,
and then click OK. A window labeled Content Supervisor Password will open. To prevent students (or
anyone else) from changing your Content Advisor settings, type a password and click OK.
TELL ME MORE!
Where can I learn more?
For a free download of Internet Explorer 6 (the latest version of the program) or for more handy tricks go to
Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 page.
What's next?
Next week's techtorial will be Spring Fever Solutions: Six Easy Office Activities for Grades K-6
Read More...