Posts published in December, 2014
Michael Kirst | State Policy to Implement Common Core Standards: Almost Everything Changes
Michael Kirst on “State Policy to Implement Common Core Standards: Almost Everything Changes” at 4th Lemann Dialogue conference.
Federal Data On Distance Education Is Not Accurate
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How To Build Your College Website:Best Tools And Resources
By Jane Hurst
If you are a teacher or a student who wants to create their own website, you have several resources available to you. For starters, if you are already set up on Google, you can use Google Sites to create your website. Or, you can choose from one of the following website building tools.
- Weebly – This is an easy website building tool to use, and one of the best things about it is that it is absolutely free to use. It offers plenty of features, so you can create interesting websites that are going to get noticed.
- Weebly for Education – Another option is to use Weebly for Education. This website builder has all of the same features as Weebly, as well as features that are made just for those involved in education. It offers the bulk creation of accounts for students, and teachers can manage and moderate these accounts. Students can easily build their own websites and blogs, and you can control the content because you have created the accounts in the first place. Check here to learn more about Weebly for Education.
- Jimdo – When you use this tool, you will have a great selection of templates, layouts, backgrounds, and editing options. You can change the template at any time if you want something new, and you can even customize the templates so your website is completely unique to you. Create a blog, and even enjoy email management with Jimdo.
- School Rack – This is a free service that teachers can use to create their own websites for their classrooms. This is different than most website builders, because it is not directed towards the masses, but just for teachers and their students. You can use your website to post assignments using an integrated feature so you don’t have to create a separate assignment page. Students and parents can also have free accounts, so they can contact the teachers when they need to.
- Webs – This is a popular website builder that is free to use, and you can include video and audio content. It also allows you to create calendars and polls, and there are loads of other third-party widgets. You can choose from a huge selection of templates and page layouts, so you can create a website that is truly unique to you. This is a basic builder, so if you are looking for something that is a bit more advanced, this may not be the tool for you.
- Web Node – If you are looking for a website builder that is super-easy to use, look no further than Web Node. In fact, this is a great tool for first-time website builders. You can drag and drop, and change the look of your website at any time. This is a great tool for students, as they can present and share their assignments. One of the biggest benefits is that there is no annoying advertising placed on your website.
- Snap Pages – You have the option to use the free service, or pay for the premium service to create your website. There are loads of features on the free service to get you started, and you can set up and maintain a class website. Some of the features include editing and customizing tools, as well as an image resizing tool.
- Yola – Here is another free website builder that you can use as much as you like, and add as much content as you wish without having to pay for any extra services. If you are planning on posting a lot of content with audio and video, this is a great website builder to use. You will even find forums and tutorials to help get you started.
Byline:
Jane Hurst has been working in education for over 5 years as a teacher. She loves sharing her knowledge with students, is fascinated about edtech and loves reading, a lot.
Hope to hear from you!
Things To Know If You Want To Study Abroad
By Melissa Burns
The modern world is much more open and free than the world our ancestors and even our parents lived. We can travel wherever we want, live wherever we want, try our hand at different jobs, study different professions – and there is nobody to stop us. Getting education abroad is probably one of the most fascinating prospects young people have today – for the simple reason that after getting a degree in a prestigious university one dramatically increases his or her competitiveness on job market. However, the fact that you have an opportunity doesn’t mean that it is easy to utilize it. Let’s take a look at a few things you have to know and do before you start to seriously consider applying to a foreign school.
1. You Will Need Money – Lots of It Education at a prestigious university, plus travelling fees, plus accommodation, plus food, plus various other expected and unexpected expenses – all this is going to cost you a pretty penny, and the higher your aspirations, the more expensive it is going to be. Thus, either you or your family should take a good look at the opportunities of international education and think carefully whether you can afford it. And you should take care to think about it beforehand not to get in trouble midway.
2. Scholarships Are Highly Sought-After Yes, there are scholarships that may greatly alleviate the financial burden of getting education abroad – some give you an opportunity to study free of charge, others do away with some percentage of the fee. However, although it is a completely viable way of getting by, international scholarships are highly competitive and there will always be thousands of applicants willing to fight for them. Moreover, financial support for international students from governments, private sponsors and colleges was on decline for several years in a row, which means even more competition. For example, right now about 64% of international students in the USA pay for their education in full. Thus, in order to get a scholarship, you have to be willing to spend a great deal of time, effort and energy preparing and making yourself eligible for it.
3. Consulting a Specialist Is a Good Idea There are organizations out there that exist for the sole purpose of helping international students in getting education abroad. They provide consulting services, allow you to apply to particular courses and programs with their assistance, help you choose the school, program and discipline that are best suited to your skills and aspirations in life – in other words, they already have all the information about international education you are only starting to look for. So, isn’t it better to apply via one of them and get professional consultation and support instead of going in blindly?
4. You Will Be Living in a New World College is often perceived as an entirely new stage of life, having little to no similarity to everything a person passed through before, but if you are going to a college in another country, it is a different thing entirely. The overall situation may be different depending on which country you are going to, but you are going to be a fish out of water: different country means different culture, customs, mentality and so on. You will leave your old environment behind and will have to get used to living in another world – better accept this idea in advance not to be shocked after moving to a new place. Getting education abroad is, of course, an extremely exciting and promising opportunity – but before you apply to the college of your dreams you should understand that getting there and staying there isn’t going to be easy. But prepare yourself well, and there will be no stopping you!
Melissa is a student of journalism. She is passionate about digital technologies and tries to implement them in the sphere of education. She has recently founded Studday – global educational platform.
– See more at: https://collegepuzzle.stanford.edu/#sthash.PSTPLZUc.dpuf
Things to Know If You Want to Study Abroad
By Melissa Burns
The modern world is much more open and free than the world our ancestors and even our parents lived. We can travel wherever we want, live wherever we want, try our hand at different jobs, study different professions – and there is nobody to stop us. Getting education abroad is probably one of the most fascinating prospects young people have today – for the simple reason that after getting a degree in a prestigious university one dramatically increases his or her competitiveness on job market. However, the fact that you have an opportunity doesn’t mean that it is easy to utilize it. Let’s take a look at a few things you have to know and do before you start to seriously consider applying to a foreign school.
1. You Will Need Money – Lots of It Education at a prestigious university, plus travelling fees, plus accommodation, plus food, plus various other expected and unexpected expenses – all this is going to cost you a pretty penny, and the higher your aspirations, the more expensive it is going to be. Thus, either you or your family should take a good look at the opportunities of international education and think carefully whether you can afford it. And you should take care to think about it beforehand not to get in trouble midway.
2. Scholarships Are Highly Sought-After Yes, there are scholarships that may greatly alleviate the financial burden of getting education abroad – some give you an opportunity to study free of charge, others do away with some percentage of the fee. However, although it is a completely viable way of getting by, international scholarships are highly competitive and there will always be thousands of applicants willing to fight for them. Moreover, financial support for international students from governments, private sponsors and colleges was on decline for several years in a row, which means even more competition. For example, right now about 64% of international students in the USA pay for their education in full. Thus, in order to get a scholarship, you have to be willing to spend a great deal of time, effort and energy preparing and making yourself eligible for it.
3. Consulting a Specialist Is a Good Idea There are organizations out there that exist for the sole purpose of helping international students in getting education abroad. They provide consulting services, allow you to apply to particular courses and programs with their assistance, help you choose the school, program and discipline that are best suited to your skills and aspirations in life – in other words, they already have all the information about international education you are only starting to look for. So, isn’t it better to apply via one of them and get professional consultation and support instead of going in blindly?
4. You Will Be Living in a New World College is often perceived as an entirely new stage of life, having little to no similarity to everything a person passed through before, but if you are going to a college in another country, it is a different thing entirely. The overall situation may be different depending on which country you are going to, but you are going to be a fish out of water: different country means different culture, customs, mentality and so on. You will leave your old environment behind and will have to get used to living in another world – better accept this idea in advance not to be shocked after moving to a new place. Getting education abroad is, of course, an extremely exciting and promising opportunity – but before you apply to the college of your dreams you should understand that getting there and staying there isn’t going to be easy. But prepare yourself well, and there will be no stopping you!
Melissa is a student of journalism. She is passionate about digital technologies and tries to implement them in the sphere of education. She has recently founded Studday – global educational platform.
Student Engagement And Good Teaching Not Related to Admissions Selectivity
Does selectivity matter?
Survey findings suggest that the average student experience can vary widely from one college to another. The results suggest that a college’s enrollment size and level of selectivity “bears little relationship” to student engagement and experiences with faculty. (Inside Higher Ed)
